Gayheart Sentenced to 20 Years on Drug Charges

Posted on Author WKVI

A Starke County man was sentenced in Starke Circuit Court Monday morning on several drug charges.

Corbin Gayheart pleaded guilty in a plea agreement with the state to three charges in two separate cases. Judge Kim Hall accepted the plea agreement and sentenced Gayheart per the terms of that agreement.

Gayheart will serve 10 years in the Indiana Department of Corrections with two years suspended on a charge of possession of methamphetamine within 1,000 feet of a public park as a Class B felony. He was given an 18-month sentence with no part of the sentence suspended on a charge of possession of precursors or chemical reagents with the intent to manufacture methamphetamine as a Class D felony. Those sentences will run concurrently, or at the same time.

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Rain Blamed For Culvert Collapse, Repair Delays

Posted on Author WKVI
 
 

Rain is hampering efforts to repair a culvert that collapsed Monday, forcing the closure of a Starke County Road. County highway superintendent Rik Ritzler tells WKVI News the culvert on 125 West just north of 250 North collapsed Monday. A county highway crew is making repairs but was unable to finish the work yesterday due to the rain. Ritzler hopes they can wrap up the work today so the road can reopen. Until then 125 West is closed between 250 and 300 North. Continue reading →

Winamac Electric Rates to Increase

Posted on Author WKVI
 
 

The Winamac Town Council members held a public hearing recently to discuss an increase in electric rates.

Customers that reside in the city limits will have a new minimum payment of $122.09 based on 1000 kw of use. Those who reside outside the city limits will have a new minimum payment of $127.09 based on 1000 kw of use.  This is not average usage, but an example of how rates would increase.  The billing will be decided on  how many kilowatts are used in the household.  The increase is 11.2 percent.

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Building Repairs Needed at the Plymouth Police Department

Posted on Author WKVI
 
 

The Plymouth police department is looking to get a much needed facelift.

Chief of Police David Bacon appeared before the Board of Works and Safety Monday night to explain some issues with the building. He said that there are some exterior problems as well as painting that needs done on the interior. New wallpaper is also needed as the current wallpaper is starting to look bad in some spots.

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Knox City Council Approves Grant Match for Blight Elimination Program Grant

Posted on Author WKVI
Knox City Council
Knox City Council

The Knox City Council approved a 10 percent match to attempt to get a grant to rid the city of some unsafe homes.

It’s part of the Blight Elimination Program which would assist the city in purchasing homes that are listed as unsafe and blighted and demolish them. The majority of the homes that would be considered for this grant are in the Parkview Heights area.

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Sobriety Checkpoints Planned in LaPorte County

Posted on Author WKVI
 
 

To combat impaired driving, the LaPorte County DUI Task Force will be setting up sobriety checkpoints in the evening hours of Friday, Aug. 29.

These checkpoints will be conducted as part of the statewide Operation Pullover Blitz #80.

The location of these checkpoints are based upon the analysis of available accident data, impaired driving arrest data and officer safety. When you arrive at a checkpoint, you will be required to show the officer your driver’s license and vehicle registration. DUI Task Force members will evaluate drivers for signs of alcohol or drug impairment. If you do not exhibit signs of impairment or there is no other need to detain you further, your approximate delay will be two minutes or less.

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Knox Board of Works to Meet Today

Posted on Author WKVI
 
 

The Knox Board of Public Works will meet today with a light agenda.

The board members will discuss bids for tree cutting and discuss a drug screening policy for employees.

Water Superintendent Todd Gardner, Street Superintendent Jeff Borg, Wastewater Superintendent Kelly Clemons, and Knox City Police Chief Clint Norem will have updates from activities in their departments.

The meeting is open to the public and begins at 9:30 a.m. CT in Knox City Hall.

INTERVIEW: Cameron Hayley

Posted on Author WKVI

Cameron HayleyCameron Hayley will be making his debut in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Sunday at Canadian Motorsports Park.  He sounds pretty confident headed into this weekend’s event that begins at 1:30 p.m. ET.  Hear what he has to say about his road to this level and other tracks on his schedule this season in this Behind the Wheel interview:

Cameron Haley Behind the Wheel

NASCAR’s 2015 Schedule Finds Changes

Posted on Author WKVI
 
 

The schedule for the 2015 NASCAR season was released on Tuesday and there are some changes to the Sprint Cup Series schedule. Atlanta Motor Speedway’s only race was moved from August to March next season while Bristol Motor Speedway’s spring race has been moved to April 19 from the third weekend in March. With the change in the date for Atlanta Motor Speedway, that allowed the Darlington Raceway race to move back to the Labor Day spot on Sept. 6.

