It’s not too late to get your flu shot!
A virus is making its way around the Kankakee Valley area and Starke County Health Nurse Frank Lynch says it will affect you for about a week or two before you’re completely over it. He reminds you to wash your hands frequently and to cough or sneeze into your elbow.
The Starke County Food Pantry served 272 families in the month of December. That amounts to 855 people including 109 elderly patrons.
Community Services of Starke County Executive Director Joan Haugh said while the numbers haven’t been calculated, the donations were generous in December. December is a popular month for donations as it’s primarily the season for thinking of others and while this is great, Haugh said it’s important to donate throughout the rest of the year. More than 8000 pounds of food were distributed in December.
WKVI’s general manager passed away unexpectedly Tuesday.
Pat Dunn died at his home and the Starke County Coroner has ruled his death as natural causes.
Pat had been a part of the WKVI family for over 25 years having been on the Kankakee Valley Broadcasting Board of Directors since the mid-1980s. He became a full-time mainstay in the company in May of 2009 and had held the position of general manager since last year. He had been instrumental in many positive changes at the station and his vision moves forward.
A Plymouth woman started the new year off on a bad note, as a drunken trip to McDonald’s ended in her arrest after she not only struck the building, but left the scene and hit a tree as well.
Plymouth police received a call on Jan. 1 around 8:31 a.m. reporting a red Dodge Neon that had struck the McDonald’s building at 2010 N. Michigan St. The driver, according to the caller, appeared to be intoxicated, and left southbound on Michigan Street.
NIPSCO has confirmed the building project on U.S. 35 just north of the city of Knox is in fact a new electric substation. NIPSCO’s Director of External Communications, Nick Meyer, told WKVI that the construction taking place on the east side of U.S. 35 is a joint venture with Kankakee Valley REMC to help boost the voltage in the Knox area.
Meyer explained the company has obtained their state highway permits which are required for a driveway, and they’ve also received their permits for the electric line work to allow the use of utility poles leading up to the facility. Generally, Meyer explained, NIPSCO is exempt from other local permits, including building permits, because of their capacity as a state-regulated utility provider.
A Plymouth man was arrested Monday on suspicion of domestic battery.
Officers from the Plymouth Police Department were called to a residence on North Michigan Street on a report of domestic battery.
IU Health LaPorte Hospital has welcomed the first new baby of 2013!
Kamryn Nevaeh Kantowski was born Tuesday at 12:58 a.m. CT and she weighed in at six pounds and seven ounces. Her parents are Jennifer Lynn Kantowski and Anthony John Kantowski, Jr. from Michigan City.
Kamryn is the third child for the Kantowskis. Kamryn will join sisters Madison and Alexis.
The two new members to the North Judson Town Board will soon take their seats, as Judge Charles Hasnerl swears them in before the board’s regular meeting on Jan. 7. Josh Brown and Justin Davis will then assume their new responsibilities as the youngest members on the board.
The public question presented to voters in North Judson during the general election on Nov. 6, 2012 was approved by more than 78 percent. Only 129 voters said no to the question of whether or not the town board should be increased to five members, while 480 voters voted in favor of the change.
She said the board members used a scientific grid format to rate each candidate before deciding on these two well-qualified men, and said the council is excited to work with them. Henry said she’s excited to know that there are younger taxpayers and community members who are willing to serve and bring a fresh perspective to things.
Members from the Hamlet, Washington Township, Knox-Center Township and North Judson-Wayne Township fire departments recently participated in a live fire training in Lakeville.
On Dec. 28, the Mobile Live Fire Training Trailer Unit traveled to Lakeville so the firefighters could train in the mobile flashover training simulator free of charge. Two weeks prior to this training, instructors in Starke County were given instruction in the “train the trainer” program and all went well.
Samuel J. Frain, a certified funeral service practitioner and funeral director with the Frain Mortuary in Winamac, recently qualified for re-certification of the designation of certified funeral service practitioner.
