A pickup truck versus motorcycle crash west of North Judson last night claimed two lives. It happened around 8:30 p.m. on State Road 10 at 700 West, according to dispatchers from the Starke County Sheriff’s Department. Continue reading
The Knox City Council agreed to donate funds to build a gazebo for the Serenity Garden project.
Knox High School students will be planting trees, flowers, and other plants in the green space at the corner of Lake and Main Streets in the downtown area. Don White, who is a member of the Starke County Economic Development Board of Directors, presented the council members with an idea for a sturdier structure for a gazebo at that location.
The owner of a Knox business destroyed by fire last March is due back in Starke Circuit Court next week for a status hearing. James Campbell owns Starke County Recycling, C&C Salvage and Campbell’s Tire Barn on U.S. 35 just south of Toto Road and is accused of setting the buildings on fire. Continue reading
The Pulaski County Council took action to create a temporary loan to cover expenses in the General Fund.
Auditor Shelia Garling explained to the county council that the financial report shows that the General Fund is $175,156.66 short. Garling asked that a loan be authorized from the County Adjusted Gross Income Tax (CAGIT) County Certified Shares line item to support the General Fund. The CAGIT fund has a balance of $1.8 million.
Some additional time to think is what the Eastern Pulaski School Board needs when it comes to the cost of school renovations.
A multi-million dollar renovation is being undertaken of the Eastern Pulaski School Corporation’s elementary school and middle/high school. Project designs were finalized some time ago, but making an official hire for the project has hit a bit of a snag.
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The Marshall County Sheriff’s Department has new crash investigation equipment to pinpoint exactly what a vehicle did before, during and immediately after a wreck. Crash data retrieval allows officers to download and analyze data stored in a vehicle’s airbag module. Event Data Recorders record information, including the vehicle’s precise speed several seconds before the crash, the timing of the braking of the vehicles involved and whether seatbelts were fastened. Continue reading
The Town of Winamac has nearly completed a new addition to the town park.
During Monday night’s Winamac Town Council meeting, updates on the fencing for a new dog park were received. The dog park was suggested due to conflicting schedules between the 4-H club and youth baseball and softball teams who were using the fields for practice.
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Beautification of the town park’s entrance in Winamac took another step this week.
The Town Council on Monday night reviewed plans that were recommended by the Park Board.
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E-poll books are being considered for Marshall County.
Steve Shamo from KnowInk demonstrated how the digital process would work to the Marshall County Council members Monday morning. A driver’s license or a legal state I.D. card is scanned, and the voter’s information comes up on the screen. The voter then provides a signature on the screen. Once the signatures are compared, a receipt is printed, and the voter takes that receipt to a poll worker who then sets up a ballot for voting purposes.
Discussions continued in Culver on an issue that medical professionals say is an important public health issue.
The Town is in the process of designing a new water treatment facility. Designs are at the stage where decisions need to be made on whether the Town of Culver intends to continue using fluoride in the water system. The chemical is often used to prevent dental decay and help children develop strong tooth enamel.
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Federal and state income taxes are due today. Michelle Bachtel from H&R Block says you need to file an extension if you can’t finish your return. Doing so gives you six additional months to file but does not defer payments due. If you owe, pay as much as you can. Otherwise you will be assessed interest and penalties from April 15th. Continue reading
An area hospital will be providing services for women, this week.
As part of her senior service project, Olivia Sever – who attends Culver Academies – is organizing mammogram health screenings at the school. Mammograms are often used in the detection of breast cancer.
Formal charges have been filed in Porter County Superior Court against a LaPorte County councilman accused of dealing in marijuana.
On Wednesday, April 8, at 11:04 a.m., the Porter County Drug Task Force conducted a controlled narcotics operation involving Matthew E. Bernacchi, 33. In this investigation, Bernacchi allegedly gave an envelope containing a clear plastic baggie of marijuana to an undercover officer. According to court documents, Bernacchi had the envelope in the center console of his truck and gave it to the officer while inside the truck. Once the officer exited the vehicle, detectives from the Porter County Drug Task Force approached the truck and arrested Bernacchi.
The Knox City Council members will discuss progress on the Serenity Garden project when they meet tonight.
Knox High School students are working hard to get things ready for the project at the corner of Lake and Main Streets in downtown Knox. The students are planning to plant donated vegetation and flowers at the location as well as install purchased benches and bricks in the allotted space. The project is expected to get underway soon.
A buyer has expressed interest in Ray’s Super Foods in downtown North Judson but is looking to the town council for financial assistance to close the deal. Town Clerk-Treasurer Donna Henry recently sought guidance from the State Board of Accounts as to what the council may be able to do. If Ray’s closes, North Judson will be without a grocery store. Continue reading
The trial of a murder defendant in Pulaski County has been rescheduled. Paul Katschke is accused of killing his live-in girlfriend, Amber Renee Taylor, last Aug. 11 at the couple’s Denham home. Continue reading
The Pulaski County Council members took a giant step last night to help keep paramedics and EMS staff members in the county.
EMS Director Nikki Lowry previously pleaded with the county council to help retain her staff as they are leaving for higher pay in surrounding counties. The turnover rate is very high. She asked that a committee get together and aid her in restructuring pay in the EMS budget.
The Town of Winamac could soon help prevent resident’s energy prices from spiking with the seasons.
During last night’s Winamac Town Council meeting, a special meeting was considered for discussions on a possible solar energy park. The Indiana Municipal Power Agency (IMPA) has expressed interest in developing the solar park.
Town Council member Richard Denney says the project may take a while.
“It’s not going to happen in 2015 and more than likely it won’t happen in 2016,” says Denney. “This year’s construction is underway for three units and next year’s is pretty much solid.”
IMPA currently has three solar parks in Frankton, Rensellaer, and Richton.
Its 59 “member communities” have been asked to help develop the solar parks. In order for any development to take place, however, 20 acres of land would need to be found for sale. The Town of Winamac is currently eyeing space at the Industrial Park, north of the County Home.
Once land is secured, IMPA staff would handle development, construction, fencing, and mowing.
Town Manager Brad Zellers says the Town of Winamac would have a small role to play in the upkeep.
“The only thing we have to do: they would like our crew once or twice per week to drive through and see if the green light is on or if the red light is on,” says Zellers. “If the red light is one, then there’s a problem. Call them.”
Solar parks are incentivized due to a spike in energy demand during the summer months. By implementing solar energy, it is anticipated energy peaks would largely be eliminated for consumers.
A presenter from the Indiana Municipal Power Agency will be invited to give the Winamac Town Council more information.
Time is being spent this week to recognize the heroes behind all of the 911 and other resident calls at law enforcement agencies. 911 dispatchers are the first in a line of emergency personnel to talk to a person in distress about an issue whether it is medical related, an accident or another incident.
National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week runs until Sunday, April 19. Telecommunicators, or dispatchers, alert police, fire and EMS of calls for help. There are some medical instances where dispatchers can relay life-saving skills over the phone to help someone sustain life until emergency personnel can arrive at the scene.
The Culver Town Council will be picking up where it left off on a matter of public health.
During their previous meeting, the Culver Town Council tabled a matter that members said needed additional discussion. The Town is in the process of designing a new water treatment facility. Engineers are at the point where a few decisions need to be made regarding chemical treatments for the water.
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