Pre-application packets were mailed to elderly, disabled and at-risk households in September that were approved in last year’s program. Packets are to be returned with the necessary paperwork to complete the application process. If you are scheduled for disconnection or services have already been disconnected, call and schedule an appointment for assistance.
Suzanne Crider from the Starke County Humane Society says the first order of safety is to keep pets out of candy.
“We have that issue right now with our office cat, Niko,” said Crider. “If we leave the candy out on the front desk, he’s in it right away! Candy is not good for your pets.”
The Country Music and Bluegrass Jam is set for Friday, Nov. 1 at 6 p.m. CT at the Nancy J. Dembowski Community Center in Knox. If you think you have the musical talent it takes to get the toes tapping in Starke County, you are welcome to show up with your band and show everyone what you’ve got.
The Starke County Building Corporation recently received its long-term bond rating, and according to commissioner Kathy Norem, the county is very pleased with the result. Standard & Poor’s Rating Services has assigned its “A+” long-term rating and stable outlook to the Building Corporation’s property tax economic development income tax lease rental bonds for the county jail bond rate.
A woman and her pet were saved by police after being trapped inside a burning home late Sunday night.
LaPorte County emergency first responder agencies were called to 1106 Pennsylvania Ave. after receiving word that a woman was trapped inside the home, along with a pet, and was unable to get out of the home.
Three people were injured in a Sunday afternoon accident in Marshall County.
A vehicle driven by 27-year-old Robert Bristow of Allendale, Michigan was traveling north on U.S. 31 and as he approached the intersection with 5A Road, a vehicle driven by 72-year-old Martha Hall of Bremen pulled into the path of Bristow’s vehicle.
Pulaski County Emergency Management Agency Director Larry Hoover and Pulaski County Sheriff’s Department Chief Deputy Ron Patrick discussed military equipment at the commissioners’ recent meeting.
Hoover explained that the sheriff’s department and the EMA can use equipment no longer used by the military for various uses. Hoover talked with the commissioners about selling that equipment after a period of time.
Students from all over the county were present for the opportunity to look at the many displays put out by different manufacturers. This was a chance for the students to see what industry is available for them in the county and to ask questions about what each manufacturer specialized in and about potential employment.
A new office director has been appointed to the Indiana Department of Child Services, Pulaski County office.
Crystal Williams has been appointed to set goals and objectives for child welfare management, helping to ensure children are protected from abuse or neglect. She will oversee four staff members including three family case managers.
Mayor Rick Chambers said the event is sponsored by ABATE and a number of prizes will be offered.
“The event is being sponsored and put on by the group ABATE, and they will have some cash prizes that is sponsored by the city and they have some other prizes that had been donated by local businessmen, and they will do the categories like they normally do for the different age groups of children,” Chambers said.
The Food Bank of Northern Indiana will soon be traveling to several counties throughout the region, offering fresh perishable items and dry goods free of charge to residents. The Food Bank’s mobile food pantry team will be setting up tables at pre-scheduled locations, allowing people to take their pick of items that best meet their needs.
A former employee of a private ambulance transportation service has pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court to conspiracy to commit health care fraud. Kahley Vergon-Moyette, 28, of Monticello, is one of three Hoosier EMS employees accused of defrauding Medicare of more than $2 million. She was the general manager and operations manager of the Buffalo-based business. Court documents filed last November indicate the company submitted claims to Medicare between May of 2009 and May of 2012 for reimbursement of services that were never rendered. Hoosier EMS owner Roy Dunn and employee and former co-owner Anthony Bitterling, both of Winamac, are also charged with conspiracy to commit health care fraud. Their cases are pending in U.S. District Court. Vergon-Moyette is scheduled to be sentenced on Jan. 8, 2014.
Starke County’s next sheriff will earn an annual base salary of $87,500, which will be paid from the county general fund. State law requires the sheriff to earn at least 60-percent of the prosecuting attorney’s salary, which is set by statute. The new salary takes effect Jan. 1, 2015, which will be the first day of the new sheriff’s term. Incumbent Oscar Cowen can’t seek reelection due to term limits. In addition to the base salary, the new sheriff will also get money from tax warrants.
The North Judson Town Council has opted for a lease-purchase arrangement to build a new town garage. Clerk-Treasurer Donna Henry says they’re working with First Farmers Bank and Trust on the financing for the project. Town officials previously obtained the 50 necessary signatures in support of the project. The next step is to hold a public hearing. It’s scheduled Tuesday, Nov. 12 at 8 a.m. at the North Judson Community Center.
Knox Wastewater Superintendent Kelly Clemons explained to the Knox Board of Public Works last week that the staff has been handing out pamphlets explaining what can and can not be flushed into the sewer system.
The wastewater collection system can not handle some items and it does cause great wear and tear on the equipment. Clemons noted that disposable baby wipes, shop towels, sanitary and cleaning products, plus oil and grease are causing blockages in sewer lines and lift station pumps. These products can also cause blockages in pipes inside your home.
The recovering methamphetamine addict whose botched suicide attempt resulted in 30 surgeries will share his story about addiction, recovery and the dangers of methamphetamine with the community tomorrow evening. David Parnell was introduced to marijuana when he was 13 and says that led to experimentation with other drugs and alcohol. He tried methamphetamine for the first time when he was 21, and says his life continued to spiral downward. The father of seven spent 23 years addicted to drugs before shooting himself in the face with an assault rifle on Feb. 1, 2003 following a domestic dispute. Parnell survived and has since dedicated himself to speaking the truth about drugs in an attempt to save others from a similar fate. He spoke to students at several area schools as part of last week’s Red Ribbon Week activities. The Starke County Drug Free Council invites the entire community to come hear Parnell speak tomorrow night at 6 p.m. CDT at the Nancy J. Dembowski Community Center in downtown Knox.
