Knox Math Class Honored by School Board

Gary Dulin, Jerry Fletcher, Harold Welter, Mary Lynn Ritchie, Kirk Bennett, Nathan Marcum, Mike Yankauskas, Superintendent A.J. Gappa

Mrs. Clemons’, a 6th grade math teacher at the Knox Community Middle School, brought in students from her honors classes to be recognized by the Knox Community School Board during the Spotlight on Success portion of the meeting.

“They had participated in a grant program called Apangea Math where they compete against each other and against schools to do math problems and solve them,” said Superintendent A.J. Gappa. “They get points for the more work they do. They compare their math performances and many of the lessons with other schools. One of Mrs. Clemons’ math classes won the region. They were first place in the region and her other math class was second place in the region and so they were honored by our Board. They were also honored by the state. They ended up sixth and seventh overall in the state as classrooms and we thought that was a pretty good honor.”

Continue reading

Year in Review – Part One

This last week of the year we remember some of the biggest stories of 2011.

The municipal election was a big story in November, with North Judson Republican candidates capturing two positions in a traditional Democrat town. Town Clerk candidate Donna Henry won a squeaker over Connie Miller, and Dan Anderson was defeated by Tim Cummins.

Continue reading

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas from the entire staff at K99.3 WKVI and Kountry KVI.  We hope that you have a great holiday weekend!  Listen all day today for your favorite Christmas music on K99.3 FM and 1520 AM.  We will resume with regular programming at 5:00 a.m. Monday morning!

Week in Review for December 19th-23rd, 2011

Here is just some of the news that made the news in the Kankakee Valley this week:

Nathan Hummel
Jonathan Hummel

Nathan Hummel was arrested Tuesday on charges of Armed Robbery, Criminal Mischief, Resisting Law Enforcement, Dealing a Controlled Substance and Disarming an Officer. He and Jonathan Hummel allegedly robbed the CVS in Knox Tuesday by knifepoint and stole several bottles filled with narcotics. Jonathan Hummel remains at large.  Continue reading

Fire Destroys Home in Washington Township

This home, at 2915 S. 800 E. in Washington Township, was a total loss

A fire ripped through a home at 2915 S. and 800 E. in Starke County on Friday, December 23rd.

“The occupants awoke to an extra warm home, but there were no smoke alarms going off,” said Washington Township Assistant Fire Chief, Dave Pearman. “The man entered the living room and saw flames showing in the house and immediately tried to get their dogs out and that took a little bit of time. By the time they had most of the dogs, all but one, out of the house, the house was fully engulfed. Unfortunately, their smoke detector wasn’t working.”

Continue reading

Linda Belork’s Case Heard in Jasper Court

Linda Belork

Jasper County Circuit Court Judge John Potter heard arguments yesterday in a hearing where is was requested that a Temporary Restraining Order be removed to allow Linda Belork to resume her duties as the Starke County Treasurer.

That request was being opposed by the Starke County Commissioners.

In the hearing yesterday, Belork’s attorney, Ethan Lowe, argued that only the State’s Attorney General could remove an elected official from office. He said, “The county commissioners can only “piggy back” on actions brought by the Attorney General’s office. The Attorney General’s office has to initiate civil proceedings with the county prosecutor.”

Continue reading

Senator Charbonneau Discusses Right-to-Work

State Senator Ed Charbonneau

Fifth District Republican Senator Ed Charbonneau was recently questioned about the possible upheaval at the state legislature over Governor Mitch Daniels’ announcement to push right-to-work legislation. Governor Daniels, House Speaker Brian Bosma and Senate Speaker David Long, have called getting right-to-work legislation passed their “top priority.”

Charbonneau concurred.

But even though his leadership is pushing the measure hard, Charbonneau is unsure that he can support it.

Continue reading

Knox Man Arrested on a Battery Charge

Steven Gott

A Knox man was arrested after a battery incident on Monday.

The female victim, who is pregnant, went to the Starke County Sheriff’s Department to report a battery. She told police that she and Steven Gott had gotten into an argument earlier in the day and that police were called to the residence. Gott was told to leave the residence and to not return. He returned to the residence later in the day and the police arrived and gave Gott a second warning. The victim then went to her mother’s house to do laundry and Gott arrived at the residence. Gott and the victim started fighting and Gott allegedly put his hands around her throat, hit her in the head and threatened her life. He then left the residence.

Continue reading

J.E.S.S.E. Co-op to Reorganize

The J.E.S.S.E. Co-op is reorganizing. Rochester schools recently pulled out of the special education cooperative that administers more than 80 different special classes and resource programs which leaves 9 school corporations in our area participating in the program.

With the withdrawal of Rochester, Knox Community School Superintendent A.J. Gappa said the majority of the financial services will now come out of Plymouth Schools.

Continue reading

Knox City Council Approves Appointments

Knox City Council #2
Back Row: Mayor Rick Chambers, Ed Blue, Clerk-Treasurer Jeff Houston, Greg Matt and Attorney David Matsey. Front Row: Linda Berndt, Jeff Berg and Ron Parker

At the most recent meeting of the Knox City Council, appointments were made for several boards. Linda Berndt agreed to remain on the Starke County Development Board, newly elected City Councilman, Don Kring, will go on the Starke County Environmental Board, Ed Blue will remain on the Board of Works, and the Mayor re-appointed Ollie Lockridge and Jim Collins for the Knox Redevelopment Committee Board.

North Judson Approves Fire Protection Contract

The North Judson Town Board approved the fire protection contract with Wayne Township at a price of $23,000, which is the same price paid in 2011. Two installments of $11,500 are paid to the Township a year for the service.

