Fundraiser for Christina Franks Tonight

Posted on Author WKVI
Christina Franks
Christina Franks

A fish fry fundraiser is set for tonight at the Knox Moose Family Center to benefit the family of Knox Middle School student Christina Franks.

Christina, 13, is in need of a heart transplant. She was diagnosed with an enlarged heart two years ago and was hospitalized in July at Riley Hospital for Children as the left ventricle in her heart was failing. She did have surgery in August to install an exterior heart pump which has taken over the work of her heart until she receives a heart transplant.

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Knox City Council Discusses Equipment Purchase

Posted on Author WKVI
Knox City Council
Knox City Council

The Knox City Council received information on the possible purchase of a machine to help better clear the snow from the downtown area.

Mayor Rick Chambers explained to the council that it would be easier if a little John Deere tractor with a cab and heater be used to clear the snow on the sidewalks downtown. Chambers said the Knox Community School Corporation utilizes similar equipment and it works efficiently.

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Easement Paperwork for New Jail Water Lines Hits Snag

Posted on Author WKVI
Knox City Council
Knox City Council

The Knox City Council discussed an easement agreement for the water project for the new Starke County Sheriff’s Office and Detention Center. The city is putting in water lines that will extend to the property from Henry Drive.

City Attorney David Matsey explained that one of the owners of the property would like to strike a sentence in the agreement which states, “Provided further, that if Owner makes any use of the easement that increases the city operation and maintenance and or restoration costs, then the Owner shall pay for the increase in costs.”

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Haunted Corn Maze to Scare Most this Weekend

Posted on Author WKVI
 
 

The Fisher family and the DeMotte State Bank Relay for Life team are teaming up to present a haunted corn maze this weekend.

The Fisher family puts together one of the best corn mazes in the area and they work hard to make it a scary experience for all who dare to enter.

The corn maze is at 1202 E. 200 S. in Knox and will be open Friday, Oct. 25 and Saturday, Oct. 26 from 6:30 until 11 p.m. CT and on Sunday, Oct. 27 from 6:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. Tickets are available for $5.00 at the DeMotte State Bank and at the gate.

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OWN to Screen Documentary Featuring Knox Man’s Story

Posted on Author WKVI

BridegroomA documentary film with roots in Starke County will be screened this weekend on the Oprah Winfrey Network. “Bridegroom” debuted at the Tribeca Film Festival and has received critical acclaim. The film tells the story of Shane Bitney Crone, whose partner, Knox native and Culver Military Academy graduate Thomas Bridegroom, fell to his death during a photo shoot in 2011. Crone says Bridegroom’s family left him out of the decision making process and made it clear he was not welcome at the service. The film examines the struggles couples without the legal protections of marriage face and aims to raise awareness of the issue. Continue reading →

Knox and Oregon-Davis School Boards to Meet This Evening

Posted on Author WKVI

 
 

The Knox Community School Board will meet tonight at 6:30 p.m. in the administrative office in the Knox Elementary School. The board will receive an update on the Standard for Success and approve the NEOLA Policies and Guidelines that were provided for the board member’s review at the Oct. 7 meeting.

The Oregon-Davis School Board will also meet tonight at 6:30 p.m. CT in the Oregon-Davis Jr./Sr. High School Room 202. The board members will consider a change in the Facility Rental Agreement, approve a resolution regarding frequency of bank deposits and approve a recommendation to switch insurance companies. A discussion is planned for the 100+ Club and for the school discipline policies.

Both meetings are open to the public.

Knox Middle School Celebrates Red Ribbon Week

Posted on Author WKVI

Red Ribbon WeekThis is Red Ribbon Week and the Knox Middle School students will be busy with activities to show that they are drug free.

Today, students will be signing a banner and pledging to be drug and tobacco free. Students and staff will receive a red ribbon to wear and show support of a drug and tobacco free lifestyle.

 On Tuesday, students will plant red tulips at the middle school for National Plant the Promise Week. When the tulips bloom in the spring, it will serve as a reminder to stay drug free.

 Motivational speaker, David Parnell, will speak to the students and staff Wednesday afternoon to about his struggle with drug abuse and his attempt at suicide in which he shot himself in the face. It has required 30 surgeries to repair the damage, but he remains drug free and travels the country to tell everyone of his past troubles to encourage the public to stay drug free.

Live Music Event at Knox Community Center Tonight

Posted on Author WKVI

Nancy J. Dembowski Community Center
Nancy J. Dembowski Community Center
The Nancy J. Dembowski Community Center in Knox will be pumping out some live music tonight as it hosts the Harvest Moon “Big Band” Dancing event from 7 to 9 p.m. Admission for the event is $7 per person, and features live music by Sentimental Journeys.

Darla Cook, mayor’s assistant, said that the city is hoping for a big crowd to have a good time, with admission helping to pay for the band and other expenses. She said there are no sponsors this time, and she hopes to be able to keep hosting these dances which are dependent on admission and attendance. The city has no budget for these events, and only the admissions help to cover the costs.

Additional Charges of Child Molestation Filed Against Knox Man

Posted on Author WKVI

Keith Thatcher
Keith Thatcher
Additional charges been lodged against a Knox man after an investigation into a charge of Sexual Misconduct with a Minor.

