WKVI Goes to Melody Drive-In For Rock of Ages Premiere

Posted on Author WKVI
Fred Heise, Sr., Tom Berg, Jerry Curtis, Anita Goodan, Fred Heise, Jr., and Lenny Dessauer

Tom Berg, Jerry Curtis, Lenny Dessauer and Anita Goodan from WKVI were at the Melody Drive-In at Bass Lake last night to help promote the premiere of the movie Rock of Ages.

Music from the 1980s “hair band” era was featured live on K99.3 from 6 to 8:30 p.m. and the crew gave away movie posters, Indiana Beach tickets and more. Fans from the rock era also came by the WKVI broadcast area and talked about their rock band experiences. Some visitors saw Rock of Ages, the Broadway musical, and were excited to compare the stage production to the screen production.

The movie, which starred Tom Cruise, Julianne Hough and Catherine Zeta-Jones, had some great highlights, including great music from the hair band era. The movie will be shown at the Melody Drive-In all weekend into next week.

Thank you to the Heise family for being such great hosts and for letting us put on such a great event. We hope to do another event in the future.

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Countywide Town Hall Meeting Will Explain New Smoking Ban

Posted on Author WKVI

With the new statewide smoking ban taking effect July 1, many people are confused about what the law covers and where smoking is prohibited or allowed. To alleviate this confusion, a countywide town hall meeting has been scheduled for Thursday, June 21 at 6 p.m. at the Bass Lake Community Center.

The meeting will provide important information concerning the new law and how it affects businesses and organizations, as well as information on what the law covers, who to contact with questions and complaints, and who enforces the law.

One of the most frequently asked questions is where smoking is prohibited under the new law. According to a release from the Indiana Alcohol and Tobacco Commission, smoking is prohibited in and within eight feet of most public places and places of employment. Smoking is also prohibited in state-owned vehicles and school buses under certain circumstances.

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Last Day For Environmental Collection Event

Posted on Author WKVI
Several computers were taken to the Highway Garage during a previous Starke County Environment Day event

Today is the last day for the Starke County Environmental District’s 2012 Environmental Collection Event, and it’s also the day they will be accepting household hazardous waste such as chemicals, batteries, flammable liquids, acids, aerosol cans, motor oil, and other items; as well as batteries, fluorescent lamps, PCB ballasts, and medications.

The district will also accept up to five tires for free, appliances, and computers. Of the five free tires to be accepted, only one may be a farm tractor tire. Televisions will be accepted for $10 per TV.

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Eastern Pulaski School’s Scoreboard To Go Wireless

Posted on Author WKVI
Dr. Robert Klitzman
Dr. Robert Klitzman

The Eastern Pulaski School Board has approved a partnership with the Winamac Athletic Booster Club in order to upgrade the sports scoreboard to a wireless model.

Superintendent Dr. Robert Klitzman explained that the pair will split the cost.

“The school corporation will use Capital Projects funds and the Booster Club will come up with the rest of the money,” stated Klitzman. “They’re looking at making the soccer field, the baseball field, the football field, the indoor basketball court, and volleyball scoreboards all wireless. The total cost of the project is $8,600. The board has committed $4,300 if the Booster Club can come up with the rest of the money.”

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Leadership Class Will Help Identify, Train New Starke County Leaders

Posted on Author WKVI

A leadership class has been announced for Starke County, giving residents the opportunity to learn about the county and what “out of the box” thinking has done for the community. The program is designed to provide trained, committed, and confident leaders for the county, and Joan Haugh of Community Services of Starke County says the program will help identify new, emerging leaders and help individuals get involved in their community and its future.

Fifteen to 20 local citizens will be able to participate in a nine-month training program, with each session focusing on topics relevant to Starke County. The sessions will take place on the first Friday of each month from September through May, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The sessions will take place at various locations throughout the county, and are taught by local leaders.

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La Porte County Sheriff’s Office Recommends Online System To Keep Track of Valuables

Posted on Author WKVI
LaPorte County Sheriff's Department
La Porte County Sheriff's Office

The La Porte County Sheriff’s Office strongly encourages all residents to use a free online system in order to keep track of valuable personal property. ReportIt is a free, secure online service that is designed to allow citizens to record serial numbers, upload images, and provide other information regarding phones, electronics, and other valuables. The sheriff’s office says having the information available will go a long way in accurately and quickly identifying your property.

The site can be located at reportit.leadsonline.com.

