Starke Commissioners Receive Update on ADA Compliance

Posted on Author WKVI
Starke County Commissioners

Starke County is well on its way to becoming compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act, as ADA Coordinator Ted Bombagetti told the commissioners yesterday morning that the county will meet the Dec. 31 deadline for developing a plan for compliance.

The commissioners passed a resolution to adopt the ADA procedures and self-evaluation, and Commissioner Kathy Norem said the county’s website will soon offer links to view the ADA procedures along with the grievance procedure, which she said would be used in the event someone feels the county has not adequately addressed ADA needs.

Continue reading →

Mil-Tek Sets Up Shop in Plymouth

Posted on Author WKVI

A Plymouth native recently opened a new recycling and waste solutions business in the city, and he said things couldn’t be off to a more perfect start.

Gregory Frushour told WKVI he decided to open his business after a happenstance conversation with the founder and original designer of the recycling equipment Frushour’s business now employs. The conversation, he said, developed into swapping business pitches.

Continue reading →

Starke County Sheriff’s Dept. To Step Up New Year Patrols

Posted on Author WKVI

The Starke County Sheriff’s Department will be out in force the next few days seeking impaired drivers.

The New Year’s holiday is a time of heightened awareness of impaired driving and officers will be out patrolling to keep the roadways safe.

If you plan on going out for the New Year’s Eve weekend, be sure to designate a sober driver or arrange for a sober driver to take you where you need to go. If someone you know is intoxicated, do not let them operate a vehicle. If you see a possible intoxicated driver on a roadway, call 911.

Knox Council Discusses Laundromat Salvage Efforts

Posted on Author WKVI
Knox City Council

The Knox City Council held a rather brief meeting last night before the end of the year, and discussed a number of items.

Mayor Rick Chambers told the council that he had spoken to the contractor hired by the city regarding the laundromat, and was told the contractor was running behind schedule due to the holidays. However, he did remove a number of items – mainly washers and dryers – and took them to an auction in an effort to find a buyer.

Continue reading →

Knox Local Re-Appointed To State Board of Health Facility Administration

Posted on Author WKVI
Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels

Governor Mitch Daniels has made some appointments to several boards and commissions.

One reappointment Daniels made was to the State Board of Health Facility Administration. Daniels reappointed Jennifer Gappa of Knox who will serve on the board that issues licenses to qualified persons as health facility administrators and establishes qualification criteria for them as well. The board adopts rules establishing standards for the competent practice of a health facility administrator and may suspend, deny or revoke licenses for violations of those standards.

Gappa’s term expires in 2015.

Sexually Violent Predator being Sought by LaPorte County Sheriff’s Department

Posted on Author WKVI
Maurice Ward

LaPorte County deputies are attempting to locate a sexually violent predator.

28-year-old Maurice Ward is wanted for failing to register as a sex offender, a Class C Felony. He is also wanted by the Indiana Department of Corrections Parole Board for a parole violation.

Ward was convicted of Criminal Confinement as a Class B Felony and it was then he was identified by Indiana Code as a Sexually Violent Predator. He was also convicted in 2010 for failing to register as a sex offender.

Continue reading →

Fugitive William Newman in Custody

Posted on Author WKVI
William Newman

A fugitive who has been on the run after a high-speed police chase in Marshall County has been arrested. He was taken into custody after Marshall County officers learned he was at a home in Argos. Around 6:00 p.m. ET last night, police gained consent to enter the property and arrested William Newman. He was wanted on a Marshall County warrant and a felony drug warrant out of Fulton County. Continue reading →

Marshall County Commissioners Issue Travel Advisory

Posted on Author WKVI

Due to numerous accidents caused by the winter weather, the Marshall County Commissioners have issued a travel advisory for travel on country roads.

The commissioners issued the advisory yesterday afternoon, urging citizens to use caution while driving. Routine travel or activities may be restricted in some areas because of hazardous conditions, and businesses may begin to implement their emergency action plans.

Continue reading →

Plymouth Man Arrested Following Domestic Dispute

Posted on Author WKVI

The Plymouth Police Department arrested a man after a domestic dispute.

Officers responded to a residence on Dora Lane on Sunday after Stella Hinman called in to report a physical altercation. Police responded to the scene and after an investigation, Mark A. Weaver of Plymouth was arrested on a preliminary charge of Battery Causing Bodily Injury. The case will be forwarded to the Marshall County Prosecutor’s Office for further review.

