Pulaski County Health Department Offering Walk-In Clinic Today

Today, the Pulaski County Health Department will be offering a walk-in clinic for school children who need their immunizations for school.

The walk-in clinic is open today from 3 – 7 p.m. ET at the Health Department for children in Kindergarten through 12th grade. The Health Department is charging $8.00 per shot. If you are on Medicaid, you will need your Medicaid card and the Health Department will bill Medicaid directly. Parents should also present immunization cards when at the clinic.

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Knox Board of Public Works Approves Bid for Storm Water Project

Knox Mayor Rick Chambers

Knox Mayor Rick Chambers announced that the Knox Board of Public Works approved the lowest conforming bid for the upcoming storm water project.

“H & G Underground Services from Laporte, Indiana, their bid for $688,977 was the lowest bid and that was taken under advisement until that could be checked by Territorial Engineering and the City of Knox attorney,” said Chambers.

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Pulaski County Jail Impresses State Inspectors

The Pulaski County Jail underwent an inspection last week by an inspector from the Indiana Department of Corrections.

In his report, Lee Hoard said that Sheriff Michael Gayer, Commander Phillip Cherry and the staff are to be commended on the maintenance of the jail. The jail is clean and the staff are professional and receptive to suggestions and recommendations. The offenders were interviewed and stated that the felt safe in the facility, the food was good and the staff treated them well. The only recommendation made was to provide two dates on leftover food: date in and date out.

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Presentation on Gas Prices to Be Held at Knox Community Center

Have you ever wondered why gas prices go up at the pump when consumption is down, or why pricing varies so much from station to station or even town to town? What about why, when oil prices drop considerably, prices at the pump only drop a few pennies?

Well, WKVI Radio has arranged for those questions and more to be answered by an “insider.” Scott Imus, Executive Director of the Indiana Petroleum Marketers and Convenience Store Association, will be in Knox August 25th at the Knox Community Center for a presentation and will be available to answer your questions. All governmental officials and individuals alike are invited to attend. Imus will begin his presentation at 6:30 p.m. CT.

The session is co-sponsored by Senator Ed Charbonneau, Representative Nancy Dembowski, and Knox Mayor Rick Chambers.

Starke County Commissioners Terminate Treasurer Employees

Michelle Snowdon

The Starke County Commissioners Thursday removed county treasurer Linda Belork from office. The action was taken after the commissioners received a state audit of the office in which there were a considerable number of irregularities found. The commissioners have filed a complaint for default on the surety bond and damages. The surety bond company, Ohio Casualty Insurance, and Treasurer Linda Belork are named as defendants in the suit. Commissioner Kathy Norem asked for the removal, seconded by Jennifer Davis.

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Former Starke County Car Dealer Passes Away

Leonard Rudd

As reported yesterday, Leonard Rudd, 85, passed away at his home Wednesday evening. For the better part of his life, he was involved in the automotive business, owning and operating his Chevrolet-Buick store in Knox from 1961 to 1989.

He was also an auctioneer, and for many years sang with the original Rudd Family Singers.

Leonard Rudd, age 85 passed away on Wednesday, August 10 at his home in Knox. He was born to Rev. Orban and Anna (Mullins) Rudd on June 13, 1926 in McGoffin County Kentucky. In 1939 the Rudd Family relocated from the mountains of southeastern Kentucky to the flatlands of northwest Indiana, making a home here in Starke County.
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Winamac Man Arrested for Fraud, Theft

Andrew Sturgeon

Andrew W. Sturgeon, 25, of Winamac was arrested Tuesday by Pulaski County Police on a warrant. The warrant included charges of Fraud on a Financial Institution, a Class C Felony; and Theft, a Class D Felony. Sturgeon allegedly stole $947.77 through false deposits and withdrawals.

According to the police report, officers were dispatched to First Federal Savings Bank in Winamac. When the officer arrived and spoke with Assistant Branch Manager Rhonda Lower, he was told that a customer, Sturgeon, had been making deposits at ATMs that were not correct. On June 24th, Sturgeon reportedly made a deposit of $300 at an ATM near the bank. When checked, there was only $30 in the envelope. After making the deposit, Sturgeon withdrew $260 from the account, which actually had a balance of only $30.92.

