Posted on August 3, 2018
Author Jacque Ryan, WKVI
An inspirational Knox student who impacted the lives of countless people before his sudden passing in October of 2011 continues to make a major impact posthumously.
Community members have the chance to collectively commemorate Drew Shearin and contribute to the cause created in his honor this Saturday at the 7th annual “Drew’s Gift of Music” event.
The charitable organization “Drew’s Gift” has been instrumental in providing band students throughout Indiana with the equipment they need to pursue their musical passions.
At 17, Drew had already mastered multiple instruments, served as drum major for the Knox Redskin Brigade and reached the status of an award-winning composer, just to name a few accomplishments. His love for music and memory lives on through the Drew’s Gift initiative.
Tomorrow’s event will be held at the VFW Post 748 in Knox. The day will start with registration for the motorcycle ride at 11 a.m. CDT. The ride costs $20 for a single rider and $30 to ride with a passenger. Riders will take off around noon and will return to the VFW around 4 p.m., just in time for the dinner.
Tickets for the event cost $10 and that gives you access to the pulled-pork dinner, the silent and live auctions and the entertainment. The Knox Jug Band will be providing live music from 4 until 5 p.m. and the live auction will begin at 5 p.m.
In addition to monetary donations, individuals can bring in band instruments to contribute to the cause. If you bring an instrument, you get into the event free of charge.
Drew’s mother Deb Johnson noted that Drew’s Gift helps bring instruments to approximately 25 schools throughout the state. She said the ultimate goal is to partner with each and every one of them to assist aspiring student musicians who may not be able to afford an instrument on their own.
Students looking to benefit from the program can speak to their band director who will know how to get in touch with the organization. If a school isn’t currently partnering with Drew’s Gift, band directors can email drewshearinmusic@gmail.com to learn how to get involved.
More information about the program as well as personal music, pictures and videos can be found on the Drew’s Gift of Music Facebook page or at DrewShearinMusic.com.
Friday, August 3, 2018
Maps for North Judson Town-Wide Yard Sale Now Available
Posted on August 3, 2018
Author Jacque Ryan, WKVI
The maps for Saturday’s town-wide yard sale in North Judson are printed and ready to be picked up.
Town Billing Clerk Jennifer Vanek said approximately 500 maps will be available. They can be picked up from North Judson Town Hall, located at 310 Lane Street, as well as multiple local businesses including Family Express, Good-to-Go, Heartland Market Grocery Store and NAPA.
Vanek said the maps will also be posted on the front and back doors of Town Hall so individuals can snap a picture on their phone. The maps will include different spots around town where individuals will have sales set up, as well as some “hot-ticket” items that will be at each residence.
The town-wide yard sale will be held tomorrow from 8 a.m. until 3 p.m. If you have any questions, contact North Judson Town Hall at 574-896-3340.
Author Jacque Ryan, WKVI
The maps for Saturday’s town-wide yard sale in North Judson are printed and ready to be picked up.
Town Billing Clerk Jennifer Vanek said approximately 500 maps will be available. They can be picked up from North Judson Town Hall, located at 310 Lane Street, as well as multiple local businesses including Family Express, Good-to-Go, Heartland Market Grocery Store and NAPA.
Vanek said the maps will also be posted on the front and back doors of Town Hall so individuals can snap a picture on their phone. The maps will include different spots around town where individuals will have sales set up, as well as some “hot-ticket” items that will be at each residence.
The town-wide yard sale will be held tomorrow from 8 a.m. until 3 p.m. If you have any questions, contact North Judson Town Hall at 574-896-3340.
Thursday, August 2, 2018
Secretary for Career Connections and Talent Outlines Efforts to Address Workforce Needs
Posted on August 2, 2018
Author Michael Gallenberger, WKVI
How to fill the thousands of job vacancies that currently exist in Indiana while preparing Hoosiers for the jobs of tomorrow is the goal of Indiana’s secretary for career connections and talent. Secretary Blair Milo discussed some of her department’s objectives during a visit to Knox Wednesday. “When we think about career connections, I look at that as some of the challenge in the current landscape around us,” she explained. “We see across the State of Indiana that there are around 85,000 or so postings of jobs, where employers are seeking people to be able to fill those positions.”
