Hoosiers can protect themselves from identity thieves by activating a credit freeze. Also known as a security freeze, it keeps new creditors from accessing your credit report without your permission. This will prevent an identity thief from opening a credit card or other account in your name, even if he or she has your Social Security number or other personal information. Continue reading
February is Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month
Dating relationships should not hurt. February is National Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month, the goal of which is to raise awareness of unhealthy behavior patterns used to exert power and control over a partner. Abuse can be physical, verbal or emotional and may include checking your cell phone or email without your permission, constantly putting you down, extreme jealousy or insecurity, possessiveness, an explosive temper, mood swings and telling you what to do. To learn to enjoy the art and joy of dating, dating9 has something that will help you realize that one thing, dating should be enjoyable and exciting! Continue reading
Counterfeit $10 Bill Turns Up at LaPorte Walmart
A counterfeit $10 bill was apparently passed at the LaPorte Walmart earlier this week. Continue reading
Bullet Found Inside South Central High School Locker Room
A .22 caliber bullet was found in the girls PE locker room at South Central High School, which caused a lockdown of the school at 10:15 a.m. Wednesday.
The bullet was placed into the custody of a staff member, and the school’s resource officer was notified. A search ensued. Members of the LaPorte County Sheriff’s Department responded to the school and served as security as staff members looked through every student locker. The PE lockers were also thoroughly searched. Nothing of a suspicious nature was located. The lockdown was lifted after two hours.
Starke County Prosecutor’s Office, WorkOne Partnership Helps Parents
The Starke County Prosecutor’s Office has entered into a partnership with the local WorkOne office to help non-custodial parents find jobs. Prosecutor Nicholas Bourff says a new program offered through WorkOne helps unemployed parents build job skills, get their GED, build up their resumes, learn interviewing techniques and other skills necessary to compete in the job market. Continue reading
Knox Public Hearing Held for Proposed Grant Application for Water Line Upgrades
The Knox City Council held a public hearing Monday night to gather opinions on a proposed grant application for a water line project this summer.
K-IPRC Executive Director Edwin Buswell said the City of Knox will be applying for an Office of Community and Rural Affairs (OCRA) grant in the amount of $350,000 for the project. The local match will be 20 percent or $70,000.
Mayor Rick Chambers explained that Water Superintendent Todd Gardner and the engineers are looking to improve water flow in areas of the city.
Ancilla College Board Adopts Flat, Fixed Tuition Rate
The Ancilla College board of Trustees has adopted a flat, fixed tuition rate for $14,100 per year rather than charge a per-credit hour fee. President Ken Zirkle says it encourages students to take a full course load each semester and graduate on time. Students who take more than 17 hours per semester will pay an additional $470 per credit hour. Continue reading
Area Students to Take Shortened ISTEP Exam Next Week
This year’s shortened ISTEP exam will be taken at all of the local schools next week. The test window begins today.
Governor Mike Pence signed into law SEA 62, the bill that allows the Indiana Department of Education to shorten this year’s ISTEP test. The test would have been more than 12 hours for third grade students.
The test will begin on Monday at most schools and Tuesday at others. Students will be tested in the next two weeks. The window closes March 11.
West Central Students Participating in FFA Week
West Central FFA students are getting in the spirit of educating others about FFA.
FFA Leader Shaw Haselby told WKVI News that the students have been participating in spirit days. Today is Denim Day while tomorrow the students will be driving their tractors to school. Friday is Cowboy/Western Day.
Haselby says FFA is vital in giving students information about agriculture, but also public speaking, leadership skills, and other experiences to promote agriculture.
Daylight Saving Time Begins March 8
Daylight Saving Time begins Sunday, March 8 at 2 a.m. local time. Before you go to bed on March 7, make sure that you set your clock ahead one hour or move it ahead one hour at 2 a.m. on Sunday.
The Indiana State Fire Marshal encourages residents to change the batteries in smoke detectors when the time is changed. It serves as a reminder to make sure fresh batteries are installed as they should be changed twice a year.
Missing Juvenile Calls Lead to Child Porn Discovery
Knox Police are conducting an investigation after they received a call of two missing juveniles on Sunday.
