Historical Society Buys Knox Family Practice Building

Published: December 23, 2014

By: Mary Perren, WKVI

Dr. and Mrs. Walter Fritz transferred ownership of the former Knox Family Practice building and parking lot at 1520 South Heaton Street in Knox to the Starke County Historical Society  yesterday in a signing ceremony at the 1st Source Bank in Plymouth.

The property is to be developed as additional display and storage space for the Starke County Museum now located at 401 South Main Street in Knox. The Main Street building, the home of former Indiana Governor Henry F. Schricker, will continue to be a major area attraction.

Witnessing the transfer, in addition to president Ron Vendl, were James Shilling, vice president; Peg Brettin, treasurer; Debbie Mix, secretary; Ed Hasnerl, Starke County Historian; Judy Caudill, 1st Source Bank, Knox; and Melba Shilling, former society treasurer.

The Society will be engaging in a Capital Funds Campaign to finance the original cost of the Fritz building and for remodeling expenses, with plans to be using the facilities sometime next year.

INDOT Offers Holiday Travel Tips

Published: December 23, 2014
By: Jacque Ryan, WKVI

Many people are traveling this time of year so the roads can be quite hectic. Be sure to buckle up before taking off for a drive. Also ensure that all passengers are secured in their safety belts or car seats.

Drive attentively by avoiding these three common distractions; cell phones, adjusting the radio and eating or drinking. To avoid falling asleep at the wheel, be well rested before a long drive. Be a conscientious driver and share the road. Be on the lookout for motorcyclists, bicyclists and pedestrians.

Never drive impaired! Even the slightest amount of alcohol can negatively affect a driver’s response time. Always establish a designated driver. If there are no sober motorists, don’t hesitate to call a cab or spend the night at the location. Don’t risk your life or the lives of others by driving under the influence.

Road conditions can be incredibly unpredictable during the winter months so slow down, pay attention and obey the speed limits posted.

Toys You Don’t Want to See Under the Christmas Tree

Published: December 22, 2014

By: Jacque Ryan, WKVI

Each year the Public Interest Research Group releases a Trouble in Toyland report, disclosing which toys are unfit to be sold. This year more than 150 toys were either recalled or taken off of store shelves as a result of the report. The four main threats uncovered were toxic hazards in toys, choking hazards, magnetic toys and excessively noisy toys. The toxic chemicals found in the toys include lead, chromium and phthalates.

One item, a Dora the Explorer back pack was found to have 20 percent phthalates which is well over the legal limit of .1 percent. Other toxic toys included a police badge play-set that contained lead, a toy tambourine containing chromium levels exceeding 500 ppm above the legal limit and several toys that ran the risk of being choking hazards.

This report highlights the importance of parental awareness. Consumers need to be proactive and research a product before making a purchase.

N.J.-S.P. Academic Team Recognized

Published: December 20, 2014
By: Mitch Columbe, WKVI

The North Judson-San Pierre Academic Team was given the Blue Jay Way award at the school board meeting this week for winning the annual spell bowl competition last month. The school hosted the elementary competition for 11 schools in five different classes competing against each other. North Judson-San Pierre emerged victorious from the field of five schools in the orange class receiving the highest score ever achieved in school history. A score of 47 placed them 23rd in the entire state.

Several students participated on the team including, Camden Lidgard, Jackson Falbo, Ashtyn Gaskey, Savanah Mendoza, Chloe White, Ana Rico, Emily Jackson, Hana Finch, Lauren Powers, Owen Frasure, Delaney McDonald, Liam Combs, Emily Gundlach, David Rossa, Elijah Minix and Kennedy Baxter.

Renovations on Track for New North Judson Town Offices

Published: December 18, 2014
By: Mitch Columbe, WKVI

The North Judson Town Council received an update on the new location of the town offices this week. The First Farmers Bank and Trust building on Lane Street was donated to the town back in August where it has been under reconstruction. The building will house the water department, clerk treasurer’s office and serve as meeting space for the town council. North Judson Clerk-Treasurer Donna Henry says the interior work is almost complete which is phase 1 of what needs renovated. She says they will hopefully be moved in within the first quarter of 2015.

