Starke County EMS Rakes In More Revenue Than Expected

Posted on Author WKVI
Paul Mathewson

The Starke County Commissioners at their meeting this week highlighted the EMS Department, which has exceed their predicted revenue for the year. Auditor Kay Chaffins explained that the EMS Department predicted their revenue for the year to come in around $560,000, but as of Nov. 19, they’ve already collected $601,494.57.

Chaffins said this 7.41 percent increase is extremely helpful for the county, and it’s expected to increase even more as there is still a month and a half left in the year. She explained that the miscellaneous revenue that comes in affects the county’s cash flow; when they don’t reach the estimates, there is a negative impact on cash flow. However, Chaffins said the county has reported a 21.98 percent increase in revenue, which is a very good thing.

Continue reading →

Knox School Board Authorizes Project Hearing

Posted on Author WKVI
Superintendent A.J. Gappa

The Knox Community School Board Monday night gave authorization for a project hearing and a preliminary determination hearing regarding the elementary school project. The hearing will be held on Monday, Dec. 3 during the regular meeting of the board. They will be discussing the possible referendum during that meeting.

As part of that discussion, Superintendent A.J. Gappa said Dr. Mike Trego, an expert in referendums from Indiana Wesleyan University, came back to the school corporation last week to discuss the referendum process with members of the school board and members of the public. The formation of a Political Action Committee (PAC) was done to work toward the success of that referendum.

Continue reading →

IU Health Starke President Presents Progress Overview to Bass Lake POA

Posted on Author WKVI
David Hyatt

The president of IU Health Starke Hospital recently spoke to members of the Bass Lake Property Owners Association and presented an overview of the progress made in medical care since IU Health LaPorte Hospital leased the Starke County facility.

David Hyatt said that $5 million worth of upgrades made in services and equipment by IU Health LaPorte Hospital improved quality healthcare at the Starke County facility and partnering with the county in bringing Advanced Life Support ambulance service was another positive addition.

Continue reading →

Former South Central Student Attends Kansas City Agri-Conference

Posted on Author WKVI

A former South Central student recently attended an Agriculture Future of America Leaders Conference in Kansas City, Missouri where he was able to meet CHS, Inc. executives and gather information on the future of agriculture. CHS, Inc. is a leading global agribusiness owned by farmers, ranchers and cooperatives across the country. They are committed to grow their businesses through its domestic and global operations by supplying energy, crop nutrients, grain marketing services, livestock feed, food and food ingredients, among other items.

Continue reading →

Powerball Jackpot Up To $250 Million

Posted on Author WKVI

The Powerball jackpot is up to $250 million!

No one nationwide matched all six numbers in Saturday’s Powerball drawing so tonight’s estimated jackpot has grown to $250 million.

Nearly 30,000 Powerball tickets sold by Indiana retailers were prize winners, including 122 tickets that matched at least four of the six numbers drawn.

If someone wins tonight’s prize, it will mark the third-largest Powerball jackpot win of 2012. You have until 9:58 p.m. ET to purchase a ticket.

Two NJSP Students Participate In All-Region Band

Posted on Author WKVI
Destiny Bennett, Lexie Miller, and Matthew Hibbets

Two members of the North Judson-San Pierre High School Band were recently chosen to participate in a regional production at Kankakee Valley High School.

Destiny Bennett and Lexie Miller were chosen to participate in the Indiana Bandmasters Association All-Region Band held at Kankakee Valley High School. Though nearly 300 students applied, only approximately 100 band students in grades 7 through 9 from Northwest Indiana were chosen to participate.

Matthew Hibbets was the guest conductor for the IBA All-Region Band held at Elwood Middle School. All-Region Bands were held at 12 sites throughout the state during the weekend of Nov. 17 and 18.

Starke Commissioners To Make Final Jail Site Decision Soon

Posted on Author WKVI
A full audience was in attendance for the jail discussion.

The Starke County Commissioners this week met with the county council for a discussion regarding the proposed site for the new county jail facility. A huge public turnout filled the meeting room with concerned residents who were uneasy about the idea of having a jail for their neighbor.

Commissioner Kathy Norem explained that they’ve looked at a number of properties over the last several months as prospective jail sites, but the top contender at the moment is a piece of property located at the intersection of State Road 8 and 550 East.

Continue reading →

Construction Underway at Henry F. Schricker Public Library

Posted on Author WKVI
Sheila Urwiler

Construction efforts have kicked off at the Henry F. Schricker Public Library. Director Shelia Urwiler explained that they’ve started work on the children’s wing as they’re adding about 6000 square feet for the new children and young adult department.

Urwiler said they’re hoping for the construction to be done by mid-July, but it is possible that the construction could take longer than expected. The total price on the work came to about $1.5 million, with the remaining balance from the $1.875 million they received from bonds to go toward furnishings, new fixtures, electrical wiring, and other expenses.

