Marshall County Economic Development Corporation Launches Strategic Plan

MCEDCA long range strategic plan focused on economic growth was launched this week by officials from the Marshall County Economic Development Corporation.

This is the first formal county plan of this kind to be implemented by the organization and its partnering agencies.

Four specific programs are highlighted in the plan: Business Expansion and Retention (BEAR), business attraction, entrepreneurial hub, and a workforce development program.

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Walorski Visits American Oak Preserving Company on Home Grown Business Tour

American Oak President and Chairman of the Board Charles Vorm and U.S. Rep. Jackie Walorski
American Oak President and Chairman of the Board Charles Vorm and U.S. Rep. Jackie Walorski

U.S. Rep. Jackie Walorski’s “Home Grown Business Tour” brought her to American Oak Preserving Company in North Judson yesterday. President and Chairman of the Board Charles Vorm represents the third generation to run the company since his grandfather founded it in 1916. His three daughters assist in the day-to-day operations of the business. Walorski says it’s important for members of Congress to listen to successful business owners in their districts. Continue reading

Marshall County Council Approves Appropriation for Metronet Project

  
 

The Marshall County Council members discussed an additional appropriation for the Metronet project Monday morning.

The amount was for $250,000 out of the Rainy Day Fund which is the amount St. Joseph County is expected to pay for the project.

Auditor Penny Lukenbill explained that Trinity Health sent in $125,000 for their portion of the cost in August which was appropriated last month. The county is anticipating St. Joseph County’s portion of $250,000 this week. Lukenbill stated that she wants to be prepared for when that happens.

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Court Appointed Special Advocates Take Oath of Office

CASA 1Starke County has three new Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) volunteers to shepherd abused and neglected children through the legal system. Circuit Judge Kim Hall administered oaths of office to Eddie Fields, Lori Reading and Patti Scaggs Tuesday in his courtroom. They each completed 30 hours of training as part of the program. CASA volunteers act in the best interest of children who end up in state custody and share information with the judge and attorneys about whether the youngsters should be returned to their parents, remain in foster care or be placed for adoption. Judge Hall says the CASA plays a critical role in the process. Continue reading

Three Injured in LaPorte Accident

 
 

The LaPorte County Sheriff’s Department investigated a two vehicle accident on Johnson Road at the Indiana Toll Road on Tuesday morning.

Deputies were called to the scene at 8:29 a.m. CT where a 31-year-old driver from LaPorte was stopped at the stop sign, entered the intersection and was struck by a pickup truck. The pickup hit the driver’s side of the car, according to police. The driver and her children were transported to IU Health LaPorte Hospital. One child was subsequently airlifted to South Bend Memorial Hospital with non-life threatening injures.

Johnson Road between County Road 400 West and County 500 West was closed for two hours while officers reconstructed the accident scene as part of their investigation.

The driver was cited for failure to yield the right of way.

INDOT Schedules Storm Water Open House in LaPorte

 
 

INDOT officials are hosting an open house tomorrow in LaPorte to share information about their statewide storm water program. It supports state and federal storm water rules. INDOT is seeking input and feedback. Informational materials will be available and will also be posted on INDOT’s Ecology & Waterway Permitting web page at http://www.in.gov/indot/2892.htm. The open house starts at 4 p.m. CDT at the INDOT LaPorte District office at 315 Boyd Blvd. It’s one of six statewide meetings on the issue.

Keselowski, Stewart Penalized

  
 

Two NASCAR drivers have been penalized with heavy fines and probation in post-race actions after the conclusion of the race Saturday night at Charlotte Motor Speedway.

Behavioral penalties were issued where Brad Keselowski was fined $50,000 and placed on NASCAR probation until Nov. 12. Tony Stewart was fined $25,000 and placed on NASCAR probation for the same duration.

According to NASCAR officials, the pair violated two sections in the 2014 rule book: actions detrimental to stock car racing and a behavioral penalty that involved post-race incidents.

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Starke County Absentee Voting Schedule

EARLY IN-OFFICE ABSENTEE VOTING SCHEDULE
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 2014 GENERAL ELECTION

PHOTO “ID” REQUIRED
EARLY–ABSENTEE VOTE—-ELECTION OFFICE— COURTHOUSE 2ND FLOOR

8:00 A.M. TO NOON AND 1:00 P.M. TO 4:00 P.M.

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 7, 2014 TO FRIDAY, OCTOBER 31, 2014
SATURDAY ,OCTOBER 25, 2014 AND SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 2014

5:00 P.M. TO 7:00 P.M. (EVENINGS)

TUESDAYS, OCTOBER 21, AND OCTOBER 28, 2014; THURSDAYS, OCTOBER 23, AND OCTOBER 30, 2014

8:00 A.M. TO 12 NOON

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2014

ELECTION DAY—-TUESDAY, NOV. 4, 2014
POLLS OPEN 6:00 A.M. TO 6:00 P.M.