She highlighted figures from the Indiana Economic Development Corporation showing significant job growth last year. “We had a record year for the number of new job commitments that were created of either new businesses coming to Indiana or growth in our existing businesses here of over 30,000 new job positions that are coming forward,” Milo said, “with increasingly higher average wages of $27.20 an hour, an investment of over $7 billion. So all very exciting to see those kinds of numbers.” And she says the state appears to be on track to surpass those numbers this year.
She adds the talent portion of her job means looking beyond today’s demands and giving students the skills they need for the workforce of the future. The challenge is that the jobs they’ll end up getting may not even exist yet. “So how do we then ensure that that experience all along the way is going to develop the kinds of skills that, regardless of where the technology may take us or where a global marketplace or some of the demographic trends may influence it, that they are connected up with some of the critical thinking skills, problem-solving, communication, emotional intelligence-type things, that can’t be replicated by a machine or be influenced by any of these other factors?” Milo asked.
While more and more work is being done by machines, Milo stresses that more jobs are coming for humans, as well, “But they’re just different than how we’ve understood them previously. So that, then, changes our insight into how do we ensure that not only the students who are coming into the workforce are aware of what these even are, but then for the adults who are in the workforce already.”
Milo said that a good way to address those issues is through work-based learning, including those opportunities that let people earn a paycheck while learning new skills. She also pointed to the state’s new Graduation Pathways. They require high school students to complete a project-, service-, or work-based learning experience, along with at least one “postsecondary-ready” competency, such as a dual credit course, industry certification, or passing the SAT or ACT.
Milo noted that an estimated 60 percent of jobs will require some type of post-secondary credential by 2025.
Author Michael Gallenberger, WKVI
How to fill the thousands of job vacancies that currently exist in Indiana while preparing Hoosiers for the jobs of tomorrow is the goal of Indiana’s secretary for career connections and talent. Secretary Blair Milo discussed some of her department’s objectives during a visit to Knox Wednesday. “When we think about career connections, I look at that as some of the challenge in the current landscape around us,” she explained. “We see across the State of Indiana that there are around 85,000 or so postings of jobs, where employers are seeking people to be able to fill those positions.”
She highlighted figures from the Indiana Economic Development Corporation showing significant job growth last year. “We had a record year for the number of new job commitments that were created of either new businesses coming to Indiana or growth in our existing businesses here of over 30,000 new job positions that are coming forward,” Milo said, “with increasingly higher average wages of $27.20 an hour, an investment of over $7 billion. So all very exciting to see those kinds of numbers.” And she says the state appears to be on track to surpass those numbers this year.
She adds the talent portion of her job means looking beyond today’s demands and giving students the skills they need for the workforce of the future. The challenge is that the jobs they’ll end up getting may not even exist yet. “So how do we then ensure that that experience all along the way is going to develop the kinds of skills that, regardless of where the technology may take us or where a global marketplace or some of the demographic trends may influence it, that they are connected up with some of the critical thinking skills, problem-solving, communication, emotional intelligence-type things, that can’t be replicated by a machine or be influenced by any of these other factors?” Milo asked.
While more and more work is being done by machines, Milo stresses that more jobs are coming for humans, as well, “But they’re just different than how we’ve understood them previously. So that, then, changes our insight into how do we ensure that not only the students who are coming into the workforce are aware of what these even are, but then for the adults who are in the workforce already.”
Milo said that a good way to address those issues is through work-based learning, including those opportunities that let people earn a paycheck while learning new skills. She also pointed to the state’s new Graduation Pathways. They require high school students to complete a project-, service-, or work-based learning experience, along with at least one “postsecondary-ready” competency, such as a dual credit course, industry certification, or passing the SAT or ACT.
Milo noted that an estimated 60 percent of jobs will require some type of post-secondary credential by 2025.
Town Convention Not Needed for North Judson Town Council Seats
Posted on August 2, 2018
Author Anita Goodan, WKVI
August 1 at noon was the deadline to file as a candidate for two at-large seats on the North Judson Town Council.
According to the Starke County Voter Registration Clerk, three people have filed who include Republicans Scott Pajor and Josh Brown and Democrat John Rowe. In order for a town convention to be held, more than two candidates per political party would have to file for the positions. As it stands, the seats will be determined by North Judson voters on the November General Election ballot.
