Knox High School Teacher Wins Department of Education Essay Contest

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

The Department of Education issued a unique challenge to the teachers this spring. They presented a contest in which a staff member was asked to write a six-word essay about a colleague or about the school. Knox Community School Superintendent A.J. Gappa said one of the teachers at Knox was selected as a winner in the contest.

“Mary Kleinfehn, one of the teachers at the high school who is actually going to retire at the end of the year – she’s taught Special Ed here for many years – wrote her six-word essay about Curriculum Director Peggy Shidaker. She has worked with her for many years. Two weeks ago, the Department of Education picked six winners from around the state and Mrs. Kleinfehn’s essay was selected as the winner from the Northwest region of the state,” said Gappa.

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Environmental Collection Event Planned For June 15, 16

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

The Starke County Environmental Management District’s 2012 Environmental Collection Event is scheduled for Friday and Saturday, June 15 and 16 at the Starke County Highway Garage. Friday’s event will be from noon to 5 p.m. and Saturday’s event will be from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. CT. You must have an environmental coupon, which can be located in your 2012 Environmental Assessment Invoice. This is open to Starke County residents only.

A limit of five tires will be accepted, of which one may be a tractor tire. If you have more than five tires, there will be a charge of $2 for car tires, $4 for semi tires and $20 for farm tractor tires.

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Dick Pettinato Passes Away At Age Of 83

Posted on Author WKVI
Dick Pettinato

His family, his church, his community – those were areas of importance to Dick Pettinato. Pettinato passed away last week at the age of 83 and a funeral mass will be held today at 10 a.m. at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church.

WKVI’s Ted Hayes remembered Pettinato’s association with Sears in a Ted Hayes Remembers program last year. Sears-Roebuck opened its doors in Knox in the mid ’40s and closed Dec. 31, 1981.

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SCILL Center Announces Students of the Month

Posted on Author WKVI
Brian Fulghum
Raymond Singleton

The SCILL Center is pleased to announce the Student of the Month recipients for the month of April.

Raymond Singleton from Oregon-Davis High School and Brian Fulghum from Knox High School were the AM class recipients of the award. Thomas Carey from Knox High School and Lucas Borg from Culver Community High School were the PM class recipients of the award. Continue reading →

Memorial Day Services Planned For Today Throughout Area

Posted on Author WKVI

Today, Memorial Day, is a day to reflect and remember those who made the supreme sacrifice for our freedom.

Several Memorial Day services are planned for Monday, May 28. In Knox, a ceremony will be held at the Starke County Courthouse at 9 a.m. followed by a parade to Oak Hill Cemetery where there will be another short ceremony. There will also be a brief ceremony in memory of Indiana National Guard Spc. Robert Tauteris, Jr. of Hamlet.

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North Judson To Hold Two Public Hearings June 4

Posted on Author WKVI
Doug Vessely
North Judson Town Marshal Doug Vessely

North Judson Town Marshall Doug Vessely presented an estimate to the North Judson Town Board this week for a new squad car. Clerk-Treasurer Donna Henry says that no contracts have been signed, but Vessely wanted to give the board an idea on how much a new squad car would cost because of some repairs that are needed on a 2005 squad car. Henry says the board will likely have the squad car repaired for now, and may set aside money in their 2013 budget for a new squad car after Vessely returns with quotes from dealerships.

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Plymouth Man Arrested For Shoplifting

Posted on Author WKVI

A Plymouth man was arrested after an alleged shoplifting incident at Walmart on Thursday.

Plymouth police received a theft complaint from Walmart and soon arrived to find 44-year-old Jeffery L. Birk. Police questioned him regarding the reported theft, and after searching the suspect, they found he was in possession of methamphetamine. He was taken to the Marshall County Sheriff’s Department on preliminary charges of Theft, Possession of Methamphetamine, and an active civil contempt warrant through Marshall County. He is scheduled to appear in Marshall County Superior Court 1 on June 19 for an initial hearing.

Starke Commissioners Agree To Trade Deal With Howard Coffin

Posted on Author WKVI

The Starke County Commissioners this week agreed on language in a contract between Howard Coffin and the county. In the agreement, Coffin would provide services – such as providing equipment to rescue and haul overturned trucks belonging to the highway department – and in return, Coffin would receive the funds from the sale of scrap metal.

