Knox City Court Judge Announces Candidacy for 2011 Municipal Election

Posted on Author WKVI
Charles Hasnerl

Judge Charles Hasnerl announced last week his campaign for re-election to the Knox City Court in the 2011 Municipal Election. Hasnerl, a Republican, has served as Knox City Court Judge since 1996. Judge Hasnerl presides over misdemeanor and infraction cases for all of Starke County and Knox ordinance violations. There are 3,000-4,000 cases filed annually through Knox City Court.

Judge Hasnerl is a Valparaiso University graduate and he and his wife, Lisa, reside in Knox with their three daughters.

Knox City Council Discusses Contract with Fire Department

Posted on Author WKVI

The City of Knox does not have a Fire Department. That was explained to the Knox City Council this week by City Attorney, David Matsey. The discussion was held after Mayor Rick Chambers read a letter asking the City to sign a contract to provide fire coverage in Jackson Township.

Matsey explained that the Knox-Center Township Volunteer Fire Department is incorporated. It is funded by the city of Knox ($115,000 yearly) and Center Township ($30,000 annually) but is an entity of its own.

Continue reading →

Center Township Precincts in Knox to Consolidate for 2011 Primary Election

Posted on Author WKVI
Starke County Clerk Evelyn Skronski

Starke County will go from 21 to 19 precincts in the spring Primary Election.

“We’re consolidating Center one, two, three, and four from their current locations to the Community Center,” said Starke County Clerk, Evelyn Skronski. “Hopefully, this is going to make it cost effective and voter comfortable.”

Continue reading →

Representative Dembowski not in Favor of Upcoming Unemployment Bill

Posted on Author WKVI
State Representative Nancy Dembowski

State Representative Nancy Dembowski (D-Knox) yesterday labeled the unemployment bill coming up in the House as totally unacceptable. Dembowski, saying the way to fix unemployment is through creating jobs, released a report that first talked about the proposed bill.

“The Majority has come up with another bill and their plan to fix the unemployment issue is to shift hundreds of millions of dollars in taxes from big businesses to small businesses and then cut benefits to the workers by 25 percent,” said Dembowski. “That’s totally unacceptable and it is the largest benefit cut in the history of the State.”

Continue reading →

Knox TIF District Fund over $151,000

Posted on Author WKVI
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

Knox Mayor Rick Chambers has notified the Knox City Council that the TIF fund has grown to just over $151,000. The fund has grown to this level over the past two years. Before that, those funds were not building, but the City contracted with Umbaugh and Associates to determine the amount due. Money from the TIF fund can be used within the district for redevelopment, public improvement projects, training, or making bond payments.

The Council members are to prepare suggestions for how a portion of the funds can be used for upgrades.

Police Arrest Knox Man after Brief Foot Pursuit

Posted on Author WKVI
Michael Smith

A Knox man was arrested, Thursday, after Plymouth and Starke County police officers searched for him as a suspect in an auto theft incident.

Officers went to 1175 E. 850 S. in Starke County where a stolen car was reported as abandoned in a field at that intersection. Police located the vehicle and found that it had been stolen from Goshen. Officers went to a nearby residence to attempt to locate the suspect and when they first approached the residence, officers spoke to the homeowner, who identified himself as Terry Jordan, who denied the suspect was there. Officers left the residence and were able to obtain a BMV photo of the male at the residence and found that it was not Terry Jordan, but another male whose name is not being released at this time due to an ongoing investigation. The male who was there has an outstanding warrant out of Marshall County.

Continue reading →

Knox City Council Discusses Friends of the Park Funding, Tax Exempt Status

Posted on Author WKVI
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

The Knox City Council, which has been asked to make a monetary donation to the Friends of the Park organization, is demanding better accounting of the money received from donations and booth fees before voting to approve the request.

“I do think we need to get a better report on their funds and on their flow of cash this time than what we have been demanding from them,” said Clerk-Treasurer, Jeff Houston.

Continue reading →

Starke County Chief Detective Gives Meth Awareness Presentation at Soil and Water Conservation Meeting

Posted on Author WKVI
Ken Pfost, Jr.

Starke County Sheriff’s Office Chief Detective, Ken Pfost, Jr., was the guest speaker at the annual Soil and Water Conservation meeting Tuesday night at the Knox United Methodist Church. He gave a presentation about the dangers of methamphetamine.

Pfost told those in attendance about the ingredients in methamphetamine.

Continue reading →

Dave Kesvormas begins Work as Starke County Food Inspector

Posted on Author WKVI
Dave Kesvormas

Dave Kesvormas has signed a Food Inspector contract and is out conducting inspections. He signed a contract for the part-time position in Starke County last week.

Food inspectors are responsible for inspecting food establishments for possible violations with serving, storing or preparing food. He also educates establishments on handling food.

In other news from the Starke County Health Department:

Even though flu cases in Indiana are multiplying more quickly than normal, Starke County Health Nurse, Frank Lynch, told WKVI that he has heard that residents are suffering from a variety of flu symptoms but no serious cases have been reported. Lynch reminds residents to get a flu shot if they haven’t gotten one. Wash your hands frequently and cover coughs and sneezes.

