Meth Lab Found Behind Church in Knox

Posted on Author WKVI

An officer from the Knox City Police Department was called to a meth lab dump site behind the Pentecostal Church on Wednesday.

Police arrived at the church at 509 S. Roosevelt Road in Knox were they met with a surveyor from Stephenson Land Surveying. The lab was not on the church grounds, but the surveyor said that he found a large tarp on the ground in the woods behind the church and saw footprints that led up to the tarp. The man thought a person was underneath the tarp and called out but received no answer. The surveyor then lifted up the tarp and saw items that are used in the manufacture of methamphetamine. He told police that another lab was found about 80 feet away under another tarp.

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Knox City Council Discusses 2012 Mayoral Appointments

Posted on Author WKVI
Knox Mayor Rick Chambers

The Knox City Council discussed the 2012 Mayoral Appointments at their recent meeting. There is currently no water superintendent for the city because the previous superintendent was released from duty earlier this week. A seat on the Starke County Alcoholic Beverage Board is also open, and Mayor Rick Chambers told the council that he will possibly be seeking an Ordinance Officer in the summer. That position was previously handled by the police, but according to Chambers, that hasn’t worked out as well as he’d hoped.

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Hamlet Town Board Reorganizes

Posted on Author WKVI

The Hamlet Town Board reorganized and elected Dave Kesvormas as the Board President. Brian Earnest was appointed to the K-IRPC Board, Martin Bedrock was retained as the Board Attorney and Frank Lonigro, Jr. was appointed to the Starke County Economic Development Foundation and Frank Lonigro III was retained as the Town Marshal.

Bryan McKinney Winamac

Posted on Author Anita Goodan

1-7-12

Bryan scored a game-high 29 points in Winamac’s 54-22 win over rival Knox. McKinney spread out his scoring over both halves, getting 16 of his points in the first half, followed by 13 in the second. He presented match-up problems on the perimeter as well as in the post while leading the Warriors to their 8th win of the year.

Elliott Coad Knox

Posted on Author Anita Goodan

1-6-12

Elliott scored a game high 25 points to lead the Redskins to their 2nd consecutive win in a 53-43 overtime win over Jimtown. 15 of his 25 points came in the 3rd quarter where he scored 6 of those points in less than 10 seconds on back-to-back 3-point plays.

Boys Career Scoring Leaders (Current Players)

Posted on Author Anita Goodan

Boys Career Scoring Leaders: (Minimum 300 points)

  1. John Eckert-Sr. (NJ): 1,249
  2. Kendall Hochstedler-Sr. (NJ): 756
  3. Winston Yergler-Sr. (NJ): 607
  4. Josh Anderson-Sr. (JG): 592
  5. Elliott Coad-Sr. (K): 523
  6. Bryan McKinney-Sr. (W): 518
  7. Zach Shidler-Jr. (W): 398
  8. Spencer Dobson-Sr. (WC): 358
  9. Collin Stevens-Jr. (C): 312
  10. Craig McIntosh-310

Boys Basketball Leaders

Posted on Author Anita Goodan

Boys Scoring Leaders: (Through 1-7-12)

(Stats as reported to www.etpearl.com)

  1. John Eckert (NJ): 19.7ppg-178 points (9 games)
  2. Winston Yergler (NJ): 19.2ppg-173 points (9 games)
  3. Josh Anderson (JG): 18.3ppg-165 points (9 games)
  4. Elliott Coad (K): 17.5ppg-175 points (10 games)
  5. Riley Charlesworth (L): 16.1ppg-145 points (9 games)
  6. Trent Elliott (C): 16.1ppg-145 points (9 games)
  7. Marcus Kammrath (SC): 15.8ppg-178 points (9 games)
  8. Bryan McKinney (W): 15.7ppg-142 points (9 games)
  9. Kendall Hochstedler (NJ): 13.4ppg-121 points (9 games)
  10. Allen Biggers (C): 13.3ppg-120 points (9 games)
  11. Adam Clindaniel (SC): 10.7ppg-97 points (9 games)
  12. Evan Kruger (WC): 10.5ppg-116 points (11 games)
  13. Jimmy Rippe (L): 10.3ppg-90 points (9 games)

Coaching Leaders: (Through 1-7-12)

  1. Dan Warkentien (SC): 254-104 .709 (16 years)
  2. Todd Boldry (K): 192-110 .636 (14 years)
  3. Travis Hannah (JG): 140-137 .505 (13 years)
  4. Bryan Heimlich (WC): 105-84 .556 (9 years)
  5. Kyle Elliott (C): 35-39 .472 (4 years)
  6. Kyle Johnson (W): 20-12 .625 (2 years)
  7. Phil Shabi (NJ): 7-2 .777 (1 year)
  8. Scot Spoljaric (L): 2-7 .222 (1 year)
  9. Matt Crawford (OD): 0-8 .000 (1 year)

