Plymouth Schools Receive $15,000 Grant for e-Learning

Posted on Author WKVI

The Plymouth School Corporation proudly announced that it will soon receive an e-Learning grant from the Indiana Department of Education – one of only 17 schools in the state to earn the competitive $15,000 grant.

The grant will be used to allow several Plymouth teachers and administrators to attend the 2013 Summer e-Learning Regional Conference, which Senior e-Learning Strategist Jason Bailey said will ensure that all educators are provided technology-rich professional development. Details of the conference offerings will be released in the spring of 2013.

Plymouth School Assistant Superintendent Dan Funston and Technology Curriculum Director Brooke Busse wrote the application for the grant, along with the assistance of Allison Holland. Busse and Holland also serve as e-Learning coaches at the Plymouth schools for not just students, but teachers as well.

Knox Man Arrested Following Apartment Burglary

Posted on Author WKVI

A Knox man was arrested following the execution of a search warrant in the wake of a burglary at the Ruthie Drive apartments.

Alysia and Kevin Bowman left their apartment around 11 a.m. on Christmas Eve to spend time with family, and later that night, Alysia received a message from a friend who informed her that her apartment door had been kicked open. Her neighbor confirmed the door had been kicked in, and the pair rushed home to see what had taken place.

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Plymouth City Council Approves New Plan Director Appointment

Posted on Author WKVI

The Plymouth City Council approved the appointment of Ralph Booker as the City’s Plan Director – a position he will have with the city and Marshall County.

Under the terms of the agreement, the city would pay $7,000 per year to the county as compensation for performing city business on county time using county resources. Under a separate agreement, the city will pay Booker an additional $6,879 as a contract employee for 2013.

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Knox Man Arrested Following Battery Incident

Posted on Author WKVI

A Knox man was arrested Wednesday after an alleged domestic battery incident.

Police were called to a home in Giles Court after a call came in about a woman who had been battered by her husband. The victim told police that her husband, Bernard Breese, told her about an infidelity and she got upset. She told police that an argument ensued and he tried to hug her but she reportedly told him to not touch her. She said Breese allegedly picked her up and threw her down on the ground. Her head hit the ground which caused an eye and forehead injury. The victim then ran across the street to call the authorities.

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Starke County Health Department Receives Used Jeep From Community Corrections

Posted on Author WKVI
Starke County Commissioners

It may be a hand-me-down, but the Starke County Health Department doesn’t care; they’ll soon be putting to use an old Jeep from Community Corrections to allow the sanitarian to use it for business travels.

Starke County Commissioner Kathy Norem explained the Health Department has been looking around for a vehicle to be used by the sanitarian, but they haven’t had much luck; that is, until now, when Community Corrections acquired some new vehicles with their own funds and offered to give their old Jeep to the Health Department.

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Week in Review for Dec. 24-28, 2012

Posted on Author WKVI

Here is a look at some of the news that made the news in the Kankakee Valley this week:

William Newman

Fugitive William Newman has been captured. Marshall County officers learned that he was at a home in Argos and Wednesday night, police gained consent to enter the property and took Newman into custody. He was wanted on a Marshall County warrant after fleeing a traffic stop on December 11th and he was also wanted on several felony drug warrants in Fulton County.  Continue reading →

LaPorte Man Arrested after Robbery Incident

Posted on Author WKVI

A bank robbery suspect was arrested quickly after a robbery incident occurred at a Fifth Third Bank branch in LaPorte Thursday morning.

Detectives from the LaPorte City Police Department and officers from the LaPorte County Sheriff’s Department were given a description of the suspect and through a collaborative effort with bank employees, the suspect, 32-year-old Ryan S. Mounts, of LaPorte, was quickly apprehended.

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Starke County Council Transfers Nearly $200,000 to Rainy Day Fund

Posted on Author WKVI
David Pearman

After failing to reach a quorum at their last meeting, the Starke County Council last night met once again before the end of the year to wrap up end-of-year business. Council President David Pearman passed out a spreadsheet detailing county budgets and line items with what the council expected to be leftover funds at the end of the year – funds which, if nothing is done with, would disappear.

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La Porte County Police Still Searching For Sex Offender

Posted on Author WKVI
Maurice Ward

LaPorte County officers continue to look for 28-year-old Maurice Ward who is wanted for failing to register as a sex offender. He is also wanted by the Indiana Department of Corrections Parole Board for a parole violation.

