No Major Storm Damage Reported…Yet

Posted on Author WKVI
Cassie Hurlburt found this hail in her yard in Winamac.
Cassie Hurlburt found this hail in her yard in Winamac.

We’ll have to wait until the sun comes up to fully assess the damage caused by last night’s storms. The National Weather Service issued a number severe thunderstorm and tornado watches and warnings for the entire WKVI listening area as storms packing strong winds, heavy rains and hail moved through the region. Dispatchers in Starke County received reports of trees down on 1100 E., and storm spotters noted hail in Koontz Lake. Some trees were reported down in Pulaski County, and several listeners sent us photos of golf and tennis ball-sized hail. Spotters reported possible tornado sightings in Marshall County last night, but dispatchers there say no damage was reported. Continue reading →

Pulaski County CDC May Soon Hire Part-Time Employee

Posted on Author WKVI

 
 
The executive director of the Pulaski County Community Development Commission will soon have a helping hand, as the county council this week approved a $9000 transfer to allow Nathan Origer to look into hiring a part-time employee to help alleviate some of the responsibilities that are weighing him down. Origer said he is having a difficult time attending numerous meetings, manning the office, taking care of clerical work and working as the “ambassador of Pulaski County,” all while trying to entice businesses to set up shop in the area.

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Indiana House Overrides Pence’s Veto

Posted on Author WKVI

 
 
In a 68-23 vote, the Indiana House of Representatives has overridden Governor Mike Pence’s veto of House Enrolled Act 1546, which had passed unanimously out of the House with only one dissenting vote in the Senate. The bill addressed a number of tax issues, most notably the Local Option Income Tax for Jackson and Pulaski counties, and provided benefits for surviving spouses of deceased veterans. The bill also made it easier for out-of-state business to help with disaster emergency relief in Indiana.

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Significant Flooding, Severe Weather Possible

Posted on Author WKVI
 
 

Significant flash and river flooding are possible through the end of the week, according to the National Weather Service. Rainfall totals of between 1 and 3 inches are expected over the next 24 hours, with locally higher amounts possible. Soils are already saturated from recent rains, making low-lying areas much more flood prone.

Severe thunderstorms accompanied by strong winds and damaging hail are also possible into the overnight hours. The National Weather Service is tracking an intense thunderstorm complex, known as a derecho, which could span a 1,000 mile swath across the Plains and Midwestern states. As always, we will bring you the very latest on the air and online at WKVI.com as well as on Facebook and Twitter.

State Legislators May Override Pence’s Veto of CAGIT Bill

Posted on Author WKVI
State Senator Ed Charbonneau
State Senator Ed Charbonneau

State Senator Ed Charbonneau visited Pulaski County this week to speak to the county commissioners and council during a joint session held Monday night regarding a revenue bill vetoed by Governor Mike Pence that could affect the county’s CAGIT moneys. State Representative Doug Gutwein previously explained to the boards that a clerical error at the state level could force the county to pay taxpayers back millions of dollars that had been collected by the County Adjusted Gross Income Tax – money that had originally been collected to cover the cost of the jail – because the state claims that the county overcharged its taxpayers. The county still owes roughly $5 million on the jail facility.

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Former Pulaski County Man Continues to Violate Probation

Posted on Author WKVI

 
 
A former Pulaski County man who pleaded guilty in a plea agreement with the state on a charge of Child Molesting can’t seem to satisfy his terms of probation.

In 2008, Noble Shelton Jr. was arrested on a charge of Child Molesting, a Class B felony in Pulaski County and a plea agreement was later accepted in 2009 when Shelton was sentenced to 10 years in the Department of Corrections with six years suspended. The remaining four years would be served in incarceration and he was placed on probation for a period of six years. He was also to comply with all special terms of probation for sex offenders and register as per state statute.

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Winamac PD Hires New Officer, Prepares To Interview Applicants

Posted on Author WKVI
police badge
 

A former Winamac Police Chief has has rejoined the department as a patrol officer. Chief Mike Buchanan says Jeff Heims started June 1. He replaces Daymond Hartley, who resigned amid a controversy over money he reportedly admitted taking from a department evidence locker and is facing criminal charges. Buchanan says Heims is currently working the swing shift to cover for other members of the department when they have days off. The town’s salary ordinance provides a bump in pay of $550 for each five years of seniority, but Buchanan says the town council’s approval is still needed.

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Portions of Tippecanoe River State Park Closed Due to Flooding

Posted on Author WKVI

Tippecanoe River State Park
Tippecanoe River State Park
The water level at the Tippecanoe River State Park is still a bit high, according to Property Manager Vernon Gillum. Gillum said parts of the park remain closed following the rains two weeks ago that caused a bit of flooding throughout the area, and the water level is dropping very slowly.

He explained that while flooding doesn’t usually impact the property too much, there are a few problems that they’ll need to address.

