Knox High School Honor Day Program Held Friday

Posted on Author WKVI
Knox High School Top Ten

The Knox High School Honor Day program was held Friday, May 18th.

Approximately $318,000 in scholarships were distributed to the graduating seniors. The Ben Bowen Award recipient was Elliott Coad, Hannah Folkers won the Bonnie Taylor Award and Shelby Gilbert and Logan Short were named winners of the Robert Hanselman Award. Some other notable scholarship winners were Sierra Brooke of the Roger Laramore Scholarship, Chelsea Whitcraft won the George W. Burkett Scholarship and Thomas Clem won the C. Slisher Scholarship.

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Starke County Community Corrections Named Level One Agency

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Robert Hinojosa

On May 11, the Indiana Department of Corrections announced that Starke County Community Corrections has been designated a level one corrections agency. The announcement was made by Bruce Lemmon, Director of the State Community Corrections Department.

In the announcement, Lemmon said S.C.C.C. meets or exceeds standards established for the effective operation of a community correction agency.

Robert Hinojosa wishes to thank the S.C.C.C. Advisory Board for their support and guidance through the review process. Hinojosa said, “The Starke County Community Corrections agency may not be one of the biggest programs in the state, but we can certainly to be one of the best.”

Dry Spring Conditions Lead to Fire Incidents

Posted on Author WKVI

With the exception of some rain yesterday, it has been a dry spring and Dave Pearman, Assistant Fire Chief with the Washington Township Fire Department, says the firefighters have been called to several fires this season due to the dry conditions.

“We’ve seen a lot more property damage and really what it boils down to is that people are going out and they might be having a small fire and they leave it unattended,” explained Pearman. “They tend to not have any tools such as a rake, shovel and a hose available and really what we’ve seen with 90 percent of those fires is had they attended the fire, had they had tools and water present that they probably could have controlled those fires.”

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Random Act of Kindness Event Postponed Until September

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Knox Mayor Rick Chambers

Mayor Rick Chamber’s office has announced that the Random Act of Kindness event has been delayed from June to September this year. Dixie Lockridge will again be in charge of the awards celebration, which will be held on Sept. 16.

Be thinking of who might be a good nominee for this award. Last year’s recipient of the award was a group of Knox High School students who held a car wash. Bruce Klimek, a teacher of the moderately mentally handicapped class at the high school, nominated the students after they raised $200 and gave it to the class for a party and supplies.

Other winners included Jose Marquez in 2010, Jeff Messer, Sr., and the late Eric Corey in 2009.

From the WKVI Archives

Posted on Author WKVI

It doesn’t seem possible, but it was 13 years ago that the world premier of the film “The Best Man” was being shown. WKVI’s Ed Hasnerl had a small part in the independent film as, of course, a minister.

The Best Man was made at a cost of $320,000 and was written, co-produced, and directed by John Newcombe. The actual shooting of the movie took place in mid-1997 at Grass Creek, Kewanna, Star City, and Knox.

On this date in 1977, Gene Novello, a senior who earned ten varsity letters in his high school career, was named the winner of the coveted Ben Bowen Award during Honor Day ceremonies at Knox High School. Chris Duca, who was one of the first girls to win as many as eight varsity letters, received the Bonnie Taylor Award– the female counterpart of the Bowen Award.

One year ago, Knox High School was announcing its Valedictorian and Salutatorian Darienne Griffith and Hayley Windbigler.

Vandalism Incidents Reported At Local Businesses

Posted on Author WKVI
This is just a small portion of vandalism done to the buildings in the Industrial Park

Several cases of vandalism were reported in Starke County over the weekend. The vandals spray-painted buildings at J.W. Hicks and Toll Brothers, and a truck parked at M.P.I. was tagged as well.

Starke County Development Foundation Director Charles Weaver issued a statement yesterday condemning the acts, describing them as “despicable.” The foundation is offering a $1000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the perpetrators.

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Hummel Brothers Receive Sentence in Starke Circuit Court

Posted on Author WKVI
Jonathan Hummel
Nathan Hummel

Thursday was a busy day in the Starke Circuit Court, as several sentences were handed down by Judge Kim Hall.

After pleading guilty on April 23 to several charges stemming from an armed robbery incident at the Knox CVS Pharmacy on December 20, 2010, Jonathan and Nathan Hummel received their sentences in court.

