North Judson-San Pierre Schools To Endure Hefty Budget Cuts

Posted on Author WKVI
North Judson-San Pierre Superintendent Lynn Johnson

The North Judson-San Pierre School Board discussed the budget outlook for the next two years and Superintendent Lynn Johnson said the school will take a major budget hit in 2012 and 2013.

“Close to one million dollars,” said Johnson. “One of the things we lost was the restoration grant and the small schools grant. Those two losses did come up to about a million dollars. Of course, it depends on enrollment. If we have an increase in enrollment, of course that will help us. There’s a lot of variables we have to look at, but right now we are looking at decreased revenue and I’m sure we’re not the only school corporation.”

On top of the budget cut, Johnson says they are also suffering from a decrease in enrollment.

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Starke County Vehicle Search Turns Up Methamphetamine – Four Arrested

Posted on Author WKVI

Four people were arrested Tuesday after a traffic stop in Starke County.

A deputy from the Starke County Sheriff’s Department conducted a traffic stop on State Road 23 near 950 East and the officer was granted permission to search the vehicle. Several items used to manufacture and package methamphetamine as well as the finished product were found in the vehicle.

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Northern Indiana Power From The Past Kicks Off Today

Posted on Author WKVI
This was one of the many working displays from last year's Power from the Past show in Winamac.

The 35th annual Northern Indiana Power From the Past kicks off today! Their preview night, featuring HAP’s Chicken Bash, took place yesterday from 4:30 to 7 p.m. ET, sponsored by Boy Scout Troop 229.

Headlining this year’s show is Nashville Country Recording Artist Levi Riggs, and the event features Ford and Fordson tractors and will also exhibit motorcycles from the World of Motorcycles Museum, Inc., in North Judson.

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Knox Community Schools ISTEP Scores Lower Than Expected

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

The Knox Community School Board discussed ISTEP results Monday night. Superintendent A.J. Gappa said the scores have declined.

“Our administrators are looking into possible reasons why they think they might have declined,” said Gappa. “We have given other tests in both buildings, like the NWEA test, that does show growth in some areas, but the administrators are looking into that and plan to come back with an action plan for the upcoming school year.”

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Rensselaer Pair Indicted on Drug Charges

Posted on Author WKVI

Two Rensselaer residents have been indicted on drug charges in Hammond Federal Court.

31-year-old Amin Guillermo Velazquez and 28-year-old Johana Jatzhiry Velazquez were charged with conspiracy to distribute or possess with the intent to distribute four kilos or more of cocaine and 1,000 kilograms or more of marijuana. These charges were filed as the result of an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Illinois State Police.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office emphasized that an indictment is merely an allegation and that the pair are innocent until proven guilty.

Extreme Temperatures Prompt Communities To Establish Cooling Centers

Posted on Author WKVI

With record-breaking highs yesterday, many communities in the area established cooling centers to provide citizens with a place to cool off. Visitors to the Starke County 4-H Fair had to tolerate high 90-degree temperatures that felt hotter than 101 degrees with the humidity.

Fortunately, IU Health Starke Hospital put its Health Mobile to good use providing visitors with a place to go to get out of the sweltering heat and take a break. Hospital Interim President David Hyatt said the Health Mobile will help stave off heat exhaustion for fair-goers.

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Winamac Town Board Discusses Golf Cart Ordinance

Posted on Author WKVI

The Winamac Town Board is in the discussion stages of enacting a golf cart ordinance.

The golf cart ordinance would need to have safety issues spelled out – specifically lighting requirements and the necessity of a licensed driver. Insurance must also be taken out on the cart and the operator is to obey all traffic laws. There is a state law concerning golf carts and the police department indicated that the town law will be upheld along with the state law, and citations will be given if an offense occurs.

The board members would like to include that children under 48 pounds would need to be restrained in a car seat.

The ordinance will be discussed again during the board’s next meeting on Aug. 13.

State Police Remind Hoosiers To Be Wary Of Burning Butts

Posted on Author WKVI

The entire state of Indiana is under severe drought conditions and the Indiana State Police would like to remind Hoosiers that most of the counties are under burn bans, including Marshall and Starke counties.

The state police warns that if a driver throws a lit cigarette, cigar, match or other burning material from a moving vehicle, they will face a Class A Infraction. Those objects can start a large fire if thrown from a vehicle while traveling, especially in these drought conditions. A littering infraction may also be issued.

Troopers will be looking for this type of activity while out on routine patrol. They ask that drivers take these statutes under consideration while on the highways and county roads.

North Judson Household Causes Sewer Clog Over The Weekend

Posted on Author WKVI
North Judson Town Board

One North Judson resident had to deal with a smelly situation Sunday night after a lift station pump plugged up, causing sewage to seep up into their home. North Judson Town Council President Wendy Hoppe commended Town Superintendent Marshall Horstmann and his three-man crew for their quick response and diligent effort in rectifying the situation, which was reportedly caused by a North Judson resident who had flushed an item down the toilet that had clogged up the sewer system.

The lift station pump was permanently damaged from the clog, and Clerk-Treasurer Donna Henry emphasized the fact that nothing should be flushed down the toilet except for human waste and toilet paper. She says that while an item may be labeled as “flushable,” that’s not always the case. The item may flush down the toilet, but it’s not unlikely that it will get stuck in the sewer system and cause further problems down the line.

