Pulaski County EMS Director Nikki Lowry asked the commissioners Monday night for help in retaining staff in her department.
She stated that there is a short turnaround of staff and believes that Pulaski County EMS needs to be more competitive when it comes to pay and work available.
Lowry also suggested offering incentives such as continuing education.
The North Judson-San Pierre School Board will need to reduce their budget even further.
According to North Judson-San Pierre Superintendent Lynn Johnson, a decrease in enrollment will cause deeper cuts. She said the average daily membership has decreased by 40 students.
Earlier this year the board cut $1 million from the budget, and more cuts are forthcoming. Johnson did not elaborate on where those cuts will occur.
Students from Starke County’s three school corporations will get a firsthand look at local job opportunities during the upcoming Manufacturers Day at Knox Middle School. The Starke County Economic Development Foundation is bringing together 7th grade students and representatives from local industries and SCILL on Thursday, Oct. 2. They will have displays of what their company manufacturers, the skills and training required for each job at the company and the kinds of jobs they have and will also be available to answer questions. Continue reading
The 5th annual Life Walk is this Saturday.
The event will help raise money for the Bella Vita Pregnancy Resource Center. The walk will begin around 10 a.m. at the center on Lake Street and conclude at Wythogan Park.
An open house is planned at the center along with face painting, a balloon artist, coffee and doughnuts.
Citizens can earn reward money for turning in poachers through Indiana’s Turn in a Poacher (T.I.P.) program. Indiana Conservation Officers are encouraging citizens to partner with the Turn in a Poacher program and become involved in putting an end to poaching. Continue reading
A former county highway superintendent faces a felony theft charge.
A grand jury in Marshall County returned a single-count indictment this week against Neal R. Haeck. He’s alleged to have stolen $12,351.41 from the county in 2012 and 2013. During that time Haeck was the Marshall County Highway Superintendent. The allegations surround the sale of scrap metal, according to a news release from the prosecutor’s office. Haeck is being summoned into court. However, his initial hearing date has not been set. Haeck retired from the county highway department on May 2nd.
A Michigan City man was arrested Wednesday after allegedly sending a bomb threat notice by mail to the LaPorte County clerk’s office.
The employee received a letter addressed to the clerk’s office delivered by the United States Postal Service. When she opened the envelope, she found a powdery substance and a letter, according to a news release. She immediately took the envelope and the contents to the courthouse security office.
The letter stated that explosives were located in or near the courthouse, as noted in the press release. With that, the courthouse was evacuated and a request was made for the assistance of the Michigan City Police Department, LaPorte County Sheriff’s Office, LaPorte County Hazardous Materials Team, Michigan City Fire Department and LaPorte County Emergency Management.
Starke County Coroner Kris Rannells tells WKVI News an autopsy will be conducted today on the victim of an apparent hit and run crash. Detectives from the Starke County Sheriff’s Department have not released the victim’s name. Continue reading
A Plymouth teenager sustained minor injuries Tuesday afternoon when his pickup truck rear-ended a Plymouth Community School Corporation bus. Continue reading
Detectives with the Starke County Sheriff’s Department are investigating an apparent hit and run crash that claimed the life of a white man in his 30s. Dispatchers advise WKVI news the wreck occurred early yesterday morning on U.S. 30 near State Road 23. Continue reading
A South Bend man was sentenced Tuesday morning in Starke Circuit Court after pleading guilty to an amended count of child molesting as a Class C felony.
A plea recommendation was offered in the case of Adam Obomsawin which Judge Kim Hall accepted. Judge Hall sentenced Obomsawin, 36, to six years in the Indiana Department of Corrections with two years suspended to be served on probation. In addition, Obomsawin was ordered to undergo sex offender treatment. Upon the successful completion of that course, he may petition the court for a modification of the sentence. He is to have no contact with the victim during the execution of his sentence.
The Starke County Park Board is two members away from being populated. Starke Circuit Judge Kim Hall is responsible for appointing a Democrat and a Republican to the five-member board. He advised WKVI News he is still reviewing the qualifications of potential members and expects to make a decision soon. Continue reading
The new generator for the Pulaski County Health Department was to be delivered this week.
Maintenance Director Jeff Johnston told the commissioners Monday night that it will be stored until a company can properly install it. The Pulaski County council members approved the money for the generator at their meeting last week.
The commissioners previously approved the purchase of a similar self-starting generator for the county home in the amount of $3,500, but the council members did not bring the purchase request to a motion last week. Commissioner Terry Young expressed his frustration in that lack of action by the council.
The North Judson Town offices will soon be in a new location. The town council has finalized paperwork on the former First Farmers Bank and Trust building on Lane Street that was donated to the town back in August. The plan is to be moved in to the new town hall by the end of the year. It will house the water department and clerk treasurer’s offices and serve as meeting space for the town council. It will provide more space for the employees and for meeting purposes. Continue reading
Be aware of telephone scam artists continuing to pretend they are the IRS. Scammers call claiming you owe money or have a refund trying to trick you into releasing important information. They may know a lot about you, and they usually alter the caller ID to make it look like the IRS is calling. Fake names and incorrect ID badge numbers are given to make you believe it is the IRS. Continue reading
Indiana Conservation Officers are encouraging Hoosier sportsmen to donate part of their 2014-2015 deer harvest to help feed the hungry. Over 269,000 high protein venison meals were provided last year totaling 67,473 pounds of donated venison by Indiana deer hunters. Continue reading
The Starke County Economic Development Foundation will celebrate Manufacturers Day with its fourth annual “Prospectus and Achievements” on Thursday, Oct. 2 at Knox Middle School. Hoosier Custom Plastics and EcoGolf Co-Owner Gordon Schenk will be the featured speaker for the 11:10 a.m. program. The Knox-based business is involved in the Folds of Honor Foundation. It provides scholarships and assistance to the spouses and children of those killed or disabled in service to America. Schenk will explain how the businesses became involved with the organization. Continue reading
Officials with the Bureau of Motor Vehicles and the Indiana Department of Revenue will be working together to issue excise tax refunds to affected customers.
Indiana BMV Commissioner Don Snemis stated that some vehicles were classified in error for excise tax purposes. These misclassifications stretch back to 2004 when the BMV’s System Tracking and Record Support system was implemented on a limited basis.
One person has died as a result of a two vehicle crash this morning at 0101 North U.S. Highway 421 in LaPorte County.
LaPorte County Deputy Coroner Mark Huffman pronounced one driver dead while two others in another vehicle were transported by LaPorte County EMS to St. Anthony’s Hospital in Michigan City for treatment and observation. The extent of their injuries is unknown, according to police.
