Fire Rating Outside Knox City Limits May Be Lowered

Posted on Author WKVI
Knox-Center Township Fire Chief Ken Pfost

The Knox-Center Township Fire Department is looking to create a committee to research the possibility of lowering the fire rating outside the Knox city limits. Fire Chief Kenny Pfost explains the fire rating procedure.

“ISO – which is Insurance Service Offices – they rate the residents of Knox, as well as throughout the county, at a certain fire class protection,” said Pfost. “For instance, residents in the city of Knox are rated at a Class 6 and residents in the county, or outside of city limits, are Class 9.”

Class One represents the best public protection and Class 10 indicates no recognized protection. Those with Knox addresses who are outside of the city limits were recently notified that their fire rating had gone from a classification of six to a nine. Pfost explains why that happened.

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Eastern Pulaski School Corporation Plans Summer Maintenance Projects

Posted on Author WKVI
Dr. Robert Klitzman
Dr. Robert Klitzman

The Eastern Pulaski School Corporation’s maintenance staff is working hard on quite a few projects this summer, and Superintendent Dr. Robert Klitzman explained that the majority of these changes include digital upgrades.

“We’re continuing our project at the middle school and high school of changing the HVAC controls from pneumatic to digital,” explained Klitzman. “We are in the process of hanging all of the projectors in every classroom at the elementary level. They will be able to hook them up to their computers and basically bring the world into their classroom via the internet and help with student learning in that case.”

The regular deep-cleaning is also underway to get the classrooms and all of the school facilities ready for the start of another school year in August.

Smoke-Free Law Information Sessions To Be Held

Posted on Author WKVI

Two information sessions have been scheduled to inform you about the new smoke-free law.

A question and answer session is scheduled at the VFW in Winamac on Thursday, June 21 from 2 to 3 p.m. ET and, later that evening, a town hall meeting will be held at 6 p.m. CT at the Bass Lake Community Center. Representatives from the Tobacco Prevention and Cessation Commission of the Indiana State Department of Health, the Starke County and Pulaski County Health Departments, along with Fulton and Marshall Counties, will discuss what the law covers, who to contact with questions, who enforces the law, and who to contact with complaints.

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Paul Gougeon Was This Year’s Grandfather of the Year

Posted on Author WKVI
Paul Gougeon and Kaeleigh Higgins

Yesterday was a special day for Paul Gougeon, who found himself in the North Judson Mint Festival Parade as the 2012 Grandfather of the Year.

Gougeon says he felt honored when he was nominated by his granddaughter, Kaeleigh Higgins.

“I’m not only honored to have been selected, but honored that my granddaughter wrote the winning entry,” Gougeon said.

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Father John Scott To Retire After 13 Years

Posted on Author WKVI
Father John Scott

After 13 years in Knox, Father John Scott will be leaving the pulpit to retire. This Sunday he will give his last regular sermon as the pastor of St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church.

Scott says he’s had a number of exciting experiences here.

“I had an opportunity to do a Good Leaders-Good Shepherd’s program. That was a three-year program on how to use the ministry for the effect of getting the gospel out,” he said.

Father Scott said retirement doesn’t mean he’ll retire to the rocking chair.

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Battle Of The Bullring Rained Out, Stewart Says He’ll Try Again

Posted on Author WKVI
NASCAR Champ Tony Stewart watches the rain come in at Plymouth Speedway.

Saturday night’s Battle of the Bullring, featuring NASCAR Champion Tony Stewart, was actually a battle with Mother Nature – and Mother Nature won.

Rain canceled the Sprints on Dirt race on the dirt track at the Plymouth Speedway. The much-anticipated race has been rescheduled for August 18, but Irish Saunders of the Plymouth Speedway said it was an interesting day, not only because of the rain situation at the Plymouth Speedway, but for Tony Stewart as well. Continue reading →

WKVI Goes to Melody Drive-In For Rock of Ages Premiere

Posted on Author WKVI
Fred Heise, Sr., Tom Berg, Jerry Curtis, Anita Goodan, Fred Heise, Jr., and Lenny Dessauer

Tom Berg, Jerry Curtis, Lenny Dessauer and Anita Goodan from WKVI were at the Melody Drive-In at Bass Lake last night to help promote the premiere of the movie Rock of Ages.

Music from the 1980s “hair band” era was featured live on K99.3 from 6 to 8:30 p.m. and the crew gave away movie posters, Indiana Beach tickets and more. Fans from the rock era also came by the WKVI broadcast area and talked about their rock band experiences. Some visitors saw Rock of Ages, the Broadway musical, and were excited to compare the stage production to the screen production.

