Planning for college can sometimes be overwhelming with such decisions as choice of college and paying for college.
Kelly Manning, Admissions Counselor at Ancilla College in Donaldson, says if you’re looking to go somewhere local, attend the Access Ancilla Day on the campus on Thursday, Feb. 28.
A Marshall County native police say left a string of broken hearts and bad debt from Oregon to Indiana and stole a gun in Kokomo now faces theft charges in South Bend. The charges against 29-year-old Raymond Holycross were filed after a Mishawaka woman with whom he lived discovered he stole and pawned her camera and called the police. Authorities say she also found out Holycross also uses the names Ray Paris and Ray Cross to meet women, earn their trust and charm them out of their money. Holycross is also wanted on a Howard County warrant for theft of a firearm.
If you bought a Cash 5 ticket for Wednesday’s drawing at JK Deli on U.S. 35 at the Starke-Pulaski County line, you may want to check your numbers. Hoosier Lottery officials say a ticket sold there is worth $!62,000. The winning numbers were 9-15-21-27-34. The winner has yet to come forward. If you’ve won, be sure to sign the back of the ticket and contact the Hoosier Lottery for instructions on how to redeem your prize. That ticket will have to be redeemed at either a regional lottery office or at the headquarters in Indianapolis due to the jackpot amount. Visit www.hoosierlottery.com for more information.
Former Pulaski County Highway Superintendent Kenny Becker says the employees who were leaving 15 minutes early each day were still on the clock even though they were no longer on the county’s property. He said they were driving snow plows home due to the threat of inclement weather, and they could not drive county vehicles on their own time due to liability concerns. County commissioners learned of the practice after Becker’s suspension last month and voted Monday to dock each of the employees 15 minutes of time in order to balance the books. Becker was reinstated to full pay eight days after his suspension but is working as “manager” of the department under the supervision of commissioner Larry Brady. Commissioners discussed the matter at length during Tuesday’s heated meeting. Brady said he’s checked with the county’s insurance agent, and the employees are covered even when they are not on the clock. He says the coverage follows the vehicle, and not the employee. Commissioners acknowledged their investigation found no evidence of criminal wrongdoing.
Starke County’s newest business is open for business. Homemakers A+ Adult Day Service in the Cristo’s Plaza on U.S. 35 celebrated its grand opening with a Starke County Chamber of Commerce ribbon cutting ceremony. The facility offers adult daycare for ages 55 and up and can accommodate up to 30 people. Hours are 7 a.m. until 6 p.m. daily, with full and half-day service available. President Scott Bradshaw says the business offers activities throughout the day to provide fellowship for clients and keep them mobile. He says the service also gives caregivers a break and peace of mind by allowing them to drop their parents off and know they will be cared for properly. Bradshaw adds that the business serves clients in Starke and all surrounding counties.
Rachael Franko, a 2011 graduate of Winamac high school, is in the process of trying out for the Indianapolis Colts cheerleading squad. Known best in the Kankakee Valley for her dominance on the volleyball court and on the track, Rachael has spent the last two years as a member of the cheerleading team at Purdue University. During her athletic career at Winamac, Franko was a part of three sectional championship volleyball teams and led the Lady Warriors to a regional championship in 2010, she was also a two time state finalist in long jump in both 2010 and 2011. You can help Rachael become a part of the Colts cheerleaders by voting for her at www.coltscheer.com (look for Rachael F. on the right side). Best of luck to Winamac graduate Rachael Franko on her quest to become an Indianapolis Colts cheerleader!
John Glenn football has a new head coach. The hiring of Dave Sharpe to replace coach Justin Bogunia, who resigned at the end of last season, was approved by the John Glenn school board earlier this week. Sharpe (the son of coaching legend Bill Sharpe), played his high school football career as an offensive lineman at Jimtown high school where he was a part of two state championships. After graduating from Purdue University, Sharpe returned to Jimtown where he was an assistant coach for eight years. Coach Sharpe has been a part of three state championship football teams as both a coach and a player. Congratulations and welcome to Dave Sharpe, the new head football coach of the John Glenn Falcons!