Continue reading →

Pulaski County Commissioners Receive Reimbursement From Insurance

Posted on Author WKVI
Pulaski County Commissioners Tracey Shorter, Kenneth Boswell, Michael Tiede

The Pulaski County Commissioners this week received some good news from their insurance company in the form of a $124,000 reimbursement. Commissioner Ken Boswell explained this reimbursement came from savings through their insurance plan, and they’ve already put that money to good use.

“It means that through our renegotiation of our insurance benefits, we’ve been able to bring back $100,000+ savings over the last two years to our county, which in turn, pays for more than one premium of our monthly cost for insurance benefits,” said Boswell.

Continue reading →

Mailbox Thefts, Damages Under Investigation In Marshall, Pulaski Counties

Posted on Author WKVI

The Marshall County Sheriff’s Department is investigating the theft of mailboxes on 4th Road between Michigan and Nutmeg Road.

Several homeowners called police to report the federal offense on Saturday and Sunday. Unknown subjects are stealing the same mailboxes and it has happened on more than one occasion.

If you have any information about these thefts, call the Marshall County Sheriff’s Department at (574) 936-3187.

Officers from the Pulaski County Sheriff’s Department have also been dealing with mailbox damage reports from several residents throughout Pulaski County. If you have any information on these incidents, call the Sheriff’s Department at (574) 946-6655.

Marshall County Sheriff’s Department Recognized For DUI Task Force Participation

Posted on Author WKVI

The Marshall County Sheriff’s Department was recognized yesterday by the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute for the county’s participation in the DUI Task Force.

The Marshall County DUI Task Force is comprised of officers from the Marshall County Sheriff’s Department, and the Bremen, Bourbon, Culver and Plymouth Police Departments. The officers coordinate efforts to keep impaired drivers off the roads with saturated patrols and check points to check for drunk and unrestrained drivers.

An official award presentation was held yesterday morning at the Marshall County Sheriff’s Department. This is the second year in a row the officers within the DUI Task Force have been awarded for their efforts.

Former LaPorte High School Volleyball Coach to Go to Trial

Posted on Author WKVI

The Indiana Court of Appeals ruled that a trial should be held for a former LaPorte High School volleyball coach on charges that she failed to report a relationship between a 15-year-old player and a 48-year-old coach.

MaryBeth Lebo faces two misdemeanor charges of Failing to Report Child Abuse or Neglect, and the Court of Appeals ruled that a trial should be held to determine whether Lebo knowingly and intentionally failed to inform the relationship between the girl and coach Robert Ashcroft, who had been sentenced to 21 years in prison for sexual misconduct and child seduction last year.

Continue reading →

Marshall County Plan Director Interested in City Planner Position

Posted on Author WKVI

The Marshall County Commissioners held more discussion on the request from Plan Director Ralph Booker, who is asking for their support in seeking the position of part-time planner for the city of Plymouth. Booker said he feels the position would enhance cooperation between the city and county, but the commissioners have their concerns about a possible conflict of interest.

Continue reading →

Winamac Town Board Approves Several Ordinances

Posted on Author WKVI
Winamac Town Hall

The Winamac Town Board approved several ordinances during their meeting last week, including an ordinance establishing the regulation of the opening of the fire hydrants owned by the Winamac Municipal Waterworks Utility.

The Town Board also approved ordinances that establish the salaries and wages for the position of town mechanic, Town Manager, clerical personnel for the Town of Winamac, the seasonal position of Park Manager Assistant, the Winamac Police Department and the crossing guard.

One board member opposed the salary ordinances stating that the federal government gave a 1.7 percent standard of living increase and did not agree with the $.50 raise. The ordinances did pass with four out of the five members approving the vote.

Thanksgiving Weekend Travel Expected Up This Year

Posted on Author WKVI

More than 43 million Americans are expected to travel 50 miles or more from home this Thanksgiving holiday weekend which is an increase from last year.

Wednesday is the busiest travel day of the year with 90 percent of travelers traveling by automobile to visit with family and friends during the holiday. The next most popular mode of travel for the holiday is airplane and followed by train and bus.

Gas prices may stay around the current price, but with the oil rig fire off the Gulf Coast on Friday may affect prices. The explosion came a day after oil giant BP reached an agreement to pay penalties of $4.5 billion for its role in the 2010 Deepwater Horizon disaster which also occurred in the Gulf of Mexico.

Black Friday Approaching; Stay Safe

Posted on Author WKVI

The biggest shopping day of the year is coming up on Friday and the Indiana Department of Labor is encouraging retailers to make is a safe holiday shopping season.

Crowd management preparation is recommended. Train employees to handle the crowds and provide them with the knowledge of how to address any emergency situation that may arise. Emergency training may include the proper use of Automated External Defibrillators.

Shoppers are encouraged to treat others with kindness and not engage in physical force to obtain the items you wish to purchase.