New Swing Set Installed at Sandy Acres Park

Posted on Author WKVI
George Byer, Matt Whiles, Patrick Jesuit, and Clarence Marshall install the new swing set at Sandy Acres Park

Many people driving by the Sandy Acres Park on the south side of Knox have wondered what was going in the playground area.

“What we’ve got going here is a new swing set for Sandy Acres Park,” said Park Superintendent George Byer. “It was one that we purchased last Fall, we really didn’t have a chance to get it installed. This swing set will consist of two full swings on it and then we’ll have a toddler’s swing and a baby chair swing. At the very end, we will have a handicap swing. Everybody will get a chance to be able to play on this one. Along with that, we’ll have a six foot bench that will be between the little kids kingdom area and the swing set. This will make a very nice addition to Sandy Acres Park.”

The base will be filled in with playground mulch.

Knox Man Arrested after Police Find Meth Lab in Car

Posted on Author WKVI
Fred Boggess II

Fred Boggess II, 30, of Knox was arrested Friday, July 8th after Starke County Police found a meth lab in his vehicle.

Boggess was pulled over on a routine traffic stop on Toto Road and 100 East in Starke County and officers found an active meth lab. The Indiana State Police Clandestine Lab Team was called to the scene to clean up the scene. Boggess II was arrested on preliminary charges of Illegal Drug Lab, Manufacturing Meth, False Informing, Possession of Meth, Possession of Precursors, Driving While Suspended-Prior and Habitual Offender. He is in the Starke County Jail on a $25,000 surety bond.

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Services Scheduled for Andy Howes

Posted on Author WKVI
Andy Howes

Forty-one years after being listed as Missing in Action in Vietnam, funeral services for CW 3 George A. (Andy) Howes will be held Tuesday, August 2nd, 2011 at 7:00 p.m. at the Knox Community Center, 55 East Lake Street, Knox Indiana. Burial will follow on August 5th, 2011 at 11:00 a.m. ET in Arlington National Cemetery with full military honors. A service at the Chapel at Fort Myer will be held at 9:00 a.m. prior to his burial in Arlington National Cemetery.

Robert Howes, brother of CW 3 Howes, said, “We are bringing Andy home to Knox, the community that nurtured him as he grew up and never forgot him while he was Missing in Action. We were honored by the outpouring of affection when it was announced that he had been identified. The service is open to the community and to everyone who kept him in their hearts.” Howes added: “Anyone having a POW/MIA bracelet for Andy and who would like their bracelet to be interred with him at Arlington National Cemetery is welcome to bring it to the service.” Continue reading →

Benefit Held for Tom Belcher

Posted on Author WKVI
Ted Hayes, Tom Belcher and Chris Milner

Although looking weak, former WKVI Morning Personality, Tom Belcher, greeted friends and neighbors at a benefit given in his honor on Saturday at O’s Tap in downtown Knox. Belcher has faced many ups and downs in recovery following 43 straight days in an Indianapolis hospital.

While not fully recovered, Tom told all that he felt that he was on the “road to recovery.” He promised those in attendance to follow the doctor’s advise on all medical instructions, and said he would stay positive in the days ahead.

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Status Hearing for Jack Haut in Starke Circuit Court Today

Posted on Author WKVI
Jack Haut

Jack Haut will appear in Starke Circuit Court this morning for a status hearing. Haut is charged with Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated Causing Death and Reckless Homicide.

In July 2010, it is alleged that Jack Haut was driving his pickup truck on US 35 north of Knox when he swerved into the other lane and struck Thomas White of Knox head-on. White was riding a motorcycle at the time of the accident and died at the scene.

His jury trial has been scheduled for July 20th at 9:00 a.m.

Violinist Adrienne Geisler Visits WKVI!

Posted on Author WKVI
Adrienne performs live on WKVI

Violinist Adrienne Geisler visited the WKVI studios to perform part of a song that will be featured during her concert on Sunday afternoon at 3:00 p.m. CT at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in Knox.  Adrienne recently played in Carnegie Hall with the Albany Symphony Orchestra.

In 2009, she received her Masters in Violin Performance from the Peabody Institute of Music. Peabody is affiliated with Johns Hopkins University.

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Updated: Two Knox Park Board Members not Eligible to Serve on Board

Posted on Author WKVI
Wythogan Park

WKVI News is revisiting a story we had earlier in the week about the eligibility of two Park Board members. Because we used the phrase “not qualified”, some in our audience thought we meant the two members in question were not competent to sit on the Board. That is not correct, as the members Irene Szakonyi and Kurt Snearly are eminently qualified. Park Board President, Chris Marshall, called them very valuable, and we concur.

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Dog Left in Hot Car Dies

Posted on Author WKVI

Formal charges are pending against a Knox resident who reportedly left her two dogs in a hot car and one expired due to the heat.

