Knox Redskin Brigade Received Silver at Regional

Posted on Author WKVI

The Knox Redskin Brigade concluded their marching season this past Saturday, Oct. 13. They received a silver rating at their Regional competition held at Lafayette Jefferson High School. Although this was, according to Band Director Craige Phipps, their best performance of the year, they still were unable to go on to compete at the semi-state level.

Despite that, the students said they have no regrets. They feel that they gave it their all and there isn’t much more that could have been expected of them. No other area bands were at this competition.

Meanwhile, the Pride of Plymouth Marching Band did advance to the Semi-State level. The band will now perform at Pike High School on Saturday, Oct. 27, where the final 20 bands (10 from the north and 10 from the south) will meet up in one last event leading into the state finals.

Seussical to be Presented by the Knox High School Drama Department

Posted on Author WKVI

Knox High School’s Drama Department has decided to switch things up a bit this year compared to years past. They will be presenting their musical in the fall this year instead of in the spring as they usually do.

This year’s musical of choice is “The Seussical,” which is based on Dr. Seuss stories. The musical centers around Horton with The Cat in the Hat as a narrator. Director Terril Hahn says that this is a great show that should be an enjoyment for adults and students alike.

Rehearsals for the musical are currently underway. The musical will take to the stage on Saturday, Nov. 17 at 7 p.m. CT and on Sunday, Nov. 8 at 2 p.m. CT.

IDEM Inspects Knox Brush Burn Site; No Violations Found

Posted on Author WKVI
Knox City Council

Despite a number of complaints from residents who claimed they were adversely affected by ash and soot from the controlled burn conducted by the city of Knox in September, Mayor Rick Chambers told the city council this week that the Indiana Department of Environmental Management conducted an inspection at the site of the burn and found no violations.

Chambers explained to the council that he had received several complaints concerning ash and soot from the fire, and one resident had filed a police report regarding damage to his vehicle from burning ash that had fallen on the car.

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Knox City Council Approves Christmas Decorating Contest

Posted on Author WKVI
Knox Mayor Rick Chambers

The Knox City Council this week approved $175 from the city’s Christmas decoration money to be given to the top three Christmas decorators in the city. The first-place winner will receive $100, $50 will go to second place, and $25 will be given to the third best decorator.

Mayor Rick Chambers explained that the city has been doing this since at least 1998, and it goes a long way in giving people a sense of pride in their city.

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Knox Man Sentenced To 18 Months For Intimidation

Posted on Author WKVI
Starke County Courthouse

A Knox man who had been arrested in June on Intimidation charges was sentenced last week in Starke Circuit Court.

Thirty-two-year-old Jason Danekas was arrested after threatening the life of his mother and his brother in their home in Knox. Danekas was reportedly attempting to move out of his brother’s home when an argument escalated, prompting Danekas to pick up a large knife and threaten his brother’s life. When his mother stepped in to try to stop the argument, he allegedly threatened her as well before threatening to take his own life.

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Knox Mayor Looking For Next Year’s Harvest Fest Coordinator

Posted on Author WKVI
Knox Mayor Rick Chambers

With this year’s Harvest Festival in the rear-view for Knox, Mayor Rick Chambers said they are looking for an organization to take the reins for next year. He passed out a financial report for this year’s festival, which turned a profit of only $441.93 – but it’s better than nothing. Chambers explained that in the past the festival has made more than $7000, as the Friends of the Park organization claimed they did in 2007.

Chambers said a number of organizations have taken the helm in the past, including Michelle Bachtel who organized a group of volunteers for this year’s festival, the Chamber of Commerce, and Mark and Lori Smith. For next year, however, Chambers said he has not yet found an organization or volunteer to manage it.

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Firefighter to Speak to Knox Elementary Schoolers About Fire Prevention

Posted on Author WKVI
Smokey the Bear will join Kidder at the Knox Elementary School for Fire Prevention Week.

In observance of Fire Prevention Week, Knox-Center Township Fire Prevention Officer Shawn Kidder will be educating students on fire dangers and what to do to if a fire occurs.

Kidder will be at the Knox Elementary School today where he will go over the importance of smoke detectors and other important fire prevention tips.

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Knox City Council Discusses Gateway Agreement

Posted on Author WKVI
Knox City Council

The Knox City Council this week discussed the proposed agreement from Knox Gateway, Inc., which includes several buildings, improvements, and parcels that Gateway wishes to transfer to the city.

The agreement includes the former Nickel Plate railroad depot building, storage building, signal tower, watchman’s tower, signage, and 1970 caboose at 400 North Heaton Street on both the east and west sides of U.S. 35. The Fennema House, also included in the agreement, is located on West Water Street.

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Red Cross Thanks “Pint Size Heroes”

Posted on Author WKVI

The American Red Cross would like to thank Knox Community Elementary School for their outstanding contribution at their recent blood drive. This blood drive was part of the Pint Size Heroes project designed to teach children the importance of donating blood.

There were a total of 56 donations at Knox Elementary’s blood drive. Each donation has the potential to help up to three people; therefore, their blood drive has the potential to help a total of 168 people.

The need for blood is constant. To find a blood drive near you, call 1-800-RED-CROSS.

Wythogan Park Still Undergoing Repairs

Posted on Author WKVI

Though the park is open, work is still being done to restore Wythogan Park in Knox to its former glory. Park Superintendent George Byer said the majority of stumps and trees have been removed, but approximately 50 stumps that were uprooted by the storms still need to be taken out.

