INDOT Schedules Storm Water Open House in LaPorte

 
 

INDOT officials are hosting an open house tomorrow in LaPorte to share information about their statewide storm water program. It supports state and federal storm water rules. INDOT is seeking input and feedback. Informational materials will be available and will also be posted on INDOT’s Ecology & Waterway Permitting web page at http://www.in.gov/indot/2892.htm. The open house starts at 4 p.m. CDT at the INDOT LaPorte District office at 315 Boyd Blvd. It’s one of six statewide meetings on the issue.

Oregon-Davis Schools Considering Active Shooter App

O-D school resource officers Kyle Hinds and Frank Lonigro discuss the School Guard app and program with marketing consultant Tim Guy.
O-D school resource officers Kyle Hinds and Frank Lonigro discuss the School Guard app and program with marketing consultant Tim Guy.

The Oregon-Davis School Corporation is considering the addition of a smartphone app to quickly notify law enforcement of an active shooter or other emergency. School Guard creates a direct link between teachers, staff and nearby law enforcement officers. The app has a panic button that speed dials 911 and instantly sends an alert directly to nearby law enforcement officers with the companion free Hero 911 app on their phones. Continue reading

Starke County Economic Development Foundation Seeks Planning Grant

 
 

The Starke County Economic Development Foundation is seeking a $15,000 grant to plan for future workforce needs through the SCILL Center. Executive Director Charlie Weaver says they are looking at the cost of implementing vocational and adult automation robotics equipment maintenance programs. He says there is a growing need for that skill set in manufacturing settings. Continue reading

Walorski Visiting Homegrown Businesses Today

Congresswoman Jackie Walorski
Congresswoman Jackie Walorski

U.S. Rep. Jackie Walorski’s “Made in Indiana” tour includes stops in Marshall, Pulaski and Starke Counties today. She’s visiting businesses throughout Indiana’s second congressional district to highlight their hard work and contributions to the state’s economy. Walorski will visit Hoosier Racing Tire in Lakeville and tour ITAMCO in Argos this morning before heading to Rose Acre Farms in Francesville and American Oak Preserving Company in North Judson.

Three Injured in Argos Crash

 
 

Authorities in Marshall County are investigating a crash involving two cars and a tractor-trailer that saw two people airlifted to hospitals in South Bend. It happened around 9 p.m. last night on State Road 10 at U.S. 31, according to our reporting partners at WNDU-TV. A third person was transferred by ground to St. Joseph Regional Medical Center in Plymouth. The semi driver refused medical treatment.

Ancilla Officials Set to Rededicate Nursing Lab

  
 

Officials with the Ancilla College nursing program will rededicate their recently overhauled clinical lab this evening. St. Joseph Regional Medical Center donated funds for the lab 10 years ago. Director Ann Fitzgerald says the school got a grant from Lilly and used the money to spruce it up.

She says they replaced the existing beds and mannequins, added another one, restocked their supplies, bought new linens and repainted.

“Studies have shown that if we can make it as hospital-like as possible so everything looks, acts, works just like it does in the hospital, then the students treat it as if it was a hospital area,” Fitzgerald added. Students have to wear their scrubs to the lab and bring their blood pressure cuff, stethoscope and other medical supplies.

The open house will take place this evening from 5 until 6 p.m. at Ancilla. Fitzgerald encourages anyone with questions about the nursing program to stop by.

Starke County Highway Department Celebrates Safety Milestone

Starke County Highway SafetyStarke County Highway Department employees remained accident free this summer. Highway Superintendent Rik Ritzler told the commissioners this week there were no reported accidents or injuries between June 21st and September 21st. Highway department employees drove more than 89,000 miles and spent quite a bit of time doing road work that required traffic control during that three month period. Continue reading

Starke County Voters Invited to Nonpartisan Candidate Forums

 
 

Starke County voters can learn where candidates for local office stand on issues during a series of weekend forums. Larry and Deb Wappel are sponsoring the events in Knox, North Judson and Hamlet. She says the candidates will be asked tough questions about things like their leadership philosophy, what sets them apart from others running for the same office and how they will pay for any sort of new program or service they are proposing. The candidates were given the prepared questions in advance. Audience members will also have a chance to submit written questions for the candidates. A bipartisan panel will screen them and make sure they are respectful. Continue reading

Commissioners Prepare Packets for Park Board Members

  
 

The five members of the Starke County Park Board will have plenty of reading material prior to their first meeting. The Starke County Commissioners are sending them welcome packets, which will include copies of the state statute under which the board was formed and the state law pertaining to camping on public properties. One of their first challenges will be to decide whether to allow year-round camping at Bass Lake Beach and Campground. The park board members will also get a copy of the management lease between the county and Richard Callahan. The board is charged with oversight and management of the Starke County Forest and other county-owned public lands.

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Kankakee Valley REMC Employees Give Back to Starke, Porter Counties

 
 

Gov. Mike Pence has declared this “Indiana’s Electric Cooperative Community Day.” Kankakee Valley REMC members are spending it giving back to the community. They are adding a new section of privacy and security fence at the Phoenix House in Knox. It’s a transitional facility for women and children who have left home to escape domestic violence. They are also painting a 700-foot-long fence for longtime REMC member Mrs. Dolores Hammerlund at her home on 350 West in Knox. Continue reading

New Veterans Monument Almost Complete

The Fletcher Cemetery Association is raising money to restore this veterans monument.
The restoration of the veterans monument in Fletcher Cemetery is almost complete. This photo was taken prior to the start of the work.

The refurbished veterans monument at Fletcher Cemetery is almost finished. Members of the Fletcher Cemetery Association have been collecting donations to move the structure east of its original location, pour a new foundation and surround it with commemorative bricks. Continue reading

Next Ancilla College Basic Nurse Assistant Class Starts Monday

  
 

The next basic nurse aid class at Ancilla College starts Monday. Director of Nursing Ann Fitzgerald says students will learn to work with people and take care of their daily activities, including bathing, eating and dressing. She adds a high school diploma or GED is recommended but not required. Students should be at least 18. Even though there’s no state minimum age to work as a nurse aid, Fitzgerald says many employers will not hire anyone under 18. The ability to read and write in English and basic math skills are also required. The course wraps up Nov. 22. From there Fitzgerald says students can take their certified nurse aid test. Once they pass, they can work in home health, a long-term care facility or elsewhere. Find more information online at www.ancilla.edu.

Knox Man Faces Theft Charge in LaPorte

Rusty Reuille
Rusty Reuille

A Knox man faces a theft charge in LaPorte. Rusty Reuille, 32, was arrested there Tuesday, Oct. 7 on a LaPorte County warrant for theft and a misdemeanor failure to appear charge for driving while suspended.