Sewer Separation Project Continues in Winamc after Union Crews Return to Work

Posted on Author WKVI
Winamac Town Hall

The sewer separation project in the Town of Winamac has resumed after Local 150 Union workers returned to the job. Contract issues had sidelined the project. Workers were off the job three weeks, and they are currently on Madison Street. The crews are trying to complete the Burson Street part of the project.

During their meeting Monday, the Winamac Town Board members heard from a group of concerned citizens about the extension of the runway at Arens Field in Winamac. The citizens are against the project and informed the members of why they are against the project. The biggest concern is the acquisition of land from farmers to extend the runway.

The Board learned that the Town was denied a Recreational Trails Grant to be used to finish the Panhandle Pathway project. The Town will apply for the grant again next year.

New Swing Set Installed at Sandy Acres Park

Posted on Author WKVI
George Byer, Matt Whiles, Patrick Jesuit, and Clarence Marshall install the new swing set at Sandy Acres Park

Many people driving by the Sandy Acres Park on the south side of Knox have wondered what was going in the playground area.

“What we’ve got going here is a new swing set for Sandy Acres Park,” said Park Superintendent George Byer. “It was one that we purchased last Fall, we really didn’t have a chance to get it installed. This swing set will consist of two full swings on it and then we’ll have a toddler’s swing and a baby chair swing. At the very end, we will have a handicap swing. Everybody will get a chance to be able to play on this one. Along with that, we’ll have a six foot bench that will be between the little kids kingdom area and the swing set. This will make a very nice addition to Sandy Acres Park.”

The base will be filled in with playground mulch.

Pulaski County Officers Arrest Winamac Woman on a Heroin Charge

Posted on Author WKVI
Marla Freeman

Officers from the Pulaski County Sheriff’s Department arrested a Winamac woman on Sunday after police reportedly found heroin in her vehicle on a routine traffic stop on State Road 39 near 600 North.

Pulaski County Prosecutor Stacey Mrak told WKVI that when officers questioned 39-year-old Marla Freeman she said she had allegedly bought the drug while she was in Merrillville. She is facing a preliminary charge of Possession of Heroin. Police initially pulled her over after observing a headlight out on the vehicle.

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Starke County 4-H Royalty Crowned

Posted on Author WKVI
Lauren Jernas (L) and Megan Hinds. Photo by Jayme Goetz

Royalty was crowned at the Starke County 4-H Fair last night. The two winners are 10 year 4-H members.

“I’m 18 and this is my sixth year as a Junior Leader,” said Lauren Jernas. “I went to Oregon-Davis High School and in the Fall I will be attending Purdue University. I will be studying Animal Science.”

“I’m 18 years old and I go to Oregon-Davis High School,” said Megan Hinds. “Next Fall I am going to Ivy Tech in Valparaiso to study Early Childhood.”

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Medaryville, Francesville Fire Departments Battle House Fires

Posted on Author WKVI

The Medaryville Fire Department was called to a house fire just before midnight on Saturday at the Justin Shepperd residence at 311 N. George Street in Medaryville.

Fire Chief Keith Hauptli told WKVI that a fire originated in the master bedroom and caused damage to part of the house. The fire rekindled at 3:30 a.m. and did extensive damage to the residence which put it at a total loss. The State Fire Marshal will be investigating the scene later today (Tuesday). Nobody was in the home when it caught fire and there were no injuries reported at the scene.

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Knox Man Arrested after Police Find Meth Lab in Car

Posted on Author WKVI
Fred Boggess II

Fred Boggess II, 30, of Knox was arrested Friday, July 8th after Starke County Police found a meth lab in his vehicle.

Boggess was pulled over on a routine traffic stop on Toto Road and 100 East in Starke County and officers found an active meth lab. The Indiana State Police Clandestine Lab Team was called to the scene to clean up the scene. Boggess II was arrested on preliminary charges of Illegal Drug Lab, Manufacturing Meth, False Informing, Possession of Meth, Possession of Precursors, Driving While Suspended-Prior and Habitual Offender. He is in the Starke County Jail on a $25,000 surety bond.

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Starke County Youth Club to Raise Money for Food Pantry

Posted on Author WKVI
Help fill these shelves at the Starke County Food Pantry

The Starke County Youth Club is coming to the aide of the Community Services of Starke County Food Pantry. Last week we announced that the food pantry was in dire need of food, and the Youth Club is stepping up.

Today from 12:10 until 1:10 p.m., twelve Knox Middle School students will be at Five Star to bag groceries. Donations will be spent at the store and donated to the food pantry.

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Services Scheduled for Andy Howes

Posted on Author WKVI
Andy Howes

Forty-one years after being listed as Missing in Action in Vietnam, funeral services for CW 3 George A. (Andy) Howes will be held Tuesday, August 2nd, 2011 at 7:00 p.m. at the Knox Community Center, 55 East Lake Street, Knox Indiana. Burial will follow on August 5th, 2011 at 11:00 a.m. ET in Arlington National Cemetery with full military honors. A service at the Chapel at Fort Myer will be held at 9:00 a.m. prior to his burial in Arlington National Cemetery.

