Eastern Pulaski School Board Holds Budget Public Hearing

Posted on Author WKVI

The Eastern Pulaski School Board held a Public Hearing regarding the Corporation’s fiscal-year budget.

“At our last meeting in November, there was a work session with the Board and went through the entire budget – every account, every fund – and then asked for authorization to advertise. That’s all by statute. We did have the Public Hearing and from this point on, we will go to our January meeting and I will ask the Board to approve the budget. At that time, I’ll send it into the state,” said Superintendent, Dr. Robert Klitzman.

Knox Man Indicted on Federal Charges

Posted on Author WKVI

A Knox man was charged in an indictment with accessing with the intent to view child pornography in South Bend’s U.S. District Court last week.

The Starke County Sheriff’s Department investigated allegations that 40-year-old Jeffrey Farmer was involved in a child molestation incident and officers obtained a federal search warrant to search his computer. Agents discovered images depicting child pornography. Charges were brought about as a result of an investigation by the U.S. Immigration and Custom Office of Homeland Security Investigations, Starke County Sheriff’s Department and the Hammand Police Department.

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West Central School Board Discusses Insurance Costs

Posted on Author WKVI

The West Central School Board discussed insurance costs at their meeting last week.

“I just brought up the fact that the State has mandated that we do a self study as far as the amount of funds that our Corporation puts towards the employee’s premium,” said Superintendent Charles Mellon. “That has to be compared to what a state employee is receiving from the State towards their premium. As the mandate states, or the law, you can not pay more than 112% of what the State pays its employee. If you do, then you’re either encouraged to join the State Health Plan or to join a consortium or to make other changes within your corporation locally.”

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Long-Time Starke County Hospital Board Member Resigns from Position

Posted on Author WKVI
Ed Hasnerl

Longtime Starke County Hospital Community Board Member, Ed Hasnerl, recently notified hospital officials that he would be stepping down from the position January 1st, 2012.

IU Health Starke Hospital official, David Hiatt, commented recently on the outstanding job Mr. Hasnerl did as a member of the board.

“There’s not much we can say about Ed that’s not positive,” said Hiatt. “Ed has been with the hospital as long as I’ve been here. I think he started serving on the Board of Advisors in 1997 and he’s always been just a staunch supporter of the hospital and really contributed a lot of his time in making sure that healthcare in Starke County is better than anything else around. We couldn’t have gotten to where we are without Ed and it’s hard to say in words how much appreciation we have for the time and effort that he’s put in to helping the hospital.”

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Wind Turbine Project Delayed at West Central Schools

Posted on Author WKVI

The wind turbine project has been delayed at the West Central School Corporation.

“The components that are coming from Germany are here, but the tower itself is being manufactured in Tennessee. That component is being delayed as far as the manufacturing date. I think they had some issues at their factory so we’ve been pushed back to the week of January 9th,” said Superintendent Charles Mellon.

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LaPorte County DUI Task Force Conducting Holiday Patrols

Posted on Author WKVI
LaPorte County Sheriff's Department
LaPorte County Sheriff's Department

The LaPorte County DUI Task Force is in the midst of saturation patrols in an effort to reduce impaired and dangerous driving. The increased enforcement will continue through the New Year’s holiday.

Marked and unmarked police vehicles will also be out seeking aggressive driving.

LaPorte County law enforcement has a zero tolerance for those under the age of 21 consuming alcohol or who are in possession of alcohol.

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Retirement Party Held for Winamac Clerk-Treasurer

Posted on Author WKVI
Jennifer Zimmer, Judy Heater and Deanna Pletka

Winamac Clerk-Treasurer Judy Heater will be retiring at the end of the year and she was honored Friday afternoon at the Winamac Fire Department.

Ted Hayes asked Judy what she will be doing in her retirement.

“I going to spend time with my husband, Vic, and my daughters and grandchildren,” she laughs. “I’ve been the Clerk-Treasurer for the past 16 years and there were so many good times and so many wonderful people it would be hard to pick out just one highlight. I’m not giving up the people, just the Clerk-Treasurer’s position. I’d have to say that winning the Halleck Award the same time you were named the Henry F. Schricker Award winner was a wonderful highlight.”

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Winamac High School Student Presents Eagle Scout Project to Winamac Town Board

Posted on Author WKVI

Clark Gudas presented his Eagle Scout project proposal to the Winamac Town Board last week.

He gave the Board information on design, location, cost, and fundraising ideas for a skate park in Reinhart Park, or Lion’s Park, which is across the street from the Pulaski County YMCA. He presented pictures and a detailed project outline with different types of equipment that would be constructed in the park. Different versions of the park was presented to the Board. Gudas, who is a Winamac High School student, said the project would cost in the neighborhood of $50,000 and is planning to apply for grants and hold fundraisers to finance the project. He and a five member Advocacy Board will be working together to make his project a reality.

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Christmas Lights Contest Tonight in Knox

Posted on Author WKVI

The annual Christmas decoration contest in the City of Knox will be held on Monday, December 19th and judging will be from 6:00-9:00 p.m. CT.

