Annual Community Health Fair Scheduled May 13

 
 

The annual IU Health and Community Services of Starke County Health Fair will take place Tuesday, May 13 from 2 until 7 p.m. at the Nancy J. Dembowski Community Center in downtown Knox. IU Health Starke Hospital President Craig Felty says both organizations are dedicated to improving the health of local residents. He says the health fair will feature a number of educational exhibits and several types of screenings. Blood pressure and blood sugar checks, breast exams, oral cancer screenings and osteoporosis checks will all be offered. Also  take-home colorectal cancer screening kits will be available. Felty says checking for these types of conditions is critical in order to catch and treat problems before they become significant. IU Health Starke Hospital is also licensed to inspect child safety seats. Technicians will be available at the health fair to make sure car seats are properly installed and sized for the child. This year’s health fair will also feature a coloring area for youngsters so parents and other adults can more easily browse the exhibits and take part in the screenings.

Work Zone Awaress Week begins Today

 
 

With the start of spring, road construction projects are ready to begin.

This week is Work Zone Awareness Week in Indiana. The Indiana Department of Transportation is dedicated to continuously improving work zone safety and crews and motorists need to make highway work zones as safe as possible.

This year’s national theme is “Work Zone Speeding: A Costly Mistake”. Motorists can face fines up to $1,000 for speeding and up to $5,000 for driving recklessly through work zones. Fines are used to fund additional Indiana State Police work zone patrols and promote public safety.

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Final Knox Water Customers Thawed Out, Pipes Fixed

 
 

All of the Knox Water Department customers whose pipes froze over the winter have been thawed out.  Water Superintendent Todd Gardner also tells WKVI news that the last of the leaks have been repaired.

The bitterly cold temperatures and frozen ground took their toll on residents in Parkview Heights and elsewhere around the city due to shallow water lines that were put in the ground before the current code standard of five feet was adopted.

Gardner suggested at the last Knox Board of Works meeting that the city send reminder postcards to residents of the affected areas prior to the onset of cold weather next year advising them to let faucets run to prevent pipes from freezing. The city did adjust bills for customers whose use was excessive due to leaving their water turned on.

Remember Laws When Posting Political Signs

 
 

Candidates seeking office in the May Primary Election and who are posting campaign signs should be reminded that the signs can not be placed in a right-of-way space.

Political signs should be within private property. Signs shall be permitted to be displayed no more than 90 days prior to the scheduled election and shall be removed within 14 days after the Primary Election.

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Seat Belt and Impaired Driving Patrols Scheduled in April in LaPorte

 
 

Officers with the LaPorte City Police Department will be working 40 hours of Operation Pull Over funded seat belt patrols in April. Impaired driving patrols will be held every weekend in April that are organized through the LaPorte County DUI Taskforce.

LaPorte City Police Department officers have investigated several accidents so far this year. Severe weather and alcohol contributed to most of the accidents.

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Motorists Urged to Be Aware of Motorcycles

  
 

This weekend’s expected break from rain will likely have motorcycle riders revving their engines for a ride after a dreary winter.

Motorists need to be extra vigilant as bikers take to the roads. That means double-checking at intersections before pulling out. Motorcycle riders should also turn their headlights on during the day to make their bikes more visible.

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Ancilla College SGA Donates Penny Wars Proceeds to Charity

Joel Thomas proudly wears his “winner’s costume”
Joel Thomas proudly wears his “winner’s costume”

The Ancilla College Student Government Association recently concluded campus-wide “Penny Wars” to raise money for the organization and area charities.

Faculty, staff and students volunteered to have their face on a tea jug in order to raise money for a group or charity of their choice. In all, 10 volunteers took part, including: Dr. Tom Buchanan (faculty) for the Marshall County Historical Society, Chelsea Chalk (faculty and PTK rep) for Culver Boys & Girls Club, Jacob Cross (student) for Military Family Association, John Gough (faculty) for the Neighborhood Center, Kristin Korcha (faculty) for Relay for Life Starke County, Jill Neidlinger (faculty and SGA rep) for Ancilla College Emergency Fund, Allen Renz (student and Dance Club rep) for Ancilla College Emergency Fund, Joel Thomas (faculty) for Marshall County Humane Society, Steve VanDerAa (faculty) for Relay for Life Marshall County, and Sr. Carleen Wrasman (staff) for Sojourner Truth house.

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Chase Elliott Wins Big in Texas

Chase Elliott, driver of the #9 NAPA Auto Parts Chevrolet, celebrates with a burnout after winning the NASCAR Nationwide Series O'Reilly Auto Parts 300 at Texas Motor Speedway on April 4, 2014 in Fort Worth, Texas. Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images
Chase Elliott, driver of the #9 NAPA Auto Parts Chevrolet, celebrates with a burnout after winning the NASCAR Nationwide Series O’Reilly Auto Parts 300 at Texas Motor Speedway on April 4, 2014 in Fort Worth, Texas. Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images

They say everything is bigger in Texas. After Friday night’s NASCAR Nationwide Series race at Texas Motor Speedway, rookie Chase Elliott proved that even race wins are even bigger in Texas.

