Area Music Students do Well at Recent ISSMA District Solo and Ensemble Competition

Posted on Author WKVI
(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: Caitlyn Barnes – clarinet solo; Nathan Japkowski, Bohen Strayrook, Corbyn Minix – percussion trio

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.

Today’s ‘Ted Hayes Remembers’ Show Features Ben Lipke

Posted on Author WKVI
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.

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Indiana Legislative Sessions and Committee Meetings Canceled due to Weather

Posted on Author WKVI
State Representative Nancy Dembowski

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.”

Starke United Director to Resign

Posted on Author WKVI
Starke United

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.

Knox Kiwanis Club is down to Seven Members

Posted on Author WKVI

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.

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Knox City Police Department Statistics for January

Posted on Author WKVI
Knox City Police Chief Clint Norem
Knox City Police Chief Clint Norem

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.

New Name of Starke County Hospital Getting Positive Response

Posted on Author WKVI
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.

Purdue Cooperative Extension Services Facing Cuts

Posted on Author WKVI
Alan Kurtz
Alan Kurtz

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.”

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Library Program Canceled

Posted on Author WKVI
Karen Land and Borage

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.

Town of Winamac Issues Snow Emergency Parking Plan

Posted on Author WKVI
Winamac Town Hall

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.

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.

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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.”

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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.”

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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.

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