Young Artists Conference Scheduled for Today

Posted on Author WKVI

The Young Artists Conference is scheduled for today from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. central time at Liberty Elementary School in North Judson.

Besides the morning activities, nationally-known ventriloquist Beth Sutton-Cummins will entertain in the afternoon.

The conference is for all Starke County students in first through fifth grades. It costs $5.00 and lunch is provided. Registration begins at 8:30 a.m., and the book fair begins at 8 a.m.

We asked Marilyn Lucac if any past attendees have been inspired to go on to pursue writing or the arts.

“We’ve had some go into dancing, we’ve had some that are writing, a lot of them have gone on to college to pursue different things,” said Lucac.

Marilyn said the purpose is to expose the children various art forms.

“They get exposed to some of the finer arts: writing, we have artists here, we have ventriloquism, we have dance, so every year we try to get a little bit of variety, but we focus on the finer arts,” Lucac said.

Knox Elementary Students Visit Ancilla College

Posted on Author WKVI
Ancilla College Campus

Forty seventh-grade students from Knox Elementary School visited Ancilla College as part of the middle school’s Career Day experience. After being greeted by Dr. Ron May, president of the college, the students were divided into groups and provided four different fun learning sessions. Dr. John Fogl used cow hearts to teach them about the human heart and biology. In business, John Gough gave each student “Ancilla money” to invest in one of three cookie mines, and to spend on cookie mining equipment. The students who made the most money earned prizes.

Math students were given time to solve problems on computers. Jill Neidlinger conducted this presentation. The fourth group was given a tour of the campus and Nursing Lab.

Each group rotated through each of the presentations.

The day ended with the students competing in an Ancilla Jeopardy game, with the winning team receiving prizes.

Hoosiers Selflessly Donate to Help Southern Indiana

Posted on Author WKVI
Ted Bombagetti

Once again, Hoosiers have stepped up at a time of need. Donations have been pouring into southern Indiana, with the official donation site operating out of the old U.S. Census Bureau warehouse located at 700 Partol Road in Charlestown.

Starke County EMA Director Ted Bombagetti says the items of greatest need are money, non-perishable food items, paper products, gloves, heavy duty trash bags, personal hygiene products, baby items, cat and dog food, kitty litter, yard tools, gas cards, socks and underwear, tarps, and other items.

Items that are not needed include perishable, refrigerated, or frozen foods, and clothing. No volunteers are needed at this time, but Bombagetti says this could change in the future. Anyone with questions can call (574) 772-9182.

Asbestos Removal Required Before Marsh Manor Destruction

Posted on Author WKVI
Marsh Manor

The process of getting the old Marsh Manor on Main Street in Knox demolished is moving along. City Attorney David Matsey told the city council members recently whats next in the demolition process.

“We’re getting ready for the bidding process for the demolition of Marsh Manor. We’re putting together the bid specs.” Matsey said.

The home, that was turned into an apartment building, was built in a bygone time when asbestos was used for many things including insulation. Mayor Rick Chambers said that he has been in touch with a company that can come in and remove the asbestos before the demolition begins.

Asbestos was used primarily in 19th century buildings because it was resistant to fire, heat, and chemicals, but in the early 20th century it was noticed that workers in asbestos plants were getting sick– some even dying. Lung diseases, including cancer, have been attributed to asbestos inhalation.

After the removal of the asbestos the wrecking ball can be brought in to take the building down.

Proposed Library Construction Plans Presented to Knox School Board

Posted on Author WKVI
Sheila Urwiler

Knox Library Director Sheila Urwiler and Library Board members Dave Bullock and Amie Flora discussed the library’s proposed construction plans with the Knox Community School Board Monday night. Superintendent A.J. Gappa talks about their presentation.

“Since three sides of their property borders the Knox school property, they wanted to give an update on what they want to do and also ask for some cooperation with the board on movement of a sidewalk and tying some sanitation lines into the lines that come through our property which could be a money saver for everyone because if it’s cheaper to tie into these lines and it’s feasible, it makes perfect sense. As they expand their parking lot on the south side of the library, they may tie an entrance or exit into the horseshoe drive of the Elementary School, that is located off of Culver Road, to help with the traffic flow.”

Gappa said the project may be a win-win for both the Corporation and the Library.

Safety is Primary Concern for Highway Department

Posted on Author WKVI

Steve Siddall
Starke County Highway Superintendent Steve Siddall came before the Starke County Commissioners on Monday to request permission to have the “boom truck” taken in for an inspection. Because the truck had not been inspected for five years, Siddall felt that before he sent any personnel up in the bucket he wanted it checked out. The approval was given, and the truck was delivered Wednesday.

