One Arrested After Man Flings Chemical At Police

Posted on Author WKVI

Two people were arrested Friday after a traffic stop that almost injured an officer.

A vehicle driven by Dana Candlish of Kokomo was stopped by an officer from the Pulaski County Sheriff’s Department because she was following a car too closely. As the officer approached the car, he reportedly saw the passenger, Paul Burke of Royal Center, open the door, bend over in his seat, sit back upright and close the door. The officer asked for identification and Burke told the officer he didn’t know if he had his ID.

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House Bill 1196 To Illegalize Bath Salts

Posted on Author WKVI

One hundred and sixty-one new laws have been approved by the Indiana General Assembly this year, and a large number of those new laws will become effective on July 1. These changes impact a variety of issues from bills regarding education and health care issues to those regarding farms and home energy cost.

One such bill, House Bill 1196, addresses synthetic drugs – particularly bath salts. The bill changes the term “synthetic cannabinoid” to “synthetic drug” in the bill, and adds additional chemical compounds – including some compounds sold as bath salts – to the definition of synthetic drugs. It also expands the definition to include certain chemical compounds structurally related to synthetic drugs.

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Pulaski County Man Arrested Following Traffic Accident

Posted on Author WKVI
Pulaski County Sheriff's Department

The Pulaski County Sheriff’s Department investigated two personal injury accidents Sunday night, one of which resulted in an arrest.

A Wheatfield woman was injured in a single vehicle accident at 6:52 p.m. ET on State Road 39 near County Road 400 North. Shannon Conley’s vehicle reportedly left the right side of the roadway and she lost control of the vehicle when it came back onto the paved surface. The vehicle slid sideways, back off the roadway, before traveling through a barbed wire fence, down into a ditch, and into the water. She climbed out of the vehicle and waved down passing motorists for assistance. Conley sustained a head injury in the accident.

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Two Local Sentences Handed Down In U.S. District Court

Posted on Author WKVI
George Wedow

George Wedow of Michigan City was recently sentenced in U.S. District Court.

In his plea agreement, Wedow admitted that between February and August 2011, he used two homes in Northern Indiana, including one in Grovertown, to house and train dogs he knew would be used in animal fighting contests. He was sentenced to 27 months in prison and three years of supervised release after pleading guilty to the felony offense of Buying, Selling, Delivering or Transporting Animals for Participation in an Animal Fighting Venture.

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Knox School Lunch Prices To Increase Slightly

Posted on Author WKVI
Knox Community School Superintendent A.J. Gappa

The Knox Community School Board approved an increase in breakfast and lunch prices for the 2012-2013 school year. Superintendent A.J. Gappa says a nickel increase will be incurred across the board.

“Breakfast at all schools will be $1.15 this coming school year,” explained Gappa. “Elementary lunch will be $1.75 and the middle and high school lunches will be $2. Those have all increased a nickel from last year.”

Koontz Lake Clean Water Plant Up And Running

Posted on Author WKVI

The Koontz Lake Regional Sewer District’s Clean Water Plant is fully functional and is in compliance with all state and federal requirements.

The period for mandatory connection to the system has been extended 90 days to Nov. 30 in order to accommodate residents and businesses whose contractors are overwhelmed by business volume. Any account that has not obtained a permit for connection by Aug. 30 will be charged a $50 late penalty and all accounts that fail to connect by November 30 will be charged a monthly penalty equal to 20 percent of their regular monthly bill. That penalty will be charged each month until connection has been completed. Additional penalties may apply in addition to those already established if determined necessary.

A ribbon cutting ceremony for the newly-operational Clean Water Plant is scheduled for Friday, July 20, and an open house will be held Saturday, July 21 for all who would like to see the new facility.

Price of Gas Continues To Fall

Posted on Author WKVI

If you’ve filled up your gas tank lately, you might have noticed it was a bit less painful than usual. With the average price of gas in Indiana down to $3.40, now might seem like the best time to stock up on gas – but Don Good of the Good Oil Company says prices could very well continue to decrease.

Good explained that prices have lately been driven more by the world and US economies than by supply and demand, which is why gas prices have been dropping this summer rather than rising alongside the temperature. He says that for the last six months, supply has been very good, and when looking at the world forecast for economy and fuel demand, the demand for fuel has been decreased.

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Injuries Reported in Two Vehicle Accident in Knox

Posted on Author WKVI
Knox City Police and first responders tend to an accident at U.S. 35 and John Street in Knox

Knox City Police officers and emergency responders were called to a two vehicle accident on U.S. 35 and John Street this morning that resulted in a fatality.

