Starke County and surrounding fire departments are running life-like structure fire training sessions this week with a State Live Fire Trainer trailer loaned to Starke County by the Department of Homeland Security.
LaPorte Bank Employees Report Suspicious Patron
Marshall County Council Approves Transfers
Highway Superintendent Neal Haeck said the money is for the 7th Road project and the federal reimbursement has not yet come in. He assured the council that the money is coming, it’s just slow in its arrival.
Pulaski Council Approves Additional Appropriations for Highway Department
RoboNinjas Advanced to World Championships
A robotics team from Plymouth will soon have the chance to represent the state at this year’s VEX Robotics World Championships in Anaheim, Calif. April 22 – 26, going toe-to-toe with 400 top teams from cities and countries around the world as the boys look forward to the chance to improve upon last year’s quarterfinal tournament run.
Knox School Board Approves Courses to Pave Way for Grant
Superintendent A.J. Gappa said the grant would be for a bio-medical science course.
“If we were to receive this grant, then we would have to offer, over the next couple of years, four new courses that are not currently in the course description book,” said Gappa. “We had the board approve these courses: Principles of Bio-Medical Science, Human Body Systems, Medical Interventions, and Bio-Medical Innovation. The board did this just in case we were to receive the grant and then we’d be prepared to offer the courses.”
Eastern Pulaski School Board to Meet Wednesday Morning
The Eastern Pulaski School Board will meet in a morning session on Wednesday, March 12 at 10:30 a.m. ET.
The board members will consider two retirement requests and a recommendation to purchase school buses. The three school principals will discuss activities pertinent to their buildings and Superintendent Dan Foster will have items of information for the board.
The board is expected to tour the elementary school after lunch. As time permits, a work session will be held at the conclusion of the regular meeting or after lunch.
Knox Woman Arrested on Neglect Charges
When officers searched the residence, they found that Angela Clemons allegedly took her young children’s ADHD medication instead of giving it to her children who need the prescription.
Clemons, 31, of Knox was taken to the Starke County Jail and booked on two preliminary counts of Neglect of a Dependent.
Knox Winter Guard Advance to State Finals
The group will participate in the Indiana High School Color Guard Association Finals Competition at Center Grove High School on Saturday, March 22.
The Knox Winter Guard, which is comprised of 14 students from high school and middle school, will be competing against 10 other schools for the top honor.
West Central School Board Approves Make Up Days
Superintendent Charles Mellon said that a lot of different corporations are doing things a little differently, but West Central is sticking with its contingency plan.
State Revenue Report Below Projections
For the first time in Fiscal Year 2014, the month’s sales tax collections were below collections for the same month in Fiscal Year 2013. Sales tax collections in February 2014 were below collection in 2013 by $13.7 million. Analysts say severe winter weather throughout the state in January likely contributed to the lower sales tax collections.
Auditions Approaching for Rising Star Competition
Groups Speak Out Against Energy Efficiency Cuts
According to Marty Kushler, senior fellow at the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy, the program saved $80 million in utility system costs in its first year – 2012.
Two Arrested on Heroin-Related Charges
Two LaPorte County men were arrested on heroin charges Friday after a traffic stop in LaPorte County.
During the traffic stop, a K9 conducted an “outer free air sniff” of the vehicle and the dog alerted that drugs were in the vehicle. A search was conducted of the vehicle where more than 29 grams of heroin were located. As a result, Nicholas Albertson and his passenger Brian Wilkinson were arrested.
State Police Seeking Information About Starke County Crash
The Indiana State Police are looking for information about a car crash late last year in Starke County. Specifically they are looking for people who may have seen the early morning crash near Grovertown on Dec. 10. An Oldsmobile Alero was left unattended along County Road 1100 East about 630 feet north of County Road 300 North on the east side of the roadway after striking several large fence posts, according to information released by the state police. Witnesses say at least two vehicles drove by after the crash occurred. One of these vehicles may have been a large white straight truck or other large vehicle. The second vehicle may have been driven by a person named “Ray” or “Raymond” that picked up two individuals that were walking in the area. This vehicle purportedly broke down shortly thereafter. Continue reading
Former Hoosier EMS Owner Pleads Guilty in Federal Court
The former owner of a Buffalo-based private ambulance service pleaded guilty last week in federal court to conspiracy to submit fraudulent claims to Medicare. The charges against Roy Dunn, 60, of Winamac, involve ambulance transportation for northwest Indiana Medicare recipients. Court documents filed in November of 2012 indicate Hoosier EMS submitted claims to Medicare between May of 2009 and May of 2012 for reimbursement of more than $2 million worth of services that were never rendered. Dunn’s sentencing is set for May 20 in U.S. District Court.
Public Hearing Set Tonight for Proposed Wastewater Facility Improvements in Medaryville
The town of Medaryville is planning to apply for a CDBG grant worth $450,000. The amount of funds proposed to be used that will benefit low- and moderate-income persons is $279,000. The town is also expected to expend an estimated $400,000 in non-CDBG funds on the project. These funds will come from the Town of Medaryville and a bond issue.
A public hearing on this will be tonight at 6:30 p.m. ET at the Medaryville Town Hall, 409 E. Main Street. If you’d like to review information related to this project, you can view documentation in the clerk’s office between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. You may also contact Gene Payne, President of the Medaryville Town Council at (219) 843-2101.
Starke Commissioners Discuss Bridge Redesigns
The contract calls for a cost of $140,000 to redesign all four bridges. Wilson did a similar job for the county last year; the project came in under budget and two weeks ahead of schedule. Highway Superintendent Rik Ritzler said they are still on track to replace bad bridges over the next four years, and recommended that the commissioners accept the contract.
Balanced Calendar Public Meetings Set This Week
Community meetings are set for Tuesday, March 11 at 7 p.m. ET at the Walkerton Elementary School; Wednesday, March 12 at 6 p.m. CT at the Oregon-Davis Board Room; Wednesday, March 12 at 7 p.m. ET at the Culver High School; March 13 at 6 p.m. ET at the Argos Administration Building; and March 13 at 7 p.m. ET at the John Glenn High School.
West Central School Board Hires Superintendent
Superintendent Charles Mellon said the board decided to hire West Central High School Principal Don Street to take his place.
