We’re in for another bout of arctic cold weather overnight into tomorrow morning. The National Weather Service in Northern Indiana has issued a Wind Chill Advisory for the area. It takes effect tonight at 7 Eastern, 6 Central and continues through midday tomorrow. Another surge of Arctic air moving across the area will cause wind chills of 15 to 25 below this morning… and again tonight and Friday morning. There will also be patchy blowing and drifting snow this morning. The combonation of blowing and drifting snow combined with bitterly cold wind chills will cause hazardous travel this morning. Remember, exposed skin can suffer frostbite with extended exposure. Visibilities will also be limited this morning due to a combination of falling and blowing snow. Use caution when traveling, especially in open areas. If you must venture outdoors, be sure to wear a hat and gloves.
Starke Sheriff’s Dept. to Look Into Auctioning Items
High Speed Rail Service Proposed from Chicago to Columbus
Representatives from the Northern Indiana Passenger Rail Association recently came before the Plymouth Board of Public Works to propose its idea of a high speed passenger rail service on existing rail lines that would extend from Chicago, Ill. to Columbus, Ohio with 11 stops in Indiana – Plymouth being one of them.
The NIPRA recently obtained funding for a feasibility study that addressed assessment of the market, engineering needs, an operating plan, and financial and economic returns. According to an article in The Pilot News, the operating plan examines the use of diesel powered trains operating anywhere from 110-130 mph. Trains traveling at 110 mph would provide a four hour long train service from Chicago to Columbus. In Indiana, the trains would stop in Gary, Valparaiso, Plymouth, Warsaw, Fort Wayne, and in Ohio the trains would stop in Lima, Kenton, Marysville, Columbus downtown and Columbus airport. The trains would operate round trip from Chicago to Columbus.
Marshall County EMA Grant Applications Approved
The first grant would be for $5,179.77 where the money would be used to purchase handed held devices for the emergency operations center, emergency alert radios to be given to the public, and literature to inform residents about various events and how to protect against the impact of those events.
Culver EMS to Continue Serving Monterey
The town of Monterey in Pulaski County will continue being served by Culver EMS after the county commissioners this week decided to stay with the agreement in place with Culver EMS that renews annually. Brandon Cooper with Culver EMS approached the commissioners and explained that the contract between his department and the county had lapsed, and he proposed a three-year contract at $6000 per year to ensure they keep the same rate.
INDOT Snow Plow Crews Are Working Overtime to Clear Roads
INDOT Spokesman Matt Deitchley told WKVI that snow plow drivers have been in full call out mode since Monday night. This means that 170+ snow plow routes have been fully staffed in order to keep roads safe for motorists.
Crews are working 12-or-more hours on alternating shifts so drivers are out 24 hours a day. They have been working these shifts for six straight days. Dozens of other employees are working around the clock in order to dispatch drivers and maintain the equipment. Continue reading
RoboNinjas Travel to State Championship
A pair of robot enthusiasts at Plymouth High School are climbing the ladder to become tournament champions in the Vex Robotics competition. Last year, Josh Kuhn and Kennedy Schneiders made it all the way to the world championships in Anaheim, Cali., finishing the competition and ranking 18th in the world.
The duo were tournament champions at a competition held in Zionsville on Nov. 23, ultimately competed against the last remaining undefeated team in Indiana and beat them, winning the tournament to go on to the state championships in early March and the U.S. Open in Nebraska in April.
Knox School Board Recognizes Elementary JESSE Class
The Knox Community School Board recognized Mrs. Fletcher’s elementary JESSE class Monday night for a special event held during Christmas.
Superintendent A.J. Gappa said 20 people attended the meeting including students, aides, parents and Mrs. Fletcher.
Experts Believe Marriage Equality Critical to Indiana’s Economic Future
Qualifying Changes for the 2014 NASCAR Season
NASCAR officials Wednesday announced a new format for qualifying to “enhance the fan experience” when watching the event on TV and the track.
This season qualifying will feature a group qualifying format.
Race Teams Welcome Sponsors for 2014 Season
It’s been a busy off season for teams and owners as sponsorships get into line for the upcoming season.
It was announced Tuesday that Love’s Travel Stops will expand its partnership with Front Row Motorsports. The primary sponsorship is slated for 14 races in the 2014 season, which is a significant increase. from last season. The sponsor will be on David Gilliand’s No 38 at the season-opening Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway and for 13 other races in the season.
Knox Woman Arrested in Child Abuse Investigation
Knox police officers have arrested a woman suspected of child abuse.
A complaint was made to the department on Wednesday, Jan. 15 allegeding child abuse involving a juvenile. A search warrant was executed at 404 Fear Court and police found that the suspect, 24-year-old Mary Young, was reportedly locking her child in a bedroom in addition to battering the child.
Officers took Young into custody in the evening hours of Monday, Jan. 20 and she has been booked into the Starke County Jail on preliminary Class D felony charges of Criminal Confinement, Battery and Neglect of a Dependent.
The case remains under investigation.
