Jim Arnold Named Senator of the Year by Aviation Association of Indiana

Posted on Author WKVI
Senator Jim Arnold

State Senator Jim Arnold was named State Senator of the Year by the Aviation Association of Indiana. In ceremonies last week at the Association’s annual conference held at Swan Lake Country Club in Plymouth, Arnold was presented his award.

Top legislators are annually recognized by the Association for their commitment, accessibility and responsiveness to issues facing the aviation industry.

Senator Arnold (D-LaPorte) said the honor is particularly important to him as he has personal experience with the aviation industry. While serving in the U.S. Air Force, he was an air traffic controller.

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Wythogan Park to Stay Open until Winter Weather Arrives

Posted on Author WKVI
Wythogan Park

With cooler weather in the air, many people have wondered when Wythogan Park in Knox would be closed.

WKVI News posed that question to George Byer, the Park Superintendent, last week.

“The way things have been going and the way the weather is, we usually do it on a year-to-year basis,” said Byer. “The way it looks, with the Indian Summer that we’ve had here the past week, we’re going to keep the park open until we’re forced to by Mother Nature and the snow. It’ll be open until it gets cold enough to where the water lines may freeze.”

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SCILL Center Names Students of the Month

Posted on Author WKVI
Tyler Wickizer
Tyler Keeton
Mikinzie Wilson
Thomas Carey

The SCILL Center recently announced the Student of the Month recipients for the month of September.

Tyler Wickizer from LaVille High School and Tyler Keeton from Knox High School were the AM class recipients of the award. Mikinzie Wilson and Thomas Carey both from Knox High School were the PM class recipients of the award.

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Starke County Man Arrested after Attempting to Stab Two Men

Posted on Author WKVI

Officers from the Starke County Sheriff’s Department arrested a Starke County man, Sunday,  after he allegedly attempted to stab two men.

Police were called to a residence in the 1400 block of 400 South where they found that Shelby G. Thomas, 56, threatened death to one of the victims by pressing a knife to the victim’s neck. As officers attempted to take Thomas into custody, he then pulled out a large knife and told police that he was not going back to prison. He was eventually taken into custody and transported to the Starke County Jail.

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Funeral Services Held for Drew Shearin

Posted on Author WKVI
Drew Shearin

On the first Sunday following the death of a popular student a week ago, the clergy of the community used the occasion to pray for and ask comfort for the family and friends. By the outpouring of sorrow all last week, the student body of Knox High School and the community at large showed what an impact Drew Shearin had on all who knew him.

Before hundreds of those in his services Friday night, his youth pastor, Rev. Rick Martin, put it best in his closing prayer.

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Starke County Jail Committee Hearing Tonight

Posted on Author WKVI

The first Starke County Jail Committee meeting will be held this evening. Commissioner Kathy Norem will chair the meeting. Norem announced last week that Todd Samuelson from Umbaugh and Associates will be at the first meeting. Samuelson is an expert on financing, and is expected to explain options as the committee moves forward making decisions on how to correct problems associated with the deteriorating Starke County Jail.

Pulaski County Health Department to Help Food Pantry for the Holidays

Posted on Author WKVI
Food Pantry

The Pulaski County Health Department is teaming up with Pulaski County Human Services to fight hunger this holiday season.

If you bring a non-perishable food item to the Pulaski County Health Department, you will receive $3.00 off for each child administration fee for vaccines now through November 30th. A non-perishable food item is needed for each vaccine the child is receiving to be discounted at the time of your appointment.

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Pulaski County United Fund Campaign Continues

Posted on Author WKVI

Donations for the Pulaski County United Fund may be dropped off at the Winamac office again this year at 602 S. Monticello St. and at the Alliance Bank branches in Francesville, Winamac, Monon, Monticello, and Rensselaer.

The Pulaski County United Fund helps raise funds during an annual fall campaign and then distributes those funds to 10 local agencies which serve the human service needs of Pulaski County residents. The 2012 campaign funds will be distributed to agencies that provide programs, services and events focusing on the finance, health and education of the community.

Bluegrass Jam held at Knox Community Center

Posted on Author WKVI

Country music fans, especially of the Bluegrass persuasion, turned out Friday night for Mayor Rick Chamber’s Bluegrass Jam at the Knox Community Center.

