Knox City Police Department Makes Arrests

Posted on Author WKVI
Angela Staten

Angela Staten of Knox was arrested by Knox City Police on Thursday, November 17th, after she was found looking through the crash cart in the IU Health Starke Hospital’s Emergency Room. Staten had opened the drawer that was full of medication and she was reportedly seen with a box out looking at it. She told police and the ER staff that she opened the drawer because she was bored. She told police that she didn’t take anything. She was arrested and has preliminary charges of Attempted Theft and Criminal Mischief. Continue reading →

New Starke County Deputy Prosecutor Hired

Posted on Author WKVI
Prosecutor Nicholas Bourff and Deputy Prosecutor Autumn Ferch

Starke County Prosecutor, Nicholas Bourff, made the announcement yesterday that there is a new Deputy Prosecutor in the office.

“Autumn Ferch has joined our office as a Deputy Prosecutor,” said Bourff. “I’ve known Autumn for a very, very long time and I see value in bringing someone into the office who grew up in Starke County and who calls Starke County home. She will be handling everything in the Knox City Court, as well as several ‘D’ felonies in Starke Circuit Court. She will also handle child support cases too.”

We asked Autumn Ferch why she decided to go into law.

Continue reading →

WKVI/Five Star Food Drive Gathers over $1,000 in Donations

Posted on Author WKVI
Jerry Curtis and Pat Dunn helped the customers with their groceries during the food drive

The WKVI/Five Star Food Drive was a great success. Joan Haugh, Director of Community Services of Starke County, called with the totals yesterday morning. Over $1,000 was collected in cash donations, and that includes $500 from Five Star.

Joan said that over 300 pounds of food was collected during the five hour food drive. She said that she’s appreciative of the help and that food will help feed families in Starke County for the holiday season.

Continue reading →

In Case You Missed it…

Posted on Author WKVI

In case you haven’t heard:

Gary and Susan Brown

The Annual Starke County Historical Society meeting was held at the Knox High School Cafeteria on Thursday, November 17th with over 100 people attending. After the dinner and business meeting, Gary & Susan Brown, from Valparaiso, provided the program. Since 2011 is the sesquicentennial of the Civil War, the Browns presented a musical program of songs of that period in our nation’s history. They are accomplished musicians. Susan performs on fretted dulcimer, guitar, zither, autoharp, piano, penny whistle, recorder and various rhythm instruments. She is known for expressive vocals; from ethereal Celtic tunes to hard-hitting country songs and has performed for hundreds of audiences all over the Midwest. -submitted by Jim Shilling.  Continue reading →

Two Arrested after Police Find Meth Labs

Posted on Author WKVI
Traci Jacobs
Richard Warner

Officers from the Starke County Sheriff’s Department arrested two after one pot method meth labs were found in a residence in North Judson on Thursday.

Officers received information about the whereabouts of Traci Jacobs who was wanted on two warrants for Failure to Appear. A detective from the Starke County Sheriff’s Department contacted the bonds company and sent agents to 6190 S. 250 W. in North Judson. The agents said that they had Jacobs in custody as well as Richard Warner, of North Judson. They also notified the Sheriff’s Department that there were several pop bottles in the bedroom closet that appeared to be one pot meth labs.

Continue reading →

Janeen Berndt to Leave Ancilla College

Posted on Author WKVI
Janeen Berndt

After spending eight years as a member of the nursing faculty at Ancilla College, Janeen Berndt is ready to move on—much to the sadness of her coworkers.
Berndt was the first full-time nursing faculty member that was hired at Ancilla, and currently holds the position of Assistant Professor of Nursing. She recently found an opportunity to work at Western Governors University as a Student Mentor, and she feels that’s an opportunity she cannot pass up.

Berndt said it would give her the extra time to spend with her children, and she’s excited for the position because it will give her the opportunity to work with graduate students. Berndt said she will miss the faculty and the students more than anything, and said leaving Ancilla will be like leaving her family.

