Officers with the LaPorte City Police Department will be working 40 hours of Operation Pull Over funded seat belt patrols in April. Impaired driving patrols will be held every weekend in April that are organized through the LaPorte County DUI Taskforce.
LaPorte City Police Department officers have investigated several accidents so far this year. Severe weather and alcohol contributed to most of the accidents.
This weekend’s expected break from rain will likely have motorcycle riders revving their engines for a ride after a dreary winter.
Motorists need to be extra vigilant as bikers take to the roads. That means double-checking at intersections before pulling out. Motorcycle riders should also turn their headlights on during the day to make their bikes more visible.
The Ancilla College Student Government Association recently concluded campus-wide “Penny Wars” to raise money for the organization and area charities.
Faculty, staff and students volunteered to have their face on a tea jug in order to raise money for a group or charity of their choice. In all, 10 volunteers took part, including: Dr. Tom Buchanan (faculty) for the Marshall County Historical Society, Chelsea Chalk (faculty and PTK rep) for Culver Boys & Girls Club, Jacob Cross (student) for Military Family Association, John Gough (faculty) for the Neighborhood Center, Kristin Korcha (faculty) for Relay for Life Starke County, Jill Neidlinger (faculty and SGA rep) for Ancilla College Emergency Fund, Allen Renz (student and Dance Club rep) for Ancilla College Emergency Fund, Joel Thomas (faculty) for Marshall County Humane Society, Steve VanDerAa (faculty) for Relay for Life Marshall County, and Sr. Carleen Wrasman (staff) for Sojourner Truth house.
Winamac High School physics teacher Jeremy Wegner has been accepted into the CERN High School Teacher Program.
Wegner will be going to Geneva, Switzerland for three weeks of training and education about high energy particle physics and other topics. He will be learning how to incorporate all of the information into the classroom.
They say everything is bigger in Texas. After Friday night’s NASCAR Nationwide Series race at Texas Motor Speedway, rookie Chase Elliott proved that even race wins are even bigger in Texas.
The win was so big, drivers from several teams made it a point to stop and give Elliott a high five for his effort for holding off Sprint Cup drivers Kevin Harvick, Kyle Larson, Dale Earnhardt, Jr., and Kyle Busch for the win in the O’Reilly Auto Parts 300. Six-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Champion Jimmie Johnson even made an appearance in Victory Lane to offer his congratulations to the 18-year-old winner.
Flood warnings have been issued for the Tippecanoe River near Ora and above Winamac until further notice. Recent heavy rainfall has caused minor to moderate flooding, according to the National Weather Service. The Ora warning takes effect this evening. Late this morning the river was at 10.9 feet and rising. Flood stage near Ora is 12 feet. It’s expected to rise above that tonight and crest near 13.5 feet early Tuesday morning. At 14 feet extensive flooding of homes and low-lying areas begins. The Tippecanoe River above Winamac is also on the rise. At noon today it was at 7.9 feet. Flood stage is 10 feet. It’s expected to exceed that very early Sunday morning and crest near 11.1 feet around 8 p.m. Tuesday. At 11 feet extensive residential flooding is in progress. Continue reading
A Fort Wayne man was sentenced in Marshal County Superior Court 1 to ten years in the Indiana Department of Corrections after pleading guilty in a plea agreement with the State to a charge of Manufacturing Methamphetamine as a Class B felony.
Brandon Shakelford admitted that he assisted in the manufacture of methamphetamine on May 19, 2013 at a home on East St. in Bremen, which is located directly across the street from Sunnyside Park.
As the weather warms up, many people are getting into the spring cleaning mode. Officials at the Stake County Environmental Management Office remind you that the recycling bins located in the county are not for everyday trash, household chemicals or construction materials.
When garbage is dumped into and around the bins it contaminates the recyclable items. If the sites continue to be used as a “landfill”, they will be removed. They are to be considered to be placed for your convenience and are a privilege.
Procrastinators had best hurry in order to file their federal and state income tax returns on time. Taxes are due April 15.
While some filers opt for the standard deduction, others are able to lessen their tax burden by itemizing deductions. H&R Block Senior Tax Advisor Michelle Bachtel says while it’s important to keep thorough records in order to support deductions, you may still be able to itemize even if your record keeping isn’t the best. She says some things such as mortgage interest, property taxes, withholding taxes and such can be recreated or proven with canceled checks. Other types of deductions for things like medical mileage and unreimbursed work expenses need to be documented more thoroughly.
