Starke County Development Foundation Holds 25th Anniversary Celebration

Posted on Author WKVI
Back Row: Charles Weaver, Bill Sonnemaker and Terry Kimmel. Front Row: Chris Madsen, Matt Swanson, Marvin Peters, Steve Spaw, and Jack Lynch. Picture by Jayme Goetz

Dignitaries from throughout the county and Northwest Indiana attended the 25th Anniversary celebration for the Starke County Development Foundation Friday afternoon at the Knox Community Center.

Emcee, Ted Hayes, brought a number of people to the microphone during the program. They included State Representative Nancy Dembowski, State Senator Ed Charbonneau, Northwest Indiana Forum President, Mark Maassel; Starke County Development Foundation President, Bill Sonnemaker; Foundation Director, Charles Weaver; and former Foundation Director, Terry Kimmel.

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Marvin Allen Wins Hubert Hawkins History Award

Posted on Author WKVI
IHS Board of Trustees Chair Thomas Hoback and Marvin Allen

Marvin Allen of Knox is this year’s recipient of the Indiana Historical Society’s Hubert Hawkins History Award. The presentation will be made during the Society’s annual Founders Day Dinner at the Eugene and Marilyn Glick Indiana History Center, located at 450 W. Ohio St. in downtown Indianapolis. The Hubert Hawkins History Award is made annually to a local historian for his or her distinguished service and career in local history.

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Starke County Community Foundation Awards Grants

Posted on Author WKVI

The Starke County Community Foundation made the holiday bright for many community organizations during its 2010 Grant Award Banquet. Over $24,000 was awarded on Monday, December 6th at the Community Center in Knox.

The grants are part of the Community Foundation’s Unrestricted Funds which allow the Community Foundation to assess the greatest needs of the community and assist the individual agency programs. Since 1998, the Community Foundation has awarded over $1.7 million to local organizations and projects that make a difference in Starke County.

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Local Lawmaker to Serve on Several Key Senate Committees

Posted on Author WKVI
State Senator Ed Charbonneau

President Pro Tem David C. Long (R-Fort Wayne) has appointed State Senator Ed Charbonneau (R-Valparaiso) to serve as ranking member of the Senate Committee on Appropriations.

Charbonneau said the committee examines the budget bill and the school funding formula, along with other legislation allocating state funds to numerous government agencies, departments and organizations on a biannual basis, in addition to other related issues.

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Knox Community School Board Moves Ahead with High School Project

Posted on Author WKVI
Gary Dulin, Jerry Fletcher, Harold Welter, Mary Lynn Ritchie, Kirk Bennett, Nathan Marcum, Mike Yankauskas, Superintendent A.J. Gappa

The Knox Community School Board approved two agenda items that involve the Qualified School Construction Bond project at the high school. The project includes rehabilitating the roof, lighting, ceiling and HVAC unit in the pool area and water piping throughout the building.

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Many Activities are Scheduled Saturday and Sunday in the Kankakee Valley!

Posted on Author WKVI

Even though Christmas Eve is a few days off, many children in our area will get some gifts early. The Starke County Abate organization will be handing out toys, clothing and food items to 90 families at the Bass Lake Golf Course on Saturday. “It will be at the Bass Lake Golf Course,” said Abate President, Terry Young. “We have 90 families that will be coming out this year. They were all sent out invitations to come. There are 240 kids and all the families will have a turkey and all kinds of gifts. Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus will also be there.” When it comes to a big heart for children, the 290 members of Abate are in the forefront.

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Week in Review for December 6th-10th, 2010

Posted on Author WKVI

Here is just some of the news that made the news in the Kankakee Valley this week.

Diana Jedynak, 67, died of fire related injuries after her home caught fire early Monday morning in Washington Township. Indiana State Fire Marshal, Fred Sumpter, said the investigation into the cause of the fire was postponed due to the weather conditions and the integrity of the structure.

Northwest Indiana Forum, Inc.

The Northwest Indiana Forum’s Board of Directors have voted to acknowldge the organization’s service territory to extend beyond Lake, Porter, LaPorte and Starke Counties to include Newton, Jasper and Pulaski Counties.