To receive this award, the practitioner must complete a 180-hour program of continuing education activities and events. The practitioner must accumulate 20 hours per year to re-certify. Credits include academic activities, professional activities, career review, and community and civic activities.
IU Health La Porte VNA Services has announced that it will soon be hosting a free bereavement support group series to the public.
The series, entitled “Moving from Grief to Hope and Healing,” will be held every Wednesday in January at the First Church of God, located at 2020 E. Lincolnway in La Porte. The Hospice Chaplain will facilitate the group, which will meet from 5 to 6:30 p.m. on Jan. 9, 16, 23, and 30.
The Kankakee Valley started the new year off on a good note, as no one was arrested over the New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day holidays for driving under the influence in Starke or Pulaski counties.
Police throughout the area stepped up efforts to catch drunk drivers over the holiday, and were on high alert for any suspicious behavior. Fortunately, those celebrating the holiday appear to have taken the responsible road in designating a driver or calling for a ride.
A construction project on U.S. 35 north of Knox has several people scratching their head, as no permits have been filed in Starke County nor the city of Knox.
However, despite the lack of filed permits, City Building Administrator Greg Matt said it appears that NIPSCO is building a substation. He explained a permit is required for them to build a substation, and on top of that, plans for the structure must be submitted as well.
Three Knox residents were arrested Friday on several drug charges.
Officers from the Starke County Sheriff’s Department executed a search warrant at 2885 E. 150 S. in Knox. Three people were found and detained inside the residence. A search of the property was conducted and detectives and officers found an inactive methamphetamine lab, methamphetamine, controlled substances and drug paraphernalia.
Three Republican officials elected to office in Starke County were sworn into office Monday by Starke Circuit Court Judge Kim Hall.
Kathy Norem was sworn in once again to the seat of county commissioner, alongside Kent Danford, who has also performed the role of county commissioner in the past. Danford said he’s looking forward to being back on the board of commissioners, and one of the big issues he plans to address involves keeping roads safe and open for travel.
A demolition date has not yet been set for the former home of the Knox theater and the offices of the Starke County Economic Development Foundation.
City Planning Administrator Greg Matt said the city of Knox is in the midst of applying for a grant to take down the building at the corner of Main and Lake streets. The grant’s matching funds will be paid by the Starke County Economic Development Foundation. If the grant is obtained, a date will be set for the demolition of the building in downtown Knox.
An archiving company has been inside the building to take out the antique theater chairs, the limestone from the outside of the building, and the tin ceilings.
The original owner and operator of the Zingo Service Station in Knox has died.
Walter Allen, 99 of Knox, was also bestowed the title of Kentucky Colonel by two different Kentucky governors. Kentucky Colonel is the highest title of honor bestowed by the Commonwealth of Kentucky. Commissions for Kentucky Colonels are given by the governor and the secretary of state to individuals in recognition of noteworthy accomplishments and outstanding service to a community, state or the nation.
The North Judson Town Council met Monday morning for a very short agenda. Clerk-Treasurer Donna Henry explained the council met to review two resolutions concerning fund transfers that needed to be addressed before the end of the year.
Henry said some of the funds transferred within the general fund totaled $7900.32, and $2348.21 within the Motor Vehicle Highway fund. The council also made a number of transfers within the Parks Fund totaling $2662.97.
According to a study of the IU/Wishard Trauma Center, figures show that nearly half of all trauma deaths and non-fatal injuries nationwide are due to alcohol-related accidents.
More than three million people are hospitalized and 37 million seek out emergency treatment due to accidents. Dr. Charles Miramonti, who is in charge of Indianapolis EMS, says public awareness campaigns remain crucial.
The number of gun permits has risen in Pulaski County since the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting on Dec. 14.
Pulaski County Sheriff Michael Gayer said the staff had been processing five gun permits a week and now five permits a day are being processed. Lifetime permits are being issued more frequently since the right to bear arms has come into the news since the school shooting.
