The WKVI staff took a trip to Winamac, Wednesday, for a scrumptious lunch at Kostas Restaurant. We’d like to thank Gus Ress and his friendly staff for hosting us. It gave the staff a chance to greet restaurant patrons, including Mr. and Mrs. David Bennett, Bill Webb, Sheriff Mike Gayer, and Deputy John Rogers.
Snow can be fun to play in, but removing it can pose a risk to safety. State health officials are urging Hoosiers to exercise caution when shoveling snow, using a snow blower and walking on snow and ice this winter.
Injuries can happen while shoveling snow, including sprains and strains, particularly in the back and shoulders.
The good news is that shoveling snow can actually be good exercise if done correctly. Here are some simple tips that can prevent injury when clearing the way:
* Warm up by stretching and doing a few exercises before shoveling.
* Avoid smoking or eating a large meal before shoveling.
* Dress warmly in layers with a hat. Be sure to cover your neck.
* Wear shoes or boots that have slip-resistant soles to avoid falls.
* Plan before shoveling snow. Shovel heavy snow in stages. Start by skimming off the snow from the top, and then remove the bottom layer. Don’t overload the shovel.
* Avoid a rush and allow enough time to do the work. Follow a slow and steady pace and take frequent breaks to stand up and stretch.
* Watch what you are shoveling/blowing. Don’t let a hat or scarf block your vision. Watch for ice patches and uneven surfaces.
* Use a shovel that’s comfortable for your height and strength. Don’t use a shovel that’s too heavy or too long for you. Space your hands on the tool grip to increase your leverage.
* Push the snow instead of lifting it. If you must lift, do it properly. Squat with your legs apart, knees bent, and back straight. Lift with your legs. Do not bend at the waist.
* Do not throw the snow over your shoulder or to the side as it could stress your back.
* Breathing cold air dehydrates the body, so drink water during breaks.
For more information about winter weather safety, including health tips and helpful links, visit the Indiana State Department of Health website.
North Judson Utility Superintendent, Dan Anderson, reported to the North Judson Clerk’s Office that street crews have plowed 28 inches of snow. Citizens are asked to remove snow from around fire hydrants in case of an emergency. If the North Judson-Wayne Township Fire Department was called to a fire and the fire hydrant was covered with snow and not visible, firefighters would be delayed in putting out a fire.
A jury trial will begin in Starke Circuit Court today. John Loftus Jr. was arrested on August 19th by the Starke County Police and the Prosecutor’s office has filed five charges against him for which he has plead not guilty. He is charged with Attempted Robbery, a Class C Felony; Domestic Battery with a Child Present, a Class D Felony; Resisting Law Enforcement, a Class A Misdemeanor; Battery, a Class A Misdemeanor; and Battery, a Class B Misdemeanor.
As previously reported on WKVI, Dr. Theresa Alexander will become the the new Starke County Health Officer on January 1st. She will be taking the place of long-time Health Officer, Dr. Walter Fritz, on that date.
Throughout the month, we’ve mentioned the wonderful efforts of local organizations that are lending a helping hand to the less fortunate. Among those organizations is Economy Auto in Knox and the business is conducting a food bank collection.
Monday, December 13th, was a record breaking day here at WKVI. During the first big winter storm of the season, this website received 16,000 hits. Thank you for using us when looking for closings, and other information.
John Hensler, of Hensler Nursery near Hamlet, Indiana, followed the trees he sent to Indianapolis, Monday. The trees make it on time for the ceremony, but the inclement weather prevented him from attending the affair. The ceremony for the tree provided for the Rotunda was hosted by Governor Mitch Daniels and the one for Lieutenant Governor Becky Skillman’s office was hosted by the Lieutenant Governor herself.
Glen Barnes, Principal of the Knox Elementary School has announced that the Christmas Program for 1st grade will be held on Wednesday evening at 6.00Pm and the Kindergarten program will be held on Thursday evening at 6.00Pm.
Many churches and other organizations pitch in to help the less fortunate at Christmas time. Ted Hayes talked about two that were distributing toys and gifts Saturday, and that’s CLASP down at Winamac, and ABATE at Bass Lake.
Ted was at ABATE’s party on Saturday where the Bass Lake Country Club was packed with parents and children. Deb Young was there early signing in parents who were to receive gifts.
Starke County Highway Superintendent Steve Sidell has announced that the County is now under a Level Two Snow Warning.
A level two warning states that “Conditions are threatening to the safety of the public. Only essential travel is recommended, (to and from work, emergency situations etc.) Emergency action plans have been or should be implemented by businesses, schools, government agencies and other organizations.
Sidall advises against travel and ask for the Counties patience as they work to remove the snow from the roads.
Prosecutor Julie Ann Haven and the county commissioners are in a skirmish over money that has been promised from funds out of Starke County Prosecutor Julianne Haven’s office.
The commissioners have held up over $60,000 in claims to find out if the funds can be used for what the prosecutor is using them for. For instance firearms, at least one car, light bars, and some office equipment has been promised to various law enforcement departments.
In a special meeting Friday night, it was discovered that some of the money has already been spent. At least $12,000 has been spent on firearms and ammo.
Hamlet Police Chief Jeremy Patrick, and Deputy Don Ferguson with the Starke County Sheriff’s Department said the firearms cannot be returned as new equipment because they have already taken possession of them.
