Starke County Youth Club Programs Help Bridge Achievement Gap

Posted on Author WKVI
 
 

The Starke County Youth Club’s after-school programs help bridge the achievement gap for students. Executive director Irene Szakonyi says that’s disparity in performance levels among groups of youngsters. Research indicates children who come from low-income homes don’t perform as well on standardized tests as their more affluent classmates, nor do they get as good of grades. Szakonyi says 60 percent of children served come from low-income homes and start kindergarten behind their peers as a result. Continue reading →

Starke County Youth Club Programs Benefit Children and Parents

Posted on Author WKVI
 
 

The Starke County Youth Club’s after-school programs offered at sites around the county benefit more than just the students who take part in them. Executive Director Irene Szakonyi says they serve as a bridge between school and home for youngsters, for whom the most critical hours of the day are between 3 and 6 p.m. School is out, but parents aren’t home from work yet. Szakonyi says that’s the most common time for a child to be the victim of or the perpetrator of a violent crime. Continue reading →

Early Education Could Influence Public Health

Posted on Author WKVI

A pre-Kindergarten fair being held Tuesday in Knox may have some long-term health benefits.

The second annual event allows children and their parents to explore the various pre-school options available in Starke County. Booths will be available to distribute information to parents. Among those participating is IU Health Starke Hospital.
Continue reading →

The Crossing Hosts Spring Celebration

Posted on Author WKVI

The CrossingAn alternative school with a location in Starke County is hoping to showcase what they’ve accomplished this year.

The Crossing Educational Center will be hosting their spring celebration on Thursday. Students will have the opportunity during the event to talk about what they’ve learned with parents, board members, and community members in attendance.
Continue reading →

Moving Starke County Forward Healthy Challenge Series Begins Saturday

Posted on Author WKVI
 
 

This year’s Moving Starke County Forward summer challenge is about ready to begin.

The kick-off event for the NASCAR-themed Healthy Challenge Series is set for this Saturday, May 2 at Wythogan Park at 10 a.m. Participants will start the Healthy Challenge Series by walking the pace lap around the park after the sign-up process.

Residents are urged to log steps that could include walking, biking, running, swimming, or hiking for a chance to win some NASCAR prizes. Steps or miles will be recorded every two weeks to reach a certain goal during that time. The first goal will be the Daytona 250. Participants are encouraged to log activity totaling 250 miles by May 16. Details on how to report those steps will be released this week. A different goal will be released shortly before the first deadline.

Continue reading →

North Judson-San Pierre Students Ready to Rock the ISTEP

Posted on Author WKVI

ISTEP Crue 1Students at North Judson-San Pierre Elementary are ready to rock the ISTEP. Exams begin this week. On Friday teachers took a break from instruction for fun activities like movies, healthy snacks and class parties. The day was capped off by a rock concert on the high school football field from the ISTEP Crüe. The band consisted of principal Mike McBride, aka James Michaels, on guitar and lead vocals, drummer Tommy Lee Wilbanks, better known to many students as computer teacher Bob Wilbanks, and guidance counselor Chuck Rebeck, moonlighting as Crüe bassist Chucky Sixx. They jammed out to tunes like “Born to Take ISTEP,” “Keep on Testing Me Baby,” “Rock ‘n Roll All Nite (and ISTEP Every Day) and the always popular “Takin’ Care of ISTEP Business.” Continue reading →

Starke County Youth Club Radiothon Set for Friday

Posted on Author WKVI
 
 

Mark your calendars, and get your checkbooks ready. The 8th Annual Starke County Youth Club Radiothon on WKVI will take place this Friday. Executive Director Irene Szakonyi  says the organization has been serving youngsters with after-school, summer and recreational programs since 2001.

“It really is a wide variety of activities and projects to meet kids where they are, keep them learning, support working families and build community,” Szakonyi said. Continue reading →

Starke County Commissioners Approve CenturyLink Agreement for New Jail

Posted on Author WKVI

starke-county-courthouseThe CenturyLink equipment used by the Starke County Sheriff’s Office will be upgraded when they move into the new jail east of town. The county commissioners Monday approved an agreement for $1,431 for one-time upgrades and a monthly fee of $5.75 for the next three years. IT Director Joe Short advised the communications company is recommending new equipment at the new facility. Continue reading →

Starke County Sheriff and Prosecutor Encourage Safe Celebrations

Posted on Author WKVI

Prom season is here, and graduation is right around the corner. Starke County Sheriff Bill Dulin and Prosecutor Nick Bourff want local youth to celebrate both safely and soberly. Dulin notes it is illegal for anyone under 21 to possess or consume alcohol. In spite of that, he says young drivers make up a significant proportion of drunk drivers causing traffic crashes on Indiana’s roadways. Drivers under 21 who are caught driving with even a trace of alcohol in their systems will have their driving privileges suspended. Continue reading →

North Judson Schedules Brush Pickup

Posted on Author WKVI

North Judson Water TowerNorth Judson residents can put any brush they would like to have hauled off by the town alongside their alleys for pickup starting Monday. If the home doesn’t have an alley, brush can be placed along the curb. Either way, clerk-treasurer Donna Henry says it needs to be in place by 7 a.m. Monday to ensure pickup, as crews will only make one pass through town. She adds this pickup is for brush only, as leaves will be collected again this fall.