Starke County Officials Appoint Committee to Study Wheel Tax

Posted on Author WKVI
 
 

Starke County Council members want more information about proposed wheel tax rates, types of vehicles that would be taxed and how any funds generated would be used for road improvements before making any decision about implementing such a tax. County Highway Superintendent Rik Ritzler will chair a committee comprised of council members Marvin McLaughlin, Freddie Baker and Bob Sims and Commissioner Kathy Norem. After they discuss the details, a public input meeting will be scheduled to further explain the process. Ritzler has streamlined the highway department’s operations since taking over but says efficiency can only go so far. “Our limiting factor is the oil and stone that we use to improve roads. We have a certain amount of funding sources, we used them all. The only way of increasing is a user tax that is available to us, a user fee. 47 of the 92 counties in Indiana have it. Of the counties that don’t have it, many have an additional source of funding that’s not available to us, and that’s riverboat gambling money. We are in the bottom fifth of road conditions in the state,” Ritzler told the council. Continue reading →

Oregon-Davis Schools to Serve Free Lunch This Summer

Posted on Author WKVI
 
 

The Oregon-Davis School Corporation will participate in the Summer Food Service Program again this year.

Free meals will be available to all children 18 years of age and under and to anyone over the age of 18 who is enrolled in a state-approved educational program for the mentally or physically disabled. There will be no discrimination in the course of the meal service.

Continue reading →

The Starke County Youth Club Radiothon is Friday!

Posted on Author WKVI
 
 

The Starke County Youth Club Radiothon is set for Friday, May 2 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. CT on K99.3 WKVI.

Testimonials, special guests and challenges will be featured on the air as volunteers answer the phone to take your pledges toward this worthwhile youth organization.

The SCYC provides high quality homework assistance, engaging enrichment activities, and recreational centers with adults who care. SCYC provides innovative services to children and families every day at four sites across the county during the school year and the summer.

Continue reading →

Second Arrest Made in Hamlet Trailer Fire Investigation

Posted on Author WKVI
 
 

Another arrest has been made in a trailer fire investigation in Hamlet.

North Judson officers brought in Heather Mann on Monday, April 14 to question her about the Tuesday, April 8 trailer fire at 504 North Starke Street, lot 10 in Hamlet. Firefighters reportedly found a meth lab in the smoldering debris.

After the interview conducted by Hamlet police officers she was placed into custody and booked into the Starke County Jail. She was arrested on preliminary charges of manufacturing methamphetamine, possession of methamphetamine, possession of two or more precursors with the intent to manufacture methamphetamine, and visiting a common nuisance.

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Junior Achievement Bowl-a-Thon Strikes Tonight

Posted on Author WKVI
 
 

It’s an activity your family, friends or co-workers can enjoy and you’ll be helping a youth organization at the same time. It’s the annual Junior Achievement Bowl-a-Thon.

The Bowl-a-Thon is tonight at 6 p.m. CT at Bowlaway Lanes in Knox and teams are needed to help gather funds for Junior Achievement. Bridget Markin, a Junior Achievement representative, says this fundraiser is a worthwhile program for Starke County students.

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Hamlet Police Arrest Fire Victim on Meth Charges, Investigation Continues

Posted on Author WKVI

Meth BustThe Hamlet man whose trailer was destroyed by an early morning fire Tuesday is jailed on numerous drug charges after local police officers reportedly found a meth lab in the rubble. Hamlet Police arrested David Salyer, 45,  at 2:10 Tuesday morning on preliminary charges of manufacture and possession of methamphetamine, possession of two or more precursors with intent to manufacture methamphetamine, false informing and maintaining a common nuisance. The Hamlet Volunteer Fire Department responded at 12:34 a.m. to 504 North Starke Street, lot 10 and left at 2:18 a.m., according to dispatch records. The Koontz Lake Volunteer Fire Department was called in to assist. Continue reading →

Tuesday Morning Hamlet Trailer Fire Under Investigation

Posted on Author WKVI
 
 

An investigator from the state fire marshal’s office has been called in to determine the origin and cause of a Tuesday morning fire in the Hamlet trailer court. The Hamlet Fire Department was dispatched to 504 North Starke Street, Lot 10, at 12:34 a.m. Fire Chief Bob Goetz tells WKVI news no injuries were reported. The Koontz Lake Fire Department assisted. Dispatchers advise the fire department left at 2:18 a.m. and turned the scene over to the Hamlet Police Department until the fire marshal arrived.

