Indiana University Health LaPorte VNA is offering flu and pneumonia shots at a walk-in clinic in Hamlet. Starting today the vaccines are available to people ages 65 and older at IU Health VNA, located at 5595 County Road 600 North in Hamlet. Medicare Part B covers the shots, or participants may pay with cash or check. Continue reading
Contractors Needed for Home Repairs for City Grant Project
The City of Knox is looking for contractors to bid on repairs on homes through the Area 5 program.
Five roofing jobs were awarded to companies in LaPorte and Logansport and now local contractors are urged to bid on homes that need electrical repairs, plumbing repairs and general contracting repairs. The city has secured grant money and are waiting for companies to bid on the projects.
City Officials to Start Comprehensive Plan Talks
The Knox City Council will be meeting tomorrow at 5 p.m. CT to discuss items for a comprehensive plan.
The two hour meeting will gather ideas for the downtown area and for the TIF District. The council members discussed the need for a new plan for the TIF District last week as the current plan is really outdated. The two plans may come together to move forward plans for the downtown area.
The meeting will be held at the Nancy J. Dembowski Community Center in Knox.
Starke County Commissioners to Revisit Employee Work Restrictions
The Starke County Commissioners have asked the county attorney to look into work restrictions for county employees who have been cleared to return to work by their physicians but are still under restrictions. Interim EMS Director Keith Emigh asked about the county’s policy during the most recent regular commissioners meeting and was told employees cannot return to work unless they can perform all of their required job duties. The commissioners last week asked county attorney Marty Lucas to further research the issue and placed the matter on the agenda for their meeting this morning. Continue reading
Marshall County Commissioners to Meet Today
The Marshall County Commissioners will meet today.
Plan Director Ralph Booker will present the commissioners with a Brownfield Assessment grant agreement. The Brownfield Assessment grant gives the county a chance to identify abandoned buildings, vacant fields and problematic areas to rehabilitate them and clean up the sites. The grant money would repair blighted areas by preparing them for potential business sites. The money would also be used to test areas for possible contaminates. Continue reading
September is National Preparedness Month
September is National Preparedness Month.
Marshall County EMA Director Clyde Avery said this is the time of year that we should be preparing for emergencies including natural disaster events and potential terrorist attacks and to take action to protect ourselves and our families.
Another Step Forward Walking Challenge Ends
Man Arrested in Homicide Investigation
LaPorte police are investigating a homicide that occurred after 2 a.m. CT Saturday.
Officers were called to the 1000 Block of Lincolnway and found a man who was bleeding profusely. The victim was immediately transported to IU Health LaPorte Hospital and later died.
A preliminary investigation and evidence collected at the scene led to the arrest of Justin M. Lower. Lower, 26, has been preliminarily charged with murder and is being held in the LaPorte County Jail.
Man Arrested on Forgery, Counterfeiting Charges
A man suspected of presenting a counterfeit check to two businesses has been arrested.
The investigation began Wednesday, Aug. 27 where Plymouth police officers were notified of the incident. A man who identified himself as Jason Milton attempted to purchase a Polaris Ranger at Turn One Motorsports in the amount of $11,000 with a check. The suspect was to pick up the item the following day. Further examination found that the check and the man’s identity were counterfeit.
Other businesses that sell these off-road vehicles were notified of the incident.
The next day, North End Cycle Shop in Elkhart reported that the same man entered their store and attempted to buy a Polaris Ranger. An officer with the Elkhart Police Department took the check into evidence.
The suspect was later identified as Armen Jerome Sylvester and he was arrested and incarcerated in the Marshall County Jail.
Sylvester, 53, has preliminary charges of forgery, counterfeiting, attempted theft, and identity deception. His bond has been set at $10,000 cash.
Knox City Council Reschedules Budget Public Hearing
The Knox City Council will have the public hearing on the 2015 budget on Tuesday, Sept. 9.
Clerk-Treasurer Jeff Houston told the council members this week that the date was modified from its original calendar date due to an error in the publication. Houston said he notified the Department of Local Government Finance and they are aware of the change and approved it. The budget needed to be re-advertised for two weeks which has caused the delay in the public hearing.
Knox Board of Public Works Affirms Demolition Orders on Two Properties
The Knox Board of Public Works heard from Building Administrator Bruce Williams on several properties that are under notice of condemnation.
One property is the old pool business on 10 S. Heaton Street that is just north of the railroad tracks. That building was ravaged by a fire several years ago and poses as a safety hazard. The roof and structure are damaged and it is recommended for demolition. Williams stated that he has not gotten a reply back from the owners concerning a certified letter that was sent. The board members approved a motion to affirm the condemnation order to demolish the building.
