State Police Seeking Information About Starke County Crash

Posted on Author WKVI
 
 

The Indiana State Police are looking for information about a car crash late last year in Starke County. Specifically they are looking for people who may have seen the early morning crash near Grovertown on Dec. 10. An Oldsmobile Alero was left unattended along County Road 1100 East about 630 feet north of County Road 300 North on the east side of the roadway after striking several large fence posts, according to information released by the state police. Witnesses say at least two vehicles drove by after the crash occurred. One of these vehicles may have been a large white straight truck or other large vehicle. The second vehicle may have been driven by a person named “Ray” or “Raymond” that picked up two individuals that were walking in the area. This vehicle purportedly broke down shortly thereafter. Continue reading →

Former Hoosier EMS Owner Pleads Guilty in Federal Court

Posted on Author WKVI
 
 

The former owner of a Buffalo-based private ambulance service pleaded guilty last week in federal court to conspiracy to submit fraudulent claims to Medicare. The charges against Roy Dunn, 60, of Winamac, involve ambulance transportation for northwest Indiana Medicare recipients. Court documents filed in November of 2012 indicate Hoosier EMS submitted claims to Medicare between May of 2009 and May of 2012 for reimbursement of more than $2 million worth of services that were never rendered. Dunn’s sentencing is set for May 20 in U.S. District Court.

 

Public Hearing Set Tonight for Proposed Wastewater Facility Improvements in Medaryville

Posted on Author WKVI

 
 
A public hearing is set for tonight to hear comments on the proposed federally funded Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) project to make improvements to the Town of Medaryville’s wastewater system.

The town of Medaryville is planning to apply for a CDBG grant worth $450,000. The amount of funds proposed to be used that will benefit low- and moderate-income persons is $279,000. The town is also expected to expend an estimated $400,000 in non-CDBG funds on the project. These funds will come from the Town of Medaryville and a bond issue.

A public hearing on this will be tonight at 6:30 p.m. ET at the Medaryville Town Hall, 409 E. Main Street. If you’d like to review information related to this project, you can view documentation in the clerk’s office between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. You may also contact Gene Payne, President of the Medaryville Town Council at (219) 843-2101.

Starke Commissioners Discuss Bridge Redesigns

Posted on Author WKVI

Starke County Highway Superintendent Stephen "Rik" Ritzler
Starke County Highway Superintendent Stephen “Rik” Ritzler
The Starke County Commissioners this week met with Mark Wilson of engineering firm Jones Petrie Rafinski to discuss bridge projects in the county. Wilson said four county bridges will be redesigned, and the contract with JPR looks good. Martin Lucas, county attorney, gave the contract his approval.

The contract calls for a cost of $140,000 to redesign all four bridges. Wilson did a similar job for the county last year; the project came in under budget and two weeks ahead of schedule. Highway Superintendent Rik Ritzler said they are still on track to replace bad bridges over the next four years, and recommended that the commissioners accept the contract.

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Balanced Calendar Public Meetings Set This Week

Posted on Author WKVI

 
 
More informational sessions on a balanced calendar are set for this week.

Community meetings are set for Tuesday, March 11 at 7 p.m. ET at the Walkerton Elementary School; Wednesday, March 12 at 6 p.m. CT at the Oregon-Davis Board Room; Wednesday, March 12 at 7 p.m. ET at the Culver High School; March 13 at 6 p.m. ET at the Argos Administration Building; and March 13 at 7 p.m. ET at the John Glenn High School.

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Pulaski Council to Meet This Evening

Posted on Author WKVI

 
 
The Pulaski County Council are slated to meet this evening with a relatively light agenda, including only three requests for additional appropriations and three other items of discussion. Jenny Keller, county surveyor, is slated to request an additional appropriation for her department; Mark Fox, highway superintendent, will also request an additional appropriation, and Jeff Johnston, maintenance director, is on the agenda to discuss a number of building issues.

