If you have business with the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles, you need to take care of it today or wait until Tuesday. BMV branches across the state are closing tomorrow and Monday in observance of the Labor Day holiday. Normal business hours will resume on Tuesday. More information about BMV branches and services offered is available online at www.MyBMV.com.
A two-week long Indiana State Police investigation into drug activity in Fulton County ended with six arrests last night after officers served search warrants at three Rochester homes. A state police news release indicates the officers found methamphetamine, a meth lab, drug precursors and paraphernalia. They searched homes at 1124 Bancroft Street, 317 West 11th Street and 4729 Camp Shahola Drive in Rochester. Continue reading
The grand opening of the new U.S. 31 highway between Plymouth and South Bend was held Wednesday afternoon with Governor Mike Pence and Congresswoman Jackie Walorski in attendance plus the engineers behind the project and the crews that worked on the highway.
Governor Pence said the new U.S. 31 will be a great asset to the economy of not only Northern Indiana but the whole state.
“I think it’s really incalculable,” said Pence. “When I say that roads mean jobs, I mean that having the right infrastructure creates conditions that invite more investment that will put Hoosiers to work for generations to come. The vision for what used to be called the expressway that now is the Mangus Memorial Highway is a result of decades of effort here in Indiana. I believe that it’s going to put not only Northern Indiana, but all of Indiana in a position to attract more investment, create more jobs and opportunities in addition to creating a safe and more accessible thoroughfare.”
U.S. Rep. Jackie Walorski will visit Pulaski, Starke, Marshall, St. Joseph and LaPorte Counties next week as part of a district-wide education tour. She wants to hear from education officials, community leaders and students about ways to improve opportunities and prepare students for a globally competitive workforce. Continue reading
The Knox Park Board will consider suggestions offered recently to curb vandalism at Wythogan Park when they meet this evening. Mayor Rick Chambers recently hosted a community discussion to gather thoughts on the issue. Afterward he said several good suggestions were offered, including a stronger police presence and writing more curfew tickets to juveniles who are in the park after hours. Continue reading
Adults who want to learn to weld or enhance their skills can take advantage of opportunities offered through the Starke County Initiative for Lifelong Learning. Classes offered through the SCILL Center’s Adult Welding Technology program meet two evenings per week for four hours at a time for 12 weeks. Continue reading
Authorities in LaPorte believe a Sunday night fire at a McClung Street residence was deliberately set. The LaPorte Police and Fire Departments responded just before 8 p.m. to a home at 159 W. McClung Road, Apt. A and found the structure in flames. Continue reading
The investigation into the origin of a recent fire at a Knox business has been delayed. Knox-Center Township Volunteer Fire Department Chief Kenny Pfost says they will look into the cause of the Aug. 22 blaze at Standard Pallet on County Road 300 East on Friday. Continue reading
Rain is hampering efforts to repair a culvert that collapsed Monday, forcing the closure of a Starke County Road. County highway superintendent Rik Ritzler tells WKVI News the culvert on 125 West just north of 250 North collapsed Monday. A county highway crew is making repairs but was unable to finish the work yesterday due to the rain. Ritzler hopes they can wrap up the work today so the road can reopen. Until then 125 West is closed between 250 and 300 North. Continue reading
A LaPorte woman who became upset when a police officer there told her she could not report the vehicle she co-owns with her boyfriend stolen just because he is in jail ended up behind bars herself early Sunday morning. Continue reading
The lights are back on for NIPSCO and Kankakee Valley REMC customers after a strong thunderstorm rolled through the area yesterday afternoon. Neither utility is reporting outages at this time. Yesterday more than 1,000 NIPSCO and 230 Kankakee Valley REMC customers were without power. Continue reading
A Starke County road that has been closed since April is once again open to traffic. The county’s bridge inspector signed off on the emergency repair on 700 East over the Yellow River. A log floating down the river struck the bridge supports, rendering the structure unstable and forcing the emergency closure. A field inspection performed Sunday recommended additional monitoring of the timber piles, as they are starting to deteriorate, but found the bridge is able to handle traffic again.
Gov. Mike Pence, U.S. Rep. Jackie Walorski and other dignitaries will be on hand for tomorrow’s ribbon cutting and dedication of the new U.S. 31 between Plymouth and South Bend. The ceremony will take place at 2:30 p.m. EDT on State Road 4 at the new U.S. 31 interchange. The road will be closed in that area from 12:30 until 3:30 p.m. tomorrow afternoon. During that time traffic will not be able to enter or exit the new section of highway. Continue reading
Summer is finally here. The hot days ahead remind us of some safety tips and guidelines to help you stay safe from the heat. Starke County Health Nurse Frank Lynch says hydrating is a key element to staying cool.
“People need to stay hydrated, try and stay in the shade, try and stay in cool area,” said Lynch.
With this week’s heat getting up to the level it will, Lynch says anyone can be susceptible to the heat.
“Any type of diabetes, heart conditions, respiratory problems. When the heat index starts getting up to where they are supposed to be this week, anybody’s susceptible.”
The Starke County Sheriff’s Department is set to make offers of employment to two deputies. The county commissioners reviewed the merit board’s prioritized recommendations of the five applicants during an executive session meeting. Continue reading
We’re in for another hot, humid day across the Kankakee Valley. Temperatures are expected to climb into the upper 80s to around 90 today. It will feel much warmer due to increasing humidity. By this afternoon the heat index is expected to be in the 95 to 100 degree range. Outdoor workers are urged to take frequent breaks and drink plenty of water to stay hydrated. If you have outdoor pets, make sure they have ample water and plenty of shade as well.
The town of Medaryville is the recipient of a $450,000 grant from the state Office of Community and Rural Affairs (OCRA) for a wastewater system improvement project. The money will be used to build a biodome structure into their current lagoons to meet Indiana Department of Environmental Management standards. Continue reading
The Winamac Town Council is still weighing its options with regard to the community swimming pool at the Pulaski County Family YMCA. Continue reading
Community members are invited to learn more about Starke County’s newest school during a spotlight breakfast. It’s scheduled at The Crossing campus on U.S. 35 next to Save A Lot on Thursday, Aug. 28 at 7:30 a.m. The faith-based alternative school opened recently and provides a combination of classroom and vocational training for students who have dropped out, been expelled or otherwise fallen through the cracks in the public school system. Continue reading
The Indiana University Health Hospital in La Porte is offering the Grief to Healing support program for those who would like to work through the grief of losing a loved one. Continue reading
