Starke County Jail in Need of New Roof and Furnace Unit

Posted on Author WKVI
Starke County Jail

There are more problems at the Starke County Jail. Sheriff Oscar Cowen told the Starke County Commissioners yesterday that he has been advised that the furnace and air conditioning unit could go out at any time. If that would happen, all prisoners would have to be moved to another facility.

On top of that, the roof needs a new rubber roof to protect the building from leaks. A water pipe leak was reported last week that did damage on the lower floor of the Jail where the Prosecutor’s Office is located.

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Knox School Board President Discusses School Vouchers; Tenure

Posted on Author WKVI
Harold Welter

Knox Community School Board President, Harold Welter, is in today to talk about education and the changes in the proposed Education Reform package.

He was asked about vouchers.

“You’re competing for dollars,” said Welter. “Dick Wagner pointed that out in an earlier interview that we’re competing for dollars and a lot of parents are saying, ‘Hey, we want to have the choice.’ Again, I don’t have a problem with that. It’s a competitive world out there and we are going to compete. We’re going to make sure that Knox Community Schools are the best they can be and that is going to draw students to us, not just because we’re Knox, but because we have programs that are going to be very, very beneficial to the students.”

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Pulaski County Drug Free Council Awards Grants

Posted on Author WKVI
Pulaski County Drug Free Council (L to R) Pulaski County Sheriff Michael Gayer, Arlene Metzger, Monica Gainor, Theresa Blankenship and Kathryn Sytsma (not pictured: President Mark Hamilton and Blair Todd)

The Pulaski County Drug Free Council has awarded its annual grants for the reduction of drug and alcohol abuse in Pulaski County. The grants are funded from the collection of statutory countermeasure fees assess of criminal defendants for convictions in certain drug and alcohol offenses. The grants are awarded for programs designed to provide treatment, prevention or the criminal enforcement of drug and alcohol abuse. $5,150 was distributed in this grant cycle.

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North Judson Police; Fire Reports for February

Posted on Author WKVI
Doug Vessely
North Judson Town Marshal Doug Vessely

North Judson Town Marshal, Doug Vessely, reports that in the month of February, the Department received 234 calls. The Department responded to 12 lockout calls, 6 animal control calls, 16 thefts-conversion calls, 3 accidents, 13 juvenile-family disturbance calls, and 2 assault, battery or fighting calls, and conducted 48 traffic stops.

Officers completed 1 battery report, 2 Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated reports, 2 Burglary-Robbery reports, 3 theft-conversion reports, 4 traffic reports, 2 alcohol-drug reports, and 1 death investigation. 15 ordinance tickets were written, 29 traffic warnings given and North Judson officers made 14 adult arrests.

North Judson-Wayne Township Fire Chief, Joe Leszek, reports that his department had 2 structure fires, 2 medical assist calls, 1 vehicle accident call, 2 carbon monoxide investigations. 3 calls were in North Judson town limits, and 4 were in Wayne Township.

Knox School Board President Weighs in on Education Reform

Posted on Author WKVI
Harold Welter

Last week we heard from the President of the Knox Federation of Teachers, Dick Wagner, on proposed changes in the State education reform package. This week we’re going to hear from the President of the Knox Community School Board, Harold Welter. He’ll give his views on similar parts of the proposed changes, especially those being advocated by Governor Mitch Daniels and Superintendent of Public Instruction, Tony Bennett.

First on everyone’s radar is the growing number of charter schools.

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Knox Community School Board Approves Funding for Pool Liner, New High School Lockers

Posted on Author WKVI
Gary Dulin, Jerry Fletcher, Harold Welter, Mary Lynn Ritchie, Kirk Bennett, Nathan Marcum, Mike Yankauskas, Superintendent A.J. Gappa

The Knox Community School Board approved alternate bids as part of the High School renovation project. The Knox Community School Corporation was recently approved for a Qualified School Construction bond through the state which is backed by federal funds. The Board is using that money to renovate the High School; specifically the lighting, ceiling and HVAC unit in the pool area and water piping throughout the building.

The Board has some leftover funds after the Board refused roofing bids that came in over budget. This leaves money available for projects listed in alternative bids within the scope of the renovation project.

