News – Page 1276 – WKVI Information Center

LaPorte County Sheriff's Major John Boyd — LaPorte County Sheriff’s Major John Boyd

A veteran member of the LaPorte County Sheriff’s Office is set to announce his candidacy for sheriff. Major John Boyd has worked his way up from through the ranks since joining the department in 1990 and is now third in command. Prior to that promotion Boyd served as a captain and chief of detectives. Boyd will formally announce his candidacy tomorrow afternoon at 1 p.m. at the Heston Hills Banquet and Conference Center in LaPorte. Several prominent Republicans are scheduled to attend, including LaPorte County Republican Party Chairman Leigh Morris, LaPorte Mayor Blair Milo, State Rep. Tom Dermody and former LaPorte County Sheriff Ken Layton, who is Boyd’s campaign chairman. Boyd says in a statement that he looks forward to running a positive campaign, and his main goal if elected is to tackle the heroin epidemic in the county. He also pledges to work tirelessly to improve the safety and security of students in the local schools.

Starke County Council Approves Funds Transfer to Feed Inmates

The Starke County Council approved a transfer of $15,000 to cover the cost of feeding inmates in the county jail through the end of the year. Matron Chris Smith says the county provides no-frills meals that are compliant with the state’s nutritional guidelines at a cost of 92-cents per-inmate, per-day. Breakfast is oatmeal or cereal and toast, and lunch is either a peanut butter and jelly or a lunchmeat sandwich. Sheriff’s department officials say the shortfall is closer to $10,000, but they’re asking for extra money just in case. Anything they don’t use will go back into the county’s rainy day fund at the end of the year. They add the cost of inmate meals is comparable with that of surrounding counties. Additionally the inmates like the food, which in turn means fewer fights and complaints.

Knox Street Department Gearing up for the Winter Season

Knox Street Superintendent Jeff Borg told the Knox Board of Public Works that the department is gearing up for the winter season. While they are still continuing with leaf and brush pick-up, they are getting the trucks ready to plow snow. The salt supply is good and the staff is making sure the plows are properly maintained to tackle what the winter season has to offer.

Wastewater Superintendent Kelly Clemons asked the board to approve a quote to remove ten trees from around the equipment at the wastewater plant. The lowest quote came in from the same company that assisted in the clean-up in Wythogan Park after a wind storm wreaked havoc in the park last year. The quote was for $8,500.

North Judson Council Approves HVAC Replacement Quote

October 26, 2013October 28, 2013WKVI

The North Judson Police Station and Civic Center will soon have a new heating and air conditioning unit. The town council received two quotes to replace the existing unit and awarded the job to Jackson Refrigeration. Clerk-Treasurer Donna Henry says their price of $5,684.92 was the lower. That unit will be replaced soon.

Knox City Council Discusses City Court

The Knox City Council briefly discussed costs of operating the Knox City Court.

Mayor Rick Chambers explained that in 2012, after the disbursements of fees, the court took in $53,834.81 and the cost to operate the court was $98,345. The court system did not use $11,400 last year so the total cost absorbed by the city was $86,945.83.

Local Marching Bands Competing in ISSMA Open Class Semi-State Festival

Marching bands from two local high schools are among 80 from across the state who have been selected to participate at today’s ISSMA Open Class Semi-State Marching Band Festival. The Plymouth High School band will compete in Class B at Pike High School at 3:10 p.m., and the John Glenn band will compete in Class C at Decatur Central High School at 4:28 p.m. The bands qualified for semi-state by being one of the top 10 scoring bands in their enrollment category at their open class regional site on Oct. 12. Today’s competition will determine the 10 bands that will represent each class at the 40^th anniversary of the Indiana State Marching Band Finals next Saturday at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.

Knox Board of Public Works Approves Change Order in Demolition Project

This is the old Knox theater and Starke County Economic Development Foundation location

The Knox Board of Public Works approved change orders for the demolition project at 2 and 4 N. Main Street in the downtown area.

Crews tore down the buildings that housed the old Knox theater and the former office of the Starke County Economic Development Foundation. While most of the debris has been cleared, there are a few issues that need to be addressed before inclement weather sets in.

Pulaski County CLASP Seeks Donations and Volunteers

The Pulaski County Coordinated Local Assistance Service Project is getting ready to make the holiday season merry for families in need throughout the community. It includes area churches, service organizations, individuals, schools, law enforcement agencies and businesses who head up the annual toy store, clothing and food box distribution through Pulaski County Human Services. Right now they’re looking for donations of new toys and clothing and items for the holiday food baskets. Volunteers are also needed. Call 574-946-6500 and ask for Midge or Jacki if you would like to help out. Registration is also open for anyone who would like to receive food, toys and clothing this holiday season. Sign up through Dec. 4 at Pulaski County Human Services, 115 W. Pearl St. in Winamac.