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IU Health La Porte Hospital Earns An “A” In Patient Safety

Posted on Author WKVI

The Leapfrog Group, an independent national nonprofit organization, says IU Health La Porte Hospital has earned an “A” in patient safety. The Leapfrog Group calculates the Hospital Safety Score using publically-available data on patient injuries, medical and medication errors as well as infections. The score is guided by top national patient safety experts, and they assign hospitals across the nation with an “A, B, C, D, or F” grade for overall safety.

Only 729 hospitals earned an “A,” of the 2652 hospitals nationwide that were graded.

“Our goal is similar to Leapfrog’s goal – to give patients the vital information they need and deserve before entering a hospital,” said President and CEO Thor Thordarson. “We, too, hope people will use this score to talk with their doctor, make information decisions about where to seek care, and take the right precautions during a hospital stay.”

Child Nursing and Quality Officer Pauline Arnold said their colleagues are not only comfortable and open to discussing safety issues, but they are proactive in improving the overall care and safety of their patients.

Melissa Smith Promoted to SCYC Program Director

Posted on Author WKVI

The Starke County Youth Club has announced the appointment of Melissa Smith to the position of program director for the organization. Executive Director Irene Szakonyi said that the combination of SCYC’s growth and Smith’s skills make this the perfect time for such a change at the club.

“Over the past five years, SCYC has increased our scope of service nearly twofold,” said Szakonyi. “We have increased the amount of time we are available, the types of programming have been expanded, and our staff and number of students served have grown. These fantastic changes have been wonderful for our organization and families, but have tested the limits of our human resources. Fortunately, we have an exception asset in Melissa, who brings over 20 years of experience with children and educators to her work with the club. I’m delighted for this change in our organization and look forward to continuing our work together.”

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Dix Awarded Alumni Scholarship

Posted on Author WKVI
Courtney Dix

The WHS/WCHS Alumni Association recently awarded their first Alumni Scholarship to Courtney Dix of Winamac. She was presented her scholarship during the organization’s alumni banquet this past Saturday at the Church of the Heartland.

Dix, a recent graduate of Winamac Community High School, will attend Indiana University Purdue University of Indianapolis to study physical therapy. She was actively involved in many extracurricular and community activities while attending Winamac Community High School. Dix was a member of the National Honor Society, Drama Club, Sunshine Society, and Future Problem Solvers and also participated in softball and basketball for four years. Dix is the daughter of Heather and Michael Anderson.

The WHS/WCHS Scholarship Fund was created to provide financial assistance to a graduate of Winamac Community High School who plans to attend a post-secondary school or college. To learn more about this scholarship or to donate to this fund, visit www.winamacalumni.com.

Week in Review for June 11th-15th, 2012

Posted on Author WKVI

Here is a look at some of the news that made the news in the Kankakee Valley this week:

A State Board of Accounts report has identified financial discrepancies in a special report for the Town of North Judson. Starke County Prosecutor Nicholas Bourff has confirmed that he received the report that alleges financial discrepancies that total $74,408 from a period of January 1st, 2010 and December 31st, 2011. The largest discrepancy was found in the cemetery lot sales category while other discrepancies were found in utility receipts, ordinance violation collections, police department receipts, and reimbursements that were not deposited intact. Former Clerk-Treasurer Connie Miller was asked to repay all of the funds, but has stated in a letter to the State Board of Accounts that she objects to any allegations or suggestions that she did any wrong for personal gain. She is confident that the discrepancies can be rectified. Continue reading →

Starke County Man Arrested On Auto Theft Charges

Posted on Author WKVI

A Starke County man was arrested Monday on an active arrest warrant for Auto Theft.

The charge stems from an incident on May 3, when Phillip Frazier reported to Starke County police that a black pickup truck parked in front of his residence was stolen. The vehicle had a flat rear tire and the motor was blown. Frazier said that he had not been at the residence and didn’t witness who might have taken the vehicle.

The suspect, David Whitfield, and his brother, Joshua Whitfield, had reportedly gone to the property on 300 East in Knox and hooked the black pickup truck to the back of the red pickup they were driving and drove away with it. Since the rear tire was flat, a rut was created in the asphalt so the responding officer followed the rut to trace the location of the truck.

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North Judson Mint Festival Kicks Off Today

Posted on Author WKVI

The North Judson Mint Festival begins today!

The carnival opens at 5 p.m. and fair-goers can enjoy music from the band 30 South from 5 to 7 p.m. at Norwayne Field. The winner of the Father and Grandfather of the Year awards will be announced at 7 p.m. at Norwayne Field, and music from Half Track will follow that ceremony.

