Knox Community Continues to Stand Together for Korie Howard

Amber Howard and her children, Korie and Evan
Amber Howard and her children, Korie and Evan
Members of the community continue to rally around a 10-year-old girl and her family as they face the most difficult challenge of all. Ten-year-old Korie Howard of Knox was recently placed in Hospice care after suffering with cancer which has now moved into her lungs, but the community is standing strong, showing their support and solidarity for the young girl.

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Pence Extends Emergency Propane Proclamation Through March 1

Governor Mike Pence
Governor Mike Pence
The emergency proclamation issued by Governor Mike Pence to ease the restriction on the hours of service for propane transporters has been extended through March 1. The announcement was made Wednesday afternoon during a press conference at 1:30 p.m. CT, when he also declared an energy emergency, suspending limitations on divisible load for propane suppliers, as well as directing INDOT and the Department of Revenue to work with the Indiana Motor Carriers Association to expedite permit applications and waive fees on overweight loads carrying propane.

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Families and Addiction Seminar Planned for Starke County Residents

  
 
Several community groups are teaming up to sponsor a family education and support program on a significant, but often taboo, topic in Starke County. IU Health Starke Hospital, Mayor Rick Chambers and the city of Knox, Moving Starke County Forward, the Starke County Community Corrections Advisory Board and Porter Starke Services present four Families and Addiction programs. They will take place each Tuesday in February from 6 until 7:30 p.m. CST at the Nancy J. Dembowski Community Center. Porter Starke Substance Abuse and Addiction Counselor Todd Willis says they wanted to present information in a non-threatening, educational setting.

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Hanley “Warren” Chapman Plea Agreement Rejected

Hanley Warren Chapman
Hanley Warren Chapman

A plea agreement for Hanley “Warren” Chapman was rejected by Starke Circuit Court Judge Kim Hall Wednesday morning.

Judge Hall told those assembled in court that he had questions about the factual basis regarding his charge of Resisting Law Enforcement. According to court documents, Chapman was situated in a basement room when police were outside the home verbally attempting to get him out of the residence in North Judson. No physical force was used to take him into custody.

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Speed and Alcohol Possible Factors in Marshall County Crash

 
 

Speed and alcohol are possible factors in an early morning single-vehicle crash in Marshall County. It happened around 4:40 a.m. on Sycamore Road just south of 1st Road. A 2002 Dodge Intrepid was southbound on Sycamore Road, left the roadway, hit a concrete driveway marker and a homemade mailbox, according to the report from the Marshall County Police Department. They found the driver, Jared Bunton, 22, and his passenger about a quarter of a mile away from the crash scene. He suffered extensive injuries, according to the police. The crash remains under investigation.

 

Wind Chill Warning Set to Expire Later Today

 
 

The WKVI listening area remains under a wind chill warning for the next few hours. The National Weather Service advises the warning is set to expire at noon EST, 11 a.m. CST today. Meanwhile, bitterly cold temperatures combined with winds of 10 to 15 miles per hour will cause wind chills between 15 and 25 below zero. Exposed skin can experience frostbite in a matter of minutes when it’s this cold, and hypothermia or even death are possible with prolonged exposure for those not properly dressed for the weather.

Today’s forecast calls for a significant warm up, although temperatures will remain well below freezing. Look for sunny skies and a high of 19 with a wind chill of five above zero. What a difference a year makes. Last year we set a record high of 59 degrees on this date.

 

Hanley “Warren” Chapman to be Sentenced in Starke Circuit Court

Hanley Warren Chapman
Hanley Warren Chapman
A North Judson man who prompted a call to the SWAT team in August will be sentenced in Starke Circuit Court this morning.

Hanley “Warren” Chapman was arrested in August on charges of Criminal Recklessness as a Class C Felony and Resisting Law Enforcement as a Class D Felony. Chapman’s stepson called police after Chapman reportedly fired three shots into the floor in his home in his brother-in-law’s presence. The Pulaski County SWAT Team was called to respond to the home and attempted to get him out of the home to no avail.

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Francesville House Fire Caused by Electrical Issue

 
 

An issue with an electrical panel is the cause of a Monday night fire at a Francesville home.

According to Tim Wuethrich, the fire began in the electric panel and traveled up to the second story of the home. Francesville and Medaryville firefighters were on the scene at 6055 S. County Road 1100 W. The Buffalo and Monon Fire Departments also provided manpower and water support while Pulaski County REACT was on scene to set up a warming station so no firefighters suffered from frostbite.

No injuries were reported.

