A crowd of 300-400 people attended a presentation at the Culver Elementary Gymnasium Saturday to listen to an Iowa State professor. In his presentation Roger McEowen talked about the impact of large scale wind power stations on adjacent landowners. The session was of interest to those that attended because of the possibility of 40-70 wind turbines being constructed in the Culver-Argos
area. A company called Next Era Resources is the driving force in placing these turbines in an area of 17,000 acres.
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Shop with a Cop Event Held Yesterday in Knox
Officers from the Kankakee Valley Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #129 participated in a Shop with a Cop event yesterday at ALCO in Knox. Chris Kisela, Knox City Police Officer and FOP President, talked about yesterday’s event:
“We’ve been doing fundraisers over the summer. We’ve raised over $2000 so far. We’ll take that $2000 and spend it on school clothes. The kids will have $100 each to buy school clothes for the upcoming school year,” said Kisela.
Pulaski County Health Department Offering Walk-In Clinic Today
Today, the Pulaski County Health Department will be offering a walk-in clinic for school children who need their immunizations for school.
The walk-in clinic is open today from 3 – 7 p.m. ET at the Health Department for children in Kindergarten through 12th grade. The Health Department is charging $8.00 per shot. If you are on Medicaid, you will need your Medicaid card and the Health Department will bill Medicaid directly. Parents should also present immunization cards when at the clinic.
Knox Board of Public Works Approves Bid for Storm Water Project
Knox Mayor Rick Chambers announced that the Knox Board of Public Works approved the lowest conforming bid for the upcoming storm water project.
“H & G Underground Services from Laporte, Indiana, their bid for $688,977 was the lowest bid and that was taken under advisement until that could be checked by Territorial Engineering and the City of Knox attorney,” said Chambers.
Pulaski County Jail Impresses State Inspectors
The Pulaski County Jail underwent an inspection last week by an inspector from the Indiana Department of Corrections.
In his report, Lee Hoard said that Sheriff Michael Gayer, Commander Phillip Cherry and the staff are to be commended on the maintenance of the jail. The jail is clean and the staff are professional and receptive to suggestions and recommendations. The offenders were interviewed and stated that the felt safe in the facility, the food was good and the staff treated them well. The only recommendation made was to provide two dates on leftover food: date in and date out.
Presentation on Gas Prices to Be Held at Knox Community Center
Have you ever wondered why gas prices go up at the pump when consumption is down, or why pricing varies so much from station to station or even town to town? What about why, when oil prices drop considerably, prices at the pump only drop a few pennies?
Well, WKVI Radio has arranged for those questions and more to be answered by an “insider.” Scott Imus, Executive Director of the Indiana Petroleum Marketers and Convenience Store Association, will be in Knox August 25th at the Knox Community Center for a presentation and will be available to answer your questions. All governmental officials and individuals alike are invited to attend. Imus will begin his presentation at 6:30 p.m. CT.
The session is co-sponsored by Senator Ed Charbonneau, Representative Nancy Dembowski, and Knox Mayor Rick Chambers.
Starke County Food Pantry Receiving Donations to Help Families
Cecilia Torres, Services Coordinator at the Starke County Food Pantry is seeing some donations coming into the facility which helps the 220 families the pantry serves each month.
“We’ve had a lot of organizations, a lot of people making donations, especially of the fresh vegetables. We’re really appreciative of that,” said Torres.
Week in Review for August 8th-12th, 2011
Here is just some of the news that made the news in the Kankakee Valley this week:
Staci Brown, of Knox, was arrested Friday, August 5th on charges of Battery Resulting in Death and Neglect of a Dependent Resulting in Death, both Class A Felonies. She is accused of injuring her stepson, Ethan causing his death. During her initial hearing in Starke Circuit Court on Wednesday, a preliminary plea of not guilty was entered on her behalf and she requested a court-appointed attorney.
Starke County Commissioners Terminate Treasurer Employees
The Starke County Commissioners Thursday removed county treasurer Linda Belork from office. The action was taken after the commissioners received a state audit of the office in which there were a considerable number of irregularities found. The commissioners have filed a complaint for default on the surety bond and damages. The surety bond company, Ohio Casualty Insurance, and Treasurer Linda Belork are named as defendants in the suit. Commissioner Kathy Norem asked for the removal, seconded by Jennifer Davis.
Accidents Claim Lives of Two Starke County Women
An accident claimed the life of Joann Rannels of Koontz Lake yesterday morning. The accident happened at 1100 East on U.S. 30 at 11:00 a.m. Officers on the scene reported that Rannels proceeded through an intersection and was struck by an eastbound pickup truck driven by Lukas Holcomb of Indianapolis.
