Gov. Mike Pence Presents Grant Funds to Knox School Officials
“The Knox Community School Corporation has been awarded a grant for $50,000. This is the maximum allowable grant. It represents strong leadership in the corporation, and a real commitment by this community to make sure our schools are about learning and create a safe environment for our kids,” said Pence.
Knox School Board Spotlights Donation Efforts at the High School
“Mrs. Wood, one of our science club sponsors, has on her property a number of apple trees. Members of the science club went out and picked over 250 pounds of apples and donated those apples to the food pantry for distribution to those in need,” said Gappa.
Knox Community School Board Approves Last QSCB Claim
The QSCB money was used to renovate the pool at the high school and to work on water lines that were clogged and deteriorating. The money also allowed for the purchase and installation of new lockers at the high school.
Superintendent A.J. Gappa explained that some other projects were completed at the high school within the two year span of the funding.
“We had some monies left over so we’ve been doing some other projects at the high school that were included in the project,” said Gappa. “This was the final claim. We had a deadline coming up where we had to expend all of the money from that project. We were down to the last $7,000 and so the board had approved that last claim for some repair work at the high school.”
Gov. Pence to Announce School Safety Grant at Knox High School
Governor Mike Pence will soon be announcing more than $9 million in grant funding that will go towards improving the safety of schools and school corporations throughout the state at Knox Community High School. Pence will visit the school on Wednesday, Nov. 6 at 10 a.m. to announce the Secured School Safety Grant, a dedicated state grant fund that provides matching safety-related grants to school corporations and charter schools.
Knox Police Recover Stolen Car, Make Two Drug Arrests
A woman from Walkerton faces multiple felony charges following an arrest Friday by officers from the Knox Police Department at Taco Bell. Courtney Owens, 25, was reportedly driving a car that was reported stolen to the Knox Police on Wednesday, Oct. 30. In addition to a felony auto theft charge, she’s also facing charges of dealing a substance represented to be a controlled substance and possession of paraphernalia. Officers also arrested Ryan Anguiano, 21, of Plymouth on a misdemeanor possession of marijuana charge. Both are jailed in Starke County pending arraignment. The incident is still under investigation. Officers from the Knox Police Department are still looking for one other male in connection with the stolen automobile.
Knox Water Department to Flush Hydrants This Week
The Knox City Water Department will be flushing fire hydrants this week beginning today through Friday.
According to Water Superintendent Todd Gardner, there are three benefits to flushing fire hydrants. The action exercises the hydrants to keep them in good functioning order and to ensure fittings are working properly. Iron and other deposits are flushed out of lines that may build up over time and stagnant water is removing from areas that may not have a high volume of use.
WKVI Staff to Participate in Pizza Hut Fundraiser
WKVI staff members will be manning Pizza Hut today from 4 to 8 p.m. for Celebrity Night, with every tip made going towards Pizza Hut’s Charity for World Hunger. On-air personnel and other staff will be waiting tables, manning the drive-thru and doing our best to earn tips to support this worthy cause.
Henry F. Schricker Library Closed Monday–Wednesday
The Henry F. Schricker Library in Knox will be closed Monday through Wednesday, Nov. 4–6, to allow workers to move into the newly created Children’s and Young Adult areas. Library Director Sheila Urwiler explained that all other locations of the library system will remain open Monday and Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and the Hamlet branch will be open Tuesday from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. The San Pierre branch will be open Tuesday as well from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. to assist patrons.
Recovering Addict Speaks Candidly About Consequences of Meth Use
David Parnell of Dresden, Tenn. was in prison in Oklahoma for selling drugs when his oldest daughter was born and didn’t meet her until she was two years old. That didn’t stop the father of seven from getting high on and dealing in methamphetamine.
