WWII Reenactment Quickly Approaching

Posted on Author WKVI

The sound of gunfire and the hustle and bustle of military life during World War II will soon fill Wythogan Park in Knox.

The US 1st Infantry Division, known as the “Big Red One,” is hosting a WWII reenactment as part of the World War II Historical Reenactment Society. The sounds of battle will be heard coming from Wythogan Park, where the reenactors will try to offer visitors a feel of what this exciting period of history must have been like. Chaplain Jay “Sky Pilot” Shuttz says the reenactors are collectors and serious students of history, representing several different nationalities who will try to dress, equip, and conduct themselves in proper 1944 manner.

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Vocational Welding Class May Soon Be Established At Knox Middle School

Posted on Author WKVI
Charles Weaver
Charles Weaver

Sparks may soon start flying at the Knox Middle School, as the Knox Community School Corporation has been working with the Starke County Economic Development Foundation, the SCILL Center, and North Central Vocational Area School representatives to set up a vocational welding class in the middle school.

Starke County Economic Development Foundation Executive Director Charles Weaver says that the class would benefit not just students, but adults as well.

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Kindergarten Camp Prepares Kids For School

Posted on Author WKVI

Twenty Knox children will be attending a Kindergarten Camp in June to get them ready for school. The class is taught by Jill Keiper and Allison Martinkus. Peggy Shidaker, the curriculum director for the Knox School District, explains how the camp is helping the children.

“We do many different activities to get the students ready for school. The biggest activity is getting these students ready to leave home for the classroom,” said Shidaker.

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Knox Man Arrested On Methamphetamine-Related Charges

Posted on Author WKVI

Knox City Police officers arrested a Knox man Thursday on methamphetamine-related charges after executing an arrest warrant.

Police learned of the whereabouts of Anthony Clemons and confirmed that he had an active arrest warrant for Failure to Appear on narcotics-related charges in Starke Circuit Court. Police arrived at the residence and asked the homeowner if Clemons was there. He was seen on a bed in the home and was ordered to surrender to police before being taken into custody without incident.

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Knox Fireworks Ordinance Prevents Fireworks Before 5 P.M.

Posted on Author WKVI

A fireworks ordinance is in effect in the City of Knox.

According to the ordinance, fireworks may only be discharged between 5 p.m. and two hours after sunset from June 29 to July 3, and July 5 through July 9. On the Fourth of July, you may ignite fireworks between the hours of 10 a.m. and midnight. This includes all consumer fireworks with the exception of sparklers, cone fountains, ground spinners, snakes or glow worms, and smoke devices. Anyone in violation of the ordinance shall be subject to a $100 fine for the first offense, $250 for the second offense, and $500 for a third offense and every subsequent offense.

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Knox Community Schools Begin Summer Food Service Program

Posted on Author WKVI

The Knox Community School Corporation has started the Summer Food Service Program, and is offering free meals to any child 18 years of age and younger. Free meals are also available for any adults who are enrolled in a state-approved educational program for the mentally or physically disabled.

Breakfast and lunch will be served at the Knox Community High School Monday through Thursday until July 26, although the kitchen will be closed July 4. Breakfast is served from 7 to 8:30 a.m. and lunch from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. CT.

The USDA Summer Food Service Program for Children (SFSP) was created to serve nutritious meals to children when the National School Lunch and Breakfast Program meals are not available. To ensure that all children receive proper nutrition throughout the year, SFSP reimburses organizations that prepare and serve meals to eligible children during the summer.

Kindergarten Countdown Kicks Off Today In Knox

Posted on Author WKVI

The Kindergarten Countdown camp begins today at Knox Community Elementary School.

Sponsored by IU Health Starke Hospital and Starke United, this session offers incoming kindergarten children with little or no prior prekindergarten experience a chance to get into a classroom setting and participate in activities to get them ready for school this fall. Breakfast and lunch will be provided and each student will receive a free book to take home each day.

Kindergarten Countdown begins today and runs until Wednesday, June 20.

