It’s an issue that schools shouldn’t have to worry about, but it’s a national issue. During their recent meeting, the West Central School Board members discussed upgrading a policy concerning the possession of firearms on school property.
Firearms On Eastern Pulaski School Board Agenda
The Eastern Pulaski Community School Board will discuss the possession of firearms on school property when they meet this evening at 5:30 p.m. EDT in the Distance Learning Lab. Last week the West Central School Board discussed allowing faculty members to posses weapons while at work. Continue reading
Ancilla Nursing Students Celebrate With Symbolic Pinning Ceremony
The 17 most recent graduates of the Ancilla College nursing program were honored recently at a pinning ceremony on the Donaldson campus. Division of Nursing and Health Sciences Director Ann Fitzgerald says it’s a special and very symbolic celebration.
“You will receive as a student who is going to graduate a nursing pin that is exclusive to that nursing school. So Ancilla College Nursing has its own exclusive pin. Those are not given until the students graduate and complete all the requisites for their area of study. In this case it’s the Associate of Science in Nursing.”
Starke County Commissioners Give to Community Services
The Starke County Commissioners this week approved a $10,000 appropriation to Community Services of Starke County. Executive Director Joan Haugh says the money the nonprofit agency gets from the county each year helps meet the matching requirements for various federal government grants they receive. This year the agency is using the county money for the homemaker and meal programs. Continue reading
Marshall County Council to Meet Today
The Marshall County Council will meet in regular session this morning.
The recorder and the clerk will be before the council to request personnel replacements and budget considerations will be taken from several departments.
Sheriff Tom Chamberlin will discuss an additional appropriation for $50,000 for prisoner care. The proposal was made at the council’s previous meeting where the members agreed to advertise for the money and a final decision will be made today.
Expert Offers Advice to Maximize Fuel Economy
Taking the lead out of your foot when you drive will put more pennies in your pocket. GasBuddy.com Senior Petroleum Analyst Patrick DeHaan says slowing down is one of the best ways to avoid having to fill up as often.
“Driving behavior is probably the number one potential for savings when it comes to the pump. You can certainly get your car to go longer more on a tank of gas if you’re just driving less aggressively,” DeHaan said.
He admits that’s easier said than done but says it’s best to maintain a steady speed whenever possible. Continue reading
Watch for Children at Play
Don’t let summer turn tragic in your own front yard. More than 2,400 driveway accidents involving young children happen each year in the United States. Remember, young children are short, and they like to play. If they are very close to your vehicle, you won’t be able to see them. The Indiana State Police offer the following tips to help keep summer as safe as possible:
Set rules with your children. No matter what their age, designate unwavering rules without options. Teach your children to watch for the white rear lights that illuminate when a car is in reverse. Tell your children when they see a car approaching the driveway or when a car is moving in the driveway, they all have to meet up in the yard or on the porch.
Keep Your Pets Cool and Safe This Summer
As the temperatures continue to rise, it’s important to keep pet safety in mind. If you’re hot, they’re hot. The Starke County Humane Society offers a few tips to protect your pets. For starters, temperatures within a vehicle can reach dangerously high levels so never leave your pet inside a parked car. Even with windows slightly open, on an 85 degree day within 10 minutes temperatures inside a car can exceed 100 degrees. Continue reading
Area Track Athletes Compete in the State Finals
In the Girls State Track Finals yesterday the Kankakee Valley was well represented. Culver Community High School had four girls competing in five events, while North Judson was represented by the school’s record holder in shot put. Kayla Shaffer (Culver) finished in 14th place in the 100m dash, while teammate and fellow senior Denisha Brown (Culver) finished in 24th. In the 200m Dash Shaffer finished in 15th place. Brown then went on to place 27th in the long jump competition. Shaffer and Brown were also two members of the 4×100 relay team which finished in 19th place. The 4×100 team was rounded out by Mickella Hardy and Justine Dexter. Hardy also competed in shot put where she finished 15th overall. Caitlin Dvorscak of North Judson also competed in the shot put where she placed 20th.
Congratulations to all of our area athletes on a job well done representing the Kankakee Valley at the State Finals!
Boys Golfers Participate in Sectionals
It was a very successful day for our area boys golfers in Sectional play yesterday. The John Glenn Falcons placed 3rd as a team at the South Bend Riley Sectional which advances them to next week’s Regional. Tyler Prentkowski was the meets medalist shooting a 68. The Falcons finished just 3-strokes behind Penn High School for 2nd place overall. In other sectional golf action Adam Gruenig led the Winamac Warriors to a 4th place finish in the Logansport Sectional. While the Warriors did not advance as a team, Gruenig was the medalist for the meet shooting a 78. At the LaPorte Sectional, Austin Howell of South Central was the leader for the 7th place finishing Satellites. Howell shot an 82 which was good enough to advance him as an individual to the Regional round.
