CASA Volunteers Needed in Starke County

 
 

The Starke County Court Appointed Special Advocate program is seeking ordinary people to do an extraordinary job.

CASA is currently taking applications for it’s fall volunteer training classes. CASA volunteers work to help abused and neglected children in Starke County who have been taken from their homes and placed into temporary foster care. They help these children find safe, permanent homes where they can thrive. Each advocate undergoes training to be a powerful voice for the children’s best interest.

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Police Investigate Shooting in LaPorte

 
 

Officers from the LaPorte City Police Department are looking for more information in a shooting early this morning at Ellian’s Pub/Avenue Bar in the 600 block of Michigan Avenue.

Witnesses told police that an African American man confronted another African American man which escalated into gunfire. The victim was shot once and the suspect fled the establishment in an unknown vehicle.

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The Crossing Officials Working Toward Opening Aug. 1

The CrossingPlans are coming along for The Crossing alternative school in Starke County.

According to Jena Bontrager from The Crossing’s corporate office, a local board has been formed with Mark Bailey as the president of that board.

A building for classes has been secured. The Starke County Crossing will be holding classes in the old Sears building in the Mint Leaf Plaza. Bontrager said there will be some remodeling inside the building to create walls and different areas that would help in the education process.

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Road to Close for Water Line Work in Knox

  
 

Knox Water Department crews will be working on a water line in front of the U.S. Post Office and that street will need to be closed in order to make the necessary repairs.

According to Mayor Rick Chambers, the work will begin on Wednesday on Washington Street at the intersection of Bower Street. The entire length of Washington Street from Shield Street to Portland Street will be closed throughout most of the day on Wednesday.

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Marshall County Government to Move Foward with Bond Refinancing

  
 

The Marshall County Commissioners and the Marshall County Council met in joint session Monday morning to discuss the possibility of refinancing the bonds the county took out when the Marshall County Jail was built back in 2006.

The bond for the jail project was roughly $15 million in 2006 and $11 million is still outstanding. The county is hoping to lower their payment of $1.2 million per year until 2026.

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Child and Dependent Care Tax Credits Available

abc-blocksParents who work may be able to take advantage of the federal Child and Dependent Care Credit when they file their 2014 federal income taxes. A credit lowers the amount of money you have to pay. In order to claim this credit, expenses must be for one or more children under age 13 and must be work-related. This includes the cost of childcare while you are looking for work if you do not have a job. Continue reading

Knox City Council to Meet Tonight

Knox City Council
Knox City Council

The Knox City Council will meet tonight where the members will have discussions on the tall grass ordinance and the 2015 salary ordinance.
Mayor Rick Chambers told the council at the last meeting that he has sent several letters to residents concerning rank vegetation and the ordinance will be reviewed tonight for changes.

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Winamac Man Arrested on Burglary Charge

Travis Wireman
Travis Wireman

A Winamac man is in the Pulaski County Jail after an alleged burglary incident at an abandoned residence on 800 W.

A witness told Pulaski County Sheriff’s deputies that a man stole items from the home and fled in a pickup. The witness followed the suspect, Travis Wireman, as Wireman fled. Wireman reportedly threw items at the witness while driving and crashed into a tree at 750 N. and 750 W. The suspect then fled on foot.

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LaPorte Police Investigating Arson

ArsonA Thursday night fire at a LaPorte home was deliberately set, according to authorities. LaPorte Police and Fire responded to the residence in the 200 block of Cable Street at 9:18 p.m., according to a news release. The occupant said he was in the living room, heard a “splashing” noise, saw a moving light source and the bathroom burst into flames. Continue reading

Plymouth Officials Cut River Park Center Ribbon

  
 

A flood-prone area of downtown Plymouth is now a park for all to enjoy. U.S. Senator Joe Donnelly was among the dignitaries on hand for Saturday’s dedication of the city’s River Park Center. He praised the community’s ability to see a problem and continue to improve it and make it better, as they did by turning the former G&G Grocery and Harvey Mart location into a family-friendly recreational space. Continue reading

Traffic Stop Lands Lapaz Man in Jail

 
 

A Lapaz man faces a felony drug offense after an officer from the Marshall County Police Department pulled his car over for an equipment violation. James A. McMichael Jr. was stopped just after midnight on Friday, June 20 at the intersection of U.S. 31 and U.S. 6, according to a news release. The officer who pulled him over noted a strong smell of marijuana coming from the vehicle. A juvenile passenger in the vehicle was allegedly in possession of marijuana. Police say McMichael failed several field sobriety tests and a certified chemical test at St. Joseph Regional Medical Center in Plymouth. He’s charged with operating while intoxicated and operating while intoxicated controlled substance.

Ancilla College Offers Discounted Summer Courses

  
 

If you’re looking to get a head start on the fall semester, consider going to Ancilla College to save yourself some money.

Any summer classes through Ancilla are discounted $115. For early bird high school students, rising juniors and seniors can take courses for $125 per credit hour. Some high school students earn their Associates degree before even graduating from high school by taking summer courses. This gives you the unique advantage to start out right after your senior year as a junior in college.

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Smithsonian Postal Museum to Feature Local Exhibit

Denham Store and Post OfficeSeveral pieces of memorabilia from a retired, local post office will be placed into the Smithsonian Postal Museum in Washington, D.C.

Historical artifacts from the U.S. Post Office in Denhan, Indiana will be accepted as part of the display at the Smithsonian Postal Museum on Wednesday, June 25 at 2:15 p.m. ET at the museum’s atrium. According to the PR and Internet Affairs Manager of the Smithsonian Institution of the National Postal Museum, Marty Emery, officials will highlight the importance of the donation in regards to celebrating the past history of Denham as well as the future educational benefit the items will provide the visitors from all over the world. Congresswoman Jackie Walorski (IN-2) will be there to offer remarks. Continue reading

Pulaski County Commissioners Approve Resolutions

Pulaski County Commissioners Larry Brady, Terry Young and Tracey Shorter
Pulaski County Commissioners Larry Brady, Terry Young and Tracey Shorter

The Pulaski County Commissioners approved two resolutions during their meeting this week.

The board of commissioners revised the minimum spending limit for several departments and a resolution was approved reflecting those changes. The prosecutor’s office, Pulaski Superior Court, Pulaski Circuit Court, maintenance department, health department, sheriff’s department, highway department, county home, CDC office, EMA, and EMS will now have a spending minimum of $2,500. The recycling center has a minimum of $1,000. All other departments are at $500.

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Starke County Relay for Life Gets Under Way Today

 
 

Starke County’s annual Relay for Life fundraiser for the American Cancer Society gets under way today at noon at the Hamlet Fairgrounds. Organizers of the 18-hour event hope to raise $67,000 this year. Ericka Taylor-Joseph is in charge of fundraising. She says Starke County’s event consistently raises more money than those held in larger communities. Teams range in size from just a few members to 30 or more. Taylor-Joseph says while organizers would like each team to have a participant on the track at all times, it’s not a requirement.  Continue reading

Adopt an Animal from the Pulaski Animal Center

6-18-14 Pulask Animal Center picIf you’re looking to adopt an animal, the Pulaski Animal Center can help you!

This is a newly established non-profit organization that aims to promote humane animal care and provide loving homes to displaced animals. At the moment adoptions are only available through appointments, which can be made by calling 574-242-8546. Another method of contact is their email pulaskianimalcenter@gmail.com.

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