La Porte County DUI Task Force To Step Up Patrols For the Holidays

Posted on Author WKVI
LaPorte County Sheriff's Department
La Porte County Sheriff's Office

With the holiday season quickly approaching, bringing with it the celebrations and time spent with loved ones, the La Porte County DUI Task Force has announced they will be increasing the amount of patrols they conduct in order to ensure safe travel.

The upcoming patrols by the taskforce members will focus on ensuring that adults and children of La Porte County, along with traveling motorists through the county, remain safe during the holiday season. Additional patrols will be added the first week of January to coincide with the College Football Bowl Championship Series.

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12/12/12 Marks Record-Setting Day For Marshall County Community Foundation

Posted on Author WKVI

The last sequential date of this century, Dec. 12 – that is, 12/12/12 – embodied the spirit of the season, as donations totaled $538,565 to the Marshall County Community Foundation. These funds will go toward the endowment funds that will support more than 72 non-profit agencies and charitable causes.

Linda Youder, the executive director for the MCCF, said the overwhelming amount of donations reflected the generosity of Marshall County residents and everyone who supports their local communities. For 12 hours on Dec. 12, any contribution greater than $120 to a permanent MCCF fund qualified for a 12 percent match to be provided by unrestricted funds at MCCF and generous donors.

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Preparing For Flu Season Can Keep Hoosiers Healthy

Posted on Author WKVI

Wintertime is here, and while it hasn’t reached subzero-degree temperatures nor has the snow begun to pile up, there’s still one thing to look out for: the flu. State health officials are urging Hoosiers to be prepared and take preventative steps, as influenza can be very dangerous.

State Health Commissioner Gregory Larkin said getting the flu vaccine is the best way to avoid the flu, and for those who don’t like shots, the vaccine is also available in a nasal spray. On top of that, individuals should practice frequent, thorough hand washing and avoid touching their eyes, nose, or mouth without washing their hands first.

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Search For Wanted Felon Continues in Marshall County

Posted on Author WKVI

The search for a wanted man in Marshall County has reached day five, as officers continue to search for William Newman after the pursuit began on Tuesday, Dec. 11. While officials have received tips that he’s been spotted in Rochester and South Bend, police have thus far been unable to locate the elusive suspect.

Residents are encouraged to call (574) 936-3187 or dial 911 if they see him or have any new information.

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Semi, Tractor Accident In Marshall County Sends Man to the Hospital

Posted on Author WKVI

A vehicle accident between a tractor and a semi near the intersection of U.S. 30 and King Road in Marshall County led to a man being transported to the St. Joseph Regional Medical Center in Plymouth for injuries.

On Thursday night around 5:49 p.m., the Marshall County Dispatch Center received a call of a two-vehicle accident involving the semi and farm tractor. The call was originally received as a property damage accident with no injuries, but it was soon learned that one of the drivers involved suffered injuries in the accident and required transportation to the hospital.

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Candidates Reviewed For Two New Seats on North Judson Town Board

Posted on Author WKVI

During an executive session held earlier this week by the North Judson Town Board, the board members reviewed eight qualified candidates for the two soon-to-be-open seats on the board. Since the public question on the General Election ballot as to whether or not the town board should expand to five members passed overwhelmingly, Clerk-Treasurer Donna Henry said the board must now choose two candidates to fill the two new seats on the board.

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Local Businessman Once Again Pays For Berg to Not Play Christmas Song

Posted on Author WKVI
Kent Kruzick presented Tom Berg with a $100 check for Community Services under the condition that he not play "The Christmas Song."

‘Tis the season for traditions, and WKVI morning man Tom Berg seems to be starting one of his own. After a local businessman last year donated $100 to a local charity to prevent Berg from playing “The Christmas Song,” on piano, Berg decided this year that he would once again give it a shot.

Less than 30 minutes after Berg announced on the air his intent to play the song once again and struck a short excerpt of the song on his electronic piano, Kent Kruzick ran to WKVI, check in hand, to beg Berg once again to refrain from attempting to play the song.

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Salvation Army Challenges Community For 60 Hours of Bell Ringing

Posted on Author WKVI

With just two weekends remaining before the holiday, the Salvation Army is gearing up to raise close to $12,000 before Christmas.

Jim Irwin with the Salvation Army said he’s looking for volunteers in the county willing to do at least a two-hour shift of bell ringing, after he was inspired by a pastor who rang a Salvation Army bell in front of a store for 60 hours straight. He said he doesn’t want to have a volunteer ring the bell for 60 hours straight, but it would be great to have volunteers team up in shifts to ring for a total of 60 hours.

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Gov. Daniels Orders All Hoosiers Fly Flags At Half-Staff

Posted on Author WKVI

As a mark of respect for the victims of the senseless acts of violence perpetrated today in Newtown, Conn., President Barack Obama today issued an order for all U.S. flags be flown at half-staff at the White House and upon all public buildings and grounds, all military posts and naval stations, and on all naval vessels until Dec. 18. The president also directed that all flags be flown at half-staff at all U.S. embassies, legations, consular offices, and other facilities abroad.

Governor Mitch Daniels, in accordance with the president’s directive, directed that all flags throughout the state of Indiana and at the State House be lowered to half-staff until Dec. 18 as well.

La Porte County Jailer Arrested, Charged With Burglary

Posted on Author WKVI
Brandon Walker

A La Porte County jailer was arrested after he was caught burglarizing a home for the second time. La Porte County Sheriff Michael Mollenhauer announced the arrest of 33-year-old Brandon A. Walker yesterday, a six-year veteran of the La Porte County Jail.