Pulaski County Health Nurse, Andrea Keller, reports no severe flu cases in Pulaski County.

Pulaski County Circuit Court Judge Named H.J. Halleck Award Winner

Posted on Author WKVI
Pulaski County Circuit Court Judge Michael Shurn

Last week we announced that Michael Shurn, the Circuit Court Judge in Pulaski County, was named the H.J. Halleck Award winner for 2011.

One of Judge Shurn’s special interests has been scouting. We asked him if he has always been interested in youth activities.

“Not really, I was involved in youth activities, I guess, from just following my children around and then when I became Judge, I have so many juvenile cases that it was sort of a natural fit to continue on in scouts. My son went all the way through so I just stayed there.”

Continue reading →

Ted Hayes Presents New Friday Program

Posted on Author WKVI
Iccie and Seabern Bailey family. Back row: Forrest, Carl, Troy, Ivory, Marie and Lassie. Middle row: Coaet, Sharon Lea, Seabern, Betty Lou (on knee), Iccie, and Ray. Front row: Beech, James Edward and Morris

Ted Hayes begins a new Friday show today on WKVI. It’s called “Ted Hayes Remembers” and allows him to talk with interesting people and tell stories from his four decades at the station.

Ted follows the migration of the Seabern Bailey family from Kentucky to Starke County. Besides the mother and father, there were 12 children and in their own way each became a success in business and their personal lives.

One of the children, Ed Bailey, said there was love, church and work in the family.

Continue reading →

Special Prosecutor Named in Brooke-Hitchens Joined Trial

Posted on Author WKVI

A special Prosecutor has been named for the joined trial of Kimberly Hitchens and John Brooke in Starke Circuit Court. Howard County Deputy Prosecuting Attorney, Michael Krebes, has been appointed to represent the State of Indiana. The request for a special Prosecutor was made by Starke County Prosecutor Nicholas Bourff as Bourff had previous consultations regarding representation of the defendants.

The trial scheduled for this February has been postponed allowing the Special Prosecutor time to prepare for  trial.

Knox City Council Discusses Community Center Rental Agreement

Posted on Author WKVI
Knox Community Center

Mayor Rick Chambers has given Knox City Council members copies of the newest Community Center Rental Agreement.

One of the sections of the agreement spells out the restrictions of serving alcohol at an event. If alcohol is to be served, the renter must apply for and obtain a temporary beer/wine permit from the Indiana Alcohol Beverage Commission. Only a licensed bartender may supply or dispense alcoholic beverages. And security is required through the Starke County Sheriff’s Posse at the renter’s expense. The Posse members on duty must stay for the entire duration of the event and lock the facility. All events where alcohol is served must be ended by 12:00 midnight.

Continue reading →

USDA Declares 52 Indiana Counties Disaster Areas

Posted on Author WKVI

Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels has asked the United States Department of Agriculture to designate 52 counties disaster areas due to losses caused by drought conditions that occurred in 2010.

Upon reviewing the loss reports, the USDA has determined that there were sufficient production losses to warrant a Secretarial disaster designation. In our area, LaPorte County and Newton County fall within the primary natural disaster areas due to losses caused by drought that occurred from August 1st through December 31st, 2010. Starke County and Jasper County have been listed as contiguous disaster counties. A Secretarial disaster designation makes farm operators in both primary and contiguous counties eligible to be considered for assistance from the Farm Service Agency, provided eligibility requirements are met. Farmers have eight months to apply for emergency loan assistance.

Local FSA offices can provide affected farmers with further information.

Stuart Gast to be Laid to Rest Today

Posted on Author WKVI
Stuart Gast

The Town of Winamac says goodbye to one of it’s favorite sons today. Attorney Stuart Gast, who passed away at 98 Sunday, will be laid to rest following services at Frain Mortuary.

Yesterday evening his fellow Kiwanians said goodbye in an joyful service that saw many of them reminisce about their friend. Gast was a member of the club for 72 years. Our own Ted Hayes was honored to be Master of Ceremonies at the service. Pulaski County Circuit Court Judge Michael Shurn, who was hired as a law partner of Mr. Gast, spoke about him as the perfect mentor.

Continue reading →

Monthly Unemployment Data Released

Posted on Author WKVI
Indiana Workforce Development

Starke County’s unemployment rate stayed unchanged in December. The figures were released Tuesday and Starke County has moved from 7th to 5th place of the top unemployment counties. The Starke County rate is still 11.3% and is only eclipsed by Elkhart, Fayette, Vermillion, and Noble counties.

Davies county has the lowest unemployment rate in the state at 5.3%

Continue reading →

Starke County Police Arrest Two on Meth Charges after Traffic Stop

Posted on Author WKVI

Starke County Sheriff’s Department officers arrested two citizens on meth related charges after a traffic stop, Monday.

Randall Appleton

Police saw a car slide through a red light and conducted a traffic stop on the vehicle, driven by Randall Appleton, of North Judson. While investigating the incident, police found methamphetamine and items allegedly used to make methamphetamine. Appleton was arrested and has preliminary charges of Possession of Methamphetamine, Visiting a Common Nuisance, Possession of Precursors, and Possession of Methamphetamine with Intent to Deliver. Continue reading →