WKVI has learned that new Starke County Prosecutor Nicholas Bourff has replaced his Chief Deputy Todd Wallsmith only two weeks into his term.
Both men had been employed by Wallsmith’s father, David, and had developed a friendship. But because Todd Wallsmith was a nephew of Starke Circuit Court Judge Kim Hall, it would have been impossible for him to present cases before the Judge in court. That would have been a conflict.
Congratulations to Pulaski County Circuit Judge Michael Shurn of Winamac. In balloting yesterday, Judge Shurn was selected as the 2011 H.J. Halleck award winner in Pulaski County.
Judge Shurn lives in Pulaski County with his wife, Mary, and is the father of two children. He will be honored during a ceremony February 24th at the Moss Creek Country Club.
At its recent meeting, the Eastern Pulaski School Board discussed a legislative bill that has been filed in this session.
“There has been a bill introduced already which would require schools to not start school until after Labor Day,” explained Superintendent Dr. Robert Klitzman. “With the kind of weather we’re having right now, there have been schools that have delayed, which doesn’t count against you, but if you call off, you make them up. Starting after Labor Day, there is not nearly as many days available to do makeups and things. That’s something that we’re really going to watch. We don’t favor it. We truly favor local control where right now, if our School Board decided they wanted to start after Labor Day, they can do that. We don’t need a law to tell us to do those things. The main push for this is coming out of the entertainment and tourism where they would like to have more people out and about, taking advantage of their attractions and spending money.”
What is your opinion? Let your State Representative or State Senator know your views so your voice can be heard before a vote is taken on the bill.
Today is the first day to file for candidacy in the 2011 Municipal Election. Knox Mayor, Rick Chambers, announced that he is seeking another term in office.
Knox City Police officers arrested three Friday night on meth related charges.
Officers executed a search warrant at 156 W. St. Louis Street in Knox on Friday and police say they found paraphernalia and items used in the manufacture and use of methamphetamine in the residence and the garage. Continue reading
Reporting a non-working street light just became easier, thanks to a new online tool launched by NIPSCO.
Customers noticed a streetlight that is broken or burned out can conveniently visit this website and submit a request to have it fixed. An interactive map identifies all of the street lights owned or maintained by NIPSCO. If a customer does not have the exact pole number, they will still be able to search for the street light by address or location.
Approximately 20 people turned out Monday night to question the Starke County Commissioners about the proposed new burn ordinance. Numerous questions were asked about the ordinance which has been written to mirror the State’s ordinance on burning.
Many questions pertained to the enforcement of the new ordinance. The Sheriff’s Department, the Environmental Department and possibly even the Health Department will enforce the ordinance. If fire departments determine that a fire was set illegally or illegal materials were being burned, a report would be sent to the various departments mentioned for further action.
Will this be the session of the State Legislature when township government is done away with? Governor Mitch Daniels would like for it to be eliminated. Indiana has more than 1,000 townships. The Trustees and Advisory Boards are responsible for fire protection and poor relief, among other things.
WKVI News asked State Representative Nancy Dembowski (D-Knox) gives us her perspective on the possible elimination of township government.
After only one meeting, Starke County Commissioner, Jennifer Davis, has resigned from the seat she was named to on the Starke County Health Board. It was determined that the position she was named to was not one that requires a Commission representative. That being the case, Davis was named to be the Commission’s liaison on the Health Board, but not a voting member.
The seat she was named to was the one held by Bob Howard until December 31st, 2010. It will now have to be reappointed by the Commissioners.
An Habitual Traffic Violator from Marshall County has been picked up in Griffith. Jamie Lee Nitcher, 36, who now lists his address as Gary, was found to be a Habitual Traffic Offender in Marshall County in 2003. He lost his driving privileges for life, but when picked up early Friday morning police said he had three open beers inside his Dodge truck and admitted he’d been smoking marijuana. Charges of Operating a Vehicle after a Lifetime Suspension is a Class C Felony, punishable by a maximum of eight years in prison.