Retirement Ceremony Held For Pastor Phil Emerson

Posted on Author WKVI

A popular United Methodist minister who pastored the local UM church in Knox in the 70’s was feted at a retirement ceremony Saturday evening at the Good Shepherd United Methodist Church in Ft. Wayne.

Pastor Phil Emerson greeted congregants and former members of churches he pastored in his long career. His final sermon will be given next Sunday. Also honored was his wife, Phyllis, who is still a hair stylist in Knox two days a week.

Several people from the Knox congregation attended the ceremony. He also was the pastor of United Methodist churches in Michigan City, Lafayette, and Logansport.

City of Knox May Soon Purchase Marsh Manor, Vacant Laundromat

Posted on Author WKVI
Marsh Manor

Knox City Attorney David Matsey says the city may soon be purchasing two properties. The properties belong to Don Nordstrom, and the city is currently waiting on a proposal from the owner regarding the purchase price.

Matsey identified the properties as 304 S. Main St., formerly known as Marsh Manor, and the vacant laundromat located across the street from the Knox Community Center.

Knox Community High School Prepares For Graduation

Posted on Author WKVI

Graduation for Knox Community High School Seniors is set for tonight at 7:00 p.m. in Weinberg Gym. Valedictorian Taylor Quella and Salutatorian Brenden Owens will be addressing the student body and a slide show of pictures will be presented.

The guest speaker will be Dr. Byron Holm, owner of the Holm Medical Clinic at Lifeplex and the Holm Medical Clinic in Walkerton. Dr. Holm is a 1965 Knox High School graduate.

Knox Utility Clerk Bertha Blue Says Goodbye To Office

Posted on Author WKVI
Blue enjoys her retirement party with husband Ed Blue.

A friendly face in the Knox Clerk-Treasurer’s office is leaving. Bertha Blue has been the utility clerk for 25 years, and yesterday was her last day on the job. A party was held in her honor at Knox City Hall.

Blue explained she took up the position after the previous utility clerk left.

“I started part-time and then the girl left and I began as the utility clerk,” said Blue. “I began full time work in 1987.”

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Statement Of Benefits for Hoosier Custom Plastics Tabled

Posted on Author WKVI
Back Row: Greg Matt, Mayor Rick Chambers, Clerk-Treasurer Jeff Houston, Donald Kring, City Attorney David Matsey. Front Row: Linda Berndt, Jeff Berg and Ron Parker

A request to approve a statement of benefits for Hoosier Custom Plastics was tabled by the Knox City Council last week because no one from the company was on hand to answer questions.

The document the council was being asked to sign would confirm the company is in compliance with what was promised when the tax abatement was approved.

According to the figures submitted by Hoosier Custom Plastics, the company has between 31 and 33 full-time employees, with a total yearly salary of $707,000. At the time the tax abatement was approved, the owners promised 20 employees and $595,000 in salary. Both figures would prove the company is in compliance, but the council members wanted someone representing the plastics firm to appear to answer questions.

Clerk-Treasurer Jeff Houston said when he spoke to a representative of the company on the phone it was stated that they’re “busting at the seams,” and “running out of room,” which would indicate business is booming.

A request for a company representative to be in attendance is being made by Houston.

Starke County Youth Club Knox Declares Checkmates

Posted on Author WKVI
This student is really thinking hard about her next move!

For the past few months, select students at the Starke County Youth Club Knox site have been working to put together an event that would honor many area residents. Named Checkmates, this group started with a grant from Indiana Service Learning After School.

Checkmates decided to invite Starke County veterans and retired citizens to a game of chess. Once invitations were designed, professional prints were sent out to all of the potential Checkmates guests.

The Checkmates event was held on May 16, when food was served, tables were set, and the boards were prepared. What followed was 90 minutes of community involvement and fun.

At the end of the day, the entire youth club came together and provided a great service to its community. Each child involved showed great respect, cooperation, and effort in creating a memorable event that should be commended by all.

Cruise-In For A Cure To Take Place Friday, June 8

Posted on Author WKVI

A Cruise-In For A Cure event is planned for Friday, June 8. Rhonda Noah of Key Bank says this is the first time they’ve hosted a show like this, and they’re proud to welcome cars, trucks, motorcycles, and all other types of vehicles to compete in the cruise-in. A $15 donation is required per vehicle, and all proceeds from the event will go directly to the Starke County Relay For Life.