Indiana State Police detectives received information in August that 36-year-old Keith Thatcher of Knox reportedly engaged in a sexual misconduct incident with a 15-year-old in Michigan City. The incidents reportedly occurred since July 2012. Continue reading →

Investigators Say Knox Fire Deliberately Set

Posted on Author WKVI

 
 
The fire that destroyed a vacant home on County Road 300 East just south of Binkley Drive last Friday morning was deliberately set, according to fire investigators. The Knox-Center Township Fire Department was dispatched to the scene around 1 a.m. and remained on the scene for about six hours. An investigator from the state fire marshal’s office was called in to determine the cause. Firefighters were called back to the residence around 5 last evening for a rekindle and spent 90 minutes or so there.

Anyone with information the fires is urged to call the state’s arson hotline at 1-800-382-4628. A reward of up to $5,000 is being offered for information that leads to an arrest or conviction. Callers can remain anonymous.

Investigators Say Knox Fire Deliberately Set

Posted on Author WKVI
 
 

The fire that destroyed a vacant home on County Road 300 East just south of Binkley Drive last Friday morning was deliberately set, according to fire investigators. The Knox-Center Township Fire Department was dispatched to the scene around 1 a.m. and remained on the scene for about six hours. An investigator from the state fire marshal’s office was called in to determine the cause. Firefighters were called back to the residence around 5 last evening for a rekindle and spent 90 minutes or so there.

Anyone with information the fires is urged to call the state’s arson hotline at 1-800-382-4628. A reward of up to $5,000 is being offered for information that leads to an arrest or conviction. Callers can remain anonymous.

 

Firefighters Return to Scene of Friday Morning Blaze

Posted on Author WKVI
 
 

The Knox-Center Township Fire Department was called back to the scene of a fire they spent six hours battling early Friday morning. The vacant home in the 1300 South block of 300 East, just south of Binkley Drive apparently rekindled just after 5 last night. Firefighters were on the scene for about 90 minutes. The cause of Friday morning’s fire is still under investigation.

Officers Bust Underage Drinking Party in Knox, 16 Arrested

Posted on Author WKVI
 
 

A report of an underage drinking party at a home on Tribue Drive in Knox early Sunday morning resulted in 16 arrests for illegal possession of alcohol. Deputies from the Starke County Sheriff’s Office and officers from the North Judson and Knox Police Departments responded just before 2 a.m. In addition to the arrests, a 15-year-old was taken home and released into the custody of his or her parents, according to a news release from the Starke County Sheriff’s Department.

Knox School Board Spotlights Boys Tennis Team

Posted on Author WKVI

Superintendent A.J. Gappa
Superintendent A.J. Gappa
The Knox Community School Board members spotlighted the boys tennis team during their meeting Monday night.

Superintendent A.J. Gappa commented that it was the first time in the team’s history the team members were the winners of the Northern State Conference.

“The tennis team was here with their coaches, Mark Krom and Dick Wagner, to be introduced to the board. They not only set a school record for the first conference championship, but they had some individual records. The team had the most wins in history and they had the most consecutive wins. They also won the tournament that Knox hosted for the first time. It was a very good year for the tennis team. It was nice to be able to give them some recognition,” stated Gappa.

City of Knox to Refund $200 BZA Fee

Posted on Author WKVI
Knox City Council
Knox City Council

The city of Knox will be refunded a $200 fee from the Board of Zoning Appeals for Gary Dulin after the city council this week approved the refund due to a city ordinance that had been overlooked before the fee was charged. Mayor Rick Chambers told the council that Plan Commissioner Bruce Williams had been working with Dulin on Water Street regarding a request from Dulin to keep horses on his land, and charged a $200 BZA fee in order for the matter to be reviewed.

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Starke Commissioners Approve Boa Shores Addition

Posted on Author WKVI

 
 
The Starke County Commissioners this week approved a motion to allow an addition to be made to the Boa Shores area near Bass Lake. The Woodland Shores subdivision does not include lake access and is located off of County Road 625 East, and according to a representative of the planning commission, the drainage requirements of the county have been met and a public hearing was previously held with no objections voiced.

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Indiana Court of Appeals Rules in Robert “Ryan” Corbin’s Favor

Posted on Author WKVI
Robert "Ryan" Corbin
Robert “Ryan” Corbin

The Indiana Court of Appeals released a decision regarding the charges filed against former Knox High School teacher Robert “Ryan” Corbin.

A hearing was held in September in the Indiana Court of Appeals where oral arguments were heard in the case of Robert “Ryan” Corbin who was accused of two counts of Attempted Child Seduction. It was Corbin’s attempt to overturn Starke Circuit Court Judge Kim Hall’s denial of a motion to dismiss the charges of Attempted Child Seduction against him.

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Cause of Early Morning Fire Remains Under Investigation

Posted on Author WKVI
 
 

This morning’s fire at a vacant home in the 1300 South block of 300 East near Binkley Drive in Knox remains under investigation. Knox-Center Township Fire Chief Kenny Pfost says an investigator from the state fire marshal’s office has been called in, and the police are also looking into the incident. Firefighters were dispatched to the home around 1 a.m. and remained on the scene for about 6 hours. No injuries were reported. Pfost adds nobody was living in the house at the time.