Bike Rodeo to Take Place at Winamac Town Park

Posted on Author WKVI

A “Bike Rodeo” is scheduled at the Winamac Town Park as part of the Kiwanis Club’s annual Kid’s Day on Tuesday, July 24. Area children are invited to bring their bicycle from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and promote safe bicycling riding habits in an effort to reduce accidents involving children.

The event will feature a course with safety stations where riders will learn proper riding skills and habits, as well as how to better control the bicycle and general road rules. Through bicycle and helmet inspections will be offered by Zac See of Breakaway Bikes and Fitness in Peru, and children that complete the safety course will be eligible for prizes including helmets, horns, and handlebar streamers.

This event is organized by the Winamac Safe Routes Task Force, a diverse team of local business leaders, educators, local government, health professionals and private citizens, and is funded by a Safe Routes to School grant from the Indiana Department of Transportation.

Ted Hayes Begins New Career

Posted on Author WKVI
WKVI Groundbreaking in 1987 (L to R) LeRoy Gudeman, Harold Weinberg, Tom Bell, Ted Hayes, Ralph Harbison and Mike Gurrado (missing from the picture-Almo Smith)

To all of my WKVI friends,

Today, I begin a second career in Knox.  After 43 years at the radio station, I have formed a new company, Hayes Media Solutions.  In the early stages, I will be publicizing information from IU Health Starke Hospital.  In my almost 50 years in broadcasting, I have always been interested in health-related issues, so this new task will be a labor of love.

Continue reading →

Tom Berg’s World Record Attempt Begins Monday

Posted on Author WKVI
Tom Berg

WKVI’s Tom Berg will soon make his attempt at breaking the world record for the longest continuous radio broadcast by a single host.

His attempt will begin Monday, July 9 at 5 a.m. and will end at midnight on July 16.

The record had been set by an Italian DJ at 182 hours and just a few weeks ago, a Belgian DJ broke that record by staying on the air continuously for 184 hours. That record could be broken again if Tom is successful in his attempt to break the record at 187 hours.

Volunteers are coming in to help witness the event and everything will be documented for the Guinness World Record officials. After the officials review the submitted material, it will then be announced if the record has been broken.

Listen all week next week for Tom Berg’s Guinness Book of World Record attempt on K99.3 WKVI!

Funeral for Former Starke County Sheriff to Be Held Tomorrow

Posted on Author WKVI

Funeral services for a former Starke County Sheriff will be held tomorrow afternoon.

Wilkus Minix passed away Wednesday, July 5 at the Pulaski Memorial Hospital in Winamac. He was the Starke County Sheriff from 1995 to 1998, and he was also an officer for the North Judson Police Department and the Starke County Sheriff’s Department.

He was a member of the Starke County VFW and the Knox American Legion. He also served as a California Township Advisory Board member and was a former precinct committeeman for the Republican Party.

Funeral services will be tomorrow at 1 p.m. CT at the Braman and Son Memorial Chapel in Knox with visitation today from 4 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home. He will be interred in the Crown Hill Cemetery in Knox.

Free CNA Class Offered In Valparaiso July 18

Posted on Author WKVI

A free CNA class will be available at the Valparaiso Golden Living Center facility on July 18.

Thirty applications are available for this course beginning Monday, July 9 at the Valparaiso Golden Living Center facility at 9 a.m. CT. A test will be given on Thursday, July 12 at 9 a.m. for applicants. The test will consist of basic English comprehension and math, and for those who pass the test on the first attempt, an interview will be set up and they could be placed in a class.

The class will be run from July 18 to Sept. 12, and the best part of this CNA class? It’s free! However, participants will need to purchase a white uniform, white shoes, a watch with a seconds hand and a binder for papers. For more information, call instructor Kay Brown at (219) 462-6158.

Week in Review for July 2nd-6th, 2012

Posted on Author WKVI

Here is a look at some of the news that made the news in the Kankakee Valley this week:

The proposed golf cart ordinance in Marshall County will be discussed by the Commissioners in a public hearing setting on Monday, July 16th. No time has been set for the hearing, but the Commissioners will be meeting at 10:00 a.m. ET to go over regular business. There are a few residents upset with the ordinance that restricts the use of golf carts around the county’s lakes. The ordinance does not include use on any other roadway. The ordinance also requires a driver to have a driver’s license and proof insurance must be present at all time when operating a cart. Other provisions have also been set and will be discussed during the public hearing. Continue reading →

Alcohol, Drugs Not Factor In Fatal Marshall County Accident

Posted on Author WKVI

The toxicology report has been received by the Marshall County coroner in the case of a double fatal accident that occurred June 28.

