NASCAR Penalty Structure, Appeals Process Revised

It will send a clear message that rules violations will not be tolerated.

That’s what NASCAR Executive Vice President of Racing Operations Steve O’Donnell made clear when the newly released enhancements to the sport’s penalty structure and appeals process were announced early Tuesday.

It’s called NASCAR’s Deterrence System and it clearly explains what disciplinary action will be taken depending on a technical infraction. Infractions will be listed from warnings to six penalty levels.

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Winter Storm Watch Upgraded to Warning

 
 

The Winter Storm Watch for the WKVI listening area has been upgraded to a warning by the National Weather Service. Heavy snow and blowing and drifting are expected this afternoon into tomorrow morning, with total accumulations of between 6 and 10 inches expected by midday Wednesday. North winds will cause considerable blowing and drifting, primarily on east to west roads. This will make travel dangerous. Motorists are advised to only venture out in an emergency. If you must travel, keep an extra flashlight, food and water in your vehicle in case of an emergency. It’s also a good idea to take blankets, a snow shovel, kitty litter to use for traction should you get stuck and enough warm clothes to walk a mile should that be necessary. As always, the WKVI Information Center will be staffed to bring you the very latest on this severe weather.

Escaped Quadruple Murderer Behind Bars in LaPorte County

Michael Elliot
Michael Elliot

A convicted murderer who escaped from a Michigan prison is behind bars again following an unsuccessful attempt to steal a car in LaPorte County. Sheriff’s deputies there arrested Michael David Elliot last evening after he allegedly fled from Aero Metals in a stolen 2002 Chevrolet Monte Carlo. Police say the vehicle’s owner has started it to warm it up, went inside and saw it driving away when he came back outside. Officers from the LaPorte Police Department spotted the car, and deputies from the sheriff’s office took over the pursuit once the driver left the city limits. Elliot escaped Sunday night from Ionia Correctional Facility in Michigan sometime between 6 and 7 p.m. He was convicted of four murders in 1993, is serving five life sentences and was considered armed and dangerous. Elliot is charged with the felony offenses of motor vehicle theft and resisting law enforcement in LaPorte County, where he’s jailed without bond pending his extradition to Michigan.

Starke County Building Corp. Hears Water Line Update

This building on SR 8 at CR 550 E will soon house the new Starke County Jail.
This building on SR 8 at CR 550 E will soon house the new Starke County Jail.
The Starke County Building Corporation yesterday morning heard an update regarding the water line project for the construction of the Starke County Sheriff’s Office and Detention Center. Commissioner Kathy Norem said the work on the water line seems to be languishing; work was done in late December and was paid off, but the contractor has not done any work since.

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Marshall County Will Enact Warning Level Travel Advisory Later Tonight

  
 
Marshall County officials will be issuing an emergency declaration today, Tuesday, Feb. 4. The emergency declaration will include a “Warning Level” travel advisory for travel upon roadways in the un-incorporated areas of Marshall County.

According to Emergency Management Agency Director Clyde Avery, the “Warning Level” advisory will go into effect at 7 p.m. ET tonight. If the weather and road conditions become a safety concern, the declaration may be put in place earlier than 7 p.m. ET.

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Levi Lakes Sentenced to 10-year Prison Sentence

 
 
Levi Lakes was sentenced in Starke Circuit Court on Monday morning.

Lakes was in court last week where he pleaded guilty in a plea agreement with the state on a charge of Dealing in a Narcotic Drug. Judge Kim Hall sentenced Lakes to 10 years in the Department of Corrections with no part of that sentence suspended.

If Lakes successfully completes the CLIFF or GRIP program for drug rehabilitation while incarcerated, he may petition the court for a modification of his sentence.

Marshall County Voting Districts May Consolidate Further

 
 
The push to consolidate districts in Marshall County is still a matter of discussion, as the Marshall County Election Board will soon make a decision regarding the possible consolidation of Center Township districts 1 and 2, and districts 3 and 4. However, Donna Pontius, voter registration deputy clerk for Marshall County, said nothing has been decided definitively.