The golf Regional rounds will be played next Thursday and Friday. Adam Gruenig and Austin Howell will be competing at Lafayette Jefferson, while the John Glenn Falcons will be at Warsaw. Both of those Regional rounds will be played on Thursday, June 12th.
Starke County Coroner Tentatively Identifies Apparent Homicide Victim
The apparent homicide victim found late Friday afternoon at a rural Knox home after a high speed chase that started with a carjacking at Mark Bailey’s Discount Center and ended with a self-inflicted gunshot wound on Interstate 65 in Lake County has been tentatively identified. Continue reading
Starke County Sheriff’s Department Releases Accused Carjacker’s Name
Officials with the Starke County Sheriff’s Department have released the name of the man accused of stealing three vehicles and leading police from multiple agencies on a high-speed chase through Starke, LaPorte, Porter and Lake Counties Friday afternoon. Continue reading
Coroner Scheduling Autopsy for Apparent Homicide Victim
Starke County Coroner Kris Rannells is scheduling a forensic autopsy for the victim of an apparent homicide at a California Township home. Investigators from the Starke County Sheriff’s Department found the woman late Friday afternoon after a high-speed chase that began with a carjacking at Mark Bailey’s Discount Center on State Road 10at 3:41 p.m. and ended on Interstate 65 in Lake County when the suspect apparently shot himself after police deployed stop sticks to end the pursuit. He is in critical condition at Christ Hospital in Oak Lawn, Ill. Authorities have not released his name and will not do so until proper next of kin notifications are made. Continue reading
Pointon Surrenders Himself to LaPorte County Jail
A LaPorte man turned himself into the custody of the LaPorte County Sheriff’s Department on Thursday after a warrant had been issued for his arrest.
Brandon Pointon, 21, was wanted on a charge of dealing a schedule III controlled substance (suboxone) which is a Class A felony.
Music to Our Ears – Knox High School Students Pay it Forward
Knox High School had a total of 15 band students participating in the 2013-14 school year Music Recycled program. It provides music lessons to students who demonstrate a desire for higher learning in music education. It is funded by the Drew’s Gift Foundation and maintained by Knox High School Assistant Band Director Darren Day. The program allows high school band students to take lessons from a professional on their particular instrument. In order to receive the lessons the high school students must pay it forward and provide lessons to middle school band students. Music Recycled is an opportunity for young band enthusiasts to obtain cadet teaching credit on their report cards and valuable teaching experience.
Plenty of Summer Projects Planned at West Central School Corporation
The maintenance staff at the West Central School Corporation will have their hands full with several projects this summer.
Superintendent Charles Mellon said a new telephone system is one of the larger, more expensive projects this summer. The old system is too antiquated to gather parts to fix so a new system will be installed. He added that the last phase of the football field lighting system will be complete this summer. Other smaller projects are also planned.
Carjacker Critical at Chicagoland Hospital, Homicide Under Investigation
The Starke County man police say carjacked three vehicles and led police from multiple agencies on a four-county high-speed chase this afternoon is in critical condition at Christ Hospital in Oak Lawn, Ill. after shooting himself while trying to flee. Information released by the Indiana State Police, Starke County Sheriff’s Department and Starke County Prosecutor’s Office indicates the 57-year-old man was involved in a homicide at a home in Knox. Afterward, he drove his personal vehicle to Mark Bailey’s Discount Center and carjacked a motorist at gunpoint at 3:41 p.m. He then drove to English Lake, dumped his passenger and stole a 2000 Jeep Grand Cherokee.
Carjackings End With Self-Inflicted Gunshot Wound
A Starke County man police say carjacked a motorist at gunpoint at Mark Bailey’s Discount Center Friday afternoon led officers from multiple agencies on a high-speed chase through four counties before turning his gun on himself. Officials from the Starke County Sheriff’s Department will only say the man is 57-years-old. He took the car from the store at 3:41 p.m., according to authorities, and drove it to English Lake, where he left the owner of the first vehicle, stole a second car and fled. Continue reading
September Trial Date Set for James Campbell
An amended date has been set for a trial for James Campbell. A full week will be dedicated for the jury trial beginning Monday, Sept. 22 at 9 a.m. in Starke Circuit Court.
Campbell is charged with arson, a Class A felony, to which he has pleaded not guilty. He is accused of intentionally setting a fire at C&C Salvage at the corner of Toto Road and U.S. 35 south of Knox on Thursday, March 20. Eight fire departments were called to the business to put out the extensive fire.
Suspected Homemade Explosives Manufacturer Remains at Large
Detectives from the LaPorte County Sheriff’s Department remain on the lookout for 54-year-old Robert L. Ofcky. He is wanted for possession of an explosive device, a Class C felony.
He fled his home after officers responded to his residence on Monday night regarding a domestic disturbance. Officers reportedly found numerous explosive devices inside the home in the 7200 West block of County Road 125 North in LaPorte County.