TRAVEL BOARD

THURSDAY, OCT. 23, THRU FRIDAY, OCT. 31, 2014, 8:00 A.M. TO 4:00 P.M.
MONDAY, NOV.3, 2014; 8:00 A.M. TO NOON
ALL TRAVEL BOARD TIMES ARE BY APPOINTMENT. “ID” NOT NEEDED.
574-772-9160

TRAINING SESSIONS FOR POLL WORKERS

TUESDAY,OCT. 21, FROM 6 P.M.TO 8:30 P.M. FOR INSPECTORS & JUDGES. TUESDAY, OCT 28, FROM 6 P.M. TO 8:30 P.M. FOR CLERKS AND SHERIFFS
THURSDAY, OCT. 30 FROM 6 PM TO 8:30 PM, FOR ALL POSITIONS
SATURDAY, NOV, 1, 2014 FROM 9:00 A.M. TO 11:00 A.M. FOR ALL POSITIONS
ALL SESSIONS AT THE COURTHOUSE, 3RD FLOOR.

VOTING MACHINES AND POLL BOOKS: PICK-UP AFTER SESSIONS ON THURSDAY, FRIDAY AND SATURDAY AND MONDAY. ABSENTEE LISTS WILL BE AVAILABLE ON MONDAY, NOV. 3, 2014 AFTER 2:00 P.M.

County Home Eliminated from 2015 Pulaski County Budget

Pleasant View Rest Home
Pleasant View Rest Home

The residents at the Pleasant View Rest Home are going to have to find another place to live.

The Pulaski County Council last night approved a motion to remove funding for the county home from the 2015 budget.

The issue of bills not being collected and the high amount of money it will take to keep the building functional and up to code were the main reasons for the decision. County Council President Jay Sullivan said that he will notify county home board president Bob White of the status change and to set things in motion to get the residents a new place of residency.

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Oregon-Davis Schools Considering Active Shooter App

O-D school resource officers Kyle Hinds and Frank Lonigro discuss the School Guard app and program with marketing consultant Tim Guy.
O-D school resource officers Kyle Hinds and Frank Lonigro discuss the School Guard app and program with marketing consultant Tim Guy.

The Oregon-Davis School Corporation is considering the addition of a smartphone app to quickly notify law enforcement of an active shooter or other emergency. School Guard creates a direct link between teachers, staff and nearby law enforcement officers. The app has a panic button that speed dials 911 and instantly sends an alert directly to nearby law enforcement officers with the companion free Hero 911 app on their phones. Continue reading

Starke County Economic Development Foundation Seeks Planning Grant

 
 

The Starke County Economic Development Foundation is seeking a $15,000 grant to plan for future workforce needs through the SCILL Center. Executive Director Charlie Weaver says they are looking at the cost of implementing vocational and adult automation robotics equipment maintenance programs. He says there is a growing need for that skill set in manufacturing settings. Continue reading

Knox City Council to Consider Community Center Use

Nancy J. Dembowski Community Center
Nancy J. Dembowski Community Center

The Knox City Council members will meet tonight where they will resume a conversation pertaining to the use of the Nancy J. Denbowski Community Center by church groups to serve free meals without paying the rental fee.

The request to host the meals was made several months ago by Deb McIntire who explained in a letter to Mayor Rick Chambers that different church groups would cook and serve meals in the community center for the general public. The center would be used one day a week for four hours.

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Marshall County Council Approves Funds for Public Defenders

 The Marshall County Council approved an additional appropriation for Marshall County Superior Court No 2. for pauper counsel.

Judge Dean Colvin explained that the shortfall in the budget is due to a contract with the public defenders.

“In regards to the contract that we have with our current public defenders and the request we made in 2013 to cover 2014 expenses in the additional increase in pay that we provided when we reorganized in the public defenders fund, we have now come to a point where we are in a shortfall. It’s primarily due to that new contract.”

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Walorski Visiting Homegrown Businesses Today

Congresswoman Jackie Walorski
Congresswoman Jackie Walorski

U.S. Rep. Jackie Walorski’s “Made in Indiana” tour includes stops in Marshall, Pulaski and Starke Counties today. She’s visiting businesses throughout Indiana’s second congressional district to highlight their hard work and contributions to the state’s economy. Walorski will visit Hoosier Racing Tire in Lakeville and tour ITAMCO in Argos this morning before heading to Rose Acre Farms in Francesville and American Oak Preserving Company in North Judson.

Peddler’s Permits Required to Sell Items

  
 

The Starke County Sheriff’s Department has received several calls about two men going door-to-door selling magazines.

Officials told WKVI News that the individuals were asked to go to the county auditor’s office to obtain a peddler’s permit to sell the items. A resident has the right to ask a salesman for a peddler’s permit before any sales pitch is made or before any transaction is final.

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Severe Weather Possible This Evening

 
 

Severe weather is possible tonight into tomorrow morning. The National Weather Service advises a strong cold front and upper level low pressure system will move into the Ohio Valley tonight and will cause a squall line of strong and severe thunderstorms to develop from Illinois south to the Gulf Coast. It will be capable of producing widespread damaging winds, isolated tornadoes, some hail, frequent lightning and heavy rainfall. Should any of that hit our area, the WKVI Information Center will be staffed to bring you the very latest.

Three Injured in Argos Crash

 
 

Authorities in Marshall County are investigating a crash involving two cars and a tractor-trailer that saw two people airlifted to hospitals in South Bend. It happened around 9 p.m. last night on State Road 10 at U.S. 31, according to our reporting partners at WNDU-TV. A third person was transferred by ground to St. Joseph Regional Medical Center in Plymouth. The semi driver refused medical treatment.