Police Investigate Plane Crash in LaGrange County

 
 

A small plane crashed near a residential building near Shipshewana early Monday evening and no one was injured in the accident.

According to our reporting partners at WNDU-TV, a mechanical issue caused the 18-year-old pilot, Jordan Stoltzfus, to perform an emergency landing northwest of Shipshewana. The report stated that the plane landed into a propane tank near an unoccupied, residential building at 9595 W. 450 N. When LaGrange County emergency responders arrived at the scene, Stoltzfus reported no injuries.

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Flu Causes High Number of Deaths in Indiana

 
 

The flu has been the cause of 85 deaths in Indiana this year. Officials have determined that that number is higher than the total number of deaths in each of the previous ten years.

The flu season has just reached the halfway point.

State Health Commissioner Jerome Adams says it’s important to get to a health care provider right away if you have flu symptoms. Those symptoms include a fever of 100 degrees or greater, headache, fatigue, cough, muscle aches, or sore throat.

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IU Health Surgeon Discusses Colon Health

IU HealthColon cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths. It’s also one of the most treatable if caught early through preventive screenings like colonoscopies. Dr. Mangalore J. Subba Rao is a general surgeon at IU Health Starke Hospital. He says many people avoid the outpatinet procedure because they fear pain. He says patients are given IV sedation and often don’t realize the procedure is going on until it is finished.

The preparation required before the procedure is also a deterrent for some people. Subba Rao admits some of the bowel preps taste bad and are expensive but says he offers his patients a less costly, better tasting option. Continue reading

CNA Classes Upcoming at Ancilla College

Ancilla College NEWA new semester at area schools is bringing another opportunity to meet qualifications to become a Certified Nursing Assistant at Ancilla College.

Ancilla is offering the CNA courses beginning February 2nd, but spots are still available for those interested. CNA’s have opportunities to work in long-term care, in home, hospitals, and doctors’ office facilities in the workforce.
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Winamac Community High School Students Raise Money for Charity

 
 

Students from several organizations at Winamac Community High School took time to volunteer for the Salvation Army during the holiday season. Principal Rick DeFries says they raised a significant amount of money for the organization during their annual bell ringing campaign. Of the $5,600 raised, the students brought in $2,500. DeFries told the Eastern Pulaski School Board an estimated 10 groups raised that amount of money in 20 hours.

Volunteer for Martin Luther King Jr. National Day of Service at State Parks

 
 

State park patrons are encouraged to celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. National Day of Service on Monday by signing up to volunteer at an Indiana State Park in 2015. Opportunities include maintaining trails, assistance with clerical work and helping out at nature centers. More information about volunteering can be found online at stateparks.IN.gov/2443.htm. Continue reading

Veterans Service Officer Clarifies ID Card Guidelines

  
 

One of the most frequent questions Starke County Veterans Service Officer Terry Turner gets is how one who has been honorably discharged from the service obtains an identification card. He says the only ID cards issued by the VA are for medical purposes. However, Turner says veterans can take their discharge papers to the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles branch and have a “v” put on the back of their license or state identification card. Continue reading

Mathew Swanson Remembered

Mat Swanson
Mat Swanson

The community is mourning the loss of a friend.

Mathew Swanson passed away this week.

That’s “Mathew” with just one “t”. He was 87.

Mat had been actively involved in many local organizations that continue to provide benefits to young and old alike. His interest in area youth is exemplified by his support of 4-H activities and of the Starke County Development Foundation because he said, he saw students leaving the community due of a lack of jobs, and was hopeful that the exodus could be stopped. His involvement in the Starke County Community Foundation and its many scholarships for area youth in another example. And, as a member of the Board at Ancilla College, yet another.

His service and expertise benefited almost every not-for-profit organization at one time or another. He served as treasurer of most and president of many.

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