Red Cross Thanks “Pint Size Heroes”

Posted on Author WKVI

The American Red Cross would like to thank Knox Community Elementary School for their outstanding contribution at their recent blood drive. This blood drive was part of the Pint Size Heroes project designed to teach children the importance of donating blood.

There were a total of 56 donations at Knox Elementary’s blood drive. Each donation has the potential to help up to three people; therefore, their blood drive has the potential to help a total of 168 people.

The need for blood is constant. To find a blood drive near you, call 1-800-RED-CROSS.

Open House Planned for IU Health VNA Services LaPorte Office

Posted on Author WKVI

An open house has been scheduled for a new IU Health LaPorte VNA Services office on Wednesday, Oct. 17 from 1 to 6 p.m. CT. The new office is at 5955 E. 600 N. in Hamlet.

This is a new branch office where highly-trained staff will be on hand to offer support to those who need to recuperate at home or in an assisted living residence, instead of a long hospital stay or nursing home.

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SCILL Center Announces September Students of the Month

Posted on Author WKVI
Wilson Mikinzie
Ray Meagan

The SCILL Center is pleased to announce the Student-of-the-Month recipients for the month of September.

Mason Barlow, a home-schooled student and Meagan Ray from Knox High School were the AM class recipients of the award. Michael Day from Argos High School and Mikinzie Wilson from Knox High School were the PM class recipients of the award.

The Student-of-the-Month is chosen by the AutoTech instructors, Rodney Dawson and Mark Anderson, based on the student’s test scores, class participation, attitude, attendance and initiative in the shop.

Road Rage Causes Chaos at Plymouth Laundromat

Posted on Author WKVI

A typical trip to the laundromat nearly turned into violence Thursday morning when a Plymouth couple were approached by an enraged driver.

John and Janice Unruh of Plymouth were heading to the Quick Clean Laundromat on Jefferson Street in Plymouth when an aggressive driver nearly struck their car. At that point, Janice said, the man jumped out of his vehicle and started screaming at them. She said they were scared the man was going to turn violent, so her husband took out his gun and laid it in his lap, telling the infuriated man that he was armed.

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West Central School Board Approves 2013 Budget; 1:1 Technology Discussed

Posted on Author WKVI
West Central School Superintendent Charles Mellon

The West Central School Board approved the 2013 budget during their recent meeting which included the General Fund, Capital Projects Plan, and the Bus Replacement Plan. The board also approved the Technology Plan which Superintendent Charles Mellon says goes along with the Capital Projects Plan.

Last year, the corporation underwent a wireless transformation and projectors with internet capability were put into the teachers’ rooms so the teachers can walk around the room and discuss what is on the board. Mellon explains technology upgrade is next.

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Over 100 Fungal Meningitis Cases Reported Nationwide; None Yet In Starke County

Posted on Author WKVI
Starke County Health Nurse Frank Lynch

Over 100 cases of fungal meningitis have been reported in the United States and the outbreak has killed at least seven people. The CDC and the FDA are still investigating the issue.

The cases have been linked to a tainted cortisone shot given for back pain and the pharmacy at the center of the outbreak is recalling all of its products. All products manufactured by the New England Compounding Center as of May 21 are being recalled.

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Gas Prices Up Six Cents Over Last Week; Expect Drops Toward Winter

Posted on Author WKVI

With gas prices up roughly six cents over last week in Indiana, GasBuddy.com Senior Petroleum Analyst Gregg Laskoski attributes the rise in prices to problems in California and overseas. He said there is a lot of problems around the country, but the biggest problems at the moment exist in California.

The state is seeing some significant supply problems because of two refineries that have been out of commission: one refinery lost power, and one suffered from a fire. That, on top of a pipeline problem, has pushed the state of California to record-high prices of $4.59 per gallon. Laskoski explained that Los Angeles has been hit even worse, with prices as high as $4.70 per gallon.

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Plymouth to Hold Public Workship For 2013 Comprehensive Plan

Posted on Author WKVI

The city of Plymouth has planned a public workshop for Tuesday, Oct. 23 from 6–8 p.m. ET to gather input on the city’s 2013 Comprehensive Plan.

You will be asked to take part in small group activities which may include mapping exercises and surveys to identify Plymouth’s current strengths and weaknesses. Discussion will also be held on the community’s long-term vision for development and enhancement of the quality of life.