Cancer survivors will judge the cars and pick a top three, and Noah says they’re hopeful this event brings in some new faces.

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Knox Lift Station Project Begins; Contract Signed

Posted on Author WKVI

The estimated $200,000 lift station project at the corner of Claybaugh and U.S. 35 has begun with the letting of an engineering contract. The City of Knox has signed a contract with Territorial Engineering for $21,000 to design a new modern submersible pump. The current lift station has been deemed difficult and unsafe to maintain.

Van Janovic of Territorial Engineers said the design should be complete by August and ready for bid. The construction of the new lift station could cause some inconvenience for personnel at the South Side Fire Station, but Janovic said they should be able to work around it.

Knox City Streets Paving Contract Awarded To E&B Paving

Posted on Author WKVI
Back Row: Greg Matt, Mayor Rick Chambers, Clerk-Treasurer Jeff Houston, Donald Kring, City Attorney David Matsey. Front Row: Linda Berndt, Jeff Berg and Ron Parker

E&B Paving has been awarded the Knox City Streets paving contract, pending review of the city attorney and street superintendent. The bid came in at $74,855.

Streets to be paved include Division Street from 300 East to the railroad tracks, Chicago Street from U.S. 35 to Prettyman Street, the alley behind Lady Bug Cleaners, St. Louis Street from U.S. 35 to Pearl Street, and South Portland Street from Culver Road to Delaware Street. Lafayette Street from Bower Street to Roosevelt Road will also be paved, along with Pearl Street from the railroad tracks to John Street.

Also, Covenant Concrete won the sidewalk construction bid for $15,323. Sidewalks will be installed on John, Prettyman, Shield, and Lafayette streets, near U.S.A Cafe and the Pearl Street Clinic.

Residents Have Right To Hearing Before Water Disconnect

Posted on Author WKVI
Jeff Houston

Knox City Attorney David Matsey has made Clerk-Treasurer Jeff Houston aware that a more formalized process has to be used for water disconnect in the city. As it is now, residents can be up to two months behind on their water bill before a disconnect is performed.

According to a court case from Evansville, due process has to be followed before the disconnect. In other words, a resident would have the right to have a hearing before the disconnect occurs.

Matsey said the hearing could be held before the Board of Public Works to satisfy the court decision. A process will be created by the attorney and Houston on this matter.

Information about the case was sent to the city by the Indiana Association of Cities and Towns.

Harvest Days Committee To Meet June 5

Posted on Author WKVI

The Knox Harvest Days Committee will be meeting on Tuesday, June 5. Michelle Bachtel said last week that plans seem to be on schedule and advertising and sponsorship funds are currently being collected. Further details on events and times will be discussed at on June 5 at 6:30 p.m.

The Harvest Days celebration is August 24 – 26, with many of the activities taking place in Wythogan Park.

Knox High School Teacher Wins Department of Education Essay Contest

Posted on Author WKVI
Knox Community School Superintendent A.J. Gappa

The Department of Education issued a unique challenge to the teachers this spring. They presented a contest in which a staff member was asked to write a six-word essay about a colleague or about the school. Knox Community School Superintendent A.J. Gappa said one of the teachers at Knox was selected as a winner in the contest.

“Mary Kleinfehn, one of the teachers at the high school who is actually going to retire at the end of the year – she’s taught Special Ed here for many years – wrote her six-word essay about Curriculum Director Peggy Shidaker. She has worked with her for many years. Two weeks ago, the Department of Education picked six winners from around the state and Mrs. Kleinfehn’s essay was selected as the winner from the Northwest region of the state,” said Gappa.

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Plymouth Assistant Superintendent Announces Retirement

Posted on Author WKVI

A 1963 graduate of Knox High School, Dr. Rodger Smith has announced his retirement, effective at the end of the school year at Plymouth. He has been the assistant superintendent of the corporation since 2008. He was superintendent of the John Glenn School Corporation for five years before his employment at Plymouth.

Smith still makes his home in Knox.