Jonathan Hummel was sentenced to 30-and-a-half years in the Department of Corrections as per a plea agreement in which he pleaded guilty to Dealing in a Narcotic Drug as a Class A felony; Robbery as a Class B felony; Aiding, Inducing, or Causing a Robbery as a Class B felony, and Criminal Mischief as a Class D felony. A separate cause was dismissed and all pending cases in Knox City Court were dismissed. Hummel is required to pay $2946.13 for damages to a police squad car, and $11,924 in restitution to the Knox CVS.

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Starke County Council To Resume Hospital Consultant Discussion

Posted on Author WKVI
David Pearman

Starke County Council members will resume discussion tonight concerning an amendment to an ordinance that, if approved, would allow the county to use up to $50,000 in Save the Hospital Funds to hire a consultant to evaluate the hospital’s real and personal property.

The Council had discussed the proposed amendment during a special meeting on May 14, but it was voted down. Council President Dave Pearman said the motion needed a five-member approval, but only gained four “yes” votes.

“The thing that I really want to reiterate about this is this is not necessarily saying that we are going to spend even one dollar to start with, but we need some enabling legislation to allow us to seek a consultant for this project to make sure that we make the wise decision for the public’s best interest,” said Pearman.

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Residential Entry Charge Filed Against Knox Man

Posted on Author WKVI

A Knox man was arrested on Wednesday, May 16th, after police received a residential entry call.

Patrick Dunn reportedly entered a home on 200 North, walked into the master bedroom of the residence and tapped a woman on the shoulder demanding that she return a cell phone. The woman woke her husband and the pair ordered Dunn out of their home.  He then left on foot.

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Starke County Jail Committee Learns From Jail Facilities

Posted on Author WKVI

Members of the Starke County Jail Committee toured a number of jail facilities throughout the state last week. Starke County Council President and Jail Committee member Dave Pearman was just one of the members who went to the Jasper County Jail, and he explained why the members went to that jail.

“One of the key reasons why we were taken to Jasper County Jail is their community, at the time of their jail planning, was about the size of ours. We have about 23,000 in our community and they have about 35,000 today. They have a 120-bed facility, it’s state of the art and it very much fits what we think our model possibly could be if we actually do decide to build a new facility,” said Pearman.

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West Central Schools Lunch Prices To Increase

Posted on Author WKVI
West Central School Superintendent Charles Mellon

The West Central School Board approved cafeteria prices during their meeting last week, and Superintendent Charles Mellon said the lunch prices will be increasing.

“There’s some new guidelines coming down from the state that requires more fresh fruits and vegetables and we’re putting in a fresh fruit and vegetable bar next year,” said Mellon. “I guess the portions greater for high school students as they do for middle school students and the middle school larger than high school so that’s a little bit of a change. We had to increase the lunches ten cents for the elementary and the high school and five cents for the middle school.”

Memorial Day Services To Be Held Sunday and Monday

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Memorial Day Services will be held Sunday and Monday in North Judson, San Pierre, and La Crosse. The services will be conducted by the Harry Keller Post #92 American Legion, Harry Keller Unit #92 American Legion Auxiliary, and Sons of American Legion Squad #92. The services will begin Sunday at 11:30 a.m. at Round Lake.

On Monday, May 28, services will begin with an 8:45 a.m. parade, followed by services at Pioneer Cemetery at 9 a.m. and the San Pierre Cemetery at 10 a.m. A wreath will be deposited in the river on State Road 421 at 11 a.m., and services will be held at Velmar Memorial Park in La Crosse at 11:15 a.m.

Taking part in the services will be the North Judson-San Pierre Band.

Judge Kim Hall Rejects Two Plea Agreements

Posted on Author WKVI
Jacob Hanselman

Two plea agreements were rejected in the Starke Circuit Court on Thursday.

A plea agreement was rejected for Jacob Hanselman, who would have pleaded guilty to Trafficking with an Inmate as a Class C felony and two counts of Theft as Class D felonies. The court would have sentenced Hanselman to two years in the Department of Corrections, and he would have been required to pay restitution for damages and items that were stolen and not returned.

