Most Roads Open, INDOT Still Urges Caution

Posted on Author WKVI
 
 

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.

Starke Circuit Court Cancels Morning Hearings

Posted on Author WKVI
Starke Circuit Court Judge Kim Hall
Starke Circuit Court Judge Kim Hall

All hearings scheduled for Wednesday morning in Starke Circuit Court have been canceled due to the hazardous travel conditions. If you have a Court hearing for Wednesday afternoon, you should contact the Court prior to traveling to the Courthouse. The court administrator can be reached at 574-772-9146.

Cold and Wind Hamper INDOT’s Efforts to Clear Roads

Posted on Author WKVI

INDOT snow plow drivers are fighting a losing battle with Mother Nature as they try to clear snow from the roads. They advise blowing and drifting snow has intensified and icy conditions persist on nearly all roadways. All roads should be considered extremely slick and hazardous, and motorists are discouraged from driving in non-emergency situations.

The sub-zero temperatures are wreaking havoc on plow trucks and other heavy machinery, and this is forcing repairs in the midst of plow routes. Roads are also drifting shut soon after they are cleared by plows, and abandoned vehicles on some roadways are making it impossible to clear them. Additionally, road salt is less effective in these frigid temperatures, making it very difficult to remove hard-pack snow and ice without a spike in temperatures. INDOT officials stress that motorist safety is their primary concern when they ask people to stay off the roads. If you insist on being out, take it slow and carry a charged cell phone and emergency kit in your car. Remember, these road conditions are slowing response times for police, firefighters, EMTS and tow trucks. Frostbite and hypothermia can develop very quickly on exposed skin, and you may freeze to death before help arrives.

 

Pence Declares Disaster Emergency Due to Weather

Posted on Author WKVI
Indiana Governor Mike Pence
Indiana Governor Mike Pence

The entire WKVI listening area is covered by a gubernatorial disaster declaration. Gov. Mike Pence issued the declaration for 29 Indiana counties. State law allows him to do so by executive order if he determines that a disaster involving widespread or severe damage, injury or loss of life or property has occurred or that the occurrence or threat of a disaster is imminent. Pence’s declaration covers the storm system that set up across the state on Sunday and allows the executive director of the Indiana Department of Homeland Security to coordinate all necessary assistance with appropriate federal, state and local agencies.

Click below to view a copy of Gov. Mike Pence’s Executive Order

EO 14-1

Schools May Be Able to Waive Snow Makeup Day

Posted on Author WKVI

Indiana Department of EducationSchools that canceled classes due to the extreme winter conditions may not have to make up the day of missed instruction. “The Elkhart Truth” reports that State Superintendent of Public Instruction Glenda Ritz has authorized schools to apply for a one-day waiver from the required 180 days of instruction. The waiver was initially offered after school districts across the state canceled classes on Monday. However, the director of the office of accreditation for the education department told the paper that the waiver will be offered to schools on Tuesday as well. He says the waiver means that schools can escape the “very severe financial penalty” they would otherwise incur by canceling one day of instruction. The waiver has only been used a few times in the past several years to offset instructional days lost due to severe weather. School districts typically build in makeup days in the event of snow, but if they miss more days than they have built into the calendar they’re forced to extend the school year into summer vacation in order to meet the state’s requirements.

Travel Warning Extended for Northwest Indiana Counties

Posted on Author WKVI
 
 

The travel warning for counties in northwest Indiana has been extended until further notice. Starke County Emergency Management Agency Director Ted Bombagetti says high winds and extremely cold temperatures are causing large amount of drifting on county roads. Starke County and all the surrounding counties are under the Warning Level, which only allows emergency responders and equipment to be on the roadways. Also, INDOT has once again shut down I-65 from Merrillville to Lafayette. I-94 is open again, but INDOT officials warn it is very treacherous and advise motorists to use extreme caution if they do travel. If you need to find out about road conditions call 1-800-261-7623. For any other information call the Starke County Emergency Management Agency office at 574-772-9182.

