Habitat For Humanity Doing Good Work in Marshall County

Posted on Author WKVI

The Habitat for Humanity of Marshall County Restore sells discount building supplies, with the proceeds helping to build the next habitat home. Manager Steve Guriel explained where the proceeds go.

“All the proceeds go toward funding a house,” said Guriel.

According to Guriel, the items are all donated.

“Everything here is donated. We do offer a tax donation receipt if they do want one,” said Guriel.

Habitat for Humanity is a non profit ecumenical Christian housing ministry that works in partnership with people in need to improve the conditions in which they live.

Many of their donated items came from people who are remodeling their homes. They also receive tons of donated items from builders, contractors, businesses and corporations. The hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday, and the business is located at 116 S. Walnut Street in Plymouth.

If you would like to donate items bring them to the store, and if you have a large number of items they will pick them up. Call (574) 935-4214 for more information or to schedule a pickup.

Indiana State Prison Employee Arrested for Trafficking

Posted on Author WKVI

Phyllis Ungerank
An Indiana State Prison employee was arrested after a drug trafficking investigation was completed.

Phyllis Ungerank, a nurse with Corizon Medical, was arrested for trying to traffic marijuana and for possessing marijuana inside the Indiana State Prison in Michigan City. A check-point officer reportedly found Ungerank trying to take a package of marijuana inside the jail with her on Sunday, March 18th.

She is currently in the LaPorte County Jail. Trafficking of marijuana carries a sentence of up to eight years in prison and $10,000 in fines.

Powerball Jackpot Up To $40 Million

Posted on Author WKVI

The Powerball Jackpot is up to an estimated $40 million, and the Hoosier Lotto is $5 million. The drawing is tonight on both of them.

In Hoosier Lottery news, Ralph Frazee of Cedar Lake was a Lucky 5 winner two weeks ago– but that’s not all. Two year years ago in May, Ralph was also a Lucky 5 winner. Both jackpots were $50,000. So what will he do with his winnings?

His wife “Bert” gave the answer at Lottery Headquarters. Said Bert, “We’re going to do a renovation of the kitchen after 43 years in the home.”

To be eligible tonight, tickets must be purchased by 9 p.m. CT.

Gas Prices Jump Again

Posted on Author WKVI

After a decrease of almost $.10 in some cases earlier this week, gas prices jumped back up to $3.99 by Wednesday.

Gas prices were $3.99 in Knox and around $3.89 in North Judson yesterday. The average price in Indiana yesterday was $4.00 a gallon while the national average was $3.86.

Gasbuddy.com offers these gas saving tips: Avoid high speeds, do not accelerate or brake hard, keep tires properly inflated, use your air conditioner sparingly, keep windows closed, service your vehicle regularly, use cruise control, avoid long idles and if it’s time for a new vehicle, consider a fuel efficient one.

From the WKVI Archives

Posted on Author WKVI

It was on this date five years ago that the Oregon-Davis Boys Basketball team won the Class A IHSAA Basketball Tournament. Quick, who did they beat? If you said Barr-Reeve, you’d win a prize. The final score was 63-52.
Three weeks before the O.D. Girls won the state tournament 54-42 beating Wood Memorial in the final game. It was the first time a boys and girls team from the same school won the tournament in the same year.

To top off the day, five years ago, Adam Pflugshaupt won the Arthur L. Trester Mental Attitude award.

Plymouth won the 3-A tournament, beating Evansville Bosse 72-61.

Week in Review for March 19th-23rd, 2012

Posted on Author WKVI

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

Monterey Elementary School

Monterey Town Board President, Jim Fleury, asked the Culver Community School Board about what to do about the items on display at the Monterey Elementary School. A committee will tour the school and bring a list of items to be removed to the School Board for approval.

The Knox City Council is considering a request by Knox Mayor Rick Chambers to install security cameras at City Hall. Continue reading →

Monterey Man Charged in Battery Incident

Posted on Author WKVI
David Zachary

A Monterey man has been charged in a Monday battery incident.

David Zachary, 40, allegedly battered his girlfriend. The victim told police about the incident the day after the event. She explained that she was not allowed to leave the house or make any phone calls so she couldn’t report the incident right away. She was allowed to go to work the next day and after she picked up her children from school and day care, she went to the Starke County Sheriff’s Department to report the incident. The victim stated that Zachary reportedly became mad at her the day before and struck her. The victim’s children told police that Zachary allegedly said that if their mother called the police, he would kill her.

Continue reading →

Safe Routes to School Update Given to Winamac Town Board

Posted on Author WKVI

Brad Conn presented the Winamac Town Board with a powerpoint presentation on the Safe Routes to School proposal. April 12th is the day for Safe Routes to School to be completed and the organization is asking the town to post signs.

