WKVI Information Center

Kasey Clark was sworn in last night as the Interim Starke County Treasurer. Clark, who has been running the office since Linda Belork was removed in August, was selected by the Starke County Precinct Committeemen in a caucus last night at the Knox Community Center. Clark won the caucus over Connie Miller of North Judson.

Before the vote each of the women gave a speech listing their reasons for running for the office. Clark repeated part of her address following the vote.

IU Health Starke Hospital to Wait to Contract with Private Ambulance Service

IU Health Starke Hospital officials have agreed to wait at least until the second quarter of 2012 to sign a contract with a private ambulance service to provide emergency transfers from Starke to other acute care hospitals.

At issue was a plan that would have cost the local EMS $100,000 if it lost the Basic Life Support patients that it has been transferring in the past.

Winamac Man Arrested on Rape, Domestic Battery Charges

A Winamac man was arrested on Monday and charged with Rape and Domestic Battery.

It is alleged that Christopher Stonebraker raped his ex-wife and pushed her head into a wall causing her tooth to chip. The Probable Cause Affidavit also states that he reportedly scratched her back in the presence of two children. Stonebraker was arrested by an officer from the Indiana State Police and taken to the Starke County Jail on a Class B Felony Rape charge and a Class D Felony Domestic Battery charge.

New 4-H Youth Development Extension Educator Takes Office

Elisabeth Smith began work yesterday as the new 4-H Youth Development Extension Educator. Elisabeth is from Rush County in Indiana, a graduate of Butler University, and has spent the last few years teaching elementary students in Maryland. She has moved home to be closer to her family and to reclaim her Hoosier roots. We found out yesterday that Elisabeth was an active 4-H member in her county when she was young.

North Judson Christmas Parade Tonight

A Christmas parade will be held tonight in North Judson at 5:45 p.m. and will travel down Lane Street to Main Street and end at Norwayne Park. Santa will be riding in the parade and will help with the tree lighting ceremony at Norwayne Park at 6:00 p.m. After the tree lighting ceremony, the Community Building, or the old firehouse, will be open for refreshments after the ceremony and those attending can sing Christmas carols. Kids will also be able to visit with Santa.

Officials in the Town of Hamlet will hold the Christmas Tree Lighting and Social on Saturday, December 3rd. The tree lighting will begin at 5:00 p.m. on the front lawn of Hamlet Town Hall. You are welcome to join in singing Christmas carols out by the tree and then inside for some hot chocolate and “surprises”. Santa might even be there.

Apply Now for Energy Assistance

The Energy Assistance Program for LaPorte, Pulaski, and Starke County residents is in full swing, as the North Central Community Action Agencies, Inc. and Community Services of Starke County have begun taking applications.

Starke United Auction Today!

Don’t forget the Starke United Auction today at the CenturyLink warehouse. The auction begins at 10:00 a.m. when WKVI comes on the air with its remote broadcast. The auction will last at least until 4:00 p.m. and there are scores of items for sale.

It’s the perfect time to do a little Christmas shopping and to help Starke United.

Starke County Democrat Caucus Scheduled Tonight to Replace Treasurer

There will be a Democrat Caucus tonight to select a replacement for Linda Belork, but the replacement will not be called the Treasurer of Starke County. Linda Belork, with counsel, appeared before Judge Kim Hall yesterday seeking an injunction against a Democrat caucus being held to fill her position by the precinct committeemen.

Judge Hall ruled that because State Statute does not guide him in this motion he would fashion a ruling on the testimony. The judge interviewed Attorney Ethan Lowe as well as Democrat Chairman Ken Wallace. When completed, Judge Hall ruled that a caucus could proceed tonight, but that the person selected would be referred to as the Interim Treasurer. As the Interim Treasurer, the candidate would have the full authority of the Treasurer’s position to make decisions and sign documents.

Two Candidates have Filed for Tonight’s Democratic Caucus

Two candidates are seeking the opportunity to fill the Starke County Interim Treasurer’s position in tonight’s Democrat Caucus. The appointed person will fill the term of Linda Belork until a Jasper County Court settles a suit between her and the Starke County Commissioners. If Belork wins the court case, she will reclaim the office and the caucus winner will vacate the position. If Belork loses the suit, the caucus winner will automatically have the Interim designation removed from her title, and the candidate will become the Treasurer.

Arson Suspected in Garage and House Fire in Knox

An arson incident is being investigated in Knox.

Knox-Center Township Fire Department firefighters were called to a garage fire at 0020 N. 500 E. in Knox on Thursday, November 22nd. Firefighters discovered a fire along the back wall of the garage and it was quickly extinguished. The fire was ruled electrical/accidental. Firefighters were called to the same residence the next day and extinguished another fire that was located on the back wall of the garage near the location of the previous fire.

Five Arrested on Drug Charges Appear for Initial Hearings in Starke Circuit Court

Zachariah-Whitfield — Zachariah Whitfield

Following their arrest on November 23rd at a residence in Knox, the five individuals arrested in relation to drug activity at 605 South Portland Street made their initial appearances in the Starke Circuit Court yesterday.

Joseph Givens and Kristin Webb face charges of Possession of Methamphetamine, two counts of Possession of a Controlled Substance, Maintaining a Common Nuisance, and Possession of Marijuana, while Brooke Webb is charged with Possession of Methamphetamine, four counts of Possession of a Controlled Substance, Possession of Marijuana, and Visiting a Common Nuisance. Nikki Givens faces charges of Possession of Methamphetamine, Maintaining a Common Nuisance, and Possession of Marijuana, and Zachariah Whitfield faces a charge of Maintaining a Common Nuisance.

NIPSCO to Make Monetary Donation to Food Bank of Northern Indiana

As part of a company-wide initiative spanning all of their territory, NIPSCO has marked the completion of a very successful employee giving campaign, including a monetary donation to the Food Bank of Northern Indiana. NIPSCO’s donation will provide up to 12,000 meals to Elkhart, Kosciusko, La Porte, Marshall, Starke, and St. Joseph County homes.

Candidate Filing for 2012 Election begins January 11th

Starke County Clerk Evelyn Skronski said that January 11th will be first day that you can file candidacy for office in the 2012 election.

The office of Starke County Surveyor will be up for election in 2012, as well as Starke County Treasurer, Commissioner District 1 and District 3 and three at-large County Council seats.

Winter Wonderland Event in Winamac this Saturday

Pulaski County’s Winter Wonderland is Saturday, December 3rd from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. ET in the Winamac downtown area.

The parade begins at 11:00 a.m. and it will begin at the Catholic Church and will end at the Pulaski County Chamber Office. Vendor booths will be set up at the Opera House at the corner of Market and Main Street and at 200 N. Monticello Street and at Refined. Maps are available at many local businesses. The Church of the Heartland Bethlehem scene can be viewed at 102 N. Market Street.