Injunction Order Against C&C Salvage To Be Revised

Posted on Author WKVI
Starke County Courthouse

Starke Circuit Court Judge Kim Hall heard a motion to set aside an order of injunction filed against C&C Salvage of Knox.

An injunction order was filed against C&C Salvage after the Planning Commission says they learned C&C Salvage did not have the proper permits from the commission to expand its operations, but James Campbell, the owner of C&C Salvage, had expanded the salvage and junk yard to the south, nearly doubling its size. Further, the Indiana Department of Environmental Management conducted an inspection in May and found several violations of both state and federal laws.

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18-Year-Old Struck By Train in Valparaiso

Posted on Author WKVI

Police say an 18-year-old Valparaiso man was struck by a train on Saturday morning on the Canadian National Railroad tracks near Yellowstone Road.

Police received the call at 11:26 a.m. on Saturday and were told to check on a male subject on the tracks wearing headphones, but when they arrived, the found the train had stopped and the conductor was standing outside.

Nicholas Domer was reportedly walking on the railroad tracks while wearing headphones, and the train conductor told police that he saw the man walking westbound on the tracks, headed in the same direction as the train. He said he sounded the train’s horn several times in an attempt to warn the man of the quickly-approaching train, but it soon became apparent that the man was not going to get off the tracks. The train conductor initiated an emergency stop, but was unable to bring the train to a stop before it struck Domer.

Domer was taken to Porter Valparaiso Hospital before being airlifted to a Chicago hospital, where his condition is not yet known.

Town of Culver Discusses Drilling of New Well

Posted on Author WKVI

In light of this year’s worsening drought, the town of Culver is looking into the possibility of drilling an extra well for the town’s water supply.

According to Town Manager David Schoeff, the town board had discussed the idea a while ago and had a study done regarding the project, but nothing had come of it. Since then, some comments had been made at the last board meeting that some residents thought the board should look into the idea once again because of the dry weather.

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Wythogan Park Still Closed – Mayor Urges Residents To Stay Away

Posted on Author WKVI
Knox Mayor Rick Chambers

Knox Mayor Rick Chambers would like to remind all residents that Wythogan Park is still closed while cleanup crews continue efforts to remove branches, limbs, debris, and other items strewn about and destroyed from the July storms.

Chambers says the park is closed until further notice, but he’s hopeful that it will open toward the end of September. He says the council is hoping to let a contract this week for the cleanup work, but the contractors have indicated that it would take roughly four to six weeks after the bid is awarded before the cleanup can be completed.

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RR Crossing On SR 8 Near Knox To Be Closed Temporarily

Posted on Author WKVI

The Norfolk & Southern Railroad has announced plans to close the railroad crossing on State Road 8, approximately 1.7 miles east of Knox from 8 a.m. on Aug. 27 through Sept. 10 at 7 p.m.

A detour has been proposed from U.S. 35 to U.S. 30, then to State Road 23.

INDOT Railroad and Utilities Engineer Mike Essling told WKVI that while this length of time for a railroad to be closed is slightly longer than the norm, the railroad company will coordinate efforts on restoring access to the tracks as quickly as possible.

This kind of maintenance is routine, and all emergency services, school corporations, and other affected parties will be notified of the track’s closure. Until the crossing is re-opened, drivers are encouraged to take the detour and plan accordingly.

NJSP Students Participate in INPact Indiana

Posted on Author WKVI
Band Director Matthew Hibbets was one of the instructors while Robert Miller, percussion and Caitlyn Barnes, clarinet participated.

Approximately 200 eighth, ninth, and tenth grade band students participated in the INPact Indiana’s Future All-Star Band for the Drum Corps International championships this weekend.

The event, which took place at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis on Aug. 10 and 11, featured musicians from the West Point Academy, speakers by the Blue Man Group, and entertainment from Sean Cannon from American Idol Season 7 – and when they weren’t being entertained, the students spent their time rehearsing.

On Aug. 11, the INPact Band performed to begin the DCI Parade near the war memorial, and then finished out the evening with a performance with Sean Cannon in front of 10,000 fans in Lucas Oil Stadium to begin the evening’s DCI Championships. North Judson-San Pierre Band Director Matthew Hibbets was one of the instructors while percussionist Robert Miller and Caitlyn Barnes on clarinet participated.

Three Arrests Made By Plymouth Police

Posted on Author WKVI

Two minors were arrested at McDonald’s in Plymouth after they were found to have illegally consumed alcohol.

Plymouth police say that at 2:21 a.m. on Sunday, 20-year-old Leandra M. Munoz of Plymouth and Alexandrea M. Decker, 19, of Plymouth were arrested after police learned they were not only under the influence of alcohol, but underage.

The pair was arrested and booked into the Marshall County Jail on charges of Minor Consumption.

