The races are set for May’s primary elections. In Starke County, one hotly-contested office is county clerk. Current auditor Kay Chaffins is challenging incumbent Vicki Cooley for the Democratic party nomination. The winner would presumably face Republican Bernadette Welter-Manuel in November’s general election.
Candidate Filings Continue as Deadline Approaches
The deadline is approaching for candidates to file to run in the May primary. Candidates have until Friday at noon to file their paperwork with the county clerk’s office.
Knox City Council Approves Easement Agreement
The Knox City Council approved an easement agreement with Chuck and Dennis Estok to move forward with the water line project for the Starke County Sheriff’s Department and Detention Center at the intersection of State Road 8 and County 550 East in Knox.
The city of Knox will be responsible for the installation the water lines for the project that will extend to the property from Henry Drive.
WKVI Broadcasts Live From Zip-Thru Mart’s One Year Anniversary
Cars packed the parking lot of the Zip-Thru Mart to enjoy some free snow cones and cotton candy in celebration of the business’s one-year anniversary.
WKVI was present and broadcasting live from the business, and while lines formed to enjoy the free refreshments, Tom Berg and Lenny Dessauer presented random customers with free lottery scratch-off tickets. While no big wins were reported from the scratch-offs, one lucky customer did receive four free tickets to Indiana Beach, courtesy of WKVI.
A Recap of the Top 10 Stories of 2010
Story #10
Tony Kerby lost his life in the Yellow River attempting to save his younger brother’s life. The good looking boy went in the treacherous waters to save his 8-year-old brother Dominick when the youngster slipped off a rock. Dominick was saved when a person in the park pulled him to safety, but Tony could not swim to the banks.
Community members were so saddened by the death that a cross was put at the site to honor his efforts and his life. The memorial was created by Shelby Clemons of North Judson, his wife, Danielle, and Misty Baldridge of Knox.
Week in Review December 27th-31st, 2010
Here are a few of the stories that made the news in the Kankakee Valley this week:
Megan Smithson, 19, of Illinois, died in an auto accident Sunday afternoon at the intersection of State Road 10 and State Road 35 in Starke County. Police say she pulled out onto US 35 and into the path of a vehicle driven by Tony Wagner of Winamac.
We heard from three of the four Starke County Councilmen who attended their last meeting December 20th. Chuck Estok, Bill Dulin, and Bruce Fingerhut (pictured right) said that they enjoyed working with the people of Starke County.
Gerald L. Broude, Jr. was sentenced in Starke Circuit Court, Tuesday. Judge Kim Hall sentenced him to 50 years in the Indiana Department of Corrections. A jury had found him Guilty on four counts of Child Molestation on December 1st.
Bruce Fingerhut Leaves Starke County Council after 12 Years
Four new Starke County Council members will be taking office January 1st. After 12 years, Bruce Fingerhut decided to not seek re-election this year.
“I’d say just working with all of the people in the County,” said Fingerhut on his most proudest accomplishment. “I’ve enjoyed meeting the folks and I was trying to think of all the names of the different Councilmen that Chuck and I have served with over the last 12 years (Chuck the last 16) and I’ve gotten to know some really nice folks. Starke County is a great place to live and I’m going to continue to live here and enjoy it and spend more time working on the Trail.”
Wednesday, we hear from Bill Dulin who has been on the Starke County Council for only two years.
Top 10 Stories of 2010; Story #4
The number four story of 2010 is the Republican resurgence in Starke County.
Long a bastion of Democrat government, the Republicans rode the wave of national sentiment to local success. The major impact will be felt on the Starke County Council where the Republicans won three of four seats up for election. Tony Radkiewicz defeated longtime council member Chuck Estok, Mitchell Semans defeated Becky Ferch in a seat that had been held by Dan Awald, and Dave Pearman defeated E.J. Rogers in the seat held by Bill Dulin.
Judge Kim Hall beat back a challenge by former Judge David Matsey by a wide margin.
The state races went Republican, as did the U.S. Senate Race that saw Dan Coats return to the senate by a wide margin. Democrat Representative Joe Donnelly was returned to his seat with a narrow victory over Jackie Walorski, and Democrat Nancy Dembowski got by Frances Ellert for the 17th District House seat. Both candidates, though, blamed the votes that went to the Libertarian candidates for their defeats.
The Republicans gave notice in Starke County that the GOP Party is back, and to be reckoned with in the future.
Starke County Councilman, Chuck Estok, Attends his Last Council Meeting
Four County Councilmen are being replaced in January. Chuck Estok, Bruce Fingerhut, and Bill Dulin attended their final meeting last week. Dan Awald, who is the fourth Councilman being replaced, was not in attendance at his last meeting.
Following the meeting, Ted Hayes talked with the three who were in attendance, starting with Chuck Estok, who has served the longest at 16 years. Ted asked the veteran Democrat Councilman what he is most proud of during his long service to the citizens of the County.
