Farmer Assists Trooper in Arrest

Photo provided by a trooper who was flying his personal aircraft in the area at the time.
Photo provided by trooper who was flying his personal aircraft in the area at the time.

A farmer helped an Indiana State Police trooper make an arrest last week.

A trooper spotted an erratic driver in Kosciusko County and a chase ensued. The suspect was able to get away but the trooper later saw the suspect’s vehicle parked in a driveway at 4985 N. 920 W. in Etna Green. The officer exited his car and found the suspect running through a farm field. The trooper returned to his car and paralleled the man on 400 North as the man began to run faster through the field.

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Ernest Dale Wireman Sentenced in Starke Circuit Court

  Ernest Dale Wireman, 40, was sentenced in Starke Circuit Court this week.

He had three cases before Judge Kim Hall. Wireman pleaded guilty to a charge of Domestic Battery as a Class D Felony. He was sentenced to 18 months in the Department of Corrections with no part of the sentence suspended. He also pleaded guilty to a charge of Possession of a Controlled Substance as a Class D felony. Wireman was sentenced to 18 months in the Department of Corrections with no part of the sentence suspended.

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Allergies Could Worsen This Season

 Allergy sufferers are in for a long spring as the “Polar Vortex” has turned into the “Pollen/Allergy Vortex”.

The slow start to spring has delayed the blooming of trees. With the delay, the trees will be blooming at the same time grasses are blooming which will create a dramatic rise in pollen.

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Two Sentenced in Starke Circuit Court

 Two women were sentenced in Starke Circuit Court on Wednesday.

Natasha Long pleaded guilty in a plea agreement with the State to a charge of Theft as a Class D felony. She was sentenced to 24 months in the Department of Corrections with all of that time suspended to be served on probation. She also pleaded guilty to a charge of Possession of Marijuana as a Class A misdemeanor. Long was sentenced per the terms of the agreement which called for 12 months in the Starke County Jail. That sentence was suspended to be served on probation. The sentences will run concurrently for a total of 24 months on probation.

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Watch out for a Microsoft Scam

  
 

The Better Business Bureau is urging consumers to beware of callers claiming to be from Microsoft.

In this latest scam, a “Microsoft caller” randomly calls consumers and explains that a computer that is in use in their possession has a virus or needs an update. The caller then gives instructions on what to do to fix the problem. Eventually, the scammer will ask for credit card information so the proper software can be purchased or the caller will “fix” the problem if you follow instructions.

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Use Common Sense When Celebrating This Graduation Season

 
 

Graduation season is upon us.

Pulaski County Sheriff Michael Gayer says it’s easy to get caught up in celebrations and make poor decisions when getting behind the wheel of a car.

“Sometimes that excitement gets out of hand and it leads to traffic accidents, people being arrested for alcohol abuse at parties and things like that,” said Sheriff Gayer. “We would just encourage all of the seniors graduating that they exercise due caution in their celebrations.”

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7th Annual Starke County Youth Club WKVI Radiothon Begins Today

  
 

Starke County Youth Club participants, volunteers, members and community leaders will take over the WKVI airwaves today to share information about and raise money for the nonprofit organization. The club provides enrichment programs for local youngsters. Executive Director Irene Szakonyi says they are tied to the state’s curriculum standards. and lesson plans accompany every activity. They stress Science, Technology, Engineering and Math, STEM for short, activities in a outside-the-box type of way.

“It’s everything from science experiments like you might remember from middle school, to teaching kids, even young ones, what engineering is about. How do you engineer a bridge? What kind of materials can you use? What’s stronger, this material or that material? All of those skills help prepare the next workforce.”

Szakonyi says careers in STEM fields are the wave of the future and adds its an exciting time to be teaching youngsters about math and science concepts. Continue reading →

Practice Safe Driving Habits during Motorcycle Awareness Month

  
 

May is Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month.

All motorists and motorcyclists are reminded to share the road and to practice safe driving habits. Motor vehicle operators are urged to be aware of motorcycles especially at intersections and while making turns and lane changes. As it is difficult to accurately judge the time, speed and distance of an approaching motorcycle, make sure you check the position of an oncoming motorcycle two or three times before driving through an intersection or making a turn.

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Officials Determine Cause of House Fire

Thank you to WKVI listener Marcia Lockner for the photo of Sunday's fire on 175 N. at U.S. 35
Thank you to WKVI listener Marcia Lockner for the photo of Sunday’s fire on 175 N. at U.S. 35

The cause of the house fire on 175 North just east of U.S. 35 in Starke County on Sunday was determined as arson.

Knox-Center Township Fire Chief Kenny Pfost said there were many areas of origin. The home was fully engulfed when firefighters arrived at the scene. Firefighters were battling a woods fire at the time the house fire was called into the Sheriff’s Department. Hamlet and Washington Township firefighters assisted at the scene along with water and manpower support from the Koontz Lake Fire Department.

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Featured Business for May is Char’s Florist & Gifts

My name is Charlene Harvey (owner of Char’s Florist & Gifts). I came to this county from Kentucky when I was 7 years old. I’ve been in Knox, Indiana for 36 years as of October 2, 2014, (and we were established in 1978).

My shop is located at 217 East Culver Road. I service all of Starke County and a few surrounding towns. We carry a full line of fresh and silk flowers and we’re a full line gift shop as well. We carry jewelry, scarves, candles, stuffed animals, webkinz, wedding invitations, Tuxedo rentals along with many wedding items. We carry Angels, Benches, Silk Cemetery items and much more, too many to mention.Stop in and see us. My shop hours are M-F, 8:30am til 5:00pm;
Sat., 8:30am til 1:30pm.