Byer said these stumps will be split between the street department and a contractor, with each taking 25 stumps from the park. The park board is still waiting on bids to come in for the stump removal, and Byer said once they’ve received all the bids and chosen the best contractor for the job, the first 25 stumps will be removed by the contractor. The remaining stumps will then be handled by the street department as quickly as time allows.

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Decision Expected Soon On Tree Removal Near Washington Twp. School

Posted on Author WKVI
Superintendent A.J. Gappa

Washington Township Trustee Shelly Kemble appeared before the Knox Community School Board last week to discuss the demolition of the old Washington Township School. Superintendent A.J. Gappa said Kemble relayed plans on how they are going to move forward with the project.

Kemble also asked the board’s permission to cut down some trees on the property east of the building.

“The idea there is to try and get some money to help pay for a demolition,” stated Gappa.

Gappa says the school board is expected to act on that request at the next board meeting on Monday, Oct. 15.

Knox’s No-Burn Ordinance Still In Effect

Posted on Author WKVI
Knox Mayor Rick Chambers

A no-burn ordinance remains in effect in the city of Knox.

Mayor Rick Chambers is urging residents to follow this ordinance and not burn leaves or other brush and debris within the city limits.

If you need to be rid of leaves in your yard, the street department will be picking up leaves each day beginning tomorrow. You can rake the leaves to the street along the side for pick up. Do not pile the leaves in the alley. Do not bag the leaves, and remove all trash and other debris from the pile.

You are also welcome to take grass clippings or leaves to the compost drop-off behind City Hall.

Knox Police Dept. Reports September Activity

Posted on Author WKVI

The Knox City Police department had yet another busy month during September. There were a total of 384 calls for the month, which included 11 crash reports and 47 incident reports. The Knox City Police Department helped the Starke County police with five investigations.

There were a total of three counts of Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated and only one Public Intoxication charge reported. No cases of minor consumption were reported last month; however, there were eight different juvenile arrests.

A total of 22 traffic arrest charges were pressed on 17 people, 90 criminal arrest charges pressed on 45 people, eight charges pressed on seven juveniles, and one ordinance violation reported. There were a total of 10 battery arrests, eight warranted arrests, and 38 drug charges.

IDEM Proposes Order Against C&C Salvage Violations

Posted on Author WKVI

The Indiana Department of Environmental Management conducted an investigation into Starke County Recycling, Inc., C&C Salvage and a number of other businesses in Knox owned by James L. Campbell. As a result of the investigation, IDEM has made a preliminary determination that violations were made of environmental management laws and rules, and the department has proposed an Agreed Order constituting a settlement.

The order proposed requires Campbell to submit to a site assessment plan to allow them to assess potential contamination of soil, ground, water, and vapors from the areas in question. Within 15 days of receiving notice from IDEM of approval of the site assessment plan, Campbell would be required to implement the plan, and submit within 45 days a remediation work plan identifying potential contaminates, receptors, and exposure pathways to allow IDEM to identify all contamination. He would then implement the remedial actions within 15 days after the work plan’s approval. Finally, within 30 days after implementation, Campbell would have to submit to an IDEM certification to ensure the actions have been completed.

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Knox School Board Discusses Work Session With Referendum Expert

Posted on Author WKVI
Superintendent A.J. Gappa

The Knox Community School Board recently held a work session with Dr. Mike Trego, a professor at Indiana-Wesleyan University and who is also an expert in school referendums.

Superintendent A.J. Gappa reviewed that work session during the school board meeting Monday night.

“We had Dr. Trego come in and give a report to the board and the board felt very positive about the information that Dr. Trego presented and they anticipate bringing him back to have a meeting with community members who are interested on being on an action committee, moving forward with an elementary project,” stated Gappa.

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Knox Community High School Shows Drop in Enrollment

Posted on Author WKVI
Superintendent A.J. Gappa

The official Average Daily Membership, or ADM, count at the Knox Community School Corporation showed a drop in enrollment. Superintendent A.J. Gappa explained the statistics to the school board Monday night.

“We dropped from 1924 to 1882.5, which is a drop of 41.5 students,” explained Gappa. “The reason for the half-student is because Kindergarteners are still considered only a half-student.”

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Three Arrested after Police Execute Search Warrant

Posted on Author WKVI

Three people were arrested late Tuesday night after a search warrant was conducted at a home in Knox.

Officers from the Knox City Police Department, Hamlet Police Department and the Starke County Sheriff’s Department conducted a search warrant at 403 S. Shield Street in Knox where an active methamphetamine lab was found. Two children were in the home at the time of the incident and Indiana Department of Child Services was called to the scene to get them into a safer environment.

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Economy Auto Sales Awarded Joe Krieper Indiana Quality Dealer of the Year Award

Posted on Author WKVI
George and Della Mammarella

Economy Auto Sales of Knox received the prestigious Joe Krier Quality Dealer of the Year award for 2012 from the Indiana Independent Automobile Dealers Association, and owner George Mammarella said he was proud to receive it. The award was presented to Mammarella in September at Ironwood Golf Club in Fishers at the association’s 25th Anniversary Golf Tournament and Awards Day.

The Quality Dealer of the Year is chosen based on several attributes: the dealership must not only be consumer-oriented, but also have a record of good business decisions based on honesty and integrity. On top of that, the dealership must represent themselves as a civic leader within the community, and Economy Auto Sales not only meets those requirements, but embodies them.

Mammarella said he truly believes in helping the community, because without the community’s support, he would not be where he is today.

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