Comments Show Residents not in Favor Lisa Owens’ Possible Early Prison Release

Posted on Author WKVI
Lisa Owens

A deluge of posts came into the comment area on the WKVI Discussion Board about the story on Lisa Owens yesterday. Owens is the woman who is reportedly going to get an early release from prison after being convicted of Voluntary Manslaughter in the death of her husband in 2001. Owens was sentenced to 40 years by then Starke Circuit Court Judge David Matsey after being found guilty of shooting and killing her husband in the shower. Current Circuit Court Judge Kim Hall was the Prosecutor in the case.

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Congressman Donnelly has Extra Security While Visiting with Constituents

Posted on Author WKVI
Joe Donnelly
Congressman Joe Donnelly

In the wake of the shooting of Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords Saturday, government officials seem to be taking a second look at their safety. Congressman Joe Donnelly was in Elkhart on Tuesday to talk to a middle school class. Four uniformed policemen were on hand, too.

Donnelly said he was not particularly worried about his own safety, but wanted people coming out to events where he is to feel safe.

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Starke United Receives Grant from NIPSCO

Posted on Author WKVI
Mike Charbonneau presents a $5,000 grant check to Edie Hall

Starke United announced this week of a $5,000 grant from NIPSCO to provide funds to cover 2012 campaign marketing expenses. Starke United Executive Director, Edie Hall, said this gift is “thrilling” and indicated that without the funds Starke United would have a much more difficult time paying for the advertising and marketing materials.

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Starke County Health Board to Meet Tonight

Posted on Author WKVI

The Starke County Health Board will meet tonight in their first meeting of the new year. This will be the first meeting for new members Bev Fraine and Jennifer Davis. There will be election of officers for the year and a discussion of the retirement of Environmentalist David Singleton.

The meeting is at 6:30 p.m. in the Health Office in the Starke County Courthouse.

State Troopers Car Hit While Directing Traffic

Posted on Author WKVI

Crawfordsville-January 11th, at approximately 7:29 p.m., a trooper with the Indiana State Police was assisting with traffic control on I-74 westbound near the 36 mile marker when a semi rear ended his patrol car.

Preliminary investigation by Trooper Kyle Wentland has revealed that Sergeant Randy Gritten was sitting in his fully marked patrol car with emergency lights and flares partially in the left hand lane.  Sergeant Gritten was attempting to move traffic into the right lane so a wrecker could pull out an ambulance.  The lights and flares were visible for over a mile.  A Maroon 2001 International semi pulling a trailer driven by John E. Brandle, 59 years old from Rock Island, IL was westbound following another semi running 52 miles an hour.  Brandle decided to pass the semi and pulled out into the left lane.  While passing the other semi, Brandle’s se Continue reading →

Knox Woman Sentenced to 40 Year Prison Term in 2001 Could be Released from Prison this May

Posted on Author WKVI
Lisa Owens

A story that shocked the listening area almost 10 years ago is being updated this week. On May 21st, 2001, Lisa Owens shot and killed her husband Jeff, leaving his body in the shower for several days. In a trial, she was found guilty of an amended charge of Voluntary Manslaughter and sentenced to 40 years in prison.

WKVI News has found out this week that Lisa Owens could be released from the Rockville Correctional Facility as early as May 23rd of this year.

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Indiana Senate Committee on Judiciary to Consider Senate Bill 105

Posted on Author WKVI
State Senator Ed Charbonneau

Indiana’s Senate Committee on Judiciary will meet today to consider State Senator Ed Charbonneau’s proposal designed to help insolvent communities better manage their debts. Senate Bill 105 would offer financially stressed communities options including the appointment of a financial manager and ability to declare bankruptcy.

Under Charbonneau’s measure, local governments in the red could request the State to appoint a financial manager. This manager would work to make governments solvent again by addressing community affairs and helping to restructure debt and financial obligations.

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Spotlight on Hoosier Custom Plastics

Posted on Author WKVI

WKVI will be introducing you to industry in the County and today, we turn the spotlight on Hoosier Custom Plastics on Hamilton Ave in the Knox Industrial Park.

Gordon Schenk is the Chief Financial Officer and Ted Hayes talked to him recently about the business that has been in operation since 2004. Schenk talked about the business, including products produced at the 17,000 sq. ft. plant.

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Starke Memorial Hospital Board Retains Officers; Name Change Later this Month

Posted on Author WKVI
Starke Memorial Hospital Board members: Ed Hasnerl, Sandy Hansen and Ben Bennett

The Starke Memorial Hospital Community Board retained Board officers at their meeting this week. Ben Bennett was again selected to be the Board President, Sandy Hansen, Vice President and Ed Hasnerl, the Secretary. Other members of the board are Jerry Wilson, Dorothy Bau, Dr. Walter Fritz and Ted Hayes.

In other news from the hospital:
The switch over to the new name of the hospital is tentatively scheduled for the end of the month. All hospitals in the Clarian system will be rebranded using I.U. Health. After the change, the hospital here will be known as I.U. Health-Starke Hospital.

Lake Effect Snow Warning

Posted on Author WKVI

LAKE EFFECT SNOW WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 7 PM EST /6 PM CST/ THIS EVENING TO 7 AM EST /6 AM CST/ THURSDAY…

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN NORTHERN INDIANA HAS ISSUED A LAKE EFFECT SNOW WARNING…WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM 7 PM EST /6 PM CST/ THIS EVENING TO 7 AM EST /6 AM CST/ THURSDAY. THE LAKE EFFECT SNOW WATCH IS NO LONGER IN EFFECT.