Mollenhauer said that the Sheriff’s Office received a call on Monday regarding a burglary in the 1600 East block of Coolspring Avenue. When police arrived, they confirmed that a burglary had taken place at the home and immediately launched their investigation.

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Man Previously Convicted of Forgery Heads Back to Jail for Six-Year Sentence

Posted on Author WKVI
Starke County Courthouse

A man convicted in 2008 for forging multiple checks from the North Judson-San Pierre Band Boosters was sentenced last week in Starke Circuit Court for violating his probation. Joseph Rojas, Jr. was convicted and sentenced to 12 years in the Department of Corrections with six years suspended. He was recently released to probation under the condition that he make his monthly restitution payments.

Unfortunately for Rojas, he failed to pay his restitution, the total for which was $14,850 and he missed a number of probation appointments as well.

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Winamac Town Council Hears Department Updates

Posted on Author WKVI
Winamac Town Hall

The Winamac Town Council this week heard updates from a number of department heads regarding ongoing projects. Rick Dilts, park superintendent, told the council that the park has been closed and winterized in light of inclement weather, and he pointed out a number of mole holes near the baseball diamonds that need to be filled.

Dilts also told the board that his department has been staying busy with chopping trees, brush, and leaves, and their snowplow is in tip-top shape, ready for winter. The park department also has a new lawn mower, which Dilts said has been working out great.

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Eastern Pulaski School Board Welcomes New Faces

Posted on Author WKVI
Dr. Robert Klitzman
Dr. Robert Klitzman

A number of changes will soon be taking place at the state level, and Eastern Pulaski Schools are gearing up for some changes as well. Superintendent Dr. Robert Klitzman said that while the state is preparing to welcome a new governor, state superintendent, senator, and new House members as well, the Eastern Pulaski School Board is preparing to welcome a number of new school board members while saying goodbye to some familiar faces.

“We had three school board members, last Monday was their last school board meeting. They decided they did not want to run for another term, so they ended here in December,” Klitzman said. “So out with the board members that decided not to run and in with the newly-elected.”

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Hensler Nursery Recognized by Lt. Gov. Skillman

Posted on Author WKVI

For the last eight years, Hensler Nursery in Hamlet has graciously donated trees to Indiana’s capitol. This year, Lt. Governor Becky Skillman recognized their commitment by presenting forest John Scheetz of the nursery with the “Partner in Progress Award,” as he presented the eight-foot Fraser Fir Christmas tree to her office.

Skillman also recognized the Indiana Christmas Tree Growers Association, thanking them for their service and commitment to Indiana for bringing real Christmas trees to the Capitol for all the years she has served as Lt. Governor.

Skillman commented on how much the real Christmas trees meant to not only her, but her staff as well, throughout the eight years she has been in office. She said the building is always busy throughout the holidays, and the tree is admired by everyone who visits her office.

KES Students’ Letters to Santa Will Serve An Even Better Cause

Posted on Author WKVI

The familiar words, “Dear Santa,” will soon be written by nearly one thousand elementary students at Knox Elementary School as the Parent-Teacher Organization turns hundreds of letters into donations for the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

PTO member Tammy Taulbee said the elementary school students will each write a letter to Santa that will be dropped off at Macy’s as part of their “Believe” holiday campaign. For each letter addressed to Santa that Macy’s receives, they will donate $1 to the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Taulbee said the PTO received information about the campaign and thought it would be a great class project with an even better message.

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Man Says IU Health Wellness Center Turned His Life Around

Posted on Author WKVI
Rob Dickey

A man who once said he had given up on life is now 68 pounds lighter and a whole lot happier, thanks to the new Wellness Center at IU Health Starke Hospital. Rob Dickey said he had lost his will to live after a number of job opportunities didn’t pan out, his health was going downhill, and worst of all, his wife Wendy had died from complications following a weight loss procedure.

Fortunately, Dickey’s life turned around when his mother convinced him to give life one more shot for not only her, but for his son.

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CLASP Distribution To Take Place Tomorrow

Posted on Author WKVI

The Coordinated Local Assistance Project, coordinated by Pulaski County Human Services, will soon be distributing the donated items to families in need. Today is the last day the organization will take donations, and tomorrow, the Annual Toy Store food and gift distribution will take place from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Pulaski County Human Services building.

Individuals who only registered for a holiday food bag must pick them up by noon today at the PCHS Food Pantry, and families who are being served by ABATE today will receive all of their items at the ABATE party.

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Indiana Farm Bureau Pleased to Welcome Sen. Donnelly to Ag Committee

Posted on Author WKVI
Joe Donnelly
Congressman Joe Donnelly

Senator-elect Joe Donnelly received his committee assignments this week for the 113th Congress. Donnelly will serve on the committees for Armed Services, Agriculture, and Aging, and said he is pleased to have the opportunity to working on such a diverse group of committees.

Donnelly is set to be sworn in as Indiana’s next U.S. Senator on Jan. 3, 2012.

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BMV Commissioner Announces Holiday Hours

Posted on Author WKVI

Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles Commissioner R. Scott Waddell today announced that license branches will be closed on Saturday, Dec. 22, Monday, Dec. 24, and Tuesday, Dec. 25, in observance of the Christmas holiday. All license branches will resume normal hours of operation on Wednesday, Dec. 26.

In addition, license branches will be closed on Tuesday, Jan. 1 in observance of New Year’s Day. All license branches will resume normal hours of operation on Wednesday, Jan. 2.