Parnell spent 23 years addicted to drugs, tried twice to kill himself and nearly succeeded in February of 2003 when he shot himself in the face with a hunting rifle. The bullet went in under his chin, came out between his eyes and broke every bone in his face. Parnell survived the 2.5 hour ambulance ride from his rural West Tennessee home to Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville. His family members were expecting a telephone call telling them he didn’t make it. Somehow he survived, and three days later learned that his wife, Amy, was pregnant with their seventh child.
Country Music and Bluegrass Jam in Knox on Friday
The Country Music and Bluegrass Jam is set for Friday, Nov. 1 at 6 p.m. CT at the Nancy J. Dembowski Community Center in Knox. If you think you have the musical talent it takes to get the toes tapping in Starke County, you are welcome to show up with your band and show everyone what you’ve got.
Knox Library to Close Nov. 4–6 to Move Into New Wing
Knox School Board Recognizes Students Involved in Manufacturer’s Day
Students from all over the county were present for the opportunity to look at the many displays put out by different manufacturers. This was a chance for the students to see what industry is available for them in the county and to ask questions about what each manufacturer specialized in and about potential employment.
Refreshments, Contest at Knox Community Center Following Trick-or-Treating
Mayor Rick Chambers said the event is sponsored by ABATE and a number of prizes will be offered.
“The event is being sponsored and put on by the group ABATE, and they will have some cash prizes that is sponsored by the city and they have some other prizes that had been donated by local businessmen, and they will do the categories like they normally do for the different age groups of children,” Chambers said.
Be Mindful of What You Flush into the Wastewater System
Knox Wastewater Superintendent Kelly Clemons explained to the Knox Board of Public Works last week that the staff has been handing out pamphlets explaining what can and can not be flushed into the sewer system.
The wastewater collection system can not handle some items and it does cause great wear and tear on the equipment. Clemons noted that disposable baby wipes, shop towels, sanitary and cleaning products, plus oil and grease are causing blockages in sewer lines and lift station pumps. These products can also cause blockages in pipes inside your home.
Knox Street Department Gearing up for the Winter Season
Knox Street Superintendent Jeff Borg told the Knox Board of Public Works that the department is gearing up for the winter season. While they are still continuing with leaf and brush pick-up, they are getting the trucks ready to plow snow. The salt supply is good and the staff is making sure the plows are properly maintained to tackle what the winter season has to offer.
Wastewater Superintendent Kelly Clemons asked the board to approve a quote to remove ten trees from around the equipment at the wastewater plant. The lowest quote came in from the same company that assisted in the clean-up in Wythogan Park after a wind storm wreaked havoc in the park last year. The quote was for $8,500.
Knox City Council Discusses City Court
The Knox City Council briefly discussed costs of operating the Knox City Court.
Mayor Rick Chambers explained that in 2012, after the disbursements of fees, the court took in $53,834.81 and the cost to operate the court was $98,345. The court system did not use $11,400 last year so the total cost absorbed by the city was $86,945.83.
Knox Board of Public Works Approves Change Order in Demolition Project
The Knox Board of Public Works approved change orders for the demolition project at 2 and 4 N. Main Street in the downtown area.
Crews tore down the buildings that housed the old Knox theater and the former office of the Starke County Economic Development Foundation. While most of the debris has been cleared, there are a few issues that need to be addressed before inclement weather sets in.
Lift Station Project Experiences Slight Delay
The Knox Board of Public Works received an update on the lift station project at the corner of Clabaugh Drive and Heaton Street (U.S. 35). A small setback was experienced when hatches weren’t installed as instructed by the manufacturer. That required some cement work to be redone and has created a small delay in the project. Selge Construction should be resuming work today.
Uniform Policy for Knox City Wastewater Workers to Change
The Knox Wastewater Superintendent provided the city council with a proposed uniform change.
The workers at the wastewater treatment facility are among contaminants and a host of bacteria while on the job. Those materials get on their clothes and the workers proceed to wear those clothes home to their families and into stores when running errands which is not the healthiest option.
