Two Sentenced in Starke Circuit Court

Posted on Author WKVI

Two defendants were sentenced in Starke Circuit Court on Thursday.

Nathan Vermilyer pleaded guilty in a plea agreement with the State to a charge of Dealing in Methamphetamine as a Class B felony. Judge Kim Hall accepted the plea agreement and sentenced Vermilyer to the terms of that agreement to six years in the Indiana Department of Corrections with three years suspended to be served on home detention through the Starke County Community Corrections program. The other three years will be served on probation.

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Knox Board of Public Works Opens Sidewalk Bids

Posted on Author WKVI
 
 

The Knox Board of Public Works opened bids Thursday for the 50/50 sidewalk program.

There was no quorum, but the bids will be taken under advisement and awarded at a special meeting on May 15.

Two bids were submitted by Pete Kuchel Concrete and Covenant Concrete. The residences that were submitted for bid include 104 S. Pearl St., 703 S. Pearl St., 307 S. Main St., 604 S. Main Street, 703 Delamatyr, 705 E. Washington St., 707 S. Shield St., 102 Water Street, 402 S. Pearl St., 356 E. Mound, 55 Lake Street and 53 E. Water Street.

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IU Health Offers Discounted Mammograms in May

Posted on Author WKVI

Breast Cancer Pink RibbonGive Mom, or any special woman in your life the gift of peace of mind this Mother’s Day. Encourage them to take advantage of the discounted mammograms IU Health Starke Hospital is offering this month. Josephine Klicek is the director of diagnostic imaging. She says women can get their mammogram and reading for $95, and mo doctor’s order is needed if it’s just a screening test.

Women should get their first mammogram when they turn 40, unless they develop problems like a lump, redness or inflammation sooner. Also, if there is a family history of breast cancer, women are urged to get a mammogram 10 years before that woman was diagnosed. For instance, if the diagnosis was made at age 44, get a mammogram when you are 34.  Continue reading →

First Farmers Announces Plans to Acquire BMO Harris Branches

Posted on Author WKVI

FFBT LogoThe parent company of First Farmers Bank & Trust has announced plans to expand.

First Farmers Financial Corporation has entered into an agreement to acquire deposit relationships of nine central Indiana BMO Harris Bank branches. The purchase includes locations in Marion, Logansport, Terre Haute, Farmersburg, Sullivan, Clay City, Brazil, Carlisle and Shelburn. First Farmers Bank and Trust will acquire seven of the nine branches and retain employees from all nine locations.

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Pregnant Smokers Urged to Quit on Mother’s Day

Posted on Author WKVI
 
 

Drug and Tobacco Free Starke County urges expectant mothers who smoke to quit on Mother’s Day.

Coordinator Linda Molenda says 17 percent of pregnant women in Indiana smoke. That’s nearly double the national average. Experts say quitting smoking can reduce the risks of respiratory illness, miscarriages, stillbirths and infant deaths.  Additionally children from families who smoke are twice as likely to pick up the habit.

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Police Cite Drunk Girlfriend Who Torched Boyfriend’s Clothes

Posted on Author WKVI

 

 
 

LaPorte Police cited a woman for an open burning ordinance violation Wednesday night after she reportedly torched clothes belonging to her boyfriend on the front lawn of a Division Street home. Officers were called to 905 ½ Division Street around 10:30 p.m. and found the boyfriend sitting on the porch. He told the officers his girlfriend got mad, threw his clothes out and set them on fire. The officers let him gather his things and leave. The police report indicates the woman appeared intoxicated, started yelling about her boyfriend and told them she burned his clothes. In addition to the citation, officers ordered her to put the fire out.

 

Grovertown Man Arrested in Alleged Sexual Assault

Posted on Author WKVI
Ryan Reyes
Ryan Reyes

Ryan J. Reyes, 19, of Grovertown was arrested Wednesday after an investigation into a sexual assault incident in Wythogan Park on May 4.

A report was made to Knox police that a minor was reportedly sexually assaulted in the park by Reyes. Knox City Police Department detectives and the Indiana Department of Child Services interviewed witnesses and all parties involved and arrested Reyes on preliminary charges of Rape and Child Molesting, both Class B felonies.

He is being held in the Starke County Jail. The case remains under investigation.

Senator Discouraged by Voter Turnout

Posted on Author WKVI
Senator Jim Arnold
Senator Jim Arnold

A state senator who represents parts of the Kankakee Valley is discouraged by Tuesday’s anemic voter turnout. Democrat Jim Arnold’s district includes parts of LaPorte, Starke and St. Joseph Counties. Starke County saw 22-percent of registered voters cast ballots. Even in the General Election, 30 to 35 percent is considered a good turnout. Arnold says that means 60 to 65 percent of residents will be governed by their decisions. He also finds the most vocal critics of state government are the ones who don’t bother to vote. Arnold spoke yesterday to the Starke County Chamber of Commerce. He encourages local party and business leaders to recruit qualified, professional individuals who understand the office they are running for and not just the position in government.