Coroner Bill Cleavenger said that 16-year-old Vincent Cody Poczik and 16-year-old Hunter Brandt of Plymouth were negative for both alcohol and drugs. Cleavenger said that this eliminates one element of the investigation. It was initially believed that speed was a factor in the accident, although that has not been confirmed.

On the evening of June 28, Poczik was driving his car on 12 B Road, east of Olive Trail, when the vehicle left the roadway, struck a guardrail and flipped end over end. Cleavenger said Poczik and Brandt were killed instantly.

The accident remains under investigation with the Marshall County Sheriff’s Department.

No Fires Reported Over Holiday For Starke, Pulaski Counties

Posted on Author WKVI

Despite the controversy regarding Pulaski and Starke counties’ recent decisions to rescind their burn bans, no fires were reported on Fourth of July in either county.

The Starke County Sheriff’s Department reports that while they had no fire calls on the holiday, they did receive a number of noise complaints because of the fireworks. Overall, it was a safe Fourth of July for the county. No fires and no serious injuries were reported, and the Starke County fireworks celebration went off without a hitch.

Continue reading →

Culver Still Cleaning Up Storm Aftermath

Posted on Author WKVI
Culver Town Council Members Ed Pinder, Ralph Winters, Ginny Bess, Sally Ricciardi
Culver Town Council Members (from left to right) Ed Pinder, Ralph Winters, Ginny Bess, Sally Ricciardi

Culver Clerk-Treasurer Karen Heim says the town has been busy cleaning up the remaining debris from last weekend’s series of storms. Many people lost power in the town through Saturday, and some residents were even without power until Sunday. Heim says the street department has been dealing with a large number of downed trees and limbs, but they are working their way through town cleaning up brush and debris.

Heim says that the storm caused a bit of damage to properties in the town. Some homes were damaged, a porch was reportedly destroyed, and a limb fell through a home. Several cars were damaged by falling branches and other debris, and at least one pool was taken out by the storm.

On a positive note, construction for the Safe Routes to School project is still underway, and crews are currently replacing sidewalks down School Street. Heim says that they have been working on the project since the beginning of June.

Town of North Judson To Draft No-Tobacco Ordinance

Posted on Author WKVI
North Judson Town Board

The Town of North Judson has announced that it is in compliance with the new smoke-free air law as required by the state, but the town board has announced plans to draft their own, more stringent no-tobacco policy.

Clerk-Treasurer Donna Henry says that the ordinance would not only prevent smoking, but all use of tobacco where smoking is prohibited. She says the ordinance would include park shelters because they are currently not covered by the state law, which only applies to enclosed structures. The board is interested in including these shelters in the no-tobacco policy because they feel the shelters are there for people to enjoy, and the board feels they have the right to enjoy them without having to tolerate tobacco smoke close to them.

The board will soon have the ordinance drafted and then read for approval at an upcoming meeting.

Henry says the board also commended the town’s street department on the good job they did over the weekend in cleaning up brush and debris from last weekend’s storms.

Pulaski County 4-H Fair Coming To A Close

Posted on Author WKVI

Today is the last day of the Pulaski County 4-H Fair.

The County Official Breakfast is today from 7 to 8 a.m., the Ultimate Showman Contest is at 10 a.m., the 4-H and open class exhibits will be released at 4 p.m. and the 4-H Auction will begin at 6 p.m. ET. The auction order will be sheep, goats, rabbits, poultry, swine, then cattle.

The Starke County 4-H Fair will officially begin Monday, July 16.

Registration Schedule For Knox Schools Released

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

Knox Community School Superintendent A.J. Gappa announced that the school registration schedule has been released this week.

“The high school, middle school and the elementary school released registration dates for the upcoming school year,” said Gappa. “I know it seems like the old school year just ended, but that information will be posted on the website and we will get that information out so everyone is aware of the registration times for the upcoming school year.”

The registration days will be Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, July 31 through Aug. 2, at the Knox elementary and middle schools, and Aug. 1 and 2 at the Knox High School. To download a full schedule, click here.

Freshmen registration is Thursday, Aug. 9 from 8 to 11 a.m. Back to School Night is Monday, August 13 from 4 to 6 p.m. at all schools, and the first day of school for Knox students is Tuesday, August 14.