Ward is a sexually violent predator and he failed to notify law enforcement of his residence change in Michigan City. Police are now searching for him as warrants have been issued for his arrest.

Ward is described as a black male, 6’3”, and 215 pounds with a tear drop tattoo under his right eye.

He is considered dangerous. If you know of his location, call your local law enforcement agency.

Starke Commissioners Receive Update on ADA Compliance

Posted on Author WKVI
Starke County Commissioners

Starke County is well on its way to becoming compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act, as ADA Coordinator Ted Bombagetti told the commissioners yesterday morning that the county will meet the Dec. 31 deadline for developing a plan for compliance.

The commissioners passed a resolution to adopt the ADA procedures and self-evaluation, and Commissioner Kathy Norem said the county’s website will soon offer links to view the ADA procedures along with the grievance procedure, which she said would be used in the event someone feels the county has not adequately addressed ADA needs.

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Mil-Tek Sets Up Shop in Plymouth

Posted on Author WKVI

A Plymouth native recently opened a new recycling and waste solutions business in the city, and he said things couldn’t be off to a more perfect start.

Gregory Frushour told WKVI he decided to open his business after a happenstance conversation with the founder and original designer of the recycling equipment Frushour’s business now employs. The conversation, he said, developed into swapping business pitches.

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Starke County Sheriff’s Dept. To Step Up New Year Patrols

Posted on Author WKVI

The Starke County Sheriff’s Department will be out in force the next few days seeking impaired drivers.

The New Year’s holiday is a time of heightened awareness of impaired driving and officers will be out patrolling to keep the roadways safe.

If you plan on going out for the New Year’s Eve weekend, be sure to designate a sober driver or arrange for a sober driver to take you where you need to go. If someone you know is intoxicated, do not let them operate a vehicle. If you see a possible intoxicated driver on a roadway, call 911.

Knox Council Discusses Laundromat Salvage Efforts

Posted on Author WKVI
Knox City Council

The Knox City Council held a rather brief meeting last night before the end of the year, and discussed a number of items.

Mayor Rick Chambers told the council that he had spoken to the contractor hired by the city regarding the laundromat, and was told the contractor was running behind schedule due to the holidays. However, he did remove a number of items – mainly washers and dryers – and took them to an auction in an effort to find a buyer.

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Knox Local Re-Appointed To State Board of Health Facility Administration

Posted on Author WKVI
Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels

Governor Mitch Daniels has made some appointments to several boards and commissions.

One reappointment Daniels made was to the State Board of Health Facility Administration. Daniels reappointed Jennifer Gappa of Knox who will serve on the board that issues licenses to qualified persons as health facility administrators and establishes qualification criteria for them as well. The board adopts rules establishing standards for the competent practice of a health facility administrator and may suspend, deny or revoke licenses for violations of those standards.

Gappa’s term expires in 2015.

Sexually Violent Predator being Sought by LaPorte County Sheriff’s Department

Posted on Author WKVI
Maurice Ward

LaPorte County deputies are attempting to locate a sexually violent predator.

28-year-old Maurice Ward is wanted for failing to register as a sex offender, a Class C Felony. He is also wanted by the Indiana Department of Corrections Parole Board for a parole violation.

Ward was convicted of Criminal Confinement as a Class B Felony and it was then he was identified by Indiana Code as a Sexually Violent Predator. He was also convicted in 2010 for failing to register as a sex offender.

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Fugitive William Newman in Custody

Posted on Author WKVI
William Newman

A fugitive who has been on the run after a high-speed police chase in Marshall County has been arrested. He was taken into custody after Marshall County officers learned he was at a home in Argos. Around 6:00 p.m. ET last night, police gained consent to enter the property and arrested William Newman. He was wanted on a Marshall County warrant and a felony drug warrant out of Fulton County. Continue reading →

Marshall County Commissioners Issue Travel Advisory

Posted on Author WKVI

Due to numerous accidents caused by the winter weather, the Marshall County Commissioners have issued a travel advisory for travel on country roads.

The commissioners issued the advisory yesterday afternoon, urging citizens to use caution while driving. Routine travel or activities may be restricted in some areas because of hazardous conditions, and businesses may begin to implement their emergency action plans.

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