Uncategorized – Page 46 – WKVI Information Center

Starke County officials are going to have to find morgue space within the next year. A committee comprised of council president Dave Pearman, auditor Kay Chaffins and president of the commissioners Kathy Norem met recently with coroner Kris Rannells and former coroners directors Doug O’Donnell and Mark Smith to discuss the needs of the office. President of the Commissioners Kathy Norem says that was one of the big issues they raised.

Knox City Council Approves Encumbrances

The Knox City Council last night approved a number of fund transfers and encumbrances as they prepared for the end of the year. Clerk-Treasurer Jeff Houston told the council that this tidying-up of the books is necessary to ensure that all funds are in the black before the beginning of the new year.

Local Businessman Doubles Donation to Prevent Berg from Playing Piano

WKVI-FM morning man Tom Berg is following tradition this year with the help of local businessman Kent Kruzick. Kruzick donates a sum of money each year to prevent Berg from playing “The Christmas Song” on piano, and this year is no different, except Kruzick has doubled his donation.

WKVI Country Christmas Contest Winners Announced

This weekend, the WKVI crew loaded up into their vehicles and traveled across rural Starke County as they visited the homes of participants in the first-ever WKVI Country Christmas Contest. More than a dozen people signed up to have their homes judged by WKVI staff in the hopes of winning the grand prize of $100.

Be Aware of Holiday Closings

The holidays are here and with them come a number of early closings. In North Judson, both the clerk-treasurer’s office and the water department will be closed on day on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

In Knox, city offices will close at noon on Christmas Eve and will be closed on Christmas Day and Dec. 26. Recycling pickup that would normally be done on Wednesday will take place Thursday; trash pickup that normally takes place on Thursday will be done on Friday. In addition, city offices will be closed on Jan. 1, and recycling will be picked up Thursday and trash will be picked up on Friday.

Be Safe in Your Holiday Travels

The Christmas season is a time for holiday cheer and holiday traffic.

Officers from all police departments will be out on patrol to ensure our roadways are safe from impaired drivers. Police will also be watching for unrestrained motorists. Make sure you get plenty of rest before you leave on your travels and pack an emergency kit in your vehicle that includes water, food, blankets, jumper cables, and flashlights.

Town of Hamlet Announces Outdoor Decoration Winners

The town of Hamlet is all decorated for the Christmas holiday and three residential displays were chosen by officials for the outdoor decoration contest.

Clerk-Treasurer Kristina Pitts said the judges returned with their information and found that the decorations at Keith Ham’s residence, at 310 W. Davis Street, as the winning display. Ham’s neighbor, Charles Windbigler, at 308 W. Davis Street, was a close second while Mark Weldon came in third place with his display at 505 E. Oak St.

Ham will receive $100 for his outdoor Christmas display, Windbigler will get $75 and Weldon $50.

Misty Carey’s display at 600 W. Davis St. was named honorable mention.

Bank Robbed in Pulaski County; Suspect on the Run

A bank in Pulaski County was robbed at gunpoint this afternoon around 1:33 p.m. ET, according to officials with the Pulaski County Sheriff’s Department. The First National Bank of Monterey was robbed by an unknown suspect who left the scene in a silver Impala after flashing a gun and demanding money.

The vehicle was reportedly missing a license plate and the suspect is described as a 6’ white male with a maroon ski mask and Carharts. The bank manager lost contact with him near the T-intersection at Lake Langenbaum. He was reportedly carrying a pull-along suitcase.

If you have any information about this incident or have seen the suspect vehicle, call 911.

Knox City Police Make Heroin Arrest

A Stevensville, Mich. man is jailed on a charge of dealing heroin following a Saturday afternoon arrest by officers from the Knox City Police Department. Chad Elem, 40, was reportedly in possession of nearly a gram of heroin divided into individual packages and an undisclosed amount of cash when he was taken into custody. Law enforcement officials say the arrest is part of an ongoing investigation into the trafficking of heroin into the area. The Starke County Sheriff’s Office and Knox City Police Departments assisted with the arrest.

Pulaski Commissioner Tracey Shorter Filed New Conflict of Interest Form

Pulaski County Commissioners Larry Brady, Vice President Terry Young, and President Tracey Shorter

A Pulaski County commissioner who was grilled about her home business during a regular meeting of the commissioners last week may be in full compliance with state statutes. The Pulaski County Clerk’s Office recently sent a copy of Commissioner Tracey Shorter’s most recent conflict of interest disclosure statement to WKVI, and in it, Shorter lists her home business, “Families First,” and describes the service she provides.

Starke County Council Reluctantly Accepts Budget Cuts

Officials with the State Board of Accounts have significantly slashed the budget submitted by Starke County officials earlier this year.

“I really felt like you guys all did a really great job in getting together and preparing a budget that I thought was very slim. We have a very slim levy in Starke County, and personally I was very disappointed in the state, but the state came back and said we have to shave $465,000 off our budget,” Pearman said.

Town of North Judson Fall Tax Distribution Less Than Expected

The town of North Judson last week received some financial distributions, but Clerk-Treasurer Donna Henry said the funds received were a bit less than what they expected. Henry said the town received their fall property tax distributions and their financial institution tax funds, giving the town $116,452.82 – more than $50,000 less than what they received in the spring and almost $100,000 less than what they received last fall.

Henry said that as a result, the town may have to tighten their belts a little more than what they anticipated.

The town also received funds from the Starke County auditor for sewer liens in the amount of $10,957.70.

Ancilla College Receives Generous Commitment From Anonymous Donor

Ancilla College is a recent recipient of a generous gift from an anonymous donor, providing an opportunity for others who may want to get into the giving spirit this year. President of the college, Ron May, told WKVI that they recently received a commitment from an anonymous donor who stated they would match, dollar-for-dollar, any donation received by the college until the end of 2014, up to $875,000.

State Board of Education Approves Final School Grades

The Indiana State Board of Education last week approved final grades for Indiana schools, which were submitted by the Department of Education to fulfill federal and state accountability requirements for the 2012-2013 school year.

IU Health Cardiologist Has Tips to Stay Healthy While Shoveling Snow

Though the rains this weekend may have washed away the majority of the snow, there’s bound to more snowfall headed our way, and an IU Health cardiologist has some advice for those who are responsibility for clearing the snow off of steps, porches, and driveways.

Dr. Risha Sukhija told WKVI that the most important thing is to stay warm and don’t shovel snow if cold is a trigger for any condition you may have. If you get chest pain, stop immediately, as cold can cause spasms in heart arteries.

Free Christmas Dinner at Winamac First United Methodist Church

The holidays are a time of togetherness, a time to share with one another and spend time with those you love. Unfortunately, there are times when getting family and friends together isn’t easy, and it’s not uncommon for people to spend Christmas Day on their own. To help with that, the Winamac First United Methodist Church is hosting their fifth annual Community Christmas Dinner on Christmas Day from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. ET at the church on the corner of Monticello and Spring.

Search and Rescue Team Deployed to Help Locate Missing Grovertown Man

December 21, 2013December 20, 2013WKVI

A search and rescue team with search dogs has not yet turned up any clues as to the location of a missing 26-year-old Grovertown man. Isaiah Lincoln Grounds has been missing since Dec. 10, having been last seen at the Grovertown Truck Stop before his vehicle was found wrecked in Grovertown. Grounds was nowhere to be found.