Hamlet Police Department Gets A Humvee

Posted on Author WKVI

The Hamlet Police Department has received a unique addition to its fleet of police vehicles.

A Humvee from the U.S. Government was recently acquired, free of charge, by the department and Hamlet Town Marshall, Frank Lonigro III, says the vehicle will be used for community events and to better serve the community in the winter months when regular police vehicles can not maneuver as well in the snow. Labor, paint and decals for this vehicle were donated by the generosity of the Hamlet police officers.

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Cleanup Weekend Scheduled For City of Knox

Posted on Author WKVI

It’s the big cleanup weekend in the City of Knox.

Knox Mayor Rick Chambers announced this week that two dumpsters will be in the parking lot at Knox City Hall and you may dispose of large, bulky items in these dumpsters and Waste Management will have a truck to collect electronics at no charge. Shred documents for free tomorrow from 9:00 a.m. To Noon.

Two yard sale events are scheduled for this weekend in the Starke County area. The Hamlet town-wide yard sale is today and tomorrow. Sales begin at 8:00 a.m. both days.

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Parts Of Bass Lake To Be Treated With Herbicide

Posted on Author WKVI

Selected areas of Bass Lake will be treated with an EPA-registered aquatic herbicide on or after May 21. The herbicide is being applied for the control of Invasive Eurasian Water Milfoil.

The treatment is being funded by the Bass Lake Conservancy District under an IDNR permit, and according to a news release, there are no restrictions on fish consumption or body contact.

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Spc. Robert Tauteris To Be Honored On Courthouse War Monument

Posted on Author WKVI
A stone mason adds Tauteris' name to the War Memorial

The first Starke County casualty of the war in Afghanistan will have his name enshrined on the courthouse war monument. A stone mason was working on the Afghanistan portion of the granite monument yesterday.

Specialist Robert Tauteris, Jr., 44, of Hamlet died in Afghanistan on January 5 after his truck was struck by a roadside bomb.

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Rosie Heise Promoted to VP Of Business Improvements at IU Health Starke, LaPorte

Posted on Author WKVI
Rosie Heise

“If it wasn’t that I had strep throat, I never would have gotten the job,” said Rosie Heise, who was recently promoted to the position of Vice President of Business Improvements for both IU Health La Porte and Starke hospitals.

In an interview with WKVI News, Heise said that while visiting her local physician, Dr. Walter Fritz, for strep throat four years ago, she learned that Starke Memorial Hospital was looking for a controller. She applied, was hired, and the rest is history.

Since being employed, Starke Memorial has become IU Health Starke Hospital, and Heise has been an integral part of the operation.

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NJSP Graduation To Take Place In June

Posted on Author WKVI

The North Judson-San Pierre High School graduation will be in June this year and Superintendent Lynn Johnson said it will come down to the wire as to who will be named the Valedictorian and Salutatorian of the graduating class of 2012.

“It’s not been made official yet as far as those winners,” said Johnson. “Our graduation is Sunday, June 3 at 2 p.m. CT in the high school gymnasium and that is a change. We had it on a Friday night but we had some conflicts with some schedules with students, so we did move it to that Sunday.”

$9,000 Raised in Bella Vita Event

Posted on Author WKVI
Vincy Williamowski, Rhonda Adcock and Susanne Lange

Susanne Lange, Director of the Bella Vita Pregnancy Resource Center in Knox, announced that ten young ladies chose life in her remarks from last night’s Bella Vita Fundraising Reception.

Addressing the crowd too at the Knox Community Center was Brandi Pitts, holding her beautiful son Kendrick. She told a story of a frightened young lady going home to tell her parents that she was pregnant. “Don’t be mad at me mom and dad,” she said. To which her parents said, “We aren’t mad, we love you, and we’ll love your baby, too.” Brandi thanked Bella Vita and her mother and father for the support given through birth and beyond.

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Fourth of July Display Still On For Starke County

Posted on Author WKVI

Good news for Fourth of July fans: there will be fireworks this year at the Starke County Airport. Fireworks Committee Chairperson Linda Berndt said yesterday that the fireworks are still on. To date, almost $5000 has been collected of the nearly $10,000 cost for the display and other expenses. The fireworks display will take place July 4.

Starke County may be luckier than other locations around the nation, as many cities and towns have cut fireworks for a variety of reasons. The celebrations have been primarily snuffed out due to budget cuts for towns and corporate sponsors.

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IU Health Starke Hospital Establishes Patient/Family Council

Posted on Author WKVI

IU Health Starke Hospital will be establishing a patient and family advisory council. The council will consist of past patients and families, and will give advice on future programs and services.

The hospital is seeking patient and family nominations for the IU Health Starke Hospital Patient and Family Advisory Council. Nominees should represent the diversity of IU Health’s patient community, have had a recent experience with the IU Health System, and be able to share their insight in ways that are constructive and be able to interact well with others and speak candidly in groups.

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Shorter Memorial Day Ceremonies Planned For Knox

Posted on Author WKVI

The annual Memorial Day ceremonies on May 28 will take place at the Courthouse Memorial at 9 a.m. There will not be a 24-hour vigil as in previous years; instead, there will be a short ceremony at the courthouse, then the parade to Oak Hill Cemetery where there will be another short ceremony. The Redskin Brigade will participate in the ceremony. Appreciation for the brigade’s participation is being acknowledged by both the American Legion and VFW.

