Bill Offers A New Approach to Helping Hoosiers Age in Their Homes

  
 
A new bill at the legislature is aimed to helping aging Hoosiers maintain an independent lifestyle in their homes for as long as possible. The bill, authored by Rep. Ed Clere, would implement a new model of care coordination for older residents under the CHOICE program.

It’s based on the Community Living Program, which Clere says takes a closer look at each person’s situation and resources that might already be available to fill in the gaps.

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Verdicts Returned in Starke Circuit Court Trial

 
 
A jury has returned with verdicts in a trial in Starke Circuit Court involved defendant Gregory Schweisthal.

Schweisthal was found not guilty on a charge of Rape and not guilty on a charge of Strangulation. He was found guilty on charges of Invasion of Privacy (two counts), and Domestic Battery. He pleaded guilty to counts 2A and 3A which were enhancement charges under the Invasion of Privacy counts due to a prior conviction in Knox City Court.

Gregory Schweisthal will be sentenced in Starke Circuit Court on Monday, Feb. 17 at 1 p.m. CT.

Knox Park Board Gives OK for $5 Fee

Wythogan Park
Wythogan Park
The Knox Park Board has given the go-ahead for park officials to begin charging $5 per child to use the park’s fields for scheduled games or practices, once per season. The Knox City Council had previously discussed options to increase revenue for the park department, and Ray Stephenson with the park board told the council that they are considering charging a fee for children to use the fields for practices or games, and said a $5 charge per child would go a long way in funding some of the park’s maintenance.

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Knox Park Board Discusses Concession Use Fee

Wythogan Park
Wythogan Park
Continuing in their effort to generate more revenue for parks in the city of Knox, the park board this week discussed further the possibility of a “concession use fee,” which would be charged to those who wish to rent the concession area and its attached storage. Currently, the park charges a 15 percent commission fee based on the user’s gross income, and while that had been doing well for some time offsetting the increased electrical cost associated with baseball leagues in the park, the income from that fee has been dropping.

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Prayer Circle Planned for Knox Girl Fighting Cancer

Amber Howard and her children, Korie and Evan
Amber Howard and her children, Korie and Evan
The community is coming together to help lift up a local child in prayer as she continues to battle cancer.

According to Jackie Crittendon-Bradley, a giant prayer circle to embrace the life of 10-year-old Korie Howard of Knox will be held on Sunday, Feb. 2 at 4 p.m. CT at the Nancy J. Dembowski Community Center in Knox. The effort comes as Howard has been placed in Hospice care after suffering with cancer which has now moved into her lungs. Those attending are hoping the prayer circle brings a miracle to this little girl.

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Pulaski Commissioners Approve Purchases for Recycling Center

Pulaski County Commissioners Larry Brady, Vice President Terry Young, and President Tracey Shorter
Pulaski County Commissioners Larry Brady, Vice President Terry Young, and President Tracey Shorter
The Pulaski County Commissioners this week approved the purchase of five self-dumping hoppers for the recycling center at the request of Ed Clark, recycling center director. He told the commissioners that the purchase could come out of his equipment fund, and the hoppers won’t rust, weigh very little, and would increase their productivity.

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Marshall County Museum Hunting for Memorabilia

  
 
The Marshall County Museum is developing an open house and exhibit to debut in March, telling the story of how the rich history and vast influence of transportation helped shape the development of Marshall County. To aid in that, the museum is on the hunt for historic pictures and memorabilia from local gas stations, drive-ins, watering holes or any automotive-related business or industry in Marshall County from any era.

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Plans Under Way for 2014 Starke County Relay for Life

Ericka Taylor-Joseph
Ericka Taylor-Joseph

Starke County Relay for Life organizers have set Saturday, June 21 as the date for this year’s annual American Cancer Society fundraiser. Chair Ericka Taylor-Joseph says this year’s theme is “Holidays of Hope.”

“We’re going to celebrate every holiday that we can with a different activity, so it’s a little bit different than we’ve had in the past. We’re going to have an Easter egg hunt, trick-or-treating for Halloween, and those types of things. We’re pretty excited that we’ll have a lot of family-friendly activities,” said Taylor-Joseph.

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Knowledge Gap Still Exists Regarding Affordable Care Act

 
 

The open enrollment period for the Affordable Care Act has just more than two months remaining, and community organizers are saying the biggest obstacle for consumers is not the Healthcare.gov website but a lack of awareness about financial assistance.

Erin Knott, Michigan director for Enroll America, said many Hoosiers are well aware that “Care” is available under the ACA, but the “Affordable” part takes some convincing.

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Wind Chill Advisory Remains In Effect, More Snow on the Way

 
 

In addition to the bitterly cold temperatures, we’re also in for more snow this weekend. A wind chill advisory is in effect for the WKVI listening area through midday, and a winter weather advisory has been issued through Saturday afternoon. Wind chills of between 15 and 25 below will continue this morning, according to the National Weather Service. On top of that, southwest winds will cause snow to blow and drift. More snow is possible across the area later today into the evening hours. It’s expected to taper off Saturday morning, but areas to our north could get additional lake effect snow. The combination of snow and strong winds will create hazardous travel conditions. Motorists should prepare for snow-covered roads and limited visibilities, especially in open areas. If you do go out this morning, cover any exposed skin, as frostbite and hypothermia can occur quickly when it is this cold. Several schools have either canceled classes today or are operating on two-hour delays. That list is posted on our closings and delays page: http://www.wkvi.com/closings-and-delays/

Snow, White-Out Conditions to Blame for Three-Fatality Interstate Wreck

State police say three people were killed and 20 were injured in this 40 vehicle pile-up near Michigan City Thursday afternoon.
State police say three people were killed and 20 were injured in this 40 vehicle pile-up near Michigan City Thursday afternoon.

State troopers say snow and white-out conditions are to blame for the multiple-vehicle pile-up on I-94 eastbound near Michigan City that killed a 65-year-old Marilyn Wolma and 67-year-old Thomas Wolma of Grand Rapids, Mich. and 65-year-old Jerry Dalrymple of Chicago. All three died of blunt-force trauma, according to the LaPorte County Coroner. One person with life-threatening injuries was flown from the scene by medical helicopter. A state police spokeswoman says the accident investigation will take weeks to complete. More than 40 vehicles were involved.

Pulaski Commissioners Approve Revolving Loan for Reception Center

Pulaski County Commissioners Larry Brady, Vice President Terry Young, and President Tracey Shorter
Pulaski County Commissioners Larry Brady, Vice President Terry Young, and President Tracey Shorter
Pulaski County continues to smile upon fledgling businesses, as a family hoping to construct a banquet hall and reception center in the county have been granted a revolving loan on top of the rezoning approval they received in December. Gary and Sandra Saltzman were approved to have three parcels located at 8631 S. U.S. 421 in Francesville rezoned from A-1 to C-2 to allow them to open the banquet hall and reception center. Building Inspector Dave Dare said there are already buildings on the parcel that can be used for that purpose with only remodeling necessary.

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Fire Destroys Star City Home

 
 
A late Wednesday night fire destroyed a home in Star City.

According to Fire Chief Mark Fox, Star City firefighters were called to the home of Dennis and Lisa Day at 6874 S. 150 E. in Star City on a report of an attic fire. Star City firefighters were joined by Winamac, Buffalo Township, Royal Center and Kewanna fire departments to help extinguish the fire. Crews were on the scene for three-and-a-half hours.

Fox said the fire was caused by an electrical issue. Both occupants were home at the time of the fire and smoke alarms alerted them to the danger of fire so they were able to exit the home safely.

No injuries were reported.