Knox High School Teacher Wins Department of Education Essay Contest

Posted on Author WKVI
Knox Community School Superintendent A.J. Gappa

The Department of Education issued a unique challenge to the teachers this spring. They presented a contest in which a staff member was asked to write a six-word essay about a colleague or about the school. Knox Community School Superintendent A.J. Gappa said one of the teachers at Knox was selected as a winner in the contest.

“Mary Kleinfehn, one of the teachers at the high school who is actually going to retire at the end of the year – she’s taught Special Ed here for many years – wrote her six-word essay about Curriculum Director Peggy Shidaker. She has worked with her for many years. Two weeks ago, the Department of Education picked six winners from around the state and Mrs. Kleinfehn’s essay was selected as the winner from the Northwest region of the state,” said Gappa.

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Environmental Collection Event Planned For June 15, 16

Posted on Author WKVI
Several computers were taken to the Highway Garage during a previous Starke County Environment Day event

The Starke County Environmental Management District’s 2012 Environmental Collection Event is scheduled for Friday and Saturday, June 15 and 16 at the Starke County Highway Garage. Friday’s event will be from noon to 5 p.m. and Saturday’s event will be from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. CT. You must have an environmental coupon, which can be located in your 2012 Environmental Assessment Invoice. This is open to Starke County residents only.

A limit of five tires will be accepted, of which one may be a tractor tire. If you have more than five tires, there will be a charge of $2 for car tires, $4 for semi tires and $20 for farm tractor tires.

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Memorial Day Services Planned For Today Throughout Area

Posted on Author WKVI

Today, Memorial Day, is a day to reflect and remember those who made the supreme sacrifice for our freedom.

Several Memorial Day services are planned for Monday, May 28. In Knox, a ceremony will be held at the Starke County Courthouse at 9 a.m. followed by a parade to Oak Hill Cemetery where there will be another short ceremony. There will also be a brief ceremony in memory of Indiana National Guard Spc. Robert Tauteris, Jr. of Hamlet.

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Starke Commissioners Agree To Trade Deal With Howard Coffin

Posted on Author WKVI

The Starke County Commissioners this week agreed on language in a contract between Howard Coffin and the county. In the agreement, Coffin would provide services – such as providing equipment to rescue and haul overturned trucks belonging to the highway department – and in return, Coffin would receive the funds from the sale of scrap metal.

The contract would be for the remainder of the 2012 year and would then be reviewed. If the “trade” agreement is found to be out of balance, the county might hire Coffin outright for providing his equipment and selling the scrap itself.

In other business, the commissioners approved courthouse tours to take place during Harvest Days, and they have announced that they are looking for a person who lives in the two-mile jurisdiction of Knox to apply for the Knox City Planning Commission.

Grovertown Woman Receives Community Leadership Award

Posted on Author WKVI

A Grovertown woman was presented with a Community Leadership award from 1st Source Bank. Mabel Paul was announced as the winner of the Ernestine M. Raclin award.

Five employees and five community volunteers who embody the spirit, values, energy, and leadership of Ernestine M. Raclin were given awards. Raclin was the past chairman of 1st Source Bank.

In the announcement of the award it was noted that Mabel Paul had served as secretary of the 4-H fair board for 28 years, and has planned numerous fundraisers and events, mentored children, and given back to the community in countless other ways.

North Judson Town Board Member Increase To Be Presented To Voters

Posted on Author WKVI
North Judson Town Board

The decision regarding the transition of the North Judson Town Board from a three-member board to a five-member board will go to the voters in November. According to Clerk-Treasurer Donna Henry, a resolution was approved at their previous meeting to place the question on the ballot, and that resolution was recently certified by Starke County Clerk Evelyn Skronski. The question will appear on the ballot in November.

The board also had further discussion regarding Highland Cemetery. The newest and largest of plot sections in the cemetery, Section 13, was never surveyed and properly plotted. As a result, several grave plots are not square and do not match up with other plots. Every other section in the cemetery was surveyed and carefully plotted, squaring up the graves evenly.

The board discussed the possibility of having the Starke County surveyor give his recommendation on what to do regarding the uneven plots.

Knox Man Arrested On Auto Theft Charges

Posted on Author WKVI

A Knox man was arrested for the theft of an automobile after an accident in Starke County on Saturday, May 19.

