Advisory Travel Levels Remain in Effect

Posted on Author WKVI
 
 

Starke County is now under an advisory level travel status. That means routine travel or activities may be restricted in areas because of a hazardous situation, and individuals should use caution or avoid those areas.

Marshall County is also observing an advisory level travel status.

While most of the main roads are clear, secondary county roads may remain snow-covered, icy and hazardous. Emergency officials urge you to allow plenty of time to get to your destination and allow snow plow drivers enough room to work.

More snow is on the way this week accompanied by frigid temperatures. Take action now to prepare for the cold snap. Residents are reminded to leave a small drip of water from faucets to prevent frozen pipes.

College Goal Sunday Event This Weekend

Posted on Author WKVI

Those needing assistance filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA, form can get assistance in this weekend’s College Goal Sunday event.

The form is due March 10 to be eligible for federal student aid. The FAFSA form is required for students to be considered for federal and state grants, scholarships and student loans at most post-secondary schools. The FAFSA form can be perceived as time-consuming, but students can get the FAFSA form filed online during Sunday’s event.

College Goal Sunday has helped more than 90,000 Indiana students and families complete the FAFSA properly and on time. According to the Indiana Commission for Higher Education’s Division of Student Financial Aid, more single parents have filed for financial aid proving that the program is reaching high-risk students and families.

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Ancilla Student Uses Skills in Woodworking and Business

Posted on Author WKVI

Ancilla College NEWOne Ancilla College student is combining their education with a bit of woodworking skill.

Sophomore Andrew Huff will begin selling long boards at Culver Marina and Outpost Sports in the near future. Under his company: Huff & Puff Board Co., he uses reclaimed wood to manufacturing the devices. Long boards function similarly to a skateboard, but the extra length provides greater traction and stability.
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Walorski Touts Benefits of Bill to Assist Veterans

Posted on Author WKVI
Congresswoman Jackie Walorski
Congresswoman Jackie Walorski

Legislation championed by U.S. Rep. Jackie Walorski to help veterans get access to mental health services is now law. She attended a signing ceremony last week at the White House for The Clay Hunt SAV Act. Walorski says it sets up a website to serve as a one-stop shop for veterans who are struggling with mental health problems. It also bridges the VA healthcare bureaucracy by offering more community-based services. Continue reading →

Amid Major Data Breaches, BBB Advocates for Protections

Posted on Author WKVI

BBBThe Better Business Bureau is reminding Americans to protect themselves from having personal and sensitive information stolen.

The message is in response to a major data breach at Anthem Insurance. According to a press release, hackers stole personal identifying information from both current and former customers. Items taken include names, addresses, Social Security numbers, and dates of birth.
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Hamlet Man Charged in Accidental Shooting

Posted on Author WKVI
 
 

A Hamlet man was booked into the Marshall County Jail on Sunday after an accidental shooting incident in Marshall County at the end of January.

According to court documents, David J. Paulson, 35, and a four-year-old child were in a vehicle traveling west on U.S. 30 and Beech Road in Bourbon on Jan. 31 when the child allegedly picked up a loaded .40 caliber handgun from a pocket Paulson’s coveralls in the backseat of the vehicle. The handgun discharged, and Paulson suffered a wound to the back of his right upper arm.

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Starke County Officials to Discuss Staffing at New Jail

Posted on Author WKVI

starke-county-courthouseStarke County Sheriff Bill Dulin will present the amended staffing report for the new jail to the county council and commissioners this evening. The facility east of Knox is scheduled to open in June and will require additional staff to handle the increased inmate capacity. Dulin will present the report to the council during their 5:30 p.m. meeting and to the commissioners when they meet at 6. Both sessions will take place at the county annex building. Continue reading →

Ancilla College Officials Finalizing Residence Hall Construction Plans

Posted on Author WKVI

Ancilla College NEWAncilla College officials hope to break ground on the school’s first residence hall within the next three to four weeks. Vice President of Development Todd Zeltwanger says the school’s board of trustees approved the construction late last year.

“By August we hope to have a three-story residence hall with about 96 beds ready for occupancy for students from all over the area to come and live on campus and experience Ancilla College in a whole new way,” Zeltwanger said. Continue reading →

Education Bill Favors New Testing Standards, Reporting Requirements for Private Schools

Posted on Author WKVI
Indiana Statehouse
Indiana Statehouse

A bill introduced in the Indiana Senate could make the playing field between public and private schools a bit different.