Robert Howes, brother of CW 3 Howes, said, “We are bringing Andy home to Knox, the community that nurtured him as he grew up and never forgot him while he was Missing in Action. We were honored by the outpouring of affection when it was announced that he had been identified. The service is open to the community and to everyone who kept him in their hearts.” Howes added: “Anyone having a POW/MIA bracelet for Andy and who would like their bracelet to be interred with him at Arlington National Cemetery is welcome to bring it to the service.” Continue reading →

Starke County Community Foundation Offers Scholarships

Posted on Author WKVI

The Starke County Community Foundation is offering three unique scholarships this summer.

The Back Home Again in Indiana scholarship is for non-traditional students including those who want to advance in their current field or re-enter the job market. Applicants must live in Starke County.

The Legacy of Women Scholarship is also for non-traditional students and is exclusively for Starke County women who are invested in their communities as well as working towards a college degree.

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Starke County Commissioners Tour Jail Facilities in Marshall, Miami Counties

Posted on Author WKVI
Starke County Jail

Starke County Commissioner Kathy Norem described the jail tour made by the Commissioners last week as worthwhile. The Commissioners and Sheriff Oscar Cowen toured the Marshall and Miami County jails and although both used the same “footprint”, Marshall County rolled more equipment into their bond issue.

Norem wanted it known that the trip was not made because of the Jack Haut class action suit against the County, claiming deplorable conditions in the Starke County Jail.

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Four New Directors Elected to BLPOA

Posted on Author WKVI

Four new directors for the Bass Lake Property Owners’ Association (BLPOA) will be learning the ropes after they were elected Saturday. Joe Ippolito, Chris Nawaczyk, and Jack Stvan will be serving two year terms as directors for the BLPOA, and Ron Vendel will be serving a one year term as director.

A total of seven directors control BLPOA, along with four officers: Gene Novello, President; Larry Collura, Vice President; Pat Von Bampus, Secretary; and Earl McGuire, Treasurer. These individuals are in charge of handling the affairs of BLPOA, as well as sponsoring the Neighborhood Watch organization. Seven volunteers patrol the area, and members make donations that help support this program.

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Starke County 4-H Fair Continues Today

Posted on Author WKVI

The Starke County 4-H Fair continues today. Lenny Dessauer will be broadcasting live from the Fair today from 2:00-6:00 p.m.

This is a big day at the Fair! The 4-H Club Parade is at 6:00 p.m. Opening ceremonies are at 6:15 p.m. where the 4-H Club and Leader Recognitions, Fairboard scholarships and the Jr. Leader Achievement Royalty will be announced. The Starke County Ministerial Association music is at 7:00 p.m. and the Pig Scramble is at 7:30 p.m. Celebrity Fun Night, sponsored by the Starke County Fairboard and WKVI, begins at 8:00 p.m. Other events today include judging for cake decorating, flowers gardening and crops; the 4-H Poultry, Waterfowl and Pigeon Show at 12:30 p.m.; the Open Class Bake Sale at 5:00 p.m., and the Fairboard’s Ham and Bean and Chicken and Noodle Dinner at 5:00 p.m.

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News from Starke Circuit Court

Posted on Author WKVI
Jack Haut

Friday was a busy day for the Starke Circuit Court as Magistrate Jeanene Calabrese set several dates for many of the cases that appeared before her. In one such case, a jury status hearing for Jack Haut, a pre-trial motion and instructions date was set for July 19th at 1:00 p.m. Haut is charged with Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated Causing Death and Reckless Homicide after his pickup truck collided with the motorcycle of Tom White last July, causing White’s death. Continue reading →

North Judson Town Board to Modify Building Permit Fees

Posted on Author WKVI
North Judson Town Board: Dan Anderson, Wendy Hoppe, Jane Ellen Felchuk, Attorney Cassie Hine and Clerk-Treasurer Connie Miller

The North Judson Town Board will be revisiting building permit fees. The current fee schedule states that a residential permit fee will be based upon the square footage of the project. The permit fee is $.15 per square foot of the building. The fee schedule does not include a separate allowance for commercial buildings. The fee schedule will be modified to reflect that change.

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Benefit Held for Tom Belcher

Posted on Author WKVI
Ted Hayes, Tom Belcher and Chris Milner

Although looking weak, former WKVI Morning Personality, Tom Belcher, greeted friends and neighbors at a benefit given in his honor on Saturday at O’s Tap in downtown Knox. Belcher has faced many ups and downs in recovery following 43 straight days in an Indianapolis hospital.

While not fully recovered, Tom told all that he felt that he was on the “road to recovery.” He promised those in attendance to follow the doctor’s advise on all medical instructions, and said he would stay positive in the days ahead.

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Military Veteran Canine Dies

Posted on Author WKVI
Maya is pictured here with Neil Berg from the Hamlet American Legion

A military veteran, and hero will be laid to rest August 13th. Ceremonies will be held for Maya, who served two tours in the middle east war on terror. Maya, a bomb sniffing dog that served in both Iraq and Afghanistan, mustered out of the military to eventually live out her life on the Don Thomas farm. She was 12 years old at the time of her death.

Maya was made a member of two military service organizations after moving to Starke County; the American Legion in Hamlet, and Knox VFW Post #748.

While not exactly Arlington Cemetery, the front lawn of the VFW Post will be Maya’s last resting place.

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