At 5 a.m., officers from the Starke County Sheriff’s Department were called to an accident on 50 South, just east of 200 East. A witness told police that the driver fled the scene, and officers were unable to locate the suspect.

Later that morning, a woman reported her car stolen from her friend’s home on Toto Road, west of 700 East.

Starke County police continued to investigate the incident and found that it was Zachary Tomerlin of Knox who allegedly took the vehicle from the Toto Road residence. Tomerlin was arrested on Tuesday, May 22, on a preliminary charge of Auto Theft.

Plea Agreements Fall Through In Starke Circuit Court

Posted on Author WKVI
Rose Martin

Attorney Richard Thonert of Fort Wayne, the counsel for Rose Martin, filed a motion to withdraw from her case. Martin is charged with Manufacturing Methamphetamine, Possession of Methamphetamine, and Possession of Chemical Reagents or Precursors. The court approved the motion, and Martin’s attorney is now Richard Ballard. A plea agreement was also rejected for Martin, and her trial is scheduled for Aug. 1 at 9 a.m. with a pretrial motions and instructions hearing on July 31, and a jury status hearing on July 20.

A plea agreement was also withdrawn for Billy Coldiron. The agreement would have sentenced him to four years in the Department of Corrections with two years suspended, and he would have been allowed to serve that sentence on home detention. The state withdrew their plea offer, and a plea agreement deadline has been set for July 18 at 9 a.m.

Starke County Economic Development Foundation Discusses Rail Expansion

Posted on Author WKVI
Charles Weaver
Charles Weaver

Starke County Economic Development Foundation Executive Director Charles Weaver recently discussed the county’s strategy to expand rail access in Starke County during the recent Society of Innovators’ “Pride and Pedestal” event in Hammond.

Weaver explained that the cooperative effort between the Starke County Economic Development Foundation, City of Knox, Starke County officials, Knox Civic Development Corporation, and Territorial Engineering helped shape industry and economic development in the Knox area.

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Knox City Court In Jeopardy Due To Funding Problems

Posted on Author WKVI
Back Row: Greg Matt, Mayor Rick Chambers, Clerk-Treasurer Jeff Houston, Donald Kring, City Attorney David Matsey. Front Row: Linda Berndt, Jeff Berg and Ron Parker

When members of the Knox City Administration appeared before the Starke County Council Monday night seeking funding sources to narrow the loss gap at Knox City Court, the subject of discontinuing the court was mentioned.

The next night the Knox City Council met and Attorney David Matsey reported on the meeting with the county officials.

“I think some reality is setting in with the county council members about what is going to happen if city court isn’t there anymore. We need to close that gap of $80,000, and the city isn’t going to subsidize the court forever. The bottom line is it’s going to cost $300,000 to $400,000 to operate another court,” Matsey said.

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Knox Community Schools Laptops Benefit Students, Teachers

Posted on Author WKVI
Knox Community School Superintendent A.J. Gappa

Knox Technology Coach Chris Ross gave a laptop usage update to the Knox Community School Board members this week. Superintendent A.J. Gappa says it has been a learning experience for teachers and students.

“We talked about how the staff has transformed from the beginning of last year where they were all entry level and how they’ve progressed throughout the school year – some more rapidly than others because they’re handier with technology,” said Gappa.

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Starke County Legacy Of Women Grant Deadline Approaching

Posted on Author WKVI

The application deadline for grants from the Starke County Legacy of Women is Tuesday, May 29.

The Legacy of Women supports innovative programs, projects and activities that seek to empower women and girls. Individual grants can also be given to women who want to participate in personal leadership development events.

Applications can be found online at www.nicf.org, or you can contact the Community Foundation at (574) 772-3665. You can also e-mail starke@nicf.org for more information.

Joshua Hunnicutt On The Run From Starke County Jail

Posted on Author WKVI
Rachel Berdine
Joshua Hunnicutt

The Starke County Sheriff’s Department has announced an inmate escape from the rec area of the Starke County Jail. Officials say Joshua Hunnicutt walked out from the jail at 3:55 p.m. yesterday.

Police believe that Hunnicutt escaped from the jail and into a car driven by his girlfriend, Rachel Berdine. She is known to drive a purple 1995 Geo Tracker with license plate number 513CEH. The suspects may have headed south of Knox.

