Preschool Helps Children Develop Social Skills

Posted on Author WKVI

Starke County Preschool Project logoThe Starke County Early Education Advisory Council invites families with young children to a preschool fair this evening from 5 until 7 at the community center in downtown Knox. More than 25 preschools and community organizations will have booths, and several will offer activities for children. Porter-Starke Director of Children’s Services Todd Willis says preschool is a good opportunity for children and parents to get used to being away from one another. He says one of the main causes of stress for young children is separating from their family, so getting them into an environment where they can learn to take turns and make peer relationships outside the family is extremely important.

“When I don’t learn as a young child how to resolve conflict with my peer, and I need to resort to throwing a temper tantrum or aggression, if those basic skills are not learned early, they follow the kid into adulthood. Really, the opportunity for a child in that 3 to 4 age learning that early is crucial,” Willis says. Continue reading →

Starke United Fund Grant Applications Due Friday

Posted on Author WKVI
Starke United
 

Nonprofit organizations interested in applying for Starke United Fund grants have just a few more days to finish their applications. They are due Friday, May 2. The Starke United Fund Committee will review applications and award the grants to the chosen organizations. Last year 12 grants totaling $11,000 were given to Starke County organizations including: The Caring Place, Community Services of Starke County, HealthLinc, Junior Achievement, Marshall-Starke Development Center, Moving Starke County Forward, Love INC., North Judson-San Pierre School JumpStart, Psi Iota Xi, A.B.A.T.E. Toys 4 Tots, Starke County WIC Program and the Starke County Youth Club. Continue reading →

Starke County Youth Club Helps Schools Help Students

Posted on Author WKVI
 
 

The Starke County Youth Club aims to be a support system for children, families and the three county school corporations.

“We know that schools are under tremendous pressure to have kids succeed academically, and that a lot of funding for schools is tied to how kids perform on standardized tests. That’s really a lot to ask of a school community. It is part of our job to ensure we are supporting what the schools need to accomplish.”

Executive Director Irene Szakonyi says the Starke County Youth Club does that by providing after school enrichment programs for 600 youngsters at four sites across the county. All of the programs are based in local schools, so Szakonyi says the staff is in constant contact with teachers, administrators and others to make sure students are getting what they need. She says children who succeed academically have a greater likelihood of being successful adults.  Continue reading →

Educator Stresses Importance of Early Childhood Education

Posted on Author WKVI

Starke County Preschool Project logoStarke County Preschool Project logoStarke County parents of young children are encouraged to attend tomorrow’s Starke County Preschool Fair at the community center in downtown Knox. The Starke County Early Education Advisory Council organized the event, which will take place from 5 until 7 p.m. CDT. More than 25 preschools and community organizations will have booths, and several will offer activities for children. Starke County Head Start Education Manager Dawn Wallen says sending your child to a quality preschool is an investment in their future. The kindergarten curriculum has become more rigorous since many of today’s parents and grandparents were in school. Wallen says students are expected to know and recognize all 26 letters of the alphabet and the sounds of letters. They should also be able to recognize numerals 1 through 20. Continue reading →

Starke County Youth Club Prepares for Annual WKVI Radiothon

Posted on Author WKVI
 
 

Starke County Youth Club members and volunteers will take over the WKVI airwaves on Friday to raise money for the nonprofit organization. Executive Director Irene Szakonyi says they provide academic support to 600 youngsters across the county at after-school sites at Knox, North Judson-San Pierre and Oregon-Davis Elementary schools and at O-D Junior/Senior High School. They give students quiet time to do homework, offer one-on-one tutoring in a specific subject and offer a variety of enrichment programs like technology classes, videography and world travel through culture centers. Services are offered each Monday through Friday for three hours after school.

“That is the time when kids are most likely to be the victims of or perpetrators of violent crime. We know that kids who don’t have proper supervision, who don’t have great role models, who aren’t engaged in something productive, make the wrong choices in their lives. So we’re there to provide a safe, engaging and positive environment for kids once the school day ends,” Szakonyi says. Continue reading →

Commissioners Proclaim Starke County Youth Club Day

Posted on Author WKVI
 
 

Friday, May 2 is Starke County Youth Club Day, by proclamation of the county commissioners. That’s also the day of the club’s 7th Annual RadioThon on WKVI from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. The club offers after-school programs at Knox, North Judson-San Pierre and Oregon-Davis Elementary Schools and Oregon-Davis Junior-Senior High School each weekday as well as summer programs for local youngsters. Staff and volunteers provide homework help, enrichment activities, recreational centers and community engagement through service projects. The proclamation notes the staff and volunteers at the Starke County Youth Club are committed to assisting children in acquiring the skills they need to learn and lead. They will be taking over our airwaves on Friday to share success stories and talk about the services they provide. The nonprofit organization has set a goal of raising $40,000 during that event. Find more information at www.thescyc.org.

