Kankakee Valley FOP Finds Success in Fundraiser

  
 
The Kankakee Valley Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #129 held a fundraiser this weekend to benefit the Shop with a Cop program in Starke County.

FOP President Chris Kisela said the fundraiser was a success. Approximately $1,300 was raised toward their $6,000 goal and the organization members are planning to be at the Mint Festival and at the Starke County 4-H Fair to collect more donations.

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EMS Revive Potential Heroin Overdose Victim

 
 

EMS personnel in LaPorte successfully revived a Michigan City woman believed to have overdosed on heroin. LaPorte Police were called to an apartment in the 300 block of Park Street at 7:42 p.m. Sunday. The male tenant told the officers the 29-year-old Michigan City woman appeared to be very intoxicated when she showed up at his apartment. She eventually became unresponsive, and he called 911. Heroin is possibly to blame for last Tuesday’s deaths of a 20-year-old LaPorte man and a 17-year-old girl from Dyer. Toxicology results are pending.

 

Meth Residue May Linger Long After Lab is Busted

 
 

The law enforcement aspect of locating and dismantling clandestine meth labs is just one aspect of combating the problems associated with this dangerous drug. Any location where a lab is found must be decontaminated by a contractor licensed by the Indiana Department of Environmental Management before it can be deemed fit for human habitation again. IDEM Safety Director Scott Froush says the state has strict guidelines for properties to be decontaminated.

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Smoke-Free Air Law Soon to Celebrate One-Year Anniversary

 
 
It’s been nearly a year since the Smoke-Free Air Law took effect in the state of Indiana, and business-owners across the state have had to put up signage ensuring patrons are aware of the new smoking ban and adjust to the new law. According to IN.gov, the purpose of the Indiana Smoke-Free Air Law is to protect Hoosiers from the harmful effects of exposure to secondhand smoke, and restaurants and most business across the state are now smoke-free.

Gus Ress, owner of Kostas Restaurant in Winamac, said the law took some getting used to but they have adjusted, and the customers have too.

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Plymouth Fugitive Treed, Arrested

 

 
 

Police dogs foiled a Plymouth fugitive’s Friday attempt to evade police. Otis Young was wanted for failure to appear on a meth charge as well as on a strangulation charge, according to our news partners at WNDU-TV. Police learned Young was staying at a home in the 11000 block of 19B Road. When they arrived, two men were reportedly fleeing, so officers turned the K9s loose on them. Young climbed a tree in an attempt to escape and ultimately surrendered. Officers found the second man, identified as Danny Clark, hiding in the weeds. An active meth lab was reportedly discovered near the house where the men were staying.

 

Civic Group Looks to Expand into North Judson

  
 
Members of the Winamac Lions Club want to help organize a new chapter in North Judson. Connie Roe says Lions Club International wants to do an accelerated start-up to get a club going. She says the Winamac club is willing to serve as their sponsor.

“San Pierre had a Lions Club, but they folded last year. There is no surrounding Lions Club with the exception of maybe Bass Lake or Winamac that would even help support the area, so I think it’s important that this area have a club to help support those needs that aren’t being met by other organizations,” said Roe.

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On-Site Sewage Ordinance Approved by Marshall County Commissioners

  
 
The Marshall County Commissioners approved a on-site sewage disposal ordinance during their meeting last week.

The ordinance discussed the design, construction, installation, maintenance and operation of on-site sewage disposal systems located in the county. The purpose of the ordinance is to provide standards to eliminate disease and health risks in the utilization of this equipment.

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Winamac Fireworks Show in Need of Community Support

 
 
The annual Fourth of July fireworks show held during the 4-H Fair in the Winamac Town Park is in need of community support. Normally, the Winamac Kiwanis Club ensures admission is free to the public by working with club sponsors – that is, area businesses, local organizations, and individual citizens that have stopped up to help – but last year, they had to pay out more than $4000 to ensure the annual tradition continued.

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Pulaski, Starke Agencies Offer Free Devices for Low Vision Residents

Community Services of Starke County
Community Services of Starke County

Pulaski and Starke residents over the age of 55 who suffer from low vision and would like to receive assistive devices are encouraged to contact Pulaski County Human Services or Community Services of Starke County to receive free assistive devices. Jackie Frain, director of Pulaski County Human Services, told WKVI that they are offering a program for those with low vision to provide them with the devices, assisting them in staying independent in their homes.

“This is a very special opportunity for up to 20 individuals who are 55 or older by June 28 to participate in a minor assessment, mostly demographic information, and to receive an assistive device to help them stay independent in their home, such as magnifying glasses that are appropriate for their need or check-writers or talking alarm clocks – things that can just help them stay in their homes,” said Frain.

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Rep. Dermody Addresses Midwestern Higher Education Compact

State Representative Tom Dermody
State Representative Tom Dermody
Republican State Representative Tom Dermody of LaPorte spoke at the Midwestern Higher Education Compact summit last week in Indianapolis where a discussion on higher education policy initiatives was held.

A new law authored by Dermody was addressed. House Enrolled Act 1348 gives college incentives to graduates in four years. The new law changes the Frank O’Bannon Grant and 21st Century Scholars Program to give students assistance on classes they complete rather than classes they registered for. It also extends that assistance into the summer months.

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SCYC Plants Tree at WKVI in Memory of Pat Dunn

Pat Dunn's family thanks the Starke County Youth Club for their generous donation
Pat Dunn’s family thanks the Starke County Youth Club for their generous donation

A special ceremony was held Saturday afternoon to honor the memory of Pat Dunn.

Pat passed away on Jan. 1 of this year and the Starke County Youth Club planted a tree in his memory.  He was a great supporter of the youth of the community and was reflective in his support of the Starke County Youth Club.  A plaque was also donated which was placed in front of the tree by Pat’s wife, Karen.  Pat had been a board member of Kankakee Valley Broadcasting, Inc. and served as the General Manager of the station from 2009 until his death.  He was always a driving force here at the station and continues to be in the staff’s thoughts as the work days go by.

This plaque was donated by the Starke County Youth Club

Many of Pat’s family were in attendance at the ceremony as well as many of the staff and board members at WKVI.

The tree was planted in the front yard at WKVI.

 

Monticello Man Sentenced in Federal Court

 
 
A Monticello man was sentenced in Federal Court this week to one year and one day in prison and two years of supervised release after he pleaded guilty to Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon. Kenneth Myers, 21, was arrested after he took a pistol and shotgun from his father’s firearm collection and sold them to federally licensed firearms dealers.

Myers has a prior felony conviction of Theft, prompting police to arrest him on charges of Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon. This case was the result of an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and was prosecuted by Assistant US Attorney Dean Lanter.