Mark Smith for Knox Mayor. That was news a couple of weeks ago when Mark Smith, local funeral home operator, signed to run in the Democrat Primary against Rick Chambers.
Yesterday WKVI got a chance to talk with Smith about why he was running.
“I’ve had an interest in the Mayor’s office in Knox for the past two or three elections,” stated Smith. “Two elections ago I had committed to the Democrat Central Committee that if Oscar Cowen were elected as Sheriff, that would vacate two years worth of his seat on the County Council and I committed to that seat and I did not want to go back on my word.”
The West Central Technical Review Committee met prior to the School Board’s work session Thursday to review the wind turbine construction proposal, as well as the price proposal presented by Performance Services.
The West Central School Board is looking to erect one wind turbine on the FFA plot on the school grounds. One turbine will power the entire school and there would be some power left over to sell.
No commitment has been make at this time. Further information is needed from Northern Indiana Public Service Company (NIPSCO) before any contractual agreement can be reached. If an affirmative agreement can be reached in March, it is very possible that the wind turbine can be in operation in November of 2011.
Gary Dulin, Jerry Fletcher, Harold Welter, Mary Lynn Ritchie, Kirk Bennett, Nathan Marcum, Mike Yankauskas, Superintendent A.J. Gappa
The Knox Community School Board discussed technology at its meeting Monday night.
Director of Curriculum and Instruction, Peggy Shidaker, explained to the Board that the current generation of students is all about technology. Schools are turning into a digital learning environment. Students use electronic devices and computers on a daily basis and it is becoming apparent that all students need to have their own computer to use throughout their school career. In the future, it appears that students will be tested on technology knowledge in addition to English and Math on standardized testing.
The Board is looking toward the goal of furnishing each student grades 6-12 with their own computer to use at all times. A team will be assembled to attend a meeting in March with Apple technicians to gain more information on the process and cost of equipping the Middle and High Schools with 1,100 computers for student use. The Board realizes that this is the future of education.
Director of Technology, Jim Landrum, told the Board that the school has the infrastructure capable of supporting this transition. The High School is completely wireless and the Middle School will be wireless before the start of the new school year.
Starke County Commissioners ( L to R ) Kathy Norem, Dan Bridegroom, Jennifer Davis
In actions before the Starke County Commissioners Monday, they approved the lease for office space for Community Corrections.
The Commissioners tabled a request by Ed Truty to have his medical leave extended from February 27th to April 30th. This request was based on his doctor’s recommendation. Truty fell at home and broke his leg. Since no one was at the meeting to comment and answer questions on the request it was tabled to the February 21st meeting.
The West Central School Board held a work session, Thursday, where the Board decided to focus on repairs and improvements with no new construction in the near future.
NJ-SP Decathlon Team Front Row: Hope Harlamert, Rhiannon Millard, Melissa Spears and Jennifer Atkinson. Back Row: Jacob Kieskowski, Steven Miller, Lucus Howard, and Sarah Green
For the sixth time in seven years, the North Judson-San Pierre Academic Decathlon team has qualified for the State Finals in the Small School Division. The NJ-SP competitors scored 25,314.9 points, earning the Blue Jays a 10th place finish in State rankings and the last qualifying spot. The team will compete in the State Finals on Friday and Saturday, February 11th and 12th, at Purdue University in West Lafayette.
(L to R) Brendan Owens, Brittany Shannon, Allie Bulick, Katelyn Peters, Hannah Janson, and Drew Shearin
Congratulations to the Knox MS and Knox HS participants in the Indiana State School Music Association District Solo and Ensemble Competition. The Middle School and High School had nearly a hundred students perform in competition at Valparaiso HS in Valparaiso, Indiana on Saturday, January 29th. They combined for a total of 41 Gold Division Ratings with 8 State qualifiers. Brendan Owens, Brittany Shannon, Allie Bulick, Katelyn Peters, Hannah Janson, and Drew Shearin will compete on February 26th, 2011 at North Central HS for State Gold. Congratulations to all participants and Good Luck State Qualifiers!
The North Judson-San Pierre Bands participated in the annual Indiana State School Music Association District Solo/Ensemble Contest on Saturday, January 29th at Twin Lakes High School. The following ratings were given:
Silver Rating Performances: Connor McBride, Chase Collins, Sarah Green, Paige Madsen, Rachel Brent – woodwind quintet; Matthew Godsey – baritone solo; Sarah Green – clarinet solo; AJ Garay, Katie Farler, Matt Godsey, Austin Stacy – low brass quartet
Gold Rating Performances qualifying for the ISSMA State Solo/Ensemble Contest for February 26th in Indianapolis: Austin Stacy – tuba solo; Rachel Brent-clarinet solo; Carter Tucker – Flugel Horn solo; Rachel Brent, Sarah Green, Paige Madsen – clarinet trio; Matt Godsey, Carter Tucker, AJ Garay, Katie Farler, Austin Stacy – low brass quintet.
Photo provided by Knox High School Principal, Dr. Elizabeth Ratliff.
The U.S. Census Bureau is expected to release Indiana’s 2010 Census data next week. The summary will include data on race and voting age for multiple areas within the State, such as census tracts, voting districts, cities, counties and school districts.