Because of the price of $13,000 for the inspection, some taxpayers thought the price tag might be a little high, prompting Siddall to more thoroughly explain the procedure in seeing if the truck conforms to regulations governing safety.

“The biggest thing is its run by hydraulics, cables, and chains and they wear and we do not have the technology nor are we certified to state that this meets OSHA specs or safety specs of the State of Indiana,” Siddall said.

Siddall said the truck is “in the shop,” and explained what’s next in the $13,000 inspection.

“In the inspection is the replacement of lines, cables, and chains, but if there are worn pulleys or something of that nature it is extra or not included in the $13,000 inspection,” Siddall said.

Safety is the number one priority for Siddall.

“I’m not going to send anyone up in a 55 foot boom truck unless I feel comfortable that it is safe,” he said.

Eric Wireman Arrested After Attempting Home Detention Escape

Posted on Author WKVI
Eric Wireman

After being on the run from Starke County Community Corrections for six days, Eric Wireman was arrested Tuesday after he was located by a Community Corrections recovery team at a motel in Winamac. Originally released on home detention for B-felony Burglary, Wireman failed to report to Community Corrections on Feb. 29 as part of his weekly check-in as a high-risk offender.

Community Corrections Director Shawn Mattraw said after Wireman’s failure to appear, multiple attempts to contact him were made. Officials traveled to his last known address and were told he had moved out shortly before they arrived, and they determined he had absconded from home detention. After six days of looking for him, a recovery team located him at a motel in Winamac and he has been arrested, with formal charges of Escape to be filed by the prosecutor.

Judge Kim Hall has expressed his agreement with the filing of official charges, and he sent Wireman to back to the Department of Corrections to serve out his initial sentence. The earliest possible release of Wireman is October 15.

KIRPC Housing Grant Construction to Start Before Fall

Posted on Author WKVI

Shawn Cain of the Kankakee-Iroquois Regional Planning Commission held a public hearing last week in connection with a housing grant. Cain is the administrator for the grant, and she explained to those assembled at City Hall the details.

“The grant is going to help seniors make repairs on their homes. It’s to help give the selected homeowners an opportunity to age in place, to stay in their home and live independently.” said Cain.

Cain said that she has already met with several applicants, and will next be doing income verification. She next talked about the bidding process for the grant.

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North Judson Unable to Provide Funds Toward Starke Co. Fireworks

Posted on Author WKVI
Front Row: Clerk-Treasurer Donna Henry, Board members Ralph T. Cummins, Wendy Hoppe, and Jane Ellen Felchuk, Attorney Cassandra Hine. Back Row: Town Marshal Doug Vessely, Fire Chief Joe Leszek and Town Superintendent Marshall Horstmann. Photo by Town Photographer Peggy Bohac

Bad news for the Starke County Fireworks: the town of North Judson will be unable to provide monetary support for the event. According to Henry, the board contacted the State Board of Accounts and were told there are a significant number of conditions that must be met, including the adoption of a town ordinance indicating what any fundraisers would support. Ultimately, the board decided that they will be unable to provide the support.

A new banner will fly above the Highland Cemetery in North Judson, informing passersby that the cleanup of decorations should be completed by April 15 in order for the mowing crew to mow the cemetery without the risk of damaging any decorations. Previously, the town would only put advertisements in local media such as newspapers and radio, but the banner will help inform the public of the deadline to remove decorations.

The individual to handle the mowing of the cemetery is still unknown, as the man who previously handled the mowing has told the board that he will be unable to keep the same cost as last year to handle the mowing due to rising fuel costs. As a result, the town board must receive sealed bids for the mowing and decide to whom to award the bid.

Starke County Highway Superintendent Asked for Scrap Metal Receipts

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

Starke County Auditor Kay Chaffins has asked Starke County Highway Department Superintendent Steve Siddall for an accounting of all scrap metal items sold at the garage. She said her records showed there hasn’t been an accounting of these sales since 2008.

She passed out a December article from New Albany, Indiana at this week’s Starke County Commissioners meeting that stated the State Board of Accounts had released its investigation into the Floyd County Highway Department which concluded that over $11,000 in receipts were not accounted for from 2006 until the end of 2011. The report also concluded that more than $5,000 was deposited into a private account by the department’s head.

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Starke County Treasurer Preparing to Send out Tax Bills

Posted on Author WKVI

Starke County Interim Treasurer, Kasey Clark, told Starke County officials this week that a number of banks have been contacted and lined up to take tax payments.

