Fluorescent Pink Paper Aircraft Missing in Marshall County; Reward Offered

  
 
A unit of the Civil Air Patrol based in West Chicago, Ill., is asking for the public’s help in recovering a paper aircraft that went missing after it was launched from a high-altitude balloon as part of a Guinness World Record attempt. Fox Valley Composite Squadron launched the aircraft on Saturday, Dec. 28, and they believe it landed somewhere in Marshall County.

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Local Candidates File for Office

  
 

Wednesday was the first day that candidates could file for office in a county clerk’s office.

In Pulaski County, three candidates filed their intentions to run in the 2014 May Primary Election. They include Tasha L. (Crist) Foerg (R) for clerk, Jeffery K. Richwine (R) for sheriff, and Lorena H. “Holly” VanDerAa (R) for assessor.

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LaPorte Man Arrested Following Traffic Stop; $500 Confiscated

 
 
A traffic stop in LaPorte resulted in an arrest and confiscation of more than $500 in cash. On Friday, Jan. 3 around 11:30 p.m., police stopped a silver Ford Escape for a speed violation and for traveling in the opposite lane of travel, according to the report. The driver was found to be Jeremy Klement, 21 of LaPorte, and a LaPorte County Sheriff K-9 reportedly alerted to the presence of drugs during a free air sniff of the vehicle during the course of the stop.

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Starke Commissioners Give Green Light for CR 300 E–SR 8 Project Bids

Charles Weaver
Charles Weaver
The Starke County Commissioners at their meeting yesterday morning approved a request from Charlie Weaver, executive director of the Starke County Economic Development Foundation, to authorize the SCEDF to proceed with the bidding process for the County Road 300 East–State Road 8 intersection improvement project. Weaver explained that this reconstruction of the intersection will improve the accessibility of the industrial park for large trucks, which currently have a very difficult time turning onto County Road 300 East or State Road 8 as they attempt to enter or leave the industrial park.

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Methamphetamine Reportedly Found in Hamlet Residence, Occupants Arrested

Joshua Hansen
Joshua Hansen
Melissa Hansen
Melissa Hansen
Two Hamlet residents were arrested Monday after a search warrant was conducted by Hamlet police officers.

According to Hamlet Town Marshal Frank Lonigro, at 9 p.m. CT on Monday, officers executed the search warrant at 302 Davis St. where they reportedly found methamphetamine-related products. The Indiana State Police Clandestine Lab Team was called to clean up the scene and remove the evidence.

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INDOT Crews Continue to Clear Roadways

 
 
INDOT crews have been applying several solutions to hard-packed snow in an attempt to improve road conditions.

INDOT Spokesman Matt Deitchley said salt, chemical de-icers and abrasives were put down yesterday. In addition, crews are using plows and heavy duty equipment to break the snow apart. Deitchely stresses that road conditions may get worse before they get better.

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LaPorte County Airman Killed During Air Force Training Exercise

Air Force Logo - Silver and Blue 3D, with textA Rolling Prairie man was one of four United States airmen killed Tuesday when their helicopter crashed off the coast of England. Tech. Sgt. Dale E. Mathews was one of four killed during a training mission when his chopper crashed into a marshy area of a nature reserve, according to the U.S. Air Force. Our reporting partners at WNDU-TV spoke with Mathews family, who say he was due to come home for good in a March and end a military career of nearly two decades. Mathews joined the military soon after his 19th birthday and served in Desert Storm and Iraqi Freedom. He leaves behind a wife, two children and two stepchildren. A memorial fund for his children has been set up at 1st Source Bank. Contributions can be mailed to: Dale E Mathews Memorial Fund, 848 West Michigan Street, New Carlisle, IN 46552. Mathews will be buried at Arlington National Cemetery. Funeral arrangements are pending. The cause of the crash is still under investigation.

 

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Knox Resident’s Quick Reaction Saved Florida Woman

A family sprung into action to rescue a Florida woman after her vehicle became submerged in water.
A family sprung into action to rescue a Florida woman after her vehicle became submerged in water.
It wasn’t a normal start to the day Monday for Knox residents Tom and Elaine Silveus. While visiting their Homosassa, Fla. residence, Elaine was outside early Monday morning with her dogs when she saw car headlights coming down their dark remote road. Then, she heard a loud splash.