Mayor Chambers said the event gives musicians, and fans alike a chance to get out and enjoy their music of choice.

“We had a great turnout as usual,” said Mayor Rick Chambers. “We had about 270 people here. We had donations for the Food Pantry and my pickup truck is full of food. We probably have 700 or 800 pounds of food. It’s a really great turnout. We hold these events about twice a year and we’d like to do more, but the Community Center is usually rented out, so we do one in early spring and late fall.”

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Knox High School Students Remember Drew Shearin

Posted on Author WKVI

Drew Shearin

The following piece was submitted by WKVI Intern and Knox High School student, Makayla Dillard.

We’ve all heard the saying, “only the good die young.” This was undoubtedly proved true this past Monday night. The tragic untimely death of Drew Shearin affected the entire community. His life touched nearly everyone’s life in some way, shape, or form. He was the nicest young man, the most successful young musician, and the most talented young actor. But that’s just it – he was so young. As Ms. Miller, his best friend’s mother, said, “God needed someone to teach the angels how to play music.” The amount of people that showed up to his candle light vigil Wednesday evening was absolutely incredible. “Each of the candles represented someone that he touched,” said Ms. Miller. And that was inevitably true. Drew Shearin’s life affected hundreds upon hundreds of people. Everyone from his peers, to the entire community.

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Pulaski County Sheriff’s Department Investigates Shooting Incident

Posted on Author WKVI

Officers from the Pulaski County Sheriff’s Department are investigating a shooting incident that occurred on October 5th near Nice’s Bridge in Pulaski County.

Josh Isom, 27, of Monticello, was reportedly shot in the leg by Jason Creque and sought medical treatment at the White County Memorial Hospital. Further investigation by the White County Sheriff’s Department and the Pulaski County Sheriff’s Department found that he suffered a minor gunshot wound. Isom told police that Creque was involved with his former girlfriend and mother of his child. He allegedly told police that he went to Creque’s home to kill him. Isom stated that he took a swing at Creque and was shot in the leg. Creque confirmed to police that he shot Isom and he also attacked him with brass knuckles. Creque told police that he was in fear for his life when he shot Isom.

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Starke County Sheriff Donates Golf Outing Money to Charity

Posted on Author WKVI
Sheriff Oscar Cowen
Sheriff Oscar Cowen

In past years, Starke County Sheriff Oscar Cowen has held a golf tournament to help finance his political campaigns. This year, Sheriff Cowen will donate the money to charity. The tournament raised $2,115.00, and Cowen has named a charity that will benefit from the fundraiser.

“Two Starke County girls that were well known, Christina Rotering and Ashley Derrickson, who succumbed to cancer, I thought that would be a good cause to donate the money to.”

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Congressman Donnelly Discusses Proposed Legislation Concerning Exports

Posted on Author WKVI
Joe Donnelly
Congressman Joe Donnelly

Congress is attempting to reign in the Chinese for manipulating its currency to make its exports to the U.S. cheaper and U.S. exports more expensive. Many legislators are hesitant to take on the Chinese this way, saying quiet diplomacy is a better way to influence policy.

Second District Congressman Joe Donnelly spoke on the house floor yesterday about the proposed legislation.

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Star City Man Arrested on a Charge of Carrying a Handgun without a Permit

Posted on Author WKVI
Matthew Wheeler

A Star City man has been charged with Carrying a Handgun Without a License, a Class C Felony.

A Pulaski County Sheriff’s Deputy pulled over a vehicle driven by Matthew Wheeler as the Deputy found that the license plate was expired and the license plate light was out. The officer asked Wheeler if he had any weapons in the vehicle and he said he had a BB gun in the car. After consent was given to search the vehicle, the officer found a 9mm Taurus handgun underneath the driver’s seat. Wheeler was asked if he had a permit to carry a firearm and he told the officer that he did not have a permit. He reportedly said that he knew that it is illegal to transport a firearm without a permit. He said he was carrying the weapon because someone was harassing him. Wheeler also reportedly had two pocket knives in his left front jeans pocket which he didn’t reveal to police.

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