The contract would be for the remainder of the 2012 year and would then be reviewed. If the “trade” agreement is found to be out of balance, the county might hire Coffin outright for providing his equipment and selling the scrap itself.

In other business, the commissioners approved courthouse tours to take place during Harvest Days, and they have announced that they are looking for a person who lives in the two-mile jurisdiction of Knox to apply for the Knox City Planning Commission.

Graduation Services To Take Place Tomorrow Afternoon For Local Schools

Posted on Author WKVI

Graduation services were held last night for Eastern Pulaski Seniors and another graduation service is scheduled for tomorrow afternoon. West Central School Superintendent Charles Mellon reports the details of graduation services for seniors.

“That’ll be on Sunday, May 27,” said Mellon. “Baccalaureate is at 2 p.m. ET with Commencement to follow.”

Knox Community High School Commencement is Friday, June 1 at 7 p.m. in the Weinberg Gymnasium, and graduation at North Judson-San Pierre High School is slated for Sunday, June 3 at 7 p.m. in the high school gymnasium.

Mint Festival To Begin June 15

Posted on Author WKVI

The North Judson Mint Festival is slated to begin its three-day run on Friday, June 15. The court has been crowned for the event, and this year’s queen is Alyshia Wireman. Elexuss Miller is the Mint Festival Princess, Caden Peretti is the Prince, Peyton Frazier was crowned Little Miss Mint and Jayce Stoll is Little Mister Mint.

Allen and Betty Chesak will served as this year’s Mint Fest Parade Co-Grand Marshals. Betty was involved with the festival since its inception and stepped down from responsibilities two years ago. Both are graduates of North Judson-San Pierre High School.

Plenty of activities will be held during this year’s festival. One highlight is the Mint Idol Contest on Friday, June 15 at 6 p.m. The deadline to enter this contest is June 10. Call (574) 249-3072 for more information. Entries for Father and Grandfather of the Year and the Mint Festival Parade are now being accepted. Mail entries to P.O. Box 33 in North Judson.

Head of IU Health La Porte Foundation Receives Community Service Award

Posted on Author WKVI

IU Health La Porte Hospital Foundation Head Maria Fruth recently received recognition for achievements in community service. Serving as executive vice-president and chief operating officer of the foundation, Fruth was presented with the Liberty Bell Award at a special ceremony on Friday, May 4 at La Porte Superior Court No. 1 in Michigan City.

The Liberty Bell Award was established by the American Bar Association more than 40 years ago to acknowledge outstanding community service.

Fruth has worked to establish a similar organization in Starke County at IU Health Starke Hospital.

Grovertown Woman Receives Community Leadership Award

Posted on Author WKVI

A Grovertown woman was presented with a Community Leadership award from 1st Source Bank. Mabel Paul was announced as the winner of the Ernestine M. Raclin award.

Five employees and five community volunteers who embody the spirit, values, energy, and leadership of Ernestine M. Raclin were given awards. Raclin was the past chairman of 1st Source Bank.

In the announcement of the award it was noted that Mabel Paul had served as secretary of the 4-H fair board for 28 years, and has planned numerous fundraisers and events, mentored children, and given back to the community in countless other ways.

Week in Review for May 21st-25th, 2012

Posted on Author WKVI

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

Jonathan Hummel
Nathan Hummel

Jonathan Hummel and Nathan Hummel were sentenced in Starke Circuit Court on Thursday, May 17th. The pair were involved in an armed robbery incident in December. Jonathan Hummel was sentenced to 30-and-a-half years in the Department of Corrections as per a plea agreement. He pleaded guilty to charges of Dealing a Narcotic Drug; Robbery; Aiding, Inducing or Causing a Robbery; and Criminal Mischief. Nathan Hummel pleaded guilty to charges of Dealing a Narcotic Drug; Robbery; Aiding, Inducing or Causing a Robbery; and Disarming an Officer. He will serve 25 years in the Department of Corrections. They are both required to pay restitution in the amount of $2,900 for damages to a police squad car and $11,924 in restitution to the Knox CVS.  Continue reading →

Plymouth Assistant Superintendent Announces Retirement

Posted on Author WKVI

A 1963 graduate of Knox High School, Dr. Rodger Smith has announced his retirement, effective at the end of the school year at Plymouth. He has been the assistant superintendent of the corporation since 2008. He was superintendent of the John Glenn School Corporation for five years before his employment at Plymouth.