Give Blood During Marshall County Blueberry Festival
The American Red Cross is hosting blood drives during the Marshall County Blueberry Festival. They will be set up at 1600 N. Michigan St. in Plymouth today and tomorrow from noon until 6 p.m. EDT. Donors are encouraged to “sip in style.” They will receive Mason jar tumblers while supplies last. Continue reading
Plymouth City Council Decides Property Issues
The Plymouth City Council discussed two property issues in Monday’s meeting. An affirmation of order to take action regarding an unsafe building at 414 West LaPorte Street in Plymouth was taken. The building was going to be sold but after damage was assessed the person interested in purchasing it did not want to follow through with the agreement. There has been a dispute over the money but the deeded owner will meet with his attorney to resolve the conflict with the transaction. The next step that needs to be taken is to get permission from the board to affirm a peace order to demolish the building. The motion was unanimously approved.
Enjoy More of the Blueberry Festival Today
The 48th annual Marshall County Blueberry Festival continues today with many activities on the schedule for anyone to enjoy.
The Elks Blueberry Breakfast will start at 6:30 a.m. EDT while the Blueberry Bicycle Cruise starts at 7 a.m. The festival officially kicks off at 9 a.m. with tennis, volleyball and softball tournaments throughout the morning. A blood drive will start at 12 p.m. and run through 6 for anyone who would like to donate. Music all day will be provided by different artists from country to blues and Christian rock.
A hot air balloon launch will start at 6:30 p.m. and will be followed by the K-9 dog trick show. The festival will continue through Monday. Click here for a complete schedule of events.
Monterey Days Festival Continues
The 17th annual Monterey Days Festival continues today with a full schedule of events. Enjoy the Knights of Columbus pancake breakfast from 8 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. EDT. Free carnival rides start at 10 and will run to 6 p.m. The Loehmer’s Hardware Pedal Tractor Pull will begin at 11 a.m. The karaoke contests will start at noon and go until 3 p.m. The Monterey Days Parade will start at 5 p.m. followed by Kiss the Pig Contest. The evening will finish up with live pro wrestling. For a schedule of events got to the Monterey Days Festival Facebook page.
Tippecanoe Arts Federation Seeking Visual Art Exhibition Applicants
The Tippecanoe Arts Federation is looking for visual art exhibits to hang in the Wells Community Cultural Center galleries in 2016. All artists, art groups, arts organization and schools from the Region IV counties are eligible to submit an application and electronic portfolio for panel review. Artists in Pulaski, White, Jasper, Benton, Carroll, Cass, Clinton, Fountain, Howard, , Montgomery, Newton, Tippecanoe, Tipton and Warren counties who are at least 18 are eligible to apply. Continue reading
Additional Lighting Deemed Best Option for Wythogan Park
Knox Mayor Rick Chambers will get quotes from NIPSCO to add more lights to Wythogan Park in an attempt to curb vandalism. The Knox Park Board decided strategic lighting is the the most cost effective option to deal with problems there. Continue reading
Students Thriving at The Crossing
The 29 students enrolled at Starke County’s newest school are thriving in the non-traditional learning environment. The Crossing alternative school opened recently and offers a second chance to students who have been expelled from or dropped out of public schools. Principal Quentin Bishop says the school is an extension of the students’ sending schools.
“This is like a classroom just down the road from their sending school. We have that type of relationship, that type of partnership to say we’re not only just The Crossing Education Center working as an independent school. We’re actually in partnership with our public schools,” Bishop said. Continue reading
Knox City Council to Move Forward with Refinancing Water Bonds
The Knox City Council will be considering refinancing the water bonds to save money over the life of the bonds.
Mayor Rick Chambers explained how much the city could save each year of the life of the bonds.
“We’re currently paying on two water bonds. The first one will be paid off in 2025 and we owe about $650,000 on that one. The second one will be paid off three years later in 2028 and we owe about $950,000 on that one – so, about $1.6 million. Right now we’re paying 4.75 percent interest on one and almost five on the other. Umbaugh believes we re-bond in the low threes. Over the life of 14 years, we could save about $150,000,” explained Chambers.
More Police Patrols Planned Over The Weekend
The Operation Pull Over safe driving campaign will be in effect this weekend for the State and local law enforcement agencies.
Additional patrols on the road in high traffic areas as well as sobriety checkpoints will be arranged. Troopers will be looking for aggressive drivers that are speeding, following too close, making unsafe lane changes and not wearing seatbelts.