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NCWTS Teams Penalized after Bristol Race

Posted on Author WKVI
 
 

NASCAR has penalized three teams in the Camping World Truck Series (NCWTS) after an inspection found that No. 00, No. 19 and No. 30 trucks failed to meet post-race height requirements after the Bristol Motor Speedway race on Aug. 21.

The crew chiefs, Joel Shear, Doug Randolph and Doug George for drivers Cole Custer, Brad Keselowski and Ron Hornaday, Jr., were all fined $5,000. In addition, each team lost 10 championship driver and owner points.

Gabby Behny 8/23/14

Posted on Author Anita Goodan

Our first Tyler Roth/WKVI Athlete of the Week for the 2014-15 season is Gabby Behny, a member of the Girls Golf Team at Winamac High School.

Gabby led her team to the Bi-County Girls Golf Tournament Championship last weekend copping Medalist honors in the Starke-Pulaski County shootout. After a slow start with a 50 on the front 9 at the challenging Moss Creed Country Club Course, she put together a 42 on the back 9 to lead her team to the championship for the first time in 3 years.

The Sophomore had to fight for the #1 spot on her team and gained that spot by shooting in the 40’s for 3 consecutive meets to open the season. She is also a member of the Winamac Softball team.

Gabby is the daughter of John and LeeAnne Behny and will be featured next week here on “The Saturday Sportsline with Nathan Welter” on K99.3 and will have a featured picture and story on wkvi.com.

Congratulations to Gabby Behny of Winamac High School, our “Tyler Roth/WKVI Athlete of the Week”

Chavez Appears in Starke Circuit Court for Initial Hearing

Posted on Author WKVI

The man accused of beating his estranged wife to death at a home in Knox, kidnapping an employee in a vehicle from Mark Bailey’s Discount Center, and carjacking a vehicle from a couple in English Lake appeared in Starke Circuit Court Monday afternoon for his initial hearing.

Gary Chavez pleaded not guilty to charges of murder, kidnapping and carjacking. He told Judge Kim Hall that his family is working on getting an attorney for him. An attorney status hearing is set for Sept. 5 at 9 a.m. but will be vacated if a notice of an attorney has been filed with the court. His omnibus date was set for Oct. 9.

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Bridge Inspector Signs Off on 700 East Repair

Posted on Author WKVI
A new pile and pier were added to the bridge on County Road 700 East over the Yellow River to replace the ones damaged last spring.
A new pile and pier were added to the bridge on County Road 700 East over the Yellow River to replace the ones damaged last spring.

A Starke County road that has been closed since April is once again open to traffic. The county’s bridge inspector signed off on the emergency repair on 700 East over the Yellow River. A log floating down the river struck the bridge supports, rendering the structure unstable and forcing the emergency closure. A field inspection performed Sunday recommended additional monitoring of the timber piles, as they are starting to deteriorate, but found the bridge is able to handle traffic again.

 

Starke County Commissioners Broaden EMS Director Search

Posted on Author WKVI
 
 

The Starke County Commissioners have changed the job criteria for the EMS director in order to expand the potential pool of applicants. Previously the county was only considering paramedics for the position. That has now been expanded to allow EMT’s to also apply for the opening. The job will pay between $38,000 and $45,000 per year, depending on experience, and the EMS director will have use of a county vehicle. Continue reading →

Pence and Walorski to Officially Open New U.S. 31

Posted on Author WKVI
 
 

Gov. Mike Pence, U.S. Rep. Jackie Walorski and other dignitaries will be on hand for tomorrow’s ribbon cutting and dedication of the new U.S. 31 between Plymouth and South Bend. The ceremony will take place at 2:30 p.m. EDT on State Road 4 at the new U.S. 31 interchange. The road will be closed in that area from 12:30 until 3:30 p.m. tomorrow afternoon. During that time traffic will not be able to enter or exit the new section of highway. Continue reading →