Courageous to Open in Plymouth Theatre on September 30th

Posted on Author WKVI

The religious movie, Courageous, is coming to Showland Cinemas in Plymouth on September 30th. It was produced by a movie making ministry out of Albany, Georgia. This is the company’s fourth movie, and follows on the heels of the very popular Fireproof.

Dawn Roose, who is promoting the movie locally, talked about bringing the movie to Plymouth.

“Our original challenge was to pre-sell 1,000 tickets to have the movie in our local Showland theatre,” said Roose. “We did get word from Provident Films that they will allow it to come which we are just praising the Lord for. We have not reached that benchmark yet, but we are working toward it and I’m sure we’re going to surpass it.”

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Congressman Joe Donnelly Addresses Unemployment, Roads and Bridges

Posted on Author WKVI
Joe Donnelly
Congressman Joe Donnelly

The economy has been on everyone’s minds lately as well as unemployment. Unemployment figures have stalled in the 9-9.5% rate and Second District Democrat Representative Joe Donnelly was asked if that rate can be lowered in the next six to 12 months.

“I’m hopeful we can reduce that number,” he replied. “We have seen the numbers in our area come down from where they were a few years ago, but we have a long, long way to go. We’re going to continue to work at that everyday. The sponsor of the American Work Act are trying to get the members of Congress to sign on to that to help us create more jobs so the effort is there right now.”

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Indiana Unemployment Rises

Posted on Author WKVI
Indiana Workforce Development

Indiana saw an uptick in the August unemployment rate. The preliminary seasonally-adjusted unemployment rate went from 8.5 to 8.7 percent in August. The U.S. rate remained flat at 9.1 percent this month. The National Bureau of Labor Statistics also revised Indiana’s July job growth numbers to show an increase of 4,100 more private sector jobs than reported last month.

Starke County is ranked #15 in unemployment at 10.3%, Pulaski is 78th at 7.3%, Marshall is 27th at 9.5%, LaPorte is 24th at 9.8%, and Porter County is 68th with 7.7% unemployment. Fayette County is ranked #1 at 12.1% while Dubois County has the lowest unemployment at 6.1%.

National Walk to School Day is October 5th

Posted on Author WKVI

Wednesday, October 5th is National Walk to School Day. If you find it easier to ride your bike, you are encouraged to do that instead.

Studies show that fewer children walk or bike to school than children a generation ago. In 1969, 48% of students in grades Kindergarten through eighth grade walked or biked to school. 40 years later, it is estimated that 13% of students walk or bike to school. School travel by private family vehicle for students in grades K-12 accounted for 10-14% of all automobile trips made during the morning peak period in 2009.

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Starke County Council Works on Budget

Posted on Author WKVI

The Starke County Council worked on the 2012 budget all day Wednesday.

“This year, what we felt was a prudent thing to do, is to freeze the budget at the 2011 level,” said Starke County Council President, Mark Smith.

Smith said no raises were given county employees for 2012.

“I always hate it when it comes down to this because folks will say, ‘Don’t you know that those people deserve a raise?’ I absolutely believe that they deserve a raise. However, if we ‘froze’ the budget but allowed a raise, what I’m telling the taxpayers is ‘You’re going to get just a little less services but we’ve decided to give a raise anyway’. At some point, there’s got to be a little bit of a leveling out there, a little bit of fiscal responsibility, to look at the big picture.”

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Rooster Rumblers Receive Eight-Day Plea Deadline Extension

Posted on Author WKVI
Gilberto Navarro
Salvador Reyes
Juan Carlos Rodriguez
Arnoldo Perez

With the case at its six-month mark since their arrest, four individuals allegedly involved in an animal fighting contest in February have been given another week for their attorney, Doug Shaw from Crown Point, to work with Starke County Prosecutor Nick Bourff to formulate an acceptable plea agreement. A request for change of venue by the defense was also denied. The defendants, Gilberto Narravo, Salvador Reyes, Juan Carlos Rodriguez, and Arnoldo Perez, were present in the Starke Cirtcuit courtroom with their wives acting as translators.

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F.B.I. Arrests Two at Bass Lake

Posted on Author WKVI
Heather Wilson
Michael Simpson

An F.B.I. Task Force officer arrested two people at Bass Lake Tuesday evening. Police were alerted that 44-year-old Michael Simpson had escaped from a jail in Kentucky, where he was jailed on a sex crime, and may be in the Starke County. An F.B.I. Task Force officer stopped the suspect’s vehicle at County Road 600 East and State Road 10 where he found Simpson and 23-year-old Heather Wilson, both from Louisville, Kentucky. A two-year-old child was also in the vehicle.

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Starke County Election Board Sets Absentee Voting Hours

Posted on Author WKVI

The Starke County Election Board set absentee voting times for the November Municipal General Election yesterday. Absentee voting will be available Saturday, October 29th and Monday, October 31st through Saturday, November 5th from 8:00 a.m. to Noon and from 1:00-4:00 p.m. in the Starke County Courthouse. On Thursday, November 3rd, the hours will be from 1:00-4:00 and from 5:00-9:00 p.m.
The Travel Board will start collecting votes beginning October 20th.

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Starke County Health Department to Hold Flu Clinics Soon

Posted on Author WKVI

We’re entering into the fall season and there has been a lot of information about the flu as we get into the flu season.

Starke County Health Nurse Frank Lynch told WKVI that he is ordering flu shot supplies and he will hold evening flu clinics so you can get your flu shot for the season. When he gets the supply, he will also be able to administer flu shots during immunization hours on Tuesdays by appointment.

