Knox Fireworks Ordinance Prevents Fireworks Before 5 P.M.

Posted on Author WKVI

A fireworks ordinance is in effect in the City of Knox.

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, you may ignite fireworks between the hours of 10 a.m. and midnight. 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.

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Volunteers Host JA Our Nation Program For Fifth Graders

Posted on Author WKVI
Nancy Griffeth instructs children during the Junior Achievement Our Nation program.

In an effort to introduce students to business operations and economic issues in the United States, volunteers from the community hosted the Junior Achievement’s Our Nation program for fifth grade students at Eastern Pulaski Elementary School on May 18.

Nancy Griffeth, Lori Brumm, Jenny Keller, and Denise Hattinger graciously gave their time to mentor the youths during the Junior Achievement in a Day.

O-D Special Ed Teachers No Longer Employed By J.E.S.S.E.

Posted on Author WKVI
Oregon-Davis School Superintendent Dr. Steve Disney

Special education teachers in the Oregon-Davis school district are now being employed by the school itself instead of the Joint Educational Services in Special Education cooperative.

The switch is in response to a reorganization of the cooperative. Now being employed by O.D. are Heidi Temme, Robert Kleindeinst, and Roberta Salyer.

The announcement was made by Superintendent Dr. Steve Disney.

Knox Community Schools Begin Summer Food Service Program

Posted on Author WKVI

The Knox Community School Corporation has started the Summer Food Service Program, and is offering free meals to any child 18 years of age and younger. Free meals are also available for any adults who are enrolled in a state-approved educational program for the mentally or physically disabled.

Breakfast and lunch will be served at the Knox Community High School Monday through Thursday until July 26, although the kitchen will be closed July 4. Breakfast is served from 7 to 8:30 a.m. and lunch from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. CT.

The USDA Summer Food Service Program for Children (SFSP) was created to serve nutritious meals to children when the National School Lunch and Breakfast Program meals are not available. To ensure that all children receive proper nutrition throughout the year, SFSP reimburses organizations that prepare and serve meals to eligible children during the summer.

The Fire Mission Controller – Part Two

Posted on Author WKVI
Jim Hardesty

Generations the Magazine recently presented an article on Jim Hardesty of Hamlet, a World War II veteran. The article chronicled Hardesty’s Army service during that war, and this week WKVI is presenting excerpts from that article.

Hardesty and his group landed in Swansea, Wales, and relocated to the south of England. Hardesty detailed his travel from the states to England.

“We boarded a cargo ship to take us across the Atlantic,” said Hardesty. “It took two weeks in rough North Atlantic weather worrying about submarine attacks. Nothing much happened except being sea sick. I was never so glad to see land in my life.”

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From the WKVI Archives

Posted on Author WKVI

On this date in 1970, the owners of the Kankakee Valley Broadcasting Corporation were receiving notice that the Federal Communications Commission had approved a new AM radio station in Knox. The announcement came from the office of Ray Paul of the firm of Prince and Paul in Washington D.C., the attorneys for the applicant.

The standard broadcast station would operate on 1520 kilohertz at a power of 250 watts during daytime hours. The station would go on to carry the call letters of WKVI. The AM application had been submitted in May 1968.

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Kyleigh Werner Competes At State

Posted on Author Anita Goodan
Kyleigh Werner

South Central freshman Kyleigh Werner finished her first year of varsity track in fine fashion. The Satellite distance runner placed fourth and cut four seconds off of her mile time to advance out of the Chesterton sectional. She was then able to shave another five seconds off her time a week later at the Chesterton regional earning her a third place finish and a birth in the state finals at Indiana University. Werner ended her season with a 23rd place finish at state, where she was just one of six freshmen to compete in the 1600 meter run.

With three years left in her varsity running career, the future is very bright for Kyleigh who also competes in cross country at South Central. Congratulations to Kyleigh Werner on an incredible freshman year!

