Starke United/WKVI Radio Auction Scheduled for December 2nd

Posted on Author WKVI
Starke United

The Starke United/WKVI Radio Auction is two weeks from today.

Julie Dessauer, the Executive Director of Starke United, tells us about the event.

“The Radio Auction will be on WKVI K99.3 FM on Friday, December 2nd, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. CT,” stated Dessauer. “Auction services will be donated by Osinski Auction Service and communications and space are donated by CenturyLink. It is at the CenturyLink warehouse which is on the corner of John and Pearl Streets. Our viewing times are Thursday, December 1st from 4:00-7:00 p.m. and Friday morning from 9:00-10:00 a.m. and then the auction starts at 10:00 a.m.”

Continue reading →

Some Indiana Teachers Frustrated with Red Tape

Posted on Author WKVI

Education in Indiana in the 21st Century is not the satisfying profession it was 25 years ago according to Dennis Norman, the Area 1 Director of the Indiana Retired Teachers Association.  Norman visits with retired and current teachers and administrators as he travels throughout his nine county area and he tells us what they’ve been telling him about what they’re feeling today.

Continue reading →

Porter-Starke Facilities Tobacco Free

Posted on Author WKVI

During yesterday’s national observation of the American Cancer Society’s Great American Smokeout, Porter-Starke Services implemented its organization-wide tobacco free policy.

The policy took effect at all Porter-Starke offices in Knox, Valparaiso and Portage. Porter-Starke implemented a tobacco-free policy among its employees in 2007 and the clients of the Inpatient Care Center in 2009. While there will be no tobacco use allowed on Porter-Starke property, the organization will provide healthy alternatives to tobacco use on-site, including nicotine replacement options, tobacco cessation resources and healthy alternatives in its ongoing programming.

Starke County Chamber’s Annual Meeting Scheduled for Today

Posted on Author WKVI
Debbie Mix

Starke County Chamber members will be hearing today about another successful year. Chamber Executive Director, Debbie Mix, told us what she will be telling the membership.

“I do the highlights of the year which include the different events that we had,” said Mix. “I will mention the Schricker Award, the AM Starke Counties that we’ve had, the fundraisers which include the Mint Festival booth and our Business Expo, and then I’ll mention the upcoming Shop Local event.” Continue reading →

Swearing in Ceremony Scheduled for CASA Volunteers

Posted on Author WKVI

Ron Henningsmith, Director of the Starke County CASA organization, is announcing that a new class of CASA volunteers will be sworn in by Starke Circuit Court Judge Kim Hall on Monday, November 21st, at 4:00 p.m.

CASA, or Court Appointed Special Advocates, is a nationwide organization that acts on behalf of children in court cases.

According to the CASA website, 71 of Indiana’s 92 counties have CASA organizations. There are almost 3,000 volunteers statewide.

Uniforms for City of Knox Employees Could be Taxed

Posted on Author WKVI
Knox City Council #2
Back Row: Mayor Rick Chambers, Ed Blue, Clerk-Treasurer Jeff Houston, Greg Matt and Attorney David Matsey. Front Row: Linda Berndt, Jeff Berg and Ron Parker

Workers for the City of Knox are being forewarned that their uniforms that they wear at work might be taxed as a fringe benefit in the near future.

Clerk-Treasurer Jeff Houston told Mayor Rick Chambers and City Council members of the possibility at the most recent City Council meeting.

“That looks like the way that the Department of Revenue says that we may be going,” said Houston. “There may be a way around that. We might have to pass an ordinance saying that that’s required for the city employees and they may have to take those uniforms off at work.”

Continue reading →

Indiana Retired Teachers Asssociation Meets

Posted on Author WKVI
Dennis Norman

The Indiana Retired Teachers Association members in Starke and Pulaski counties recently met and those who attended the meeting had an opportunity to hear Lynn Johnson, Superintendent of the North Judson-San Pierre School system, talk about the state of education in Indiana today.

