Report Storm Damages Online To Department of Homeland Security

Posted on Author WKVI

It wasn’t a tornado went through the area on Friday, but strong straight-line winds that caused power outages across the listening area and extensive damage to homes and boats at Bass Lake and several other locations.

If you sustained damage caused by severe weather Friday or Sunday, report it to the Indiana Department of Homeland Security by going online to www.myoracle.in.gov/hs/damage. If you don’t have internet access, contact a friend or neighbor for help, or go to the local library and someone can help you with you in this process.

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Two Arrested After Police Find Them Kayaking While Drunk

Posted on Author WKVI

Two Lake County residents were arrested by Pulaski County Sheriff’s deputies on Tuesday, June 26 after a call came in about a suspicious man in a kayak on the Tippecanoe River.

A man yelled at police for help, and he told them that he was kayaking with his girlfriend and she was ahead of him and disappeared around a bend in the river. When he came around the bend, he saw her kayak up against the river bank and she was nowhere to be found. Pulaski County EMS, Fire, Sheriff’s boats and Indiana Conservation Officers were called to the scene.

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State To Inspect Starke County Jail July 17

Posted on Author WKVI

The annual state jail inspection is coming up for the Starke County Jail. On July 17, state officials will inspect the facility, check the safety of its inmates, and ensure that the jail conforms to state guidelines for running a corrections facility.

Sheriff Oscar Cowen says that while they have in the past been written up for overcrowding issues, he’s confident they will not be flagged for it this year. He says the housing of prisoners in the Pulaski County Jail has allowed them to keep the population down to the jail’s limit of 62 prisoners.

The housing of prisoners at Pulaski County has an annual cost of roughly $72,000.

Cowen said he does not expect the inspection to have any impact on the jail committee’s decision. He says the results from previous inspections were actually what spurred the jail committee to begin working on a solution to the overcrowding issue.

Police Trace Bookbag Containing Precursors Back To Hamlet Man

Posted on Author WKVI

On Wednesday, June 13, officers from the Starke County Sheriff’s Department traveled to a residence near 1000 East and 500 North in regards to a book bag that was reportedly thrown from a vehicle.

When the officers arrived, they discovered methamphetamine precursors inside the bag, along with identification belonging ato a Travis O. Davis. After an investigation, police located Davis on June 19 at a residence on Railroad Street in Hamlet.

Davis was arrested and faces preliminary charges of Possession of Precursors.

Fallen Oak Tree Causes Fire, Car Accident

Posted on Author WKVI

The Washington Township Fire Department was called to a fire on 1025 East Monday night.

Assistant Fire Chief Dave Pearman said a big oak tree fell on some electrical lines in that area which caused two transformers to explode. The tree then fell into the road, and a driver soon struck the tree. The fire was extinguished by the fire department and the driver received minor injuries and refused treatment at the scene.

REMC was called to the scene to deactivate the electrical lines so cleanup could begin.

From the WKVI Archives

Posted on Author WKVI

As the Starke County Jail Committee discusses an upgrade today, commissioners Don Thompson, Todd Troike, and Joe Weinberg were talking about an upgrade to the jail 39 years ago.

On June 3, 1973, the commissioners met with James Garman, an architect with M&W, Inc. Also in attendance at the meeting were Sheriff Harold Wyland and Auditor Jack Milner.

Some of the discussion items included whether to consider the feasibility to serve both county and city departments, whether to put a basement in the new building, and space requirements for 30 inmates. They also discussed where to place the drunk tank, interrogation rooms, booking offices, squad room, and laundry room. A brief debate was held regarding whether or not a kitchen was a requirement, and whether or not to add the sheriff’s living quarters onto the jail. Finally, they reviewed neighboring Jasper County Jail estimates that were quoted at $175,000 for cells and $500,000 for the building.

