Knox Community School Board Approves Textbook Rental Fees

Posted on Author WKVI

Superintendent A.J. Gappa
Superintendent A.J. Gappa
The Knox Community School Board members have approved textbook rental fees for the upcoming school year.

Superintendent A.J. Gappa explained that the middle school rental fees are $113.50 across the board for use of computers in the one-to-one computer initiative. Gappa noted that the rate is slightly lower than what it was last year. Kindergarten fees dropped to $76.97, third grade fees dropped nearly six dollars to $73.93 while first grade, second grade and fourth grade prices increased slightly. First grade fees are the highest at $96.22 while the other grades hover around $80 for textbook rentals.

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Tippecanoe River State Park Celebrates Christmas in July

Posted on Author WKVI

Tippecanoe River State Park
Tippecanoe River State Park
Roast s’mores around the campfire at the Tippecanoe River State Park family campground tonight and make plans for your weekend long Christmas celebration. The park, located four miles north of Winamac on U.S. 35, is hosting Christmas in July activities all weekend. Saturday activities at the Nature Center include opportunities to make a winter weather work of art and take part in a mock snowball fight. Campground patrons are also encouraged to get into the holiday spirit with Saturday night’s campsite decorating contest. Judging starts at 7 p.m. Eastern, and the public is urged to take a stroll through and admire all of the lights and other festive items. More crafts and family activities are planned Sunday at the Nature Center. A complete schedule of activities is posted on the community calendar page of our website.

Storm Packs a Punch in Downtown Plymouth

Posted on Author WKVI
 
 

Plymouth residents are cleaning up after yesterday’s midday storm downed several trees in Centennial Park and elsewhere in the city. Dave Cooper with the Plymouth Park Department tells our reporting partner WNDU-TV that the nasty weather moved through in about 20 minutes, but that was enough time to rip a 12 foot metal pole from its cement footing at the park’s amphitheater and take down about half a dozen trees and branches. A tree also crashed through the roof of the Trinity United Methodist Church parsonage on South Michigan Street. Rev. Mark Need and members of his family were home at the time, but nobody was injured. Crews from the Marshall County Highway Department were called out to remove 16 trees and branches from the roadways.

Two Home Fires in Medaryville Remain Under Investigation

Posted on Author WKVI

 
 
The cause of two house fires on Prairie Street in Medaryville in the early morning hours on July 2 remains under investigation.

Medaryville Fire Chief Shaun Hauptli explained that firefighters saw a two-story house owned by Danny Clark fully engulfed when en route to the fire station. When firefighters arrived at the scene, they found a home next door on fire which is owned by Randy Franscoviak.

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Emerald Ash Borer Attacks Winamac Trees

Posted on Author WKVI

Emerald Ash Borer
Emerald Ash Borer
The town of Winamac is preparing to cut down 87 diseased ash trees. They’re victims of emerald ash borer, which is spread by an insect small enough to fit on the head of a penny. Larvae tunnel under the bark of ash trees and destroy the systems that supply the tree with water and nutrients. This eventually kills the tree. Emerald Ash Borer beetles are indigenous to Japan and are believed to have arrived in the United States about 20 years ago on wooden crates carried by ships. They have since infiltrated the northeastern quarter of the United States. The beetles can’t fly very far, but they have been spread by people moving firewood. Experts say you should never move firewood and should always make sure bark is removed. Also, make sure your wood is from local sources, and burn it where you buy it. More information about EAB can be found online at http://stopthebeetle.info/. Winamac Clerk-Treasurer Melanie Berger says the town plans to replace the 87 trees that are being cut down with another type of tree.

Marshall County Council Approves Emergency Fund Ordinance

Posted on Author WKVI

 
 
The Marshall County Council held a public hearing Monday morning on an ordinance permitting procurement of emergency funds in the event of an emergency.

The ordinance was brought forth by Emergency Management Agency Director Clyde Avery. In the case of an emergency and funds are needed, the ordinance allows the funds to be approved by just the president of the Marshall County Commissioners and the president of the Marshall County Council. A special meeting with all members of the governing bodies will not need to be called to approve these expenses.