Plymouth police also arrested 21-year-old Troy Siple of Bremen. Police say he was arrested at the probation department around 10 a.m. when police learned there was a warrant out for his arrest. He has been booked into the Marshall County Jail.

School Starts Tomorrow For Many Schools, Back to School Night Tonight

Posted on Author WKVI

School starts this week for our students!

Several back-to-school events are happening tonight. Back to School Night for all Knox Community Schools will be tonight from 4–6 p.m. The Elementary School has a different schedule for all grades. Parents can refer to the school registration page for Knox schools on our website at wkvi.com for specific details. The first day of school is tomorrow!

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Yellow River Cleanup Project To Begin Soon

Posted on Author WKVI

Efforts to clean up the logjams and other debris from the Yellow River will soon be underway. Starke County Surveyor Dennis Estok says the county commissioners this week signed the contract with the company that will handle the cleanup, Thomas Excavating and Welding, and the work can proceed as soon as the contractor is ready.

Estok says the project will be paid for by a grant through the Disaster Recovery Act that the county had applied for previously through the Office of Community and Rural Affairs, which provided the county with $190,000 to be used to remove the fallen trees and debris from the river. However, Estok noted that after engineering fees and other expenses, they’re left with only $160,000 – but he says that’s more than enough to pay the company, which presented a bid of only $118,000 for the cleanup.

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North Judson Considering Golf Cart Ordinance

Posted on Author WKVI

The town of North Judson is considering the idea of joining several counties, cities, and towns throughout Indiana that have adopted ordinances regulating where golf carts can and cannot be driven. According to Clerk-Treasurer Donna Henry, the town board is reviewing a sample ordinance governing golf carts to determine whether or not they want to draft an ordinance based around those recommendations.

Henry says the council is unsure as to whether or not an ordinance is currently in effect regulating golf carts, but she says it’s more likely that the board has mentioned something in the meeting minutes prohibiting golf carts from operating on town roads. However, if that is the case, the board would like to have something more concrete on record specifying requirements for golf cart operation – such as an operator’s license, insurance on the vehicle, registration, or other necessities.

The board also discussed their no-tobacco ordinance, and have sent it to be publicized. Henry says once it has been advertised in the paper, the board can move forward with the first reading of the ordinance and proceed with its enactment.

Knox Schools Budget Cut, Says Gappa

Posted on Author WKVI
Knox Community School Superintendent A.J. Gappa

The Knox Community School Board approved the advertisement of the 2013 budget. Superintendent A.J. Gappa says the budget has decreased.

“Our budget advertisement this year is a little bit less than less year; it’s about $500,000 less than we advertised last year in the general fund, and it’s a little over $900,000 less than we advertised last year for the total budget,” Gappa explained.

Gappa reports the total of the school’s proposed budget for 2013.

“All funds would be $23,254,000, and our general fund advertised budget for this year would be $14,966,000, which almost $500,000 last than we advertised last year,” said Gappa. “Once we have a public hearing on Aug. 20, the plan will be to adopt the budget at the Sept. 5 board meeting.”

Changes Made to Hamlet Trash Can Ordinance

Posted on Author WKVI

A number of changes have been made to the rules regarding trash and recycling containers, effective immediately.

Hamlet police say trash and recycling containers must be placed at the roadside no earlier than one day before trash pickup day and must be removed from the roadside no later than one day after pickup day, and they must be stored in a place that is not visible from the roadway if possible, such as the back side of a house or within a fence.

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Culver Town Council To Hold Budget Work Session

Posted on Author WKVI

The Culver Town Council has announced that it will meet for a budget work session today at 3 p.m. to discuss several budgets.

According to Town Manager David Schoeff, the council has been busy with a number of projects, and reviewing the budgets is one such project. While they’ve had their hands full with their budget reviews, Schoeff says the town is also still working on updating their comprehensive plan. He says the council is hoping to submit a request for proposals for the plan soon. The current plan is nearly 20 years old, and Schoeff says it’s time to reevaluate Culver, and plan ahead for the next 20 years.

The council will meet to discuss the Local Roads and Streets, Cumulative Capital Development, and Tree Commission budgets, as well as the Park and Clerk Budget. The meeting will take place at the Culver Town Hall, located at 200 E. Washington St. in Culver.

Pyrotechnics Guild To Hold Annual Fireworks Show Through Aug. 17

Posted on Author WKVI

The Pyrotechnics Guild International is holding its annual fireworks convention through Aug. 17 at the LaPorte County Fairgrounds.

During this week-long convention, visitors are encouraged to view some of the most spectacular fireworks displays in the world. Tuesday night’s display will feature a presentation display and then a competition program between three different companies. They will discharge some of the best fireworks visitors will ever see and many that haven’t been seen in any display yet. The displays won’t be of a “finale” in nature, but each firework will be discharged one at a time, at a lively pace, with a description.