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Tuesday Night Men’s League 12/07/10

Posted on Author WKVI

Tuesday Night Men’s League 12/07/10

Team Standings:

1. Quarter’s 72.0-26.0

2. Konrad Cabinets 65.0-33.0

3. 1st Choice Pawn 53.0-45.0

4. WKVI 53.0-45.0

5. Marks Body Shop 52.0-46.0

6. Sandbar 50.0-48.0

7. Hensleys 47.0-51.0

8. Half Track 46.0-52.0

9. Bowlaway Lanes 42.0-56.0

10. Fishers 42.0-56.0

11. Simonis 35.0-63.0

12. Time Out 31.0-67.0

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Starke County Development Foundation Celebrates 25th Anniversary Today

Posted on Author WKVI
Charles Weaver
Charles Weaver

Today, a gala will be held at the Knox Community Center to celebrate the formation of the Starke County Development Foundation. The program will begin at 12:30 p.m. CT and is open to the public.

Supporting the Development Foundation over the course of 25 years have been our U.S. Representatives who have represented Starke County. They include Republicans John Hiler, Chris Chocola, and Steve Buyer and Democrats Tim Roemer and Joe Donnelly.

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North Judson Town Board Approves First Reading of Synthetic Marijuana Ordinance

Posted on Author WKVI
North Judson Town Board
North Judson Town Board: (L to R) Dan Anderson, Jane Ellen Felchuk, Wendy Hoppe, Connie Miller (Clerk-Treasurer)

The North Judson Town Board approved the first reading of an ordinance that prohibits the sale of synthetic marijuana within the incorporated town of North Judson. The ordinance mirrors the same guidelines as passed by the Starke County Commissioners. The Knox City Council has approved a similar ordinance on second reading and the final reading will be discussed at its meeting on Tuesday, December 14th.

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1982 North Judson-San Pierre Graduate Killed in Car Accident

Posted on Author WKVI

A 1982 graduate of North Judson-San Pierre High School was killed in a traffic accident Wednesday morning. Leon Wera, of New Buffalo, Michigan, died when the SUV he was driving landed upside down in a creek in New Buffalo Township. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Police surmise he hit an ice patch and lost control of the SUV.

Wera was off work from the Four Winds Casino running errands at the time of the accident. He was reportedly 5 minutes from his home when he lost control of his SUV. Locally, he is the brother of Mary Rowe of North Judson and his brother-in-law is Ken Rowe.

Photos provided.

Congressman Joe Donnelly to Vote in Favor of the President’s Tax Cut Compromise

Posted on Author WKVI
Joe Donnelly
Congressman Joe Donnelly

Second District Congressman Joe Donnelly said Thursday that he will be voting for the President’s tax cut compromise. Democrat opponents are poised to attempt to sink the measure that came after a compromise with Republicans.

The Obama plan, agreed to in principal by the Republican side, would prevent the December expiration of all the Bush tax cuts enacted in 2001 and 2003. Obama had originally balked at cutting taxes for the highest earners.

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SCILL Center Coat Drive a Success

Posted on Author WKVI
(L to R) Instructor Rod Dawson, Lincoln Whisman, Hayden Redlin, Cody Wilson, Jon Duell, Nick McIntosh, Jeffrey Sayer, Brock Bent and Instructor Mark Anderson

The instructors and students at the SCILL Center in Knox recently held a coat drive for those in need this winter season. The coats were delivered Thursday to the Community Services of Starke County building where they will be distributed.

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Knox Students and Volunteers Assemble Kiwanis Food Baskets for Friday Delivery

Posted on Author WKVI
Members of the Knox Student Council, National Honor Society and dedicated volunteers separate the donated food into groups before assembling baskets

Members of the Knox Student Council, National Honor Society and dedicated volunteers assembled food baskets, Thursday, at the Community Services of Starke County building for the less fortunate families in Knox. Students and members of the Knox Kiwanis Club will distribute food to those families in Knox.

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Knox Middle and High School Bands Present Holiday Concerts

Posted on Author WKVI
Santa Claus surprises children with a impromptu visit! Also pictured, Band Booster, Linda Binkowski

Knox Middle School and High School bands presented their holiday concert on Wednesday, December 8th.  The bleachers were filled with parents, friends, and loved ones as the 6th, 7th and 8th graders students, along with the the Knox Tomahawk Jazz Band and the High School bands, played Christmas favorites.  Mr. Craige Phipps and Mr. David Elliott directed the bands.  The Band Boosters held a raffle for several items including a Wii game console.  Santa Claus stopped at Weinberg Gymnasium to visit with children at the end of the concert.

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