WKVI Information Center

With record-breaking highs yesterday, many communities in the area established cooling centers to provide citizens with a place to cool off. Visitors to the Starke County 4-H Fair had to tolerate high 90-degree temperatures that felt hotter than 101 degrees with the humidity.

Fortunately, IU Health Starke Hospital put its Health Mobile to good use providing visitors with a place to go to get out of the sweltering heat and take a break. Hospital Interim President David Hyatt said the Health Mobile will help stave off heat exhaustion for fair-goers.

LaPorte County Sheriff’s Department Investigates Shooting

A LaPorte County woman was injured and her ex-husband was later found dead with an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound.

LaPorte County Sheriff’s Department officers were called to a residence in Coolspring Township on Monday on a call that shots were fired. A 41-year-old female was found at the scene with a soft tissue injury to her back and side. The victim had been shot at while inside the home. The suspect reportedly fired at her and barely missed her. Police believe that the victim was injured by glass fragments and window fragments caused by the bullet that went through the window.

Marshall County Golf Cart Ordinance At A Standstill

No action was taken by the Marshall County Commissioners concerning the proposed golf cart ordinance.

The commissioners held a public hearing during their regular meeting Monday morning and several residents were in attendance, some of which were for and others against golf carts on all county roads.

Winamac Town Board Discusses Golf Cart Ordinance

The Winamac Town Board is in the discussion stages of enacting a golf cart ordinance.

The golf cart ordinance would need to have safety issues spelled out – specifically lighting requirements and the necessity of a licensed driver. Insurance must also be taken out on the cart and the operator is to obey all traffic laws. There is a state law concerning golf carts and the police department indicated that the town law will be upheld along with the state law, and citations will be given if an offense occurs.

The board members would like to include that children under 48 pounds would need to be restrained in a car seat.

The ordinance will be discussed again during the board’s next meeting on Aug. 13.

State Police Remind Hoosiers To Be Wary Of Burning Butts

The entire state of Indiana is under severe drought conditions and the Indiana State Police would like to remind Hoosiers that most of the counties are under burn bans, including Marshall and Starke counties.

The state police warns that if a driver throws a lit cigarette, cigar, match or other burning material from a moving vehicle, they will face a Class A Infraction. Those objects can start a large fire if thrown from a vehicle while traveling, especially in these drought conditions. A littering infraction may also be issued.

Troopers will be looking for this type of activity while out on routine patrol. They ask that drivers take these statutes under consideration while on the highways and county roads.

North Judson Household Causes Sewer Clog Over The Weekend

North-Judson-Town-Board-2012 — North Judson Town Board

One North Judson resident had to deal with a smelly situation Sunday night after a lift station pump plugged up, causing sewage to seep up into their home. North Judson Town Council President Wendy Hoppe commended Town Superintendent Marshall Horstmann and his three-man crew for their quick response and diligent effort in rectifying the situation, which was reportedly caused by a North Judson resident who had flushed an item down the toilet that had clogged up the sewer system.

The lift station pump was permanently damaged from the clog, and Clerk-Treasurer Donna Henry emphasized the fact that nothing should be flushed down the toilet except for human waste and toilet paper. She says that while an item may be labeled as “flushable,” that’s not always the case. The item may flush down the toilet, but it’s not unlikely that it will get stuck in the sewer system and cause further problems down the line.

Pulaski County Courthouse Sidewalk To Be Replaced

The steps around the Pulaski County Courthouse will soon be a bit safer, thanks to a motion by the Pulaski County Commissioners to replace 420 square feet of sidewalk at a cost of $3345.

County Maintenance Director Morry Demarco presented the commissioners this week with three bids to replace the approaches around the courthouse. He had contacted five contractors requesting bids for the work, but only three returned bids. He says the work is necessary because the sidewalk and steps are not level, creating a tripping hazard for visitors. In fact, the steps are so hazardous in the winter, that Demarco says he had to block some entrances last winter to prevent people from tripping.

KVREMC Reports Another Rampant Scam

Another scam has hit consumers in the area.

A scam artist is calling electric utility consumers, like those who utilize Kankakee Valley REMC’s services, claiming that their utility bill could be paid under a federal government program – but no such program exists.

These solicitations have been made door to door, online, and by phone. Members are being asked for personal information and then given a fake bank account number to use for making a payment on their utility bill.

If you receive a phone call from someone representing themselves as a Kankakee Valley REMC member informing you that you can get help paying your electric bill, hang up! Do not give out any personal information. REMC will not call you asking for your account number or password.

Knox Community School Board To Meet With Architecture Firm

The Knox Community School Board discussed the Facility Study Committee’s progress with the Palmer Wing. Superintendent A.J. Gappa said the committee is still gathering information on whether to build a new wing or to rehabilitate the deteriorated structure.

