The State Department of Local Government Finance has approved the Starke County General Fund budget as presented. Auditor Kay Chaffins shared that news with the county commissioners Monday evening. She says the 100-percent approval is a testament to the hard work done by the county council and department heads to hold the line on spending. Continue reading
Starke County Commissioners Bless Revised EMS Job Description
Starke County EMS Director Keith Emigh has the blessing of the county commissioners to revise a job description within the ambulance service to create an EMS 2 position. That person’s job responsibilities will include hiring and training new staff, oversight of all medics and handling many of the day-to-day operational duties of the service. He or she will report directly to Emigh, who told the county commissioners the new position will ease his workload considerably. The position was posted earlier this week, and Emigh will interview the candidates and do the hiring. He did need the commissioners’ approval of the revised job description. Continue reading
Starke County Health Department Recommends Vaccinations To Combat Measles
A recent measles outbreak has the Starke County Health Department reminding area residents to have up-to-date vaccinations.
According to the Centers for Disease Control, 102 cases of the disease were reported in the U.S. in January. Measles is considered highly contagious.
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Empty Bowl Project Continues Education and Volunteerism
MoonTree Studios near Plymouth is asking the public to raise its awareness of hunger in local communities.
The art studio, along with several other local organizations, is hosting their Empty Bowl Project again this year. The event highlights food insecurity by helping to raise money for organizations that provide food to those in need.
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Charbonneau Focuses on Indiana’s Water Resources
State Senator Ed Charbonneau is touting two bills that received unanimous approval in the Indiana Senate.
Both bills attempt to analyze and secure the Hoosier State’s water resources. Senate Bill 473 requires the Indiana Department of Natural Resources to monitor water resources and provides an avenue for volunteers to conduct the work. It would focus on areas where water withdrawals could exceed the natural replenishing rate.
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Starke County Sheriff Offers Lobby As Safe Haven for Transactions
Starke County residents who need to complete an online sales agreement or custody exchange can do so safely 24 hours a day in the lobby of the Starke County Sheriff’s Office or the parking lot in front of the building. Sheriff Bill Dulin stresses this is not an offer for the sheriff’s department to participate in or be part of any business transaction but is a public service aimed at keeping citizens safe. He asks that you notify the on-duty communications staff at the jail when you arrive so they can ensure the exchange of property or children goes smoothly. Continue reading
Starke County Commissioners Bless Addition of Second Shift Detective
Starke County Sheriff Bill Dulin plans to add a detective sergeant to work second shift Monday through Friday. He told the county commissioners doing so will give the department a third person to respond to calls and will cut down significantly on overtime. Right now any detective calls outside of the day shift incur overtime wages. Continue reading
Ancilla College Hosts Financial Aid Night in Culver
Students looking to receive financial assistance paying for college have an opportunity to learn more tonight at Culver High School.
Ancilla College has been hosting financial aid workshops on a weekly basis to help parents and students better prepare to enter college, and receive tips on properly applying for financial aid.
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Kidney Transplant Brings Culver Students Together
Students at Culver Elementary hope to help a former classmate with a bit of fundraising.
The student is currently thought to be in 3rd grade at Plymouth Community Schools, but is in need of a kidney transplant due to a kidney disease which he was diagnosed with. A “GoFundMe” account has been set-up to help raise funds which will assist the student in meeting certain financial obligations, they also want to people to know how do you get kidney stones and how you can prevent them.
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Hoosiers Encouraged to Go Red for Women
Hoosiers are encouraged to wear red tomorrow to raise awareness of the number one killer of women in America. National Wear Red Day is part of the American Heart Association’s Go Red for Women Movement, which is a month-long effort to raise awareness of heart disease. Continue reading
Culver Schedules Snow Make-Up Day
Students in the Culver Community School Corporation will be in class this Friday, Feb. 6, weather permitting. Superintendent Vicki McGuire says it’s a make-up day for Monday, Feb. 2 when school was canceled due to snow. Anyone with questions can contact the Culver Community School Corporation office at 574-842-3364.
More Snow Headed Toward Northern Indiana
Mother Nature isn’t done with us yet. The National Weather Service has issued a winter weather advisory for the area from noon EST/11 a.m. CST until 7 p.m. EST/6 p.m. CST today. Snow accumulations of between 2 and 4 inches are expected, with locally heavier amounts possible. Visibility may be reduced during periods of heavy snowfall. Motorists should expect snow-covered roads and plan accordingly. Remember, ice and snow, take it slow.
Starke County Commissioners Approve Sheriff’s Vehicle Purchase
The Starke County Sheriff’s Department will soon have a 2015 Ford Police Interceptor All-Wheel Drive sport-utility vehicle to add to the fleet. It will replace the Dodge Durango currently used by the Starke County K-9 officer. That truck will be repainted and given to Starke County Coroner Adam Gray to transport bodies. Continue reading
IU Health LaPorte, Starke Hospitals Name New CNO
IU Health Starke Hospital President Craig Felty has an additional title. He was recently named the chief nursing officer of IU Health LaPorte and Starke Hospitals, effective immediately. Felty has served as interim CNO since November of 2014. A chief nursing officer oversees the entire nursing department and ensures that patient-care, clinical and staffing standards are met. Continue reading
Schools Making Decisions on Snow Day Make-ups
Plenty of snow accumulation cancelled school yet again in the Kankakee Valley on Monday.
Due to the number of snow days taken, some school corporations now have some decisions to make on just how they plan to make up even more days of class days. In Indiana, no fewer than 180 instructional days can be held.
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Culver Schools Receive Donation For Technology Purchase
The Culver School Board was happy to accept a donation made Monday night that will help improve some of Culver High School’s technology equipment.
According to Superintendent Vicki McGuire, a $1-thousand donation was made by a member of the Culver Lion’s club to help make the purchase of audio technology.
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North Judson Fills Vacancies, Makes Police Department Moves
The North Judson Town Council has filled the vacant positions on each of their boards and commissions.
During a meeting last night, the Board said those positions include spots on the Plan Commission and Board of Zoning Appeals. The Council asks for recommendations from current board members for individuals interested in serving on one of the boards.
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Culver Works Toward EMS Staffing Solutions
The Culver Town Council met yesterday to review what some board members consider a recurring lack of volunteers with the Town’s EMS Department over the last five years.
Due to Culver’s size and perhaps department set-up, the Emergency Medical Services Department often lacks adequate staffing. A special session was held Monday to aid in reviewing the matter.
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State Parks Host Successful Deer Reduction Hunts
Deer hunters harvested a total of 1,004 deer during controlled hunts at 18 state parks and one state natural area in November and December of 2014, according to Mike Mycroft, chief of natural resources for the DNR Division of State Parks. Tippecanoe River and Potato Creek State Parks were among the facilities where hunts were conducted to thin the herd. Final totals released by the DNR indicate hunters took 123 deer at TRSP and 136 at Potato Creek. Continue reading
Starke County Downgraded to Travel Advisory Status
Starke County has been downgraded from an orange-level travel watch to a yellow-level travel advisory. EMA Director Ted Bombagetti tells WKVI News he met this morning with Starke County Highway Superintendent Rik Ritzler and they decided county roads have improved enough to loosen the travel restrictions. Continue reading