Former Starke County Car Dealer Passes Away
As reported yesterday, Leonard Rudd, 85, passed away at his home Wednesday evening. For the better part of his life, he was involved in the automotive business, owning and operating his Chevrolet-Buick store in Knox from 1961 to 1989.
He was also an auctioneer, and for many years sang with the original Rudd Family Singers.
Leonard Rudd, age 85 passed away on Wednesday, August 10 at his home in Knox. He was born to Rev. Orban and Anna (Mullins) Rudd on June 13, 1926 in McGoffin County Kentucky. In 1939 the Rudd Family relocated from the mountains of southeastern Kentucky to the flatlands of northwest Indiana, making a home here in Starke County.
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Winamac Man Arrested for Fraud, Theft
Andrew W. Sturgeon, 25, of Winamac was arrested Tuesday by Pulaski County Police on a warrant. The warrant included charges of Fraud on a Financial Institution, a Class C Felony; and Theft, a Class D Felony. Sturgeon allegedly stole $947.77 through false deposits and withdrawals.
According to the police report, officers were dispatched to First Federal Savings Bank in Winamac. When the officer arrived and spoke with Assistant Branch Manager Rhonda Lower, he was told that a customer, Sturgeon, had been making deposits at ATMs that were not correct. On June 24th, Sturgeon reportedly made a deposit of $300 at an ATM near the bank. When checked, there was only $30 in the envelope. After making the deposit, Sturgeon withdrew $260 from the account, which actually had a balance of only $30.92.
Party Conventions Scheduled in Hamlet
Party conventions for both the Democratic and the Republican parties have been scheduled in Hamlet. The purpose of this convention is to select the nominees for all town offices for which more than one candidate has filed.
Economic Summits to be Held in Winamac, Francesville
Two economic summits have been planned for Pulaski County. One of these summits will take place in Francesville while the other is planned for Winamac.
“Economic summits give businesses the opportunity that maybe they don’t get on a daily basis to have government with a local interest let them know what they can do to help them,” said Nathan Origer of the CDC.
Knox, Indiana Resident Shows Support on Today Show
The city of Knox got its moment in the spotlight thanks to Jeannie Little, a Knox resident on vacation in New York City. During the broadcast of the Today Show, Little held up a large sign with the words “Knox, Indiana,” and caught quite a bit of attention.
After receiving an email with a mobile contact number for Little, WKVI’s Tom Berg was able to contact Little and ask her a few questions on the air.
Starke County Commissioners Terminate Employees in Treasurer’s Office
The Starke County Commissioners met in an emergency session this morning to address unresolved issues from a 2009 audit of the County Treasurer’s Office.
The Commissioners held an Executive Session meeting and then Commission President Dan Bridegroom read a prepared statement to the press and public.
“As a result of an unresolved issue from 2009 State Board of Accounts Audit of the Starke County Treasurer’s Office, county officials have instituted additional safeguards on county bank accounts. The safeguards will enhance review procedures that may result in modest delays in the availability of funds for payment of county checks. Delays should not exceed 48 hours.”
Not Guilty Plea Entered for Stacie Brown
Stacie Brown, who faces two felony charges in the death of her stepson Ethan on June 19th, made her initial appearance in Starke Circuit Court yesterday.
Magistrate Jeanene Calabrese entered a preliminary plea of not guilty for the defendant. She also delayed a request for a court appointed attorney to defend her.
Knox City Council Discusses Budget
In a special session with Knox City Clerk-Treasurer, Jeff Houston on Tuesday evening, the Council walked through the completed budget that will soon be submitted to the Department of Local Government Finance. Presented was a budget that totals $3,112,071.
“At our next meeting, on the 23rd of August, we’re going to have our Public Hearing at 7:00 when we have our Council meeting,” said Houston when explaining the next step in the budget process. “The budget is also advertised and we’ll have our third reading of the salary ordinance.”
Winamac Town Council Receives Update on Wastewater Project
The wastewater project for the town of Winamac has rounded the halfway point, according to a representative from Commonwealth Engineers. The council gave permission for payment to be submitted for parts of the project, and surface paving on Riverside Drive has been completed. No complaints have been received regarding the project.
Students Head Back to School Next Week
Students will be returning to classrooms next week. Before the students go back to the Eastern Pulaski School Corporation, Elementary students are invited to participate in the meet the teacher night on Tuesday, August 16th 5:00-6:00 p.m. ET. Meet the teacher night for Middle and High School students will be from 5:30-6:30 p.m. ET on Tuesday. School begins for all students in the Eastern Pulaski School Corporation on Wednesday, August 17th.