“Our board has a committee that will meet this week with a representative from the Barton, Coe and Villema architecture firm in Fort Wayne,” said Gappa. “We will proceed with talk about the possibility of a renovation or replacing the Palmer Wing at the elementary school.”

After the Committee meets with the architect, Gappa says the Board will plan meetings with the public.

“We plan to have some more public meetings and invite the members of the public in and get input on which direction to go,” said Gappa.

Starke County 4-H Royalty Announced

The Starke County 4-H Royalty winners have been announced! Dylan Shively and Elizabeth McGaughey were crowned yesterday at the Starke County 4-H Fair in Hamlet.

The son of Deanna and David Shively, Shively is a ten-year member of the Starke County Rebels and a six-year member of the Junior Leaders. Shively is a 2012 graduate of Oregon-Davis High School.

Soon to be a senior at John Glenn High School, McGaughey is a nine-year member of the Cloverleaf 4-H Club and a five-year member of Junior Leaders. She is the daughter of Jane and Todd McGaughey.

In recognition of his years of service to the Starke County Fair, James Hardesty was awarded the Starke County Fair Board President’s Memorial award.

The William Barbknecht 4-H Scholarship was presented to Emily Pucel, and Dylan Shively received the Charles “Todd” Troike Memorial Scholarship.

IU Health Ranks 16th Best Hospital In The Country

IU Health is ranked 16th on the U.S. News and World Report Honor Roll for best hospital.

To be included in the honor is the top distinction reserved for the best medical centers across the country that have the highest skill and unparalleled capacity to address the most challenging medical cases.

Tom Berg’s Marathon Celebration Slideshow

July 17, 2012July 17, 2012WKVI

[showtime width=450]

Cooling Stations Open in Culver

July 17, 2012WKVI

The Town of Culver welcomes you to cool off at two designated cooling stations. You may stop in at Town Hall on 200 E. Washington Street or at the Beach Lodge on Lake Shore Drive. Those locations will be open Tuesday, July 17 through Thursday, July 19 during the hours of 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. ET.

If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact Town Hall at (574) 842-3140.

Hamlet Fire Crews Battle Garage Fire

July 17, 2012WKVI

Hamlet firefighters were called to a garage fire in the area of 102 W. Pearl Street in Hamlet around 11:00 a.m. Knox and Koontz Lake Fire Departments were called to assist. At 11:40 a.m., the fire was reportedly under control.

The cause of the fire was not immediately known.

Tom Berg’s Marathon Finally Comes to a Close – 187 Hours Later

July 17, 2012July 17, 2012WKVI

tom berg proclamation — Mayor Rick Chambers presented Tom with a proclamation declaring Tuesday, July 17 as Tom Berg Day.

In recognition of WKVI Morning Host Tom Berg’s unbelievable effort in breaking the Guinness World Record for the longest continuous radio broadcast by a single host, the City of Knox has come together to show their support for the man who has worked the single longest shift in radio history.

Mayor Rick Chambers issued a proclamation yesterday declaring today – Tuesday, July 17 – Tom Berg Day.

“It was just our thoughts from the city, to thank Tom for all his efforts he’s put forth, and all the attention he’s brought to our community,” said Chambers.

City of Plymouth Under Fire For Allegedly Violating USERRA

July 17, 2012July 16, 2012WKVI

A complaint has been filed against the City of Plymouth defending the employment rights of Air Force reservist Robert D. DeLee under the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act of 1994.

United States Attorney David Capp says USERRA requires employers to reemploy returning service members to the position they would have held, had their employment not been interrupted by military service. USERRA also requires employers to provide the employee with all benefits of employment they would have been entitled to as well had the employee not been called to active duty.

Burn Ban Still On In Starke County

July 17, 2012July 17, 2012WKVI

The burn ban in Starke County has once again been extended for two weeks, this time to be reevaluated on Aug. 6 at the commissioners’ regular meeting at 9 a.m.

Campfires, other recreational fires unless enclosed in a fire ring at least 23 inches across and ten inches high, open burning of any kind except grills, and the burning of debris are prohibited. Burning is, however, allowed in burn barrels with a one-quarter inch mesh top from dawn to dusk.

The commissioners and EMA Director Ted Bombagetti will review the conditions and decide whether or not to continue the burn ban at their next regular meeting.

Winamac Town Board Commends Employees On Swift Storm Cleanup

July 17, 2012July 16, 2012WKVI

The Winamac Town Board commended the town employees on their swift cleanup after the June 29 and July 1 storms that powered through Pulaski County and the 4-H Fair in the Winamac Town Park.

The streets were cleaned up and cleared Sunday, July 1 by 7 p.m. ET, but one board member questioned the street department if the overtime was warranted on Sunday. He felt that the cleanup of fallen trees and brush could have waited until Monday to avoid paying overtime. The standby rate was discussed, but it will addressed further when budget time rolls around.