Housing Choice Voucher Program to Accept Waiting List Applicants March 30th

Posted on Author WKVI

The Northwest Indiana Community Action Corporation, on behalf of the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority, will be taking names of Starke and Pulaski County residents for the Housing Choice Voucher Program beginning March 30th.

The housing choice voucher program is the federal government’s major program for assisting very low-income families, the elderly and the disabled to afford decent, safe, and sanitary housing in the private market. Since housing assistance is provided on behalf of the family or individual, participants are able to find their own housing, including single-family homes, townhouses and apartments.

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Eastern Pulaski Schools to Work on Safe Routes to School

Posted on Author WKVI

Thanks to the Safe Routes to School Committee at the Eastern Pulaski Schools Corporation, children walking or riding bicycles to school may not be so uncommon in the future. Superintendent Dr. Robert Klitzman explained that the committee is currently working on a planning grant designed to show different routes to the school that can be enhanced and improved on in terms of accessibility and safety. Klitzman says that these improvements could encourage more parents to allow children to walk or ride their bikes to school.

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Heating Bill Help Available to Pulaski County Residents

Posted on Author WKVI

Pulaski County Human Services, Inc. has received additional funds to help low income Pulaski County families pay home heating bills. Applications are still being accepted for this season’s Energy Assistance Program.

Those who have already received assistance through this program from November to today will not be able to reapply. Applications will only be accepted for those that will be applying for the first time this heating season.

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Soup for the Soul Event at Culver Schools a Success

Posted on Author WKVI
Missy Trent and Chuck Kitchell

Even though the temperatures approached the 80 degree mark, the Culver community turned out last night for a piping hot bowl of soup. It was the annual Soup for the Soul promotion put on by sixth grade students at Culver Elementary.

This year, the proceeds will be going to the food pantries in all four counties that feed students into the Culver school system, as well as the Davis family in the Oregon-Davis system who have a youngster waiting on a medical procedure for which they need funding.

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Notes from the WKVI News Desk

Posted on Author WKVI

Knox Park Superintendent, George Byer, announced this week that Wythogan and Sandy Acres parks have opened. The swings will be up by next week and the water will be turned on in the next few days. Byer said everything will be ready for the children during spring break.

WKVI Radio has learned that a former resident of Knox, Helen Sands, has passed away in San Antonio, Texas. She had resided near her son Larry for a number of years. Helen Sands, in the early days of WKVI Radio, was a frequent guest on the night-time music shows and she shared her record collection. She was at one time an employee of the Starke County Highway Department. A memorial service is planned for Mrs. Sands next week in Knox.

Special Prosecutor Named to Impropriety Case

Posted on Author WKVI

A special prosecutor has been named to handle the case against Sheriff Oscar Cowen in which claims of impropriety were filed by former deputy Don Ferguson. Curtis Hill of Elkhart County has been named, but he has not yet accepted the position. Prosecutor Nicholas Bourff petitioned for a special prosecutor because of his close work relationship with the Starke County Police.

The Special Judge assigned to the case, Honorable Jeffrey Thode of Porter Superior Court #6 located in Portage, Ind., will replace Starke Circuit Court Judge Kim Hall who issued an Order of Recusal and Assignment of a Special Judge to the case.

IU Health Starke Hospital Staff Praised for Turning Around Hospital

Posted on Author WKVI
Thor Thordarson

The President and CEO of the LaPorte Regional Health System visited with the administrative team and Community Hospital Board at IU Health Starke Hospital this week. Thor Thordarson praised the leadership team for turning around the hospital that he said was losing money before they arrived.

“I came down here to congratulate the board and the leadership team for doing a fabulous job over the last several years, and really turning this hospital around from losing millions of dollars a year a few years ago to having a healthy operating margin in 2011,” stated Thordarson. “I know it’s been difficult here for the last few years so it’s very nice to see the fruits of all those very difficult decisions came out and good quality health care and financial results happen.”

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Plymouth Police Department Busy with Theft Investigations

Posted on Author WKVI

The Plymouth Police Department has investigated several theft cases recently from Walmart. There is usually one or two arrests a week about that involve shoplifters in the chain store.

Plymouth police officers received a call Monday night concerning a shoplifter from a different location – Martin’s Supermarket in Plymouth. Sean McNab, 19, of Plymouth, was arrested on a preliminary charge of Theft. He was taken to the Marshall County Jail.