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Glover Remains In Starke County Jail on Criminal Confinement Charges

Posted on Author WKVI

Andrew Glover remains in the Starke County Jail with preliminary charges of criminal confinement a C felony, domestic battery in the presence of a minor child with a prior, a D felony,  intimidation, a D felony, battery and resisting law enforcement both A  misdemeanors.  No bond has been set at this time.  

Glover was arrested early Saturday morning after Starke County Police received a call that a woman had been battered at a home located on Long Lane in Knox.  Local authorities attempted to make contact with the occupants of the home unsuccessfully and called in the Indiana State Police Negotiation Swat Team for assistance and after their arrival  contact was established and Andrew Glover exited the home and was arrested.

Indiana State Police Swat Team Arrest Knox Man

Posted on Author WKVI

Early Saturday morning the Starke County Police Department were notified that an unknown woman had been battered at 8940 E. Long Lane Drive in Knox.  Andrew Glover of the same address was identified as the perpetrator.

Starke County Sheriff’s Deputies and Knox City Police Officers responded to the residence and attempted to investigate the complaint with what is referred to as a “Knock and Talk” with residents at the Long Lane location and received no response from within the residence.

Police had at this time developed information that there were possibly three children in the home and that the suspect, Andrew Glover possibly had weapons.   Officers requested further assistance and after attempted negotiations failed, the Indiana State Police Negotiation Swat Team was called in for assistance with the situation.

The Swat Team arrived  and negotiations continued until Andrew Glover was persuaded to exit the residence and was apprehended by the Indiana State Police Swat Team.   The incident is still under investigation by the Starke County Police Department who were assisted by the Indiana State Police, Knox Police Department, Pulaski County Police Department and the Washington Township Fire Department.

Mr. Glover has had previous arrests for Domestic Battery in the presence of a child, intimidation and trespass.  

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San Pierre Man Arrested on Charges of Armed Robbery; Felony Intimidation

Posted on Author WKVI
Johnathan Chambers

An 18-year-old San Pierre man was arrested Wednesday night on preliminary charges of Armed Robbery and Felony Intimidation.

North Judson Police Chief, Doug Vessely, said that just after 8:30 p.m. CT, Johnathan Chambers, wearing a rubber mask and a camouflage jacket, entered the Carpenter’s Marathon Oil Station in North Judson with a knife and demanded cash from the gas station clerk. After he was unsuccessful in getting cash, Chambers was scared off and fled the area on foot.

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Knox Federation of Teachers President Discusses Collective Bargaining

Posted on Author WKVI
Dick Wagner

The President of the Knox Federation of Teachers, Dick Wagner, has been with us this week, looking at school reform through the eyes of the teachers.

Today, Mr. Wagner looks at collective bargaining. Mr. Wagner do you think that the changes proposed in the state legislature that pertain to collective bargaining are a threat to teachers, and if so, why?

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Starke County Legacy of Women to Offer Grants

Posted on Author WKVI
Starke County Legacy of Women Committee members

The Legacy of Women, a committee under the Starke County Community Foundation, is announcing some upcoming grants.

“After being in existence for three years, Starke County’s Legacy of Women Committee is able this year to give out money for grants and/or scholarships,” explained Sheri Bartoli, Chairperson of the organization. “We’re so excited to finally have the opportunity to help individuals and organizations fund an idea, project or education, to help women become leaders in our county.”

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Beulah Schoppel Dies at 86

Posted on Author WKVI
Beulah Schoppel

Beulah Schoppel passed away this week at the age of 86.  Ted Hayes has this to say about Beulah:

“No one who knew Beulah will ever forget her.  he was one of those gals who you could meet and like immediately.  I attended church with Beulah for years.  What Beulah will probably be remember for the most was her involvement with the Starke County Crime Stoppers organization.”

“I’m sure when family and friends attend the visitation there will be many memorable stories surrounding the life of Beulah Schoppel.”

Knox Community School Board Discusses Softball Building Project

Posted on Author WKVI
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 the softball building project at its meeting this week.