Author Anita Goodan, WKVI
August 1 at noon was the deadline to file as a candidate for two at-large seats on the North Judson Town Council.
According to the Starke County Voter Registration Clerk, three people have filed who include Republicans Scott Pajor and Josh Brown and Democrat John Rowe. In order for a town convention to be held, more than two candidates per political party would have to file for the positions. As it stands, the seats will be determined by North Judson voters on the November General Election ballot.
Starke County Sheriff Looks to Add Re-Entry Facility in the Near Future
Posted on August 2, 2018
Author Anita Goodan, WKVI
The officials at the Starke County Justice Center are delivering skills and resources to the inmates in order to provide them with necessary information in order to re-enter society as productive citizens, but Sheriff Bill Dulin wants to take things a step further.
The sheriff wants to be able to provide that next step for those inmates in order to give them a better chance at being successful in re-entering the community.
He said he’s in the early discussion stages of building another facility on the justice center property.
“We could have a building here on the grounds of the Justice Center. We own 23 acres and we could have a 100-125 bed facility for a re-entry program and a work release center,” explained Dulin.
Dulin said the inmates that would utilize the facility would be approved by the sentencing judge upon their successful graduation from the Therapeutic Community rehabilitation program and the IOP.
“That would be locked-down, secure facility and they would be there for 90 days. They would go to work and we would supervise them, give them drug screens, and get their IDs and affairs in order so they could go back out in society and be a productive citizen rather than going back to the environment where they were.”
He mentioned that this opportunity would be a “game-changer”.
“Hopefully when they get out of here they can already have a job established. Right now we are giving them certain tools to achieve that goal but once we let them out, how are they going to get a job? How are they going to get their ID? How are they going to get transportation to different jobs? Hopefully this can eliminate that until they can get on their feet.”
No official decisions have been made. Sheriff Dulin hopes to talk to the county commissioners and county council about funding this proposal soon and obtain some grant funding to get the facility running in the next year or so.
Author Anita Goodan, WKVI
The officials at the Starke County Justice Center are delivering skills and resources to the inmates in order to provide them with necessary information in order to re-enter society as productive citizens, but Sheriff Bill Dulin wants to take things a step further.
The sheriff wants to be able to provide that next step for those inmates in order to give them a better chance at being successful in re-entering the community.
He said he’s in the early discussion stages of building another facility on the justice center property.
“We could have a building here on the grounds of the Justice Center. We own 23 acres and we could have a 100-125 bed facility for a re-entry program and a work release center,” explained Dulin.
Dulin said the inmates that would utilize the facility would be approved by the sentencing judge upon their successful graduation from the Therapeutic Community rehabilitation program and the IOP.
“That would be locked-down, secure facility and they would be there for 90 days. They would go to work and we would supervise them, give them drug screens, and get their IDs and affairs in order so they could go back out in society and be a productive citizen rather than going back to the environment where they were.”
He mentioned that this opportunity would be a “game-changer”.
“Hopefully when they get out of here they can already have a job established. Right now we are giving them certain tools to achieve that goal but once we let them out, how are they going to get a job? How are they going to get their ID? How are they going to get transportation to different jobs? Hopefully this can eliminate that until they can get on their feet.”
No official decisions have been made. Sheriff Dulin hopes to talk to the county commissioners and county council about funding this proposal soon and obtain some grant funding to get the facility running in the next year or so.
Starke County Council and Commissioners to begin Budget Discussions on Monday
Posted on August 2, 2018
Author Anita Goodan, WKVI
The Starke County Council and Commission members will begin budget discussions on Monday, Aug. 6.
The government leaders will be meeting with department heads beginning at 8 a.m. in the meeting room in the Starke County Annex Building No. 1. The officials will discuss needs for each department and how budgets can stay status quo for 2019.
Any potential increases will be reviewed for further consideration.
Starke County Highway Superintendent Rik Ritzler recently presented a preliminary look at the highway department’s budget to the county council. Less gas tax money will assist with road projects in 2019. Ritzler said about $370,000 less will come to the county in 2019.
Ritzler noted that the county’s asset management plan has allowed the department to move some projects around to accommodate this loss in funding. He stressed that local services will NOT be cut.
