Knox Clerk-Treasurer Delivers Community Center Renovation Project Update

Posted on Author Jacque Ryan

Knox Clerk-Treasurer Jeff Houston updated city council member about the ongoing renovation project at the Nancy J. Dembowski Community Center at this week’s meeting.

Clerk-Treasurer Houston said the project is nearing completion, with just a few minor things remaining. He noted that they will, of course, still have to deal with upkeep and maintenance but for the most part, the major renovations are all finished.

During Tuesday’s meeting, he informed them about the function behind the most recent addition. Continue reading →

Knox Mayor Reports that Community Center Renovations Should be Wrapping Up Soon

Posted on Author Jacque Ryan

When the Knox City Council convened on Tuesday, Mayor Dennis Estok alerted members that the community center renovation project is nearing completion.With the roof portion finished and the new HVAC system installed there’s one remaining renovation to that will be addressed in the near future.

Estok told members that next week, contractors will start working on the floors. He added,  “So hopefully, we can get that project wrapped up.” In a past meeting, it was stated that the proposed floor work is estimated to cost around $42,425. Continue reading →

Red Cross Blood Mobile will be at Culver Middle/High School Thursday + Additional January Opportunities

Posted on Author Jacque Ryan

The Red Cross Blood Mobile will be stationed at Culver Middle/High School from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. ET on Thursday, January 11th.

If you’re unable to attend Thursday’s blood drive, or if you wish to make multiple donations in January, there are a few other local opportunities available this month.

The Red Cross has a blood drive scheduled at the Community Wellness Center of Winamac, formerly the Pulaski County YMCA, from 12:30 p.m. until 6 p.m. ET on Friday, January 12th. Continue reading →

Knox City Council Members Agree to Light Up Lake Street with New LED Bulbs

Posted on Author Jacque Ryan

After realizing the advantages of having more illumination on Main Street in downtown Knox, city officials have decided to purchase more LED lights for other spots around town.

When city council members met last week, Mayor Dennis Estok said an additional six lights will be purchased for Lake Street and suggested purchasing three lights for the community center parking lot. The mayor mentioned that each light and globe costs approximately $250, meaning that nine more bulbs and globes would be around $2,250.

Council members came to the conclusion that lighting in the parking lot is not really a priority right now, so they opted out of getting an extra three bulbs for that area. Continue reading →

Nancy J. Dembowski Community Center HVAC Upgrades Complete, Training to Take Place Soon

Posted on Author Jacque Ryan

At the Knox City Council meeting on Tuesday night, Clerk-Treasurer Jeff Houston alerted members that upgrades to the HVAC system at the Community Center are complete.

Houston said, “They’re going to do a little bit of training with people in the city to make sure that we’re aware of how to control the heating and air condition but I’m pretty happy with the way it’s working over there now.”

Houston added that the final invoice for that project has been submitted. Back in July, the Knox Board of Public Works awarded the bid for the project to McGrath Refrigeration. In the past, Mayor Estok stated that this new system will be far more efficient than the old one. Continue reading →

Update About Upgrades to Nancy J. Dembowski Community Center

Posted on Author Jacque Ryan

An update about ongoing renovations to the Nancy J. Dembowski Community Center was provided by Mayor Dennis Estok during last night’s brief Knox City Council meeting.

Mayor Estok told council members that work being done to the heating and air conditioning systems is nearly complete. He said only one compressor still needs to be installed. He went on to say that roofers will be commencing their work this week, possibly as soon as today. Continue reading →

Knox City Council Renames Community Center In Honor of Dembowski

Posted on Author WKVI
Nancy Dembowski

In honor of Nancy Dembowski’s unwavering dedication and service to the city of Knox, the city council this week passed a motion authorizing the renaming of the Knox Community Center to the Nancy J. Dembowski Community Center.

The council originally discussed the idea of honorarily renaming a portion of Main Street, beginning at Claybaugh Drive extending south to County Road 150 South, to Dembowski Drive, but after a lengthy discussion, the council decided to rename the community center instead. Chambers said this was due to Dembowski being instrumental in its construction years ago.

Continue reading →

Knox Community School Corporation Asking For Holiday Donations

Posted on Author WKVI

The Knox Community School Corporation is working with area clubs, organizations to help assemble food baskets to families and students who need assistance for the holidays.

They are asking for donations of toys (new or very clean), canned or packaged food, baby food and formula and cash donations for specific items.

You can drop off your donation in the main office at the Knox High School or send your donation to school with your student. Donations will be accepted until Dec. 13. Baskets will be distributed on Dec. 14.

Exercise Group To Resume Normal Operations At Knox Community Center

Posted on Author WKVI
The exercise group attended the meeting en masse to be heard regarding the council's decision.

Applause filled the room at this week’s meeting of the Knox City Council, as they approved a motion to allow an exercise group to resume use of the community center at no charge.

