A pair of Indiana State Police Troopers from Pulaski County are among those from the Lowell Post recently recognized for service milestones. Master Trooper Rick Hudson was recognized for 20 years of service to ISP. Master Trooper Barney Rausch was recognized for 900,000 safe driving miles. ISP employees are recognized for years of service every five years. Troopers are recognized for safe driving starting at 50,000 miles.
Google Drive Demonstration Given to Eastern Pulaski School Board
The Eastern Pulaski School Board members this week were presented with the latest in technology innovations at the middle school.
Mrs. Pugh and Mr. Hook work with English and Social Studies Discovery classes were students work with Google Drive and complete assignments online.
MoonTree Studios Announces Callouts for MoonTree Players Productions
A new performing arts group based in Donaldson is looking for people interested in all aspects of theater to take part in an upcoming project. MoonTree Studios and the inaugural group of MoonTree Players is updating Anton Chekov’s prophetic play, The Cherry Orchard. Auditions are scheduled Thursday, Feb. 27 from 3 until 9 p.m. EST at MoonTree Studios.
“Doc Bowen Day” Set for Feb. 26 in Bremen
The Bremen community will be celebrating Otis R. (Doc) Bowen Day on Feb. 26.
According to the Pilot News, several special activities will take place that day. Downtown businesses will give out replica black-rimmed glasses, which were Doc Bowen’s trademark. Bremen High School will feature a film on the man who served as Indiana’s Governor for eight years.
Bowen practiced medicine in Bremen for decades and he also served as Secretary of Health and Human Services under the Ronald Reagan administration. He passed away on May 4 at the age of 95.
The Bremen Town Council recently approved the proclamation declaring Feb. 26 as Doc Bowen Day.
Solar Industry Booming in Indiana
A national report has revealed some good news on the state of the solar industry in Indiana. The national Solar Jobs Census released this week found 960 new Hoosier jobs were created in manufacturing, installation and development of solar projects in 2013, an increase of more than 170 percent.
Mixed Views on Marriage Equality in Indiana
As the same-sex marriage debate in Indiana brings forth arguments of morality and belief, Rev. Melody Merida, chairwoman of the Interfaith Coalition on Non-Discrimination, says each religious group has its own interpretation of the Bible, and in her view, the recent attempts to ban same-sex marriage run counter to an overwhelming message of love in the scripture.
Industrial Accident Reported at Del Monte in Plymouth
Plymouth Police Department officers investigated an industrial accident at Del Monte in Plymouth that happened just after noon ET Friday.
A report of a man trapped between a railroad car and the building was made to police. The man had lost consciousness at the time of the report.
An official at the Plymouth Police Department indicated that not much more information would immediately be released. An industrial accident report is being put together and WKVI News expects to have more information when it is released next week.
Knox Officials to Estimate Water Bills, Remind Residents to Run Water
Knox residents are asked to keep their faucets running until further notice. The city has been plagued with frozen pipes and water meters since temperatures plunged. If you still have water, the best way to ensure it continues to flow is to let it run. Even though temperatures are warming up, the ground is still frozen, so pipes are still subject to freezing. City officials say all water bills for the billing cycle that started Jan. 23 will be estimated based on last year’s usage, and customers will not be charged for the extra water they are using. Water bills are due Feb. 15, and anyone with an abnormally high bill due to letting faucets run can ask for an adjustment.
Winamac Police Officer Rescues Unconscious Woman from Burning Car
A Winamac woman is alive this morning thanks to the quick response from a Winamac Police Officer on patrol. Mark Hoffman was southbound on U.S. 35 just before midnight last night and saw a vehicle on fire near County Road 50 East. Hoffman called the Pulaski County Dispatch Center and requested fire and EMS assistance and approached the SUV, where he saw an unconscious woman inside. Continue reading
Community Urged to Remember Christina Franks
A 14-year-old Knox Middle School student who died Saturday, Feb. 8 after a seven-month hospital stay will be laid to rest tomorrow in her hometown. Christina Franks lived a month and a day past her 14th birthday. She was diagnosed in July of 2011 with cardiomyopathy, or an enlarged heart and was admitted to Riley Children’s Hospital in Indianapolis two years later when her left ventricle began to fail. Last August, Christina had surgery to install an exterior pump to take over the work of her failing heart until a donor organ could be located. Prior to that procedure, Christina told the surgeon she feared she would be forgotten because she was so far from her home in Knox. Continue reading
Employee Arrested After Knox Police Allegedly Find Remains of Meth Lab in Work Bag
A Knox man was arrested Wednesday morning after city officers were called about possible narcotic activity at Sabre Manufacturing in Knox.