Dennis Norman, the Area 1 Director for the Association, said the Association was established 61 years ago to work for retired teachers pensions. He explains how the pension plan was funded.

Continue reading →

Five Arrested in LaPorte on Drug Charges

Posted on Author WKVI

Five people were arrested after a drug raid in LaPorte County.

Investigators from the Metro Operations Unit and detectives from the LaPorte County Sheriff’s Office conducted surveillance in the 300 block of State Street in LaPorte for drug activity. When officers saw a suspect enter the area, officers approached him and he fled. Michael Mikowski, of LaPorte, was quickly apprehended and a K9 found crack cocaine in his possession. He was arrested on preliminary charges of Dealing Cocaine and Resisting Law Enforcement.

Continue reading →

West Central Schools Moving Forward with Wind Turbine Project

Posted on Author WKVI

The wind turbine project at the West Central School Corporation is moving along schedule.

“Sometime soon here in November, we will start having equipment coming in as far as the tower itself being erected,” said Superintendent Charles Mellon. “The cement base has been poured and it’s going through the curing process. Once the curing process ends in December, they will begin getting the wiring set up and doing all their testing. They still say that we would be functioning by the first week in January. I hope we stay on that schedule.”

City of Knox Preparing for Possible Downtown Project

Posted on Author WKVI
Gene Blastic

The man who initiated the talks on revitalizing downtown Knox was at last week’s Knox City Council meeting to listen to a plan of action to get the ball rolling. Gene Blastic was given the assignment to gauge interest from city officials and business owners in putting together a comprehensive plan that would address the deficiencies in the downtown area.

One of those deficiencies is the Starke County Economic Development building at the corner of Lake and Main Streets. The Foundation is considering plans to remodel or raze the century-old building at 2 North Main Street. Remodeling the building could cost in the range of $350,000 and that might not be in the best interest for the organization.

Continue reading →

WKVI/Five Star Food Drive this Saturday

Posted on Author WKVI

The 2nd Annual WKVI/Five Star Food Drive will be held Saturday, November 19th from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at Five Star in Knox.

We will be broadcasting live during that time and we will be accepting donations for the Community Services of Starke County Food Pantry. Five Star has some good deals this week so stop in the store and buy a couple of extra items and donate them to the food pantry. You may also make cash donations.

Continue reading →

SCILL Center Collecting Coats for Those in Need

Posted on Author WKVI
SCILL Center

The SCILL Center students are collecting coats for those in need this winter season.

If you have a gently used coat that you can donate, or maybe you’d like to purchase a new coat for the cause, you may drop them off for the SCILL Center students to collect. You may leave them at the Oregon-Davis High School, Ray’s Super Foods in North Judson, Pioneer Florist in North Judson, Five Star in Knox, Sears and Bailey’s Discount Center.

Continue reading →

Starke County Democrat Precinct Committeeman to Seek New County Treasurer

Posted on Author WKVI
Linda Belork

The Starke County Precinct Committee persons have been notified that the Democrat party has decided to permanently replace Linda Belork in the office of Starke County Treasurer. Belork was removed as Treasurer on August 11th by the Starke County Commissioners because of a state audit that pointed out financial discrepancies. The county also filed suit against the bonding company, Ohio Casualty, which subsequently canceled Mrs. Belork’s bond.

Continue reading →

Senator Jim Arnold Gives Project Advice to Starke County Jail Committee

Posted on Author WKVI
Starke County Jail

The Starke County Jail Committee met this week. Eight of the ten members were in attendance and heard presentations from two construction project management companies. Representatives from CCI in Ft. Wayne and The Skillman Corporation regional office in Merrillville were on hand to answer questions about jail construction.

Also on hand to address the group was State Senator Jim Arnold of LaPorte. Senator Arnold went through a jail building project when he was the Sheriff of LaPorte County and had this advice for the Committee.

Continue reading →