Thank you for letting me service you these past 36 years and be a part of your special occasions.

Breakfast May 7 with Senator Arnold

On Wednesday, May 7, your Chamber is excited to have State Senator Jim Arnold as our guest speaker at our breakfast!  IU Health Starke Hospital is sponsoring the Quarterly Breakfast at the Downtown Depot, 18 S Main St. (Entrance is in the back of the building), Knox.  This breakfast will NOT have the 60 second format as usual.  Instead, Senator Arnold will present the results of this past session in Indianapolis.   This is your chance to meet with Senator Arnold and ask questions!

Marshall County Sheriff’s Office Investigating Multiple Thefts

 
 

The Marshall County Sheriff’s Department is investigating two thefts reported Tuesday evening by residents in the 16,000 block of 12th road. Dan Miller told deputies two bicycles were taken from his home. Joseph McKee said items were taken from his unlocked vehicle.

A Culver man got an unpleasant surprise Wednesday night when he returned to his home after being away for the winter. He told deputies from the Marshall County Sheriff’s Department that someone broke into his pole barn in the 16,000 block of 20th Road and stole several tools and other items. He’s not sure when the crime occurred.

Plymouth Man Arrested on Drug Charges Following Traffic Stop

 

David Rhoades
David Rhoades

A Plymouth man faces felony drug charges following a traffic stop early Saturday morning. An officer from the Marshall County Police Department stopped a car driven by David Rhoades, 25, at the on Oakhill near the intersection of Nutmeg Road around 2 a.m. County Police K9 Arras indicated the presence of drugs in the vehicle, according to a news release from the sheriff’s department. Officers searched the vehicle and reportedly found a substance believed to be heroin, needles and other paraphernalia. Rhoades refused a certified drug test and was arrested for possession of a controlled substance, possession of a syringe, operating a vehicle while intoxicated controlled substance and operating a vehicle while intoxicated endangering a person.

 

Schricker Award Winner to Speak at Ancilla Commencement

  
 

Starke County’s most recent Henry F. Schricker Award winner will be the commencement speaker at Ancilla College on Saturday. Community Services of Starke County Executive Director Joan Haugh was honored earlier this year for her embodiment of the two-term governor’s philosophy of service before self. Ancilla College President Dr. Ron May attended the Schricker Awards dinner and knew when he heard Haugh speak that he had found this year’s commencement speaker. He adds commencement is a special time for faculty, staff and especially students. “You celebrate the achievements of the students who have completed their degree programs and are ready to move on to what’s next in life,” May says. Saturday’s ceremony marks Ancilla’s 47th graduating class.

Starke County Celebrates National Day of Prayer

 
 

One Voice United in Prayer is the theme of Starke County’s National Day of Prayer observation. It will take place this morning at 7 a.m. at the community center in downtown Knox. The program will feature a concert of prayer under the direction of Rich Wallen. Eagle Creek Community Church Pastor Ed Hasnerl will serve as the Master of Ceremonies. Congress passed a joint resolution in 1952 establishing the first Thursday in May as the National Day of Prayer. President Harry S. Truman signed it into law.

 

Culver Schools to Participate in Summer Food Service Program

 
 

The Culver Community School Corporation will take part in the Summer Food Service Program. It’s funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and offers free meals to all children 18 and younger. The program was created to ensure children have access to nutritious meals when the National School Lunch and School Breakfast programs are not available. Meals are also served to persons over the age of 18 who are enrolled in a state-approved educational program for the mentally or physically disabled.Free meals will be served beginning Tuesday, June 3 and continuing through the summer. All meals must be eaten on site. All nutrition sites are closed on Friday, July 4. Click here to view locations, dates and times  Culver Nutrition Sites.

 

West Central School Board Plans for Next Year

west central logoWest Central School Board members are getting ready for the next school year. Items on the agenda for their board meeting tonight include setting school breakfast and lunch prices, considering changes to the student handbook and discussion and possible adoption of a student accident insurance plan for 2014-2015. Board meeting and pay dates for the upcoming year will also be set, as will a budget calendar. Discussion and possible approval of classified staff contracts is also listed on the agenda. The board will also continue the discussion of insurance for the school corporation’s wind turbine when they meet this evening at 7:30 p.m. EDT in the board room at the school corporation office in downtown Francesville.

Starke County Youth Club Cooking Class Serves Life Skills

  
 

The Starke County Youth Club teaches life skills to the 600 youngsters enrolled in their after-school programs. Executive Director Irene Szakonyi says the cooking class is one of the most popular enrichment activities they offer. She says it teaches nutrition, kitchen safety and self-reliance. Even the youngest participants can learn basic terminology like what it means to dice or core. Szakonyi says youngsters learn how to prepare food and also how to make healthy food choices. She says youngsters learn that filling their bodies with sugar and other harmful things will compromise their ability to learn well and will make them feel sick.

“The cooking class is a lot of fun because kids get to eat, but they also get a lot of information that is important for their lives, Szakonyi says. Learn about the cooking class and more during tomorrow’s 7th Annual Starke County Youth Club WKVI Radiothon. It starts tomorrow at10 a.m. CDT right here on WKVI. They hope to raise $40,000. Find more information about the club on their website, http://www.thescyc.org/index.html.