Any homeowner wishing to have their decorations judged must have the lights turned on during the judging hours. The first place winner will receive $100, second place $50 and third place will get $25.

Winners will be announced on WKVI.

IU Health LaPorte VNA Services Opening Office in Hamlet

Posted on Author WKVI

IU Health LaPorte VNA Services is announcing the opening of a new office at 5595 County Road 600 North in Hamlet. VNA Skilled Home Care and Private Duty Services allows individuals to recuperate at home or in an assisted living residence instead of a long hospital stay.

IU Health LaPorte VNA Services provides care in Jasper, LaPorte, Marshall, Pulaski, Starke, St. Joseph, and Porter counties. For an appointment or for more information, call (574) 867-7700.

From the WKVI Archives

Posted on Author WKVI

On this date 65 years ago, three men met in the Commissioners room to map out and help organize the Board of Directors for a proposed new hospital for Starke County. Mr. L.L. Gilliland, Luther Everts and John Hill came up with names for the new board. It was a dream come true in 1951 when Starke Memorial opened its doors. Building cost? $325,000.

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Senator Arnold Discusses Right to Work with Knox City Council

Posted on Author WKVI
Senator Jim Arnold

Democrat Senator Jim Arnold, of LaPorte, visited with the Knox City Council this week. Senator Arnold has picked up five townships in Starke County with redistricting, and he wanted to alert the council and other city officials of possible issues coming up in the 2012 session of the legislature.

Of course the biggest issue is the right to work legislation.

“This issue is going to be coming up again. It’s going to be House Bill 1001. Speaker Bosma has already set it as a priority issue to the Senate in this session. It’ll probably be brought up on Tuesday, January 4th and begin consideration of it because they want to get it addressed and get it out on the floor for a vote and hopefully put it to rest. I would encourage you to pay particular attention to this issue because it could be a session killer.”

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Three People Injured in Pulaski County Accident

Posted on Author WKVI

Three people were injured in a rollover accident on County Road 550 North from U.S. Highway 421 in Pulaski County on Saturday.

An officer from the Pulaski County Sheriff’s Department found that Glenn Sewell, of Medaryville, was on 550 North when he left the roadway, overturned and came to rest on the passenger side. Sewell was trapped inside the vehicle and was extricated by the fire department. Two children in the vehicle and Sewell were injured and were taken to Pulaski Memorial Hospital.

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Winamac Town Board Opens Transformer Bids

Posted on Author WKVI

The Winamac Town Board opened three bids for a new transformer for the Plymouth Tube company.

The company is planning to expand its business and bids were received for transformers to add electric services to the property. A new substation will be built to accommodate the expansion. All of the bids were in the $385,000 range. The bids were taken under advisement and the Town Board members will be discussing the bids with officials from Plymouth Tube and future plans with the company.

Knox Kiwanis Baskets to be Delivered Today

Posted on Author WKVI
Members of the Knox High School National Honor Society and Student Council helped assemble the Christmas baskets

Since the 1970’s, the Knox Kiwanis Club has helped those in need with Christmas food baskets and yesterday, members of the Knox National Honor Society and the Student Council, plus North Judson and Knox Kiwanis members, helped assemble those baskets at Community Services of Starke County.

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Safe Routes to School and Panhandle Pathway Officials Continue with Project in Winamac

Posted on Author WKVI

Dave Bennett and John Bawcum from the Panhandle Pathway and Safe Routes to School organizations reported to the Winamac Town Board on their current project.

Officials are connecting a section of the Panhandle Pathway with Superior Street to provide Eastern Pulaski School students with a safe route to school. A piece of land was acquired from a resident for the project and an easement for the project was granted. Stone is lining the pathway for now, but it will be paved when spring arrives.

Pulaski County Candidates Sworn into Office

Posted on Author WKVI
Back Row: Tom Murray, Jim DeArmond, Melanie Parish, Richard Denney, Marla Dawson. Front Row: Judge Blankenship and Judge Shurn

Five successful municipal election candidates were sworn in yesterday at the Pulaski County Courthouse. The swearing-in ceremony was conducted by Circuit Court Judge Michael Shurn and Superior Court Judge Patrick Blankenship.

Sworn in were Tom Murray and Jim De Armond for the Winamac Town Board, Melanie Parish as Winamac Town Clerk-Treasurer, Richard Denney for Winamac Town Board, and Marla Dawson as the Francesville Town Clerk-Treasurer.

Punch and a congratulations cake were enjoyed by friends, and relatives who attended the ceremony with their loved ones.

Maxinkuckee Singers Perform at Knox United Methodist Church

Posted on Author WKVI
The Maxinkuckee Singers perform at the Knox United Methodist Church

The Maxinkuckee Singers performed last night at the Knox United Methodist Church. It was the next to last performance of the season for the Singers whom have entertained audiences for over two decades with their Christmas show.

The compact one hour show is filled with the traditional, sacred, and humorous songs of the season.

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