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2012 Safe at Home Event Makes Starke County Safer

Posted on Author WKVI
David Hyatt installs smoke detector in a home in Starke County

Fifty volunteers spread out across Starke County this weekend during the first Safe at Home event, sponsored by Northwest Indiana Community Action, Community Services of Starke County, and IU Health Starke Hospital. The volunteers traveled to 14 homes where the occupants were in need of some help with home repair and yard work, including ramp repairs, handrail and grab-bar installation, smoke detectors testing and installation, and various yard work.

Knox Mayor Rick Chambers and North Judson Town Board President Wendy Hoppe also assisted in the endeavor, and IU Health Starke Hospital President and CEO David Hyatt said he was overjoyed to see so many of his colleagues donating their precious time for such a worthwhile cause. He said making Starke County a safer place is at the core of the hospital’s mission statement.

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Wythogan Park Still Undergoing Repairs

Posted on Author WKVI

Though the park is open, work is still being done to restore Wythogan Park in Knox to its former glory. Park Superintendent George Byer said the majority of stumps and trees have been removed, but approximately 50 stumps that were uprooted by the storms still need to be taken out.

Byer said these stumps will be split between the street department and a contractor, with each taking 25 stumps from the park. The park board is still waiting on bids to come in for the stump removal, and Byer said once they’ve received all the bids and chosen the best contractor for the job, the first 25 stumps will be removed by the contractor. The remaining stumps will then be handled by the street department as quickly as time allows.

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Decision Expected Soon On Tree Removal Near Washington Twp. School

Posted on Author WKVI
Superintendent A.J. Gappa

Washington Township Trustee Shelly Kemble appeared before the Knox Community School Board last week to discuss the demolition of the old Washington Township School. Superintendent A.J. Gappa said Kemble relayed plans on how they are going to move forward with the project.

Kemble also asked the board’s permission to cut down some trees on the property east of the building.

“The idea there is to try and get some money to help pay for a demolition,” stated Gappa.

Gappa says the school board is expected to act on that request at the next board meeting on Monday, Oct. 15.

Knox’s No-Burn Ordinance Still In Effect

Posted on Author WKVI
Knox Mayor Rick Chambers

A no-burn ordinance remains in effect in the city of Knox.

Mayor Rick Chambers is urging residents to follow this ordinance and not burn leaves or other brush and debris within the city limits.

If you need to be rid of leaves in your yard, the street department will be picking up leaves each day beginning tomorrow. You can rake the leaves to the street along the side for pick up. Do not pile the leaves in the alley. Do not bag the leaves, and remove all trash and other debris from the pile.

You are also welcome to take grass clippings or leaves to the compost drop-off behind City Hall.

WKVI Corrects Harold Welter School Board Reports

Posted on Author WKVI

On Sept. 5 and 10 of this year, news stories were aired on WKVI and posted on wkvi.com concerning the Knox Community School Board race and candidate Harold Welter in particular. It has since been learned that certain parts of those stories were inaccurate. In the story from Sept. 5, entitled, “Harold Welter withdraws Knox School Board candidacy,” a description of FCC guidelines concerning equal time was given, along with how they relate to the local school board race and a description of the waiver of equal time opportunities which would allow Welter to continue his duties as a sports announcer through the election season.

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West Central School Board Discusses State Grade

Posted on Author WKVI
West Central School Superintendent Charles Mellon

The West Central School Board dissected the preliminary grades given to the corporation by the state. Superintendent Charles Mellon said the way corporations are evaluated has changed. As part of the former Adequate Yearly Progress requirement, high performance schools were assessed as an Exemplary School where severe under-performing schools were classified as being placed on Academic Probation. Now, Mellon says, the corporations are given a letter grade based on certain statistics.

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Voter Registration Deadline Is Tomorrow; Absentee Voting Begins Today

Posted on Author WKVI

Starke County Clerk Evelyn Skronski and Pulaski County Clerk Tasha Foerg urge Hoosiers to register to vote in the Nov. 6 General Election. The last day to register is tomorrow!

You can register by going online to www.IndianaVoters.com or by visiting your county clerk’s office. If you do not register to vote, you cannot cast a ballot in this important presidential election. You have until 4 p.m. tomorrow to register, and many government offices may be closed due to the Columbus Day holiday today.

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