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Pulaski County Courthouse Sidewalk To Be Replaced

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

The steps around the Pulaski County Courthouse will soon be a bit safer, thanks to a motion by the Pulaski County Commissioners to replace 420 square feet of sidewalk at a cost of $3345.

County Maintenance Director Morry Demarco presented the commissioners this week with three bids to replace the approaches around the courthouse. He had contacted five contractors requesting bids for the work, but only three returned bids. He says the work is necessary because the sidewalk and steps are not level, creating a tripping hazard for visitors. In fact, the steps are so hazardous in the winter, that Demarco says he had to block some entrances last winter to prevent people from tripping.

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Knox Community School Board To Meet With Architecture Firm

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

The Knox Community School Board discussed the Facility Study Committee’s progress with the Palmer Wing. Superintendent A.J. Gappa said the committee is still gathering information on whether to build a new wing or to rehabilitate the deteriorated structure.

“Our board has a committee that will meet this week with a representative from the Barton, Coe and Villema architecture firm in Fort Wayne,” said Gappa. “We will proceed with talk about the possibility of a renovation or replacing the Palmer Wing at the elementary school.”

After the Committee meets with the architect, Gappa says the Board will plan meetings with the public.

“We plan to have some more public meetings and invite the members of the public in and get input on which direction to go,” said Gappa.

Starke County 4-H Royalty Announced

Posted on Author WKVI

The Starke County 4-H Royalty winners have been announced! Dylan Shively and Elizabeth McGaughey were crowned yesterday at the Starke County 4-H Fair in Hamlet.

The son of Deanna and David Shively, Shively is a ten-year member of the Starke County Rebels and a six-year member of the Junior Leaders. Shively is a 2012 graduate of Oregon-Davis High School.

Soon to be a senior at John Glenn High School, McGaughey is a nine-year member of the Cloverleaf 4-H Club and a five-year member of Junior Leaders. She is the daughter of Jane and Todd McGaughey.

In recognition of his years of service to the Starke County Fair, James Hardesty was awarded the Starke County Fair Board President’s Memorial award.

The William Barbknecht 4-H Scholarship was presented to Emily Pucel, and Dylan Shively received the Charles “Todd” Troike Memorial Scholarship.

Tom Berg’s Marathon Finally Comes to a Close – 187 Hours Later

Posted on Author WKVI
Mayor Rick Chambers presented Tom with a proclamation declaring Tuesday, July 17 as Tom Berg Day.

In recognition of WKVI Morning Host Tom Berg’s unbelievable effort in breaking the Guinness World Record for the longest continuous radio broadcast by a single host, the City of Knox has come together to show their support for the man who has worked the single longest shift in radio history.

Mayor Rick Chambers issued a proclamation yesterday declaring today – Tuesday, July 17 – Tom Berg Day.

“It was just our thoughts from the city, to thank Tom for all his efforts he’s put forth, and all the attention he’s brought to our community,” said Chambers.

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City of Plymouth Under Fire For Allegedly Violating USERRA

Posted on Author WKVI

A complaint has been filed against the City of Plymouth defending the employment rights of Air Force reservist Robert D. DeLee under the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act of 1994.

United States Attorney David Capp says USERRA requires employers to reemploy returning service members to the position they would have held, had their employment not been interrupted by military service. USERRA also requires employers to provide the employee with all benefits of employment they would have been entitled to as well had the employee not been called to active duty.

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Burn Ban Still On In Starke County

Posted on Author WKVI

The burn ban in Starke County has once again been extended for two weeks, this time to be reevaluated on Aug. 6 at the commissioners’ regular meeting at 9 a.m.

Campfires, other recreational fires unless enclosed in a fire ring at least 23 inches across and ten inches high, open burning of any kind except grills, and the burning of debris are prohibited. Burning is, however, allowed in burn barrels with a one-quarter inch mesh top from dawn to dusk.

The commissioners and EMA Director Ted Bombagetti will review the conditions and decide whether or not to continue the burn ban at their next regular meeting.

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Winamac Town Board Commends Employees On Swift Storm Cleanup

Posted on Author WKVI
Winamac Town Hall

The Winamac Town Board commended the town employees on their swift cleanup after the June 29 and July 1 storms that powered through Pulaski County and the 4-H Fair in the Winamac Town Park.

The streets were cleaned up and cleared Sunday, July 1 by 7 p.m. ET, but one board member questioned the street department if the overtime was warranted on Sunday. He felt that the cleanup of fallen trees and brush could have waited until Monday to avoid paying overtime. The standby rate was discussed, but it will addressed further when budget time rolls around.

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Two Arrested In Response To Anonymous Tip In Plymouth

Posted on Author WKVI

The Plymouth Police Department arrested two people after a tip was called into the police department.

On Friday afternoon, a call was received about a strong chemical smell at the Carriage Green Apartments at 1052 Ed Cook Blvd. Three officers approached the complex and one of the suspects reportedly tried climbing a third floor balcony. Upon kicking down the door, police found an active methamphetamine lab along with a two year old child. The two were taken into custody and the child was taken to protective custody and transported to the hospital.

Twenty-four-year-old Jessica Goad and 29-year-old Jason K. Wolff were arrested and they have preliminary charges of Manufacturing and Dealing in Methamphetamine within 1,000 feet of a School and Neglect of a Child.

This arrest was the result of a tip called into the Plymouth Police Department’s Drug Tip Hotline. If you have any anonymous tips for police, call 1-800-899-0842.