Starke County Commissioner Kathy Norem told WKVI News that they don’t have any capital projects outlined yet. She said they typically prioritize projects at the beginning of the year.
Author Anita Goodan, WKVI
The Starke County Council and Commission members will begin budget discussions on Monday, Aug. 6.
The government leaders will be meeting with department heads beginning at 8 a.m. in the meeting room in the Starke County Annex Building No. 1. The officials will discuss needs for each department and how budgets can stay status quo for 2019.
Any potential increases will be reviewed for further consideration.
Starke County Highway Superintendent Rik Ritzler recently presented a preliminary look at the highway department’s budget to the county council. Less gas tax money will assist with road projects in 2019. Ritzler said about $370,000 less will come to the county in 2019.
Ritzler noted that the county’s asset management plan has allowed the department to move some projects around to accommodate this loss in funding. He stressed that local services will NOT be cut.
Starke County Commissioner Kathy Norem told WKVI News that they don’t have any capital projects outlined yet. She said they typically prioritize projects at the beginning of the year.
$300,000 in State Funding Distributed to Indiana Food Banks
Posted on August 2, 2018
Author Michael Gallenberger, WKVI
Indiana’s food banks were recently given $300,000 from the Indiana State Department of Agriculture. Locally, the Food Bank of Northern Indiana, which serves Marshall, Starke, and four other counties, was given just over $36,000. Food Finders Food Bank, whose 16-county territory includes Pulaski and Fulton counties, has gotten nearly $29,000.
The funding is part of the state budget approved by the Indiana General Assembly last year. The Emergency Food Assistance Program fair share percentage, which is based on each county’s poverty and unemployment levels, was used to divide that money among the state’s 11 regional food banks, according to a State Department of Agriculture press release.
One in seven Indiana residents is food insecure, and more than 280,000 Hoosier children don’t know where their next meal is coming from, according to the state’s food bank association, known as Feeding Indiana’s Hungry. The group’s executive director, Emily Weikert Bryant says food banks get most of their food donated from retail establishments and food producers, but the state funding helps them buy milk, produce, and other high-demand items.
Lieutenant Governor Suzanne Crouch, who also serves as the state’s secretary of agriculture and rural development, said in the press release that food banks across Indiana “are doing truly extraordinary things” for those who need help feeding their families.
Author Michael Gallenberger, WKVI
Indiana’s food banks were recently given $300,000 from the Indiana State Department of Agriculture. Locally, the Food Bank of Northern Indiana, which serves Marshall, Starke, and four other counties, was given just over $36,000. Food Finders Food Bank, whose 16-county territory includes Pulaski and Fulton counties, has gotten nearly $29,000.
The funding is part of the state budget approved by the Indiana General Assembly last year. The Emergency Food Assistance Program fair share percentage, which is based on each county’s poverty and unemployment levels, was used to divide that money among the state’s 11 regional food banks, according to a State Department of Agriculture press release.
One in seven Indiana residents is food insecure, and more than 280,000 Hoosier children don’t know where their next meal is coming from, according to the state’s food bank association, known as Feeding Indiana’s Hungry. The group’s executive director, Emily Weikert Bryant says food banks get most of their food donated from retail establishments and food producers, but the state funding helps them buy milk, produce, and other high-demand items.
Lieutenant Governor Suzanne Crouch, who also serves as the state’s secretary of agriculture and rural development, said in the press release that food banks across Indiana “are doing truly extraordinary things” for those who need help feeding their families.
Wednesday, August 1, 2018
U.S. 35 Road Construction to Begin this Month
Posted on August 1, 2018
Author Anita Goodan, WKVI
Some work is being done along U.S. 35 in Knox ahead of a paving project.
According to Northwest District INDOT Media Relations Director Adam Parkhouse, curb replacement at a few intersections will take place ahead of the resurfacing of U.S. 35 within the Knox jurisdiction. The paving portion is expected to begin in Mid-August and last two months.
Walsh and Kelly will be completing the paving work as well as the installation of ADA compliant curbs and ramps along U.S. 35 in Knox from Carlson Drive to Water Street. Lane closures are expected with flaggers directing traffic.
Author Anita Goodan, WKVI
Some work is being done along U.S. 35 in Knox ahead of a paving project.
