Money will soon be available to study blighted sites in Starke County. Kankakee-Iroquois Regional Planning Commission Executive Director Edwin Buswell says the multi-county governmental service agency recently got a $500,000 Brownfield Assessment Program grant. Continue reading
Prior to the Knox City Council meeting on Tuesday evening, City Clerk-Treasurers Jeff Houston met with a field representative with the Department of Local Government Finance in order to discuss the projected budget and budget calendar. Continue reading
The state has rested its case in the trial of a Knox man accused of killing his estranged wife. Defendant Gary Chavez is expected to take the stand tomorrow morning as a witness for the defense. He’s also charged with kidnapping and carjacking in connection with the events that occurred on June 6, 2014. The Starke County Sheriff’s Office got a 911 call at 3:37 that afternoon from a man in English Lake reporting a carjacking. Earlier testimony indicates that’s where Chavez left kidnapping victim Bryant Wagner when his car ran out of gas. Det. Rob Olejniczak from the Starke County Sheriff’s Office testified that based on information from Wagner he went to Mark Bailey’s Discount Center and found the pickup truck Chavez left in the parking lot. Continue reading
The state could wrap up its case this afternoon against a Knox man charged with murder, kidnapping and carjacking. They’ve called 12 witnesses so far to testify against Gary Chavez. He’s accused of killing his estranged wife, Kimberly Chavez, at his rural Knox home last June 6th, driving his pickup truck to Mark Bailey’s Discount Center, kidnapping an employee at gunpoint, driving his car to English Lake and stealing a Jeep Grand Cherokee from a couple there. Continue reading
The Starke County Election Board considered placing the North Judson-San Pierre tax referendum on the ballot, this week.
N.J.-S.P.’s School Board adopted the resolution to take the property tax levy increase to the public. Under the plan, an increase of 47-cents per $100 of assessed valuation would be seen in year one. The rate would drop to 27-cents per $100 of assessed valuation in subsequent years.
The North Judson-San Pierre School Board is preparing for fiscal year 2016.
A special budget work session meeting was held on Wednesday night where school Treasurer Guy Richie presented year-over-year comparisons. The school corporation is anticipating about $8-million in General Fund expenditures for 2016 – a much reduced figure from the $11-million expended during 2012.
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During the Tuesday evening Knox City Council meeting revisions to the Community Center were considered. New thermostats will be put in place to help reduce heating and cooling costs. There was also some discussion about replacing the current roof with a metal one. Continue reading
Students attending Knox Community Schools will have their first official day on Tuesday, August 4th. Prior to that first day back, high school students must obtain their laptops from the school. This can be done during Freshman orientation on July 31st from 8 until 11 am or during back-to-school night on August 3rd from 4 until 6 pm. Orientation pick-up is limited to Freshman students only. Continue reading
WoodStarke is less than a month away and as event planners prepare for the family-friendly festival in the park, money is still needed in order to rent a center stage for performers to use. In an effort to raise funds, this weekend individuals can get a sneak peak of a few of the bands that will be playing during WoodStarke. Continue reading
Murder defendant Gary Chavez plans to testify in during his jury trial in Starke Circuit Court. Defense attorney David Welter told Starke Circuit Judge Kim Hall this morning that is his client’s intention. Chavez does have the right to change his mind at any time. Continue reading
The doctor who did the autopsy on a Portage woman who was found dead at a rural Knox home last June is scheduled to testify today in the murder trial of her accused killer. Gary Chavez is charged with murder in connection with his estranged wife, Kimberly Chavez’, death. He is also charged with kidnapping and carjacking in connection with other incidents that occurred on June 6, 2014. Several police officers and evidence technicians are also on today’s witness list. Continue reading
During their meeting yesterday evening the Knox City Council acted on a request from a citizen that was initially brought to their attention during a meeting earlier this month. At the July 15th meeting, local resident Steven Dodge presented a petition to establish a street on an existing city right-of-way to divert people away from the unofficial alley currently being used on his property at 801 S Bower St. At that meeting Dodge also showed the council research dating back to 1895 that showed a 33-ft-wide street was dedicated there between Portland and Bower streets. Continue reading
The Starke County Clerk’s office will continue attempts to receive confirmation regarding an issue that may have affected past elections.
During Monday’s Starke County Election Board meeting, recertified ordinances from the Town of North Judson were considered. The Town felt it necessary to bring annexation and ward map issues back from 2001 and 2012 after the ordinances were improperly certified. The error could make the annexation and ward map changes invalid.
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The flag raised at the grand spening of the James R. Hardesty Hamlet Davis Township Volunteer Fire Station & Community Center Sunday once flew in Iraq.
Here at the WKVI, we’re doing our part to prevent a summer blood donation shortage by hosting a blood drive on Monday, August 3. You can potentially save three lives with just one blood donation if you come down to 400 W. Culver Rd to participate. Not only will you walk away with a feeling of accomplishment after providing assistance but you will also receive a free American Red Cross baseball cap. Continue reading
Unwanted game requests from acquaintances aren’t the only things you have to worry about as a Facebook user these days. One pesky concern is Malware. Malware is an umbrella term used to refer to a variety of forms of hostile or intrusive software. In attempt to steal personal information from your Facebook account deceitful tagging is utilized. Continue reading
The Knox man who claims he was kidnapped from Mark Bailey’s Discount Center last June by a murder suspect was the first witness to testify in his trial. Gary Chavez is also on trial for kidnapping and carjacking stemming from a June 6, 2014 incident. He’s accused of stabbing his estranged wife, Kimberly Chavez, to death at his rural California Township home, driving to Mark Bailey’s and kidnapping employee Bryant Wagner at gunpoint as he sat in his 2005 Monte Carlo in the store parking lot. Continue reading
The state will begin presenting its case today against the Knox man who is accused of killing his estranged wife, kidnapping an employee from Mark Bailey’s Discount Center and stealing a car from a couple in English Lake. Gary Chavez is on trial for murder, kidnapping and carjacking in connection with the June 6, 2014 incidents. His trial started yesterday with jury selection, which took the entire day. Continue reading
The crowd of area residents that gathered for the Grand Opening of the “James R. Hardesty Hamlet Davis Township Volunteer Fire Station and Community Center” Sunday afternoon at the new building was both pleased and proud.