Starke County Commissioners Approve Seed Demolition Money

Posted on Author WKVI
Starke County Courthouse
Starke County Courthouse

The Starke County Plan Commission is cracking down on enforcement of unsafe and blighted buildings. President Dennis Estok told the county commissioners they’ve restructured their enforcement letters and means of taking owners to court but still have a backlog of structures that need to be torn down.

“You’ve got to have some seed money, because if they don’t do it you can go in there and take care of these unsafe structures,” Estok said. “Then basically what you do is you fine them, and you bill them. If they don’t pay the bill, then you put a special assessment on their taxes. You wind up getting the property, and then you re-sell the property to try to recoup some of your cost.” Continue reading →

Annual Community Health Fair Scheduled May 13

Posted on Author WKVI
 
 

The annual IU Health and Community Services of Starke County Health Fair will take place Tuesday, May 13 from 2 until 7 p.m. at the Nancy J. Dembowski Community Center in downtown Knox. IU Health Starke Hospital President Craig Felty says both organizations are dedicated to improving the health of local residents. He says the health fair will feature a number of educational exhibits and several types of screenings. Blood pressure and blood sugar checks, breast exams, oral cancer screenings and osteoporosis checks will all be offered. Also  take-home colorectal cancer screening kits will be available. Felty says checking for these types of conditions is critical in order to catch and treat problems before they become significant. IU Health Starke Hospital is also licensed to inspect child safety seats. Technicians will be available at the health fair to make sure car seats are properly installed and sized for the child. This year’s health fair will also feature a coloring area for youngsters so parents and other adults can more easily browse the exhibits and take part in the screenings.

County Recycling Bins are for Recycling Items Only

Posted on Author WKVI
 
 

As the weather warms up, many people are getting into the spring cleaning mode. Officials at the Stake County Environmental Management Office remind you that the recycling bins located in the county are not for everyday trash, household chemicals or construction materials.

When garbage is dumped into and around the bins it contaminates the recyclable items. If the sites continue to be used as a “landfill”, they will be removed. They are to be considered to be placed for your convenience and are a privilege.

Continue reading →

National Weather Service Issues Flood Warning, Wind Advisory

Posted on Author WKVI
 
 

The National Weather Service has extended the flood warning for the Kankakee River at Davis Route 30 until further notice. Last night at 9 the river was at 10 feet there and rising. Flood stage there is 10 feet. The Kankakee is expected to crest at 11.5 feet early tomorrow morning and begin falling. At 11 feet, flooding of secondary roads near the river begins. We’re also in for a blustery day, so hang on to your hats. The National Weather Service has issued a wind advisory, which takes effect at 1 p.m. EDT/noon central and continues through mid-evening. Southwest winds of 25 to 30 miles-per-hour, with gusts to 45 are expected. Isolated gusts of up to 50 miles-per-hour are possible. This will make driving difficult, especially for tall vehicles like vans and SUVs. Large limbs may fall, and isolated power outages are possible.

Starke County Youth Club, WKVI Partner for 7th Annual Radiothon

Posted on Author WKVI
 
 

The 7th annual Starke County Youth Club Radiothon will take place right here at WKVI on Friday, May 2.

Executive Director Irene Szakonyi says the club is a nonprofit organization dedicated to enriching the lives of local children.

“We provide everything from academic support, helping kids with their homework or providing individual tutoring, to giving kids enrichment experiences like culture, drama and music. Also connecting kids with their families and the larger community through guest speakers service projects and community service endeavors,” Szakonyi says.