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Knox City Court Suffers From Lack Of Funding

Posted on Author WKVI
Charles Hasnerl

Members of the Knox City Administration, City Judge Charles Hasnerl, and Prosecutor Nicholas Bourff came before the Starke County Council this week seeking guidance in a request for Pretrial Diversion funds. The city administration is trying to find ways to lessen the $80,000 loss in the funding of Knox City Court.

Although no action was taken, it became apparent to City Attorney David Matsey and Starke County Attorney Martin Lucas that there was no way the $9000 in question could be used for the funding of the court.

At one point in the discussion, it was again mentioned that the city might discontinue city court and return the cases that come before Judge Hasnerl to the county. That, however, didn’t seem to be an area anyone wanted to explore at the meeting.

Knox School Board Approves Library Board Improvement Plan

Posted on Author WKVI
Knox Community School Superintendent A.J. Gappa

The Knox Community School Board members approved the Starke County Library Board’s plan for improvements that include the elementary school property. Superintendent A.J. Gappa says the plan would save the library some time and money.

“They would like to tie into our sewer line, if possible,” said Gappa. “It would save them a lot of labor and probably some costs on some materials. They need to change a sidewalk that connects our elementary property with the library property. They also want to hook into the horseshoe drive at the elementary school off Culver Road so the back parking lot of the library would have an exit into the horseshoe drive.”

The plans were submitted to the board during their last meeting.

Starke County Workman Compensation Insurance To Increase

Posted on Author WKVI
Starke County Commissioners: Kathy Norem, Dan Bridegroom and Jennifer Davis

The Starke County Commissioners have been informed that the Workman Compensation Insurance for the county is increasing from $103,000 a year to $137,000. Ideas to keep the cost to employees the same or lower were discussed at this week’s board meeting.

Suggestions included forming a Safety Committee, setting up a procedure whereby workers would be required to return early to do light work, and establishing a fund to pay claims of less than $100.

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Plea Agreement Rejected For Robert Reed

Posted on Author WKVI
Robert Reed

A plea agreement was rejected for Robert Reed, who was arrested on charges stemming from an alleged robbery and attempted murder case in San Pierre on May 22, 2011. The plea agreement would have sentenced Reed to 24 months in the Department of Corrections on charges of Receiving Stolen Property and Resisting Law Enforcement. None of that sentence would have been suspended.

Reed is currently being held in the Westville Correctional Facility, and was never transported to Starke County for his hearing. Starke Circuit Court Judge Kim Hall rejected the agreement, and set a jury trial date of Aug. 1, with a pretrial motions and instructions hearing on July 31 at 1 p.m. A jury status hearing will take place on July 20 at 9 a.m., with a final pretrial conference and plea agreement deadline of July 13 at 9 a.m.

North Judson Town Board Discusses Industrial Park

Posted on Author WKVI
North Judson Town Board

The North Judson Town Board heard a public presentation by Starke County Economic Development Foundation Representative Larry Wickert regarding the industrial park located on Oak Wood Street. Wickert explained that there has not been much activity in the way of looking for industry in the area, and he says that could be attributed to one primary issue.

Wickert says that from the beginning of the industrial park, there has always been a problem regarding street access because of a lack of direct access to State Roads 10 and 39. He also said that there may be an issue regarding water pressure, and told the board that he just wanted to touch base and find out whether or not the board had any suggestions or ideas to bring industry into the area.

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Bella Vita Fundraiser Raises $22,000

Posted on Author WKVI
Bella Vita

Last week’s Bella Vita Pregnancy Resource Center fundraiser was a huge success, according to Michelle Barnhart. She says $50,000 is needed each year to keep the center viable for support and information. During the fundraiser, Barnhart said $22,000 was raised in cash and pledges.

Barnhart along with the entire staff and volunteers would like to thank all who attended the event and made the evening such a success.

Starke County Council Again Votes Down Amendment For Hospital Evaluation

Posted on Author WKVI

The Starke County Council failed again this week to pass an amendment of the ordinance regarding the use of Save the Hospital Funds. The amendment would have authorized the use of up to $50,000 in Save the Hospital Funds to hire a consultant to evaluate the hospital’s value.

This information would be used in the possible sale of the hospital to IU Health La Porte or other interested buyers. IU Health La Porte has already made an offer.

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