WKVI Information Center

A Marshall County jury found Mark Selner guilty on a charge of Battery Resulting in Bodily Injury as a Class C felony. The jury deliberated for an hour and a half before reaching a verdict. Testimony lasted for a day and a half.

Selner was found to have battered James Haddox while both were incarcerated in the Marshall County Jail. Selner insisted that he acted in self-defense. Chief Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Nelson Chipman played a video for the jury where it showed Selner punching Haddox. Selner proceeded to beat Haddox with 22 blows within a 19-second time frame. Seventeen of the strikes were when Haddox was laying on the jail floor.

Starke County Commissioners Hire Veterans Service Officer

Starke County Veterans Service Officer Terry Turner can remove the “interim” from his title. The county commissioners voted 2-1 Monday to make him the permanent replacement for Gordon Richie. He resigned from the part-time position in September due to health issues. Turner has been serving in an interim capacity during Richie’s medical leave and was one of two candidates interviewed for the opening. Turner has been working toward obtaining the necessary certifications to better serve area veterans. Commissioner Kent Danford cast the dissenting vote.

Lift Station Project Experiences Slight Delay

The Knox Board of Public Works received an update on the lift station project at the corner of Clabaugh Drive and Heaton Street (U.S. 35). A small setback was experienced when hatches weren’t installed as instructed by the manufacturer. That required some cement work to be redone and has created a small delay in the project. Selge Construction should be resuming work today.

Marshall County, Plymouth and Bourbon to Apply for Brownfield Grant

Marshall County, the City of Plymouth and the Town of Bourbon are working in a collaborative effort in applying for a brownfield grant to help attract business and industry to the county. Continue reading →

Knox Community School Board Approves Formation of New Group

The Knox Community School Board approved the formation of a new extra-curricular activity during their meeting Monday night.

Superintendent A.J. Gappa said it may take a little while to get it started, but it’ll be a new group in which students can participate.

Uniform Policy for Knox City Wastewater Workers to Change

The Knox Wastewater Superintendent provided the city council with a proposed uniform change.

The workers at the wastewater treatment facility are among contaminants and a host of bacteria while on the job. Those materials get on their clothes and the workers proceed to wear those clothes home to their families and into stores when running errands which is not the healthiest option.

Fundraiser for Christina Franks Tonight

A fish fry fundraiser is set for tonight at the Knox Moose Family Center to benefit the family of Knox Middle School student Christina Franks.

Christina, 13, is in need of a heart transplant. She was diagnosed with an enlarged heart two years ago and was hospitalized in July at Riley Hospital for Children as the left ventricle in her heart was failing. She did have surgery in August to install an exterior heart pump which has taken over the work of her heart until she receives a heart transplant.

Food Donations are Accepted for Holiday Food Bags at PCHS

Officials with the annual Coordinated Local Assistance Service Project, or CLASP, is asking for your help in assisting your neighbors in need this holiday season.

The collection of specific food items to place in holiday food bags is going on now. If you wish to donate food for the holiday food bags, you may drop off instant potatoes, stuffing, cake mix, pudding green beans, mushroom soup, rolls and hams at the Pulaski County Human Services (PCHS) building in Winamac. Food donations should be made by Dec. 10 so all food items are available for distribution the week of Dec. 10.

Tippecanoe River State Park Prepares for Halloween Activities

Ghouls and goblins will take over Tippecanoe River State Park tomorrow for the annual trick-or-treat celebration in the family campground. Each year the families who camp there decorate their campsites and hand out candy to area children. New this year is a costume contest at the park’s Nature Center at 6 p.m. EDT. The facility will also be decorated for Halloween, thanks to volunteers from the Friends of Tippecanoe River State Park nonprofit organization. The actual trick-or-treating starts at 6:30 in the campground and is scheduled to go on until 8:30. Parking for both the costume contest and trick-or-treat will be in the Nature Center parking lot, and entry fees into the park four miles north of Winamac on U.S. 35 still apply.

Nicholas Kasten Found Not Guilty

A not guilty verdict was returned in a jury trial conducted in Starke Circuit Court Wednesday afternoon.

In just 10 minutes, a six-member jury found Nicholas Kasten not guilty on a charge of Possession of Cocaine, a Class D Felony. Two witnesses were called for the State of Indiana and Kasten, the defendant, was the only witness for the defense.