Starke County Officials Appoint Committee to Study Wheel Tax

Posted on Author WKVI
 
 

Starke County Council members want more information about proposed wheel tax rates, types of vehicles that would be taxed and how any funds generated would be used for road improvements before making any decision about implementing such a tax. County Highway Superintendent Rik Ritzler will chair a committee comprised of council members Marvin McLaughlin, Freddie Baker and Bob Sims and Commissioner Kathy Norem. After they discuss the details, a public input meeting will be scheduled to further explain the process. Ritzler has streamlined the highway department’s operations since taking over but says efficiency can only go so far. “Our limiting factor is the oil and stone that we use to improve roads. We have a certain amount of funding sources, we used them all. The only way of increasing is a user tax that is available to us, a user fee. 47 of the 92 counties in Indiana have it. Of the counties that don’t have it, many have an additional source of funding that’s not available to us, and that’s riverboat gambling money. We are in the bottom fifth of road conditions in the state,” Ritzler told the council. Continue reading →

The Starke County Youth Club Radiothon is Friday!

Posted on Author WKVI
 
 

The Starke County Youth Club Radiothon is set for Friday, May 2 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. CT on K99.3 WKVI.

Testimonials, special guests and challenges will be featured on the air as volunteers answer the phone to take your pledges toward this worthwhile youth organization.

The SCYC provides high quality homework assistance, engaging enrichment activities, and recreational centers with adults who care. SCYC provides innovative services to children and families every day at four sites across the county during the school year and the summer.

Continue reading →

North Judson-San Pierre School Board Continues to Study Budget for Cuts

Posted on Author WKVI
 
 

The North Judson-San Pierre School Board continues to find ways to cut $1.2 million from the general fund in the corporation’s budget.

Superintendent Lynn Johnson said a budget work session was held last week to tackle this issue.

“We’re still in the process of making reductions,” stated Johnson. “We did have some retirements this year and so that does help with the budget. Some of the budget reductions will be basically a half of a year because we’re just talking just half of the year in 2014. In 2015, you’ll have the whole year’s advantage. We’re looking at making final recommendations at the May 20 meeting.”

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Junior Achievement Bowl-a-Thon Strikes Tonight

Posted on Author WKVI
 
 

It’s an activity your family, friends or co-workers can enjoy and you’ll be helping a youth organization at the same time. It’s the annual Junior Achievement Bowl-a-Thon.

The Bowl-a-Thon is tonight at 6 p.m. CT at Bowlaway Lanes in Knox and teams are needed to help gather funds for Junior Achievement. Bridget Markin, a Junior Achievement representative, says this fundraiser is a worthwhile program for Starke County students.

Continue reading →

North Judson-San Pierre School Board Members to Tackle Topics in Regular Meeting

Posted on Author WKVI
Michael Shireman, Jim Menis, Larry Lambert Marsha Reimbold and Patricia Goin
Michael Shireman, Jim Menis, Larry Lambert
Marsha Reimbold and Patricia Goin

The North Judson-San Pierre School Board will meet tonight in regular session.

The board members are expected to discuss budget reduction recommendations. More than $1 million needs to be cut from the budget and it is the goal of the board to eliminate positions instead of jobs.

During the board’s last meeting in March, Superintendent Lynn Johnson said it may take some creative scheduling in order to accomplish that goal. The corporation has until May 1 to issue reduction in force notices to affected teachers if the process goes in that direction.

Continue reading →

Starke County Commissioners Approve Seed Demolition Money

Posted on Author WKVI
Starke County Courthouse
Starke County Courthouse

The Starke County Plan Commission is cracking down on enforcement of unsafe and blighted buildings. President Dennis Estok told the county commissioners they’ve restructured their enforcement letters and means of taking owners to court but still have a backlog of structures that need to be torn down.