The movie, which starred Tom Cruise, Julianne Hough and Catherine Zeta-Jones, had some great highlights, including great music from the hair band era. The movie will be shown at the Melody Drive-In all weekend into next week.

Thank you to the Heise family for being such great hosts and for letting us put on such a great event. We hope to do another event in the future.

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Countywide Town Hall Meeting Will Explain New Smoking Ban

Posted on Author WKVI

With the new statewide smoking ban taking effect July 1, many people are confused about what the law covers and where smoking is prohibited or allowed. To alleviate this confusion, a countywide town hall meeting has been scheduled for Thursday, June 21 at 6 p.m. at the Bass Lake Community Center.

The meeting will provide important information concerning the new law and how it affects businesses and organizations, as well as information on what the law covers, who to contact with questions and complaints, and who enforces the law.

One of the most frequently asked questions is where smoking is prohibited under the new law. According to a release from the Indiana Alcohol and Tobacco Commission, smoking is prohibited in and within eight feet of most public places and places of employment. Smoking is also prohibited in state-owned vehicles and school buses under certain circumstances.

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Last Day For Environmental Collection Event

Posted on Author WKVI
Several computers were taken to the Highway Garage during a previous Starke County Environment Day event

Today is the last day for the Starke County Environmental District’s 2012 Environmental Collection Event, and it’s also the day they will be accepting household hazardous waste such as chemicals, batteries, flammable liquids, acids, aerosol cans, motor oil, and other items; as well as batteries, fluorescent lamps, PCB ballasts, and medications.

The district will also accept up to five tires for free, appliances, and computers. Of the five free tires to be accepted, only one may be a farm tractor tire. Televisions will be accepted for $10 per TV.

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Eastern Pulaski School’s Scoreboard To Go Wireless

Posted on Author WKVI
Dr. Robert Klitzman
Dr. Robert Klitzman

The Eastern Pulaski School Board has approved a partnership with the Winamac Athletic Booster Club in order to upgrade the sports scoreboard to a wireless model.

Superintendent Dr. Robert Klitzman explained that the pair will split the cost.

“The school corporation will use Capital Projects funds and the Booster Club will come up with the rest of the money,” stated Klitzman. “They’re looking at making the soccer field, the baseball field, the football field, the indoor basketball court, and volleyball scoreboards all wireless. The total cost of the project is $8,600. The board has committed $4,300 if the Booster Club can come up with the rest of the money.”

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Leadership Class Will Help Identify, Train New Starke County Leaders

Posted on Author WKVI

A leadership class has been announced for Starke County, giving residents the opportunity to learn about the county and what “out of the box” thinking has done for the community. The program is designed to provide trained, committed, and confident leaders for the county, and Joan Haugh of Community Services of Starke County says the program will help identify new, emerging leaders and help individuals get involved in their community and its future.

Fifteen to 20 local citizens will be able to participate in a nine-month training program, with each session focusing on topics relevant to Starke County. The sessions will take place on the first Friday of each month from September through May, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The sessions will take place at various locations throughout the county, and are taught by local leaders.

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La Porte County Sheriff’s Office Recommends Online System To Keep Track of Valuables

Posted on Author WKVI
LaPorte County Sheriff's Department
La Porte County Sheriff's Office

The La Porte County Sheriff’s Office strongly encourages all residents to use a free online system in order to keep track of valuable personal property. ReportIt is a free, secure online service that is designed to allow citizens to record serial numbers, upload images, and provide other information regarding phones, electronics, and other valuables. The sheriff’s office says having the information available will go a long way in accurately and quickly identifying your property.

The site can be located at reportit.leadsonline.com.

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IU Health La Porte Hospital Earns An “A” In Patient Safety

Posted on Author WKVI

The Leapfrog Group, an independent national nonprofit organization, says IU Health La Porte Hospital has earned an “A” in patient safety. The Leapfrog Group calculates the Hospital Safety Score using publically-available data on patient injuries, medical and medication errors as well as infections. The score is guided by top national patient safety experts, and they assign hospitals across the nation with an “A, B, C, D, or F” grade for overall safety.

Only 729 hospitals earned an “A,” of the 2652 hospitals nationwide that were graded.

“Our goal is similar to Leapfrog’s goal – to give patients the vital information they need and deserve before entering a hospital,” said President and CEO Thor Thordarson. “We, too, hope people will use this score to talk with their doctor, make information decisions about where to seek care, and take the right precautions during a hospital stay.”