Appearing before the commissioners Havens said she wasn’t aware that the claims would be finalized before the December 20th. meeting, and may have changed funding sources before that meeting if she had known they were acting upon those claims at this time.
There will be a ceremony for newly elected officials in Starke County to take their oath of office on December 28th, 2010, at 5:00 p.m. Starke Circuit Court Judge Kim Hall said that all elected officials are invited to attend and be sworn in during the ceremony in the courtroom.
The courthouse will be open to everybody and photos will be permitted.
There will be refreshments following the ceremony.
A Starke County Highway snow plow driver considers himself lucky today after the truck he was plowing with rolled into a ditchcaved in a ditch, and rolled onto it’s side. Andy Cornwall, the driver, was taken to Starke Memorial Hospital where he was examined and released.
Fifty-five singers from several area churches braved the snow and cold Sunday to provide two concerts for area residents during the annual Christmas Cantata, held at the Knox United Methodist Church.
The Starke Circuit Court has issued a standing order in the interest of judicial economy to identify certain felony crimes with the intent to establish a standard condition of bond for each, which would allow offenders to be released without judicial intervention. This would help alleviate some of the on going over crowding situation in the Starke County Jail and help expedite the process for the Sheriffs Office, Prosecutors Office and the Circuit Court.
The new bond amounts are shown below and and the charges to which they apply. Charges involving unusual, violent, resisting arrest, burglaries, and assault or battery type crimes would not be subject to the order and those bonds would be set by the presiding Judge. The complete standing order is set forth below.
BONDS
STANDING ORDER
The Judge of the Starke Circuit Court deems it necessary, and in the interest of judicial economy, to identify certain felony crimes, and to establish a standard condition of bond for each, which would not require judicial intervention.
If an individual is arrested in Starke County based upon probable cause that the individual has committed one of the following felony crimes, and transported and booked into the Starke County Jail, then the following bonds are ordered:
Possession of Marijuana – class D felony = $250.00 cash.
Possession of a Controlled Substance – class D felony = $250.00 cash.
Possession of Methamphetamine – class D felony = $500.00 cash.
Possession of Chemical Reagents or Precursors -class D felony= $500.00 cash.
Maintaining a Common Nuisance – class D felony = $250.00 cash.
Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated – Resident = $750.00 cash.
Non-resident = $7,500.00 surety.
Habitual Traffic Violator – class D felony = Own Recognizance.
Theft (under $200.00) – class D felony – Resident = $250.00 cash.
Non-resident = $2,500.00 surety.
Forgery – class C felony – Resident = $1,000.00 cash.
Non-resident = $10,000.00 surety.
10. Check Deception – class D felony – Resident = $1,000.00 cash.
Non-resident = $10,000 surety.
If there is probable cause to believe that the person committed more than one of the above crimes, then the bond for each crime shall be added to each other to arrive at the total bond.
If there is probable cause to believe that the person committed one of the above crimes and a crime that does not appear on the above list, then the judicial officer of the Starke Circuit Court shall set the bond.
If there is probable cause to believe that the person committed a crime that does not appear on this list then a judicial officer of the Starke Circuit Court shall set the bond.
Prior to the person being released from custody, he or she shall execute the Recognizance Bond Agreement, together with the Terms and Conditions of Recognizance Bond, which are attached hereto.
The person is ORDERED to appear in the Starke Circuit Court on the first Wednesday after the person’s release from the Starke County Jail, at 1:30 p.m.
A judicial officer of the Starke Circuit Court may issue an Order, at any time, that departs from the provisions of the Bonds Standing Order, the Recognizance Bond Agreement, and the Terms and Conditions of Recognizance Bond.
STARKE CIRCUIT COURT
Knox Mayor Rick Chambers has announced that the snow emergency in the City of Knox only has been lifted. This applies only to the City of Knox. The Mayor explained that snow has been plowed in the City from curb to curb but that no alley-ways have been touched. the drivers will go home at 3.00pm today and get some rest and will be back at it again tomorrow at 4.30am.
At that time the City will be plowing and removing the snow from the intersections that have been piled up.
The Starke County Sheriff’s Department has reported that there have been approximately eleven accidents and twenty eight slide offs since last night due to the winter storm we are experiencing. The Sheriff’s Department requests that only emergency travel be undertaken at this time until the snow emergency is lifted.
Trees from Hensler Nursery in Hamlet are going to Indianapolis today. Hensler’s will provide a 25 foot Concolor Fir for the Statehouse Rotunda. The tree is approximately 28 years old and had stood for years at Hensler’s main location.
A second tree grown by Hensler Nursery is an 8 foot Fraser Fir that is being presented to Lieutenant Governor Becky Skillman.
When is a burn ban, not a burn ban? According to the Starke County Commissioners, it’s when a local ordinance is updated that would spell out the penalties for violations. Commission President, Dan Bridegroom, said this week that when the burn ordinance was discussed it came out as meaning a “burn-ban” and that is not what the commission wanted to convey to the public.
“I think the biggest misconception right away was the word ‘ban’ was in everything they read,” said Commission President, Dan Bridegroom. “As soon as I would explain to the people that called me and talked to me and stopped me, it’s not a ban, then they were ok. They were ok almost immediately to know that they can still burn their leaves and burn their brush. I guess that part of the blame should fall back on us in that we didn’t get it out, specifically, what we were looking at.”
