Individuals facing tax penalties for not having health insurance in 2014 still have a chance to sign up for coverage through the healtcare marketplace. Enrolling between now and April 30 will ensure they avoid additional fees when filing their 2015 taxes. Learn more about that process during a “MDwise Health Benefits Connection” event today at IU Health Starke Hospital. Continue reading
Wellness Community Coordinator Installed in Marshall County
Marshall County is part of a pilot program for a wellness initiative.
Newly installed Wellness Community Coordinator Sandy Read told the Marshall County Commissioners this week that Purdue University received federal funding to place five coordinators in counties to develop a branch of the Nutrition Education Program. She will be employed by Purdue University.
Read said she and the Fulton County representative would be constructing the manual for the program and try to pave the way for a more widespread organization in 2016 or 2017.
Katrina Schoeder Sentenced in Starke Circuit Court
A woman was sentenced to probation after pleading guilty to a felony charge in Starke Circuit Court.
Katrina Schoeder pleaded guilty in a plea agreement with the state to a charge of maintaining a common nuisance as a Level 6 felony. She was sentenced per the terms of that agreement to 18 months in the Indiana Department of Corrections with all of the sentence suspended to be served on probation.
Bring Essential Documents to Your Tax Appointment
If you haven’t filed your taxes yet, time is running out. Federal and state income taxes are both due Wednesday, April 15. Michelle Bachtel from H&R Block in Knox says you need to have personal information for everyone on your return handy before you start. This includes Social Security numbers, birth dates and full legal names as registered with the Social Security Administration. You will also need documentation of all of your income from wages, tips, savings, investments, retirement, rental property, self-employment or farming. Continue reading
Culver Relay for Life Set for Tonight
The Culver Relay for Life event kicks off today with the survivor dinner at 5 p.m. ET on the campus of the Culver Military Academy.
The committee has been working hard to bring in more donations to help fight cancer. So far, 39 teams with 349 participants have raised $27,741 toward the cause. More donations will be accepted during the event that runs through Saturday morning at 6 a.m.
Several fundraisers are planned throughout the evening.
Knox High School Drama Department Presents Oklahoma!
Enjoy the Rogers and Hammerstein classic Musical Oklahoma! this weekend at Knox High School. Director Terrill Hahn says staging such a production presents quite a few challenges.
“You have to make sure you have kids that can act, and sing and do a little dancing,” Hahn said. A 35 member cast and crew is putting on the musical. Performances are tomorrow night at 7 p.m. and Sunday at 4 at the Knox High School auditorium. Tickets are $6 each at the door.
Small Child Injured in Two-Vehicle Accident
A two-vehicle accident in Marshall County Wednesday afternoon caused minor injuries to a young passenger.
Police say Kimberly Moore, 42, of Knox was stopped at the intersection of State Road 8 and State Road 17 and was preparing to turn north onto State Road 17. Moore entered the intersection and struck a vehicle driven by Nicole Risner, 30, of Plymouth who was traveling south on State Road 17, according to a news release. Both vehicles sustained significant damage. A five-year-old boy, who was seated in the front seat of Moore’s car, suffered minor head and neck injuries after the airbag deployed.
Strong Winds Could Plague Area Today
There is a potential for severe weather in the area today. Marshall County Emergency Management Agency Director Clyde Avery says it depends on how several meteorological aspects set up today.
Avery says strong winds will most likely plague the area with a risk of tornadoes. Strong winds may break off tree limbs and create traffic hazards.
Separate Incidents May Have Spurred School Lockdown and Arrest
An incident that locked down Knox Community Elementary School may not have been the same incident that led to the arrest of a 20-year-old Knox man.
Police were called to the area of 1 Redskin Trail around 7:45 Tuesday morning over reports of a man making threats to harm individuals at Knox Community High School.
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Starke County Highway Department Shifts Focus to Spring Projects
The Starke County Highway Department’s focus has shifted to spring and summer projects now that the last of the snow is gone. Superintendent Rik Ritzler says drivers are making repairs to roads in their areas that were damaged by thawing frost over the winter. He says they’re patching for now, but a more permanent fix will be made in the next few months as weather allows. Continue reading
Pulaski County Officials Securing Pleasant View Rest Home
Now that operations have ceased at the Pleasant View Rest Home in Winamac, officials are working to keep the building secure.
