The event will be held at the Starke County Highway Garage. Tires, appliances, computers and TVs will be collected today and tomorrow from 2:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. You may dispose of up to five tires for free. Only one farm tire will be accepted.
American Legion to Hold Flag Burning Ceremony This Weekend
The American Legion Post 92 will be holding a flag retirement ceremony on Sunday, June 16 at 1 p.m. to dispose of old, tattered flags with dignity. Post Commander Al Czarnecki said the ceremony will take place in a lot across the street from the American Legion post.
The ceremony usually draws a bit of attention as they dispose of the flags, so Czarnecki said they explain why the flags are burned in such a way during the ceremony.
Jemiolo Accused of Beating and Stabbing Wife to Death
A LaPorte County man accused of killing his wife was in LaPorte Superior Court for an initial hearing Thursday.
The affidavit for probable cause outlines a gruesome incident in which Joseph Jemiolo allegedly beat and stabbed his wife, Kathy Jemiolo, to death at their home in the 800 block of E. Street in LaPorte on Tuesday, June 11.
Significant Rainfall, Minor Flooding Reported in Marshall County
Minor flooding is occurring in Marshall County after significant rain fell there last night. Emergency Management Agency Director Clyde Avery says the rain gauge at the emergency operations center recorded 2.31 inches of rainfall last night. Most of the flooding is in fields in the Plymouth and Bremen areas. Avery says the Yellow River is still well below flood stage and does not anticipate any problems. Storm spotters reported several funnel cloud sightings last night near Bremen and Culver, but Avery says there are no indications of damage consistent with a tornado touchdown. Anyone whose property sustained storm-related damage is asked to call the Marshall County Emergency Management Agency at 574-936-3740.
No Major Storm Damage Reported…Yet
We’ll have to wait until the sun comes up to fully assess the damage caused by last night’s storms. The National Weather Service issued a number severe thunderstorm and tornado watches and warnings for the entire WKVI listening area as storms packing strong winds, heavy rains and hail moved through the region. Dispatchers in Starke County received reports of trees down on 1100 E., and storm spotters noted hail in Koontz Lake. Some trees were reported down in Pulaski County, and several listeners sent us photos of golf and tennis ball-sized hail. Spotters reported possible tornado sightings in Marshall County last night, but dispatchers there say no damage was reported. Continue reading
Two Arrested after Stolen Vehicle Retrieved
Initial Hearing Held for Avery Mullins
An initial hearing in the case of Avery Mullins was held Wednesday in Starke Circuit Court.
Mullins, who was arrested on June 6, pleaded not guilty to charges of Dealing in a Narcotic Drug, a Class B felony, plus Possession of a Narcotic Drug and Possession of a Syringe as Class D felonies. He was also charged with a misdemeanor count of Possession of Paraphernalia.
Mullins’ next court date is set for Aug. 7.
Avery Mullins remains in the Starke County Jail on a surety bond of $50,000.
Pulaski County CDC May Soon Hire Part-Time Employee
Marshall County Director of Older Adult Services Requests Funding
The Director of Older Adult Services approached the Marshall County Council this week requesting funds for the transportation program.
Jackie Wright explained that a large share of their funding from INDOT has been cut drastically this year which has to do with the federal sequester. This shortfall will only affect 2013 as she expects the transportation bill to be back to full funding levels in 2014. She appreciates the funding that is given from the county by the commissioners, but she is seeking additional funds to keep the transportation service open for the remainder of the year.
Knox City Council Approves Salary Ordinance on First Reading
Knox officials may soon receive a three percent raise, as the city council this week approved a salary ordinance on its first reading that included the raise for all elected officials and salaried employees. Mayor Rick Chambers explained that a few corrections do need to be reflected in the ordinance before it is passed on its second reading, however.