Starke County Commissioners Approve Limited Golf Cart Ordinance

Starke County now has a golf cart ordinance on the books. The policy only applies to golf carts and not to other types of all-terrain vehicles. The commissioners plan to address the operation of Gators and other types of utility vehicles on county roads in a separate ordinance. The golf cart ordinance requires an operator to possess a county-issued small vehicle permit and carry liability insurance on the vehicle. Permits can be obtained for a cost of $25 each from the Starke County Sheriff’s Office after the vehicle is inspected. Starke County will also honor permits issued by Marshall County. The permit is unique to a single vehicle, which must have brakes in good working condition and an INDOT approved slow-moving vehicle sign. Additionally, golf carts must be equipped with a rear-view mirror, manufacturers serial number plate, front and rear reflectors and working rear brake lights visible from at least 500 feet. Continue reading →

Pulaski County Surveyor Not in Favor of Move

Pulaski County Surveyor Jenny Keller appeared before the commissioners Monday night to discuss the move to the highway garage.

Keller told WKVI that she wanted the commissioners to know her feelings and the feelings of those in the office about the idea of moving from their space in the courthouse out to the county highway garage. She is not in favor of the move and had expressed that opinion to the commissioners in previous talks on the issue.

Knox Board of Public Works Approves Police Department Vehicle Purchase

The Knox Board of Public Works approved the purchase of a Dodge Avenger SE for the Knox City Police Department.

Three quotes were sought for the car. The lowest bid of $17,894 came from Thomas Dodge in Highland, Indiana. The city has dealt with the company in purchasing squad cars for the police department in previous situations.

Update on MCEDC Given to Marshall County Commissioners

The Marshall County Commissioners received a project report from Marshall County Economic Development Commission Executive Director Jay Bahr.

Bahr explained that he has been on 33 business retention calls and calling all business in the county to see what the MCEDC can do to help them.

Knox Community School Board Gets Update on Teacher Evaluation Model

The Knox Community School Board discussed the Standard for Success model used for certified teacher evaluations.

Superintendent A.J. Gappa said the three building principals delivered the report to the board.

“With this modern technology, they can go into a classroom and do a walk-through and highlight things that are going on in a quick fashion – within five minutes or less. They can show how an extended observation can be hooked in with the RISE evaluation tool and objects can be marked as highly effective, effective or needs improvement at that time and then they can go back and critique that,” explained Gappa.

Town of Hamlet to Celebrate 150 years

The Sesquicentennial celebration for the Town of Hamlet is tonight.

Clerk-Treasurer Kristina Pitts and the town board members invite all Hamlet residents to take part in the celebration which includes opening a time capsule. The time capsule had been buried at the site of the Hamlet Town Hall for decades. It will be interesting to see what has changed in the town and what officials thought should be remembered during that time period.

Another time capsule will be filled and buried.

The celebration begins at 5 p.m. CT at the Hamlet Town Hall.

Knox City Council Discusses Equipment Purchase

The Knox City Council received information on the possible purchase of a machine to help better clear the snow from the downtown area.

Mayor Rick Chambers explained to the council that it would be easier if a little John Deere tractor with a cab and heater be used to clear the snow on the sidewalks downtown. Chambers said the Knox Community School Corporation utilizes similar equipment and it works efficiently.

Panhandle Pathway Peninsula Prairie Remnant Dedicated

A remnant of Indiana’s earliest settlers is now preserved along the Panhandle Pathway recreational trail south of Winamac along U.S. 35.

The 3.5 acre portion of the original Prairie Peninsula starts at County Road 400 South and goes north for 6/10 of a mile. The spot will serve as an informational and educational habitat along the trail, which sits in the bed of the former Pennsylvania Railroad. The spot was covered by railroad beds in the 1860s but has been reclaimed by nature in the decade since the railway has been vacated. The ability of the native vegetation to grow and tolerate harsh conditions, combined with their deep root system, have allowed them to thrive once again. The small area contains more than 38 species of native plants. They tend to protect the ecosystem by keeping soil from eroding and filtering water which flows into streams and rivers from silt deposits and pesticides. They also provide a habitat for birds, butterflies and wildlife.

National Radon Action Week, Get Your Home Tested

The American Lung Association, Centers for Disease Control, and the National Cancer Institute encourage radon testing during the observation of National Radon Week.

All this week through Oct. 27, health agencies in the country have joined forces to promote awareness of the leading cause of lung cancer for non-smokers.