“We have seven locations including the Bank of Indiana in Hamlet, the Bank of Monterey in Monterey and the Bank of Monterey in North Judson, the Bank of Indiana in North Judson, 1st Source Bank in Knox, the First Farmers Bank of Knox, and the DeMotte State Bank. Everyone will be able to drop off their payments there and be sure to leave a self-addressed stamped envelope.  We will mail them a receipt. This will help process the payments quicker and won’t hold them up in the Treasurer’s office.” said Kasey.

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Boom Truck Locked until Inspection

Posted on Author WKVI
Steve Siddall

Fearful it may not be safe to operate, Starke County Highway Superintendent Steve Siddall has locked the boom truck. The truck, a 1998 model, is due for inspection.

Siddall discussed the cost of inspection with the County Commissioners this week.

“Just to get the boom truck up and running will cost the county $13,542.38 for an inspection,” said Siddall.

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Resolution Proposed to Fly POW/MIA Flag in House and Senate Chambers

Posted on Author WKVI
State Representative Douglas Gutwein

State Representative Douglas Gutwein (R-Francesville) has co-authored a resolution that urges the Indiana General Assembly to fly the POW/MIA flag in both the House and Senate chambers. The resolution passed unanimously in the House and now moves to the Senate for consideration.

The black and white POW/MIA flag is a symbol of efforts to fully resolve the fates of Americans held prisoner or missing in action. The design features a silhouette of a soldier before an implied prison camp and the words “you are not forgotten” underneath.

In his presentation, Gutwein recalled the story of Chief Warrant Officer George Andrew (Andy) Howes, a helicopter pilot from Starke County stationed in South Vietnam in 1970. After a mission over mountainous terrain and dense jungles, Howes and the other personnel on board did not return. With the advancements of technology, Howes’ partial remains were identified by DNA samples taken from his siblings.

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WKVI Receives Freedom of the Road Award

Posted on Author WKVI
Ted Hayes accepts the Freedom of the Road Award from Ernie Brewer

WKVI Radio was recently presented the prestigious “Freedom of the Road” award by ABATE of Indiana. The presentation was made at the WKVI studio with local ABATE officer, Ernie Brewer, presenting the plaque to Ted Hayes.

In accepting the award, Ted commented on how proud he was that the station was involved with such a worthwhile group, and pledged to help promote the club’s activities in the future.

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Two New Paramedics Further Improve ALS Services

Posted on Author WKVI
Tiffany Townsend, EMS Director Paul Mathewson and Jennifer Kelly

EMS Director Paul Mathewson introduced two new paramedics to the county commissioners this week: Jennifer Kelly, a paramedic from Laporte County, and Tiffany Townsend, an ALS-certified paramedic whose skills will come in heavy use with the new certification.

Mathewson told the commissioners that the necessity of ALS is not determined until the paramedics arrive on the scene of a call and, based on symptoms and other indicators, pronounce the subject to have a need of Advanced Life Support. Mathewson said that these indicators can range from skin color to profuse sweating.

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Starke County Commissioners Discuss Time Cards

Posted on Author WKVI
Ruth Jensen

Starke County employees may be going to a time card system in the near future.

Starke County Deputy Auditor, Ruth Jensen, has been researching current systems to see which to take before the Starke County Commissioners for their approval. Jensen said this week at the commissioner’s meeting that the old time clock method has been upgraded for the 21st century to assure that employees are on the job when “clocked in.”

The commissioners asked Jensen to schedule demonstrations from companies that she has investigated.

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State to Fund GIS Agreement Renewal

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Joe Short

County IT Director Joe Short approached the commissioners this week with an update regarding their Geographic Information System agreement with WTH Technology. According to Short, the agreement has expired and needs renewed, but he says the state has offered to cover the cost of renewing the agreement in exchange for sharing their GIS information.

Short says the state will fund $2000 toward the agreement for the next two years, while the GIS cost is only $1500. The extra $500, Short says, can be spent on related expenses to the GIS system.

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Jackie Walorski Comments on Primary Elections

Posted on Author WKVI

As the Republican Presidential Primaries drag on, many Republicans are fearful it only plays into the Democrat’s hands. Second District GOP Congressional candidate, Jackie Walorski, was asked about the primaries.

“I don’t think it’s a good thing,” she said. “I don’t think it’s productive and I know there’s been opinions out there of Republicans who say let’s just continue to run this Primary, but I disagree. I think it’s a bad idea. I think we, as adults and conservatives, should come together and decide who in the world is going to lead this party. As these guys continue to cannibalize each other and as time keeps ticking, all they’re doing is allowing Barack Obama to pick and choose between issues he’s going to take them out with.”

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