Team Records: (Through 1-7-12)

  1. Winamac: 8-1
  2. NJSP: 7-2
  3. Culver: 6-3
  4. John Glenn: 4-5
  5. South Central: 4-5
  6. LaCrosse: 2-7
  7. Knox: 2-8
  8. West Central: 2-9
  9. Oregon-Davis: 0-8

Girls Career Scoring Leaders (Current Players)

Posted on Author Anita Goodan

Girls Career Scoring Leaders: (Minimum 300 points)

  1. Sarah Redweik-Sr. (W): 684
  2. Jordann Frasure-Jr. (NJ): 604
  3. Ashley Campbell-So. (OD): 562
  4. Elisabeth White-Sr. (NJ): 546
  5. Jesse Averone-So. (OD): 536
  6. Justine Kruger-Sr. (WC): 527
  7. Marissa Hamilton-Sr. (WC): 486
  8. Hope Wagner-Sr (K): 428
  9. Jill Rosenbaum-So. (SC): 403
  10. Kenley Sanchez-Sr. (NJ): 393
  11. Stephanie Shorter-So. (W): 366
  12. Shelby Gilbert-Sr. (K): 360
  13. Danna Timm-Sr. (NJ): 354
  14. Alisha McIntosh-So. (OD): 347
  15. Katie Schwenk-Sr. (OD): 311

Girls Basketball Leaders

Posted on Author Anita Goodan

Girls Scoring Leaders (through 1-7-12)

(Stats as reported to www.etpearl.com)

  1. Jill Rosenbaum (SC): 17.7ppg-231 points (13 games)
  2. Ashley Campbell (OD): 17.0ppg-221 points (13 games)
  3. Jesse Averone (OD): 14.1ppg-184 points (13 games)
  4. Sarah Redweik (W): 13.6ppg-178 points (13 games)
  5. Marissa Hamilton (WC): 13.3ppg-173 points (13 games)
  6. Kayla Shaffer (C): 13.0ppg-169 points (13 games)
  7. Hope Wagner (K): 12.8ppg-193 points (15 games)
  8. Jordann Frasure (NJ):  12.3ppg-173 points (14 games)
  9. Kyler Columbia (JG): 12.0ppg-157 points (13 games)
  10. Mickella Hardy (C): 11.6ppg-128 points (11 games)
  11. Alisha McIntosh (OD): 11.6ppg-151 points (13 games)
  12. Justine Kruger (WC): 11.3ppg-147 points (13 games)
  13. Jessica Schramm (W): 11.1ppg-145 points (13 games)
  14. Stephanie Shorter (W): 10.6ppg-139 points (13 games)
  15. Elisabeth White (NJ): 10.2ppg-144 points (14 games)

Career Coaching Records: (through 1-7-12)

  1. Terry Minix (OD): 258-137 .653 (19 years)
  2. John Hampton (NJ): 115-75 .605 (9 years)
  3. Dan Huizenga (K): 113-103 .523 (10 years)
  4. Gina Hierlmeier (WC): 85-41 .675 (6 years)
  5. Tony Scheub (C): 31-9 .775 (2 years)
  6. Rick Budka (SC): 30-45 .400 (4 years)
  7. Jeff Wagner (W): 22-14 .611 (2 years)
  8. Brian McMahan (L): 5-27 .156 (3 years)
  9. Kyle Amor (JG): 3-10 .230 (1 year)

Team Records: (through 1-7-12)

  1. Oregon-Davis: 11-2
  2. NJSP: 10-4
  3. Winamac: 9-4
  4. West Central: 9-4
  5. Culver: 6-7
  6. South Central: 5-8
  7. Knox: 5-10
  8. LaCrosse: 3-9
  9. John Glenn: 3-10

Week in Review for January 2nd-6th, 2012

Posted on Author WKVI

Here is just some of the news that made the news in the Kankakee Valley this week:

Henry F. Schricker Library

Library bonds totaling $1.785 million have been sold to help pay for an expansion and remodeling project at the Henry F. Schricker Public Library. Library Director, Sheila Urwiler, said that she hopes the groundbreaking ceremony will take place in April.