In the meantime, town council meetings will be moved from the community center to the basement of the North Judson-Wayne Township Public Library. Henry says the council will meet there until the new location is ready because heating is more adequate during this time of year. A special meeting for the council to finalize the year is scheduled for Tuesday, Dec. 30 at 8 a.m. CST.

The town also received the fall distribution of property taxes totaling $167,965.68. Henry says the money received is to help pay bills throughout the year.

Starke County Commissioners Award Bridge Design Bids

Published: December 18, 2014
By: Mary Perren, WKVI

The Starke County Commissioners Monday chose a South Bend-based engineering firm for design work on two bridges slated for construction in the summer of 2015. Jones Petrie Rafinski submitted the lowest price of the four requests for proposals, coming in at $61,000. Highway Superintendent Rik Ritzler says they’ve designed several bridges for the county and will be able to realize additional cost savings by continuing that work. The company is now tasked with drawing up plans for a new bridge on 700 North over the Robbins Ditch and on 100 East over the Smith Ditch.

The replacements are part of the county’s ongoing bridge replacement and maintenance plan. In 2001, 54 percent of Starke County’s bridges were deficient according to state standards. That number dropped to 32-percent in 2012 and is currently at the state average of 22.5 percent. Ritzler says it will drop to 14 percent once the bridges on the summer replacement schedule are completed. His goal by 2019 is to have all of the county’s bridges in compliance with state standards through a replacement and maintenance program.

SCEDF Looks to Improve Communication with Public

Published: December 17, 2014
By: Anita Goodan, WKVI

The Starke County Economic Development Foundation (SCEDF) Board of Directors met recently to discuss the past, present and future of the organization.

One concern that the board members felt that needed improvement was communication with the public. SCEDF Executive Director Charlie Weaver stated that what they are doing is not secretive and work done by the organization could be more transparent.

There is a lot of work to be done to bring a new business to Starke County. While preliminary planning and ongoing negotiations cannot be announced publicly, the final plans are typically announced.

Work continues at the Knox Industrial Park to make transporting product in and out of the area easier for truck drivers and to quicken the process. At a recent Knox City Council meeting, Weaver discussed construction of a new shell building in the industrial park to attract business owners who are simply looking for empty facilities to start manufacturing product. Weaver mentioned that new construction is a longer process where a shell building could provide a place to start rather quickly.

Visitation Restrictions in Place at Local Hospitals

Published: December 17, 2014
By: Anita Goodan, WKVI

Visitor restrictions are now in place at IU Health Starke Hospital and at IU Health LaPorte Hospital to help prevent the spread of the flu.

An increasing number of flu cases have been reported in the entire state and the policy is in place at many IU-based hospitals statewide.

IU Health Starke and LaPorte hospitals are allowing healthy adults aged 18 and older to visit patients in the hospital. Only two people may visit with a patient at a time. Parents are urged to refrain from bringing children to the hospital as visitors this flu season.

If you are going into the hospital for treatment and have the flu or cold-like symptoms, it is encouraged that you wear a protective mask provided at hospital entrances.

This temporary policy went into place on Monday, Dec. 15 and remains in effect until further notice.

To prevent the flu, wash your hands frequently, cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue and stay home if you are sick.

12/16/2014 North Judson-San Pierre School Board Meets Tonight

Published: December 16, 2014
By: Mitch Columbe, WKVI

The North Judson-San Pierre School Board will vote on bids for the approval of tax anticipation warrants tonight. This is done every year to get the school through the end of December in terms of finances. The board will decide on the lowest interest loan bid acquired to help funds in capital projects and transportation.

Resolutions for authorization of the treasurer to pay claims and make transfers are also discussion items on the agenda this evening. Tonight’s meeting starts at 7 p.m. CST in the administration office.

Old Fire House in North Judson May Be Demolished

Published: December 15, 2014
By: Mitch Columbe, WKVI

The North Judson Town Council is considering options for the former fire station located at the corner of Main Street and Keller Avenue. The 1950s-era building is currently used as a community center. Town Clerk-Treasurer Donna Henry tells WKVI News it needs numerous, costly repairs. A new roof alone carries an estimated price tag of $40,000. Henry says one of the options could be to demolish the building and turn the space into a green area. She adds grant funds may be available from the Office of Community and Rural Affairs to cover that cost. Henry stresses no final decisions have been made about what to do with the building. The North Judson Town Council meets there this evening at 7 p.m.