A preliminary investigation shows the driver of a passenger vehicle was traveling northbound on U.S. 35 and crossed the center line, striking a southbound mini-van. Critical injuries were sustained by the occupants in both vehicles, but the driver of the passenger vehicle was pronounced dead at the scene. An Indiana State Police reconstructionist has been called to the scene to help in the investigation.

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Fireworks Ordinance Prevents Fireworks Til Friday

Posted on Author WKVI

A fireworks ordinance prohibits residents from discharging any type of device until this Friday, June 29 in the Town of North Judson and the City of Knox. This includes all consumer fireworks with the exception of sparklers, cone fountains, ground spinners, snakes or glow worms, and smoke devices. Anyone in violation of the ordinance shall be subject to a $100 fine for the first offense, $250 for the second offense, and $500 for a third offense and every subsequent offense.

According to the ordinance, fireworks may only be discharged between 5 p.m. and two hours after sunset from June 29 to July 3, and July 5 through July 9. On the Fourth of July, fireworks may be ignited between the hours of 10 a.m. and midnight.

For more information, the ordinance is available in Knox City Hall and the North Judson Clerk’s office.

North Judson Town Marshal Doug Vessely reminds residents that you must be 18 or older to legally use fireworks.

Pulaski County Burn Ban To Be Reevaluated

Posted on Author WKVI

The Pulaski County Commissioners will be reevaluating the county’s burn ban today, which has been in effect since noon on Monday, June 18 and remains in effect until noon today.

The commissioners determined that Pulaski County is at risk of a widespread fire hazard because of the ongoing drought conditions. Open burning of any kind using conventional fuel such as wood or other combustible material, with the exception of grills, is prohibited. The burning of debris, such as timber or vegetation and recreational campfires – unless enclosed – is prohibited.

The commissioners also strongly ask that you not discharge any fireworks.

Starke County also remains under a burn ban. The Starke County Commissioners will reevaluate conditions on Saturday, July 2 when the emergency ban is expected to expire. Marshall County residents are also under burn restrictions.

Judge Still Undecided In Case Between Belork, Starke Commissioners

Posted on Author WKVI
Linda Belork

Jasper Circuit Court Judge John Potter has yet to make his decision regarding the case between former Starke County Treasurer Linda Belork and the Starke County Commissioners. The attorney for the Starke County Commissioners and the attorney for Linda Belork and Ohio Casualty appeared before the judge on June 6 and presented evidence supporting their cases.

The attorney for the commissioners, Martin Lucas, told the judge that the commissioners were faced with a serious problem: $900,000 was reportedly misappropriated in the treasurer’s office, according to the State Board of Accounts. He said the commissioners acted according to statute in removing her from office and filing suit against her bond.

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New State Law To Affect Age Of Emancipation In Child Support

Posted on Author WKVI
Nicholas Bourff

On July 1, a new state law takes effect involving the age of emancipation for purposes of child support. Starke County Prosecutor Nicholas Bourff said custodial parents and non-custodial parents need to be aware that the emancipation age will change from 21 to 19.

“Custodial parents will no longer have the right to receive child support once their youngest child turns 19, unless the court has found the children to be disabled,” said Bourff. “Payment on past-due child support is not affected by this change. If there are court ordered payments for educational support, that’s something separate from child support and there would have to be an additional hearing in the future to discuss what will happen regarding that.”

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City of Knox To Sell Old Stop, Yield Signs

Posted on Author WKVI

For those that wish to have a traffic sign as a decorative piece but don’t want to risk getting arrested for stealing one from the side of the road, good news – there’s an easier way.

Knox Clerk-Treasurer Jeff Houston says the city is currently selling stop and yields for $10 a piece. The signs are left over from the city’s recent upgrade of their traffic signs to newer, more reflective signs, and rather than let the older signs gather dust, the city has decided to sell them.

The signs can be requested at city hall.

Roughly 250 stop signs were replaced in the city to meet new regulations from the federal government which required all signs to be replaced with the new signs by 2018. Houston says they still have a number of stop and yield signs for sale.

Slight Rise In Lunch Prices At North Judson-San Pierre Schools

Posted on Author WKVI
North Judson-San Pierre Superintendent Lynn Johnson

The North Judson-San Pierre School Board approved an increase in the school lunch prices for this coming school year, but Superintendent Lynn Johnson said it was a small increase.