 

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State of Emergency Extended Due to Frigid Weather

Posted on Author WKVI
 
 

The state of emergency has been extended for counties in the WKVI listening area due to the bone-chilling cold. Starke, Pulaski and Marshall County offices are all closed again, and the Starke County Council meeting scheduled this evening at 5:30 p.m. has been pushed back to Wednesday instead due to the weather. Should that change, we’ll post the information our closings and delays page. The travel warnings for Starke, Pulaski and Marshall Counties have also been extended until further notice. This means you should not get out on the road unless it is a true emergency. Please do not call 911 or dispatch centers for updates, as they are extremely busy fielding emergency calls. Drivers in Northwest Indiana can monitor road closures, road conditions, and traffic alerts at any time via the District’s social media channels: www.Facebook.com/INDOTNorthwest or Twitter @INDOTNorthwest. Or visit http://www.trafficwise.in.gov for INDOT’s TrafficWise Traveler Information Service.

Stay Safe During Extreme Cold Weather

Posted on Author Lenny Dessauer
 
 

A blizzard warning remains in effect for the Kankakee Valley until 8 a.m. EST/7 a.m. CST. The wind chill warning remains in effect through tomorrow evening, with air temperatures of between 5 and 15 below zero and deadly wind chills of between 30 and 45 below expected. Frostbite and hypothermia will occur in a matter of minutes with these expected wind chills, so be sure to protect exposed skin. Death will also occur if precautions are not taken. Starke County officials have set up a warming center at IU Health Starke Hospital in Knox. You may warm up in the main lobby, surgery waiting area and in the chapel. Food will be available for purchase during normal cafeteria hours, and you will need to bring your own medications and personal care items. Starke County Emergency Management Agency Director Ted Bombagetti urges caution when heating your home. If you use a generator, be sure it is outside your house. Space and kerosene heaters should be kept away from curtains, carpet, furniture and clothing. Bombagetti also recommends charging your cell phone and programming the numbers for your power company into your phone should your power go out. The Indiana Department of Homeland Security also asks residents to please clear a path to their fire hydrants so they are accessible in the event of an emergency.

 

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Watch for Dangerous Wind Chill Levels, Warm Up at IU Health Starke Hospital

Posted on Author WKVI

 
 
Hold onto your blankets! The temperature will hover below zero in the Kankakee Valley for the next couple of days.

Strong winds will create dangerous wind chills during this cold snap. Local Emergency Management Agency Directors urge you to to limit your exposure to the elements by staying indoors. If you must go outside, make it as brief as possible. You should wear several layers of loose-fitting clothings and cover any exposed skin with a hat, scarf and gloves.

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Marshall County Commissioners to Reorganize in First Meeting of 2014

Posted on Author WKVI

 
 
The Marshall County Commission members will meet in their first meeting of the new year today at 8:30 a.m. ET.

The commissioners will reorganize and Alcohol Beverage Control, plan commission, sick bank committee and MACOG representatives will be appointed. EMA Director Clyde Avery will discuss a 2013 sub-grant agreement and attorney Jim Easterday will have an update on the New Wine Church property sale.

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Four Suspected Dead in St. Joe County From H1N1; Get Vaccines Now

Posted on Author WKVI

 
 
Health officials in St. Joseph County suspect four people have died from the H1N1 flu virus, and with the peak of the flu season approaching in February, it is becoming increasingly important to get those vaccinations. Frank Lynch, health nurse in Starke County, said it’s never too late to get the flu vaccine and more people have been getting vaccinated this year.

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Ancilla College Urges Veterans to Take Advantage of Education Benefits

Posted on Author WKVI
 
 

studienkolleg hannover is urging any and all veterans to take advantage of their education benefits in light of a startling statistic mentioned by Admissions Director Eric Wignall, who said only one out of every 10 veterans use any of their education benefits. Wignall said veterans are welcome to Ancilla College and the admissions staff and counselors will do everything they can to ensure you get the most bang for your buck from your education benefits to ensure you obtain that higher education you deserve.

