National Weather Service Issues Flood Warning, Wind Advisory

Posted on Author WKVI
 
 

The National Weather Service has extended the flood warning for the Kankakee River at Davis Route 30 until further notice. Last night at 9 the river was at 10 feet there and rising. Flood stage there is 10 feet. The Kankakee is expected to crest at 11.5 feet early tomorrow morning and begin falling. At 11 feet, flooding of secondary roads near the river begins. We’re also in for a blustery day, so hang on to your hats. The National Weather Service has issued a wind advisory, which takes effect at 1 p.m. EDT/noon central and continues through mid-evening. Southwest winds of 25 to 30 miles-per-hour, with gusts to 45 are expected. Isolated gusts of up to 50 miles-per-hour are possible. This will make driving difficult, especially for tall vehicles like vans and SUVs. Large limbs may fall, and isolated power outages are possible.

Severe Weather Predicted Thursday Night into Friday Morning

Posted on Author WKVI
 
 

Severe weather is predicted for the Kankakee Valley into Friday morning.

Heavy rains may create high water areas and flooding on roads. Six inches of water will reach the bottom of most passenger cars causing loss of control and possible stalling. A foot of water will float many vehicles. Do not attempt to drive through a flooded road – the depth of water is not always obvious. Do not drive around a barricade as they are there for your protection. Turn around and go the other way.

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No Injuries Reported in Toto House Fire, Cause Remains Under Investigation

Posted on Author WKVI

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An investigator from the state fire marshal’s office is headed to Toto this morning to determine the origin of last night’s house fire. North Judson-Wayne Township Fire Chief Joe Leszak tells WKVI news flames were coming from the living room and an upstairs bedroom of the home at 0470 West Toto Road . Nobody was home at the time, and no injuries were reported. Firefighters were called out at 7:50 last night and left shortly after 10 p.m.

James Campbell Pleads Not Guilty to Arson Charge

Posted on Author WKVI
James Campbell
James Campbell

James Campbell pleaded not guilty to a charge of Arson as a Class A felony in an initial hearing in Starke Circuit Court Wednesday afternoon.

Campbell is accused of intentionally setting a fire on March 20 at his business known as Starke County Recycling at the corner of U.S. 35 and Toto Road south of Knox. A Bass Lake fireman was injured while battling the blaze at the business. Eight fire departments were called to the scene to contain the fire.

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No Injuries Reported in House Fire Near Toto

Posted on Author WKVI
 
 

The North Judson-Wayne Township Fire Department responded to a house fire near Toto last night and spent more than two hours getting the blaze under control. The house is located west of Toto between 100 West and Range Road, according to dispatchers with the Starke County Sheriff’s Office. No injuries were reported. Firefighters were called out at 7:45 last night and left shortly after 10 p.m. There’s no word yet on the extent of the damages. We’ll update our story as soon as we talk to the fire chief.

Starke County Unemployment Grows Slightly

Posted on Author WKVI
 
 

Starke County’s unemployment numbers rose in February to 9.1 percent which now ranks the county 8th in the state.

The state rate is 6.1 percent which is down .3 percent for February.

Eighty-seven counties rose in unemployment in February, including all of the surrounding counties. Pulaski County was up .4 percent to 6.2 percent unemployment, Marshall County rose to 7.2 percent and LaPorte County rose to 9.4 percent and is now ranked third in the state in terms of unemployment.

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Defendant’s Alleged Probation Violation Prompts Bond Revocation

Posted on Author WKVI
Starke County Courthouse
Starke County Courthouse

Starke Circuit Court Judge Kim Hall revoked a bond for a defendant during an initial hearing Wednesday afternoon.

Tiffany Witham pleaded not guilty to charges of Possession of a Syringe and Possession of a Controlled Substance as Class D felonies.

During her initial hearing, it was learned that she allegedly violated probation. She told Judge Hall that she attempted to go obtain treatment as outlined in her probation but she hadn’t found the right rehab program. She was then arrested on these new charges.

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Starke County Youth Club, WKVI Partner for 7th Annual Radiothon

Posted on Author WKVI
 
 

The 7th annual Starke County Youth Club Radiothon will take place right here at WKVI on Friday, May 2.

Executive Director Irene Szakonyi says the club is a nonprofit organization dedicated to enriching the lives of local children.

“We provide everything from academic support, helping kids with their homework or providing individual tutoring, to giving kids enrichment experiences like culture, drama and music. Also connecting kids with their families and the larger community through guest speakers service projects and community service endeavors,” Szakonyi says.

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Offenders Appear in Court for Violations

Posted on Author WKVI

Two offenders appeared in Starke Circuit Court yesterday after it was found that they violated terms of their plea agreements and rules with Community Corrections.

David Ratcliff of San Pierre was serving a sentence on home detention and work release when he violated several rules. He violated a major financial agreement, failed drug screens and was in possession of contraband. Judge Kim Hall ordered him to serve the remainder of his 24 month sentence in the Department of Corrections. He was given credit time from July 11 to March 27 plus three days.