Officers were able to locate one of the individuals cited as missing without incident. It was learned that the second juvenile was at a residence on Heaton Street in Knox.
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New Prairie High School Placed on Lockdown After Bullet Located
A LaPorte County school was placed on lockdown earlier today after a student located a bullet on a classroom floor.
The incident occurred shortly after 9:00 a.m. at New Prairie High School. The student who located the bullet notified the principal. A search of all lockers in the building, along with book bags that had been in the classroom where the bullet was found was conducted.
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Police Find Meth Lab in Camper
A verification of a registered sex offender’s address in Starke County turned into a meth lab bust.
An officer from the Starke County Sheriff’s Department went to 1833 E. 350 S. in Knox. As he approached the residence, he saw an HCL generator, which is an item commonly used in the manufacture of methamphetamine, according to a press release. The homeowner gave consent to the search their residence which happened to be a camper. The officer reportedly found methamphetamine, methamphetamine precursors, syringes, and other paraphernalia used to manufacture the drug.
Dumpster Ordinance Reaches Final Hurdle
The Knox City Council members held further discussion on the proposed dumpster ordinance.
Councilman Don Kring commented that he would like to see the ordinance without the residential provision in it. The ordinance restricts a dumpster in areas zoned R-1. A dumpster could be allowed in an R-1 zone if a building permit is acquired. A dumpster is allowed in any 10-day period out of a month one time a year for cleaning projects or a roofing project. A dumpster may also be included in R-1 if a variance is granted by the Board of Public Works. Otherwise, a dumpster is not allowed.
State Appeals Court Affirms Starke Circuit Court Ruling
The Indiana Court of Appeals has affirmed a sentence handed down in Starke Circuit Court in 2014. Gregory Schweisthal was sentenced to 64 months in prison on a felony invasion of privacy and a misdemeanor domestic battery charge. Continue reading
Sunday Alcohol Sales Bill Could Soon Receive Vote
A bill designed to allow the Sunday sale of alcohol for carry-out could soon be getting a vote.
Indiana is among a dwindling number of states that prevents alcohol sales on Sunday. House Bill 1624 was filed by Republican State Representative Tom Dermody – who’s Public Policy Committee reviewed the measure.
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Two Sentenced in Starke Circuit Court
Two offenders were sentenced in Starke Circuit Court on Monday.
Sammie Marshall, 20, of Knox pleaded guilty in an agreement with the State to a charge of theft as a Class D felony. He admitted to stealing a Kindle Fire and several pieces of jewelry from a person with whom he was living. He then gave the items to another person.
West Central School Board Holds Work Session
The West Central School Board held a work session last week to look at the corporation’s strategic plan.
Superintendent Don Street said a presentation of the progression of the one-to-one technology program was given which led into the discussion of e-learning days. Street said the state has approved the corporation’s request to make up missed school days on Saturdays.
“Our first one is March 14 and a few will be held in April as opposed to adding those days on at the end of the year. This will make it a more meaningful and educationally related to our students,” said Street.
The students will receive assignments on Friday which will be due on Monday. The Board also discussed how the staff will prepare for e-learning days.
Principal Patrick Culp discussed a change in classes at the middle school level.
“We’re currently on a four-period day. We would be dividing a couple of those periods up for English and Mathematics. We would go to an eight-period day where those students would get instruction for 40 minutes and go into a lab setting for 40 minutes to get extra assistance if needed.”
More advanced learners would get more challenging assignments during that lab time.
No final decisions were made, but information from the work session will be presented at the March board meeting for approval.
Wind Energy Ordinance Comes Back To Culver Town Council
The Culver Town Council may finally be taking a vote on their wind energy ordinance at tonight’s meeting.
The Council tabled the measure at their last meeting after certain portions were felt to be unclear. The Town of Culver has spent years attempting to develop a wind energy ordinance that addresses residents’ concerns.
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New Medical Practice Looks to Expand Access to Healthcare, Locally
A new medical practice is opening its doors in the area and one physician is looking to use the opportunity to help improve access to healthcare.
For about 10 years, Dr. Amed Alhamwi has been developing his skills in internal medicine in New York, Illinois, and a few other areas. His practice is now operating in Knox with a focus on patients ages 18 and older.
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