LaPorte Man Arrested After Alleged Robbery

Posted on Author WKVI

Joseph "Shaky Joe" Nixon
Joseph “Shaky Joe” Nixon
A LaPorte man was arrested Saturday after allegedly forcing his way into an apartment and assaulting the resident.

The victim told LaPorte police officers that he was asleep in his apartment when a knock on the door awoke him. He answered the door and a man, whom he knows as “Shaky Joe,” allegedly forced his way inside and physically assaulted the victim. The suspect then reportedly stole medications and the victim’s cell phone.

The victim was able to give police a description of the suspect and officers later located him. Joseph D. Nixon, 37 of LaPorte, surrendered to police without incident. He was booked into the LaPorte County Jail on a preliminary charge of Robbery, a Class B felony.

National Weather Service Issues Flood Risk Outlook Report

Posted on Author WKVI

 
 
The latest potential flood outlook for counties in northern Indiana and southern lower Michigan has been released by the National Weather Service of Northern Indiana, indicating an increased risk of flooding later this week. Several factors will play a part in the possibly flooding, officials say, as widespread snow and ice contain a large quantity of stored water.

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Government, School Board Meetings Rescheduled

Posted on Author WKVI
 
 

The weather on Monday caused the postponement of several government and school board meetings. Many of those have been rescheduled.

The Starke County Board of Commissioners will meet Thursday morning at 9 a.m. in the Starke County annex building. EMA Director Ted Bombagetti will have an update for the commissioners, updates will be given on the proposed sale of property in Parkview Heights to the city of Knox, plus a report on landfill monitoring results. Commissioner Kent Danford will provide a report on the meeting of the Knox planning commission and permit fees. The automatic renewal of Kone Elevator’s service contract and a proposed amended agreement from Lawson-Fisher regarding the County Road 300 East and State Road 8 project are also on the agenda for this meeting.

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City of Knox Accepting 50/50 Sidewalk Replacement Applications

Posted on Author WKVI

 
 
The city of Knox is gearing up for their 50/50 sidewalk replacement program, offering residents a chance to have their sidewalks repaired at half the cost. Any residents suffering from some problematic areas on their sidewalks would benefit from this program, and Mayor Rick Chambers is accepting replacement requests now from homeowners and business owners. The application deadline is Wednesday, April 16.

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No Injuries in Morning Accident on U.S. 30

Posted on Author WKVI

accident

Two semi truck drivers walked away without injuries after an accident Tuesday morning on U.S. 30.

According to officials at the Starke County Sheriff’s Department, no one was injured in the accident that occurred just east of the U.S. 35 overpass. Emergency personnel blocked the westbound lane of travel on U.S. 30 so the wreckage could be removed and a reconstruction could take place.

Details of how the accident occurred and the names of the drivers have not been released.

EMA Director Explains Why Plows Are Taken Off Roads

Posted on Author WKVI

With recent announcements from county highway departments indicating that plow trucks were taken off the roads at a certain time, many people were left wondering why the road clearing operations are sometimes stopped in their tracks during a snowstorm, when they are most in need. According to Starke County EMA Director Ted Bombagetti, there is a reason for that, and state law plays a part.

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Public Hearing Tonight on Future of Culver Town Park

Posted on Author WKVI

 
 
The future of Culver’s town park will soon be decided, aided by the input gathered from town residents during tonight’s public hearing on the matter. Town officials have scheduled a public hearing at 6 p.m. ET at the train depot at 615 E. Lake Shore Drive. The park has been at the center of considerable controversy following the firing of the superintendent and activities director, and there has also been a considerable amount of debate regarding the makeup of the park board and whether or not a seventh member should be added.

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North Judson Town Council Meeting Rescheduled

Posted on Author WKVI

 
 
The North Judson Town Council has rescheduled their meeting previously planned for last night; it will now take place on Monday, Feb. 24 at 6:30 p.m. due to the weather. According to Clerk-Treasurer Donna Henry, about 15 residents in the town are suffering from a lack of running water due to frozen water lines, and the town is offering to provide tap water for any affected residents.

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Gas Prices Up; Speculators May Be to Blame

Posted on Author WKVI

 
 
With gas around $3.55 in Knox, $3.49 in North Judson, the price of gas has risen nearly 15 cents over the past three days and more than 20 cents since a month ago. According to Patrick DeHaan with GasBuddy.com, this rise in price is due to the increasing price of crude oil, which has jumped by about 9 percent since the start of the year.

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Area Students Recognizing FFA Week

Posted on Author WKVI

 
 
This week has been set aside for agricultural education, known as FFA week.

Students who participate in the Future Farmers of America organization, or FFA, are taking this time to recognize the science, business and technologies associated with today’s farming and agricultural practices. FFA is one of the largest youth organizations in the United States with 579,678 members.

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Highway Crews to do Their Best in Clearing Snow

Posted on Author WKVI
 
 

The Starke County Highway snow plows will be out in full force to try and keep up with the snow that is falling and drifting in the area.

Highway Superintendent Rik Ritzler told WKVI News that if the snow gets to be too much to keep up with, then the plows will be taken off the roads. When blowing and drifting becomes an issue, it does no good for the crews to be out as roads drift shut just as soon as they pass.

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Jacki Frain Named Pulaski County Chamber of Commerce Halleck Award Winner

Posted on Author WKVI

Jackie Frain
Jackie Frain
A Winamac resident with a lengthy list of community service and honors is the 2014 H.J. Halleck Award Winner. Pulaski County Human Services Executive Director Jacki Frain will be honored by the Pulaski County Chamber of Commerce next month. Frain is a longtime chamber board member and serves on the Halleck Award committee. She is also a member of the Germanfest committee, a grant writer and administrator for the Pulaski County Family YMCA and conceived, implemented and continues to oversee the Coordinated Local Assistance Service Project (CLASP Toy Store) each December at Pulaski County Human Services. Frain also handles administrative responsibilities for the Pulaski County food pantry.

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More Burglaries Reported in Lake of the Woods Area

Posted on Author WKVI

 
 

Burglars apparently struck again late last week in the Lake of the Woods area of Marshall County. Officers from the sheriff’s department were called to a home in the 3,000 block of West Shore Drive in Bremen around noon to take a burglary report. While they were there, they also learned of another break-in at a nearby home. Electronics were stolen from both residences. Citizens are urged to to report any suspicious activity and to take precautions to make it look like someone is home such as setting timers for lights and having someone pick up your mail and newspapers. Motion sensors and alarms can also be effective deterrents.