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Knox Mayor, Fireworks Committee Thank Community for Support

Posted on Author WKVI

Knox Mayor Rick Chambers
Knox Mayor Rick Chambers
Knox Mayor Rick Chambers and the fireworks committee this week issued a statement thanking the many people, vendors and organizations that helped to make this year’s fireworks display a success. According to Chambers, the fireworks came at a cost of $988 to the city, less than it has been in the past but more than last year. He said the number of attendees remained about the same as previous years; roughly 500 vehicles paid at the gate to view the fireworks.

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Marshall County 4-H Fair Begins Sunday

Posted on Author WKVI

 
 
The Marshall County 4-H Fair is planned to start this weekend, with events beginning on Sunday with “Family Night” beginning at 5 p.m. The midway is provided by Circus City Amusement Company, with $2 off a family book of tickets on Family Night.

Monday is “Buddy Night,” opening at 5 p.m. when it’s buy one, get one free on rides. The fair opens at 5 p.m. on Tuesday with a canned food drive, when one canned food item can be traded for one ride ticket. Rides cost three or four tickets and there is no limit to donations! All food items donated will go to the local food bank.

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July 19 is Deadline to Nominate Individuals for Governor’s Service Awards

Posted on Author WKVI

Indiana Governor Mike Pence
Indiana Governor Mike Pence
The deadline is approaching to nominate individuals for the 2013 Governor’s Service Awards. Nominations most be submitted by July 19 in order to nominate someone for Indiana’s most prestigious awards that celebrate the accomplishments of dedicated volunteers and servant leaders across the state. Nominations are currently being accepted for individuals who display exemplary service through volunteering in the categories of Communities of Service, Corporate Service, Youth Service, National Service, Service-Learning, Faith-Based Service, Volunteerism, and Lifetime Achievement.

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LaPorte Man Rescued from Tippecanoe River

Posted on Author WKVI
 
 

A LaPorte man who tipped over in his kayak and went into the Tippecanoe River near Winamac was rescued Tuesday.

Walt Krzyzak, 65, and his wife were kayaking near the Tippecanoe River State Park when his kayak hit an obstruction in the river and flipped over. Krzyzak was thrown into the river and was able to hang onto a nearby snag until help could arrive.

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LaPorte Man Faces Multiple Felonies After Run-In With Neighbors

Posted on Author WKVI
 
 

A LaPorte man police say threatened to stab and kill his neighbors with a knife and a barbecue fork faces multiple felony charges following the Tuesday afternoon incident. It happened around 4:30 in the 600 block of Tipton Street. Neighbors told the police they heard Mark Roberts, Jr., 26, arguing with his girlfriend inside their residence and saw him grab and slap her. The neighbor yelled at him to stop, and says Roberts barged into his apartment to confront him. A scuffle ensued, and the witness told the police he punched Roberts in the face. Roberts got up and went back to his apartment. He came out a few minutes later armed with the knife and fork and reportedly threatened to kill the witnesses, who told him the police had been called. They told him the police had been called, and he returned to his apartment. Roberts was sitting outside when the police arrived. He was arrested on charges of residential entry, intimidation and criminal recklessness. Roberts’ girlfriend told the police they argued but said he did not strike her.

 

Indianapolis Teens Arrested for Bass Lake Boat Thefts

Posted on Author WKVI
 
 

A holiday weekend joyride around Bass Lake in two stolen boats ended with a trip to the Starke County Jail for at least two Indianapolis teenagers. ABC 57 reports two homeowners at the lake woke up Sunday morning to find their boats were missing from a public dock. They later learned three teenagers had stolen the watercraft the previous night and taken the boats for a ride around the lake and that witnesses to their late night sail had called the police. The teens reportedly ditched the boats and took off into a nearby campground. They were spotted the following day by officers from the Chicago Police Department who had seen them the previous evening. The off-duty cops tried holding them until the Starke County Sheriff’s Department arrived, but one of the boys ran away. It’s unclear whether he was captured, but the other two were arrested.

 

Marshall County Council Approves Appropriations

Posted on Author WKVI

 
 
The Marshall County Council members approved a $20,000 appropriation for the Marshall County Older Adult Services organization.

Jackie Wright, the director of Older Adult Services, requested the funds last month for this year only for the transportation program. Wright explained that a large share of their funding from INDOT was cut drastically this year due to the federal sequester. This shortfall will only affect 2013 as she expects the transportation bill to be back to full funding levels in 2014.

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