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Starke County Traffic Safety Partnership Finishes Blitz, Another Set for Next Week

Posted on Author WKVI

The Starke County Traffic Safety Partnership recently participated in an Operation Pull Over Enforcement and gave out 11 speeding warnings, 45 equipment violation warnings, 1 open container ticket, 13 speeding citations, 5 Driving While Intoxicated arrests and 1 warrant arrest. This blitz was in accordance with the Indiana Governor’s Council on Impaired or Dangerous Driving.

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Kersting’s Cycle Center Holds Annual Fundraiser

Posted on Author WKVI

Kersting’s Cycle Center presented it’s 9th annual charity event Saturday. Jason Kersting said the Motorcycle, Music and Memories event was a success.

“It’s a big festival that we put on here at the shop and it’s only for one day,” said Kersting. “We have the food vendors come in, we had four live bands and the actual motorcycle ride took off at 1:00 p.m. ET and that ride collects donations to the MDA and it’s in memory of Nella Kersting. That raised $1,090 just from a few guys getting together to go for a ride. I know that my mother would be really honored to know that event is taking place in her name.”

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Starke County Juvenile to Face Charges in Adult Court

Posted on Author WKVI
Tyler Rudd

A Starke County juvenile has been waived to adult court to face six charges against him.

On August 19th, it is alleged that Tyler Rudd, 16, of North Judson, attempted to escape from an officer at the Muncie Reception and Detention Center after the officer had un-cuffed Rudd so he could use the bathroom. Rudd also reportedly used his thumb to poke the officer’s eye and he also hit him in the face causing a facial and eye injury. In this case, he has been charged with Battery as a Class C Felony and Battery as a Class D Felony and an additional charge of Attempted Escape, a Class C Felony.

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S.T.E.P.S. for Life Walk this Saturday

Posted on Author WKVI
A ribbon cutting ceremony was recently held at the newly opened Bella Vita

The first annual S.T.E.P.S For Life Walk will be held this Saturday at Wythogan Park in Knox to draw attention to and raise money for the Bella Vita Pregnancy Resource Center. Knox Mayor Rick Chambers will be the Grand Marshal of the walk.

The staff at Bella Vita is attempting to raise funds to keep the Resource Center open more hours per week. Right now they have funding for 18 hours per week until the end of the year. Because of the increased use of the Center, the organizers feel it should be open 40 hours.

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September 11th Service Held in Knox

Posted on Author WKVI
Starke County firefighters attended the September 11th services

Starke County citizens turned out to remember and reflect during September 11th ceremonies in North Judson and Knox. At Knox, WKVI sponsored a service at the Knox High School Football Field.

The day was arranged by Gene Blastic, and featured talks by Ted Hayes, Tom Berg and Paul Mathewson. Mae Crider provided three patriotic songs, and Pastors Ed Hasnerl, Paul Begley, Jim Pradtke, and James Adcock added spiritual messages. Continue reading →

Audit Meeting Turns Confrontational

Posted on Author WKVI
Starke County Commissioner Kathy Norem, Starke County Council President Mark Smith and Starke County Commissioner Dan Bridegroom discuss the audit with the media

A meeting to explain the findings of the 2010 State Audit of the Starke County Treasurer’s records suddenly turned confrontational Friday afternoon. The report only listed almost $22,000 that the Auditors could not find for certification.

County Council President, Mark Smith, said there is still over a half million discrepancy for 2009.

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Quit Now Indiana Contest Underway

Posted on Author WKVI

The 2011 Quit Now Indiana Contest is underway. This statewide contest is designed to encourage you who use tobacco products to make an attempt to quit now by offering you a chance to win cash prizes up to $2,500 for remaining tobacco-free for 31 days.

To be eligible to win, you must be 18 years of age or older, a legal resident of Indiana, and a current tobacco user. You must stay tobacco free from October 1st through October 31st in order to win the grand prize. You may register at Community Services of Starke County on Culver Road in Knox, the Henry F. Schricker Public Library in Knox, or Porter-Starke Services on Edgewood Drive in Knox.

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Cantata Practices to Begin Sunday

Posted on Author WKVI

Practices for the annual Christmas Cantata will begin on Sunday, September 18th at 2:00 p.m. at the Knox United Methodist Church. This will be the 14th annual Community Choir production.

You are invited to be a part of this year’s Cantata. Members range in age from teens to seniors. Practice will be held on Sundays. Two performances of the Cantata will be held on December 11th. Call Jim Oliverius at 772-3609 with any questions you may have about the Cantata.

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American Oak Preserving Co., Inc. in North Judson Announces Another Expansion

Posted on Author WKVI

Charlie Vorm, President and CEO of American Oak Preserving Co, Inc., with International Headquarters in North Judson, Indiana and the Starke County Economic Development Foundation (SCEDF) announced today the beginning of construction on a new 6,000 square foot structure by American Oak. The new building will be a refrigerated structure that will be used for the short-term storage and sale of Christmas trees and wreaths coming from a supplier in North Carolina from approximately November 15 through December 15. The products will be available online from such retailers as Sam’s Club, 1-800-Flowers and Home Depot, with orders transmitted to American Oak for shipment directly to customers. The building will have three loading docks. It is expected that during this 30-day period, several shipments per day will be both received and sent. While no new production employees are expected to be hired, the current production employees will work an additional month to 45 days. During any period the building is not in use for this purpose, it will serve as a warehouse for other American Oak products.

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Starke County Commissioners to Meet in Executive Session to Discuss Treasurer’s Audit

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

The Starke County Commissioners are getting together in Executive Session this afternoon to analyze the 2010 Treasurer’s audit released this week by the State Board of Accounts.

Although the report pointed out that there were hundreds of thousands of book-keeping discrepancies, all but $21,906 has been found. When granted access to the county’s bank account statements and depository records, County Auditor, Kay Chaffins, was able to investigate the material.

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