“Mrs. Hazelton brought in five of her cheerleaders who talked about the efforts that they made for the American Cancer Society last fall,” said Gappa. “They made over $1,800 to donate to the cancer fund.”
Gappa added that most of the money was collected in October during Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
The Marshall County Sheriff’s Department detectives are looking for a suspect in a hit and run accident on Jan. 16.
Deputies responded to a two vehicle accident at North Michigan Road and 7B Road. A person driving a black Jeep Cherokee made a U turn at 7B Road to go south on Michigan Road when the vehicle hit another driven by Stephen Sabo of South Bend. Damage was done to the right rear of the victim’s SUV.
A precision tubular product manufacturer in Plymouth released a statement yesterday announcing that they have been forced to close their doors due to a lack of funding from their senior lender.
Whitley Products announced that their lender has refused to provide the necessary funding required for the business to continue operations, forcing the business to terminate operations and all of their employees, passing possession and control of all of their operating assets to Keltic Financial Partners.
An early Monday morning fire destroyed the home of a Winamac family and now they’re in need of help.
Winamac Fire Chief Bill Weaver explained that the fire department was called to the Kevin Taylor home at 411 W. Main Street at about 5:50 a.m. ET. Taylor, his wife and two children made it out of the house safely before the fire department arrived at the scene.
The Culver School Board this week went through some tough discussion regarding reductions in force for the end of this year, which Superintendent Brad Schuldt described as a necessity due to funding cuts from the state. Schuldt explained that over the course of time since 2010, $1.7 million has been trimmed back from their General Fund due to cuts from the state and as a result, the board will have to make some staff reductions.
Treasurer Tom Bendy presented financial information to the board that highlighted the cuts and emphasized the need to cut back on spending. As a result, the board began to work on establishing financial goals and how many expenses would have to be reduced; however, Schuldt explained the board did not discuss any details regarding individual buildings or possible positions to be cut.
The criminal case against former North Judson Clerk-Treasurer Connie Miller has gone to the attorneys for negotiation, according to Wendy Hoppe, town council president. Hoppe told the town council this week that the next meeting between the attorneys will take place on Feb. 21 in South Bend.
The Starke County Commissioners cleared up some confusion regarding expenses and claims for the Starke County Forest. Forester Bruce Wakeland approached the commissioners and asked how he should handle reimbursements when paying out-of-pocket for small maintenance expenses at the forest.
Wakeland previously donated a 129-acre parcel of land to the county that he manages as part of Wakeland Forestry Consultants. The land, located on State Road 8, was designated as the Starke County Forest, funded by selling timber as opposed to gate fees and county funds.
The Pulaski County Commissioners this week signed a revised contract for the inspection of the Monterey Bridge. Jeff Larrison of United Consulting told the commissioners this week that the original construction cost estimate came in at around $1.55 million, but the bids came in lower than expected, prompting a new revision to the inspection contract with a lower price.
The SCILL Center announced this week that in the short time since they became a GED testing site and held their first test on Oct. 27, they’ve had four more test sessions with 27 people seeking their GEDs. Executive Director Jerry Gurrado explained the next test is Feb. 6 and 7 from 5 to 9 p.m. at the SCILL Center, and registration is required ahead of time.
The Knox Community School Corporation’s School Messenger program is now up and running. Superintendent A.J. Gappa said the program will be helpful in alerting students, staff and parents about school emergencies.
“That’s the service that will report, by text message and email, school messages such as school delays or closings or other important information that would come from the school,” said Gappa.
Democrat State Senator Jim Arnold of LaPorte was named Legislator of the Year by the Indiana Association of Chiefs of Police for providing outstanding service to the law enforcement community while serving as a state senator.
Arnold said that there are several issues that are important to him as he has personal experience serving as the LaPorte County Sheriff and 36 years in law enforcement.
Since joining the State Senate in 2007, Sen. Arnold has pushed several legislative initiatives in support law enforcement. In 2009, he successfully sponsored House Bill 1331 which requires all active duty officers be provided torso body armor regardless of local budget constraints.
The Food Finders Mobile Pantry Truck is planning a stop in Winamac.
If you meet eligibility requirements, you will be able to pick up free frozen meat, beverages, snacks, baked goods, vegetables and cereal. You have to meet 185 percent of the federal poverty guidelines to participate.
Plymouth Schools are now in session after being placed on a two-hour delay for an alleged bomb threat that was reported at Plymouth High School.
The alleged threat was found on the wall of the boy’s bathroom yesterday afternoon stating that a bomb would go off in the high school library today at 12:30.
The Superintendent’s office has confirmed that the Plymouth Police Department did not find any evidence of a bomb and a thorough search conducted by the Indiana State Police and their bomb sniffing dogs this morning found nothing.
Additional police officers are present to provide extra security at the school corporation.
Three people have been charged in a methamphetamine lab operation investigation in LaPorte.
LaPorte Police Department officers and investigators from the Indiana Department of Child Services were called to a mobile home park in reference to a child welfare call. When police arrived at the home, they smelled strong chemical odors which led them to believe a meth lab was in the residence.
The Knox Community School Board approved a motion to place a public question on the ballot in May for voters in the school district regarding the proposed elementary school project.
Superintendent A.J. Gappa said no community member spoke out against the project in a public hearing held on Dec. 3 regarding the proposed project, so the issue now goes to the voters.
American Licorice Company is planning an expansion project in LaPorte.
The candy and licorice manufacturer from Bend, Ore. will invest approximately $10 million to equip and renovate its 285,000 square-foot facility at 1900 Whirlpool Drive in LaPorte. The expansion includes the installation of a licorice production line and the addition of a rail spur to allow the company to receive ingredients by rail.
Another Starke County bridge is soon to be repaired, as the commissioners this week gave their approval to sign paperwork for the engineering aspect of the repairs on Bridge 43, located near Koontz Lake. Mark Wilson with engineering firm Jones, Petrie, and Rafinski approached the commissioners with paperwork to be signed for the go-ahead on the engineering study.
The Pulaski County Commissioners this week approved a request from Treasurer Lynn Wilder to advertise for bids to purchase new computers for her office. Wilder explained her office is in heavy need of some new computers, as their current equipment is more than six years old.
Two ordinances in the town of North Judson underwent their first and second readings by the town board this week and are slated for their third and final readings at the board meeting on Feb. 4. North Judson Clerk-Treasurer Donna Henry explained the cemetery rules and regulations ordinance and the animal ordinance were approved on their first readings.