These displays will also take place tomorrow and Friday night, all beginning at 9 p.m. The gates open at 6 p.m., and tickets are on sale at the LaPorte County Visitors Convention Bureau offices in the Marquette Mall. Anyone interested is encouraged to purchase tickets early. Call 1-800-634-2650 for more information.

Woman Stabbed and Robbed After Trying To Help Stranded Motorist

Posted on Author WKVI

A good Samaritan was stabbed and robbed when she stopped to assist what she thought was a stranded motorist on Thursday just south of the city of LaPorte.

LaPorte County Sheriff’s Department Chief of Detectives John Boyd says a woman had stopped her vehicle on 250 South near 100 West to lend a hand to a man who she thought was having trouble with his tan- or cream-colored Honda Sonata, when the suspect suddenly stabbed her and stole her money. While police have yet to arrest a suspect, an investigation is underway.

The incident took place early Thursday afternoon, and the victim has since been treated and released from the hospital.

Marshall County Coroner Says Alcohol Not Involved In Boating Death

Posted on Author WKVI

The Marshall County Coroner’s Office announced Thursday that alcohol was not a factor in Sunday’s boating fatality on Lake Latonka in Plymouth. Sixty-one-year-old Roger R. Martin of Chicago was killed when he was run over by a ski boat driven by a family member. Martin had fallen from the boat and was struck by the propeller as it was making a sharp turn to recover skiers who had fallen from a water tube being towed behind the boat.

Coroner Bill Cleavenger said Thursday morning after discussing the incident with the Indiana conservation officers and the Marshall County Prosecutor’s Office that alcohol did not play a part in Martin’s death.

The incident remains under investigation by the conservation department and the coroner’s office, but Cleavenger emphasized that alcohol consumption by neither the victim nor boat operator played a part in Martin’s death.

Plymouth Man Arrested On Charges of Battery, Neglect

Posted on Author WKVI

Christopher Z. Warren of Plymouth was arrested Monday after an unnamed complainant approached police with a juvenile and informed them that the child had been battered.

An investigation revealed that on Aug. 5, Warren had allegedly battered the dependent child during the evening hours, striking him on the back with his fists and hands, causing bruising. Police say the incident occurred in the 3000 block of North Michigan Road, but the name of the juvenile victim has not been released. Warren lives in a mobile home park in that block with his girlfriend, their 10-month-old son, her 10-year-old daughter, and his 8-year-old son.

Warren was arrested and charged with Battery as a Class D felony and Neglect of a Dependent as a Class C felony. His bond has been set at $20,000.

Shidaker Spotlighted During Knox School Board Meeting

Posted on Author WKVI
Knox Community School Superintendent A.J. Gappa

The Director of Curriculum and Instruction at the Knox Community School Corporation, Peggy Shidaker, was spotlighted during the school board’s recent meeting for taking part in HealthLinc’s Back to School Health and Wellness Fair. Superintendent A.J. Gappa said Miss Shidaker and a teacher represented the school in highest regards.

“Miss Shidaker attended the Health Fair along with third grade teacher, Shannon Pitts,” explained Gappa. “They represented the school and passed out information to families who were in attendance that would help them improve their wellness and health of not only their student, but their whole family.”

The pair handed out bus safety information, as well as information on peer pressure. Coloring books and activity books were distributed to the younger students. Approximately 80 students came through the school’s booth.

Yellowstone Trail Festival Preserves Historical Value of Trail

Posted on Author WKVI

The first transcontinental roadway in America is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year! The Yellowstone Trail, a designated roadway going from Plymouth Rock, Mass., to Peugeot Sound, Wash., was a no-cost idea to help travelers of the newest mode of transportation – the automobile. Large rocks were painted yellow to mark the way for vehicles to follow, and it wasn’t so much a road that was built, but rather a designated route to follow in an effort to cut down on the cost to towns and counties.

Starke County holds the Yellowstone Trail as a central part of its history in the town of Hamlet, and the Yellowstone Trail Festival was started three years ago to help keep the historical trail a part of the town’s living history.

Festival President Audrey Wood says the most important aspect of the festival is the embodiment of history, and the festival makes an effort to not only preserve history, but to remind visitors of the importance of the trail.

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ReadyNWI Meeting Planned For Tuesday In Valparaiso

Posted on Author WKVI

The Center of Workforce Innovations is hosting a meeting for the Regional Education/Employer Alliance for Development Youth of Northwest Indiana to provide information on the Ready to Work–Ready to Hire: College and Readiness Plan for Northwest Indiana.

The plan includes the yet-to-be-announced “big goal,” recommendations on how to strengthen the assessment system for grades 7–12 to align with business expectations, and ensuring rigor in awarding dual credits while students are in high school to guarantee they are ready for college-level work. Further, the plan works to accelerate the attainment of degrees and industry certifications, and emphasizes the importance of alliances among post-secondary education, businesses, economic and workforce development organizations, employers, and local elected officials in fulfilling the plan.

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