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Eastern Pulaski School Superintendent Signs Memorandum of Understanding

Posted on Author WKVI

Dr. Robert Klitzman
Dr. Robert Klitzman
Eastern Pulaski School Superintendent Dr. Robert Klitzman signed a Memorandum of Understanding Monday night that pertains to the board’s search for a new superintendent.

Klitzman stated that it takes time to search for a new superintendent and there are certain processes that need to be followed. The board is taking their time to find the right candidate for the school corporation.

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West Central School Board Approves Summer School Classes

Posted on Author WKVI

West Central School Superintendent Charles Mellon
West Central School Superintendent Charles Mellon
Now that the regular school year is over for students in the Kankakee Valley area, summer school is now in session.

West Central Schools will offer summer school in July, but Superintendent Charles Mellon said classes were approved by the school board just last week.

“Mostly those were in the elementary just for remediation,” stated Mellon. “The life skills class will be doing a short six-day schooling at the latter part of July.”

Pulaski County Council, Commissioners Approve Amendment to Personnel Policy

Posted on Author WKVI

 
 
The Pulaski County Council and commissioners met in a joint session last night to discuss an amendment to the personnel policy regarding overtime, paid time off, holidays and bereavement pay. Commissioner Larry Brady was present at the meeting while commissioners Tracey Shorter and Terry Young were unable to make it to the meeting; Shorter, however, was available via speakerphone.

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Winamac Town Park Open; Fairgrounds Still Closed

Posted on Author WKVI

Entrance to the Winamac Town Park
Entrance to the Winamac Town Park
Following the closure of the Winamac Town Park this past weekend due to flooding, Park Manager Rick Dilts explained that the park is once again open but the fairgrounds remain closed. Dilts said this weekend’s rain did not cause any more flooding but it did slow down the rate at which the park has been drying. The gates are now open, however, and park crews are trying to work around the water to get the park back in good shape.

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Winamac Council Waits on Chicken Ordinance

Posted on Author WKVI
Winamac Town Hall
Winamac Town Hall

The Winamac Town Council wants more information before allowing homeowners to raise chickens within the town limits. They deferred action on a request to allow residents to keep up to 10 hens in their yards. Arwen Fair spoke on behalf of Winamac CLUCK: Citizens for Legalizing Urban Chicken Keeping. She says Winamac is a 4-H community, and several residents are in favor of raising a sustainable food supply. She says supporters aren’t looking for large, commercial coops, just merely for enough to sustain their families and perhaps share eggs with neighbors. Council members questioned the number 10, which Fair says will adequately provide for a family. Members want to review similar ordinances from other municipalities before making any decisions. Council President John Plowman promised to keep members of Winamac CLUCK posted.

West Central Buses Pass Inspection

Posted on Author WKVI

West Central School Superintendent Charles Mellon
West Central School Superintendent Charles Mellon
A bus inspection was conducted on May 21 at the West Central School Corporation and Superintendent Charles Mellon said it was a positive report.

“This is the first time we have had a bus inspection during the school year but things went very well,” explained Mellon. “All of the buses passed inspection. I want to thank the maintenance staff and the drivers for keeping their buses in good running order.”

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Winamac Fireworks Show in Need of Community Support

Posted on Author WKVI

 
 
The annual Fourth of July fireworks show held during the 4-H Fair in the Winamac Town Park is in need of community support. Normally, the Winamac Kiwanis Club ensures admission is free to the public by working with club sponsors – that is, area businesses, local organizations, and individual citizens that have stopped up to help – but last year, they had to pay out more than $4000 to ensure the annual tradition continued.

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Pulaski, Starke Agencies Offer Free Devices for Low Vision Residents

Posted on Author WKVI
Community Services of Starke County
Community Services of Starke County

Pulaski and Starke residents over the age of 55 who suffer from low vision and would like to receive assistive devices are encouraged to contact Pulaski County Human Services or Community Services of Starke County to receive free assistive devices. Jackie Frain, director of Pulaski County Human Services, told WKVI that they are offering a program for those with low vision to provide them with the devices, assisting them in staying independent in their homes.

“This is a very special opportunity for up to 20 individuals who are 55 or older by June 28 to participate in a minor assessment, mostly demographic information, and to receive an assistive device to help them stay independent in their home, such as magnifying glasses that are appropriate for their need or check-writers or talking alarm clocks – things that can just help them stay in their homes,” said Frain.

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Winamac Town Park to Remain Closed This Weekend

Posted on Author WKVI

Entrance to the Winamac Town Park
Entrance to the Winamac Town Park
The Winamac Town Park will be closed for the rest of the weekend following this week’s storms that flooded the area. Park Manager Rick Dilts told WKVI that the gates will be closed in front of the park on June 8 and 9, and all events that had been planned to take place in the park have been canceled. He said, hopefully, the park will be open on Monday; of course, that all depends on how flooded the area is by then.

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