Hoosier schools can celebrate Earth Day by scheduling a presenter from the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) to visit with their students. They will talk about their careers and share lessons about air, land and water quality. The interactive presentations are between 30 and 50 minutes long and include interactive activities like building an edible landfill or “Environmental Jeopardy.” They will be scheduled on a first-come, first-served basis from April 6-17. Each school may request up to four presentations. Continue reading
State Parks Seeking Volunteer Campground Hosts
Enjoy free camping at Indiana state parks and reservoir properties in exchange for doing volunteer work. Hosts work a minimum of 20 hours per week and do tasks like cleaning fire rings and restrooms, painting signs, picking up trash and welcoming and assisting campers. Volunteer periods vary at sites based on the number of applicants and amount and type of work needed. Continue reading
State Revenue Sources Fall Short, Wagering Beats Estimates
The state of Indiana has gained a bit of revenue for January compared to the previous year, but fell short of revised estimates.
According to the monthly revenue report from the State Budget Agency, General Fund revenues were $1.3-billion in January. That’s 2.4-percentage points above revenue collected for the same period last year. Those figures are still below estimates for the 2015 fiscal year published in December.
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K9 Assisted Drug Investigation Leads to Two Arrests
A man and a woman face numerous drug charges after officers from the Hamlet Police Department and Starke County Sheriff’s Department reportedly found a one-pot meth lab and more inside their residence Wednesday afternoon. They were investigating a report of drug activity at the Hamlet Apartments at 205 South Main Street, according to officials with the Hamlet P.D. They say the residents agreed to a search of the apartment, and Starke County Sheriff’s Department K9 Terror indicated narcotics were present. The officers reportedly found a one-pot meth lab, methamphetamine, marijuana, heroin, drug precursors and paraphernalia. Continue reading
Prosecuting Attorneys Support Amendment to Meth Bill
There is support for an amendment to a bill that would help prosecutors attack the epidemic of methamphetamine labs and the dangers that meth production impose on residents.
The amendment to Senate Bill 536 sponsored by Senator Brent Steele targets meth production by making ephedrine and pseudoephedrine schedule IV controlled substances. The pills would only be available by a doctor’s prescription.
Hamlet Town Board Opts to Let County Handle Election
The Hamlet Town Board determined at its recent meeting to continue to have the County Election Board conduct its November Town election. The town pays a fee for the service.
The continuing snow fall is keeping Street Department busy. Street Superintendent Fred Rowe reported that as of February 11th it had plowed the town’s streets 8 times, racking up a total of 92 miles. There was also discussion of relieving standing water and ice build up on several streets. Continue reading
Various Assistance Options Available for NIPSCO Customers
NIPSCO customers who are struggling to pay their utility bills are urged to contact the company’s 24-hour Customer Care Center to explore their options. They include state and federal payment assistance as well as resources available from local community action agencies. All three are based on income. Continue reading
Walkerton Woman Faces Trafficking With an Inmate Charge
A Walkerton woman who was arrested during a meth lab investigation in Hamlet faces additional charges after staff at the Starke County Jail allegedly found drugs during the booking process. Continue reading
Bill Signing Scheduled Today for Walorski-Sponsored Legislation
U.S. Rep. Jackie Walorski will attend a signing ceremony at the White House today for a bill she cosponsored. The Clay Hunt SAV Act provides greater access to mental health care for military veterans. It’s named in honor of Iraq and Afghanistan War veteran Clay Hunt, who committed suicide after battling with post-traumatic stress disorder brought on by his service overseas. He sought care from the VA and received a 30 percent disability rating for his PTSD. He appealed and encountered administrative obstacles, including the VA losing his files. Hunt took his life weeks later, and five weeks after his death his appeal was approved. Continue reading
NIPSCO Offers Tips to Stay Warm and Save Energy
The continued cold weather means higher utility bills for Hoosiers. NIPSCO offers a variety of energy efficiency rebates that can save money in both the short and long-term. They include up to $450 back, on attic insulation with air sealing, up to $250 back on a 95 percent efficient furnace, a $20 rebate on a programmable thermostat and a $50 rebate on a smart wi-fi thermostat. Customers can schedule a free home energy assessment by calling 1-800-721-7385. Continue reading
Winter Weather Advisory Issued for Kankakee Valley
A Winter Weather Advisory has been issued for the Kanakee Valley during the overnight hours. It takes effect at 11 p.m. EST/10 p.m. CST and continues through tomorrow evening. Snow and blowing snow are possible, with totals of 3 to 7 inches expected across the advisory area. The system is lake effect, so forecasters stress it’s hard to predict where it will hit. Continue reading
Eastern Pulaski Schools Contract Construction Specialist
The process for renovations at Eastern Pulaski Schools took another step during Monday night’s School Board meeting.
Board members discussed, and approved, letting bids on the $14-million project. Bids are expected back sometime in March after an extensive design process. Eastern Pulaski Schools Superintendent Dan Foster says they don’t quite know how many firms will see the project.
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Culver Could Dissolve Current EMS Governing Model
Discussions on a new vision for the Culver EMS Department will continue next week.
Over the last several years, the number of volunteers working with the EMS Department has been dwindling. That has created staffing issues for the department that the Town Council hopes can be remedied.
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Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ Honor Dr. Otis R. Bowen and Donors
A new plaque in the lobby of the Catherine Kasper Life Center on the Center at Donaldson Campus celebrates the generosity of one of the ministry’s most staunch supporters. The Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ Foundation created the Otis Bowen, M.D. Fund after his death two years ago. The pediatrician-turned-politician resided there until his death. Sister Judith Diltz says they are delighted to be able to honor Doc Bowen.
“His presence here among us was a gift and a grace. Carol put many miles on that wheelchair as she rolled him around this facility and our whole campus, and he was just such a delight.” Continue reading
Winamac Launching New Website
The Town of Winamac will soon be able to provide some better services for its residents.
A new Town website is anticipated to launch this week. The websites’ development was started in October of 2014. The company developing the site has spent the last several months gathering information from the Town to better supply residents with proper information.
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Community Foundation Offers Area Students Scholarship Opportunities
A deadline is approaching for students interested in scholarships from the Starke County Community Foundation.
The organization says it has about 30 scholarships available for Starke County students to pursue post secondary education. According to a press release, more than $55-thousand was distributed in 2014.
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Kankakee Valley Broadcasting Tulip Trip Adds Second Pickup Location
There will be two pick-up locations for for travelers in WKVI and WYMR’s springtime Tulip Festival tour of Holland and Sagatuck, Mich. Departures from Plymouth as well as Knox will make it more convenient for Marshall County travelers. Continue reading
Baby Found in Vehicle Treated for Frostbite Near North Judson
The Starke County Sheriff’s Department continues to investigate an Thursday incident that left an infant requiring medical treatment.
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Starke County Burglary Suspects Arrested
A pair of suspects in a Knox break-in face charges in connection with the incident. Officers from the Starke County Sheriff’s Department arrested Kyle Scheib and Curtis Rowe on Friday, Feb. 6 in connection with a Jan. 14 burglary in the 400 east block of 250 South. Continue reading
Town of Winamac Changes Checking Accounts After Fraud Attempt
The Town of Winamac was recently clued into an alleged attempt to commit a fraudulent transaction by a piece of returned mail.
During last night’s Winamac Town Council meeting, it was learned that the Town received mail containing a check that was considered undeliverable to the eastern portion of the U.S. The Town’s return address was used in the fraudulent check.
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