A Winamac Community High School Senior has been named the recipient of the 2014 Pulaski County Community Foundation 2014 Lilly Endowment Community Scholar.
Eric Newman will receive a four year full-tuition scholarship to an Indiana college of his choice. He will also receive a $900 yearly stipend for required books and equipment.
Newman has been involved in Student Council, Shakespeare Club, Key Club, FFA, National Honor Society, and the Robotics Team. He was also involved in sports and volunteered in the community. He has also received the DAR Good Citizen Award, Presidential award for service, Hoosier Boys State delegate, Distinguished Honor Roll, and the Hugh O’Brien award.
April is Child Abuse Awareness Month and a program to support children in the Pulaski County community is set for Tuesday, April 8.
Members of the Indiana Department of Child Services, Prevent Child Abuse Indiana and the Kids First Trust Fund will recognize the role of the community in protecting Indiana’s youth.
The staff at the Henry F. Schricker Public Library in Knox are completing work since the new children’s wing was recently opened.
Library Director Sheila Urwiler said they are moving some shelving and installing some new furniture. Every attempt is being made to tie up loose ends in the project.
The Winamac Community High School Drama Department will present Happy Days – The Musical on stage on Saturday, April 12 at 7 p.m. and Sunday, April 13 at 1 p.m. and 6 p.m. ET.
This musical composed by Garry Marshall in 2008 will feature all of the same characters as in the popular TV show 40 years ago: Howard Cunningham, Marion Cunningham, Joanie Cunningham, Arnold Devecchio, Ralph Malph, Chachi Arcola, Potsie Weber, Lori Beth, and Arthur Fonzarelli.
The Starke County Extension Homemakers want to give a hand up to a local woman who is looking to complete her education or improve her vocational skills. They are offering one $200 scholarship to a Starke County woman who is 21 or older. Applicants need not be members of an Extension Homemakers Club. May 15 is the application deadline, and the winner will be notified in June. Applications and more information are available from the Purdue Extension—Starke County office at the courthouse or by calling 574-772-9141.
The National Weather Service has extended the flood warning for the Kankakee River at Davis Route 30 until further notice. Last night at 9 the river was at 10 feet there and rising. Flood stage there is 10 feet. The Kankakee is expected to crest at 11.5 feet early tomorrow morning and begin falling. At 11 feet, flooding of secondary roads near the river begins. We’re also in for a blustery day, so hang on to your hats. The National Weather Service has issued a wind advisory, which takes effect at 1 p.m. EDT/noon central and continues through mid-evening. Southwest winds of 25 to 30 miles-per-hour, with gusts to 45 are expected. Isolated gusts of up to 50 miles-per-hour are possible. This will make driving difficult, especially for tall vehicles like vans and SUVs. Large limbs may fall, and isolated power outages are possible.
Severe weather is predicted for the Kankakee Valley into Friday morning.
Heavy rains may create high water areas and flooding on roads. Six inches of water will reach the bottom of most passenger cars causing loss of control and possible stalling. A foot of water will float many vehicles. Do not attempt to drive through a flooded road – the depth of water is not always obvious. Do not drive around a barricade as they are there for your protection. Turn around and go the other way.
An investigator from the state fire marshal’s office is headed to Toto this morning to determine the origin of last night’s house fire. North Judson-Wayne Township Fire Chief Joe Leszak tells WKVI news flames were coming from the living room and an upstairs bedroom of the home at 0470 West Toto Road . Nobody was home at the time, and no injuries were reported. Firefighters were called out at 7:50 last night and left shortly after 10 p.m.
James Campbell pleaded not guilty to a charge of Arson as a Class A felony in an initial hearing in Starke Circuit Court Wednesday afternoon.
Campbell is accused of intentionally setting a fire on March 20 at his business known as Starke County Recycling at the corner of U.S. 35 and Toto Road south of Knox. A Bass Lake fireman was injured while battling the blaze at the business. Eight fire departments were called to the scene to contain the fire.
The North Judson-Wayne Township Fire Department responded to a house fire near Toto last night and spent more than two hours getting the blaze under control. The house is located west of Toto between 100 West and Range Road, according to dispatchers with the Starke County Sheriff’s Office. No injuries were reported. Firefighters were called out at 7:45 last night and left shortly after 10 p.m. There’s no word yet on the extent of the damages. We’ll update our story as soon as we talk to the fire chief.