“She had missed her turn which was not far from where we were at and it was very foggy out. She said she was looking for her turn and the next thing she knew water was coming in her car. She was screaming because she didn’t know how to swim. The driver’s side window happened to be broken – she couldn’t get it up or down. She was able to climb out there and as she was climbing out my husband said she was screaming the whole time – screaming she couldn’t swim and he just went right into the water and down the ramp,” said Elaine.

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North Judson Town Board to Meet Today

  
 
The emergency storm situated caused a number of meetings in the area to be rescheduled, including the regular meeting of the North Judson Town Board. Clerk-Treasurer Donna Henry yesterday released a notice indicating that the meeting will be rescheduled for today at 6:30 p.m. at the North Judson Community Center, with items to be discussed including a review of the contractor’s permit ordinance.

In addition, Henry said the meeting will include a review of the process regarding the reading of ordinances, with the possibility of a reading to be held regarding the proposed ordinances. She said the board will also elect the new board president, and appoint the town marshal, town superintendent, town attorney, and board member positions as necessary.

Coats Offers Proposed Amendments to Unemployment Benefits

U.S. Sen. Dan Coats
U.S. Sen. Dan Coats
Republican Senator Dan Coats offered several amendments to legislation the Senate is reviewing that would extend the expanded emergency unemployment benefits program.

Coats submitted amendments that would reform the existing program to ensure that it is paid for and benefits are going to those actively looking for work. One of those amendments includes prohibiting simultaneous collection of Social Security disability insurance and unemployment insurance. By law, a person must be able to work to qualify for unemployment benefits, yet some people claiming unemployment benefits also request Social Security disability benefits. This would save roughly $6 billion.

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Food Finders Mobile Food Pantry to Visit Winamac Jan. 17

 
 
The Food Finders Mobile Food Pantry is once again headed to Winamac for their food giveaway day. The pantry will open at Pulaski County Human Services, located at 115 W. Pearl St., on Friday, Jan. 17 at 11 a.m., offering a variety of items including frozen meat, baked goods, beverages, vegetables, snacks and cereal. Food is distributed on a first-come, first-served basis, and is available to those who meet 185 percent of the federal poverty guidelines.

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A Change in Manufacturer Points System in 2014

NASCAR has restructured the manufacturers points system which will make it a little easier to understand while still making it competitive.

The system will mirror the owner championship points structure. Points will be awarded to the single highest finisher for each car manufacturer in each championship event according to the finishing position awarded for each race.

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NASCAR News Briefs

Sam Hornish, Jr. will be driving in seven races this season for Joe Gibbs Racing in the NASCAR Nationwide Series where he will pilot the No. 54 Monster Energy Toyota. His first race will be May 3 at Talladega Super Speedway. He will also participate in races at Road America, Chicagoland Speedway, Mid-Ohio, Kentucky Speedway and both races at Iowa Speedway. Kyle Busch will drive in the remaining 26 races of the season with Adam Stevens calling the shots from atop the pit box. Hornish spent the past two seasons driving the No. 12 Ford for Penske Racing in the Nationwide Series.

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Kankakee Valley Remains in the Deep Freeze

A Wind Chill Advisory remains in effect for the entire WKVI listening area through mid-morning Wednesday. Deadly wind chills of between 15 and 20 below zero can be expected this evening and tonight. Frostbite and hypothermia will occur quickly when very cold air and strong winds combine like this. If you do have to be outdoors, be sure to wear a hat, gloves and protect any exposed skin.

Travel Advisory Levels Vary By County

  
 

Starke County roads are open for essential travel, such as trips to and from work or emergency situations. Pulaski County is still under a travel advisory warning, which means non-emergency travelers are subject to receiving tickets, and Marshall County is under no restriction whatsoever. Those decisions are made by the commissioners of each county.

Check travel advisory levels for all 92 Indiana Counties:

http://www.in.gov/dhs/traveladvisory/

 

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Most Roads Open, INDOT Still Urges Caution

 
 

Most roads across Northwest Indiana are now passable. However, it’s still too cold for road salt to be effective, so a sheet of ice should be expected on all roads across northwest Indiana. Conditions may get worse overnight when any thawing and melting that has occurred during the day may refreeze. Deichley adds icy conditions likely won’t improve until later in the day tomorrow when temperatures are expected to become more favorable for chemical melting agents and plows to achieve optimal results. Until then, INDOT is asking the public to refrain from any non-emergency travel. Those who must travel are asked to be prepared for these conditions before leaving and to adjust driving behaviors in order to arrive at destinations safely. Take it slow, leave plenty of room between vehicles and give plows ample space to work.