A drill is scheduled for today at 10:16 a.m. ET as part of the Great Central U.S. ShakeOut for earthquake preparedness.
According to Emergency Management Agency Director Clyde Avery, Indiana is one of 11 states with 478,000 individuals and business professionals statewide participating in earthquake drills. Scientists estimate that there is a 25-40 percent probability of a damaging earthquake occurring in the central part of the nation within a 50-year window of time.
The Knox Community School Corporation is in the running to win cash prizes and a concert by The Band Perry. The school is taking part in the Celebrate My Drive safety campaign. Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD) sponsor Carrie Stone encourages community members to visit http://www.celebratemydrive.com/home and make a commitment to staying safe behind the wheel. Continue reading
U.S. Rep. Jackie Walorski’s “Home Grown Business Tour” brought her to American Oak Preserving Company in North Judson yesterday. President and Chairman of the Board Charles Vorm represents the third generation to run the company since his grandfather founded it in 1916. His three daughters assist in the day-to-day operations of the business. Walorski says it’s important for members of Congress to listen to successful business owners in their districts. Continue reading
Representatives from Gibraltar Design presented updates in the building project to the Eastern Pulaski School Board Monday night. The project includes upgrades to the elementary, middle and high schools. Main entrances will be secured, restrooms updated, classrooms improved including the change of chalkboards to marker boards and replacing windows. Continue reading
Starke County has three new Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) volunteers to shepherd abused and neglected children through the legal system. Circuit Judge Kim Hall administered oaths of office to Eddie Fields, Lori Reading and Patti Scaggs Tuesday in his courtroom. They each completed 30 hours of training as part of the program. CASA volunteers act in the best interest of children who end up in state custody and share information with the judge and attorneys about whether the youngsters should be returned to their parents, remain in foster care or be placed for adoption. Judge Hall says the CASA plays a critical role in the process. Continue reading
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.
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
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
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.
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.
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.
Drug and Tobacco Free Starke County and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are looking for former smokers to take part in a national tobacco educational campaign. The Tips from Former Smokers (Tips) campaign will feature real people who have had life-changing, smoking-related health issues. Continue reading
Starke County’s first attempt to shred obsolete files and records was successful in terms of both volume and cost, according to the county commissioners. A committee reviewed records and approved the ones to be shredded. County Maintenance Supervisor Jim Coad says they got rid of nine tons of paper for a cost of $2,222.76. Continue reading
Fulton Industries Inc. has announced the sale of their building on Fort Wayne Road in Rochester. American Axle and Manufacturing Inc. took over as owners on Wednesday Oct. 8th. Continue reading
Starke 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 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
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.