The win was so big, drivers from several teams made it a point to stop and give Elliott a high five for his effort for holding off Sprint Cup drivers Kevin Harvick, Kyle Larson, Dale Earnhardt, Jr., and Kyle Busch for the win in the O’Reilly Auto Parts 300. Six-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Champion Jimmie Johnson even made an appearance in Victory Lane to offer his congratulations to the 18-year-old winner.

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National Weather Service Issues Tippecanoe River Flood Warnings

 
 

Flood warnings have been issued for the Tippecanoe River near Ora and above Winamac until further notice. Recent heavy rainfall has caused minor to moderate flooding, according to the National Weather Service. The Ora warning takes effect this evening. Late this morning the river was at 10.9 feet and rising. Flood stage near Ora is 12 feet. It’s expected to rise above that tonight and crest near 13.5 feet early Tuesday morning. At 14 feet extensive flooding of homes and low-lying areas begins. The Tippecanoe River above Winamac is also on the rise. At noon today it was at 7.9 feet. Flood stage is 10 feet. It’s expected to exceed that very early Sunday morning and crest near 11.1 feet around 8 p.m. Tuesday. At 11 feet extensive residential flooding is in progress. Continue reading →

Fort Wayne Man Receives Prison Sentence in Marshall County Court Hearing

Brandon Shakelford
Brandon Shakelford

A Fort Wayne man was sentenced in Marshal County Superior Court 1 to ten years in the Indiana Department of Corrections after pleading guilty in a plea agreement with the State to a charge of Manufacturing Methamphetamine as a Class B felony.

Brandon Shakelford admitted that he assisted in the manufacture of methamphetamine on May 19, 2013 at a home on East St. in Bremen, which is located directly across the street from Sunnyside Park.

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County Recycling Bins are for Recycling Items Only

 
 

As the weather warms up, many people are getting into the spring cleaning mode. Officials at the Stake County Environmental Management Office remind you that the recycling bins located in the county are not for everyday trash, household chemicals or construction materials.

When garbage is dumped into and around the bins it contaminates the recyclable items. If the sites continue to be used as a “landfill”, they will be removed. They are to be considered to be placed for your convenience and are a privilege.

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Tax Professional Offers Tips for Filers Who Itemize Deductions

 
 

Procrastinators had best hurry in order to file their federal and state income tax returns on time. Taxes are due April 15.

While some filers opt for the standard deduction, others are able to lessen their tax burden by itemizing deductions. H&R Block Senior Tax Advisor Michelle Bachtel says while it’s important to keep thorough records in order to support deductions, you may still be able to itemize even if your record keeping isn’t the best. She says some things such as mortgage interest, property taxes, withholding taxes and such can be recreated or proven with canceled checks. Other types of deductions for things like medical mileage and unreimbursed work expenses need to be documented more thoroughly.

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Eric Newman Named Pulaski County Community 2014 Lilly Endowment Community Scholar

Eric Newman
Eric Newman

A Winamac Community High School Senior has been named the recipient of the 2014 Pulaski County Community Foundation 2014 Lilly Endowment Community Scholar.

Eric Newman will receive a four year full-tuition scholarship to an Indiana college of his choice. He will also receive a $900 yearly stipend for required books and equipment.

Newman has been involved in Student Council, Shakespeare Club, Key Club, FFA, National Honor Society, and the Robotics Team. He was also involved in sports and volunteered in the community. He has also received the DAR Good Citizen Award, Presidential award for service, Hoosier Boys State delegate, Distinguished Honor Roll, and the Hugh O’Brien award.

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Winamac Community High School Drama Announces Spring Musical

 The Winamac Community High School Drama Department will present Happy Days – The Musical on stage on Saturday, April 12 at 7 p.m. and Sunday, April 13 at 1 p.m. and 6 p.m. ET.

This musical composed by Garry Marshall in 2008 will feature all of the same characters as in the popular TV show 40 years ago: Howard Cunningham, Marion Cunningham, Joanie Cunningham, Arnold Devecchio, Ralph Malph, Chachi Arcola, Potsie Weber, Lori Beth, and Arthur Fonzarelli.

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Starke County Extension Homemakers Offer Scholarship

Purdue Extension LogoThe Starke County Extension Homemakers want to give a hand up to a local woman who is looking to complete her education or improve her vocational skills. They are offering one $200 scholarship to a Starke County woman who is 21 or older. Applicants need not be members of an Extension Homemakers Club. May 15 is the application deadline, and the winner will be notified in June. Applications and more information are available from the Purdue Extension—Starke County office at the courthouse or by calling 574-772-9141.