Knox Man Arrested On Auto Theft Charges

Posted on Author WKVI

A Knox man was arrested for the theft of an automobile after an accident in Starke County on Saturday, May 19.

At 5 a.m., officers from the Starke County Sheriff’s Department were called to an accident on 50 South, just east of 200 East. A witness told police that the driver fled the scene, and officers were unable to locate the suspect.

Later that morning, a woman reported her car stolen from her friend’s home on Toto Road, west of 700 East.

Starke County police continued to investigate the incident and found that it was Zachary Tomerlin of Knox who allegedly took the vehicle from the Toto Road residence. Tomerlin was arrested on Tuesday, May 22, on a preliminary charge of Auto Theft.

Knox City Court In Jeopardy Due To Funding Problems

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

When members of the Knox City Administration appeared before the Starke County Council Monday night seeking funding sources to narrow the loss gap at Knox City Court, the subject of discontinuing the court was mentioned.

The next night the Knox City Council met and Attorney David Matsey reported on the meeting with the county officials.

“I think some reality is setting in with the county council members about what is going to happen if city court isn’t there anymore. We need to close that gap of $80,000, and the city isn’t going to subsidize the court forever. The bottom line is it’s going to cost $300,000 to $400,000 to operate another court,” Matsey said.

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Knox Community Schools Laptops Benefit Students, Teachers

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

Knox Technology Coach Chris Ross gave a laptop usage update to the Knox Community School Board members this week. Superintendent A.J. Gappa says it has been a learning experience for teachers and students.

“We talked about how the staff has transformed from the beginning of last year where they were all entry level and how they’ve progressed throughout the school year – some more rapidly than others because they’re handier with technology,” said Gappa.

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Knox City Court Suffers From Lack Of Funding

Posted on Author WKVI
Charles Hasnerl

Members of the Knox City Administration, City Judge Charles Hasnerl, and Prosecutor Nicholas Bourff came before the Starke County Council this week seeking guidance in a request for Pretrial Diversion funds. The city administration is trying to find ways to lessen the $80,000 loss in the funding of Knox City Court.

Although no action was taken, it became apparent to City Attorney David Matsey and Starke County Attorney Martin Lucas that there was no way the $9000 in question could be used for the funding of the court.

At one point in the discussion, it was again mentioned that the city might discontinue city court and return the cases that come before Judge Hasnerl to the county. That, however, didn’t seem to be an area anyone wanted to explore at the meeting.

Knox School Board Approves Library Board Improvement Plan

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

The Knox Community School Board members approved the Starke County Library Board’s plan for improvements that include the elementary school property. Superintendent A.J. Gappa says the plan would save the library some time and money.

“They would like to tie into our sewer line, if possible,” said Gappa. “It would save them a lot of labor and probably some costs on some materials. They need to change a sidewalk that connects our elementary property with the library property. They also want to hook into the horseshoe drive at the elementary school off Culver Road so the back parking lot of the library would have an exit into the horseshoe drive.”

The plans were submitted to the board during their last meeting.

Bella Vita Fundraiser Raises $22,000

Posted on Author WKVI
Bella Vita

Last week’s Bella Vita Pregnancy Resource Center fundraiser was a huge success, according to Michelle Barnhart. She says $50,000 is needed each year to keep the center viable for support and information. During the fundraiser, Barnhart said $22,000 was raised in cash and pledges.

Barnhart along with the entire staff and volunteers would like to thank all who attended the event and made the evening such a success.

Knox Incoming Third Graders Receive Summer Packet

Posted on Author WKVI

The Knox third grade teachers sent home a special packet with next year’s incoming third graders to help keep them reading during their summer break. Director of Curriculum and Instruction Peggy Shidaker explained that these packets contain fun activities for students.

“They sent home a little bag that says ‘I Read, Therefore I Succeed,’” explained Shidaker. “Every second grader, 153 of these students, last week carried home this bag and in this bag there was a letter to their parents explaining the entire program. Through the collaboration of our third grade teachers, they filled this bag with fun activities for our students to do in both reading and math.”