Marshall County Jury Finds Defendant Guilty

A Marshall County jury found Mark Selner guilty on a charge of Battery Resulting in Bodily Injury as a Class C felony. The jury deliberated for an hour and a half before reaching a verdict. Testimony lasted for a day and a half.

Selner was found to have battered James Haddox while both were incarcerated in the Marshall County Jail. Selner insisted that he acted in self-defense. Chief Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Nelson Chipman played a video for the jury where it showed Selner punching Haddox. Selner proceeded to beat Haddox with 22 blows within a 19-second time frame. Seventeen of the strikes were when Haddox was laying on the jail floor.

Starke County Commissioners Hire Veterans Service Officer

Starke County Veterans Service Officer Terry Turner can remove the “interim” from his title. The county commissioners voted 2-1 Monday to make him the permanent replacement for Gordon Richie. He resigned from the part-time position in September due to health issues. Turner has been serving in an interim capacity during Richie’s medical leave and was one of two candidates interviewed for the opening. Turner has been working toward obtaining the necessary certifications to better serve area veterans. Commissioner Kent Danford cast the dissenting vote.

Lift Station Project Experiences Slight Delay

The Knox Board of Public Works received an update on the lift station project at the corner of Clabaugh Drive and Heaton Street (U.S. 35). A small setback was experienced when hatches weren’t installed as instructed by the manufacturer. That required some cement work to be redone and has created a small delay in the project. Selge Construction should be resuming work today.

Marshall County, Plymouth and Bourbon to Apply for Brownfield Grant

Marshall County, the City of Plymouth and the Town of Bourbon are working in a collaborative effort in applying for a brownfield grant to help attract business and industry to the county. Continue reading →

Knox Community School Board Approves Formation of New Group

The Knox Community School Board approved the formation of a new extra-curricular activity during their meeting Monday night.

Superintendent A.J. Gappa said it may take a little while to get it started, but it’ll be a new group in which students can participate.

Uniform Policy for Knox City Wastewater Workers to Change

The Knox Wastewater Superintendent provided the city council with a proposed uniform change.

The workers at the wastewater treatment facility are among contaminants and a host of bacteria while on the job. Those materials get on their clothes and the workers proceed to wear those clothes home to their families and into stores when running errands which is not the healthiest option.

Fundraiser for Christina Franks Tonight

A fish fry fundraiser is set for tonight at the Knox Moose Family Center to benefit the family of Knox Middle School student Christina Franks.

Christina, 13, is in need of a heart transplant. She was diagnosed with an enlarged heart two years ago and was hospitalized in July at Riley Hospital for Children as the left ventricle in her heart was failing. She did have surgery in August to install an exterior heart pump which has taken over the work of her heart until she receives a heart transplant.

Food Donations are Accepted for Holiday Food Bags at PCHS

Officials with the annual Coordinated Local Assistance Service Project, or CLASP, is asking for your help in assisting your neighbors in need this holiday season.

The collection of specific food items to place in holiday food bags is going on now. If you wish to donate food for the holiday food bags, you may drop off instant potatoes, stuffing, cake mix, pudding green beans, mushroom soup, rolls and hams at the Pulaski County Human Services (PCHS) building in Winamac. Food donations should be made by Dec. 10 so all food items are available for distribution the week of Dec. 10.

Tippecanoe River State Park Prepares for Halloween Activities

Ghouls and goblins will take over Tippecanoe River State Park tomorrow for the annual trick-or-treat celebration in the family campground. Each year the families who camp there decorate their campsites and hand out candy to area children. New this year is a costume contest at the park’s Nature Center at 6 p.m. EDT. The facility will also be decorated for Halloween, thanks to volunteers from the Friends of Tippecanoe River State Park nonprofit organization. The actual trick-or-treating starts at 6:30 in the campground and is scheduled to go on until 8:30. Parking for both the costume contest and trick-or-treat will be in the Nature Center parking lot, and entry fees into the park four miles north of Winamac on U.S. 35 still apply.

Nicholas Kasten Found Not Guilty

October 24, 2013October 23, 2013WKVI

A not guilty verdict was returned in a jury trial conducted in Starke Circuit Court Wednesday afternoon.

In just 10 minutes, a six-member jury found Nicholas Kasten not guilty on a charge of Possession of Cocaine, a Class D Felony. Two witnesses were called for the State of Indiana and Kasten, the defendant, was the only witness for the defense.