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Head of IU Health La Porte Foundation Receives Community Service Award

Posted on Author WKVI

IU Health La Porte Hospital Foundation Head Maria Fruth recently received recognition for achievements in community service. Serving as executive vice-president and chief operating officer of the foundation, Fruth was presented with the Liberty Bell Award at a special ceremony on Friday, May 4 at La Porte Superior Court No. 1 in Michigan City.

The Liberty Bell Award was established by the American Bar Association more than 40 years ago to acknowledge outstanding community service.

Fruth has worked to establish a similar organization in Starke County at IU Health Starke Hospital.

Week in Review for May 21st-25th, 2012

Posted on Author WKVI

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

Jonathan Hummel
Nathan Hummel

Jonathan Hummel and Nathan Hummel were sentenced in Starke Circuit Court on Thursday, May 17th. The pair were involved in an armed robbery incident in December. Jonathan Hummel was sentenced to 30-and-a-half years in the Department of Corrections as per a plea agreement. He pleaded guilty to charges of Dealing a Narcotic Drug; Robbery; Aiding, Inducing or Causing a Robbery; and Criminal Mischief. Nathan Hummel pleaded guilty to charges of Dealing a Narcotic Drug; Robbery; Aiding, Inducing or Causing a Robbery; and Disarming an Officer. He will serve 25 years in the Department of Corrections. They are both required to pay restitution in the amount of $2,900 for damages to a police squad car and $11,924 in restitution to the Knox CVS.  Continue reading →

Marathon Gas Station Cited For Selling Synthetic Marijuana

Posted on Author WKVI

The Marathon Gas station near the intersection of U.S. 30 and Queen Road in Plymouth was recently raided by the Undercover Narcotics Investigation Team after they learned that the business was selling synthetic marijuana.

On Wednesday, May 9, officers with the investigation team along with officers from the Marshall County Police, State Police, and State Excise Police, executed a search warrant at the gas station and seized multiple packages of synthetic marijuana. The establishment was issued a citation from the Indiana State Excise police, and although no arrests were made, a formal criminal case is being forwarded to the Marshall County Prosecutor’s Office.

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Memorial Day Marks Peak Of Driving Season

Posted on Author WKVI

More Americans will be hitting the roads over Memorial Day, according to AAA. Between May 24 and May 28, 30.7 million people will drive 50 or more miles away from home. During the same time last year, 30.3 million people hit the road. This is the peak of the driving season in the United States.

Two-and-a-half million people will board flights.

The average price for regular gasoline last week nationwide was $3.73 a gallon, while last year during the Memorial Day weekend the average price was $3.96 a gallon.

Three Arrested In Marshall County Following Four-Month Investigation

Posted on Author WKVI

Three suspects were arrested in Marshall County as a result of a four-month undercover narcotics investigation.

Around 6:30 p.m. on Monday, May 21, the Undercover Narcotics Investigation Team of Marshall County executed a search warrant at 15572 Cook Lake Trail. Multiple items associated with the manufacturing of methamphetamine were found in the residence.

Terry Kovacs, Jr., Christa Padilla, and Jenny Heeton were arrested as a result of the search on charges related to the manufacturing of methamphetamine. The team was assisted by the Marshall County Police, Bremen Police, Plymouth Police, and Indiana State Police.

Former Knox Graduate To Become Director of Operations For Union North United

Posted on Author WKVI

Former Knox High School graduate Chuck Phillips is proving to be a “jack of all trades” in the Union North United School District.

Phillips, the La Ville Jr./Sr. High School principal, recently took on the position of Director of Operations for the 2012-2013 school year. He will stay as principal until the end of the school year and then make the switch to the new position.

The Director of Operations will be a consolidation of Director of Maintenance and Director of Transportation.

From the WKVI Archives

Posted on Author WKVI

It doesn’t seem possible, but it was 13 years ago that the world premier of the film “The Best Man” was being shown. WKVI’s Ed Hasnerl had a small part in the independent film as, of course, a minister.

The Best Man was made at a cost of $320,000 and was written, co-produced, and directed by John Newcombe. The actual shooting of the movie took place in mid-1997 at Grass Creek, Kewanna, Star City, and Knox.