The organization has purchased signs for the Safe Routes to School and officials will be working with the Street Superintendent to get the signs posted. Lighted signs have been purchased for five crossing guards.

Continue reading →

North Judson Residents Can Notify Police When Leaving on Vacation

Posted on Author WKVI
North Judson Police Department

North Judson Town Marshal Doug Vessely told the Town Board this week that he is asking residents to call the Police Department and notify them if they will be going out of town so officers can perform routine patrols around that property.

You may call 772-5914 and tell Vessely about your vacation and he and the other officers will check your residence to make sure no crimes have been committed. If there happens to be a break-in or other type of criminal activity at your house, he will notify you and an investigation will take place.

Continue reading →

Inheritance Tax Repeal Appeals to Farm Bureau Members

Posted on Author WKVI

Members of the Starke County Farm Bureau attended the organization’s annual meeting this week and heard Director of State Government Relations, Bob Kraft, talk about legislative successes this year.

Kraft talked about the success in the repeal of the inheritance tax.

“Probably the most noteworthy was the passing of the Inheritance Tax repeal,” said Kraft. “This has been a priority of Farm Bureau for years and years. All of a sudden all of the chips fell where they needed to and the Inheritance Tax will be phased out beginning in 2013.”

Continue reading →

Starke County Youth Club Radiothon Scheduled for May 4th

Posted on Author WKVI

The Starke County Youth Club is getting ready for its annual WKVI Radiothon fundraiser to be held May 4th.

The Director of the SCYC, Irene Szakonyi, said they recently had their annual evaluation.

“We had our annual evaluation this year, and our results were phenomenal,” she praised. “All of our sites were visited by the state, and out of all possible points we only missed two. It’s fantastic! We’re proud of our staff and kids.”

Continue reading →

Autopsy Released on Marshall County Inmate’s Death

Posted on Author WKVI

Marshall County Coroner Bill Cleavenger has released the complete autopsy report on 35-year-old Georgia Onofre, an inmate who died in the Marshall County Jail in September.

After extensive testing and evaluation of tissue evidence collected in the case, Forensic Pathologist, Dr. Joseph A. Prahlow, determined that she died as a result of a heart condition. She died of complications from an enlarged heart, a condition Onofre probably wasn’t aware of. A review of Onofre’s medical records showed she had no heart issues and she didn’t note any medical problems when she was booked into the Marshall County Jail.

Continue reading →

Cathy Fritz Approved to do Drug Testing in Pulaski County

Posted on Author WKVI
Pulaski County Commissioners Tracey Shorter, Kenneth Boswell, Michael Tiede

The Pulaski County Commissioners approved a request from former police officer, Cathy Fritz, to conduct drug testing for the employees of the county. The Commissioners asked for a list of which employees will be subject to testing. The approval of her completing the drug testing is dependent on the approval of Attorney, Kevin Tankerslee.

The Commissioners also heard from a representative from WTH Technologies to discuss the GPS system. The representative will be working on getting the map live on the internet for public viewing, plus other features. The cost to the county will be $300 per month at a cost of $3,600 a year.

Winamac Town Board Agrees to Purchase Additional Airport Insurance

Posted on Author WKVI

The Winamac Town Board approved a request to buy additional insurance for the airport.

Town Manager Jim Conner told the Town Board that he had received an email from Budd Insurance Agency about the Town’s purchase of liability insurance for Arens Field. It was suggested that the Town purchase a $5 million Public Officials Liability Insurance to cover the Town’s portion of the airport costs. The cost from now until September would be $450 and a renewal will cost $1,344 in September.

Continue reading →

Starke County Highway Superintendent Explains use of Revenue Forms

Posted on Author WKVI
Steve Siddall

The Starke County Commissioners and Auditor Kay Chaffins have instituted a new monthly report form for offices that have cash drawers. Some offices missed the turn-in deadline this month, including the highway department.

Highway Superintendent Steve Siddall explains why.

“Kay sent us out a financial statement that has to be prepared every month,” explained Siddall. “We don’t handle cash, so we have been instructed by the State Board of Accounts to fill out another type of form.”

Continue reading →

North Judson Town Board Awards Trash Bid

Posted on Author WKVI

The North Judson Town Board members formally awarded the trash bid to Richard’s Disposal at their meeting this week. The Board is now accepting bids for cemetery mowing and those bids are due into the Clerk-Treasurer’s Office by Noon on April 2nd.

The Building Inspector is working with the Unsafe Building Authority to make a list of all of the deteriorated properties in town. Two properties that qualify as unsafe have been identified so far and certified letters will be sent to those property owners as a notice to clean up their property. If the properties are not cleaned up within a certain amount of time, the town will step in and get it done. A lien will be placed against the property for payment of services rendered.