Eastern Pulaski Elementary Principal, Mrs. Jill Collins, reported a new plan to the Eastern Pulaski School Board that would help students bridge the gap between Preschool and Kindergarten.
“We’re setting up a series of meetings where we are going to invite Preschool teachers and students into our building during the day and evening at different times and we’ll put them in a classroom and we’ll bring some teachers in to talk with them about some of the things they’ll be doing in Kindergarten,” explained Eastern Pulaski School Superintendent, Dr. Robert Klitzman. “The students will be able to see the teachers now with the comfort of their Preschool teacher and the other students right there and the next year it won’t be such a traumatic situation.”
Congratulations to Brittany Tetzloff and Patrick Ambrose who were crowned Knox Homecoming Queen and King Friday night. They were among twelve candidates eligible for the crown.
Photo by Jayme Goetz
Conservation Officer, Keith Wildeman, is in today to discuss ice fishing safety.
“Ice is never safe just because it can always change depending on weather conditions,” said Wildeman. “If we have a heavy snow like we did a few weeks back, the snow acts as an insulator and the ice will not form as quickly or as hard.”
What is the rule of thumb about the thickness of the ice?
Statement as of 12:22 PM CST on January 17, 2011/
Winter Weather Advisory
… Winter Weather Advisory in effect from 6 PM EST /5 PM CST/
this evening to noon EST /11 am CST/ Tuesday…
The National Weather Service in northern Indiana has issued a
Winter Weather Advisory for freezing rain and snow… which is in
effect from 6 PM EST /5 PM CST/ this evening to noon EST /11 am
CST/ Tuesday.
* Timing… a mixture of snow and freezing rain will spread into
the area tonight and persist Tuesday morning.
* Main impact… surfaces are likely to become icy causing slippery
travel and hazardous walking conditions.
Precautionary/preparedness actions…
A Winter Weather Advisory means that periods of snow… sleet… or
freezing rain will cause travel difficulties. Be prepared for
slippery roads and limited visibilities… and use caution while
driving.
Cheeseburger Soup:
Ingredients:
1 lb ground beef, browned and drained
1/2 cup chopped onion
1/2 chopped celery
1 carrot, shredded
1 large (33oz) can of 99% fat free chicken broth
2 (14 oz) cans of low-fat Cheddar-Broccoli soup
2 cups milk
2 cups cooked rice, brown or white
1 cup sour cream
The Starke County Health Board is considering combining the Environmentalist position with the Food Inspector’s duties. Health Nurse Frank Lynch brought the suggestion to the Board last week.
David Kesvormas, who had been selected to do food inspections on a contract basis, was in attendance and said he would not be willing to be considered for the expanded position. The Board made no decision, but would be willing to look at the job description before deciding. Until that time, the Board is willing to consider Kesvormas for the Food Inspector’s position on a contractual basis.
The first day to sign up for the spring primary has been put back until January 19th. The delay is because of the Martin Luther King holiday on January 17th. The final day for sign up is February 18th.
It will be interesting to see if the Republican success in the fall election will carry over to the Town and Municipal election in 2011 in Starke County.
Elections will be held in Knox, Hamlet, and North Judson.
Here’s a note to you hunters. The Indiana DNR has passed a temporary rule continuing the the February Canada goose hunting season. The dates this year are February 1-15. The season will be open in selected counties to control the population of breeding Canada geese around urban areas.
The Maxinkuckee Players have announced that its 2011 summer production will be Crazy for You. It ran for 1.622 performances on Broadway and won the 1992 Tony Award for Best Musical. Crazy for You is a high energy comedy which includes mistaken identity, plot twists and classic Gershwin music such as “I Got Rhythm”, “Embraceable You” and “Someone to Watch Over Me”.
In November, Second District U.S. Representative Joe Donnelly won a razor-thin victory to return to Congress. The moderate Democrat was locked in a close race with conservative Republican Jackie Walorski.
With redistricting coming up during this session of the legislature, the second district might not be a competitive district. It might have a distinct Republican flavor.