Continue reading →

Single-Vehicle Fatality Claims Plymouth Woman’s Life

Posted on Author WKVI
 
 

A single-vehicle crash Monday evening near Grovertown claimed a Plymouth woman’s life. Cathryn Ellison, 24, of Plymouth, was westbound on 300 North just west of 1100 East, lost control of her vehicle and was ejected, according to information provided this morning by the Starke County Sheriff’s Office. Deputies responded to a report of a vehicle in a ditch. Ellison was trapped underneath it. Starke County Chief Deputy Coroner Doug O’Donnell pronounced her dead at the scene. Her official cause of death is listed as traumatic asphyxiation. Coroner Kris Rannells tells WKVI news that means the weight of the vehicle on top of her would not allow her to breathe. The Hamlet Police Department, Koontz Lake, Hamlet and Washington Township Fire Departments and the Indiana State Police assisted the Starke County Sheriff’s Office at the scene. The Indiana State Police will be reconstructing the crash.

 

Oregon-Davis Balanced School Calendar Meeting Rescheduled

Posted on Author WKVI
Oregon-Davis Jr./Sr. High School
Oregon-Davis Jr./Sr. High School

Oregon-Davis parents are invited to a community meeting tomorrow evening at the school to learn more about the balanced calendar approach several school corporations are considering.

A free spaghetti dinner will be served at 5:30 p.m. in the high school cafeteria prior to the informational meeting at 6. The district’s technology plan will also be covered, and other topics will be discussed as well.

Continue reading →

Firefighters from Three Departments Respond to Semi Fire

Posted on Author WKVI
The brakes on this tractor-trailer caught fire on U.S. 30 west of U.S. 35.
The brakes on this tractor-trailer caught fire on U.S. 30 west of U.S. 35.
Semi-Fire-1
The semi is registered to Hikma Transportation, Inc. of Minneapolis, Minn.

Firefighters from three area departments kept a tractor-trailer fire on U.S. 30 from spreading to a couple of nearby buildings and managed to save most of the truck’s cargo. The Hamlet Fire Department was called to U.S. 30 just west of the Stay 4 Less Motel just after 7 p.m. A semi registered to Hikma Transportation, Inc. in Minneapolis, Minn. had caught fire, and the wind caused the flames to spread to the field on the north side of the road. The driver was not injured. The truck was hauling a load of tractor tires, but the flames were contained before they could catch fire. The Knox and Hanna Fire Departments also responded.

C&C Salvage Owner Jailed Without Bond on Arson, Insurance Fraud Charges

Posted on Author WKVI
The owner of C&C Salvage/Starke County Recycling, James Campbell, 46, is charged with arson and insurance fraud in connection with the March 20 fire that destroyed his business.
The owner of C&C Salvage/Starke County Recycling, James Campbell, 46, is charged with arson and insurance fraud in connection with the March 20 fire that destroyed his business.

The owner of a Knox business that was destroyed by fire last week is jailed without bond, charged with arson and insurance fraud. James L. Campbell, 46, of Knox, was arrested this afternoon by officers from the Starke County Sheriff’s Department and Indiana Department of Homeland Security’s Fire Investigation Division. Campbell owns Starke County Recycling, also known as C&C Salvage. The business, located on U.S. 35 just south of Toto Road, caught fire on Thursday, March 20. Starke County dispatchers were notified at 5:17 p.m. The Bass Lake, Knox-Center Township, Hamlet, Washington Township, Koontz Lake, North Judson-Wayne Township, San Pierre and Monterey Fire Departments all responded to the blaze and spent several hours getting it under control. One firefighter was injured. Black smoke was visible for miles, and a brigade of tanker trucks hauled water to the scene. Continue reading →

Kankakee River Expected to Drop Below Flood Stage Today

Posted on Author WKVI
 
 

The flood warning for the Kankakee River at Davis Route 30 continues until tomorrow morning. Minor flooding of low-lying agriculture areas is occurring, but the river was holding steady at 10.1 feet at 8 o’clock last night, according to the National Weather Service. Flood stage is 10 feet. The river is still expected to drop below that level around 7 this morning. More rain is in the extended forecast for Thursday and Friday.