Dana Wannemacher from the Fort Wayne architecture firm, Barton-Coe-Vilamaa, told the Board that eight bids were received and the lowest bidder was Hamstra Builders in Wheatfield for $272,000. He presented the Board with sketches of a softball concession building with adequate lighting, storage area, a player’s dressing room and a restroom for the players and the public. Water and sewer lines will be run to accommodate this project and lines will be extended for a possible baseball building project. If the Board approves the bid, the project would begin as soon as possible and it would take approximately 140 days to complete. The construction would not interfere with regular season games played at the field.

The Board is expected to discuss this project further at its meeting Monday, March 7th.

Knox Resident who Bowled Six Decades to Talk about Career in Feature Program Today

Posted on Author WKVI
(L to R) Hanna Mlekodaj, June Cruse, Betty Collins, Celine Gurrado, Marcella Hauser

It’s Friday, and Ted Hayes will be in with another Ted Hayes Remembers (click to hear) program. For six decades, Hanna Mlekodaj has bowled on a women’s bowling team and some mixed teams too. She has bowled in 50 state tournaments and three national tournaments and has been honored for her secretary work by the State Bowling Association.

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Four Arrested in Cock Fighting Ring Appear for Initial Hearing in Starke Circuit Court

Posted on Author WKVI
Prisoners are escorted from Starke Circuit Court

Four individuals allegedly involved with the cock fighting ring in Starke County underwent their initial hearing Wednesday at the Starke Circuit Court. Benjamin Villicana, 32; Francisco Reyes, 37; Juan Gonzales, 33; and Francisco Fernando Reyes, 41 all entered preliminary not guilty pleas for their charges of one count Animal Fighting Contest, a class D felony after having their rights read and explained to them in Spanish by a DVD played in the courtroom because of their lack of fluency with English. The rest of the court session was translated by an interpreter over the phone.

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State Representative Robert Behning Discusses Standoff Situation

Posted on Author WKVI
Indiana Statehouse

While the Democrats are in Urbana, Illinois, Ted Hayes took the opportunity to talk with Representative Robert Behning at the Statehouse Wednesday afternoon. Behning has been a Republican member of the House since the mid 1990’s representing an Indianapolis District.

Ted led off with a question about what the representatives left behind have been doing.

“Obviously we’ve been coming in everyday, just like we hoped our Democrat colleagues would and we’ve been trying to get a quorum established and we haven’t been successful in doing that. We have been doing a number of things behind the scenes, trying to educate ourselves better on some of the bills that are in front of us and some of the bills that are coming over from the Senate.”

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State Senator Ed Charbonneu Discusses Issues to be Faced in the Second Half of Legislative Session

Posted on Author WKVI
State Senator Ed Charbonneau

Fifth District State Senator Ed Charbonneau (R-Valparaiso) make mote of the completion of the first half of the legislative session Wednesday.

We asked Charbonneau what issues they hope to face in the second half.

“Senate lawmakers are tackling tough issues this session,” he explained. “We’ll continue working hard in the weeks and months ahead as we focus on passing a fiscally sound budget for the State and a fair redistricting plan, as well as other important issues that Hoosiers are passionate about. One of those issues might include debating a state-wide smoking ban.”

Dr. Sukhija Encourages Heart Cart Exams for Heart Health

Posted on Author WKVI
Dr. Rishi Sukhija

Heart diseases are at an epidemic stage in the United States and I.U. Health-LaPorte and Starke Hospitals are providing early screenings for a number of related ailments.

Cardiologist, Dr. Rishi Sukhija, talked with Ted Hayes recently about Heart disease at I.U. Health-Starke Hospital and in the course of the conversation, discussed the importance of arranging for a Heart Cart exam. The Heart Cart will be at I.U. Health-Starke on Saturday, March 19th from 8:00-11:00 a.m. CT.

“We’ll do several tests for cardiovascular risk assessment and diagnosis where we can detect heart and vascular disease early and by doing so, we can slow down the progression of same at an earlier stage.”

Dr. Sukhija said that we need to watch our diets.

“To prevent cardiovascular disease, we have to cut down saturated fats in our diet and increase consumption of fruits and vegetables.”

A Heart Cart exam is by appointment only. Call (219) 326-2626 to schedule an exam. The cost is only $100 for the testing. It would cost over $1000 if you had the tests done individually.