LaPorte Woman Injured in Rollover Crash

Photo of the crash provided by the Indiana State Police.
Photo of the crash provided by the Indiana State Police.
A LaPorte woman was airlifted from the scene of a crash on I-94 in Porter County Tuesday morning.

Troopers from the Indiana State Police Department investigated the accident and in their preliminary findings, Jeremy Morgan, 33, of Michigan City lost control of his vehicle a mile-and-a-half east of the Portage exit. The vehicle rolled four times before coming to rest on its roof into a fence near a tree line.

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Toto Road Fire Under Investigation

 
 
An investigator with the Indiana State Fire Marshal’s office will be in the area on Thursday to determine the cause of a house fire on Toto Road near Fletcher’s Carpet.

According to Knox-Center Township Fire Chief Kenny Pfost, the firefighters extinguished the blaze after battling the fire for three hours at the scene Monday night. Firefighters were called back to the residence for a rekindle at 3:45 a.m. Tuesday. Heavy fire was coming from the home in both instances.

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Francesville Baby Has Cool Story to Tell in Later Years

Owen Lee Trusty
Owen Lee Trusty
It’s a story Owen Trusty can proudly tell when he gets older. Tawny Trusty, Owen’s mother, was set to be induced on Monday at a hospital in Lafayette, but the road conditions were not cooperating Sunday or Monday. Tawny told WKVI that she and her husband, Kevin, made every attempt to get to the hospital and even attempted to reschedule at one point.

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Knox City Council Approves Bonds for Toll Brothers

Knox City Council
Knox City Council

The Knox Economic Development Commission last night held a public hearing to discuss a proposed refunding of outstanding bonds of the city of Knox and the financing of economic development facilities for Toll Brothers. No members of the audience spoke out against the idea, and Starke County Economic Development Foundation Executive Director Charles Weaver was present to explain the benefits of their proposal.

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Coats Would Like to See Humility in State of the Union Address

U.S. Sen. Dan Coats
U.S. Sen. Dan Coats
President Barack Obama gave his State of the Union address last night to Congress, giving the administration’s view of the state of the nation and plans for legislation. Among the topics expected to be addressed during the speech are income inequality, immigration, the Affordable Care Act, and the situation in Afghanistan and Iraq, and Indiana Senator Dan Coats is hopeful that he will address the economic policy as well.

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Exercise Caution When Utilizing Alternate Heat Sources

 
 

The lack of propane has forced residents to use alternate heating sources which may lead to more problems if those sources are not used properly.

If you are using woodstoves or fireplaces, use only dry, seasoned wood to avoid the build-up of creosote. Creosote is an oily deposit that can easily catch fire. Avoid using a flammable liquid to start the fire. A sturdy screen should be placed in front of the fireplace to avoid sparks from flying into the room.

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Double-Check Your Winter Preparedness

 
 
With subfreezing temperatures forecast for at least the next week, now is the perfect time to double-check your winter weather preparedness. Sherry Fagner with the Pulaski County Health Department said a good checklist includes a food backup plan, plenty of stocked water, and a number of other items in case disaster strikes.

Fagner recommends having enough food for at least three days and enough water for several days as well in case the electricity goes out or your pipes freeze. She said the amount of water should be sufficient to be used for sanitation purposes and for cooking. For food, she said it’s important to not only have nutritious items, but to stash some comfort food as well to prevent getting stir-crazy.

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Bill Would “Dismantle” Energy Efficiency In Indiana

  
 
Proposed legislation being reviewed at the Statehouse could dismantle Indiana’s energy-efficiency programs. The Demand Side Management program relies on both large and small users of electricity, but Senate Bill 340 would allow the large industrial users to opt out. The measure was written by Republican state Senator James Merritt and passed out of the Senate Utilities Committee last week.

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Starke County Cancels Travel Warning and Emergency Delaration

 

Starke County Courthouse
Starke County Courthouse

Starke County’s travel warning and emergency declaration have been canceled. The county is now under a travel watch. This means essential travel, such as to and from work or in emergency situations is allowed. The Starke County Courthouse and Annex Building are still scheduled to open at 10 this morning. Pulaski and Marshall Counties are also under watches. Roads are still slippery, so allow yourself plenty of extra time to get to where you’re going. INDOT advises plow drivers are still fighting back against drifting on state roads in some of the rural areas around parts of Starke, Pulaski and Marshall Counties. Officials in Pulaski County advise highways have patches of ice, and county roads are slick and snow covered. If you do venture out, allow plenty of time to reach your destination. Roads are still slick under the snow, and salt is not effective to melt ice when temperatures are this cold.