Local – Page 532 – WKVI Information Center

The Starke County Sheriff’s Department is working with the Indiana State Fire Marshal’s Office in an investigation into the Thursday evening fire at the C&C Salvage.

Bass Lake Fire Chief Les Jensen told WKVI News that the investigation into the cause and origin continues. Some preliminary information may be available this week. As of now, he said, there is nothing new to report.

New K9 Units at the Pulaski County Sheriff’s Department

Deputy Travis Clark with K-9 "Gil" (L) and K-9 Deputy Ryan Austin with K-9 "Terror" — Deputy Travis Clark with K-9 “Gil” (L) and K-9 Deputy Ryan Austin with K-9 “Terror”

The Pulaski County Sheriff’s Department has two new K9 units.

Sheriff’s deputies Travis Clark and Ryan Austin began K9 patrols on Friday, March 21 with their K9 partners and they will begin six weeks of intensive training next week.

The dogs and handlers will engage in apprehension and drug detection training. When certified the dogs will be instrumental in helping to detect drugs inside vehicles and on one’s person. The K9s will also be able to chase after a suspect who eludes police on foot.

Fundraising efforts led to the acquisition of the K9 units. K9 “Gil” will be working with deputy Clark and K9 “Terror” will be working with deputy Austin.

St. Joe Medical Center in Plymouth Announces Expansion

A rendering of the proposed expansion to SJRMC in Plymouth.

The St. Joseph Regional Medical Center has announced a future expansion at its Plymouth campus featuring a new, state-of-the-art Emergency Department. The hospital is expected to break ground for the expansion project at 11:30 a.m. on Friday, March 28, beginning the work of constructing the new 12,000 square-foot Emergency Department located adjacent to the Plymouth hospital’s current Emergency Department.

Early Voting Hours Announced for Pulaski County

Early voting for the May Primary Election starts April 8, and according to Pulaski County Clerk Tasha Foerg, the deadline to register to vote is April 7 for those who wish to vote absentee. Early voting is available from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday – Friday, April 8 – May 2, but Foerg said there will be Saturday hours as well.

Cold Spring, Wet Winter Could Hurt Upcoming Crops

With the wet winter behind us and a seemingly cold spring ahead of us, farmers are beginning to grow a little concerned of the possible negative effects these weather patterns could have on this year’s crops. Chad Rushing with Purdue Extension told WKVI that the main issue is soil temperatures; the cold winter and cool spring has lowered soil temperatures and farmers are still waiting for those to warm back up.

Health Insurance Deadline Looms, Some Hoosiers Have Other Options

Time is short for uninsured Hoosiers to meet an important health insurance deadline. The open enrollment period to apply for coverage for this year through the Health Insurance Marketplace ends March 31. Executive Director of Covering Kids and Families of Indiana Davis Roos says while there is a deadline under the Affordable Care Act, some families have other options.

Starke County Youth Club Receives Grant

The Starke County Youth Club was one of 53 organizations that were awarded a 21st Century Community Learning Center grant.

The grant is designed to provide academic enrichment opportunities for students at after-school sites.

21st Century Community Learning Centers provide a range of high-quality services to support student learning and development, including academic enrichment, tutoring and mentoring, and homework help, as well as music, arts, sports and cultural activities.

MoonTree Studios Preparing for Second Annual Catapult Experience.odt

MoonTree Studios is teaming up with the Veteran’s Therapeutic Art Center in Plymouth as they announce the return of a popular event at the MoonTree Wood Shop this spring that gives participants the opportunity to design and build a wooden catapult. Teams are invited to conceive, plan and build a working wooden machine that can hurl golf balls, seed balls and other objects for distance and accuracy.

Evelyn Schwenk, co-director of MoonTree Studios, told WKVI that these are true catapults, just a little bit smaller.

National Weather Service Extends Kankakee River Flood Warning Again

The flood warning for the Kankakee River at Davis Route 30 has now been extended until Wednesday morning by the National Weather Service. Minor flooding is occurring, but the river was holding steady at 10.2 feet this morning. Flood stage is 10 feet. The river is now expected to drop below that level around 7 a.m. tomorrow. More rain is in the extended forecast for Thursday and Friday.