On this date in 1977, Gene Novello, a senior who earned ten varsity letters in his high school career, was named the winner of the coveted Ben Bowen Award during Honor Day ceremonies at Knox High School. Chris Duca, who was one of the first girls to win as many as eight varsity letters, received the Bonnie Taylor Award– the female counterpart of the Bowen Award.

One year ago, Knox High School was announcing its Valedictorian and Salutatorian Darienne Griffith and Hayley Windbigler.

Week in Review for May 14th-18th, 2012

Posted on Author WKVI

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

Members of the Starke County Council and Commissioners met in a public hearing to discuss authorizing the use of up to $50,000 in Save the hospital funds to be used to hire a consultant to evaluate IU Health Starke Hospital’s real and personal property in a possible hospital sale. A motion was made to allow that money to be spent on a consultant to evaluate the property, building and equipment as well as offer various options for the sale, but the motion died. The Council members will discuss the issue again during their regular meeting on May 21st at 5:00 p.m. Continue reading →

Former WKVI Intern Receives Award From Wisconsin Broadcasters Association

Posted on Author WKVI
Amy Pflugshaupt

Former WKVI Intern Amy Pflugshaupt received the Best Live On-the-Scene Reporting award at the most recent Wisconsin Broadcasters Association gala.

She also won the Best Morning Newscast award. Pflugshaupt is an Oregon-Davis and Purdue University graduate who has been working at WSAU-TV in Wausau, Wis., since her college graduation.

We at WKVI pass along congratulations to Pflugshaupt on her most recent awards.

Hoosier Lottery to Seek Private-Sector Vendor

Posted on Author WKVI

Four years after Governor Mitch Daniels tried to privatize the Hoosier Lottery, the agency is seeking proposals from private-sector firms. The Indiana State Lottery Commission announced yesterday that they are seeking proposals from private firms in hopes of improving the agency’s net income.

Hoosier Lottery Spokesman Al Larson says this is not privatization. He says the Hoosier Lottery is still a state agency and will continue to be owned and directed by the state – they are simply seeking a potential vendor that believes they can help improve performance with operational expertise. He adds the Hoosier Lottery already has vendor relationships in place and that this is nothing new to the Hoosier Lottery or the lottery industry in general.

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Rural Post Offices May See Relief, Says USPS

Posted on Author WKVI

Many of the 3700 rural post offices targeted for closure last year might get a reprieve. The United States Postal Service has come up with a new plan that could keep rural post offices open throughout the country.

The plan now is for the post offices to stay open with reduced hours. A post office typically open for eight hours a day could be reduced to only six, four, or even two hours a day. This announcement comes after a public outcry that overwhelmingly insisted the rural offices stay open. Some areas that are reduced to four- or two-hour days may still be considered village post offices where postal services are set up inside another business.

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Golden Hoosier Award Nominations Are Being Accepted For 2012

Posted on Author WKVI

Nominations are being accepted for the 2012 Golden Hoosier Award. The award was established by Indiana Lt. Governor Becky Skillman in collaboration and partnership with the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration to acknowledge and recognize outstanding seniors for their lifetime of service to their communities.

The highest honor bestowed upon a senior in Indiana, the ideal Golden Hoosier is considered an “unsung hero,” who has not received previous recognition for the impact they have made in the lives of others and their community.

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From the WKVI Archives

Posted on Author WKVI

With Pomp and Circumstance heard as the Francesville graduating class of 1935 climbed the stairs to the school’s stage, few in the audience could have imagined that one of the pupils would go on to be the governor of Indiana, and a President Ronald Reagan cabinet member. On this date in 1935, the man who went on to answer to the nickname “Doc” graduated from Francesville High School.
Otis R. “Doc” Bowen served two terms as governor, from 1972 to 1980, making him the first man to serve two consecutive terms since 1851.

He was the Secretary of Health and Human Services under President Ronald Reagan from 1985-1989.

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