Washington Township Elementary School to Be Demolished

Posted on Author WKVI

The Washington Township Board has decided to demolish the old elementary school building at the corner of Division Road and State Road 23. The board noted that the building poses a safety hazard and needs to be demolished.

Washington Township Trustee Shelly Kemble said the board is taking bids for the demolition.

“The Washington Township Board will be accepting sealed bids for the demolition and removal of the Washington Township Elementary School and pumphouse during the board meeting on July 24,” stated Kemble. “The contractor must have liability insurance and the sealed bid must be brought to the July 24 meeting.”

Continue reading →

Smoking To Be Prohibited On Starke County Government Campuses

Posted on Author WKVI
Starke County Commissioners Kathy Norem, Dan Bridegroom and Jennifer Davis

The Starke County Commissioners at their recent meeting approved a motion prohibiting smoking on all Starke County government building campuses – this but one day after the state’s new smoke-free air law took effect, prohibiting smoking in most businesses throughout Indiana. Smoking will not be allowed on the properties of the annex building, courthouse, jail, county highway garage, ambulance garages, and other county-owned buildings.

The minimum state provisions for the new smoke-free air law require all non-exempt buildings to post signs prohibiting smoking within eight feet of any entrance, but the commissioners’ motion prohibits smoking on the property as a whole and requires smokers to travel as far as the sidewalk to light up.

Arens Field Airport In Need Of Runway Maintenance

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

Jim McDaniels of the Arens Field Airport told the commissioners this week that the runway is in need of maintenance. He says that Broken Arrow usually performs the work but when McDaniels asked for an estimate, he says the cost was extremely high. He approached the commissioners in search of a solution.

One recommendation was to have the county highway department rent a piece of equipment called an asphalt tar kettle, which is used to resurface roads and runways. Unfortunately, the question remains: who’s going to pay for it?

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North Judson Residents Receive Sprinkling Water Discount

Posted on Author WKVI
North Judson Town Board

In an effort to reduce the cost of watering lawns with sprinklers, the Town of North Judson has applied nearly $6000 in sprinkling rate credits. Clerk-Treasurer Donna Henry says this last billing gave $5991.28 in credits to their water customers who have been using sprinklers to keep their lawns watered.

Henry explained that because the water that is used to sprinkle lawns doesn’t go through the sewer system, the sewage charges are reduced. She says the discounted sprinkling rate is applied to customers that have used more than their average amount of water, and the credit is applied automatically.

With this hot, dry summer, it’s the perfect incentive for residents to sprinkle their lawns and bring some green back to their grass. Henry says this reduced rate is a big service to the community because it encourages them to water their yards and keep grass and plants from becoming too dry from the arid heat.

Public Invited To Tour Knox Elementary School Palmer Wing

Posted on Author WKVI

The Knox Facility Study Committee met with Curt Pletcher from Umbaugh and Associates on June 26 to go over the financial feasibility of renovating or constructing a new Palmer Wing of the Knox Elementary School. Superintendent A.J. Gappa said they are trying to figure out how either project would impact the tax rate of the school district.

“The board wanted to have an idea of what direction to go,” said Gappa. “We will meet again with an architect within the next two weeks with our committee and at that point we will invite people in who came a year ago to start making more firm plans.”

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Yellow River Project To Kick Off Soon

Posted on Author WKVI
Yellow River

Work on the Yellow River project could begin soon, according to Starke County Surveyor Dennis Estok, who says the project will address two problems.

“We’ll be pulling out a lot of the fallen trees in the river,” explained Estok. “They do a lot of damage and they’ve ruined a lot of banks. A lot of landowners have lost a lot of ground because of this. It’s not only that, it’s the recreation aspect. I know a lot of people who canoe and they do not hardly travel that route because of the many fallen trees.”

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Culver Man Arrested For Being Under the Influence of Drugs

Posted on Author WKVI

Officers from the Plymouth Police Department arrested a Culver man after he was taken to the hospital for an evaluation.

On Monday, a resident called to report that a suspicious man was staggering in the parking lot at 881 Broadway Street. When officers arrived, they found Dominic Sheets and he was incoherent. He was taken to the Plymouth Police Department to get out of the heat and his condition worsened. EMS was called to the scene and Sheets was transported to the hospital. A drug screening was conducted and it was found that he had several different drugs in his system.

He was arrested on preliminary charges of Public Intoxication with a Controlled Substance in the Body.