Continue reading →

Provisional Ballots Counted in Starke County Clerk’s Office

Posted on Author WKVI

Republican Donna Henry increased her victory margin to six in the North Judson Municipal Election for Clerk-Treasurer today. The provisional votes were inspected and of the four votes examined, two were approved and two were rejected. The two votes for Henry gave her a 223-217 victory over Connie Miller, the Democrat Incumbent.

Also picking up two votes was Tim Cummins, Republican, for the Town Council Ward 3 race. His new vote total is 278. The vote total for his opponent, Democrat Daniel Anderson, stayed the same at 162.

Continue reading →

Fred Boggess II Found Guilty

Posted on Author WKVI
Fred Boggess II

A Starke County jury found Fred Boggess II guilty of all five counts filed against him. The jury found him guilty of Dealing in Methamphetamine, Possession of Methamphetamine, Possession of Chemical Reagents or Precursors with the Intent to Manufacture, Driving While Suspended and False Informing.

The two-day trial had several witnesses called to the stand in Starke Circuit Court, including an Indiana State Police officer who specializes in Clandestine Lab Team investigations.

Continue reading →

Porter-Starke Facilities Tobacco Free

Posted on Author WKVI

During yesterday’s national observation of the American Cancer Society’s Great American Smokeout, Porter-Starke Services implemented its organization-wide tobacco free policy.

The policy took effect at all Porter-Starke offices in Knox, Valparaiso and Portage. Porter-Starke implemented a tobacco-free policy among its employees in 2007 and the clients of the Inpatient Care Center in 2009. While there will be no tobacco use allowed on Porter-Starke property, the organization will provide healthy alternatives to tobacco use on-site, including nicotine replacement options, tobacco cessation resources and healthy alternatives in its ongoing programming.

Uniforms for City of Knox Employees Could be Taxed

Posted on Author WKVI
Knox City Council #2
Back Row: Mayor Rick Chambers, Ed Blue, Clerk-Treasurer Jeff Houston, Greg Matt and Attorney David Matsey. Front Row: Linda Berndt, Jeff Berg and Ron Parker

Workers for the City of Knox are being forewarned that their uniforms that they wear at work might be taxed as a fringe benefit in the near future.

Clerk-Treasurer Jeff Houston told Mayor Rick Chambers and City Council members of the possibility at the most recent City Council meeting.

“That looks like the way that the Department of Revenue says that we may be going,” said Houston. “There may be a way around that. We might have to pass an ordinance saying that that’s required for the city employees and they may have to take those uniforms off at work.”

Continue reading →

City of Knox Preparing for Possible Downtown Project

Posted on Author WKVI
Gene Blastic

The man who initiated the talks on revitalizing downtown Knox was at last week’s Knox City Council meeting to listen to a plan of action to get the ball rolling. Gene Blastic was given the assignment to gauge interest from city officials and business owners in putting together a comprehensive plan that would address the deficiencies in the downtown area.

One of those deficiencies is the Starke County Economic Development building at the corner of Lake and Main Streets. The Foundation is considering plans to remodel or raze the century-old building at 2 North Main Street. Remodeling the building could cost in the range of $350,000 and that might not be in the best interest for the organization.

Continue reading →

WKVI/Five Star Food Drive this Saturday

Posted on Author WKVI

The 2nd Annual WKVI/Five Star Food Drive will be held Saturday, November 19th from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at Five Star in Knox.

We will be broadcasting live during that time and we will be accepting donations for the Community Services of Starke County Food Pantry. Five Star has some good deals this week so stop in the store and buy a couple of extra items and donate them to the food pantry. You may also make cash donations.

Continue reading →

SCILL Center Collecting Coats for Those in Need

Posted on Author WKVI
SCILL Center

The SCILL Center students are collecting coats for those in need this winter season.

If you have a gently used coat that you can donate, or maybe you’d like to purchase a new coat for the cause, you may drop them off for the SCILL Center students to collect. You may leave them at the Oregon-Davis High School, Ray’s Super Foods in North Judson, Pioneer Florist in North Judson, Five Star in Knox, Sears and Bailey’s Discount Center.

Continue reading →

Knox City Police Department Investigates Burglary in Downtown Knox

Posted on Author WKVI

The Knox City Police Department continues to investigate a break-in at the Starke County Abstract building on 14 E. Washington Street in Knox.