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Knox, Indiana Resident Shows Support on Today Show

The city of Knox got its moment in the spotlight thanks to Jeannie Little, a Knox resident on vacation in New York City. During the broadcast of the Today Show, Little held up a large sign with the words “Knox, Indiana,” and caught quite a bit of attention.

After receiving an email with a mobile contact number for Little, WKVI’s Tom Berg was able to contact Little and ask her a few questions on the air.

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Starke County Commissioners Terminate Employees in Treasurer’s Office

Starke County Treasurer's Office is now empty after the Commissioners terminated all employees

The Starke County Commissioners met in an emergency session this morning to address unresolved issues from a 2009 audit of the County Treasurer’s Office.

The Commissioners held an Executive Session meeting and then Commission President Dan Bridegroom read a prepared statement to the press and public.

“As a result of an unresolved issue from 2009 State Board of Accounts Audit of the Starke County Treasurer’s Office, county officials have instituted additional safeguards on county bank accounts. The safeguards will enhance review procedures that may result in modest delays in the availability of funds for payment of county checks. Delays should not exceed 48 hours.”

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Knox City Council Discusses Budget

Knox City Council #2
Back Row: Mayor Rick Chambers, Ed Blue, Clerk-Treasurer Jeff Houston, Greg Matt and Attorney David Matsey. Front Row: Linda Berndt, Jeff Berg and Ron Parker

In a special session with Knox City Clerk-Treasurer, Jeff Houston on Tuesday evening, the Council walked through the completed budget that will soon be submitted to the Department of Local Government Finance. Presented was a budget that totals $3,112,071.

“At our next meeting, on the 23rd of August, we’re going to have our Public Hearing at 7:00 when we have our Council meeting,” said Houston when explaining the next step in the budget process. “The budget is also advertised and we’ll have our third reading of the salary ordinance.”

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Students Head Back to School Next Week

Students will be returning to classrooms next week. Before the students go back to the Eastern Pulaski School Corporation, Elementary students are invited to participate in the meet the teacher night on Tuesday, August 16th 5:00-6:00 p.m. ET. Meet the teacher night for Middle and High School students will be from 5:30-6:30 p.m. ET on Tuesday. School begins for all students in the Eastern Pulaski School Corporation on Wednesday, August 17th.

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Knox High School Renovation Project Nearing Completion

New lockers were installed as part of the QSCB project at the high school

The Knox Community High School has been under construction this past summer. The Corporation received a Qualified School Construction Bond and Superintendent A.J. Gappa said the money was used to fix several issues at the High School:

“The main part of the project was to replace the water pipes throughout the building,” said Gappa. “The building is a little over 35 years old and many of the pipes had become clogged, water pressure at the east end of the building was pretty weak and in some places hot water was just trickling out of the pipes instead of streaming. It was due to be finished this week before school started and the majority of the work will be finished. The last part of the project in the main part of the building are the sinks and the restrooms. They are due to arrive today and will be installed this week and so everything will be ready to go for school.”

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Starke, Pulaski County 4-Hers do Well at State Fair

Several area 4-Hers have done well on their projects at the Indiana State Fair.

The following Starke County 4-Hers received a Merit Ribbon for their projects: Mason Awald for his Electric project, Samuel Back for his Weather project, Alex Haney on a Foods project, Haley Hartmann for Cat Posters, Alivia Hesters for Foods, Rachel Lenig for foods, Gage Minix for Crafts and Shooting Sports Education, Hanna Shidler for Home Environment and Mia Shively for Photography.

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From the WKVI Archives

On this date, 83 years ago, it was announced that a new dance pavilion was planned for Bass Lake.

“First, let me tell you the pavilion announcement was being made on this date in 1928,” said Ted Hayes. “Yes, the pavilion was to be added to the current one at the Taggart Hotel. It should be ready for the summer months of 1929. And manager Bogan says Dorothy Bush’s Blue Dog band has already been secured for the opening weekend. And here’s some more exciting news, there are plans to screen in the front porches at the Taggart.”