Two Charged in Injuring Trooper

Posted on Author WKVI

TWO CHARGED IN INJURING TROOPER

King
Maldonado

Porter County-Two men were charged today, by Porter County Chief Deputy Prosecutor Matthew Frost, in the hit and run of Trooper George Hornsby on the Indiana Toll Road on Monday, January 10, 2011. One of the men was charged with Attempted Murder.

At approximately 6:27 p.m. (Central Standard Time), January 10th, a driver called the State Police Toll Road and told them of a hit and run crash that had just occurred west bound on I-90 at the 51 mile marker (this is near the LaPorte State Road 39 exit).  The driver was able to give a description of the vehicle that fled the scene.  A trooper saw the vehicle west bound at the 42 mile marker (this is just east of the Michigan City U.S. 421 exit).  The vehicle started to pull over, and then took off.

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Devastating Fire Strikes Winamac Coil Spring In Kewanna

Posted on Author WKVI
Several Fire Departments responded to a fire at Winamac Coil Spring at Kewanna
yesterday.  According to Plant Manager “Doc” Russell the fire was significant.
All of today’s shifts are cancelled because of the blaze.
Winamac Coil Spring employes 167 workers, and is a $25 million dollar a year concern.  The plant covers 125,000 square feet, with another 12,500 on the drawing board to be added to the complex.
The plant has as main customers John Deere, and Palaris a maker of snowmobiles.
Among the departments on hand to fight the fire were Winamac, Grass Creek, and Rochester.  

 

Governor Mitch Daniels Highlights Education and Local Government Reform in State of the State Address

Posted on Author WKVI
Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels

Education and local government reform were the two main topics presented by Governor Mitch Daniels at his State of the State address Tuesday night. The points he stressed were the expansion of charter schools, merit pay for teachers, and the elimination of township government. He chastised those who favor longevity over talent.

“Today’s teachers make more money not because their students learn more, but just by living longer and putting another certificate on the wall,” Daniels said. “We have seen Teachers of the Year laid off, just because they weren’t old enough. This must change.”

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State Representative Nancy Dembowski Concerned about Governor’s Education Proposals, Job Creation

Posted on Author WKVI
State Representative Nancy Denbowski

Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels gave his State of the State Address Tuesday night and State Representative Nancy Dembowski was concerned that the Governor did not talk about job creation.

“The Governor, in my view, failed to speak about the one most important issue that faces our State right now because we have an unemployment rate that is still hovering around ten percent and I don’t believe I heard the Governor talk a great deal about jobs, other than to say that we were an ‘isle of prosperity’. I challenge him to come to District 17 and see whether or not it is such an ‘island of prosperity’.”

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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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