Fire Officials: Don’t Burn Yard Debris on a Windy Day

Posted on Author WKVI
 
 

Temperatures are becoming more spring-like and it’s tempting to get out into the yard to get rid of leaves and brush left over from the winter months. The most common way to get rid of the debris is to burn it. On occasion, burn piles can get out of control, and the fire department is called to assist a homeowner in putting out the flames.

Firefighters have responded to several brush fires in the past few days.

Knox-Center Township Fire Chief Kenny Pfost urges you to choose a nice day to burn any of that debris.

Continue reading →

LaPorte Police Department Releases Operation Pull Over Results

Posted on Author WKVI
 
 

Officers from the LaPorte Police Department worked an extra 84.5 hours during a recent 10-day Operation Pull Over enforcement blitz. They were on high alert for various moving violations that create safety hazards for other motorists. Prior to the blitz officials analyzed crash data from 2014 to determine the 10 most common contributing factors and the most dangerous days and hours for crashes. Officers used that data to concentrate their efforts in areas where they would do the most good. Continue reading →

IU Health La Porte and Starke Hospitals Announce Exclusive Negotiations With CHS Subsidiary

Posted on Author WKVI

IU HealthIU Health LaPorte and Starke Hospitals may partner with Community Health Systems, Inc. to strengthen the health care needs of the area. The IU Health LaPorte Hospital Board has entered into exclusive negotiations with a CHS subsidiary and IU Health, according to a news release sent late Monday afternoon. Final details will be worked out during a due diligence period. The proposed limited liability company will include IU Health LaPorte and Starke Hospitals and all related entities, including physician practices. Continue reading →

Starke County Polling Site to be Upgraded

Posted on Author WKVI
 
 

The Starke County Election Board Monday morning discussed improvements planned at the North Bend Township polling site at Bass Lake. A $24,000 grant was obtained last year to upgrade the facility to standards outlined in the Help America Vote Act.

The grant will improve the voting center on Prairie Avenue to make it more handicapped accessible. According to Starke County Election Board President Dan Bridegroom, one door will be replaced, and one installed to make two exits in the building. Those with walkers or another type of mobility assistance will be able to have a smoother walkway with improvements planned for the site. Parking will be expanded and improved so voters of all abilities can better access the site to vote.

Continue reading →

INDOT Begins Highway Signal Upgrades

Posted on Author WKVI

?????The Indiana Department of Transportation is improving traffic signals at several intersections along U.S. 30 and U.S. 6 in Lake and Porter Counties. A total of 11 lights will be upgraded to feature flashing yellow arrows. They allow left-turning traffic to yield the right-of-way to oncoming traffic and pedestrians and turn when a suitable gap is available. INDOT officials say this type of signal improves intersection efficiency by using cross-traffic gaps to allow more left turns. Continue reading →

Wednesday is National Walking Day

Posted on Author WKVI

Walking DayThe American Heart Association’s National Walking Day is a chance for idle residents to get up and start moving to improve heart health.

National Walking Day will be observed tomorrow. Residents are becoming less active and the observance of walking and other activities allow young and old people alike to decrease the chance of heart disease, stroke and other diseases.

Continue reading →

Two Women Arrested on Drug Charges

Posted on Author WKVI
 
 

A traffic stop in North Judson on Thursday led to the arrest of two Illinois residents on drug charges.

North Judson K9 officer Scott Beishuisen performed a traffic stop on a vehicle in the area of Luken and Sycamore Streets. K9 Gunner was deployed to conduct a free air sniff of the vehicle and indicated the presence of narcotics, according to a news release. A search of the vehicle reportedly uncovered narcotics.

Continue reading →

Pleasant View Rest Home Operations to Cease Tomorrow

Posted on Author WKVI
Pleasant View Rest Home
Pleasant View Rest Home

The last day of operations at the Pleasant View Rest Home in Winamac is tomorrow.

Operations are coming to an end after the Pulaski County Council made a decision in October of 2014 to not include funding for the assisted living facility in the 2015 budget. The decision was approved by a majority vote. The commissioners voted in December to close the operations at the county home because of the lack of funding.

Continue reading →

Final Work on 300 East to Start Today

Posted on Author WKVI
 
 

The contractor that widened 300 East through the Knox Industrial Park last summer is ready to put the finishing touches on that project. Work will begin today to repair driveways, install topsoil, seed and sod and clean existing pavement. Once that is done, a final surface coat will be applied and the pavement will be marked. No road closures are planned. Lane restrictions and flagging operations will be used to restrict traffic until the project is complete in May.

 

Moving Starke County Forward Announces Summer Challenge

Posted on Author WKVI
 
 

The Moving Starke County Forward organization is ready to “race” into the summer with this year’s walking challenge.

The theme this year is patterned after NASCAR races to see if all participants can reach the lap goal every two weeks with the number of miles walked, ran, biked, or swam. The Healthy Challenge Series, a healthy reference to NASCAR’s Sprint Cup Series, will begin on May 2 with the kick-off event at 10 a.m. in Wythogan Park. An inaugural pace lap will officially start the event that will continue through Aug. 29.

Continue reading →

LaPorte Police Ask Residents to Report Littering

Posted on Author WKVI

072LaPorte County police are investigating an ongoing littering issue in Galena and Springfield Townships.

On Wednesday, workers in the Community Work Program picked up trash alongside County Road 125 E., County Road 800 N., County Road 900 N., Fail Road and County Road 1000 N. A truck bed quickly filled up with extra large trash bags full of garbage.

The Community Work Program involves low-risk inmates that perform various work projects around the county.

Some of the trash found poses a health hazard to the community.

Continue reading →

Knox Water Department Reports Minimal Frozen Water Lines This Season

Posted on Author WKVI
 
 

The Knox Water Department had a mild winter this year compared to last season.

Superintendent Todd Gardner informed the Knox Board of Public Works members this week that there weren’t too many calls about frozen water pipes. There was one call, but Gardner said the line from the resident’s home to the city hookup is the issue. If the issue were to be repaired, it would be the homeowner’s responsibility to take care of the problem.

Continue reading →

Don’t Miss the Bus to the Tulip Festival

Posted on Author WKVI
News Contributor, Ed Hasnerl
Ed Hasnerl

Kankakee Valley Broadcasting Travel Coordinator Ed Hasnerl has a few available slots for his upcoming trip to Holland, Mich. Enjoy the beauty of the annual Tulip Festival May 4-7. It’s just one of the adventures Ed has planned.

“Several people have talked to me about going to the Henry Ford Museum and eating dinner in an auto baron’s home – Edsel Ford, Edsel and Eleanor Ford’s home. It’s a wonderful home full of antiques and art, besides having dinner there,” Hasnerl said. Continue reading →