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Knox School Board Receives Facilities Study Update

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

The Knox Community School Board members met Monday night where Superintendent A.J. Gappa gave the members a facilities study update.

“As far as the elementary school is concerned, we’re just moving forward,” stated Gappa. “I met with Dana Wanamaker, architect with Barton, Coe Vilamaa, just to give us some estimates on general figures as to what it might be for renovation versus building a new wing. We don’t have any figures on that yet. I anticipate meeting with Curt Pletcher from Umbaugh and Associates, the financial people, because we want to pin it down to be able to tell people, if we need to do something, how much it’s going to affect each individual person.”

Gappa also said the board has some high hopes for their welding program.

“We’re optimistic and moving forward with getting a welding program going, which would be located at the southwest corner of the middle school where the old wood shop used to be,” said Gappa. “I believe that will move forward even very soon. Probably within the next month, we will have work going on to convert that room.”

Knox High School Honor Day Program Held Friday

Posted on Author WKVI
Knox High School Top Ten

The Knox High School Honor Day program was held Friday, May 18th.

Approximately $318,000 in scholarships were distributed to the graduating seniors. The Ben Bowen Award recipient was Elliott Coad, Hannah Folkers won the Bonnie Taylor Award and Shelby Gilbert and Logan Short were named winners of the Robert Hanselman Award. Some other notable scholarship winners were Sierra Brooke of the Roger Laramore Scholarship, Chelsea Whitcraft won the George W. Burkett Scholarship and Thomas Clem won the C. Slisher Scholarship.

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Random Act of Kindness Event Postponed Until September

Posted on Author WKVI
Knox Mayor Rick Chambers

Mayor Rick Chamber’s office has announced that the Random Act of Kindness event has been delayed from June to September this year. Dixie Lockridge will again be in charge of the awards celebration, which will be held on Sept. 16.

Be thinking of who might be a good nominee for this award. Last year’s recipient of the award was a group of Knox High School students who held a car wash. Bruce Klimek, a teacher of the moderately mentally handicapped class at the high school, nominated the students after they raised $200 and gave it to the class for a party and supplies.

Other winners included Jose Marquez in 2010, Jeff Messer, Sr., and the late Eric Corey in 2009.

Residential Entry Charge Filed Against Knox Man

Posted on Author WKVI

A Knox man was arrested on Wednesday, May 16th, after police received a residential entry call.

Patrick Dunn reportedly entered a home on 200 North, walked into the master bedroom of the residence and tapped a woman on the shoulder demanding that she return a cell phone. The woman woke her husband and the pair ordered Dunn out of their home.  He then left on foot.

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Memorial Day Services To Be Held Sunday and Monday

Posted on Author WKVI

Memorial Day Services will be held Sunday and Monday in North Judson, San Pierre, and La Crosse. The services will be conducted by the Harry Keller Post #92 American Legion, Harry Keller Unit #92 American Legion Auxiliary, and Sons of American Legion Squad #92. The services will begin Sunday at 11:30 a.m. at Round Lake.

On Monday, May 28, services will begin with an 8:45 a.m. parade, followed by services at Pioneer Cemetery at 9 a.m. and the San Pierre Cemetery at 10 a.m. A wreath will be deposited in the river on State Road 421 at 11 a.m., and services will be held at Velmar Memorial Park in La Crosse at 11:15 a.m.

Taking part in the services will be the North Judson-San Pierre Band.

Weekend Events Planned In Starke County

Posted on Author WKVI

A new Mint Festival Queen will be crowned Sunday evening at 6 p.m. at the North Judson-San Pierre Cafetorium.

Kersting’s Cycle Center Train Adventure Ride will take place at noon today, with the group ride leaving the center followed by a one-hour scenic country motorcycle ride, followed by lunch and a 45-minute train ride. The cost is $15 per rider, and that includes the motorcycle ride, lunch, and the train ride.