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Osinski Auction Service Named 2013 Starke County Business of the Year

Posted on Author WKVI

The 2013 Starke County Business of the Year goes to Osinski Auction Service.

Ben and Dorothy Osinski
Ben and Dorothy Osinski
Ben and Dorothy Osinski have been conducting auctions in Northern Indiana for over 30 years. Ben went to auctioneers school and secured his license in 1983. He was soon a part of 50 personal property auctions and six farm machinery consignment auctions per year. Since then, Osinski Auction Service has conducted more than 1,000 auctions.

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Prevent Frozen Pipes; Run Your Faucet to Provide Pressure Relief

Posted on Author WKVI

 
 
With the temperature expected to remain below freezing for the next several days, homeowners are urged to take steps to prevent frozen pipes. When water freezes, it expands, and when it expands within a pipe, it could burst and seriously damage property.

Letting a faucet drip during extreme cold weather can prevent a pipe from bursting. Opening a faucet will provide relief from the excessive pressure that builds between the faucet and the ice blockage when freezing occurs. If there is no excessive water pressure, there is no burst pipe, even if the water inside the pipe freezes.

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IU Health Offering Free Heart Screenings for Student Athletes

Posted on Author WKVI

 
 
IU Health Starke Hospital is offering free heart screenings to student athletes on a first-come, first-served basis later this month. Student athletes will be screened with an electrocardiogram and limited echocardiogram. The specialized tests, which take about 15 minutes, help identify any possible structural abnormalities within the cardiovascular system that may lead to premature cardiac arrest, screening organizers said.

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LaPorte Woman Victim of Fraud

Posted on Author WKVI

 
 
A LaPorte woman was found to be a victim of fraud.

The victim told LaPorte police that she recently received notification that the PIN for her Indiana Child Support VISA card had been changed. She did not initiate the change. She also found three separate charges to her account in the amount of $393. All of the transactions were made in Elm Hornchurch, London, England.

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Snow Storm to Cause Travel Difficulties

Posted on Author WKVI

Indiana Governor Mike Pence
Indiana Governor Mike Pence
The state of Indiana will be receiving various amounts of snow over the weekend and you are urged to be cautious when driving.

Governor Mike Pence issued a statement on Thursday noting that this winter storm will make travel challenging for everyone. Pence assures that all officials will be monitoring road conditions and the weather and will respond with all available resources. The governor encourages all drivers in affected areas to avoid unnecessary travel and allow room for snow plow drivers to work.

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Posted on Author WKVI

North Judson Police Department
North Judson Police Department
The North Judson Police Department had a busy year in 2013.

Officers responded to 77 accident calls, 128 animal calls, 786 citizen/business/house checks, 35 assault and battery calls, 95 drug and alcohol activity calls, 109 family and juvenile disturbance calls, 69 mischief and vandalism calls, 99 theft/conversion calls, conducted 673 traffic stops and responded to hundreds of various situations. In all, 3,499 calls were handled by the North Judson Police Department.

In other statistics from 2013, 232 total reports were written, 146 ordinance tickets were given to residents, 452 traffic warnings were given to motorists and 110 adults arrests were made.

For weekly information, visit the police reports section on http://www.wkvi.com.

Subzero Temperatures Forecast; Stay Warm, Stay Safe

Posted on Author WKVI

 
 
With frigid subzero temperatures in the forecast, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency wants families and individuals to stay safe when faced with hazardously cold temperatures.

During cold weather, you should stay indoors as much as possible and limit your exposure to the cold;
dress in layers and keep dry; check on family, friends, and neighbors who are at risk and may need additional assistance; and know the symptoms of cold-related health issues such as frostbite and hypothermia and seek medical attention if health conditions are severe.

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College Need Not Be Intimidating, Says Ancilla Admissions Director

Posted on Author WKVI

 
 
As we embrace the new year, now is the perfect time to make a resolution to improve your education. Eric Wignall, director of admissions at Ancilla College, said the college is the perfect two-year school to launch you on your path to higher education. He said it helps build a foundation on which to build a strong education, increasing the number of opportunities in your life.

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