The decision to allow discussion on the Sunday sale of alcohol in Indiana has been made.
State Representative Tom Dermody has not only decided to allow discussion, but he also authored a bill to allow for the sales. House Bill 1624 would permit Sunday alcohol carry-out between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m.
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Officials at IU Health Starke Hospital want input from members of the community as to the health needs that need to be met. Members of the public are invited to complete a brief online survey, which can be found at www.surveymonkey.com/s/inhealthneedssurvey. This is a first step to developing new programming. Additional information will be gathered through targeted focus groups later this year. Examples of successful programs developed as a result of these sorts of initiatives are the regional Women’s Fair and numerous other free screenings and other events held throughout the year. A link to the survey is also posted on the hospital’s home page at iuhealth.org/starke.
A new report says that while seizures of meth labs are up in Indiana, the number of labs is also up in the state.
The publication from Purdue Extension says Indiana saw nearly 1,800 meth lab seizures in 2013, the highest of any state in the country. Data supplied in the report describes the trends in illegal drug use in rural areas and proposes a few solutions to the problem.
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The American Lung Association says the state of Indiana needs to do more to enact tobacco control policies.
The “State of Tobacco Control 2015” report evaluates tobacco control policies at the state and federal level. It says Indiana failed to enact any policies that the American Lung Association believes will save lives. That led the state to receive a failing grade in tobacco prevention, taxes, and access to tobacco cessation services.
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A pilot program started in 2012 has been granted long term approval according to NIPSCO.
The company’s Green Power Rate program is offered to residential, commercial, and industrial customers. Currently there are 940 homes and businesses enrolled in the Green Power Program.
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A Wednesday traffic stop at the intersection of Lake and McGill Streets in downtown Knox ended with a trip to jail thanks to assistance from Starke County’s new K-9. A deputy pulled over a vehicle driven by David P. Howard, 31, because he was known not to have a valid driver’s license. The vehicle was registered to the passenger, Brandy Gayheart, 22, of Walkerton. Continue reading
An overturned semi-tractor trailer left the roadway on Wednesday afternoon according to the Starke County Sheriff’s Department.
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Changes to the state school funding formula have area school corporations closely tracking the legislative movements.
Governor Mike Pence has previously said he wants the current session of the General Assembly to be an education session.
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Congresswoman Jackie Walorski had a few goals in mind prior to Tuesday night’s State of the Union Address.
Indiana’s 2nd District U.S. Representative has made a point of discussing what she considers an overreach of power through the President’s recent executive orders.
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Indiana U.S. Senator Joe Donnelly says he wants to make sure all of the country’s foreign partners are standing together.
Senator Donnelly sits on the Senate Armed Services Committee that was part of a bi-partisan Senate delegation to Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Israel. The trip was described as important due to ongoing instability in the Middle East.
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The Town of North Judson has more than half of the matching funds needed for an INDOT Transportation Enhancement Project Grant. They’ve applied for $512,066 from the state to replace railroad ties along the town’s rail line. A 20-percent local match of 102,413.20 is required.
During this week’s town council meeting, Hoosier Valley Railroad Museum Secretary and Railroad Committee Advisory Member Mark Knebel presented a check to the town from HVRM for $51,015 toward the match and some supplemental work. The town of North Judson has also received $15,000 from the Starke County Economic Development Foundation towards the local match. Continue reading
Starting this fall, Indiana will have a limited river otter trapping season after action this week by the Indiana Natural Resources Commission. In the early 20th century river otters were near extension in Indiana due to a loss of habitat and unregulated trapping. In 1921 the state Department of Conservation banned their taking. They were believed gone from the state by the 1940s.
The DNR began reintroducing otters to state waterways in 1995. Over a five-year period, 303 river otters were captured in Louisiana and released in northern and southern Indiana. Their populations increased enough through natural reproduction that river otters were removed from the state endangered species list in 2005. Presently, river otters have expanded their range to include over 80 percent of Indiana’s counties and their numbers continue to increase. Continue reading
The Starke County Commissioners are struggling to fill out the county’s Convention and Visitors Commission Board of Directors. The nine-member panel was established according to state guidelines, which outline the political balance and other qualifications to serve.
Knox Mayor Rick Chambers is the city’s lone representative. The other eight members are appointed by the Starke County Commissioners. State law requires a simple majority, in this case 5 members, be engaged in convention, visitor or tourism business or be involved in promoting conventions, visitors or tourism. If available and willing to serve, at least two members must be engaged in the business of renting or furnishing rooms, lodging or accommodations as described in state law. Additionally, not more than one member may be affiliated with the same business entity, and no more than a simple majority of members may be affiliated with the same political party. Also, each board member must live in Starke County. Continue reading
A report of suspicious activity at a gas station in LaPaz Monday night led to the arrest of a man on drug possession charges. Continue reading
The former Starke County Sheriff’s Department prisoner transportation van may be road-worthy in the mechanical sense, but it doesn’t provide the most dignified means of transportation for the recently deceased. That’s the consensus of the Starke County Commissioners after further discussion Monday night. Recently-elected coroner Adam Gray has access to a Starke County EMS vehicle on an as-needed basis but will eventually need something more permanent. The commissioners want to give him the Dodge Durango used by the Starke County Sheriff’s Department if it has adequate cargo space to meet his needs. Continue reading
The Starke County Park Board will meet every other month in 2015. Members decided there’s not enough business to necessitate a monthly meeting and agreed one can be called with adequate notice should anything come up. The board is charged with oversight of the Bass Lake Beach and Campground, Starke County Forest and other non-municipal public lands. Continue reading
Indiana’s 2nd District Congresswoman is supporting a provision in the Homeland Security Appropriations Act that she hopes will help maintain the separation of powers in Washington.
The 114th Congress was sworn-in earlier this month following the November elections. With Republicans in the majority, Congresswoman Jackie Walorski says she voted to support the legislation – which appropriates funds for the operation of Homeland Security.
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U.S. Senator Joe Donnelly had a few topics he wanted to hear discussed prior to last night’s State of the Union address.
On a conference call yesterday, Donnelly stressed the importance of further supporting military service members. Key among those opportunities, according to Donnelly, is ensuring adequate access to mental health.
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While the policies were already in place, the North Judson-San Pierre School District has decided to compile them into one place.
During last night’s School Board meeting, a process for determining the severity of a threat made by students, and the potential causes of that threat were discussed.
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The number of snow days taken in Culver Schools has now affected the school calendar.
The Culver School Board, Monday night, approved a measure that attempts to make up a day lost to the weather by having students attend class on Good Friday – which was previously part of the extended spring holiday weekend.
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