Medaryville Bank Robber Arrested

Posted on Author WKVI
Gavin Keith Wireman

A Medaryville man was arrested Saturday after robbing the Lake City Bank in Medaryville at gunpoint.

The Pulaski County Sheriff’s Department received a call from a teller at the bank at about 9:30 a.m. ET informing them that the bank had just been robbed at gunpoint. The responding officers gathered information from the tellers and a description of the suspect was given to police. Four additional off-duty county officers responded to the scene to help in the investigation.

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Four Arrested On Drug-Related Charges In Culver

Posted on Author WKVI

Four people were arrested Thursday after a search warrant was executed at a residence in Culver.

Officers from the Culver Police Department received information from the Starke County Sheriff’s Department about possible drug activity at 515 W. Jefferson Street in Culver. Police obtained a search warrant and found items used in the manufacture of methamphetamine and precursors along with other drug-related items and paraphernalia.

Amber S. Rippe, 28, of Culver and Russell M. Fuller, 32, of Culver were arrested on preliminary charges of Manufacturing Methamphetamine, Illegal Drug Lab, Possession of Methamphetamine, Possession of a Controlled Substance, Possession of a Legend Drug and Maintaining a Common Nuisance. Forty-nine-year-old Mark Thompson of Rochester and 45-year-old Tracey Holloman of Culver were also arrested at the scene.

The Starke County Sheriff’s Department, Marshall County Sheriff’s Department and the Indiana State Police Clandestine Lab Team assisted the Culver Police Department in the investigation.

David Hyatt Is IU Health Starke Hospital Interim CEO

Posted on Author WKVI
David Hyatt

David Hyatt takes over as the interim CEO of IU Health Starke Hospital today. Hyatt says that he is looking forward to the new opportunity and has some good changes in mind.

“I’ve been here at Starke Hospital for the past three years now. I really enjoy it, and love working with the people here. I’m just excited for this new opportunity, and making some good changes and taking Starke Hospital to the next level,” Hyatt said.

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Statewide Smoking Ban Takes Effect July 1

Posted on Author WKVI

The first statewide smoke-free air law takes effect July 1.

Drug and Tobacco Free Starke County and the Tobacco Free Coalition will be holding an Indiana Smoke Free Law Town Hall Meeting on Thursday, June 21 at 6 p.m. at the Bass Lake Community Center, where information will be provided concerning the new law and how it affects businesses and organizations. Information will be given on what the law covers, who to contact with questions and complaints, and who enforces the law.

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Starke County Commissioners To Receive Bridge Update

Posted on Author WKVI

The Starke County Commissioners will hear from Highway Commissioner Steve Siddall on the progress of bridge repair projects today.

Siddall said Friday that Bridge #9, located at 700 North and 500 East, is scheduled to be open within two weeks. The deck floor has been poured, with completion of the approaches and guardrail installation remaining.

Bridge #62 is probably five weeks behind #9 in being completed. Siddall said the end bents have been poured already. The bridge is located at Range Road and 500 East.

Finally, the commissioners will hear from the engineering firm contracted to provide services on the repair of Bridge #51 today.

Speed, Alcohol Major Factors in Tippecanoe ATV Accident

Posted on Author WKVI

Indiana Conservation Officers say speed and alcohol were factors in an ATV accident near Tippecanoe on Saturday.

Forty-year-old Clint R. Beldon is suspected of driving his ATV and rolling it on 18th Road near Tippecanoe. Witnesses say Beldon was thrown from the ATV and he sustained head trauma and other injuries in the accident. He was transported to Memorial Hospital in South Bend due to his injuries.

Indiana Conservation Officers want to remind you to always wear a helmet when operating off-road vehicles.

Starke County Convention and Visitors Board Reorganized

Posted on Author WKVI
Knox Mayor Rick Chambers

The Starke County Convention and Visitors Commission Board has reorganized. Knox Mayor Rick Chambers is the new president, John Hensler will take the role of vice president, the treasurer is now Pat Mitchell, and Ed Hasnerl is secretary.

