WKVI Information Center

The Pulaski County Council will receive information about a Local Option Highway User Tax (LOHUT) when they meet tonight.

The Pulaski County Highway Department is facing a budget strain on current resources as revenue from the state has flatlined while expenses are on the rise. A representative from the Local Technical Assistance Program (LTAP) from Purdue University will present information to the Council on what kind of revenue could be generated with the implementation of a vehicle excise tax and wheel tax.

Marshall County Council to Consider LOHUT Recommendations

The Marshall County Council members will review a recommendation by the Commissioners to implement a Local Option Highway User Tax (LOHUT) to gather revenue for the county for local roads.

State revenue for motor vehicle highway budgets has flatlined. Expenses continue to rise which has left Marshall County with an option to implement a LOHUT. A LOHUT contains a vehicle excise tax and wheel tax that is payable at the Bureau of Motor Vehicles when registrations are due. The revenue generated, which will double what the county highway department currently has available, can be used to construct, reconstruct, repair or maintain streets under county, city or town jurisdiction. Continue reading →

Trailer at Center of Grovertown Zoning Controversy Removed

May 11, 2015May 11, 2015WKVI

A commercial office trailer at the center of a zoning controversy is no longer in the state. It’s owned by Walter Ford and Julia Ford and until last week was located in Grovertown. The Starke County Board of Zoning Appeals in 2011 issued a mobile home permit for the structure. Neighbors George and Betty Dotlich filed a BZA appeal in October of that year, challenging the structure’s classification as a mobile home.

The BZA revoked that permit and issued one for a site-built home. The Dotlichs’ filed an appeal in court in March of 2012 on the grounds the trailer, which was purchased in Illinois, was not certified for any use in Indiana for any purpose and that placement of such structures outside of commercially zoned areas is a violation of county ordinances. A special judge ruled in their favor in January of 2013 and sent the matter back to the BZA. That body adopted the judge’s findings and ordered the structure removed by June 1, 2013. Continue reading →

Spring Property Tax Payments Due Today

The spring installment of property taxes is due today. The Starke County Treasurer’s office will be open until 4 p.m. to accept payments. They can also be left in the drop box outside the office in the annex building. Payments left there before 8 a.m. tomorrow will be considered timely.

Water Shutoff Expected Tuesday for a Few Knox Residents

The Knox Water Department will be shutting off the water in an area of the city on Tuesday.

Water Superintendent Todd Gardner told WKVI News that crews will be replacing a fire hydrant behind the B&K restaurant on Council Drive and installing a line valve in that area. In order to complete this task properly, water will be shut off to residents in the area of Council Drive, a portion of Henry Drive, Airway Drive and Carlson Drive.

When the water is turned back on, residents affected by the hydrant replacement will be under a boil water order. Gardner will keep WKVI informed on the timing of all events.

Winamac Continues Discussions With Greenspace Group

The Winamac Town Council plans to further discussions on a group that they say needs better communication.

During tonight’s meeting officials with Winamac Greenspace, otherwise known as the Town’s Tree Commission, will be meeting with the Town Council to plan how to better communication with the Town and a conservation and development group.

Eastern Pulaski School Board To Consider “High Ability” Grants

The Eastern Pulaski School Board will be considering a continuation of Title 1 grant funds on Monday evening.

West Central School Board Approves Increase in Meal Prices

After looking at the price of meals at the West Central School Corporation, the school board decided to increase the price of breakfast and lunch prices for the 2015-2016 school year.

Superintendent Don Street says the breakfast prices went up slightly, while a little more was added to lunch prices.

Ancilla College Students Graduate

Ancilla College graduated its 48th class in school history on Saturday, with 65 students awarded degrees. “This is an excellent graduating class,” said Ancilla College President Dr. Ken Zirkle. “I am very proud of the graduates; a number of whom are already accepted and enrolled in four-year programs or are already placed in jobs that came as a result of their education here at Ancilla.”

