Authorities Investigating Theft from Poor Handmaids Ministry Center
The Marshall County Sheriff’s Department is investigating the theft of electronics reported stolen from a conference room at the Poor Handmaids Ministry Center Wednesday afternoon. The theft occurred during the conference lunch break, sometime between noon and 12:45 p.m. EDT, according to the police report. A first generation iPad, a wallet and a Nikon camera lens were taken. Officials say about 45 people were attending the conference. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Marshall County Sheriff’s Department at 574-936-3187.
Winamac Officer Commended for Saving a Life
Winter Storm and Flood Warnings In Effect
Snow is expected to continue throughout the Kankakee Valley this morning before tapering off later today. It started out as rain overnight, and temperatures dropped below freezing, so roads may be slippery. Remember, ice and snow, take it slow. If you go out, give yourself plenty of travel time, leave ample space between vehicles and avoid having to slam on your brakes. Starke County is still under a yellow-level travel advisory, which means routine travel or activities may be restricted in areas because of a hazardous situation, and individuals should use caution or avoid those areas. The same is in effect in Porter County. Otherwise, there are not any travel restrictions in effect for other area counties. Should that change we will let you know. The winter storm watch is in effect until 4 this afternoon. Continue reading
Empty Bowls Soup Supper to Be Held March 15
Auditions Approaching for Rising Star Competition
Local Students Attend Lugar Symposium
The event is hosted at the Richard G. Lugar Academy at the University of Indianapolis. The symposium brings together top high school juniors from around the state for a day to discuss pressing public issues and world events.
Energy Generator Tips for Severe Weather Preparedness Week
According to Allen Schaeffer, the Executive Director of the Diesel Technology Forum, diesel-powered emergency generators provide the most reliable form of emergency backup power. He says a diesel fuel’s energy density and the engine’s high efficiency allow for smaller fuel storage facilities compared to other fuels which provides a cost savings to owners.
Incident in Bourbon Leads to Intimidation Arrest
A Bourbon man is jailed on a $20,000 bond after reportedly brandishing a gun at a couple Wednesday night and threatening to kill them. The female victim told officers from the Bourbon Police Department that Chris A. Lemler came into her home on Cedar Road around 9:30 Wednesday night, pointed a handgun at her and her boyfriend and threatened to kill them both. Her boyfriend left, and Lemler reportedly followed him. That’s when the woman reported the incident to the police. Officers from the Marshall County Sheriff’s Department and Bourbon Police Department located Lemler and arrested him without incident. He’s charged with intimidation with a deadly weapon, pointing a firearm and criminal mischief.
Metronet Project Moving Forward in Marshall County
A representative from USI presented the Marshall County Commissioners with a title sheet for signature for the Metronet project.
St. Joseph Valley Metronet will be laying down a fiber-optic network infrastructure from St. Joseph County to Plymouth with the cost being split between Marshall County and the City of Plymouth. St. Joseph County, South Bend, the City of Plymouth and Marshall County are paying for the conduit for the project while other entities are paying for the telecommunications cable.
Accident Injures Star City Couple, Trooper
A Star City man and his wife suffered non-life threatening injuries after being involved in an accident with a state police trooper’s vehicle on Wednesday morning.
Master Trooper Aaron Segrest was in his unmarked police vehicle with emergency lights on investigating a two vehicle crash on I-65 northbound south of the U.S. 30/Merrillville exit. He was parked on the outer shoulder of the road.
Visiting Restrictions Lifted at IU Health Hospitals
The low number of positive influenza cases in the area and at the state level prompted the change in previous visitor restrictions.
The local facilities implemented the precautionary measures of visitor restrictions to protect patients, families and colleagues from unnecessary potential exposure to the flu virus in mid-January.
IU Health continues to encourage all visitors to use their best judgment when visiting a loved one in the hospital. If visiting someone in a hospital, make sure you are healthy. Wash your hands or use hand sanitizer often.
Starke County Highway Department Remains Busy
The Starke County Highway Department continues to stay busy with plowing efforts, as Superintendent Rik Ritzler yesterday morning told the commissioners that his department spent most of the month of February plowing, with 17 days of the month spent clearing roads. He said five of the days were spent hauling material, with the other days used for general maintenance.
Over the past two months, Ritzler said, the county has plowed nearly 100,000 miles, building a total cost of $561,000. Fortunately, he said they did spend less in February – but that may just have been because the month was shorter, Ritzler explained. Continue reading
Larry D. Kistler
Funeral services for Larry D. Kistler, 71, of Atlanta, formerly of Royal Center, are Tuesday, March 4 at 1 p.m. EST at Harrison-Metzger-Rans Funeral Home, Royal Center Chapel, with visitation there from 11 a.m. until the time of the service.
Marshall County Police Arrest Suspected Drug Dealer
An Indianapolis woman wound up in the Marshall County Jail after a traffic stop late Tuesday night. A Marshall County Police officer pulled Christina Wengerter, 31, over on U.S. 31 and 3A road just after 11:30 p.m. for several moving violations. County Police K-9 Arras was walked around the vehicle during the stop and indicated the presence of narcotics. A search turned up about 200 grams of what is believed to be marijuana, according to the police report. The substance was also reportedly packaged in a way used to deal marijuana. Wengerter is charged with possession of marijuana greater than 30 grams and dealing marijuana.
Wind Chill Advisory in Effect Until Mid-Morning
Bundle up if you’re heading out this morning. The entire WKVI listening area is under a wind chill advisory until noon EST/11 a.m. CST today. A combination of falling temperatures and brisk west winds will make it feel like it’s 10 to 20 below zero. Wind chills this low can lead to frostbite of exposed skin in 30 minutes and hypothermia if precautions aren’t taken. Wear a hat and gloves if you do go out. Continue reading
National Weather Service Extends Tippecanoe River Flood Warning
The flood warning for the Tippecanoe River near Ora has been extended through the weekend. Last night at 8 the river was at 14 feet and steady. Flood stage is 12 feet, and moderate flooding will continue through the weekend. The river is now expected to fall below flood stage around 4 p.m. on Saturday. At 14 feet, extensive flooding of residences and low-lying areas begins to occur. This crest compares to last April 21 when the Tippecanoe crested at 14.4 feet near Ora.
Marshall County Sheriff’s Department Responds to Accident on U.S. 6
Officers from the Marshall County Sheriff’s Department responded to a semi and passenger car accident on Tuesday night at the intersection of U.S. 6 and Thorn Road.
The investigation into the incident found that the vehicle driven by Brucie Campbell of Walkerton was turning onto U.S. 6 when he partially crossed the center line. This caused him to steer in an attempt to avoid a collision with a semi driven by Donald West of Ohio. The left front of Campbell’s car struck the left side of West’s semi which caused West to react and travel off the south side of U.S. 6 into an electric pole and rolled onto its side.
Campbell was transported to Memorial Hospital in South Bend for non-life threatening injuries. West was not injured.
The accident remains under investigation.
Marshall County Sheriff’s Office Investigating Business Break-In
Norma Jean Musselman
Memorial services for Norma Jean Musselman, 67, of Rochester, will take place at a later date. Memorial contributions may be given to Metea Baptist Church. Harrison-Metzger-Rans Funeral Home and Cremation Service, Royal Center, is in charge of arrangements.