Hasnerl, Fred Boyer, and Marty Lucas were sworn in as new members.

Hasnerl was named by the commissioners, Boyer is the member from the Hoosier Valley Railroad, and Lucas represents the Innkeepers’ interests.

The board receives and distributes funds to promote tourism in Starke County.

The Fire Mission Controller

Posted on Author WKVI
Jim Hardesty

With the permission of “Generations the Magazine,” we are this week presenting a portion of an April – May story about Jim Hardesty of Hamlet. It’s entitled “The Fire Mission Controller,” and chronicles Hardesty’s WWII military career.

Raymond and Anna Hardesty were hard working Indiana farmers who tilled the soil on their land outside the village of Hamlet. On January 29,1922, the young couple had their first child, a son they named James. Growing up on an Indiana farm at that time was an ideal existence.

While growing up, young James was responsible for feeding the chickens, gathering eggs, and cleaning the barn.

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Kindergarten Countdown Kicks Off Today In Knox

Posted on Author WKVI

The Kindergarten Countdown camp begins today at Knox Community Elementary School.

Sponsored by IU Health Starke Hospital and Starke United, this session offers incoming kindergarten children with little or no prior prekindergarten experience a chance to get into a classroom setting and participate in activities to get them ready for school this fall. Breakfast and lunch will be provided and each student will receive a free book to take home each day.

Kindergarten Countdown begins today and runs until Wednesday, June 20.

NJSP Senior Receives Ed Hasnerl-WKVI Scholarship

Posted on Author WKVI
Cody Hendershott

North Judson-San Pierre High School senior Cody Hendershott is the recipient of the 2012 Ed Hasnerl-WKVI Scholarship. He lives with his grandparents Darroll and Susan Clavier in rural San Pierre.

Ed Hasnerl made the presentation Wednesday at the Senior Awards night program in North Judson.

Hendershott, who received half-a-dozen scholarship awards, says he has a passion for history and plans to study journalism and writing at Anderson University this fall.

Retirement Ceremony Held For Pastor Phil Emerson

Posted on Author WKVI

A popular United Methodist minister who pastored the local UM church in Knox in the 70’s was feted at a retirement ceremony Saturday evening at the Good Shepherd United Methodist Church in Ft. Wayne.

Pastor Phil Emerson greeted congregants and former members of churches he pastored in his long career. His final sermon will be given next Sunday. Also honored was his wife, Phyllis, who is still a hair stylist in Knox two days a week.

Several people from the Knox congregation attended the ceremony. He also was the pastor of United Methodist churches in Michigan City, Lafayette, and Logansport.

Jury Convicts Hite On All Eight Charges

Posted on Author WKVI
Dale Hite

The three-day trial for Dale Hite concluded today with the jury’s verdict of guilty on all eight counts.

Hite was found guilty of two counts of Resisting Law Enforcement Resulting in Death as Class B felonies, two counts of Reckless Homicide as Class C felonies, and counts of Resisting Law Enforcement as a Class D felony, Possession of Methamphetamine as a Class D felony, Failure to Stop at a Stop Sign as a Class C infraction, and Failure to use Headlights From Sunset to Sunrise as a Class C felony.

The trial started on Wednesday and ended Friday afternoon. Hite’s bond has been revoked, and he is scheduled for a sentencing hearing on June 26 at 1 p.m.

Thorstad Says Jail Overcrowding Doesn’t Affect Probation Much

Posted on Author WKVI

WKVI has been focusing on the work of the Starke County Probation Office this week. The four-person office is directed by Chief Probation Officer John Thorstad.

Thorstad explained that his office receives some much-needed assistance from the Community Corrections Program.

“Community Corrections has had a huge impact. It has relieved jail overcrowding. They have a program called ‘Thinking For a Change,’ which forces people to look in the mirror and decide how they want to change,” Thorstad said.

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