Of the graduates, 13 were recognized during a Friday honors convocation for graduating Summa Cum Laude, Magna Cum Laude and Cum Laude. Another 20 were honored for their affiliation with Ancilla’s Beta Beta Beta chapter of Phi Theta Kappa, the two-year college honor society in American higher education. 25 graduates were honored with being named among Who’s Who in American Colleges and Universities. Continue reading →

Local Probation Officer Receives Order of Augustus Award

May 9, 2015May 10, 2015WKVI

Starke Circuit Court Judge Kim Hall, Starke County Chief Probation Officer John Thorstad and Supreme Court Chief Justice Loretta Rush

The Chief Probation Officer of the Starke County Probation Department recently received a prestigious state award.

John Thorstad is this year’s recipient of the Order of Augustus Award in the memory of John Augustus, who is known as the “Father of Probation.” Augustus started the rehabilitation movement in corrections.

Thorstad was nominated by his staff. His nomination was then voted on by the Probation Officers Advisory Board, which is a branch of the Indiana Supreme Court.
The award is given to one probation officer in the state each year.

Last E-Learning Day at West Central Today

Students in the West Central School Corporation will participate in their last e-learning day today. The corporation was granted the chance to make up missed school days this year by completing assignments online.

Students received assignments on Thursday. They will work on those assignments online today as it coincides with the one-to-one computer program.

Marshall County Commissioners Review Roundabout Agreement

Marshall County Attorney James Clevenger has drafted an agreement between the County and the City of Plymouth concerning the maintenance of the roundabout on Michigan Street north of Plymouth. Further discussion by the Commissioners has prompted its return to a meeting for approval.

The agreement calls for all expenses and improvement of the roundabout be the sole obligation of the City of Plymouth. The city has plans for signs as well as landscaping. Whatever improvements are planned would be approved by the Commissioners before any action is taken. Any planned landscaping would also need to comply with the proper navigation of vehicles around the roundabout. The city must also comply with all federal, state and local regulations.

Starke County Commissioners Set Auction Date

The Starke County Commissioners have set a date for the annual surplus auction. It will take place Wednesday, July 29, but a time and location have yet to be determined. The commissioners asked James Coad in the county maintenance department to gather quotes from licensed local auctioneers interested in conducting the sale.

Ancilla President Reflects on First Year

Dr. Kenneth Zirkle was recently named interim president at Ancilla College — Dr. Kenneth Zirkle just completed his first year as president of Ancilla College.

Another academic year is in the books at Ancilla College. President Ken Zirkle took over leadership of the two-year, private, Catholic school last fall and has accomplished quite a bit in a short amount of time. During his tenure, school officials broke ground on Ancilla’s first residence hall. It’s on schedule to be finished Aug. 1 and will provide housing for about 100 first-year students. Continue reading →

Bid Accepted for Knox Sidewalk Program

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

The members unanimously accepted the lowest bid from Pete Kuchel in the amount of $14,691. All of the bidding information will be reviewed by Street Superintendent Jeff Borg and City Attorney David Matsey to ensure it conforms to specifications.

Culver Business Professionals Students Compete at Nationals After Fundraising Efforts

Students participating in an extracurricular at Culver High School were able to raise a considerable amount of cash in a short amount of time.

It was announced during Monday night’s Culver School Board meeting that Business Professionals of America students will be able to attend a national competition this month.
Continue reading →

Bald Eagles Hatch at Potato Creek State Park

Mike Bourdon of South Bend took this photo of the baby eaglets at Potato Creek State Park on Wednesday, May 6.

A pair of bald eagles have produced offspring at Potato Creek State Park. The birds hatched three eaglets in a remote area, according to park officials. They say this is the fourth straight spring a bald eagle pair has nested at the park and the first time they have produced offspring. Park officials suspect they are the same pair that has nested unsuccessfully but can’t confirm it. They were ousted by osprey in 2012 and 2013. Last year they built a nest but did not hatch any eggs. Continue reading →

Workshops Set for Seniors in Pulaski County

Workshops to present sharing and problem-solving to handle difficult emotions for seniors are scheduled in Pulaski County.

The Elder Leading and Education Across Domains, or L.E.A.D., initiative is a statewide pilot program that promotes emotional health for the older population. Senior participants will explore attitudes, increase awareness of medication use/misuse, and learn proven strategies to reduce anxiety, anger and depression.