Marshall County Council Approves Chief Deputy Coroner Job Description

  
 

The Marshall County Council approved a recommendation from the personnel committee to include a job description for the chief deputy coroner in the handbook, a task that has been pending for a long time.

The position description submitted includes duties, job requirements, responsibilities, and physical effort. The chief deputy coroner is a part-time position and is appointed by the coroner. The appointee is responsible for assisting in investigating and certifying cause and manner of death in any suspicious, unusual or unnatural human death.

The duties include investigations, witness interviews and responses to family inquiries, determines the need for an autopsy and specimen draws as well as necessary documents. The chief deputy coroner is also responsible for the chain of custody of evidence and personal effects. He or she may also need to testify in legal proceedings if required.

A high school diploma or GED is required along with the ability to obtain and maintain required certifications, such as an Indiana Coroner’s Training Board Certification, within one year of appointment.

Coroner Bill Cleavenger and a representative of the personnel committee presented the document to the handbook that was unanimously passed. Cleavenger has appointed Bridget Hite as the chief deputy coroner.

Miscalculated Funds in Contract Results in Additional Appropriation

 Pulaski County Attorney Kevin Tankersley explained a unique contract situation to the county council this week and requested an additional appropriation to cover the contract.

Four County Counseling informed the commissioners in the last part of 2014 that the county owes the company for ten years of miscalculated funds. The contract is mandated by the state. Even though Tankersley pointed out to their attorney the fact that the county signed an agreement with Four County Counseling for a specific annual amount for the past ten years, the company claims that the county owes them $16,117.38.

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Contract Approved for Fireworks Celebration

 The Knox City Council approved a contract for the annual Fourth of July Fireworks celebration at the Starke County Airport.

The celebration will be held on Friday, July 3. The contract with Mad Bomber is for $8,000 which is an increase of $200 from last year. The contract in 2013 was $7,500, so the price has steadily increased. The other contract terms are the same as in previous years.

A copy of the city’s insurance and the contractor’s insurance will be provided to the Starke County Aviation Board.

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Hamlet Town Board Opts to Let County Handle Election

Hamlet Town HallThe Hamlet Town Board determined at its recent meeting to continue to have the County Election Board conduct its November Town election. The town pays a fee for the service.

The continuing snow fall is keeping Street Department busy. Street Superintendent Fred Rowe reported that as of February 11th it had plowed the town’s streets 8 times, racking up a total of 92 miles. There was also discussion of relieving standing water and ice build up on several streets. Continue reading →

Winamac Exploring Well Options

Winamac Town Hall
Winamac Town Hall

The Town of Winamac is in the process of finding additional water resources.

The Town’s current water well was accessed in the 1920’s at two different points. During Monday night’s Town Council meeting, members discussed the possibility of applying for a grant to explore for a new well.

Water Department Superintendent Jeremy Beckner says the well would help ensure safety.

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One Man Dead in Apparent Homicide

 
 

Detectives from the LaPorte City Police Department are investigating an apparent homicide.

LaPorte police officers were called to a disturbance at 119 John Street on Thursday morning around 6:31 a.m. A caller told dispatchers in the 911 center that a woman was screaming outside. The caller looked outside and saw blood on the ground.

Officers found an adult Hispanic man laying on the ground outside at the location. He was found unresponsive, and he appeared to have been stabbed, according to a news release. He was pronounced dead at the scene by the LaPorte County Coroner.

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Pleasant View Rest Home Residents Relocating

Pleasant View Rest Home
Pleasant View Rest Home

Half of the residents at Pleasant View Rest Home have found placement in other facilities.

Pulaski County Auditor Shelia Garling asked the county council this week how to handle funds coming into the county from residents who self-pay. They are paying for the month but leaving before the month is over. The council members agreed that the residents will get a refund that will be distributed when notification is received of their new placement.

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Knox Residents Asked to Clear Sidewalks of Snow

 It’s important to clear sidewalks of snow for public safety. That’s the opinion of the Knox City Council members after receiving complaints from residents after the last snow storm.

Several council members received complaints of residents having to walk in the street in order to get to their destination. They were especially concerned when they saw citizens walking on U.S. 35 because the sidewalks were not cleared by property owners.

Mayor Rick Chambers said he received complaints about snow piled up on street corners. The street department was sent out to clear sidewalks and corners where private contractors piled the snow too high. Several mailboxes will be repaired by the city. They were knocked down to due to the heavy, wet snow.