There will also be a Relay for Life of Starke County Fishing Tournament from 6 a.m. until 12 p.m. CT at Bass Lake. There is an entry fee and prizes will be awarded. All proceeds will go to the Starke County Relay for Life on June 8 and 9.

City of Knox Could Face Increased Garbage Fees

Posted on Author WKVI

A lack of recycling could force the city of Knox to increase garbage fees. According to Knox Clerk-Treasurer Jeff Houston, the recycling rate was down five percent last year.

This decrease in recycling efforts could impact garbage fees because the less that residents recycle, more garbage is collected. The garbage pick-up days are Monday and Thursday, and Houston said there is usually a full truck on both days. If it gets to the point that a second truck has to be sent out to finish a route, that would lead to increased fees.

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Cleanup Weekend Scheduled For City of Knox

Posted on Author WKVI

It’s the big cleanup weekend in the City of Knox.

Knox Mayor Rick Chambers announced this week that two dumpsters will be in the parking lot at Knox City Hall and you may dispose of large, bulky items in these dumpsters and Waste Management will have a truck to collect electronics at no charge. Shred documents for free tomorrow from 9:00 a.m. To Noon.

Two yard sale events are scheduled for this weekend in the Starke County area. The Hamlet town-wide yard sale is today and tomorrow. Sales begin at 8:00 a.m. both days.

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Parts Of Bass Lake To Be Treated With Herbicide

Posted on Author WKVI

Selected areas of Bass Lake will be treated with an EPA-registered aquatic herbicide on or after May 21. The herbicide is being applied for the control of Invasive Eurasian Water Milfoil.

The treatment is being funded by the Bass Lake Conservancy District under an IDNR permit, and according to a news release, there are no restrictions on fish consumption or body contact.

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$9,000 Raised in Bella Vita Event

Posted on Author WKVI
Vincy Williamowski, Rhonda Adcock and Susanne Lange

Susanne Lange, Director of the Bella Vita Pregnancy Resource Center in Knox, announced that ten young ladies chose life in her remarks from last night’s Bella Vita Fundraising Reception.

Addressing the crowd too at the Knox Community Center was Brandi Pitts, holding her beautiful son Kendrick. She told a story of a frightened young lady going home to tell her parents that she was pregnant. “Don’t be mad at me mom and dad,” she said. To which her parents said, “We aren’t mad, we love you, and we’ll love your baby, too.” Brandi thanked Bella Vita and her mother and father for the support given through birth and beyond.

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CADA Grant Contract Approved For Phoenix House

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

The Knox City Council gave Mayor Rick Chambers the authority to sign the Coalition Against Domestic Abuse grant contract last week. The Office of Community and Rural Affairs grant was for $424,000, with a 10 percent match from CADA, making the total $471,000. The money is to be used to extend the garage at the Phoenix House, an abuse shelter in Knox.

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Knox Man Arrested Following Burglary Incident

Posted on Author WKVI
Michael Derby

A Knox man was arrested Tuesday after a burglary incident.

Officers from the Starke County Sheriff’s Department conducted a burglary investigation that occurred May 8th in the 10000 block of State Road 8 in Starke County. During the investigation, officers reportedly located stolen items on a pawn list. The officers linked the stolen items back to the victim’s son.

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Shorter Memorial Day Ceremonies Planned For Knox

Posted on Author WKVI

The annual Memorial Day ceremonies on May 28 will take place at the Courthouse Memorial at 9 a.m. There will not be a 24-hour vigil as in previous years; instead, there will be a short ceremony at the courthouse, then the parade to Oak Hill Cemetery where there will be another short ceremony. The Redskin Brigade will participate in the ceremony. Appreciation for the brigade’s participation is being acknowledged by both the American Legion and VFW.

There will also be a brief ceremony in memory of Indiana National Guard Spec. Robert Tauteris, Jr. His name will be added to the monument this week.