March 2013 – Page 4 – WKVI Information Center

A woman who was convicted of taking more than $7,000 in Starke County Tourism Commission funds for her own use will be sentenced in Starke Circuit Court this morning at 10 a.m.

Starke Circuit Court Judge Kim Hall found Jennie Carter guilty on a charge of theft after a bench trial. The prosecution called two witnesses: Chris Campione with the Indiana State Police, who was the lead investigator in the case, and Debbie Mix with the Starke County Chamber of Commerce and the Tourism Commission. They testified of their knowledge of the event surrounding the incident. Defendant Jennie Carter testified on her own behalf.

The bench trial occurred over the course of two days in February.

New Plymouth PD Chief Appointed

A Plymouth police veteran is now at the helm of the department he has called home for 22 years.

Dave Bacon was just recently named the Plymouth police chief.

Henning, Nemeth Receive Suspended Sentences in Starke Circuit Court

Last week was a busy week for the Starke Circuit Court as Judge Kim Hall handed down sentences to a number of people on a variety of charges ranging from misdemeanors to felonies. Jacob Nemeth and Matthew Henning were among those sentenced in the court on Thursday.

March Madness Snowstorm Socks Kankakee Valley

March 25, 2013March 25, 2013WKVI

It’s a whole different kind of March Madness across the Kankakee Valley this morning. Roads are slick and snow-covered after a late season overnight snowstorm. This is making for hazardous travel. If you do have to be out, allow yourself plenty of time to reach your destination, and remember, ice and snow, take it slow. Maintain a safe distance from other vehicles, brake early and accelerate slowly. If you see a snow plow, stay back and give it plenty of room to operate. Don’t tailgate or try to pass a plow truck, as the roadway will be clearer behind the plow than in front of it.

You can check road conditions anywhere in the state by visiting www.trafficwise.in.gov or by dialing toll-free 1-800-261-ROAD (7623) for updated Indiana travel information, including road conditions, road closures, construction information and other traffic alerts.

Snow should taper off into flurries by midday, but additional snowfall is expected tonight and into tomorrow before temperatures warm up into the 40s by the middle of the week. Fortunately the snow will not be a factor for schools today, as most school systems within the WKVI listening area are on spring break this week. However, if we receive word of any other weather-related closings or delays we will pass it along on the closings and delays page at www.wkvi.com as well as on the air and on our Facebook page.

Changes Made to Handgun Permitting Process

Indiana State Police officials have made changes to the handgun permitting process.

As part of the change, effective today, the LaPorte County Sheriff’s Department will no longer accept paper handgun permits and will no longer fingerprint applicants.

Pulaski County Commissioners Discuss Defibrillator Purchases

Pulaski County Commissioners recently discussed the purchase of some potentially life-saving technology.

“We’re looking at automatic external defibrillators – they get your heart going again,” Commissioner Larry Brady said. “We’d station these throughout the county buildings to use until the EMS system arrives. Most buildings have them laying around, and they are a wonderful asset when minutes count.”

Starke/Pulaski Habitat for Humanity Still Accepting Applications

Starke/Pulaski Habitat for Humanity is gearing up to build their next home for a family in need. Steve Morrison of Habitat told WKVI that the organization is still taking applications from interested parties who feel they may be qualified, and he said Habitat will soon make their selection as to whom they feel would most benefit from the home, with construction to begin in the summer.

Preschool Classes to begin April 2 at Knox Elementary School

Knox Community School Superintendent A.J. Gappa brought the school board up to speed on the progress of the preschool class that will begin April 2.

“We have 23 students that have been tested and found to be eligible,” stated Gappa. “We have 12 signed up for the morning session and 11 in the afternoon session. We are providing transportation for the morning session. We will reevaluate that later to see if that could be added also for the afternoon session.”

New furniture will be installed this week during spring break.

“Supplies have been ordered and everybody’s been positive so far. The kids seem eager to go to school and the parents are all behind it 100 percent,” Gappa explained.

Severe Weather Preparedness Week March 24-30

It’s time to prepare now for thunderstorms, tornadoes and flooding.

It’s Severe Weather Preparedness week in Indiana this week. Spring marks the change in season and that can produce severe weather. Planning and preparedness can help minimize weather related deaths, injuries and property damage.

Meth Suspect Remains in Starke County Jail

A bond has not been set for Henry Wood who was arrested Thursday after Starke County police reportedly found an inactive meth lab in a vehicle he was in.