Suzie Gerretson called police on Wednesday, November 9th, when she entered the office and noticed that the safe was open and there were numerous papers scattered around the outside of the safe. Her desk drawer was also open.

Continue reading →

Knox Zeta Eta Tri Kappa Organization Attends Convention

Posted on Author WKVI
Back Row: Sandy Hansen, Shirley Fosler, Rhonda Cavinder. Front Row: Suellyn Early, Karen Stout, Colleen McCarthy, Karen Showalter.

Several members of the Knox Zeta Eta Chapter of the Tri Kappa organization recently attended the Tri Kappa XXI Convention at the LaPorte First United Methodist Church.

Rhonda Cavinder gave a report and a Fine Arts competition was held. Brenda Krom and Shirley Fosler had entries in the photography division and Jennifer Frasure had made a Zeta Eta scrapbook.

Continue reading →

Starke County Chamber Director Ready to Promote Knox Downtown Improvements

Posted on Author WKVI
Debbie Mix

Candice Bernier from the Indiana Association of Cities and Towns made a presentation to the Knox City Council last week concerning the downtown area. She talked about creating a five year plan for the downtown portion of the city.

One person who was excited with the presentation, and looks forward to assisting in getting the project off the ground, is Debbie Mix, the Executive Director of the Greater Starke County Chamber of Commerce. Bernier talked about involving every segment of the population in the decision making for improving the downtown. Mix said she looks forward to bringing the business segment into the planning process.

Continue reading →

SCILL Center Students to Conduct Winter Car Checks

Posted on Author WKVI
SCILL Center

The SCILL Center is offering free winter car checks in exchange for a donation to the Community Services of Starke County Food Pantry.

On Monday, November 21st, from 8:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. CT, the SCILL Center students will conduct a pre-winter inspection of your car or truck. Your car’s anti-freeze will be checked, along with the battery, belts, windshield wipers, lights, and tires. For every car that comes in, First Farmers Bank and Trust will make a cash donation to the food pantry. Your donation of a food item will ensure a check of your car by the students. You will also receive discount coupons from area auto supply stores for any replacement parts needed.

Starke County Historical Society’s Annual Meeting Scheduled for Thursday

Posted on Author WKVI
Susan Ruth Brown

The Starke County Historical Society’s annual meeting is this Thursday, November 17th at the Knox High School Cafeteria.

The carry-in meal begins at 6:00 p.m. You bring a covered dish, and the Historical Society will furnish the meat, beverage, cups, silverware and plates. A short business meeting will be held at 6:50 p.m. with the election of officers and various reports.

The entertainment for the evening will be from Susan Ruth Brown. Susan will bring back many songs from the era of the Civil War. As multi-instrumentalist and songstress, Susan often performs on fretted dulcimer, guitar, zither, autoharp, piano, penny whistle, recorder and various rhythm instruments. She is known for expressive vocals; from Celtic tunes to hard-hitting country songs.

Continue reading →

Veteran’s Day Service Held at Knox Schools

Posted on Author WKVI
Harvey Hatfield, Dan Siakowski and Tim Shepherd, members of the Knox VFW Post #748 participated in the presentation of the colors at the Veteran's Day programs

Veteran’s Day programs were held in communities and schools throughout the Kankakee Valley area today. At Knox, Travis Flora, a United States Marine veteran spoke to the assembled students at the high school and middle school using the theme, “Freedom Isn’t Free.” Following the presentation, Flora told what Veteran’s Day means to him.

“Veteran’s Day is a time where we pause and reflect and thank those millions of people who have come before us and those millions of people who are currently serving and defending our way of life,” said Flora. “I would like those students to realize that within every veteran there’s a story and that they should ask those veterans their story. They may not hear what they want to hear but in the end, if they listen, they’ll have a better understanding of what a veteran is. When you see that sign outside of the VFW that reads ‘Freedom is not Free’, they should realize that our freedom has been bought and paid for by people who have signed their name on the dotted line and sacrificed.”

Continue reading →