The state’s unemployment rate went up a tenth of a percent to 5.8 percent. Since December 2013, Indiana’s labor force has grown by over 83,000 people that is nearly twice of any neighboring state, according to Indiana Workforce Development. December was the first month where Indiana’s unemployment rate has exceeded the U.S. rate. The U.S. rate has declined by two-tenths of a percent to 5.6 percent, mainly due to a decrease of 273,000 in the national labor force.
Amid Congressional Amendments, Petroleum Institute Promotes Keystone XL
Members of the United States Senate debated 18 amendments yesterday on a bill that would approve construction of the Keystone XL Pipeline.
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North Judson Police Get Reports of Scam Phone Calls
Officers from the North Judson Police Department warn residents that scams are making the rounds.
Several complaints have been made about a caller posing as a Social Security or an IRS worker looking for information and requesting account numbers. Police have also received information that people are posing as other county officers are calling residents asking for bail money for a loved one. Other calls have been reported involving a police detective looking for information about a warrant. If the resident puts up bail money immediately, then the arrest warrant would not be carried out.
Culver Town Council To Further Consider Park Agreement
The Culver Town Council will be reviewing an economic development presentation during tonight’s meeting.
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Minimum Wage Proposal Invites Local Business Input
A bill has been filed in Indianapolis that could affect local businesses.
Senate Bill 41 looks to increase Indiana’s minimum wage from its current rate of $7.25 an hour to $10.10 an hour. If signed into law, the increase would put Indiana in line with other states implementing similar pieces of legislation.
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Department of Revenue Says Hoosiers Can Qualify for Free Tax Filing
The Indiana Department of Revenue is promoting an option that some Indiana residents may qualify for when filing their taxes.
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File Your Taxes, Complete Your FAFSA
Income tax filing time means it’s also time to see where you stand in terms of need-based college financial aid for the 2015-16 academic year. Ancilla College Executive Director of Admissions Eric Wignall says you need to have family income information handy before visiting www.fafsa.gov to fill out the necessary form. Last year’s tax information can be used to estimate, and this year’s data can be plugged in after taxes are finished.
School Choice Week Recognized with Events
In conjunction with national efforts, Indiana Governor Mike Pence has issued a proclamation recognizing this week as Indiana School Choice Week.
The movement organizes events that look to inform parents about the K-12 education options available, and to point out a few of the benefits for choice in education policy.
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Indiana Sheriff’s Association Offers Scholarship
The Indiana Sheriff’s Association (ISA) is awarding college scholarship to high school students or college students who are pursuing a degree in criminal justice.
LaPorte County Sheriff John Boyd said there are 40 scholarships valued at $500 to qualifying students throughout the state. Sheriff Boyd said the ISA provides invaluable services to the citizens of LaPorte County and the county is pleased to be a part of the scholarship program.
The applicant must be an Indiana resident, a current member of the ISA or dependent child or grandchild of a current member of the Indiana Sheriff’s Association, attend an Indiana college or university, major in a law enforcement-related field, and be enrolled is a full-time student.
WKVI’s Ed Hasnerl to Host Spring Trip to Michigan
If the cold weather is giving you spring fever, WKVI’s Ed Hasnerl has just the cure. Join him for a four-day, three-night chartered bus trip to Holland, Mich. May 4-7 to enjoy the beauty of the annual Tulip Festival and more. Continue reading
Probation Check Results in Meth Bust
A Knox man and a Warsaw woman face charges after police in Starke County reportedly found an inactive meth lab, drugs and paraphernalia at their home, which is located next door to a preschool. Continue reading
Sen. Arnold Attempts To Remedy Firefighter Nepotism Situation
A bill preventing firefighters from serving on Township Boards was approved in Indiana about two years ago, but State Senator Jim Arnold is trying to exempt firefighters under new legislation.
Senator Arnold has filed a bill that would allow an individual to serve as both a member of a Township Board and a volunteer firefighter. The move comes after many rural areas have been experiencing problems finding individuals to serve in government.
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IU Health Respiratory Therapist Discusses COPD Symptoms, Treatment
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or COPD, is one of the leading health conditions in Starke County. IU Health Starke Hospital Respiratory Therapist Brittany Ward says smoking is the biggest contributing factor, but environmental and occupational triggers can also cause COPD. It has two components — chronic bronchitis and emphysema. Patients can have one or both. Ward says emphysema is more common in smokers. Continue reading
Prescription Drop-offs Continue Hazard Prevention Efforts
The Starke County Sheriff’s Department says their prescription drug drop-off program continues to bode well.
A box sits in the lobby of the Starke County Jail that’s intended to act as a receptacle for the prescriptions. Drop-off programs are designed to protect water supplies, prevent taking expired medication, and reduce the spread of medications used as an illegal narcotic.
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American Red Cross Overcomes Weather Conditions for Donors
The American Red Cross says it’s always in need of donations, but says winter can be especially tough to get volunteers.
The cold weather often prevents volunteers from leaving their homes or places of work to give blood according to Donor Recruitment Representative Dianna Weiss. She works out of the offices in Plymouth and says the need for blood is constant.
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Culver Names New Town Manager
The Town of Culver has filled their vacant Town Manager position.
At their last meeting, the Culver Town Council voted to extend an offer after conducting interviews for the position in December. Town Council President Ginny Bess Munroe said she was satisfied with the choice.
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Sen. Arnold Proposing Legislation To Enhance Law Enforcement Services
State Senator Jim Arnold is hoping several bills will assist in the efforts of the law enforcement community.
Among Arnold’s proposed bills this session is legislation that would better define a safety indicator on firearms. It would also increase penalties for those found to have modified a toy gun to resemble a real firearm.
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Find the Right Plumber if You Experience Frozen Pipes
Before more cold weather sets in, the Better Business Bureau wants you to be sure you be careful in hiring plumbers to help you in any repairs you may need to make due to freezing pipes.
BBB officials say that a professional service needs to be licensed and display their license number on their website, vehicles and marketing pieces. Ask for three estimates from different plumbing services contractors to ensure you’re getting the best deal. Be sure to understand if a plumber charges by the hour or a flat rate for work to be completed and get that agreement in writing. Keep a copy of that contract. It’s also good to break up the payments and offer the last payment when the work is done to your satisfaction. You can also check emergency plumbing services available in San Diego County or other local services.
LaPorte Police Arrest Armed Robbery Suspect
Authorities in LaPorte have arrested a man accused of robbing the Family Express on Pine Lake Road Thursday afternoon. Jacob Borders, 35, came into the store around 2:30 p.m., demanded money from the clerk and threatened to shoot her if she didn’t comply, according to a police department news release. She gave him money, and he fled in a tan Ford Explorer. Occupants of that vehicle flagged down officers en route to the call and told them they gave the suspect a ride to Family Express so he could use the ATM. They say Borders got back into the truck, told them he had just robbed the store and they needed to hurry. They told the police they ordered him out of the vehicle and said they believed he went into a home in the 400 block of Pine Lake Avenue. Continue reading
Hoekman Sentenced on Burglary Count
The 23-year-old Knox man accused of burglarizing USA Café in August of 2013 was sentenced yesterday by Circuit Court Judge Kim Hall.
Michael Hoekman pleaded guilty to a single Class B felony count of Burglary as part of a plea agreement in front of a Magistrate Judge on Wednesday. The state dismissed all other charges as part of the deal.
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