“We do see some slight increases and they are minimal as far as lunch prices,” said Johnson. “We have been behind with our increases and we’re trying to catch up just a bit. It’s just a slight increase.”

The prices are going up due to the inflation in the cost of food and a new diet guideline from the state.

“We are trying to get much healthier choices and the cost of food does increase over time. We do try to keep those at a minimum. Parents and families with multiple children know it’s an expense. We do try and keep that down as much as we can.”

Knox School Board Receives Update Regarding Possible Palmer Wing Project

Posted on Author WKVI
Knox Community School Superintendent A.J. Gappa

Knox Community School Superintendent A.J. Gappa gave an update on the Facility Study Committee during the school board’s recent meeting. The committee will be looking at financing options and which direction to go with a possible project at the Palmer Wing of the Knox Elementary School.

“We’re going to try and meet with Curt Pletcher from Umbaugh and Associates in the next week with our committee of three of our board members to discuss how to proceed further with a possible elementary project,” said Gappa. “We’ve been giving reports on a meeting-by-meeting basis just to keep the public and the board informed. This is our next step.”

Plymouth Municipal Airport Changes Course

Posted on Author WKVI
Plymouth Mayor Mark Senter

Plymouth Municipal Airport had found itself in dismal condition after 30 years of neglect. Run-down and overgrown, the 45-year-old airport hadn’t seen any kind of improvements in the last three decades, but Mayor Mark Senter sought to change that.

Senter was elected in 2008 and immediately took an interest in the airfield. He appointed new members to the Board of Aviation Commissioners, including its new president, Tom Flynn. Flynn explained that everything about the airport had been redone, including a new tile floor, fresh paint, and even a mural by college student Kailee Shearin. Shearin had painted a mural for the lobby in exchange for the promise of an airplane ride.

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Unclaimed Property Workshop Scheduled For Wednesday

Posted on Author WKVI

A workshop is scheduled to help you search for money in unclaimed properties and protect your credit.

Amanda Meyer from the Attorney General’s Office will help you perform unclaimed property searches. There are over $300 million in the state’s lost and found properties. Legally, places of business, banks and any other institution that is holding a person’s money has to turn it into the state, where it is kept for 25 years and, if not claimed, it goes into the state’s General Fund. This is an opportunity to see if you have any money coming to you.

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Culver EMS Steps Up Volunteer Recruiting Efforts

Posted on Author WKVI

Culver EMS Director Chuck Dilts told the town board this week that his department has been working through various means to get more volunteers, and their efforts have paid off. He says they’ve had several inquiries as a result of their increased effort, and an EMT course began Monday with a dozen students.

Culver EMS has sponsored several of the students, but Dilts requested permission to spend $4000 to sponsor the eight remaining EMTs enrolled in the class. He says that, in return, the students would sign a one-year agreement to serve as a volunteer. Funds for the sponsorship would come from his budget.

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La Porte Man Arrested For Dealing Schedule 1 Controlled Substance

Posted on Author WKVI

A search of a La Porte residence ended in the arrest of a man for Dealing in a Schedule I Controlled Substance as a Class A felony.

Thirty-year-old Marcus Bluitt, a La Porte resident, was arrested after police searched a home at 1003 Indiana Ave. and found prescription medications, marijuana, and a large sum of cash. He is currently held on a $150,000 bond through La Porte Circuit Court.

The operation was a cooperative effort between the La Porte Metro Operations Unit, La Porte Police Department Patrol and Detective Bureau, and the La Porte County Sheriff’s Office Detective Bureau. Police say that this operation is an ongoing investigation into drug trafficking, dealing, and distribution in La Porte County, and they expect further arrests as a result of the operation.

Funeral Services Planned For Winamac Drowning Victim

Posted on Author WKVI
Cynthia Jackson

Funeral services have been finalized for a Winamac woman who reportedly drowned in a pond on a property in Winamac. The body of fifty-four-year-old Cynthia L. Jackson was found by her son, Andrew Jackson, after she had gone swimming in a pond at 4242 W. 400 N. in Winamac.

Funeral services will be held at the Frain Mortuary in Winamac at 3 p.m. ET on Wednesday, June 27. Andrew Jackson will officiate the ceremony, and visitation will take place after 2 p.m. ET on the day of services at the funeral home. Contributions may be given to Susan G. Komen for the Cure.

Jackson was a resident of Winamac for 14 years and a former resident of Chesterton.

Pulaski County Coroner Steve VanDerAa says the incident remains under investigation, but no foul play is suspected.