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Bill Signing Scheduled Today for Walorski-Sponsored Legislation

Congresswoman Jackie Walorski
Congresswoman Jackie Walorski

U.S. Rep. Jackie Walorski will attend a signing ceremony at the White House today for a bill she cosponsored. The Clay Hunt SAV Act provides greater access to mental health care for military veterans. It’s named in honor of Iraq and Afghanistan War veteran Clay Hunt, who committed suicide after battling with post-traumatic stress disorder brought on by his service overseas. He sought care from the VA and received a 30 percent disability rating for his PTSD. He appealed and encountered administrative obstacles, including the VA losing his files. Hunt took his life weeks later, and five weeks after his death his appeal was approved. Continue reading →

Marshall County Council Discusses Commissary Fund Resolution

 Marshall County Sheriff Tom Chamberlin presented a resolution regarding commissary fund expenditures to the county council this week.

Sheriff Chamberlin explained that the funds are spent by guidelines set forth in the state statute. He felt that a resolution be enacted to have a better understanding of how the money can be spent out of certain line items. Detailed information would be provided on active expenditures. Continue reading →

Culver Winter Festival Set for This Weekend

 The community of Culver is coming together this weekend for the Culver Winter Festival.

The event kicks off Friday with the lighting of the ice sculptures at 6 p.m. and the Cupid’s Crawl until 9 p.m. The Cupid’s Crawl is a chance for festival attendees to shop and dine at local establishments to win prizes. An artist class begins at 5:30 p.m.

The Lion’s Club will host a pancake breakfast on Saturday morning from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m., an ice carving demonstration is at noon and a free ice fishing camp for kids is at 1 p.m. A snow fort construction class begins at 3 p.m. on Saturday.

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Knox Harvest Festival Committee Meets

  
 

A committee will be formed to help plan this year’s Knox Harvest Days Festival.

Knox Mayor Rick Chambers told WKVI News that 13 people attended a planning meeting Wednesday morning at Knox City Hall. They are exploring other dates to hold the festival. One of the possible dates is Sept. 19 and 20. The festival could be held in the downtown area, but no final decisions were made during this meeting.

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NIPSCO Offers Tips to Stay Warm and Save Energy

 
 

The continued cold weather means higher utility bills for Hoosiers. NIPSCO offers a variety of energy efficiency rebates that can save money in both the short and long-term. They include up to $450 back, on attic insulation with air sealing, up to $250 back on a 95 percent efficient furnace, a $20 rebate on a programmable thermostat and a $50 rebate on a smart wi-fi thermostat. Customers can schedule a free home energy assessment by calling 1-800-721-7385. Continue reading →

Breaking down the “Marriage Penalty”

Tax Tips are provided to you by H&R Block, for questions schedule an appointment with Michelle Bachtel at your local Knox H&R Block or reach them at 574-772-2316

MarriagePenaltyFor the majority of married couples, filing a joint tax return makes sense, as it usually means you’re in a lower tax bracket. However, things change as you and your spouse approach parity in income, especially if you are both high earners.

Unfortunately, though, if you find yourself subject to the “marriage penalty” assessed on high earners, you can’t just file as single. Instead, if you attempt to beat the marriage penalty, you could find yourself in a worse position with the status Married Filing Separately – which usually results in the highest tax rate. Continue reading →

Winter Weather Advisory Issued for Kankakee Valley

 
 

A Winter Weather Advisory has been issued for the Kanakee Valley during the overnight hours. It takes effect at 11 p.m. EST/10 p.m. CST and continues through tomorrow evening. Snow and blowing snow are possible, with totals of 3 to 7 inches expected across the advisory area. The system is lake effect, so forecasters stress it’s hard to predict where it will hit. Continue reading →

Knox City Council Discusses Dumpster Ordinance

Knox City Council
Knox City Council

The Knox City Council held discussion on the dumpster ordinance last night.

Mayor Rick Chambers explained that at the last meeting they discussed allowing dumpsters in the residential districts if certain criteria are met. However, the mayor said he and City Attorney David Matsey looked over the ordinance, and the original intent was not to allow dumpsters in the areas zoned R-1 and on the public right of way. The way the ordinance is amended for the second reading, in order to have a dumpster in R-1 a building permit is needed. A dumpster is allowed in any ten-day period out of a month one time a year for cleaning projects or a roofing project, or appear before the Board of Public Works for a variance.

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