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.
“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.
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.
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.
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.”
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.”
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.”
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.
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.
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.
Marilyn Wickert is retiring from the Starke County Extension Office, having served 16 years in the office. She also served two years in the 1970s where she served as the first full-time Youth Educator in the County.
Marilyn was asked what she enjoyed most while working at the Extension Office.
It’s another feather in the cap for the Starke County Republican party. Because Republican Secretary of State candidate, Charlie White, defeated Democrat, Vop Osilli, in the 2010 November Starke County election, the Republican party will be in charge of this year’s Primary Election.