Maintenance Director Jeff Johnston told the commissioners that slide bolts with padlocks have been installed to tighten up security. Johnston asked about itemized inventory, and Commissioner Terry Young commented that a partial list has been drafted. The commissioners, Johnston, and the remaining workers at the Pleasant View Rest Home will make a list and decide what to do with those items. The commissioners talked about holding an auction to get rid of the equipment that will not be utilized by other county offices.
Starke County EMS Still Seeking Part-Time Paramedics
Starke County EMS still needs a few part-time paramedics to ensure county-wide advance life support coverage around the clock. Director Keith Emigh told the county commissioners Monday the base in Knox is always fully staffed to meet ALS requirements, and the base in North Judson is between 95 and 98 percent of the time. He says a few more are needed to pull shifts in Grovertown. Continue reading
Marshall County Treasurer’s Office Extends Hours for Property Tax Collections
Marshall County Treasurer Penny Lukenbill requested the extension of business hours to accommodate the payment of property taxes this spring and fall.
Lukenbill told the commissioners that the auditor delivered the tax duplicate to the treasurer’s office last week. The tax bills are now being created to be mailed out to taxpayers.
Lukenbill requested that the treasurer’s office be open on Saturday, May 9 from 9 a.m. to noon. She also asked that hours be extended on Friday, May 8 and Monday, May 11 from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET.
Sen. Donnelly Continues Support for RFRA ‘Fix’
State legislation that caused a national uproar is receiving comments from one of Indiana’s federal representatives.
U.S. Senator Joe Donnelly appeared in Knox on Tuesday as part of a “Donnelly Day” visit. The Democrat uses the tours to learn more about important issues facing Indiana workers.
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State Sen. Arnold Supporting Tougher Regulations for E-Cigarette Liquids
The liquid used in e-cigarettes could be regulated under legislation being sponsored by State Senator Jim Arnold.
House Bill 1432 would clarify the liquid used in vapor pens as intended to be inhaled. If the bill is signed into law, manufacturers of the liquid would be required to obtain a proper permit. That permit would cover a period of five years.
Hamlet Town Council Reviews 50-50 Sidewalk Applications
Six applications for Hamlet’s 50-50 sidewalk program were reviewed last night. One contractor applied to do the cement work. The board took all applications under advisement.Open Auditions in May for Maxinkuckee Players Summer Production
The Maxinkuckee Players will hold open auditions for this year’s summer production on Saturday, May 2.
Those interested in a part in Hello Dolly will read from a script prepared on site and sing a song of choice. A pianist and a CD player will be available for accompaniment.
The musical surrounds the antics of Dolly Levi as she decides that she needs to find someone for herself after years of finding matches for everyone else. The musical is set in the City of New York at the turn of the century and provides some famous musical hits such as “Before the Parade Passes By,” “It Only Takes a Moment,” “Put on Your Sunday Clothes,” and the title number, “Hello, Dolly!”.
Tax Preparer Offers Tips for Choosing Federal Form
Income taxes are due in six days. There’s still plenty of time to file if you haven’t already done so. Michelle Bachtel with the Knox H&R Block office says it’s important to choose the federal form that best meets your needs. A popular option is the 1040-EZ. However, it has limits.
“As long as you are under the age of 65, your income is below $100,000 and the income only comes from things like wages, salaries, tips and unemployment, with less than $1,500 in interest, you can use this form. But you cannot itemize deductions, claim dependents or be filing separate from your spouse. With this form your credits are limited, so just because you are eligible to file this form doesn’t mean you should, Bachtel said. Continue reading
Suspect Arrested After Threats Prompt School Lockdown
A Knox man is jailed after reportedly making threats on a social media website that prompted a school lockdown. 20-year-old Paul J. Esparza entered Knox High School twice yesterday and was escorted from the building both times, according to police. A post on Esparza’s Facebook page led officials to believe he was in possession of a handgun. Continue reading
North Judson Grocery Store May Have Buyer, Pending Incentives
A grocery store put up for sale in March of this year may be taking another step.
Whether the deal goes through for the store’s purchase, however, may be influenced by the North Judson Town Council. Ray’s Super Foods operated in North Judson for the past 18 years, but the owners announced in an advertisement that they intended to “make a change.”
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