Judge Kim Hall rejected the agreement and a jury trial will take place on August 1 at 9 a.m. A pretrial motions and instructions hearing is set for July 31 at 1 p.m., with a jury status hearing on July 20 at 9 a.m. Hanselman has until July 19 to file an acceptable plea agreement.

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Indiana State Police to Conduct Sobriety Checkpoint

Posted on Author WKVI

The Lowell District of the Indiana State Police has announced plans to conduct a sobriety checkpoint during the late evening hours in Jasper County on Wednesday, May 23. Drivers who encounter the checkpoint will be required to produce a valid license and registration, and if all information is correct and officers find no reason for detainment, they will be released. Motorists that are not impaired can expect short delays of two to three minutes while passing through the checkpoint.

Troopers encourage all motorists to call 911 or the closest Indiana State Police Post when they observe a driver that they feel maybe be impaired. Be prepared to give a description of the vehicle, location, and direction of travel.

The Indiana State Police is committed to traffic safety and they have announced they will continue saturation patrols and sobriety checkpoints in an effort to apprehend impaired drivers and deter others from drinking and driving.

Student Insurance Rates Increase For West Central Schools

Posted on Author WKVI
West Central School Superintendent Charles Mellon

The West Central School Board looked to the future at their meeting this week as they approved the student insurance renewal for the next school year. Superintendent Charles Mellon explained that the cost did increase, but the price is still worth it.

“That has gone up fifteen percent, but I think that’s probably the trend for insurance,” said Mellon. “The good thing is that parents can still have their child covered while at school for $16.00 which is still very worthwhile.”

Thousands Of IU Health Employees Build Framing For Homes

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Thousands of Indiana University Health employees helped build the framing for more than 20 homes yesterday. IU Health Starke County employees were building framing for Henryville while IU Health La Porte built framing for a home in Kingsford Heights.

The employees were assisted by volunteers and local Habitat for Humanity members. The work was done during the hospital’s Day of Service commitment.

Habitat for Humanity officials say this one day of work goes a long way toward improving the lives of more than two dozen Hoosier families in need of their own space.

IU Health was named among the “Best Hospitals in America” by U.S. News and World Report. The hospital system has received the award for 14 straight years.

NIPSCO Adds New Customer/Crew Tools In Preparation For Storm Season

Posted on Author WKVI

NIPSCO has announced plans to release new technologies in preparation for storm season. Nationwide, weather-related problems are the top cause of power outages, and the company plans to improve customer communication and field crew response time in hopes in increasing their response time to outages.

NIPSCO will utilize two new channels to enhance existing communications activities around power outages: mobile web and social media. Electric customers can quickly inform the company of outages and view the latest restoration updates with the added power outage tracking and reporting feature, and the company has also added a Twitter page which will be used to communicate major electric outage information.

They have also announced that NIPSCO crews will be put on alert when a major storm is in the forecast, and their new automated callout and scheduling tool will allow them to get Operations Teams working as quickly as possible to mobilize crews and equipment to restore power.

Max Frain Passes Away At Age Of 84

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Max Frain

A former President of the Indiana Funeral Director’s Association has passed away at the Pulaski Health Care Center in Winamac. Max Frain, 84, was the president of the association in 1978. His sons, Dan and Sam Frain, followed their dad as president, making them the first family to produce three presidents of the association.

Frain and his wife Jean purchased the Fry and Lange Funeral Home in 1969 and, in 1976, changed the name to Frain Mortuary.

During his lifetime, he was also a 12-year member of the Winamac Schools and Eastern Pulaski School Corporations. He was Pulaski County Coroner for several years and a proud member of the Republican political party.

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Weekend Events Planned In Starke County

Posted on Author WKVI

A new Mint Festival Queen will be crowned Sunday evening at 6 p.m. at the North Judson-San Pierre Cafetorium.

Kersting’s Cycle Center Train Adventure Ride will take place at noon today, with the group ride leaving the center followed by a one-hour scenic country motorcycle ride, followed by lunch and a 45-minute train ride. The cost is $15 per rider, and that includes the motorcycle ride, lunch, and the train ride.

There will also be a Relay for Life of Starke County Fishing Tournament from 6 a.m. until 12 p.m. CT at Bass Lake. There is an entry fee and prizes will be awarded. All proceeds will go to the Starke County Relay for Life on June 8 and 9.