According to Northwest District INDOT Media Relations Director Adam Parkhouse, curb replacement at a few intersections will take place ahead of the resurfacing of U.S. 35 within the Knox jurisdiction. The paving portion is expected to begin in Mid-August and last two months.
Walsh and Kelly will be completing the paving work as well as the installation of ADA compliant curbs and ramps along U.S. 35 in Knox from Carlson Drive to Water Street. Lane closures are expected with flaggers directing traffic.
Safety is a Priority as Children go Back to School
Posted on August 1, 2018
Author Anita Goodan, WKVI
It’s the time of the year when school buses will be filling the roadways transporting students to school on their first day back to classes for the new school year.
State law requires motorists to stop when a school bus is picking up or dropping off children. Watch for buses with the stop arm extended and red lights flashing. When this occurs, drivers are required to stop. A person who disregards a school bus stop arm commits a Class A Infraction and could receive a maximum fine of $10,000.
If a roadway is divided by a physical barrier or an unimproved median, vehicles that are traveling in the same direction as the school bus need to stop. Vehicles traveling in the opposite direction do not need to stop if a school bus driver has activated the stop arm and red flashing lights.
Drivers should be aware of increased pedestrian traffic around bus stops and schools. Watch for children as they bike or walk to school.
Author Anita Goodan, WKVI
It’s the time of the year when school buses will be filling the roadways transporting students to school on their first day back to classes for the new school year.
State law requires motorists to stop when a school bus is picking up or dropping off children. Watch for buses with the stop arm extended and red lights flashing. When this occurs, drivers are required to stop. A person who disregards a school bus stop arm commits a Class A Infraction and could receive a maximum fine of $10,000.
If a roadway is divided by a physical barrier or an unimproved median, vehicles that are traveling in the same direction as the school bus need to stop. Vehicles traveling in the opposite direction do not need to stop if a school bus driver has activated the stop arm and red flashing lights.
Drivers should be aware of increased pedestrian traffic around bus stops and schools. Watch for children as they bike or walk to school.
2019 Starke County Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship Applications Now Available
Posted on August 1, 2018
Author Jacque Ryan, WKVI
Senior students who may be stressing out about how to pay for college will be happy to learn that applications are now available for the Starke County Community Foundation’s Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship.
Community Foundation officials say that in order to be eligible for this 4-year full-tuition scholarship, applicants have to currently reside in Starke County. They also need to be a high school senior on track to graduate with a diploma from an accredited Indiana high school by the end of June 2019.
In addition to those requirements, the recipient of the scholarship must intend to enroll as a full-time student in the fall of 2019 and pursue a bachelor’s degree at any accredited public or private Indiana college or University.
Officials report that several different factors are taken into account while applicants are being assessed including academic performance, service in the community, work and school and review of application essays. The personal interviews that the selection committee conducts with finalists also play a big role in the ultimate decision.
The deadline to submit an application is Tuesday, September 4 at 2 p.m. CST. The 2019 Starke County Lilly Endowment Community Scholar will be named in early December.
Applications can be found online at nicf.org. Students can get more information from their guidance counselor or by calling the Northern Indiana Community Foundation office at 574-223-2227.
Author Jacque Ryan, WKVI
Senior students who may be stressing out about how to pay for college will be happy to learn that applications are now available for the Starke County Community Foundation’s Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship.
Community Foundation officials say that in order to be eligible for this 4-year full-tuition scholarship, applicants have to currently reside in Starke County. They also need to be a high school senior on track to graduate with a diploma from an accredited Indiana high school by the end of June 2019.
In addition to those requirements, the recipient of the scholarship must intend to enroll as a full-time student in the fall of 2019 and pursue a bachelor’s degree at any accredited public or private Indiana college or University.
Officials report that several different factors are taken into account while applicants are being assessed including academic performance, service in the community, work and school and review of application essays. The personal interviews that the selection committee conducts with finalists also play a big role in the ultimate decision.
The deadline to submit an application is Tuesday, September 4 at 2 p.m. CST. The 2019 Starke County Lilly Endowment Community Scholar will be named in early December.
Applications can be found online at nicf.org. Students can get more information from their guidance counselor or by calling the Northern Indiana Community Foundation office at 574-223-2227.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)