Enrollment at the Eastern Pulaski School Corporation is down slightly over this time last year. The official student count turned in to the state last month is 1,231.5. Superintendent Dan Foster says that’s a decline of 1.5 students. Continue reading
A man was sentenced in Starke Circuit Court on Wednesday on two charges after a battery incident in North Judson on March 15.
Michael Hanley, Jr., 30, of North Judson pleaded guilty in a plea agreement with the state in September to a charge of criminal confinement as a Class C felony and residential entry as a Class D felony. He admitted in open court to entering the home of a North Judson man without consent and blocking the door so he couldn’t leave while a co-defendant allegedly battered the victim. The co-defendant’s case is still pending a resolution as he participates in drug rehab.
A drill is scheduled for today at 10:16 a.m. ET as part of the Great Central U.S. ShakeOut for earthquake preparedness.
According to Emergency Management Agency Director Clyde Avery, Indiana is one of 11 states with 478,000 individuals and business professionals statewide participating in earthquake drills. Scientists estimate that there is a 25-40 percent probability of a damaging earthquake occurring in the central part of the nation within a 50-year window of time.
The Knox Community School Corporation is in the running to win cash prizes and a concert by The Band Perry. The school is taking part in the Celebrate My Drive safety campaign. Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD) sponsor Carrie Stone encourages community members to visit http://www.celebratemydrive.com/home and make a commitment to staying safe behind the wheel. Continue reading
The president of the Pleasant View Rest Home Board is going to fight to keep the county home in Pulaski County operational.
The Pulaski County Council members voted 3-2 on Monday night to cut out funding for the county home from the 2015 budget. The complete budget was then approved with that approved exemption.
Bob White said he hopes to meet with county officials to reverse this decision.
The Knox City Council members discussed the use of the Nancy J. Dembowski Community Center for free community meals to be prepared and served by church members without paying the rental fee.
Deb McIntire proposed the idea where she explained that it is her goal to get members from eight churches on board to prepare the meals at home and to serve them at the community center. Volunteers will be setting up the room, serving food for a couple of hours and then clean the room used.
U.S. Rep. Jackie Walorski’s “Home Grown Business Tour” brought her to American Oak Preserving Company in North Judson yesterday. President and Chairman of the Board Charles Vorm represents the third generation to run the company since his grandfather founded it in 1916. His three daughters assist in the day-to-day operations of the business. Walorski says it’s important for members of Congress to listen to successful business owners in their districts. Continue reading
Representatives from Gibraltar Design presented updates in the building project to the Eastern Pulaski School Board Monday night. The project includes upgrades to the elementary, middle and high schools. Main entrances will be secured, restrooms updated, classrooms improved including the change of chalkboards to marker boards and replacing windows. Continue reading
A defendant will serve time on probation after his case was settled in Starke Circuit Court on Monday.
Ethan Hill pleaded guilty in a plea agreement with the state to a charge of theft as a Level 6 felony. Judge Kim Hall accepted the plea agreement which called for 12 months in the Indiana Department of Corrections with 12 months suspended to be served on probation.
Starke County has three new Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) volunteers to shepherd abused and neglected children through the legal system. Circuit Judge Kim Hall administered oaths of office to Eddie Fields, Lori Reading and Patti Scaggs Tuesday in his courtroom. They each completed 30 hours of training as part of the program. CASA volunteers act in the best interest of children who end up in state custody and share information with the judge and attorneys about whether the youngsters should be returned to their parents, remain in foster care or be placed for adoption. Judge Hall says the CASA plays a critical role in the process. Continue reading
The LaPorte County Sheriff’s Department investigated a two vehicle accident on Johnson Road at the Indiana Toll Road on Tuesday morning.
Deputies were called to the scene at 8:29 a.m. CT where a 31-year-old driver from LaPorte was stopped at the stop sign, entered the intersection and was struck by a pickup truck. The pickup hit the driver’s side of the car, according to police. The driver and her children were transported to IU Health LaPorte Hospital. One child was subsequently airlifted to South Bend Memorial Hospital with non-life threatening injures.
Johnson Road between County Road 400 West and County 500 West was closed for two hours while officers reconstructed the accident scene as part of their investigation.
The driver was cited for failure to yield the right of way.
INDOT officials are hosting an open house tomorrow in LaPorte to share information about their statewide storm water program. It supports state and federal storm water rules. INDOT is seeking input and feedback. Informational materials will be available and will also be posted on INDOT’s Ecology & Waterway Permitting web page at http://www.in.gov/indot/2892.htm. The open house starts at 4 p.m. CDT at the INDOT LaPorte District office at 315 Boyd Blvd. It’s one of six statewide meetings on the issue.
The residents at the Pleasant View Rest Home are going to have to find another place to live.
The Pulaski County Council last night approved a motion to remove funding for the county home from the 2015 budget.
The issue of bills not being collected and the high amount of money it will take to keep the building functional and up to code were the main reasons for the decision. County Council President Jay Sullivan said that he will notify county home board president Bob White of the status change and to set things in motion to get the residents a new place of residency.
The Oregon-Davis School Corporation is considering the addition of a smartphone app to quickly notify law enforcement of an active shooter or other emergency. School Guard creates a direct link between teachers, staff and nearby law enforcement officers. The app has a panic button that speed dials 911 and instantly sends an alert directly to nearby law enforcement officers with the companion free Hero 911 app on their phones. Continue reading
The Starke County Economic Development Foundation is seeking a $15,000 grant to plan for future workforce needs through the SCILL Center. Executive Director Charlie Weaver says they are looking at the cost of implementing vocational and adult automation robotics equipment maintenance programs. He says there is a growing need for that skill set in manufacturing settings. Continue reading
The Knox City Council members will meet tonight where they will resume a conversation pertaining to the use of the Nancy J. Denbowski Community Center by church groups to serve free meals without paying the rental fee.
The request to host the meals was made several months ago by Deb McIntire who explained in a letter to Mayor Rick Chambers that different church groups would cook and serve meals in the community center for the general public. The center would be used one day a week for four hours.
U.S. Rep. Jackie Walorski’s “Made in Indiana” tour includes stops in Marshall, Pulaski and Starke Counties today. She’s visiting businesses throughout Indiana’s second congressional district to highlight their hard work and contributions to the state’s economy. Walorski will visit Hoosier Racing Tire in Lakeville and tour ITAMCO in Argos this morning before heading to Rose Acre Farms in Francesville and American Oak Preserving Company in North Judson.
The Starke County Sheriff’s Department has received several calls about two men going door-to-door selling magazines.
Officials told WKVI News that the individuals were asked to go to the county auditor’s office to obtain a peddler’s permit to sell the items. A resident has the right to ask a salesman for a peddler’s permit before any sales pitch is made or before any transaction is final.
Deer are on the move this fall with hunting season and mating season in full swing. Use extra caution when driving in rural areas at this time of the year.
Deer tend to be more active in the early morning hours and just after dusk. Where there is one deer there are often several more that could follow.
Authorities in Marshall County are investigating a crash involving two cars and a tractor-trailer that saw two people airlifted to hospitals in South Bend. It happened around 9 p.m. last night on State Road 10 at U.S. 31, according to our reporting partners at WNDU-TV. A third person was transferred by ground to St. Joseph Regional Medical Center in Plymouth. The semi driver refused medical treatment.