Trial Scheduled in Starke Circuit Court
Several hearings were held before the honorable Judge Kim Hall in Starke Circuit Court on Tuesday.
It was decided that Gregory Schweisthal will go before a jury of his peers in a trial scheduled to begin today (Wednesday). Three days have been set aside to hear testimony and evidence on the five charges filed against Schweisthal. Those charges include Rape as a Class B felony, two counts of Invasion of Privacy as Class D felonies, Strangulation as a Class D felony, and Domestic Battery as a Class A misdemeanor. Timothy Lemon is Schweisthal’s defense attorney. Continue reading
Starke County Commissioners Approve Software Agreements
The Starke County Commissioners are looking into the possibility of saving some money on non-election years through the Microvote company. The county currently pays Microvote $9500 per year for their election equipment and services, even on years when the equipment is not used. Commissioner Kent Danford asked IT Director Joe Short to look into whether or not they can pay for that service only on election years to help save a bit of coin. Continue reading
Marshall County Highway Department Salt Supply Runs Low
The Marshall County Highway Department has used quite a bit of salt in helping clear snow and ice covered roads this winter.
In his department report Tuesday morning, Highway Superintendent Neal Haeck told the commissioners that last year he ordered 1,000 tons of salt and didn’t use a lot of the supply. He ordered another 950 tons of salt in a later order and the department has gone through its supply. Continue reading
DTFSC Supports Surgeon General’s Call to Action to Quit Smoking
The Office of the Surgeon General recently released a report that reviewed the health consequences of smoking, entitled “The Health Consequences of Smoking: 50 Years of Progress.” The report indicates 151,000 Indiana youth will become smokers and die prematurely, killing 9.5 percent of those age 17 and younger – nearly one out of every 10 Hoosier kids.
The report calls on Americans to make the next generation tobacco free, and Linda Molenda, coordinator for Drug and Tobacco Free Starke County, said the organization will continue to work to support policies that aim to protect community members from the dangers of tobacco use and secondhand smoke. Continue reading
Medaryville Residents Lose Family Pets in House Fire
Firefighters with the Medaryville Fire Department responded to a house fire Monday night.
Chief Shaun Hauptli told WKVI that neighbors called 911 when they noticed smoke coming from the home owned by Stacy and Amanda White at 12070 W. 100 N. Upon arrival, firefighters found heavy smoke but no visible fire coming from the southeast part of the single-story home.
Firefighters were able to quickly ventilate the roof and extinguish the fire. The fire was contained to a bedroom. Hauptli said all members of the department who responded acted quickly to try and save the residence. Continue reading
Driver Arrested After Head-On Collison With Snow Plow
An Akron man faces multiple charges following a head-on collision with a Marshall County snow plow truck Saturday night. It happened just after 10 p.m. on Michigan Road just north of 18C Road, according to the crash report provided by the Marshall County Sheriff’s Office. A 2003 Chevrolet TrailBlazer driven by Juan L. Ruiz, 22, was reportedly southbound on Michigan Road, crossed the center line and struck the plow truck driven by Jon A. Bates, 51, of Bourbon. The impact of the crash caused the TrailBlazer to spin counterclockwise before coming to rest facing east in the southbound lane. Ruiz and his front seat passenger were trapped in the SUV and had to be cut from the wreckage by members of the Argos Fire Department. Both were treated at St. Joseph Regional Medical Center in Plymouth. Police say alcohol was a factor in the crash. Ruiz faces charges of operating while intoxicated, public intoxication and operation of a motor vehicle having never obtained a license.
LaPorte Woman Scammed After Computer Purchase
A LaPorte woman who recently purchased a new computer was the victim of a scam Saturday night, according to LaPorte Police. She told the officer she got a call on her cell phone Saturday night from a man with a foreign accent who identified himself as “Mark Williams” from Dell. The caller told her that her new computer had been hacked and said he was going to help her fix it. He reportedly told her to go to SHOWMYPC.com, which she did. The suspect confirmed the victim’s name and email address, which he already knew. Once he did this, he then had remote access over her computer and she was not longer controlling it.
The suspect brought up an 8-digit number which he had the victim read back. He advised her that 80 percent of her computer had been hacked, but he was able to fix it for the next 15 years. He then told her she now had to pay him $99 for the service. The victim became suspicious and told him she was not paying him any money at this time and would call him back. The suspect was reportedly insistent that the victim pay him immediately. His name, ID number and telephone number were listed in a message box on the computer screen. The victim confirmed this information with him before she hung up, but when she called the number back she reached a sex hotline. Continue reading
Pulaski Chamber of Commerce Seeking Halleck Award Nominations
The Pulaski County Chamber of Commerce is seeking nominates for the H.J. Halleck Community Service Award. According to their press release, “Every town, every city is blessed with a handful of individuals who selflessly donate their time, energy and hard work to make their community a better place for everyone to live.”
These people often give their time and energy for years without recognition or gratitude, and so to rectify that, the Chamber of Commerce will recognize such outstanding individuals by awarding the H.J. Halleck Community Service Award to one deserving individual each year. Continue reading
