Marshall County Commissioners Approve Consolidated Polling Sites

 
 

The Marshall County Commissioners approved the consolidation of several polling sites within the county during their meeting Monday morning.

Clerk Julie Fox and a representative from the Marshall County Election Board appeared before the commissioners with the consolidation proposal. All locations are ADA compliant. Plymouth went though redistricting which warranted change and it was the decision of the board to consolidate Center 1 and 2, Center 3 and 4, Center 5 and 6, and Center 7 and 8 into four separate voting locations. Also, Bourbon, German, North, Polk, Union, Walnut and West Township Precinct were all consolidated.

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Knox School Board to Hold Meeting to Gather More Info on Alternative School

Superintendent A.J. Gappa
Superintendent A.J. Gappa
The Knox Community School Board will host an informational meeting on Thursday at 10 a.m. CT in the administrative office in the elementary school with members of The Crossing alternative school.

Superintendent A.J. Gappa said the purpose of the meeting is for The Crossing officials to speak to the board members in more depth about the alternative school.

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Community Meeting Set for Oregon-Davis Schools

Greg Briles
Greg Briles
A community meeting will be held on Wednesday, March 12 to inform the Oregon-Davis school community about several items of interest.

According to Superintendent Greg Briles, the future of technology will be discussed along with next year’s scheduling in the Junior/Senior High School and Elementary School. The pros and cons of a balanced calendar will also be brought forth during this meeting.

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Starke County to Hold Tax Sale April 8

  
 
The Starke County Commissioners on Monday morning held a public hearing to discuss the disposal of properties owned by the commissioners that will soon be up for tax sale. Treasurer Kasey Clark approached the commissioners and explained that of the 50 properties up for tax sale, two of them have been removed; 48 will be sold at 90 percent of their assessed value.

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Marshall County Eligible to Participate in STEM Education Initiative

  
 

All schools in Marshall County are now eligible to participate in the regional STEM Education Initiative announced by Project Lead the Way officials along with the United Way of Marshall County and the Marshall County Economic Development Corporation.

Project Lead The Way is the nation’s leading provider of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) programs. Northern Indiana was selected to become a model region for Project Lead The Way where all K-12 schools, both public and private, in a five-county area, will participate with the opportunity to implement programs in engineering, biomedical science, and computer science.

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Visiting Restrictions Lifted at IU Health Hospitals

 
 
IU Health has lifted visiting restrictions at IU Health LaPorte and Starke 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.

Girls State Basketball Tickets Go on Sale Today, Community Pep Rally Thursday Night

Oregon-Davis Jr./Sr. High School
Oregon-Davis Jr./Sr. High School
The Oregon-Davis Lady Bobcats are going to play in the state girls basketball tournament in the Hulman Center on the campus of Indiana State University in Terre Haute.

Tickets for the game go on sale today at noon and are $15. Officials at the Oregon-Davis High School will have tickets available for purchase.

The student body will have a pep session for the girls team at the end of the school day on Thursday. A community send-off will be held for the girls as they leave the school for the tournament on Thursday evening at 5:30 p.m.

Oregon-Davis will play Vincennes Rivet Patriots in the state championship game on Saturday, March 8 at 9:30 a.m. CT.

House OK’s Measure to Allow Guns on School Grounds

  
 
Controversial legislation that would allow guns in vehicles on school grounds passed the Indiana House late Monday. It’s currently a felony to bring a gun onto school property, but Senate Bill 229 would allow those with proper carry permits to keep firearms out of sight in vehicles on school grounds. Nicki McNally with the Indiana Chapter of Moms Demand Action on Gun Violence says she’s disappointed and hopes some of the issues can be clarified in conference committee.

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Two NASCAR Crew Members Reinstated

Ryan Hess and Curtis Martin, Jr. have been reinstated after their successful completion of NASCAR’s Substance Abuse Policy Road to Recovery Program.

On June 18, 2013, Ryan Hess, a former crew member in the Nationwide Series, violated Sections 12-1 (actions detrimental to stock car racing and Section 19 (violation of the NASCAR substance abuse policy) of the NASCAR Rule Book.

Curtis Martin, Jr., a former crew member in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, violated the same sections in the NASCAR Rule Book on Nov. 19, 2013.

Kurt Busch Will Run Both Indy and Charlotte Races on Same Day

Kurt Busch
Kurt Busch

Two months ago, he was only 70% sure he was going to run in both the Indianapolis 500 and the Coca Cola 600, but it was made 100% official today.

Kurt Busch will be running in both races on May 25. Busch will be racing for Andretti Autosport in the Indy 500 and then jump into his stock car that night to participate in the Coca Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway for Stewart-Haas Racing.

Busch joins his boss Tony Stewart, plus John Andretti and Robby Gordon as the only drivers to compete in both races in the same day.

Tony Stewart last attempted the double in 2001 where he finished 6th in the Indy 500 and finished 3rd that night in the Coca Cola 600.

Starke County Sheriff’s Department Project Still On Track

This building on SR 8 at CR 550 E will soon house the new Starke County Sheriff's Office and Detention Center.
This building on SR 8 at CR 550 E will soon house the new Starke County Sheriff’s Office and Detention Center.

The Starke County Building Corporation yesterday morning heard an update on the construction efforts at the new Starke County Sheriff’s Office and Detention Center. According to the progress report presented at the meeting, a number of structure items – as well as those for mechanical, engineering, and plumbing – were completed last month, with more efforts underway this month to continue that work for at least the next four weeks. The report indicated that the work completed within the steel building last month included the continuation of the installation of structural steel and miscellaneous demolition as required. Crews worked on setting the hollow steel metal door and window frames, continued installing interior masonry walls, started metal stud wall framing and drywall installation, and received detention door frames. Continue reading

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

Police Seeking Identity of Second Driver Involved in Injury Crash

 
 

Assistance is needed in helping to locate a semi and driver that were involved in an accident at the intersection of U.S 35 and U.S. 20 in LaPorte County on Feb. 28.

The LaPorte County Sheriff’s Department is looking for a flatbed tractor-trailer involved in the accident. A woman driving a passenger car rear-ended the tractor- trailer and was trapped inside the car. Police believe that the driver of the tractor-trailer was unaware that the accident happened and left the scene.

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Are You Ready for Severe Weather?

 
 

The only thing harder than being prepared is explaining why you were not! This is National Severe Weather Preparedness Week, which is a good opportunity to know your risk, take action and be an example. The Pulaski County Health Department is one of several agencies taking part in this call to action. Preparedness measures have been put to the test with this winter’s snowfall, and tornado season will be here soon. Pulaski County Health Department Preparedness Coordinator Sherry Fagner says knowing your risk of severe weather, taking action and being an example are a few steps you can take now to potentially save your life and the lives of others. Continue reading

Knox Sets Dates for Citywide Yard Sales

 
 

The dates are set for the annual City of Knox yard sale. This year the popular event has expanded from one to four days. They are Thursday, May 8 through Sunday, May 11 from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. Residents can host sales on any or all of those days without paying for a permit. Sale signs are limited to the ones available for purchase at city hall for 50-cents each. The Knox Moose Family Center is helping to sponsor the sales and will have maps, food and drinks available each day. Spaces will also be available for residents outside the city limits who would like to participate. Call 574-772-5712 for more information. Environmental Days will once again be held in conjunction with the sales. This is done so unsold and unwanted items can easily be thrown away.