A hiring freeze in Pulaski County has created problems in many county departments. Auditor Sheila Garling said she will discuss the issue with the Commissioners and Council to see if the freeze can be reclassified to allow department heads to hire the help they need. Continue reading →

Accident Claims Life of Plymouth Woman

Posted on Author WKVI

Emergency personnel were called to an accident on 1100 East, just north of U.S. 30 in Starke County yesterday afternoon. According to an officer from the Starke County Sheriff’s Department, 45-year-old Lois Bickel, of Plymouth, was traveling northbound on 1100 East, when for some unknown reason, left the roadway, went sideways, went into the ditch and hit some trees. She was airlifted to South Bend Memorial Hospital and later died of her injuries.

The St. Joseph County Coroner’s Office determined her cause of death as blunt force trauma. The Starke County Sheriff’s Department investigated the accident.

Elisabeth White NJSP

Posted on Author Anita Goodan

1-5-12

Elisabeth scored a season high 21 points and pulled down 11 rebounds in North Judson’s 48-42 win over Kankakee Valley. The 5’7 forward dominated the boards for the Jays despite being guarded much of the night by 6’0 and 6’2 defenders in what was described by head coach John Hampton as the best game he has ever seen her play.

Garnishment Case Heard by Starke County Commissioners

Posted on Author WKVI
Starke County Commissioners: Kathy Norem, Dan Bridegroom and Jennifer Davis

An interesting garnishment case came up before the Starke County Commissioners this week.

A public employee complained to the commissioners that her employer had received a “garnishment” notice from the treasurer’s office stating that she was behind in her real estate taxes. The matter was eventually cleared up at the treasurer’s office. It was an honest mistake that was easily corrected.

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Cheryl Paschen Appears in Court for Plea and Sentencing Hearing

Posted on Author WKVI
Cheryl Paschen

Cheryl Paschen made an appearance in the Starke Circuit Court Thursday for her plea and sentencing hearing. She had previously posted bond and was on home detention for three months, but on October 20th, she was removed from monitoring and has been staying with her parents.

Chief Deputy Prosecutor Mary Ryan told Judge Kim Hall that she would need written approval for Community Corrections confirming Paschen is eligible for home detention as part of the plea agreement. In addition, the state will need to check and ensure that warrant issues in LaPorte County and Florida will not interfere with the defendant’s ability to successfully complete the agreement.

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Wythogan Park Train Bridge to Undergo Risk Management Inspection

Posted on Author WKVI

City Attorney David Matsey mentioned during the recent meeting of the Knox City Council that he had received a claim from an attorney in Connecticut in regards to a drowning victim in the Yellow River. The claim will be handled and covered by the city’s insurance carrier, but Knox Mayor Rick Chambers told the council that he plans to set a date for a risk management inspector to inspect the train bridge over the Yellow River.

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Pulaski County Community Development Commission Looks Forward to New Year

Posted on Author WKVI

The Pulaski County Community Development Commission Board members have a lot of projects on tap for this year.

“We’re going to continue to build our efforts towards some Youth Retention programming,” said Executive Director, Nathan Origer. “Ideally, we’d like to get some non-voting youth members on our board contributing. We are planning an Economic Summit for probably late spring and this year it’s going to focus on entrepreneurial development, business start-ups, people who have a business and need to figure out how to take the next step in expanding their businesses and sustaining their businesses.”

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Knox Community School Board Reorganizes, Commends Students on Promotional Video

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

The members of the Knox Community School Board reorganized at their meeting Monday night. Harold Welter was retained as Board President, Mary Lynn Ritchie was retained as Vice President and Jerry Fletcher was retained as Secretary. William Satterlee III, from Hoeppner, Wagner and Evans in Valparaiso, will continue as the Board’s legal counsel.

During the Spotlight on Success portion of the meeting, the Board viewed a promotional video put together by Middle School students Colin Kulpa and Jason Christopher. Technology Coach, Chris Ross, helped the students with the final touches but Superintendent A.J. Gappa said the students did the majority of the work.

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North Judson Town Board Receives Fire Department Update, Independent Audit to be Conducted

Posted on Author WKVI

Fire Chief Joe Leszek approached the North Judson Town Council and informed them that the hose training for the department was completed in December and everything is up-to-date. However, Leszek had some bad news for the board: Firefighter Todd Jackson was injured on the job recently. He refused medical treatment at the scene as the injury was not life-threatening; however, his injury worsened over the next day and he required medical attention. Clerk-Treasurer Donna Henry said she will follow up with a workman’s compensation inquiry.

The council also discussed the possibility of conducting an independent audit. Henry told the council that it is recommended by the Indiana Association of Cities and Towns to have an independent audit conducted as soon as possible, but Board Member Jane Ellen Felchuk disagreed, saying she felt it might not be necessary, especially when considering the cost. Previously, the cost for an independent audit was about $2,500, and is usually done every two years. A motion was made by Board member Tim Cummins to have an independent audit conducted, and it was approved.