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North Judson-San Pierre Elementary Kindergarten Registration Scheduled

Posted on Author WKVI

NJSP ElementaryProspective kindergarten students and their parents are invited to check out what North Judson-San Pierre Elementary has to offer.

The school’s kindergarten registration will take place Tuesday, April 8 from 5 until 7 p.m. Youngsters will get to visit the kindergarten classrooms and meet the four kindergarten teachers. Principal Mike McBride and staff will also be there to answer questions and help parents with the registration process.

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Culver Community Schools to Consider “Balanced Schedule”

Posted on Author Nathan

 

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

The Culver Community School Corporation is one of many area schools to consider moving to a “Balanced Calendar” in the near future. The Balanced Calendar approach would not mean a year-round school approach, but rather would spread out the required 180 school days over the course of the year, allowing regular break time for holidays, spring and fall breaks, as well as remediation periods. A meeting will be held on Wednesday April 9th at 7:00 p.m. EDT in the Culver Community High School Auditorium to present the possible benefits of the calendar change. Attendees will be asked to fill out a survey regarding their opinions at the conclusion of the meeting.

New Program Aims at Processing State Excise Violations More Efficiently

Posted on Author WKVI
 
 

A new program is being launched to aimed at processing State Excise Police violations more efficiently.

The program, Fast Track, will have the capability of processing certain violations, particularly those allegedly who have occurred at locations where public safety has become an issue. Those include public nuisance charges, use or sale of controlled substances, prostitution, over service of alcohol resulting in death or serious injury and any other cases concerning public safety repeat violations that indicate a disregard for the law.

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MoonTree Studios Presents Funds to Food Bank of Northern Indiana

Posted on Author WKVI
Sr. Mary Baird, PHJC, presents a check to Food Bank of Northern Indiana Executive Director Milton Lee. The money was raised during the first Empty Bowls Project at MoonTree Studios.
Sr. Mary Baird, PHJC, presents a check to Food Bank of Northern Indiana Executive Director Milton Lee. The money was raised during the first Empty Bowls Project at MoonTree Studios.

The Center at Donaldson’s March 15th Empty Bowls soup supper as part of a help to fight hunger was an incredible success, raising over $2,100. Nearly $600 dollars was collected from the Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ Sisters during their province-wide meeting in early March. All of the money raised was recently donated to The Food Bank of Northern Indiana for Marshall and Starke Counties. Continue reading →

Single-Vehicle Fatality Claims Plymouth Woman’s Life

Posted on Author WKVI
 
 

A single-vehicle crash Monday evening near Grovertown claimed a Plymouth woman’s life. Cathryn Ellison, 24, of Plymouth, was westbound on 300 North just west of 1100 East, lost control of her vehicle and was ejected, according to information provided this morning by the Starke County Sheriff’s Office. Deputies responded to a report of a vehicle in a ditch. Ellison was trapped underneath it. Starke County Chief Deputy Coroner Doug O’Donnell pronounced her dead at the scene. Her official cause of death is listed as traumatic asphyxiation. Coroner Kris Rannells tells WKVI news that means the weight of the vehicle on top of her would not allow her to breathe. The Hamlet Police Department, Koontz Lake, Hamlet and Washington Township Fire Departments and the Indiana State Police assisted the Starke County Sheriff’s Office at the scene. The Indiana State Police will be reconstructing the crash.

 

Federal Judge Renders Decision in Department of Justice Challenge

Posted on Author WKVI

A federal judge ruled in favor of the City of Plymouth in a U.S. Military Reserve Officer’s lawsuit filed in 2012.

According to Plymouth City Attorney Sean Surrisi, Robert D. DeLee who was serving the country in the Air Force Reserves was seeking city longevity pay under the federal Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA). Surrisi explained that longevity pay is additional compensation that the city provides to qualified employees as an incentive to remain in service to the city.

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LaPorte Man Allegedly Fires Gun at Passing Train

Posted on Author WKVI
 
 

A case has been forwarded to the LaPorte County Prosecutor’s office that provides the details of a LaPorte man who allegedly fired two gun shots in the 1400 block of Lake Street.

On Friday, March 28, LaPorte police officers found a man sitting in a chair outside an abandoned building. The 20-year-old man reportedly told officers that he was upset over some personal issues. He denied having any weapons, but police found two knives in his pockets and a .357 revolver in his pocket along with ammunition.

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Local Superintendent Reacts to Indiana’s Withdrawl from Common Core

Posted on Author WKVI

Indiana Governor Mike Pence recently signed legislation withdrawing Indiana from the Common Core math and reading standards. The Common Core is an outline on what students should be learning in those subjects.

Governor Pence said he believes the state’s students are best served by education decisions made at the state and local level. The legislature previously required the State Board of Education to draft new standards by grade.

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