Ben Lipke and Donna Brown prepare for the Grand Opening of the Five Star store
This is Friday, and Ted Hayes presents “Ted Hayes Remembers” twice today, at 12:20 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. CT. Today’s guest is Ben Lipke, who in 1964, was the first manager of Five Star and part owner.
Ben will talk about those early years. As Ben told Ted, the Knox location was one of seven in the Five Star chain. And, even though he might be a little prejudiced, Ben always thought the Knox store was the best.
If the snow and wind Tuesday night and early yesterday morning weren’t bad enough, now we have bone chilling cold.
Billed as the worst storm in decades, with snow and ice stretching 2,000 miles, the inclement weather is now moving to the northeast where they are worried about where to put the white stuff.
Tuesday and Wednesday were slow days for State Legislators as sessions were canceled because of weather for the first time in 10 years.
“We had no session on Tuesday and that included Committee meetings and Committee meetings were called off Wednesday as well,” said State Representative Nancy Dembowski (D-Knox). “Normally on Wednesday we don’t have session, but we have a full day of Committee meetings. All of that has been called off because it’s just really treacherous to move around down here because of the ice.”
Dembowski said the two days were not wasted.
“We were able to get here,” she said. “I don’t live far and I was able to walk over and it gives us uninterrupted time to get a lot of work done and get some things done that we may have been setting aside as busy as we’ve been in session. There are some positives to it as well.”
Cold weather presents another problem. Hypothermia. A person is in a hypothermia state if their temperature drops below 95 degrees. Shivering and mental confusion are signs of hypothermia.
Starke United President, Todd Zeltwanger, has confirmed that Executive Director, Edie Hall, has tendered her resignation. In the resignation notice, Hall said that her husband has retired and the family will be moving out of the area. Her last day at the helm will be March 20th.
Starke United is on its way to wrap up the 2010 campaign by the end of February.
The Knox City Council discussed Halloween at it’s most recent meeting. Even though it’s a little early, the Council established Monday, October 31st as the official Trick or Treat night.
The reason they discussed Halloween is that the Knox Kiwanis Club has traditionally put on the Trick or Treat costume judging and party. The Council has been informed that the Kiwanis Club may not be able to sponsor the activities this year.
Knox City Police Chief, Clint Norem, has released the January statistics from the Police Department.
The Department received 376 calls and investigated 15 accidents. There were 7 Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated arrests and 2 Public Intoxication arrests. 10 people were arrested on 15 traffic charges and 25 people were arrested on 54 criminal charges. One person was arrested on a battery charge and 5 people were arrested on active warrants. 17 drug charges were filed.
In light of the winter storm warnings that have been issued for this area, the Pulaski and Starke County Emergency Management Agencies are advising persons to be prepared for hazardous winter weather. All emergency information will be announced on this station.
Linda Satkoski (L) helps present the new Indiana University Health flag to the community
“All seems to be positive!” That was the word from Indiana University Health-Starke Hospital CEO, Linda Satkoski, about the name change of our local hospital. WKVI talked with Satkoski last week, and again asked about the build up to the name change.
“When the IU, Riley and Methodist Hospitals in downtown Indianapolis joined, they became Clarian in 1997,” explained Satkoski. “In 1998, LaPorte Hospital joined the Clarian system. Then in 2009, when LaPorte Regional Health System purchased Starke Memorial Hospital we became part of the entire system also.”
When asked about why the name change occurred, she replied, “That means it’s an assurance to the public that they will be getting the same care, same education, same research availability across the system. It really is all about the assurance that we can guarantee to our patients. They will receive the same standard of care across the system.”
Community Hospital Board President, Ben Bennett, has been out and about and reported positive feed back on the name change.
“Ben told me he was quite excited,” stated Satkoski. “He said he’s been out and about in the community and has been getting very a positive response. He said that the IU Health name really brings a lot of recognition.”
Indiana University Health-Starke Hospital. The new name of the former Starke Memorial Hospital.
How much in jeopardy is Extension as we know it in Indiana? Governor Mitch Daniels has proposed deep cuts in spending on state universities, and part of the funding for County Extension Offices comes from Purdue University.
Allen Kurtz, of the local extension offices in Starke and Pulaski Counties, was asked that question recently by Ted Hayes.
“I think we’re optimistic,” replied Kurtz. “We had a good meeting with Mrs. Dembowski last week and had some good discussion about the importance of some of the line items that we have from the State and how they impact our Extension Service, 4-H and the Fair.”
You know there’s rugged weather on the way when the person coming with her dog that has raced in the Iditarod race is postponing her appearance in Starke County today.
Karen Land, and her dog were to be at the Henry F. Schricker Library. The appearance has been changed to February 14th at Knox and North Judson. She will be at the North Judson Library at 3:30 p.m. CT and the Henry F. Schricker Library at 5:30 p.m.
Due to the predicted storm, the Town of Winamac is invoking its snow emergency parking plan starting at 7:00 a.m. ET on Tuesday, February 1st and ending on Friday, February 4th at Noon ET.
During this time, on-street parking is restricted to the odd addressed side of the streets. This is being done to facilitate keeping the streets open during the storm, movement of emergency vehicles during the storm and snow removal after the storm is over. Your cooperation will be greatly appreciated.