Drivers Ecstatic to See Gas Prices Declining
Finally, some relief is to be had at the pumps as drivers gas up. The average price in Indiana has fallen from $4.20 on June 6 to $4.08 on Wednesday, a breath of fresh air despite the fact that the state’s average remains 45 cents higher than the national average. Fortunately, according to GasBuddy.com’s Senior Petroleum Analyst Patrick DeHaan, those prices will keep falling.
“Exxon Mobile’s facility in Joliet, Ill., has come back online and that’s meant a lot of downward pressure on wholesale prices, which will then, in turn, mean a big drop at the pump here in the next week,” said DeHaan.
Culver Building Trades Class Finishes Project
The Culver Building Trades class recently finished a project at Bass Lake. Vocational Director Jerry Hollenbaugh said a beautiful home – and one of the largest the class has worked on – was built for A.J. Gappa and his family. Students from Culver Community Schools, North Judson-San Pierre Schools and Knox Community Schools participated in this project under the direction of Kyle Elliott.
Mod Squad Night This Saturday at Plymouth Speedway
It’s a chance to see five NASCAR drivers race at a local venue. They won’t be driving stock cars, but they will be running their modified machines in the dirt at Plymouth Speedway.
Ken Schrader, David Stremme, Justin Allgaier, David Reutimann and Kenny Wallace will be putting their cars to the test against the regular modified racers at Plymouth Speedway. The winner of the 30-lap modified feature will win $1,000.
Field Lighting Project Set at West Central Schools
The West Central School Board is going forward with the field lighting project at the football field. Superintendent Charles Mellon told the board during their recent meeting that some activity should be happening in the project in the next couple of weeks.
Eastern Pulaski School Board Awards Scholarship
Every year, says Klitzman, the school board gives out a $1,000 scholarship.
Indiana House Overrides Pence’s Veto
Significant Flooding, Severe Weather Possible
Significant flash and river flooding are possible through the end of the week, according to the National Weather Service. Rainfall totals of between 1 and 3 inches are expected over the next 24 hours, with locally higher amounts possible. Soils are already saturated from recent rains, making low-lying areas much more flood prone.
Severe thunderstorms accompanied by strong winds and damaging hail are also possible into the overnight hours. The National Weather Service is tracking an intense thunderstorm complex, known as a derecho, which could span a 1,000 mile swath across the Plains and Midwestern states. As always, we will bring you the very latest on the air and online at WKVI.com as well as on Facebook and Twitter.
State Legislators May Override Pence’s Veto of CAGIT Bill
State Senator Ed Charbonneau visited Pulaski County this week to speak to the county commissioners and council during a joint session held Monday night regarding a revenue bill vetoed by Governor Mike Pence that could affect the county’s CAGIT moneys. State Representative Doug Gutwein previously explained to the boards that a clerical error at the state level could force the county to pay taxpayers back millions of dollars that had been collected by the County Adjusted Gross Income Tax – money that had originally been collected to cover the cost of the jail – because the state claims that the county overcharged its taxpayers. The county still owes roughly $5 million on the jail facility.
Former Pulaski County Man Continues to Violate Probation
In 2008, Noble Shelton Jr. was arrested on a charge of Child Molesting, a Class B felony in Pulaski County and a plea agreement was later accepted in 2009 when Shelton was sentenced to 10 years in the Department of Corrections with six years suspended. The remaining four years would be served in incarceration and he was placed on probation for a period of six years. He was also to comply with all special terms of probation for sex offenders and register as per state statute.
Winamac PD Hires New Officer, Prepares To Interview Applicants
A former Winamac Police Chief has has rejoined the department as a patrol officer. Chief Mike Buchanan says Jeff Heims started June 1. He replaces Daymond Hartley, who resigned amid a controversy over money he reportedly admitted taking from a department evidence locker and is facing criminal charges. Buchanan says Heims is currently working the swing shift to cover for other members of the department when they have days off. The town’s salary ordinance provides a bump in pay of $550 for each five years of seniority, but Buchanan says the town council’s approval is still needed.
