Food Pantry Emerges Victorious in WKVI Sports Bet

WKVI Sports Director Nathan Welter, Community Services of Starke County Food Pantry Director Rhonda Overmyer and WKVI News Director Mary Perren
WKVI Sports Director Nathan Welter, Community Services of Starke County Food Pantry Director Rhonda Overmyer and WKVI News Director Mary Perren

Starke County residents who need a hand up are the big winners in the good-natured bet between WKVI’s Nathan Welter and Mary Perren over the outcome of the recent Knox v. North Judson-San Pierre football game. Since Nathan is a graduate and Knox and they lost, part of his payoff was hosting an hour-long food drive at Heartland Markets in North Judson. Manager Ray Wadja kept a donation can at the register as well for a week afterward. Continue reading

WKVI Sports Bet Payoff Continues with Food Drive

WKVI Sports Director Nathan Welter, the N.J.-S.P. mascot and news director Mary Perren
WKVI Sports Director Nathan Welter, the N.J.-S.P. mascot and news director Mary Perren

WKVI Sports Director Nathan Welter isn’t done paying off his bet on the outcome of the Knox v. North Judson football game just yet. He’s a Knox graduate, and news director Mary Perren is a N.J.-S.P. alum, so they make a friendly wager on the game each year. North Judson beat Knox 21-14 at Community Field two weeks ago. Last week Nathan served lunch at the high school cafeteria and got glitter dumped on him by the four captains from the Knox game during the homecoming pep rally. He also presented a check for $25 to the Bluejay athletic department. Continue reading

North Judson Town Council Signs Off on Grocery Store Loan

The former Ray's Super Foods in downtown North Judson is now Heartland Markets.
The former Ray’s Super Foods in downtown North Judson is now Heartland Markets.

The new owners of North Judson’s only grocery store can go ahead with upgrades to their equipment, thanks to action by the town council. Members approved a promissory note with Heartland Markets, Inc. for a $50,000 secured revolving loan. Money came from North Judson’s share of the County Economic Development Income Tax. President Jeff Huffman says financial support from the town was imperative.

“We had just purchased a store in Francesville a few months earlier. Without the note from the town, we wouldn’t have been able to do it at this point in time. We would have had to wait. It was pretty evident it was going to close if we didn’t get the loan from the town, so the town stepping up and enabling us to come in here and welcoming us was fantastic. Otherwise we just wouldn’t have been able to do it.” Continue reading

North Judson Town Council Sets Up Revolving Loan Fund

The North Judson Town Council has set up a revolving loan fund to help facilitate the sale of Ray's Super Foods to a grocery store chain.
The North Judson Town Council has set up a revolving loan fund to help facilitate the sale of Ray’s Super Foods to a grocery store chain.

North Judson will still have a grocery store thanks to quick action by the town council. Heartland Markets has signed a letter of intent to buy Ray’s Super Foods on Lane Street. Company officials also asked the town if they could offer any incentives. North Judson Clerk-Treasurer Donna Henry recently spoke with representatives from the State Board of Accounts, who suggested they could set up a revolving loan fund for economic development projects. Continue reading

North Judson Council Approves Loan for Grocery Store Buyer

The North Judson Town Council is prepared to offer a low-interest loan of up to $50,000 to a company that wants to buy Ray's Super Foods and keep the store open.
The North Judson Town Council is prepared to offer a low-interest loan of up to $50,000 to a company that wants to buy Ray’s Super Foods and keep the store open.

The North Judson Town Council has taken a first step toward helping a grocery store chain buy Ray’s Super Foods. The Heartland Markets and R&M Wholesale team boasts more than 75 years worth of retail grocery experience, according to their corporate websites. The company recently acquired Curt’s IGA in Francesville and has signed a letter of intent to buy the store in North Judson. Continue reading