The council will also meet with Nathan Origer, executive director of the Pulaski County Community Development Commission. Sheriff Mike Gayer is slated to present an update on the jail control pod, and request an additional appropriation as well.

The meeting begins at 7 p.m. ET in the commissioners meeting room in the county courthouse.

Marshall County Council to Meet Today

Posted on Author WKVI

 
 
The Marshall County Council will meet this morning at 9 a.m. ET in the second floor meeting room in the Marshall County building.

The council members have a light agenda with a copier purchase request from Prosecutor David Holmes, a salary reimbursement grant request from EMA Director Clyde Avery and a transfer of funds within Sheriff Tom Chamberlin’s budget.

The governing body will also approve additional appropriation requests from the circuit court, the probation department and the clerk’s office.

Residents are welcome to attend. Public input is at the beginning of the meeting for your convenience.

Jacki Frain Presented With 2014 Halleck Award

Posted on Author WKVI

Jackie Frain
Jacki Frain
The annual meeting of the Pulaski County Chamber of Commerce and the Halleck Award Recognition Banquet was held Saturday evening at the Event Center in Winamac, honoring Jackie Frain as this year’s Halleck Award recipient for her outstanding services to the community. Frain was honored after the organization’s annual meeting, adding her to the list of 31 previous recipients.

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NWEA Results Relayed to Knox School Board Members

Posted on Author WKVI

Superintendent A.J. Gappa
Superintendent A.J. Gappa
The Knox Community School Board members heard from Elementary Principal Glenn Barnes and Middle School Principal Dave Miller who presented the NWEA analysis during the board’s recent meeting.

The Northwest Evaluation Association, or NWEA, test is a state-aligned computer-based testing system which adapts to the child in real-time as the test progresses for a pinpoint picture of learning achievement and readiness.

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Report Shows Almost 1 Million Hoosiers at Risk for Online Fraud

Posted on Author WKVI

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A new survey from AARP has found that nearly 1 million may be running the risk of becoming a online fraud victim. The study found it’s a combination of online behaviors and life experiences that put a person at the greatest risk of being scammed.

It’s a situation Melvin Armstrong of Carmel knows all too well. He says he did what he thought was the safe thing and used a credit card with a low limit to purchase a gift online.

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Make Reading a Family Affair for National March into Literacy Month

Posted on Author WKVI

 
 
As schools across the state are celebrating National March into Literacy Month, experts are making an effort to help promote literacy as a family affair that can help to promote a lifelong love of reading. Susie Highley, president of the Association of Indiana School Library Educators, says reading to children at a young age, talking to them and asking questions, can expose children to millions of words before they enter kindergarten.

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Maximum Sentence Given to Argos Man

Posted on Author WKVI

 
 
An Argos man will spend 12 years in the Department of Corrections for his role in selling methamphetamine to an undercover informant.

Mark Howard, 30, pleaded guilty in a plea agreement with the state to a charge of Dealing in Methamphetamine. He participated in two arranged meth buys where he sold the drug with video and audio equipment recording the transaction.

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Monday is Young Artists’ Conference Registration Deadline

Posted on Author WKVI

 
 
Monday marks the deadline for registrants of this year’s Starke County Young Artists’ Conference, after the Knox chapter of the Psi Iota Xi Sorority announced they would be extending the deadline from Friday.

Chapter President Tammy Fletcher said this event is a great opportunity for children to learn more about possible careers or opportunities in life. It was previously an event hosted by teachers of area schools, but it eventually came to a halt. Fletcher, however, said it was too great of a program to let it end.

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Financial Aid Deadline Looming for Indiana College Students

Posted on Author WKVI

 
 
The clock is ticking for students in need of college financial aid next year. Monday is the deadline to file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA form. Ancilla College Executive Director of Finance Mike Brown says it’s best to complete the form in order to keep options open.

“Everyone who is thinking about going to college next year, for most of the students starting college that will be August of 2014, but it could also be for students who won’t be starting until January of 2015, you have to fill out the FAFSA form to be eligible for any type of financial aid,” said Brown.

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