Mark Knebel from the Hoosier Valley Railroad Museum told the Board that 6,280 people rode the trains this year. Since 2006, 22,452 have traveled on the Museum’s tourist trains. He said they were sold out on all Santa trains this year and had riders from Michigan and from the western part of Chicago.

Starke County Historical Society Museum Closes for Repairs

Starke County Museum Christmas Tree
Starke County Museum Christmas Tree

The Starke County Historical Museum will be closed today through January 31st, for maintenance and repair.

Also, when you drive by the museum, you are urged to admire the Memorial Tree donated by Hensler’s Nursery. A record number of memorial bows and names have been attached this year. Toni Snearly, Historical Society volunteer, said that 285 bows have been placed on the tree at 401 South Main St., in Knox.

Boys Career Scoring Leaders (Current Players)

Boys Career Scoring Leaders: (Minimum 300 points)

  1. John Eckert-Sr. (NJ): 1,140
  2. Kendall Hochstedler-Sr. (NJ): 696
  3. Josh Anderson-Sr. (JG): 562
  4. Winston Yergler-Sr. (NJ): 514
  5. Bryan McKinney-Sr. (W): 468
  6. Elliott Coad-Sr. (K): 439
  7. Zach Shidler-Jr. (W): 374
  8. Spencer Dobson-Sr. (WC): 334
  9. Collin Stevens-Jr. (C): 301

Boys Basketball Leaders

Boys Scoring Leaders: (Through 12-17-11)

  1. Winston Yergler (NJ): 20.0ppg-80 points (4 games)
  2. Josh Anderson (JG): 19.2ppg-135 points (7 games)
  3. Elliott Coad (K): 18.2ppg-91 points (5 games)
  4. John Eckert (NJ): 17.2ppg-69 points (4 games)
  5. Trent Elliott (C): 15.4ppg-108 points (7 games)
  6. Bryan McKinney (W): 15.3ppg-92 points (6 games)
  7. Kendall Hochstedler (NJ): 15.2ppg-61 points (4 games)
  8. Marcus Kammrath (SC): 15.1ppg-91 points (6 games)
  9. Riley Charlesworth (L): 14.8ppg-89 points (6 games)
  10. Allen Biggers (C): 13.4ppg-94 points (7 games)
  11. Evan Kruger (WC): 12.0ppg-96 points (8 games)
  12. Adam Clindaniel (SC): 11.8ppg-71 points (6 games)
  13. Dylan Short (K): 11.2ppg-56 points (5 games)
  14. Zach Taylor (OD): 11.0ppg-33 points (3 games)
  15. Zach Shidler (W): 10.8ppg-65 points (6 games)
  16. Mitch Fingerhut (NJ): 10.7ppg-43 points (4 games)
  17. Jake Jones (OD): 10.7ppg-43 points (4 games)
  18. Sam Culver (L): 10.5ppg-63 points (6 games)
  19. Jacoda Anderson (C): 10.2ppg-51 points (5 games)
  20. Craig McIntosh (OD): 10.2ppg-41 points (4 games)
  21. Jimmy Rippe (L): 10.0ppg-60 points (6 games)

Coaching Leaders: (Through 12-17-11)

  1. Dan Warkentien (SC): 252-103 .709 (16 years)
  2. Todd Boldry (K): 190-107 .639 (14 years)
  3. Travis Hannah (JG): 139-136 .505 (13 years)
  4. Bryan Heimlich (WC): 105-81 .564 (9 years)
  5. Kyle Elliott (C): 35-37 .486 (4 years)
  6. Kyle Johnson (W): 17-12 .586 (2 years)
  7. Phil Shabi (NJ): 4-0 1.000 (1 year)
  8. Scot Spoljaric (L): 1-5 .166 (1 year)
  9. Matt Crawford (OD): 0-4 .000 (1 year)

Team Records: (Through 12-17-11)

  1. Culver: 6-1
  2. Winamac: 5-1
  3. NJSP: 4-0
  4. John Glenn: 3-4
  5. South Central: 2-4
  6. West Central: 2-6
  7. LaCrosse: 1-5
  8. Oregon-Davis: 0-4
  9. Knox: 0-5

Linda Belork’s Hearing is Today in Jasper County

Linda Belork

A hearing will be held in Jasper County today on Linda Belork’s request to have a court-imposed Temporary Restraining Order removed allowing her to return to her duties as the Starke County Treasurer. Belork has been out of the office since August 13th after being removed by the County Commissioners following the issuance of a State Audit showing thousands of dollars in discrepancies.

The money has been found, but Belork has been blocked by the order from returning to office. Objecting to her return are the Starke County Commissioners. Judge John Potter will be seeking pertinent information from Belork’s attorney, Ethan Lowe, and Martin Lucas, attorney for the commissioners, during today’s hearing.

Continue reading

Unemployment Rates Remain Steady

Indiana Workforce Development

Indiana’s labor force increased by 13,600 in November, holding the state’s unemployment rate steady at 9.0%. Over the past four months, the state’s workforce has grown by almost 50,000. While Indiana saw a 0.4% increase in its labor force during the month, the U.S. labor force decreased by 0.2% percent in November, contributing to the decline in the nation’s unemployment rate from 9.0% to 8.6%.

Continue reading

Winamac Man Sentenced in U.S. District Court

A Winamac man was sentenced in U.S. District Court in South Bend this week.

Gary Marshall, 57, was sentenced to six months imprisonment and two years of supervised release after pleading guilty to the felony offense of Felon in Possession of a Firearm. Marshall had previous convictions for filing fictitious claims against the United States and transporting in interstate commerce, a falsely made security.

Continue reading