After not running in the 2010 Starke County Primary Election, Gordon Richie was drafted by the Starke County Republican party to be its candidate in the election. In August, Richie was disqualified after the Election Board voted 2-1 that he did not properly file his candidacy in a timely manner.
Statement as of 5:19 PM CST on December 20, 2010
Special Weather Statement
… Snow moving into the area…
Snow will spread into Northwest Indiana this evening. The leading
edge of the snow extended from around Rensselaer to Delphi at 615
PM EST… and should move northeast to a Wanatah to Peru line by
815 PM EST. The snow will lower visibilities to around 1 mile and
accumulate about a half inch per hour. The significant
accumulating snow is expected to last about 5 hours before
tapering off to lighter snow late tonight. Roads in the area will
become snow covered and slick overnight… so motorists should use
caution and allow extra time to reach their destinations.
As a result of the recent bad weather across our region during this holiday season, the local blood collections have decreased. Type O negative blood is especially needed now. Since type O negative blood can be used for any patient when there is not time to determine the patient’s blood type, it is crucial that there be a sufficient supply.
The unemployment report for November of 2010 shows little improvement for Indiana Counties. However, the State of Indiana’s unemployment went down.
Knox Mayor, Rick Chambers, delivered 233 pounds of food to the Community Services of Starke County Food Pantry last week after a food drive at Knox City Hall.
Here’s good news from Edie Hall, Executive Director of Starke United. This year’s WKVI-Starke United Radio Auction netted $7,669.00. Immediately following the auction, which was held on December 3rd, the final amount was thought to be in the $6,000 range. Hall said other fund raisers are being planned to help attain the $75,000 campaign goal.
The Pulaski County Sheriff’s Department is investigating a theft from the Monterey Elementary School. The incident occurred Thanksgiving weekend, November 28th or 29th.
According to Detective Scott Taylor, some unknown person(s) broke into the Monterey Elementary School and stole 11 iPod touch devices and 2 laptop computers. The items were property of the Monterey Elementary School. The thieves did minimal damage when they broke into the building but took over $5,000 in electronics from the school.
If anyone knows anything about this case, you can provide an anonymous tip to Detective Scott Taylor of the Pulaski County Sheriff’s Department by calling (574) 946-6655 ext 239.
When the Starke County Commissioners and Council get together tonight, they will be questioning Prosecutor Julianne Havens about claims submitted for the purchase of law enforcement equipment. Havens, who will be leaving the office at the end of the month, told the Commissioners in a special meeting December 10th, that she had to “speed up” her commitment to various law enforcement agencies because her timeline had shortened after her defeat in November.
Some of the equipment reportedly has already been purchased without the claims being approved.
Knox Mayor, Rick Chambers, invites the Knox community to participate in an outdoor Christmas decoration contest.
Judging will be on Monday, December 20th, from 6:00-9:00 p.m. CT. Anyone wishing to take part in the contest are asked to make sure outdoor decorations are on during the judging hours. First place will receive $100, second place will get $50 and third place, $25. Winners will be notified and announced on WKVI on Wednesday, December 22nd.
The Pulaski County officers elected into office in the General Election will be sworn into office on Tuesday, December 21st at 4:00 p.m. ET in the Pulaski County Circuit Courtroom.
At their recent meeting, the Knox City Council members tabled the third and final reading of a synthetic marijuana ordinance. The Mayor suggested the delay because the Federal government is getting involved and the state legislature will be looking at a possible law in the next session. Synthetic marijuana is normally smoked by users and has, in some cases, proven fatal.
At the end of each year the members of the WKVI staff select the top 10 stories of the year. This is story #10:
Tony Kerby lost his life in the Yellow River attempting to save his younger brother’s life. The good looking boy went in the treacherous waters to save his 8-year-old brother Dominick when the youngster slipped off a rock. Dominick was saved when a person in the park pulled him to safety, but Tony could not swim to the banks.
Texting and smoking bans are possible next year if legislators pass legislation proposed by a State Senator and a State Representative.
A statewide smoking ban is being proposed by State Representative Charlie Brown. Governor Mitch Daniels said he would sign a bill if it hits his desk.
Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles Commissioner, Scott Waddell, has announced that full service license branches normally open Tuesday through Saturday will be closed on Friday, December 24 and Saturday, December 25th in observance of the Christmas holiday. Branches will resume normal hours of operation at 8:30 a.m. on Tuesday, December 28th.
Here is just some of the news that made the news in the Kankakee Valley this week:
Marvin Allen of Knox is this year’s recipient of the Indiana Historical Society’s Hubert Hawkins History Award. The award is made annually to a local historian for his or her distinguished service and career in local history.
Two trees from Hensler Nursery were delivered to the Statehouse this week.
A jury found John Loftus, Jr. Guilty on four out of five charges against him in a trial this week in Starke Circuit Court. The jury deliberated nearly an hour-an-a-half. The trial lasted nearly two days.
Loftus, Jr. was found Guilty on the following charges: Domestic Battery with a Child Present, a Class D Felony; Resisting Law Enforcement, a Class A Misdemeanor; Battery, a Class A Misdemeanor; and Battery, a Class B Misdemeanor. He was found Not Guilty on a charge of Attempted Robbery, a Class C Felony.
Stiff buttons could be a problem in the spring.
The Starke County Election Board met last week and one of the topics of conversation was whether to have an inspection of the voting machines. Clerk, Evelyn Skronski, said among the problems noticed on some of the machines was that the buttons to cast votes were sticking. Also, it’s felt that some of the connections are bent. In the end, it was decided to being the MicroVote company in to give certain machines a thorough cleaning. If any of the machines do not pass, they will have to be replaced or repaired. The cost for going over the machines is $50.00 apiece.
Starke County Sheriff’s Department deputies arrested 33-year-old Donald Smith of Walkerton, Wednesday, on a preliminary charge of Intimidation, a Class C Felony, and more could follow.
The jury has gone into deliberations in the John Loftus, Jr. trial in Starke Circuit Court. The trial began Wednesday and the jury started deliberating at approximately 2:45 p.m. Thursday afternoon.
Toys are a fun part of every child’s life and an essential ingredient to the holiday season. However, some toys and gifts can pose a hazard for children. December is National Toys and Gifts Safety Month and State health officials would like to remind parents to take care when buying toys and gifts for children and adolescents.