Knox City officers learned that suspicious items were found inside an employee’s work bag. Upon police inspection, the suspicious items in the bag were reportedly determined to be remains of a methamphetamine lab.
Three Arrested in Ongoing Investigation
Since November of 2013, officers with the Knox City Police Department have been investigating tips about individuals reportedly participating in prescription drug dealing on the street and arrests have recently been made in this ongoing investigation.
Knox officers identified three specific individuals and a subsequent report to the Starke County Proseuctor led to arrest warrants issued by Starke Circuit Court.
Marshall County Commissioner Jack Roose Will Not Seek Another Term
Marshall County Commissioner Jack Roose has withdrawn his bid for another run at his District 1 seat in this year’s election.
Roose has served two terms as a commissioner. In an official release, Roose stated that he did file his intention to run for another term but not long after he filed, he began “struggling” with his decision. The issue of term limitations began filling his thoughts and after much consideration, he has decided to withdraw from the race.
Culver Officials Schedule Public Hearing to Discuss Future of Park
The Town of Culver wants to hear from residents about the future of the park. They’ve scheduled a public hearing on Tuesday, Feb. 18 at 6 p.m. EST at the Train Depot at 615 E. Lake Shore Drive. The park has been at the center of considerable controversy of late after the firing of the superintendent and activities director. There’s also been quite a bit of debate about the makeup of the park board and whether a seventh member should be added.
City of Knox Knox Applies for Comprehensive Plan Grant
The Knox City Council this week signed several preliminary documents to begin the process of creating a comprehensive plan for the city at the behest of Emily Gross, the grant administrator for a planning grant to help cover the cost. Gross explained in a public hearing Tuesday night that interviews for consultants took place in December, but only one consultant applied.
Pulaski Council Approves Purchase of Computers
The Pulaski County Council this week approved the purchase of five computers to replace some of the older computers in the assessor’s and auditor’s office after it was announced that their software vendor will no longer provide support for Microsoft Windows XP. RB Walters told the council that the support will end in April; after that, any software issues will not be troubleshooted by the vendor.
Hamlet Town Board Discussed Frozen Meters, Junk Ordinance Amendment
The Town of Hamlet hasn’t had many complaints of frozen water mains or meters, but the clerk’s office is urging citizens to keep a drip in the faucet so water issues stay few. Clerk-Treasurer Kristina Pitts noted that only three frozen meter reports have been made.
Options Available for School Corporations to Make up Missed Days of Instruction
The Department of Education has released local options for school corporations seeking to make up time due to weather cancellations.
Indiana Superintendent of Public Instruction Glenda Ritz consulted with local superintendents and teachers throughout the state about a variety of difficulties experienced this winter season. She stated that many asked for more flexibility for scheduling instructional time.
Residents Report Bogus Calls from Microsoft
The latest round of telephone scams to hit the area involves a caller claiming to be from a reputable company. Several residents have gotten calls from someone claiming to be a Microsoft representative and asking for information. The caller is extremely persistent and claims the person’s computer is on the verge of crashing and can only be fixed if they provide information for him to access it remotely. Microsoft does not initiate such calls, and allowing someone this type of access to your computer can make you vulnerable to identity theft as they can steal passwords and other secure data. Do not give passwords, Social Security or bank account numbers or any other information to a caller you do not know. The best thing to do is to hang up on such callers, look up a number for the company they claim to represent and contact their customer service department yourself to make sure there is not any sort of problem that requires your attention.
Second Count Day Finds Less Students at Eastern Pulaski School
Eastern Pulaski School Superintendent Dan Foster reported the student count day numbers to the board this week and enrollment has dropped.
Foster said 29.5 students left the corporation between the September count day and Feb. 3. A kindergarten student counts as a half of a student. That means $145,000 worth of funding will be lost. Nine of those students were mid-term graduates.