There will also be a brief ceremony in memory of Indiana National Guard Spec. Robert Tauteris, Jr. His name will be added to the monument this week.

Marshall-Starke Development Center to Host Gold Party

Posted on Author WKVI

Ever hear of a “Gold Party?” Chances are you haven’t. The Marshall-Starke Development Center is holding a Gold Party fundraiser tonight from 5:30 p.m. until 7:30 p.m. at 1901 Pidco Drive in Plymouth.

The Marshall-Starke Development Center will be paid a percentage of all gold and silver sold at the event. The higher the participation, the higher the percentage donated back to Marshall-Starke.

Even if you can’t make it, take your bag of gold to the center before the party. The experienced jewelers will qualify, weigh, and cash it out for you.

Tangled or broken necklaces, banged up bracelets, mismatched or broken earrings, and just plain gold jewelry you can buy at this moissanite necklace sale at Celeste Jewelry will bring you cash.

For more information, call (574) 936-9400.

Bella Vita to Hold Fundraiser Tonight

Posted on Author WKVI
Bella Vita

More than 250 people are expected tonight at the Knox Community Center for the second annual Bella Vita Pregnancy Resource Center banquet.

Michelle Barnhart talks about tonight’s event.

“We have “In His Staff” dance team from the North Judson United Methodist Church, plus a pianist, and a flautist performing. The highlight of the evening could be the hot hors d’oeuvres with cheese that will be served to those attending. It’s going to be an enjoyable fondue night at the Knox Community Center,” said Michelle.

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Knox Swim Coach Resigns Following Alleged Inappropriate Behavior

Posted on Author WKVI
Robert "Ryan" Corbin

After previously being suspended with pay, Robert “Ryan” Corbin filed his resignation with the Knox School Board, who approved it at their recent meeting. Corbin, a Knox High School gym teacher and boys and girls varsity swim coach, was suspended after being accused of inappropriate behavior with a 16-year-old student.

Police had previously interviewed both the student and Corbin and they both allegedly admitted to having conversations with each other. Inappropriate Facebook messages were sent, and conversations were also held via telephone and texting.

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Two Arrested on Drug Charges

Posted on Author WKVI
Bryon Green
Brandi Wright

Two people were arrested Tuesday after officers from the Starke County Sheriff’s Department found them to be in possession of drugs.

Officers were attempting to locate a suspect on an Aggravated Battery charge in the 8000 block of Sycamore Street in Monterey. The suspect’s parents gave the officers permission to search the residence and the suspect was not found. However, they did find $700 in assorted bills, crack cocaine, marijuana and two different types of prescription medications.

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Public Hearing Held Regarding IU Health Starke Hospital Sale

Posted on Author WKVI
IU Health Starke Hospital

The public hearing regarding the possibility of selling IU Health Starke Hospital to IU Health La Porte was held yesterday evening, and a number of questions were answered regarding the sale. Several concerned citizens, including some hospital board members, were present at the meeting with questions.

The county officials discussed a possible amendment of the county ordinance restricting the use of the proceeds from the lease of Starke Memorial Hospital dated October 1, 1996. The amendment would authorize the use of up to $50,000 in Save the Hospital Funds to be used to hire a consultant to evaluate the hospital’s real and personal property.

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Knox Man Arrested Following Alleged Battery Incident

Posted on Author WKVI

A Knox man was arrested Friday after an alleged battery incident.

When police arrived on scene, a woman came running out of the house stating that Wesley Swindle had a gun and her child was inside the house. When additional officers arrived on scene, the woman went inside to get her son and police asked Swindle to come out of the residence. The boy came out of the residence and Swindle followed. He was taken into custody.

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North Judson Town Council Discusses No-Smoking Signage

Posted on Author WKVI

The North Judson Town Council last week discussed the possibility of putting up signage prohibiting smoking near shelters in the town park. Clerk-Treasurer Donna Henry says that matter was tabled because, as of July 1, House Bill 1149 would take effect– a bill preventing smoking in many public areas. The council will investigate whether or not parks are included in that bill.

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Northern Indiana Food Bank Releases Mobile Pantry

Posted on Author WKVI

The Food Bank of Northern Indiana has released the Mobile Pantry on the road and one of its stops will be at the First Pentecostal Church of Knox.

Fresh perishable items and dry goods will be distributed for free on Thursday, May 24 from 10 a.m. to noon CT. You can get produce, grains, dairy and meat for free on a first-come, first-served basis. You will need to bring bags or boxes to carry items home.

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WWII Reenactment To Take Place June 9 and 10

Posted on Author WKVI

If you hear gunfire near Wythogan Park in Knox on June 9 and 10, don’t be alarmed– it’s merely World War Two happening all over again.

A WWII reenactment is being hosted by the US 1st Infantry Division, known as the “Big Red One,” a part of the World War Two Historical Re-Enactment Society. The sounds of battle will be heard coming from Wythogan Park, where the re-enactors will try to offer visitors a feel of what this exciting period of history must have been like. The re-enactors are collectors and serious students of history, representing several different nationalities who will try to dress, equip, and conduct themselves in proper 1944 manner.

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