The Mint Idol Contest and the Guitar Hero contest have been canceled this year. Look for those features in next year’s festival.

Plenty of other activities are scheduled during the three-day festival. We’ll highlight more events in tomorrow’s news.

Winamac Town Board To Draft Golf Cart Ordinance

Posted on Author WKVI
Winamac Town Hall

The Winamac Town Board will soon be putting together a golf cart ordinance.

The members discussed the issue this week and the board has said that their main concern is safety. Ordinances from other towns will be researched so the board can pinpoint what they want to address in an ordinance.

The board also appointed board member Richard Denney to the Star City Sewer Project Board until September, when appointments will be reviewed. He is taking the place of a member who recently resigned from the position.

Clock Will Soon Begin Ticking For Tom Berg

Posted on Author WKVI
Tom Berg

We’re less than a month away from one of the biggest and most exciting promotions ever attempted at WKVI. Tom Berg, who was part of a group that brought you the Giant Pumpkin Drop, will be attempting to go into the Guinness World Records book for longest continuous radio broadcast by a single host.

The record is 183 hours, but Berg says he’s shooting for 187. The clock will start ticking at 5 a.m. on July 9, and if all goes well, will end July 16 at midnight.

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Three Arrests By Plymouth Police Department

Posted on Author WKVI

A Plymouth man was arrested Wednesday after Plymouth Police officers were notified of a suspicious man entering a vacant home at 754 Thayer Street. Police arrived on scene to find 40-year-old Ronald D. Obenchern inside one of the bedrooms. After an investigation, Obenchern was arrested on a preliminary charge of Residential Entry.

Two Winamac residents were arrested Tuesday after Plymouth Police officers found them in possession of controlled substances and precursors used in the manufacture of methamphetamine in their vehicle. Ricky Howard, 23, and Kenneth R. Craft, 27, were arrested on preliminary charges of Possession of a Controlled Substance and Illegal Drug Lab.

IU Health La Porte To Offer Car Seat Clinic

Posted on Author WKVI

Indiana University Health La Porte is participating in a statewide car seat clinic which will be held Friday, June 15 from 1 to 3 p.m. CT in the parking lot behind Legacy Building, 1300 State Street, next to the CVS on the Lincolnway side in La Porte.

To ensure car seats are age- and size-appropriate, a certified child passenger safety technician will be on hand to offer inspections on car seat safety. Existing car seats will be checked for any wear, cracks, or recalls, and car seats that do not meet safety standards will be replaced free of charge. Attendees will also receive information on child passenger safety.

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Dry Conditions Urge Caution, Says Knox-Center Township Fire Chief

Posted on Author WKVI
Knox-Center Township Fire Chief Ken Pfost

Although it’s been dry in the Knox area, Knox-Center Township Fire Chief Kenny Pfost says his department hasn’t been called out to too many brush fires.

“We’ve been fortunate,” commented Pfost. “We’ve only had a couple of brush fires, but there have been several more throughout the county. It hasn’t been too much of a problem yet and hopefully the residents of Starke County can help keep it under control.”

Pfost urges you to not burn anything during this drought, but if you have to, he offers these suggestions.

“The biggest thing is to use common sense,” said Pfost. “I prefer that you don’t burn at all. If it is necessary, keep it attended. If you can, have water present, like a garden hose. If nothing else, keep the grass wet around the fire. It seems like a lot of people wait until the windiest day of the year to burn. Burn on a calm day if you have to burn. Try to do it during the daylight hours and don’t burn anything you can’t manage.”

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Eastern Pulaski Schools Proud of ISTEP Test Results

Posted on Author WKVI

Dr. Robert Klitzman
Dr. Robert Klitzman
The Eastern Pulaski School Board dissected the preliminary ISTEP test results this week and Superintendent Dr. Robert Klitzman said the students did exceptionally well.

“In terms of reading, our third, fourth and fifth grade students all performed better,” stated Klitzman. “We went from the lower-90s to the mid-upper-90s across the board. We’re in 90s at our sixth grade level and both our seventh and eighth grade showed some good scores.”

The students also did well on the math portion of the ISTEP test.

“At the elementary level, every single grade level went up into the mid-90s. In science we went up, fourth grade had a 94 percent. In social studies in the fifth grade, they are at 95 percent. Excellent scores!” exclaimed Klitzman.

Klitzman said that there was also some improvement in the high school.

“At the high school level, there was good improvement in our Language Arts area. That was a target of focus for us so we’re very pleased with that, and we’re still taking steps to bring up our other areas as well.”