Today is the last day to register to vote in the May 6 Primary Election.
One way to register is to go online and visit www.IndianaVoters.com. If you go online to register, you need to have a valid Indiana Driver’s License Number or Indiana State Identification number handy in order to complete the online registration.
If you are registered to vote but you need to update your name, address or other pertinent information, you may also do that online.
Starke County property tax bills will be mailed on Friday, April 18.
Treasurer Kasey Clark told WKVI News that solid waste bills will be billed along with your taxes this year. Solid waste bills were billed separately but it will now be included in your property tax statement. If the bill is delinquent, you will receive a notice from the Starke County Environmental Management Office.
The annual IU Health and Community Services of Starke County Health Fair will take place Tuesday, May 13 from 2 until 7 p.m. at the Nancy J. Dembowski Community Center in downtown Knox. IU Health Starke Hospital President Craig Felty says both organizations are dedicated to improving the health of local residents. He says the health fair will feature a number of educational exhibits and several types of screenings. Blood pressure and blood sugar checks, breast exams, oral cancer screenings and osteoporosis checks will all be offered. Also take-home colorectal cancer screening kits will be available. Felty says checking for these types of conditions is critical in order to catch and treat problems before they become significant. IU Health Starke Hospital is also licensed to inspect child safety seats. Technicians will be available at the health fair to make sure car seats are properly installed and sized for the child. This year’s health fair will also feature a coloring area for youngsters so parents and other adults can more easily browse the exhibits and take part in the screenings.
With the start of spring, road construction projects are ready to begin.
This week is Work Zone Awareness Week in Indiana. The Indiana Department of Transportation is dedicated to continuously improving work zone safety and crews and motorists need to make highway work zones as safe as possible.
This year’s national theme is “Work Zone Speeding: A Costly Mistake”. Motorists can face fines up to $1,000 for speeding and up to $5,000 for driving recklessly through work zones. Fines are used to fund additional Indiana State Police work zone patrols and promote public safety.
All of the Knox Water Department customers whose pipes froze over the winter have been thawed out. Water Superintendent Todd Gardner also tells WKVI news that the last of the leaks have been repaired.
The bitterly cold temperatures and frozen ground took their toll on residents in Parkview Heights and elsewhere around the city due to shallow water lines that were put in the ground before the current code standard of five feet was adopted.
Gardner suggested at the last Knox Board of Works meeting that the city send reminder postcards to residents of the affected areas prior to the onset of cold weather next year advising them to let faucets run to prevent pipes from freezing. The city did adjust bills for customers whose use was excessive due to leaving their water turned on.
Candidates seeking office in the May Primary Election and who are posting campaign signs should be reminded that the signs can not be placed in a right-of-way space.
Political signs should be within private property. Signs shall be permitted to be displayed no more than 90 days prior to the scheduled election and shall be removed within 14 days after the Primary Election.
The West Central School Board members met in executive session before their regular meeting Thursday night where they discussed the upcoming school year.
Superintendent Charles Mellon noted that discussions concerning personnel, fall enrollment projections and the search for a new high school principal were on the table.
Officers with the LaPorte City Police Department will be working 40 hours of Operation Pull Over funded seat belt patrols in April. Impaired driving patrols will be held every weekend in April that are organized through the LaPorte County DUI Taskforce.
LaPorte City Police Department officers have investigated several accidents so far this year. Severe weather and alcohol contributed to most of the accidents.
This weekend’s expected break from rain will likely have motorcycle riders revving their engines for a ride after a dreary winter.
Motorists need to be extra vigilant as bikers take to the roads. That means double-checking at intersections before pulling out. Motorcycle riders should also turn their headlights on during the day to make their bikes more visible.
The Ancilla College Student Government Association recently concluded campus-wide “Penny Wars” to raise money for the organization and area charities.
Faculty, staff and students volunteered to have their face on a tea jug in order to raise money for a group or charity of their choice. In all, 10 volunteers took part, including: Dr. Tom Buchanan (faculty) for the Marshall County Historical Society, Chelsea Chalk (faculty and PTK rep) for Culver Boys & Girls Club, Jacob Cross (student) for Military Family Association, John Gough (faculty) for the Neighborhood Center, Kristin Korcha (faculty) for Relay for Life Starke County, Jill Neidlinger (faculty and SGA rep) for Ancilla College Emergency Fund, Allen Renz (student and Dance Club rep) for Ancilla College Emergency Fund, Joel Thomas (faculty) for Marshall County Humane Society, Steve VanDerAa (faculty) for Relay for Life Marshall County, and Sr. Carleen Wrasman (staff) for Sojourner Truth house.
Winamac High School physics teacher Jeremy Wegner has been accepted into the CERN High School Teacher Program.
Wegner will be going to Geneva, Switzerland for three weeks of training and education about high energy particle physics and other topics. He will be learning how to incorporate all of the information into the classroom.
Flood warnings have been issued for the Tippecanoe River near Ora and above Winamac until further notice. Recent heavy rainfall has caused minor to moderate flooding, according to the National Weather Service. The Ora warning takes effect this evening. Late this morning the river was at 10.9 feet and rising. Flood stage near Ora is 12 feet. It’s expected to rise above that tonight and crest near 13.5 feet early Tuesday morning. At 14 feet extensive flooding of homes and low-lying areas begins. The Tippecanoe River above Winamac is also on the rise. At noon today it was at 7.9 feet. Flood stage is 10 feet. It’s expected to exceed that very early Sunday morning and crest near 11.1 feet around 8 p.m. Tuesday. At 11 feet extensive residential flooding is in progress. Continue reading
As the weather warms up, many people are getting into the spring cleaning mode. Officials at the Stake County Environmental Management Office remind you that the recycling bins located in the county are not for everyday trash, household chemicals or construction materials.
When garbage is dumped into and around the bins it contaminates the recyclable items. If the sites continue to be used as a “landfill”, they will be removed. They are to be considered to be placed for your convenience and are a privilege.
Procrastinators had best hurry in order to file their federal and state income tax returns on time. Taxes are due April 15.
While some filers opt for the standard deduction, others are able to lessen their tax burden by itemizing deductions. H&R Block Senior Tax Advisor Michelle Bachtel says while it’s important to keep thorough records in order to support deductions, you may still be able to itemize even if your record keeping isn’t the best. She says some things such as mortgage interest, property taxes, withholding taxes and such can be recreated or proven with canceled checks. Other types of deductions for things like medical mileage and unreimbursed work expenses need to be documented more thoroughly.
A Winamac Community High School Senior has been named the recipient of the 2014 Pulaski County Community Foundation 2014 Lilly Endowment Community Scholar.
Eric Newman will receive a four year full-tuition scholarship to an Indiana college of his choice. He will also receive a $900 yearly stipend for required books and equipment.
Newman has been involved in Student Council, Shakespeare Club, Key Club, FFA, National Honor Society, and the Robotics Team. He was also involved in sports and volunteered in the community. He has also received the DAR Good Citizen Award, Presidential award for service, Hoosier Boys State delegate, Distinguished Honor Roll, and the Hugh O’Brien award.
April is Child Abuse Awareness Month and a program to support children in the Pulaski County community is set for Tuesday, April 8.
Members of the Indiana Department of Child Services, Prevent Child Abuse Indiana and the Kids First Trust Fund will recognize the role of the community in protecting Indiana’s youth.
The staff at the Henry F. Schricker Public Library in Knox are completing work since the new children’s wing was recently opened.
Library Director Sheila Urwiler said they are moving some shelving and installing some new furniture. Every attempt is being made to tie up loose ends in the project.