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Pulaski County May Replace 8 Computers Soon

Pulaski County Commissioners Larry Brady, Vice President Terry Young, and President Tracey Shorter
Pulaski County Commissioners Larry Brady, Vice President Terry Young, and President Tracey Shorter
Microsoft has announced that Windows XP will no longer be supported as of April 8, leaving a vast number of computers still using the software without customer support, including at least 21 computers used by Pulaski County government employees. President of the commissioners Larry Brady told WKVI that they approved the purchase of eight new computers for the auditor’s and assessor’s offices at a cost of $799 each to allow the employees to continue to receive customer support through Microsoft.

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Marshall County EMA Director Reviews Travel Advisory Categories

  
 
As we brace for another round of snow storms today, Marshall County Emergency Management Agency Director Clyde Avery reminded the commissioners yesterday of the three travel restrictions that could be issued during a snow event.

The “advisory” level means that routine travel or activities may be restricted in areas and individuals should use caution or avoid the areas. The “watch” level means that conditions are threatening to the safety of the public. Only essential travel is recommended, such as to and from work or in emergency situations. Continue reading

Free Online Filing Offered for Hoosier Taxpayers

 
 
Close to 1 million Hoosiers will qualify to file their federal and state taxes online this tax season. Indiana Freefile offers free federal and state tax filing online to taxpayers with adjusted gross incomes of $58,000 or less during 2013.

More than 119,000 taxpayers used Infreefile last year to file their taxes by visiting www.freefile.dor.in.gov. There, you can see if you qualify for INfreefile based on the vendors’ options. If they qualify, all taxpayers have to do is click the vendor of their choice and complete their tax returns online.

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INDOT, Marshall, Starke County Highway Departments Ready for More Snow

 
 
Snow plow workers all across the state are getting ready for another round of severe weather.

INDOT Media Relations Director Matt Deitchley said the department is getting continuous shipments of salt as needed. Crews use various other chemical de-icers, depending on the situation. He indicated that the state is in good shape in terms of supply to effectively eradicate the roads of snow and ice.

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A Little Time Can Go a Long Way: Mentor a Child in Indiana

  
 
While experts claim many young children are lacking positive adult role models in their lives, hundreds of volunteer mentors in Indiana are stepping up to fill that gap.

Steven Wornhoff of Lebanon was a mentor for seven years, and he said the experience of helping young Josh Wilson was very special, and he was able to help Josh overcome the difficulties of growing up in an impoverished situation. While they did go to ball games and movies, Wornhoff said, just spending time together made a difference.

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Michigan Prisoner on the Run

Michael Elliot
Michael Elliot

Police in Indiana, Michigan and the surrounding areas are on the hunt for a murderer who escaped from a Michigan prison on Sunday.

Michael David Elliot was last seen in Elkhart, Indiana at 11:30 p.m. ET on Sunday, Feb. 2. He was driving a stolen red 2004 Jeep Liberty bearing Michigan plate #5FTG55.

Authorities believe that he carjacked a woman and is armed and dangerous.

If you see Elliot or the stolen vehicle, call 911 immediately.

Starke County Building Corp., Commissioners to Meet This Morning

  
 
The Starke County Building Corporation will meet this morning prior to the regular meeting of the Starke County Commissioners to hear a financial report and the status of the water line project for the soon-to-be-constructed Starke County Sheriff’s Office and Detention Center. A project construction update will also be heard during the meeting of the building corporation from the Skillman Corporation.

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Tippecanoe Beverage Property Preliminarily Declared Economic Revitalization Area

Winamac Town Hall
Winamac Town Hall
The Winamac Town Council recently took the first step toward pumping some new life into the Tippecanoe Beverage property. In late January, the council approved a preliminary resolution designating the facility as an Economic Revitalization Area, which, according to Town Manager Jim Conner, is a necessary first step in order to grant tax abatements.

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