Detectives from the Starke County Sheriff’s Department were conducting a meth investigation at 3131 S. State Road 39 in North Judson and found Woods sitting in a vehicle with his dog. Officers were given consent to search the vehicle and found an inactive meth lab and other items used in the manufacture of methamphetamine.

He was taken into custody and booked into the Starke County Jail on a preliminary charge of Dealing Methamphetamine, a Class B felony. He has not yet been in Starke Circuit Court for his initial hearing.

Several People Receive Sentences in Starke Circuit Court

The Starke Circuit Court was up to its ears in plea and sentencing hearings this week, as a number of people pleaded guilty to charges against them and received their sentences from Circuit Court Judge Kim Hall.

Priscilla Bodine pleaded guilty to Possession of a Controlled Substance as a Class D felony, while Timothy Bodine entered a guilty plea for Possession of a Controlled Substance and Receiving Stolen Property as Class D felonies. Priscilla was sentenced to 13 months in the Department of Corrections with the entirety of her sentence suspended to be served on probation. Timothy received a sentence of 14 months for both counts, and seven months was suspended for both counts against him; the sentences will be served concurrently. He will serve those seven suspended months on probation, while the executed sentence will be served on home detention with electronic monitoring through Starke County Community Corrections.

Matthew Bradley pleaded guilty on Wednesday to Theft as a Class D felony and was sentenced to 18 months in the Department of Corrections. His 18-month sentence was suspended with the exception of the 106 days he served in Starke County Jail. He will serve 12 months on probation.

VanMeter to Retire from Plymouth Schools After 33 Years of Service

After serving the school for more than three decades, Sharon VanMeter has announced that she will be retiring from Plymouth Community Schools. VanMeter started at the Plymouth Community School Corporation in 1980 at Jefferson Elementary, where she served as a teacher’s aide. In 1994, she transferred to Plymouth High School as a secretary.

Throughout her 33 years at the corporation, VanMeter has become a well-known face to thousands of staff and community members, teachers, parents, and students, having worked under five different principals.

Knox Community School Board Approves 2013-2014 School Calendar

The Knox Community School Board approved the 2013-2014 school calendar during their recent meeting. Superintendent A.J. Gappa said it is similar to this year’s calendar.

“Teachers will return Aug. 12 and students will return on Aug. 13 which is a Tuesday,” explained Gappa. “The last day of school, if everything goes according to plan, would be May 29 with the records day on May 30. Commencement would be Friday, June 6, 2014. There would be two weeks off at Christmastime and three days off for Thanksgiving break. Good Friday next year will fall on April 18 so that is not part of spring break. We also have three contingency days built into the calendar for snow days.”

Teams are Still Needed for Starke County Relay for Life Event

There are openings for more teams for this year’s Starke County Relay for Life event. It will be held June 7 at the Starke County Fairgrounds in Hamlet with opening ceremonies scheduled for 6 p.m. that evening.

Last year, over $56,000 was raised and Relay officials are hoping to match or exceed that goal this year. In order to reach that goal, they need to help in the fight against cancer.

Habitat for Humanity Receives Huge Donation from Alco

A hefty donation has gone a long way in filling the shelves for Starke/Pulaski Habitat for Humanity, as Steve Morrison of Habitat told WKVI that Alco is donating nearly $40,000 worth of hardware to the organization. Morrison explained that Alco is changing their hardware supplier, so any hardware they have in stock is being donated to Habitat for Humanity.

50 Families Honored with the Hoosier Homestead Award Friday

Fifty Hoosier families were honored with the presentation of the Hoosier Homestead Award by Lt. Gov. Sue Ellspermann and Indiana Agriculture Director Gina Sheets. Hoosier Homesteads are farms that have been owned by the same family for more than 100 consecutive years, and must produce at least $1000 worth of agricultural products per year or consist of at least 20 acres. The award ceremony took place on Friday at 1 p.m. in the North Atrium of the Indiana Statehouse in Indianapolis.

K9 Unit Approved by Plymouth City Council

March 22, 2013March 22, 2013WKVI

Newly installed Plymouth Police Chief Dave Bacon recently approached the Plymouth City Council to request three vehicles for the police department that were budgeted for the year.

Chief Bacon said two cars will be used for regular patrol and an SUV will be used for K9 Officer John Wier and his partner, Jax, as it’s more sturdy and better equipped to meet their needs. K9 unit.