Smith still makes his home in Knox.

North Judson Town Board Member Increase To Be Presented To Voters

Posted on Author WKVI
North Judson Town Board

The decision regarding the transition of the North Judson Town Board from a three-member board to a five-member board will go to the voters in November. According to Clerk-Treasurer Donna Henry, a resolution was approved at their previous meeting to place the question on the ballot, and that resolution was recently certified by Starke County Clerk Evelyn Skronski. The question will appear on the ballot in November.

The board also had further discussion regarding Highland Cemetery. The newest and largest of plot sections in the cemetery, Section 13, was never surveyed and properly plotted. As a result, several grave plots are not square and do not match up with other plots. Every other section in the cemetery was surveyed and carefully plotted, squaring up the graves evenly.

The board discussed the possibility of having the Starke County surveyor give his recommendation on what to do regarding the uneven plots.

Knox Man Arrested On Auto Theft Charges

Posted on Author WKVI

A Knox man was arrested for the theft of an automobile after an accident in Starke County on Saturday, May 19.

At 5 a.m., officers from the Starke County Sheriff’s Department were called to an accident on 50 South, just east of 200 East. A witness told police that the driver fled the scene, and officers were unable to locate the suspect.

Later that morning, a woman reported her car stolen from her friend’s home on Toto Road, west of 700 East.

Starke County police continued to investigate the incident and found that it was Zachary Tomerlin of Knox who allegedly took the vehicle from the Toto Road residence. Tomerlin was arrested on Tuesday, May 22, on a preliminary charge of Auto Theft.

Plea Agreements Fall Through In Starke Circuit Court

Posted on Author WKVI
Rose Martin

Attorney Richard Thonert of Fort Wayne, the counsel for Rose Martin, filed a motion to withdraw from her case. Martin is charged with Manufacturing Methamphetamine, Possession of Methamphetamine, and Possession of Chemical Reagents or Precursors. The court approved the motion, and Martin’s attorney is now Richard Ballard. A plea agreement was also rejected for Martin, and her trial is scheduled for Aug. 1 at 9 a.m. with a pretrial motions and instructions hearing on July 31, and a jury status hearing on July 20.

A plea agreement was also withdrawn for Billy Coldiron. The agreement would have sentenced him to four years in the Department of Corrections with two years suspended, and he would have been allowed to serve that sentence on home detention. The state withdrew their plea offer, and a plea agreement deadline has been set for July 18 at 9 a.m.

Starke County Economic Development Foundation Discusses Rail Expansion

Posted on Author WKVI
Charles Weaver
Charles Weaver

Starke County Economic Development Foundation Executive Director Charles Weaver recently discussed the county’s strategy to expand rail access in Starke County during the recent Society of Innovators’ “Pride and Pedestal” event in Hammond.

Weaver explained that the cooperative effort between the Starke County Economic Development Foundation, City of Knox, Starke County officials, Knox Civic Development Corporation, and Territorial Engineering helped shape industry and economic development in the Knox area.

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Knox City Court In Jeopardy Due To Funding Problems

Posted on Author WKVI
Back Row: Greg Matt, Mayor Rick Chambers, Clerk-Treasurer Jeff Houston, Donald Kring, City Attorney David Matsey. Front Row: Linda Berndt, Jeff Berg and Ron Parker

When members of the Knox City Administration appeared before the Starke County Council Monday night seeking funding sources to narrow the loss gap at Knox City Court, the subject of discontinuing the court was mentioned.

The next night the Knox City Council met and Attorney David Matsey reported on the meeting with the county officials.

“I think some reality is setting in with the county council members about what is going to happen if city court isn’t there anymore. We need to close that gap of $80,000, and the city isn’t going to subsidize the court forever. The bottom line is it’s going to cost $300,000 to $400,000 to operate another court,” Matsey said.

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