Plymouth officers also investigated two theft incidents on Sunday and Monday. Amanda Bowen was arrested after she was caught shoplifting in Walmart. Brock Biddle was arrested in a separate incident of shoplifting at Walmart. They were both taken to the Marshall County Jail. Bowen was given a $3,000 bond.

Starke Commissioners, Council To Meet Today

Posted on Author WKVI
Starke County Commissioners

After failing to reach a quorum at their last meeting on Dec. 17, the Starke County Commissioners and the County Council will meet once again tonight to wrap up end-of-year business.

Items that had been on the council agenda for the last meeting included a request for funding from Community Services Director Joan Haugh, a third-quarter commissary fund report from Sheriff Oscar Cowen, and a report from the county auditor on anti-nepotism certifications of department heads.

Continue reading →

Relay For Life Kicks Off In Two Weeks

Posted on Author WKVI
Megan Hamand

In just two weeks, Relay for Life will host their Kick Off Event to jump start the Relay season. Megan Hamand of Key Bank said the event aims not only to kick off the start of the season, but also to give information to anyone interested.

Hamand explained the kickoff event features a number of important ceremonies like Luminaria, and this year they will focus on honoring cancer survivors and caregivers.

Continue reading →

Avoid Winter Accidents With These SCILL Center Tips

Posted on Author WKVI

Next time you go to wipe the snow off your car, be courteous – get all of the snow off your vehicle to prevent it from whipping around your car as you drive down the road, worsening the visibility for those behind you. If you get involved in a road accident caused by a reckless driver, you may hire a vehicle accident lawyer to help you file a claim for your injuries and other damages.

Ron Dawson of the SCILL Center said one of the key things that most people do not do in the winter time that could prevent an accident is to clean off the car completely. Snow flying off your car can obstruct the view of drivers behind you and cause an accident. On top of that, Dawson encourages drivers to wipe their lights clean from snow and ice to improve visibility.

Continue reading →

2012 Census of Agriculture Heading To Mailboxes Soon

Posted on Author WKVI

The 2012 Census of Agriculture forms will be mailed out soon.

The Census of Agriculture is the leading source of facts and figures about American agriculture. This census is taken every five years and it provides a detailed picture of U.S. farms and ranches and the people who operate them. Participation by every farmer and rancher, regardless of the size or type of operation, is important and is required by law.

Continue reading →

Starke County Auditor Encourages Verifying Your Homestead Deduction

Posted on Author WKVI

With the new year quickly approaching, tax season isn’t far behind, and that means Hoosiers are preparing for the chore of filing their tax information – but many may not have realized that in order to receive their Homestead Deduction, they have to file a claim.

The Starke County Auditor’s Office said yesterday that if you haven’t verified your home since 2009, you will have to refile for the deduction.

Continue reading →

Two-Vehicle Accident Requires Extrication of Victim

Posted on Author WKVI
Emergency crews work to remove the passenger door of the minivan to extricate a female victim.

A two-vehicle accident stopped traffic on Toto Road in Starke County this afternoon, just east of 550 East. Police, fire, and EMS crews were called to the scene, where a pickup truck and a minivan collided. The official report has not yet been completed, but snowy conditions undoubtedly played a part.

Two people were transported to the hospital via ambulance, and one woman had to be extricated from the minivan with the Jaws of Life before being rushed to the hospital for treatment.

More information will be released as it is received.

[showtime width=420]

Starke County Republicans to be Sworn into Office Next Week

Posted on Author WKVI

The Starke County Republican swearing-in ceremony is set for Monday, December 31 at 3:00 p.m. CT.

Starke County Commissioner Kathy Norem ran unopposed in the General Election and was retained in her District and Kent Danford won in his District over Dan Bridegroom in November. They will take the oaths of office along with newly elected Starke County Council member, Bryan Cavendar.

Continue reading →

Gas Prices Expected to Rise

Posted on Author WKVI

Gas prices have fallen nearly 12 cents over the last two weeks, but it looks like that trend may be coming to a stop.

The average cost of a gallon of regular gasoline is $3.26, down 58 cents over the past 11 weeks.

Analysts say higher crude oil prices will turn into higher wholesale gasoline prices.  Expect prices to jump 5 or 10 cents per gallon soon.

Continue reading →