Last month’s protest outside a Marshall County mental health facility has prompted a state agency to investigate reports of wrongdoing there. The Indiana Civil Rights Commission is looking into operations at Michiana Behavioral Health. Former employees of the Plymouth facility claim it is understaffed and puts patients in danger. Officials there deny the claims. Findings from the ongoing investigation should be available in a couple of weeks.
He recently appeared before the county council to request an increase in the hourly wage for court clerks. The current rate for clerks was between $11.37 and $13.08 and he notified the council members that it makes it difficult to attract well-qualified clerks with pay at that level.
A local graduate is now a lieutenant colonel in the United States Army and works as the regional defense counsel for Central Command stationed in Afghanistan.
Lt. Col. Julie Simoni was born and raised in Knox and was on two weeks R&R when she came in to give us an update on how she’s been doing since she graduated from Knox High School in 1989. She is proud to have had some of the core values she learned in her small town to take with her as she moves through the ranks in the Army.
The trip also includes a stop in Galena, Ill. It should appeal to history buffs, as it is President Ulysses S. Grant’s hometown. Dinner in Galena will be enjoyed at the restored Desoto Historic Hotel where Abraham Lincoln once slept. These are just a few of the stops and attractions along the way. Give WKVI a call at (574) 772-6241 to reserve your spot on this historic trip, and we’ll mail you a packet of information. Don’t miss the boat; the deadline to sign up is Monday, April 15.
Items to be distributed include frozen meat, beverages, snacks, cereal, vegetables, and baked goods, and the program is available to those who meet 185 percent of the federal poverty guidelines. For a household of one, monthly income cannot exceed $1723 and annual income cannot exceed $20,665; for a household of two, monthly income cannot exceed $2333 or $27,991 annually; households of three, $2944 monthly or $35,317 annually. For larger households, add $611 per month for each additional household member.
Sponsored by State Sen. Ron Grooms, House Bill 1464 would allow pharmacists to administer more types of immunizations than currently allowed under state law. Grooms said the bill would make the immunizations more easily accessible and would make hours for pharmacies more convenient, offering a savings to patients because of the increased availability and supply.
Bob Alloy from Territorial Engineering appeared before the Knox Board of Works members to present a pay application for the construction done. The amount of $82,269 was approved for Chester Construction.
Alloy said about 65 percent of the construction is done. There is $140,000 left to complete the project.
The construction project began in mid-January with site preparations beginning in December. The Phoenix House suffered flooding and grant money was sought by K-IRPC to aid in the construction project. The garage is being expanded to include a storage area, a group meeting room, a library and computer area.
The bill, sponsored by State Sen. Ron Alting, would make it illegal to possess or deal look-alike synthetic drugs. Current state law only prohibits substances identified as synthetic drugs based on their chemical makeup.
Senate Bill 536 would also clarify the definition of “intoxication” to allow law enforcement officers to arrest and prosecute individuals driving under the influence of synthetic drugs.
Senate Bill 536 now moves to Gov. Mike Pence’s desk to be signed into law.
The SCILL Center vocational welding students are diligently working to improve on their new trade, and Executive Director Jerry Gurrado explained that 10 of the 16 vocational welding students have earned their certifications – something Gurrado said he’s very thrilled about. The students are currently about six months ahead in their training and Gurrado attributed their success in their studies to instructor Andy Odle.
The Starke County Community Foundation this week announced the recipient of the 2013 Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship. Bailey Masterson, an Oregon-Davis High School student, will receive a full-tuition, four-year scholarship to the Indiana college of her choice as well as a $900 year stipend to cover the costs of required books and equipment.
Meanwhile, Pulaski County’s unemployment rate dropped 0.3 percent to 8.1 percent, ranking them the 76th highest county for unemployment; Marshall County dropped by 0.6 percent to 9.7 percent, ranking them 43rd; LaPorte County’s rate remained at 12 percent for a rank of eighth highest; Fulton County’s rate dropped by 0.2 percent to 10.3 percent, ranking them 33rd; St. Joseph County also dropped by 0.2 percent to 10.6 percent for 28th place; and Porter County dropped by 0.3 percent to 9 percent, making them the 57th highest county for unemployment.
Two women who work in the Marshall County building were treated at a local hospital for minor injuries sustained yesterday as they were struck by a truck while walking to work. The incident occurred just before 8 a.m. at the corner of Jefferson and Center Streets in downtown Plymouth. Police there say Timothy J. Patterson, 42, of Plymouth, was blinded by the sun as he was turning left from Center Street onto Jefferson Street and did not see the women crossing the street. Catherine A. Hamman of Plymouth was treated at St. Joseph Regional Medical Center in Plymouth for a concussion, Angela L. Wilson of Plymouth received stitches to her face for some minor cuts. Hamman told the police officer she and Wilson were talking as they crossed the street with the light and did not see Patterson’s truck before it hit them.
Hamlet Clerk-Treasurer Kristina Pitts had earlier reported that the proposed ordinance would allow residents in the town limits to house chickens on their property. She stated that several people have been in favor of the ordinance.
The sewer project for the city of Knox is moving along as officials look to put in a new lift station near the South Side Fire Station. Clerk-Treasurer Jeff Houston explained to the city council this week that the additional appropriation approved for the project last year expired at the start of the new year, and Houston said they would now have to approve the appropriation once again.
The Knox Board of Public Works approved an expenditure of $5,528 for the Waste Water Treatment Facility.
Superintendent Kelly Clemons explained that the UV lights at the plant have run about 13,395 hours and the warranty on the lights is good for 20,000 hours. She is looking to buy bulbs to have on hand when those lights need to be replaced.
April 1 is the start of the disinfecting season and the UV lights help kill certain bacteria that is present during the sanitation process. The lights are needed in order to be in compliance with standards set forth by the Indiana Department of Environmental Management.
The Board of Works approved the purchase of 16 bulbs at $333 apiece, plus shipping and handling, for a total cost of $5,528. When the new bulbs are installed, the company will come to Knox and pick up the old bulbs for recycling purposes.
The legal battle over longtime Pulaski County Highway Superintendent Kenny Becker’s firing continues. He was reappointed by the county commissioners on January 7th, suspended with pay on January 22nd so allegations raised by a current and a former employee could be looked into and reinstated as highway manager on February 4th following an investigation by an outside consultant. Commissioner Larry Brady served as interim superintendent, and Becker was subsequently fired by the commissioners on March 4th. He’s since hired an attorney and filed a $500,000 notice of tort claim against the county commissioners for slander and defamation of character.
Pulaski County attorney Kevin Tankersley reluctantly released a copy of the consultant’s investigation report after being ordered to do so by the state Public Access Counselor’s office but redacted the names of Becker’s accusers. The new filing seeks to force the release of that information, noting “the Commissioners have failed to comply fully with the requirements of the Open Door Law.” It also states the names are necessary for possible legal action by Becker for slander and defamation of character.
A deep study to determine the amount of nutrients, algae and other elements in Lake Maxinkuckee in Culver, and its history, will be conducted on April 22.
The Lake Maxinkuckee Environmental Council predicts this comprehensive study will make officials better understand how much change the lake has undergone since its last deep study done in 1984. One issue the scientists will be looking at is the amount of phosphorous in the lake.