That’s according to North Judson-San Pierre Superintendent Lynn Johnson. Senate Bill 470 would allow for schools eligible to accept choice scholarships to use another nationally recognized assessment as opposed to the ISTEP program.
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LaPorte Woman Sentenced in Federal Court

Posted on Author WKVI

A LaPorte woman was sentenced after pleading guilty to the felony offense of wire fraud in federal court.

Gail Waymire, 58, was hired by Fort Wayne Public Television in 2009 where she was responsible for the station’s finances. In July of 2010, she used her position to obtain funds to which she was not entitled. Waymire generated a false invoice for $8,975 and used several methods to obtain the money from PBS. The money was deposited in her bank account from the station’s bank account.

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Blight Elimination Grant Public Hearing Scheduled

Posted on Author WKVI
 
 

Another public hearing for the Blight Elimination Grant will be held Wednesday, March 18 at 1 p.m. CT at Knox City Hall.

A list of homes included in the grant will be advertised, and a representative from the state will address questions or concerns. An inspection is be conducted in the homes proposed in the grant to determine what can and cannot be recycled from these homes.

Four or five homes were added to the list in case others aren’t accepted.

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Oregon-Davis School Board to Consider Calendar for Next School Year

Posted on Author WKVI
Oregon-Davis School Board members (seated) Andrea McIntosh, Shirley Budka. (standing) Christopher Lawrence, Kurt Hayes, Lee Nagai
Oregon-Davis School Board members (seated) Andrea McIntosh, Shirley Budka. (standing) Christopher Lawrence, Kurt Hayes, Lee Nagai

The Oregon-Davis School Board members will take action on several agenda items when they meet tonight.

The Board will consider the adoption of a calendar for the 2015-2016 school year. The board held previous discussion on a balanced calendar to be in line with other area schools considering the move from a traditional school calendar. The board will also decide make-up days for students for school missed due to snow. Feb. 13, April 3, May 1 and May 29 will be considered as make-up days.

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Starke County Tax Certificate Sale Planned

Posted on Author WKVI
 
 

A live certificate tax sale is planned for Tuesday, Feb. 17 at 10 a.m. in the commissioners room in the Starke County Annex building. The sale will include delinquent properties that did not sell in the previous Starke County tax sale.

The county commissioners are authorized to offer a tax lien for sale of delinquent properties from a prior year’s county tax sale. In Tuesday’s sale, 47 previously unsold tax sale certificates will be featured and opening bids that equal less than the total amount due in delinquent taxes, costs and penalties.

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Presidents’ Day May Affect Government Operations

Posted on Author WKVI
 
 

Today is Presidents’ Day. Presidents’ Day is set aside to honor George Washington. The holiday was celebrated on Washington’s actual birthday on Feb. 22, but the federal holiday was shifted to the third Monday in February on Jan. 1, 1971 by the Uniform Monday Holiday Act.

The United States Postal Service will not be processing or delivering mail today. The Pulaski County Courthouse and government offices will be closed to observe the federal holiday. Starke County and Marshall County government offices will be open.

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Hamlet Police Department Deploys Military Vehicle to Assist Stranded Motorists

Posted on Author WKVI

Officers from the Hamlet Police Department responded to several calls of slide-offs and stranded motorists. Due to the conditions, deputies put the department-issued Humvee to work.

Extreme winds, snow and cold, made roads impassable in Starke County. Motorists were stranded and desperate for help. The hummer was deployed around noon on Saturday and officers were able to rescue 18 people from stranded cars along U.S. 30 and U.S. 35 along with others stuck on many county roads, according to a news release.

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Hazardous Weather Snarls Traffic

Posted on Author WKVI
 
 

Lake effect snow had a bad effect on travel this weekend.

Emergency personnel responded to several slide-offs and many couldn’t get to their targets due to heavy blowing and drifting snow. Many deputies responding to accidents had zero visibility as they attempted to help motorists. Starke and Marshall County Emergency Management Agencies had to confer with county officials to enact travel status advisories.

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Warning Travel Advisory Issued Starke and Marshall Counties

Posted on Author WKVI

A warning level travel advisory, which is the highest level of local travel advisory, has been issued in Starke County and Marshall County. During a Warning level travel advisory, travel is restricted to emergency personnel only. Individuals are directed to refrain from all travel, comply with necessary emergency measures, cooperate with public officials and disaster services force in executing emergency operations plans, and obey and comply with the lawful directions of properly identified officers.

Only essential travel such as to and from work or in emergency situations is recommended.