The group had been using the Knox Community Center free of charge since 1998, but were recently asked to move operations to the Girl Scout Cabin in order to avoid paying a fee to use the center. Virginia Wireman-Duncan, the leader of the exercise group, said they felt they should be able to use the center free of charge because they did not charge any of their members any kind of fee in order to exercise with the group.

Continue reading →

200 Attend Victorian High Tea

Posted on Author WKVI
Ed Hasnerl gets ready to emcee the Victorian High Tea

Over 200 people attended the Victorian High Tea yesterday at the Knox Community Center. The event was held to raise money for the Starke County Food Pantry housed at Community Services of Starke County. Lois Bock and Debbie Popagain helped develop the activities.

Joan Haugh, the Director of Community Services of Starke County, commented on the turnout.

“I’m so impressed with the 35 ladies who put this together,” said Haugh. “The decorations are just fabulous. And as I’ve always said, if you’re going to have a fundraiser make it fun.”

We asked about the food pantry.

Continue reading →

Victorian High Tea Scheduled for Today

Posted on Author WKVI

It’s billed as “an affair to remember” and it will be held today at the Knox Community Center. The event is a “Victorian High Tea” and it’s being held as a fundraiser for the local food pantry. Those who attend are invited to join in the Victorian fun by wearing gloves, a fancy hat, a bowler, a top hat, or any other apparel you think might fit in with the tea.

The event is presented by local resident volunteers, and is sponsored by Christos Family Dining of Knox. The admission is $10.00 and no tickets are being sold at the door. If you hurry you might get a ticket at the Christos restaurant on Heaton Street in Knox.

Continue reading →

Flood Risk Information Open House Scheduled

Posted on Author WKVI

FEMA and the Indiana Department of Natural Resources will be hosting a Flood Risk Information Open House on Tuesday, April 17th from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the Knox Community Center. The Open House will provide Starke County residents with an opportunity to review a recently completed preliminary Flood Insurance Study and its accompanying preliminary Flood Insurance Rate Maps.

Continue reading →

Victorian High Tea Planned for April 26

Posted on Author WKVI

A Victorian High Tea is being planned by local residents looking to combine a fun afternoon and support a worthy cause at the same time. Proceeds from the event will be given to the Community Services of Starke County’s food pantry.

The event will be held at the Knox Community Center on Thursday, April 26th, from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. A brunch will be provided by Christo’s Family Dining and served by local celebrities. A silent auction will be held, along with other entertainment, elegant decorations, drawings, and a free gift for all attendees. All tickets must be purchased in advance as no tickets will be sold at the door.

Continue reading →

Year in Review – Top Story

Posted on Author WKVI

This week we have been reviewing the Top Stories of 2011. Today we reveal the top story of the Year.

It was a story that captivated all who heard it. Chief Warrant Officer Andy Howes returned home after being lost in the Vietnam War on January 10th, 1970. Although his remains had been in storage in Hawaii since the ’80’s, only improved testing allowed an Armed Forces Forensic Team to match DNA samples to those that had earlier been taken from relatives.

Continue reading →

Two Candidates have Filed for Tonight’s Democratic Caucus

Posted on Author WKVI

Two candidates are seeking the opportunity to fill the Starke County Interim Treasurer’s position in tonight’s Democrat Caucus. The appointed person will fill the term of Linda Belork until a Jasper County Court settles a suit between her and the Starke County Commissioners. If Belork wins the court case, she will reclaim the office and the caucus winner will vacate the position. If Belork loses the suit, the caucus winner will automatically have the Interim designation removed from her title, and the candidate will become the Treasurer.

Continue reading →

Santa Claus Comes to Town!

Posted on Author WKVI
Santa Claus arrived in Knox for the Christmas Tree lighting ceremony

Santa Claus arrived right on time yesterday afternoon for the Christmas Tree lighting ceremony at the Starke County Courthouse. Accompanied by several beautiful young ladies from the recent Miss South Bend/Kankakee Valley pageant, Santa came in on a Knox-Center Township Fire Department fire truck.

On the count of three, Mayor Rick Chambers flipped the switch on the Christmas tree and proclaimed the Christmas season’s beginning.

Continue reading →

Knox Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony is Sunday

Posted on Author WKVI

The Knox Christmas tree lighting ceremony is Sunday, November 27th.

Prior to the tree lighting, the firefighters from the Knox-Center Township Fire Department will parade its fleet of trucks on Main Street at approximately 4:30 p.m. The parade will end at the Starke County Courthouse in the downtown area. The firemen will be delivering Santa Claus to the tree lighting ceremony that will begin at 5:00 p.m. on the Courthouse Square.

The Starke County Choralaires will be singing Christmas carols during the event. Immediately following the tree lighting ceremony, Santa will make his way to the Knox Community Center where he will hear what children want for Christmas. Hot chocolate and cookies will be served.