 

Starke County Property Tax Bills Due May 12

Posted on Author WKVI
 
 

The Starke County Treasurer’s office is busy collecting property tax payments this week as the deadline to pay those bills is quickly approaching.

With the Monday, May 12 due date, Treasurer Kasey Clark told WKVI that drop boxes are available at banks in Knox, North Judson and the Bank of Monterey in Monterey. Those facilities will accept payments until their closing time on Monday, May 12. If you are mailing payments, the envelope must be postmarked May 12.

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IU Health and Community Services of Starke County Hosting Annual Health Fair

Posted on Author WKVI

Health FairIU Health Starke Hospital and Community Services of Starke County are teaming up once again to host an annual health fair. This year’s event will take place Tuesday, May 13 from 2 until 7 p.m. Central at the Nancy J. Dembowski Community Center in downtown Knox. Community Services of Starke County Executive Director Joan Haugh says it grew out of the Governor’s Council on Aging in Indianapolis and the thought that they could share the same type of educational information with more people by teaming up with the hospital and offering a local event. This is the 13th year of the partnership.

Haugh says May is an ideal time for the health fair, as it is Older Americans Month. She adds it’s open to all ages, including children. This year a free children’s coloring area will be set up to keep youngsters occupied while their parents or other caregivers browse the booths and take part in the various screenings.  Continue reading →

North Judson Town Council Finalizing Social Media Policy

Posted on Author WKVI

North Judson Water TowerThe North Judson Town Council is expected to vote on a social media policy for employees when they meet on Monday, May 19. Clerk-Treasurer Donna Henry tells WKVI News it’s a new addition to the employee handbook. Councilman Tim Cummins has been working to revise and update it. The changes are mostly clarifications of things like how vacation time is earned. Once the policy is adopted, the handbook will be reprinted and given to town employees.

The council is also revising the contractors permit ordinance, with a first reading set for their mid-month meeting. They also acknowledged the park board’s recent hiring of Bill Hemphill as the seasonal caretaker for the town park. Town council members also set Aug. 9 as the date for this year’s town-wide yard sale. Henry says more information about permits and other requirements will be provided closer to that date. The exterior of the new maintenance building is finished, and the interior should be complete by the end of the month.

Pulaski County Commissioners Accept Bids for Highway Department Equipment

Posted on Author WKVI
Pulaski County Commissioners Larry Brady, Terry Young and Tracey Shorter
Pulaski County Commissioners Larry Brady, Terry Young and Tracey Shorter

The Pulaski County Highway Department will soon have some new equipment. The county commissioners Monday approved the purchase of a ditch bank rotary mower from Bane-Welker Equipment for $8,950. Theirs was the only bid, and it met all of the specifications. Likewise, Braun Chevrolet in Winamac submitted the only bid for the three-quarter ton pickup truck the highway department was looking to buy. The commissioners approved the purchase of a 2015 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD for $30,950 from the local dealership. Highway Superintendent Mark Fox says the county got 17 dump truck bids. The commissioners accepted his recommendation to buy a Mack truck with a Jones body from Pozzo Truck Center and let Terry Truck Equipment in Winamac fit the chassis with the necessary uplift. Fox says that’s the most cost-effective way to go, for a total of $151,642. The truck still needs to have a power passenger window so the driver can see while plowing snow and a chip box hitch installed. Fox says the two additions should not cost more than $1,500. That vehicle will have a 15 to 20 year lifespan.

The commissioners rejected the lone bid they received for a diesel tractor. Bane-Welker’s bid exceeded the specifications, as it was for a four-wheel-drive tractor. Fox says the extra drive train will cost the county considerably more to maintain. The county will solicit new tractor bids later this year.

North Judson Police Investigating Speed Bump Theft

Posted on Author WKVI
 
 

A portable speed bump used by the Town of North Judson to slow traffic near the little league field on Weninger Street was stolen sometime over the weekend. Clerk-Treasurer Donna Henry says the town marshal’s office is investigating the theft. Each spring town officials place one near the park and another one on Ufkes Drive near the soccer field. Even though they are portable, they still have to be anchored into the pavement. Henry says the town got a quote of $675 to replace the speed bump. Anyone with information about the theft is asked to call 574-772-5914.

Culver Community Extends Bus Service to Prospective Students

Posted on Author WKVI

Culver Community High School will consider moving to a "balanced schedule".

The Culver Community School Corporation is helping students interested in attending the school.

They are extending bus service for those students who may live in the Monterey area, specifically in the Eastern Pulaski area. Transportation and tuition free services will be available to students that enroll for the 2014-2015 school year.

Those interested may call the Culver Community Administration Office at (574) 842-3364.