A state lawmaker whose district includes half of Starke County will serve as the ranking Democrat on four standing committees when the Indiana General Assembly convenes next month. Sen. Jim Arnold of LaPorte will serve in that capacity on the Senate Ethics Homeland Security and Transportation; Public Policy; and Veterans Affairs and the Military Committees. Continue reading
Starke County will be able to upgrade the radios used by police departments, firefighters and other emergency responders without a cost to the county thanks to a grant from the state. Continue reading
The West Central School Corporation is ready for 2015. Board members closed the books on 2014 when they met Thursday by passing a resolution to move money as necessary to end the calendar year in the black. It also encumbers funds from 2014 accounts for use in 2015. Continue reading
The Culver Community Middle School recently raised money to help the 8th grade students go on an end of the year field trip to Kings Island. Both 7th and 8th grade students from the middle school participated in a Nov. 21 lock-in with games and food. Continue reading
For the past 25 years, traffic has picked up significantly in the town of Pulaski this time of year. The annual Christmas lights are on display and will remain so through the end of the year. Enjoy a great lighted barn scene, a giant wreath, a nativity scene, bears throwing packages across the street, a fountain, Santa in a helicopter and an airplane, skaters, a paddleboat and much more.
The Culver Academies Choir, Band and Orchestra will perform at Ancilla Domini Chapel in Donaldson tomorrow. The Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ present the ensembles of Culver Academy to the public, free of charge. Continue reading
The Hoosier Lottery is adding three new drawings. Starting tomorrow, midday drawings will take place each Sunday for the Daily 3, Daily 4 and Quick Draw games. Currently, midday drawings for all three games are conducted Monday through Saturday. The Sunday drawing schedule will match the existing schedule for Monday through Saturday drawings. The cut-off for ticket purchase will be 1:10 p.m. Eastern and the drawing will occur at or about 1:20 p.m. Continue reading
A two-year-old child is dead as a result of an early morning fire at a rural Starke County home. The Bass Lake Fire Department responded to a residence in the area of 700 South and 300 East just before 7:30 a.m. They pulled two adults from the blaze but were unable to find a two-year-old child in time. Continue reading
The intersection of Culver Road and Klockner Drive will reopen to traffic later today. It’s been closed since Nov. 10 so improvements to Klockner Drive/County Road 300 East could be finished. The project was originally slated to wrap up before Thanksgiving, but the completion date was pushed back by about a week. Continue reading
Gov. Mike Pence’s education agenda for the upcoming legislative session draws mixed reviews from a local school administrator who is looking to the General Assembly for meaningful reform. North Judson-San Pierre Superintendent Lynn Johnson agrees with some of the things the governor is suggesting, such as accountability that takes into account student growth.
The North Judson-San Pierre School Corporation has lost millions of dollars due over the past several years due to a combination of state funding cuts, declining enrollment and unfunded mandates. During a Tuesday night public forum, Johnson said the legislature needs to increase the amount of money it pays corporations per enrolled student. That’s also among the items on Pence’s agenda. Continue reading
Educators at several local schools will receive a share of the $30 million in Teacher Performance Grants awarded by the state to more than 1,300 schools. Funds were given to schools with students earning ISTEP+ or end of course assessment passing scores of 72.5 percent or above or with a growth in graduation rates of 5 percent ore more from the previous year. Teachers who are rated effective or highly effective under Indiana’s teacher evaluation system for the 2013-2014 academic year will be paid based on student performance. Continue reading
The Mobile Health Unit of IU Health La Porte and Starke hospitals is coming to area businesses with free blood pressure and diabetes screenings. The screenings are open to the public of all ages. Continue reading
The annual Christmas parade and tree lighting celebration at Norwayne Field in North Judson will be held tonight at 5:45 p.m. The parade will travel down Lane Street to Main Street and end at Norwayne Field with Santa riding in the parade. Santa will also help with the tree lighting ceremony at 6 p.m. Continue reading
The annual Holiday Hop in Culver is scheduled this evening at 6:30 p.m. ET at the train station depot on Lake Shore Drive. Christmas tree lighting and caroling will be led by the Culver Youth Community Organization from Culver Community Schools and from Culver Academies. Continue reading
The Winter Wonderland Festival in Winamac is today, and WKVI will be there. Jerry Curtis and Tony Ross will broadcast from noon until 1 p.m. ET amidst the crowd and vender booths. Stop by and say hello while catching the spirit of Christmas at this annual event, presented by the Pulaski County Chamber of Commerce.
The home of former Indiana Governor Henry F. Schricker is ready for the Christmas season. A “memory tree” is at the front door on the outside, and the old fashioned Christmas tree stands fully decorated the the Schricker living room.
The Starke County Museum, which is housed in the home, will be open at 1 p.m. Sunday, Dec.7th. to observe the Christmas holiday. Hot cider and cookies will be served. Visitors will also have time to make a short visit to all three floors and see the exhibits of Starke County history. Continue reading
Felony burglary charges have been filed against four LaPorte teenagers in connection with a recent break-in at a bar. LaPorte Police responded to a report of two men trying to kick in the rear door of Shooter’s Bar at 201 Washington Street at 4 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 21. Continue reading
A school administrator who got his start in Starke County will take over as head of one of the state’s wealthiest school districts in January. The Hamilton Southeastern School Board voted Tuesday to hire Dr. Allen Bourff as superintendent. He will take over that position Jan. 1. Bourff will be paid $175,000 annually through June of 2016, with automatic annual pay raises if the board deems his performance effective or highly effective. Continue reading
The Starke County Highway Department is already making plans for next year’s scheduled road improvements. Superintendent Rik Ritzler says they’ve been hauling in loads of stone and may have it all stockpiled by the end of the year if the weather continues to cooperate. Continue reading
For the first time in Indiana 4-H history enrollment can be done completely online. This is new to 2015, making it easier than ever to enroll. The fee is $15 for each child in grades 3 through 12 and is up to $45 per family.
