Starke Circuit Court Hears Numerous Initial Hearings Thursday

Posted on Author WKVI
Starke County Courthouse

Thursday was a busy day for the Starke Circuit Court, where several initial hearings were heard.

Daily James Potter received his initial hearing in the court and received a number of important dates, including his attorney status hearing on June 6 at 9 a.m. His first pre-trial conference will take place July 18 at 8 a.m., with his second pre-trial conference and plea agreement deadline on August 16 at 8 a.m. Potter is charged with Aggravated Battery as a Class B felony, Robbery as a Class B felony, and Battery as a Class C felony. His bond remains at $75,000, and he was ordered to have no contact with the victim in his case.

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Knox Community Schools Undergo Bus Inspection

Posted on Author WKVI

Knox Community School Superintendent A.J. Gappa gave a report to the school board about the recent bus inspection. He says the state police have changed the procedure in inspecting buses.

“In the past, they used to do in the summer and we had weeks to prepare our buses. Now, because the state has cut back on the number of troopers that do the inspections, they have to do them throughout the year,” said Gappa.

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IU Health Employees To Build Panels For 25 Homes

Posted on Author WKVI

IU Health Starke Hospital and IU Health LaPorte Hospital employees will be building a led panel for 25 homes in celebration of Habitat for Humanity of Indianapolis’ 25th Anniversary.

The assembly begins Friday, May 18th and volunteers will be working in one-, two- or four-hour shifts building panels for the homes. You are welcome to help in the process. Volunteers will receive a Habitat for Humanity/IU Health t-shirt. Light refreshments and sunscreen will be provided.

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O.D. Tax Levy Passed; What’s Next?

Posted on Author WKVI
Oregon-Davis Jr./Sr. High School

Now that the Oregon-Davis property tax levy has passed, what’s next?

Superintendent Dr. Steve Disney said that he’s relieved that the levy passed and now he and the School Board are looking forward to enjoying the end of the school year on a positive note and planning for the 2012-2013 school year. State budget projections are a little vague at the moment, but Dr. Disney is confident that with the passage of the referendum the numbers will fit their needs in order to successfully manage the school. The corporation continues to operate off of its Rainy Day Fund to conduct everyday business.

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Starke County Bridge 34 To Be Replaced With Culvert

Posted on Author WKVI
Steve Siddall

The Starke County Commissioners heard more bridge news from Highway Superintendent Steve Siddall, who informed them that Bridge 34 will have to be removed from the county inventory and replaced with a culvert.

Siddall says that repairing the bridge, which he described as “shot,” would cost roughly $340,000– a hefty price tag for the county that is currently sinking available funds into more time-critical projects. He said the bridge could instead be removed and replaced with a culvert at an estimated cost of $20,000, saving the county over $300,000.

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Pulaski County Commissioners Receive Update on Bridge 291

Posted on Author WKVI
Pulaski County Commissioners Tracey Shorter, Kenneth Boswell, Michael Tiede

Jeff Larrison of United Consulting gave the Pulaski County Commissioners an update on the Bridge 291 project.

According to Larrison, INDOT will issue credit for up to 50 percent of the county’s 20 percent match for the project, bringing back $345,000 to the county. Larrison also told the commissioners that they will have to pay some of that money to businesses that have to move because of the bridge construction, including $8400 for reestablishment of the business and up to $13,000 for moving expenses, as some businesses have heavy equipment that must be moved. The business owners will have to submit invoices to ensure the money is spent correctly.

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Library Expansion Project To Include Driveway Connection To Elementary School

Posted on Author WKVI
Henry F. Schricker Library

Representatives from the Starke County Public Library approached the Knox Community School Board members Monday night to discuss their upcoming expansion project. Superintendent A.J. Gappa explained that the library’s property is just north of the Knox Elementary School property and part of their project involves the school.

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West Central Approves Textbook Rental Fees, New Course

Posted on Author WKVI

The West Central School Board approved textbook rental fees at their recent meeting and Superintendent Charles Mellon said they also approved textbooks for a new course.

“We did have one new class connected with the wind turbine. It is a renewable energy course that is also articulated with Ivy Tech. That was new course with a textbook that was adopted as well,” stated Mellon.

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IU Health Starke Hospital Celebrates National Hospital Week

Posted on Author WKVI
IU Health Starke Hospital

This week is National Hospital Week, and IU Health Starke Hospital Director of Finance Rosie Heise says the staff has been celebrating this week with different activities for the 180 employees at the facility.

“It’s to promote ‘Best People Making a Difference,’” said Heise. “It’s just to say thank you to all of our colleagues for the great job that they do. We are going to be celebrating Foundation Day to promote the Starke Health Fund and we’re also going to have a picnic lunch, free giveaways to our colleagues and just really celebrate everything they do.”

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Jeff Allen Plans Return to North Judson

Posted on Author WKVI
Jeff Allen

After his last visit to Starke County, Christian comedian Jeff Allen was featured in the Chicago Tribune Arts and Entertainment section. He’s on his way back to the North Judson area this Saturday to present more hilarious stories to all in the area.

His “Happy Wife, Happy Life” anecdotes will be featured in a special program sponsored by Love in the Name of Christ on Saturday, May 12 at 7 p.m. CT at the North Judson-San Pierre High School Auditorium. Allen has been through a lot in his life, including alcoholism, atheism, and a failing marriage, and he will tell you about his comical comeback into a life worth living during Saturday’s presentation.

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Starke County Commissioners Hear Concern About Highland Cemetery

Posted on Author WKVI
Starke County Commissioners: Kathy Norem, Dan Bridegroom and Jennifer Davis

The Starke County Commissioners this week discussed a request regarding a new entrance at the Highland Cemetery. Officials at the cemetery have expressed their desire to open a section of the fence near County Road 300 West to add an additional entrance and exit.

The town of North Judson will cover the cost of the entrance, which was actually in use many years ago, but has since become overgrown and blocked off with a chain. The town wishes to cut down the growth and remove the chain, allowing vehicles to use the path.

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Knox High School Football Team to Host Relay For Life Dodgeball Tournament

Posted on Author WKVI

“If you can dodge a wrench, you can dodge a ball!” That advice will come in handy at the Inaugural Starke County Dodgeball Tournament, hosted by the Knox High School football team. All proceeds from the event will be donated to the Relay for Life Foundation.

Brady Jones of the high school organized the event, and he told WKVI that he chose to benefit the Relay for Life Foundation to give back to the community with the help of the Knox football team.

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Pulaski County Human Services Needs A “Shot In The Arm”

Posted on Author WKVI
Jackie Frain
Jackie Frain

Pulaski County Human Services Director Jackie Frain recently approached the county commissioners humbly requesting funds to keep the organization afloat. Frain says that another budget cut is on its way in July, and they’re already struggling to stay above water. She said that her oganization has not requested money from the commissioners in eight years because they were previously able to raise funds and receive grants to cover what shortfalls they had, but with the additional budget cut on its way down, she fears the worst.

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Vote Today in the Primary Election

Posted on Author WKVI

It’s Primary Election Day!

Polls are open in all counties and you are encouraged to exercise your right to vote.  Polls will close at 6:00 p.m. prevailing time.

We will be following several races tonight in our Election Night wrap up. In Starke County, Democrats Daniel Bridegroom and Joseph Woods are vying for the County Commissioner District Three seat and Democrats Linda Belork and Kasey Clark are up for the County Treasurer position. We will also see if the voters vote for or against the Oregon-Davis school referendum.

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