“You’ve got to have some seed money, because if they don’t do it you can go in there and take care of these unsafe structures,” Estok said. “Then basically what you do is you fine them, and you bill them. If they don’t pay the bill, then you put a special assessment on their taxes. You wind up getting the property, and then you re-sell the property to try to recoup some of your cost.” Continue reading →

Annual Community Health Fair Scheduled May 13

Posted on Author WKVI
 
 

The annual IU Health and Community Services of Starke County Health Fair will take place Tuesday, May 13 from 2 until 7 p.m. at the Nancy J. Dembowski Community Center in downtown Knox. IU Health Starke Hospital President Craig Felty says both organizations are dedicated to improving the health of local residents. He says the health fair will feature a number of educational exhibits and several types of screenings. Blood pressure and blood sugar checks, breast exams, oral cancer screenings and osteoporosis checks will all be offered. Also  take-home colorectal cancer screening kits will be available. Felty says checking for these types of conditions is critical in order to catch and treat problems before they become significant. IU Health Starke Hospital is also licensed to inspect child safety seats. Technicians will be available at the health fair to make sure car seats are properly installed and sized for the child. This year’s health fair will also feature a coloring area for youngsters so parents and other adults can more easily browse the exhibits and take part in the screenings.

County Recycling Bins are for Recycling Items Only

Posted on Author WKVI
 
 

As the weather warms up, many people are getting into the spring cleaning mode. Officials at the Stake County Environmental Management Office remind you that the recycling bins located in the county are not for everyday trash, household chemicals or construction materials.

When garbage is dumped into and around the bins it contaminates the recyclable items. If the sites continue to be used as a “landfill”, they will be removed. They are to be considered to be placed for your convenience and are a privilege.

Continue reading →

Starke County Youth Club, WKVI Partner for 7th Annual Radiothon

Posted on Author WKVI
 
 

The 7th annual Starke County Youth Club Radiothon will take place right here at WKVI on Friday, May 2.

Executive Director Irene Szakonyi says the club is a nonprofit organization dedicated to enriching the lives of local children.

“We provide everything from academic support, helping kids with their homework or providing individual tutoring, to giving kids enrichment experiences like culture, drama and music. Also connecting kids with their families and the larger community through guest speakers service projects and community service endeavors,” Szakonyi says.

Continue reading →

North Judson-San Pierre Elementary Kindergarten Registration Scheduled

Posted on Author WKVI

NJSP ElementaryProspective kindergarten students and their parents are invited to check out what North Judson-San Pierre Elementary has to offer.

The school’s kindergarten registration will take place Tuesday, April 8 from 5 until 7 p.m. Youngsters will get to visit the kindergarten classrooms and meet the four kindergarten teachers. Principal Mike McBride and staff will also be there to answer questions and help parents with the registration process.

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C&C Salvage Owner Jailed Without Bond on Arson, Insurance Fraud Charges

Posted on Author WKVI
The owner of C&C Salvage/Starke County Recycling, James Campbell, 46, is charged with arson and insurance fraud in connection with the March 20 fire that destroyed his business.
The owner of C&C Salvage/Starke County Recycling, James Campbell, 46, is charged with arson and insurance fraud in connection with the March 20 fire that destroyed his business.

The owner of a Knox business that was destroyed by fire last week is jailed without bond, charged with arson and insurance fraud. James L. Campbell, 46, of Knox, was arrested this afternoon by officers from the Starke County Sheriff’s Department and Indiana Department of Homeland Security’s Fire Investigation Division. Campbell owns Starke County Recycling, also known as C&C Salvage. The business, located on U.S. 35 just south of Toto Road, caught fire on Thursday, March 20. Starke County dispatchers were notified at 5:17 p.m. The Bass Lake, Knox-Center Township, Hamlet, Washington Township, Koontz Lake, North Judson-Wayne Township, San Pierre and Monterey Fire Departments all responded to the blaze and spent several hours getting it under control. One firefighter was injured. Black smoke was visible for miles, and a brigade of tanker trucks hauled water to the scene. Continue reading →

N.J.-S.P. School Board Honors Retiring Administrator

Posted on Author WKVI
N.J.-S.P. Superintendent Lynn Johnson, Pam Croll and school board president Pat Goin
N.J.-S.P. Superintendent Lynn Johnson, Pam Croll and school board president Pat Goin

A longtime North Judson-San Pierre School Corporation employee is retiring from the corporation in a couple of days. Pam Croll is the assistant principal at the elementary school. Superintendent Lynn Johnson says she’s served in a number of positions during her 18 years with the corporation.

“She’s certainly made a difference. Classroom teacher, Response to Intervention, RTI coordinator, Title 1 and now assistant principal at the elementary school….Pam is leaving us at the end of next week. They want her to start April 1st, and we’re happy to accommodate that so she can begin her new position at Kankakee Valley,” said Superintendent Johnson.

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