Child Nursing and Quality Officer Pauline Arnold said their colleagues are not only comfortable and open to discussing safety issues, but they are proactive in improving the overall care and safety of their patients.

Melissa Smith Promoted to SCYC Program Director

Posted on Author WKVI

The Starke County Youth Club has announced the appointment of Melissa Smith to the position of program director for the organization. Executive Director Irene Szakonyi said that the combination of SCYC’s growth and Smith’s skills make this the perfect time for such a change at the club.

“Over the past five years, SCYC has increased our scope of service nearly twofold,” said Szakonyi. “We have increased the amount of time we are available, the types of programming have been expanded, and our staff and number of students served have grown. These fantastic changes have been wonderful for our organization and families, but have tested the limits of our human resources. Fortunately, we have an exception asset in Melissa, who brings over 20 years of experience with children and educators to her work with the club. I’m delighted for this change in our organization and look forward to continuing our work together.”

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Dix Awarded Alumni Scholarship

Posted on Author WKVI
Courtney Dix

The WHS/WCHS Alumni Association recently awarded their first Alumni Scholarship to Courtney Dix of Winamac. She was presented her scholarship during the organization’s alumni banquet this past Saturday at the Church of the Heartland.

Dix, a recent graduate of Winamac Community High School, will attend Indiana University Purdue University of Indianapolis to study physical therapy. She was actively involved in many extracurricular and community activities while attending Winamac Community High School. Dix was a member of the National Honor Society, Drama Club, Sunshine Society, and Future Problem Solvers and also participated in softball and basketball for four years. Dix is the daughter of Heather and Michael Anderson.

The WHS/WCHS Scholarship Fund was created to provide financial assistance to a graduate of Winamac Community High School who plans to attend a post-secondary school or college. To learn more about this scholarship or to donate to this fund, visit www.winamacalumni.com.

Week in Review for June 11th-15th, 2012

Posted on Author WKVI

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

A State Board of Accounts report has identified financial discrepancies in a special report for the Town of North Judson. Starke County Prosecutor Nicholas Bourff has confirmed that he received the report that alleges financial discrepancies that total $74,408 from a period of January 1st, 2010 and December 31st, 2011. The largest discrepancy was found in the cemetery lot sales category while other discrepancies were found in utility receipts, ordinance violation collections, police department receipts, and reimbursements that were not deposited intact. Former Clerk-Treasurer Connie Miller was asked to repay all of the funds, but has stated in a letter to the State Board of Accounts that she objects to any allegations or suggestions that she did any wrong for personal gain. She is confident that the discrepancies can be rectified. Continue reading →

Starke County Man Arrested On Auto Theft Charges

Posted on Author WKVI

A Starke County man was arrested Monday on an active arrest warrant for Auto Theft.

The charge stems from an incident on May 3, when Phillip Frazier reported to Starke County police that a black pickup truck parked in front of his residence was stolen. The vehicle had a flat rear tire and the motor was blown. Frazier said that he had not been at the residence and didn’t witness who might have taken the vehicle.

The suspect, David Whitfield, and his brother, Joshua Whitfield, had reportedly gone to the property on 300 East in Knox and hooked the black pickup truck to the back of the red pickup they were driving and drove away with it. Since the rear tire was flat, a rut was created in the asphalt so the responding officer followed the rut to trace the location of the truck.

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North Judson Mint Festival Kicks Off Today

Posted on Author WKVI

The North Judson Mint Festival begins today!

The carnival opens at 5 p.m. and fair-goers can enjoy music from the band 30 South from 5 to 7 p.m. at Norwayne Field. The winner of the Father and Grandfather of the Year awards will be announced at 7 p.m. at Norwayne Field, and music from Half Track will follow that ceremony.

The Mint Idol Contest and the Guitar Hero contest have been canceled this year. Look for those features in next year’s festival.

Plenty of other activities are scheduled during the three-day festival. We’ll highlight more events in tomorrow’s news.

Winamac Town Board To Draft Golf Cart Ordinance

Posted on Author WKVI
Winamac Town Hall

The Winamac Town Board will soon be putting together a golf cart ordinance.

The members discussed the issue this week and the board has said that their main concern is safety. Ordinances from other towns will be researched so the board can pinpoint what they want to address in an ordinance.

The board also appointed board member Richard Denney to the Star City Sewer Project Board until September, when appointments will be reviewed. He is taking the place of a member who recently resigned from the position.