The Knox City Police Department were called to IU Health Starke Hospital where a citizen called to report that two dogs were left in a car on a hot summer day and did not look well. Officers arrived and noticed a little crack in the window, but the dogs were panting heavily. One was laying down and was drooling due to being hot and dehydrated. The dog did expire due to the heat. The dog owner was not arrested at the scene, but police continue to investigate this incident.

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Two Knox Park Board Members Not Eligible to Serve

Posted on Author WKVI
Wythogan Park

Two members of the Knox Park Board are not eligible to serve. According to Knox City Council Attorney, David Matsey, the Ex-Officio members of the Board, Irene Szakonyi and Kurt Snearly, are not members of the Boards that named them to the Park Board.

By definition, an Ex-Officio member of a board is there by virtue of holding another office. The Ex-Officio members of the Park Board were named by the Starke County Library Board and the Knox Community School Board. Since neither are part of those Boards, they are not eligible to serve.

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Tom Belcher Benefit Planned for Saturday

Posted on Author WKVI
Tom Belcher

A benefit for former WKVI Radio personality, Tom Belcher, will be held this Saturday, July 9th, at O’s Tap in Knox. Tom Belcher has suffered from a few medical issues in the past several months and the community is coming together to help him with medical bills. He is in need of a liver transplant.

Entertainment will be provided by Hawg Wild and there will be food, raffles, door prizes and more during the event from Noon to 6:00 p.m. CT on Saturday. All proceeds will go toward his medical expenses.

Thom Morin Comes Before Knox City Council to Request Handicapped Parking Spaces

Posted on Author WKVI
Thom Morin

Thom Morin, who has been before the Knox City Council before to request more handicapped parking spaces, was before them again last week.

Since Mr. Morin has presented a proposed document spelling out ADA rules, the City has added a space on Main Street by the tracks, another on the north end of Main Street near Lake, one in the alley by the Community Center, and two on the east side of the Community Center. The Mayor announced that he is working on one handicapped parking spot by the Courthouse.

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Budget Work Being Done in Knox City Clerk-Treasurer’s Office

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

It’s budget time in the Knox City Clerk’s office. Clerk-Treasurer Jeff Houston told the Knox City Council members last week that the annual audit is being done now, and he is working on the 2012 budget.

Houston said this seems to be a more in-depth audit as the City received over $500,000 in federal grants during the past year.

On July 6th, Houston will meet with the Department of Local Government Finance, and he thought the Council might want to consider a work session before the next Council meeting on July 12th.

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Hochstetler Found Guilty in Stabbing

Posted on Author WKVI
Niki Hochstedler

The trial of Niki Hochstetler continued yesterday in Starke Circuit Court as the defense called Hochstetler to the stand. Hochstetler, a resident of Walkerton, told the jury that she was at the Country Roads Bar and Grill with two of her friends when Eric Amore began insulting and cussing at her. She said that she was not bothering him and had not spoken to him before he began making these disparaging comments.

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Investigation Continues into Toddler’s Death

Posted on Author WKVI

Starke County Prosecutor Nicholas Bourff said yesterday that the death of a three-year-old Knox boy is still under investigation. The three-year-old died after being rushed to IU Health Starke Hospital by his father on June 19th. He was transferred to a South Bend Hospital where he passed away.

Bourff said he still has not received the autopsy report from the St. Joseph County Coroner’s office.

Knox City Council Discusses Refinancing Debt on Community Center

Posted on Author WKVI
John Julien

John Julien of Umbaugh and Associates came before the Knox City Council this week to bring them up to speed on the savings associated with refinancing the outstanding debt on the Knox Community Building. In 1997, the bonds on the building sold at a 5.5% interest rate. Julien told the Council that they could now be sold at 2.9%.

“$23,000 isn’t going to make the City rich, but it’s $23,000 that you don’t have access to right now,” said Julien. “In the grand scheme of things, I think it’s worthwhile for the City to pursue. The savings aren’t earth shattering, but it’s hard to imagine that interest rates are going to go much lower.”

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Walkerton Fourth of July Celebration Begins Today

Posted on Author WKVI

Going back to the 1950’s, Walkerton, Indiana has been one of the places to be over the 4th of July weekend. This year is no exception and it all gets started today with the Independence Day Parade at 7:30 p.m. ET. The parade will begin at the Urey Middle School and ends at the John Glenn High School. There’s plenty of weekend fun, so grab a schedule, and enjoy some of the events.

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CADA, KIRPC Asks Knox City Council to Sponsor Phoenix House Expansion

Posted on Author WKVI

Ruth Matsey, President of the Coalition Against Domestic Abuse, and Edwin Buswell of the Kankakee Regional Planning Commission appeared before the Knox City Council Tuesday night to ask the City officials to approve sponsorship of an addition at the Phoenix House. Since 1995, the Phoenix House has served as a short-term emergency shelter for women fleeing abusive relationships.

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