Government Officials Warn of Widespread Telephone Scam

March 24, 2014March 24, 2014WKVI

A sophisticated telephone scam from individuals claiming to be from the Internal Revenue Service has cost taxpayers more than $1 million collectively, according to federal government officials. The Treasury Inspector General for Taxpayer Administration (TIGTA) has received reports of more than 20,000 contacts from nearly every state in the country. Callers claiming to be from the IRS tell intended victims they owe taxes and must use a prepaid debit card or wire transfer to make a payment. They threaten those who refuse to pay with arrest, deportation or loss of a business or driver’s license. George says the threats are a sign that the caller is not an IRS representative. He adds IRS contacts people by mail about unpaid taxes and will not ask for payment via prepaid debit card or wire transfer. IRS officials also will not ask for a credit card number over the telephone. Continue reading →

Driver Misses Curve, Goes to Jail

A Knox woman wound up in the Pulaski County Jail Sunday night after driving off a rural Pulaski County road into a field. The sheriff’s office got a call around 5:30 p.m. of a red Buick in a field near 1450 West and 100 North. The caller was concerned because neither of the people in the car were moving. The deputy who came out to investigate ended up arresting Christene Shepherd, 40, of Knox for operating a vehicle while intoxicated, possession of a controlled substance and possession of paraphernalia. Neither she nor her passenger were injured.

One Arrested After Officers Respond to Report of Knife-Wielding Man

Officers from the Starke and Pulaski County Sheriff’s Departments and Winamac and Medaryville Police converged on a residence on U.S. 35 north of Winamac last night in response to multiple calls about a knife-wielding man chasing a woman. The officers wound up at 4755 North U.S. 35 and reportedly found Benton Christopher Howard, 41, in a bedroom with self-inflicted knife wounds. He was arrested on a criminal confinement charge. That incident remains under investigation.

LaPorte County Fugitive Faces Charges in Pulaski County

A passenger in a car that was stopped for speeding early Sunday morning on U.S. 421 at 300 South in Pulaski County is wanted in LaPorte County and now faces charges in Pulaski County as well. Manuel Cooper, Jr., 23, of Bauxite, Ark. was picked up on a theft warrant from LaPorte County. Officers at the Pulaski County Jail discovered he was in possession of a Schedule II controlled substance without a prescription. Formal charges are pending. He’s still in the Pulaski County Jail.

Motorist Hospitalized After Head-On Collision

Deputies from the Pulaski County Sheriff’s Office are investigating a head-on collision that occurred on 421 near the White County line around 3:30 Sunday morning. A 2007 Infiniti driven by Louis Ramiro of Monon was northbound, apparently swerved left of center and hit a 2008 Dodge driven by Phillip D. Carlson, 49, of Francesville. Carlson and his wife, Lori, 47, both refused treatment at the scene. Ramiro cut his head and was taken to the Jasper County Hospital for treatment. It’s uncertain at this time whether he was driving under the influence.

Important May Primary Election Reminders

March 24, 2014March 23, 2014WKVI

Absentee voting for the May Primary Election is now available.

Starke County Clerk Evelyn Skronski informed WKVI News that if you would like to receive an absentee voting form by mail or to cast a ballot by way of the travel board, contact the election office at (574) 772-9160.

New Wing at Knox Library Deemed a “Wonderful Addition”

March 24, 2014March 23, 2014WKVI

The new structural addition at the Henry F. Schricker Public Library in Knox has been complete, the grand opening having been held Dec. 7 for the new children’s wing. Sheila Urwiler told WKVI that the hard work has been complete, but there’s still a bit of work to be done with furniture and shelving.

Oregon-Davis Community Meeting Rescheduled for April 3

March 24, 2014March 23, 2014WKVI

The Oregon-Davis community meeting has been rescheduled for Thursday, April 3.

Snow played a role in canceling the previously scheduled community meeting, but Superintendent Greg Briles said a spaghetti dinner, complete with a Caeser salad and garlic bread, will be served and several discussion items will be presented to community members.