* TIMING…MODERATE TO LOCALLY HEAVY SNOW SHOWERS ARE EXPECTED TO DEVELOP THIS EVENING AND CONTINUE THROUGH WEDNESDAY NIGHT.

* SNOW ACCUMULATIONS…ACCUMULATIONS IN EXCESS OF 8 INCHES ARE POSSIBLE. LOCALIZED AREAS MAY RECEIVE LAKE EFFECT SNOW ACCUMULATIONS IN EXCESS OF A FOOT BY LATE WEDNESDAY NIGHT.

* OTHER IMPACTS…MANY ROADS REMAIN CLOGGED WITH SNOW AND ADDITIONAL HEAVY SNOW COMBINED WITH REDUCED VISIBILITIES WILL LEAD TO DIFFICULT TRAVEL CONDITIONS.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

A LAKE EFFECT SNOW WARNING MEANS SIGNIFICANT AMOUNTS OF LAKE- EFFECT SNOW ARE FORECAST THAT WILL MAKE TRAVEL VERY HAZARDOUS OR IMPOSSIBLE. LAKE-EFFECT SNOW SHOWERS TYPICALLY ALIGN THEMSELVES IN BANDS AND WILL LIKELY BE INTENSE ENOUGH TO DROP 1 TO SEVERAL INCHES OF SNOW PER HOUR FOR SEVERAL HOURS. VISIBILITIES VARY GREATLY AND CAN DROP TO ZERO WITHIN MINUTES. TRAVEL IS STRONGLY DISCOURAGED. COMMERCE COULD BE SEVERELY IMPACTED. IF YOU MUST TRAVEL…KEEP AN EXTRA FLASHLIGHT…FOOD…AND WATER IN YOUR VEHICLE IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY.

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Dr. Walter Fritz Denies Asking for Starke County Health Board Members’ Removal

Posted on Author WKVI
Walter Fritz
Dr. Walter Fritz

WKVI ran a story quoting Bob Howard, former Starke County Health Board President, that he suspected Dr. Walter Fritz had requested that the Commissioners not name him back on the Board for another term.

Dr. Fritz denied asking for his removal when questioned by WKVI. He did say that he kept in touch with the Commissioners during his many years as the County’s Health Officer, discussing many topics.

The new Health Officer is Dr. Theresa Alexander who began her duties January 1st.

Former Oregon Township Trustee Recuperating after Illness

Posted on Author WKVI

WKVI News has received word that Warren Allen, who for many years served as the Oregon Township Trustee, is convalescing at the Catherine Kasper Home in Donaldson after an undiagnosed illness left him in critical condition.

Allen was rushed to the hospital after falling ill two weeks ago while going over procedures with his nephew Mark Allen who was elected in the fall election to the position.

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Hoosiers are Urged to Prepare for Coming Snow Storm

Posted on Author WKVI
We could see giant piles of snow like this one in some areas in the Kankakee Valley

With accumulating amounts of snow predicted to begin falling this evening, Indiana Department of Homeland Security and Indiana State Police officials are encouraging Hoosiers to prepare by having a few supplies available and consulting the State Travel Advisory Map before venturing onto roadways.

“As with any severe weather event, it’s always a good idea to gather a few essential supplies in case utilities are disrupted,” says IDHS Executive Director Joe Wainscott. “Know where your flashlight and extra batteries are in case of a power outage, and have a 3 day supply of food and water available in case you are unable to leave home for a few days.”

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Second Ladies Car Care Session Scheduled

Posted on Author WKVI
Mark Anderson
Mark Anderson

The SCILL Center has rescheduled the second session of the Ladies Car Care Clinic. The second class will be on Tuesday, January 18th, from 6:00-8:30 p.m. CT at the SCILL Center in Knox. The cost of the class is $5.00.

For the ladies who did not attend the first class, you are urged to attend the second class. A brief review from the first class will be conducted at the beginning of this session.

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Indiana Legislator Proposes Bill that Would Allow Pharmacies to Collect Expired Prescriptions

Posted on Author WKVI

Representative Kevin Mahan (R-Hartford City) has introduced a bill in the state legislature that would make it possible for Indiana residents to discard expired prescriptions drugs as pharmacies. The pharmacies could accept the drugs and dispose of them safely.

Many times, outdated and unused drugs fall into the hands of youngsters who dangerously abuse them.

Hamlet Town Board Reorganizes

Posted on Author WKVI

The Hamlet Town Board reorganized and made appointments at its recent meeting. Curt Simpkins was retained as the Hamlet Town Board President and as the KIRPC representative, John Goble, Sr. was retained as the Street Superintendent, and the Town Attorney is Martin Bedrock. Frank Lonigro Jr. was named the Street Building Code Enforcement Officer and the Jeremiah Patrick was retained as Town Marshal.

The Town Representative for the Starke Development Foundation is Bob Yung, the Water/Wastewater Operator is John Goble, Sr., and Bobby Goetz is the Hamlet Fire Chief. Mary Stone, John Jeffers, David Fretz and Carol Bracich were named to the Hamlet Park Board.

Starke Circuit Court Judge Approves Joint Trial Request for Kimberly Hitchens and John Brooke

Posted on Author WKVI
Kimberly Hitchens

A special Prosecutor will be called in for the trial of Kimberly Hitchens and John Brooke. Hitchens appeared before Starke Circuit Court Judge Kim Hall on Friday where the defense requested a special Prosecutor for the proceedings due to a conflict of interest. Judge Hall granted the request. The special Prosecutor has not yet been named.

Judge Hall also granted a request that would combine Hitchens’ trial with John Brooke. Hitchens trial was to begin this month. The combined trial will begin Monday, February 21st.

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