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Legislators Pass Weakened Smoking Bill

Posted on Author WKVI

“It’s better than nothing.” That’s how authors of a smoking ban bill described their feelings after the measure passed the legislature this year. Even though it was passed, the measure was so watered down at the end that legislators were hard pressed to think of a place that will be affected. 17th District Democrat Representative Nancy Dembowski talks about the bill.

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Culver Community Schools Kindergarten Roundup On Its Way

Posted on Author WKVI

Kindergarten enrollment for Culver Community Schools is scheduled for Thursday, April 26 at 6 p.m. in the Culver Elementary School Cafeteria. According to Superintendent Brad Schuldt, the Kindergarten Roundup will inform parents of what health records are required, forms needed for registration, kindergarten screening, Indiana curriculum standards, and other programs available for kindergartners.

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Preschool Program Spotlighted during Knox Community School Board Meeting

Posted on Author WKVI
Gary Dulin, Jerry Fletcher, Harold Welter, Mary Lynn Ritchie, Kirk Bennett, Nathan Marcum, Mike Yankauskas, Superintendent A.J. Gappa

The Spotlight on Success feature of the recent Knox Community School Board meeting included the preschool program. Superintendent A.J. Gappa talks about the presentation.

“We host a preschool program that is part of J.E.S.S.E. Mrs. Suseland invited in four students, two from the morning class and two from the afternoon class, and they showed the Board a beaver lodge that they had built in class as a replica in their study of wild animals. They also showed the Board some of the drawings that they had done, talked about what they do in class, and just gave an overview of how the class operates.”

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More Funds Received to Help Starke County Residents with Heating Bills

Posted on Author WKVI
Community Services of Starke County
Community Services of Starke County

Community Services of Starke County has received additional funds to help low income families pay home heating bills.

If you have already received assistance this heating season from November 2011 to today, no additional funds are available for you. Applications for this new funding will only be accepted for those that will be applying for the first time this heating season in Starke County.

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U.S. 35 to Close at Railroad Crossing in Knox for Two Days

Posted on Author WKVI

The Indiana Department of Transportation will be closing the U.S. 35 railroad crossing in downtown Knox beginning Thursday, March 15th. Crews will fill potholes and smooth the crossing surface. The crossing is expected to be open Friday, March 16th in the evening.

Be sure to plan ahead and secure alternative routes during this construction project. INDOT reminds you to use caution and consider worker safety when driving through a construction zone.

Open House Scheduled for Two Retirees from IU Health Starke Hospital

Posted on Author WKVI
IU Health Starke Hospital

The year was 1952. Harry Truman was President of the United States, Rocky Marciano was the Heavyweight Boxing Champion, the New York Yankees beat the Brooklyn Dodgers in the World Series, and Rosanne Barr and Mr. T were babies.

In 1952, Edith Gurrado began a job in the dietary department at Starke Memorial Hospital – a position that she would hold for 60 continuous years. That streak ended recently when Edith announced her retirement from IU Health Starke Hospital.

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Four Arrested after Alleged Stabbing Incident

Posted on Author WKVI

Four people were arrested after an alleged stabbing incident in Medaryville.

On March 6th, Pulaski County police were called to the Marathon Gas Station where Lori Schultz told police that Clifford Cole reportedly “went crazy”. While in the driveway outside her house, Cole pulled a knife out and threatened her, Edward Schroeder, Jessica Sturgell and Curtis Luedtke. At some point, Cole and Schroeder got into a struggle over the knife and both were injured in the mishap.

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Fundraiser Scheduled for Those Affected by Tornadoes

Posted on Author WKVI
Tornadoes ravaged the Salyersville, Kentucky area

Twelve days after a devastating tornado hit Salyersville, Kentucky, construction crews are rebuilding roofs and stabilizing structures. County Judge Charles Hardin said the tornado destroyed more than 190 houses and about 80 buildings in the community with 1,900 residents.

Debbie Mix, the Executive Director-Coordinator of the Starke County Chamber of Commerce-Tourism Commission has announced that a Gospel Music Jam will be held on Saturday, March 24th at 3:00 p.m. at Grand Central Station in North Judson. This will be a fundraiser for the Tornado victims of Magoffin County, Kentucky. The event will feature local music groups and singers. If you plan on attending, bring a covered dish, if possible.

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Eastern Pulaski School Corporation Shows Pride in Kindergarten Program

Posted on Author WKVI

The Eastern Pulaski School Corporation held their regular day-time meeting Monday, and Superintendent Dr. Robert Klitzman says one of the things they’re most proud of is the progress they’re making with their kindergarten program. Klitzman says that seven students are picked at random to showcase their reading skills to the board members by reading to them.

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