A Marshall County plant is expected to close within the next few months. Plymouth-based Whitley Products filed a WARN notice Tuesday to alert its 86 employees they will likely lose their jobs. Last month the Marshall County tubing company announced plans to close and lay off all employees. It reopened less than two weeks later after a court order was issued.
Culver Community high school senior wrestler Matt Hurford completed his undefeated season with a state championship. Hurford (47-0) defeated Jonah Zorniger (27-5) of Avon 15-7 in the first round of the tournament, he then went on to defeat Katrell Moss (34-8) of Warren Central 7-2 in the quarterfinals. In the semifinal round, Matt defeated Brian Wagner (41-6) of New Palestine 3-0 to advance to the finals where he defeated Jake Masengale (40-3) of Perry Meridian 9-4. Matt’s state championship is the second for Culver wrestling in the last three years, joining 2011 graduate Jeremiah Harvey. He also joins an elite group of state champions in the Kankakee Valley: Chris Kasten (Winamac Wrestling ’04 and ’05), Shane Crawford (Winamac Track ’07), Oregon-Davis (Boys and Girls Basketball ’07), Jeremiah Harvey (Culver Wrestling ’11). Congratulations to Matt Hurford of Culver Community high school, this year’s 182lb state champion!
Three witnesses were called Thursday in the Starke Circuit Court bench trial in the case of Jennie Carter. Carter was charged with theft in an investigation with the Indiana State Police after she allegedly took $7,000 in Starke County Tourism Commission funds for her own use.
The prosecution called two witnesses, the lead detective in the investigation Chris Campione with the Indiana State Police and Debbie Mix with the Starke County Chamber of Commerce and the Tourism Commission. They testified of their knowledge of the event surrounding the incident. Defendant Jennie Carter testified on her own behalf.
Testimony lasted throughout the day with Judge Kim Hall presiding. The prosecution and defense were able to deliver their final arguments, but those arguments have been continued until Monday, Feb. 25 at 1 p.m. The elements of the count of Theft, a Class D Felony, will be presented in this case. All evidence will then be in the hands of Judge Hall who will render a verdict.
A jury trial will commence today at 9 a.m. in the case of Jerome Uskert who is accused of Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated and Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated with a Prior Conviction within Five Years.
The recent action by Pulaski County commissioners to strip the highway superintendent of his title and make him the manager has raised questions about the chain of command for road repairs. Commissioner Larry Brady is serving as acting superintendent until lingering policy questions are resolved. Meanwhile, Kenny Becker says a couple of roads need to be repaired, including a section of 200 North between 500 and 600 West on his property where a ditch is caving in. Becker told the commissioners if work isn’t done soon, the county may lose the entire road.
The Starke County Election Board has formally approved a public question presented by the Knox Community School Board to be placed on a ballot for a special election set for May 7.
The question pertains to the proposed Knox Elementary School renovation and construction project. The Department of Local Government Finance has approved the wording of the question to be placed on the ballot and it has been certified by the Starke County auditor.
The Starke County Commissioners this week tabled a discussion regarding holiday pay for a former sheriff’s department employee. Ron Lawson had been an employee of the sheriff’s department for many years as a detective, and he was also a patrolman for some time, and he told the commissioners that he has not received holiday pay that he feels he is entitled to.
LaPorte City Police responded to a personal injury accident Wednesday morning at the intersection of Lincolnway and Detroit Street in LaPorte.
Witnesses told police that a vehicle driven by Julio Cesar Navarro Ruiz, 29 of LaPorte, was eastbound on Lincolnway when another vehicle exited a parking lot and Ruiz could not avoid a collision.
While donations have been steadily coming in to the Community Services of Starke County Food Pantry, Organization Director Joan Haugh said other programs offered by the organization are suffering from a lack of funding. Haugh told the county council this week that they are incurring further reductions in funding from both the state and federal government, primarily affecting their transportation program.
The rules and regulations that have been in place at the cemetery in North Judson will now be enforced – this after the town board this week reviewed the draft of the rules that will be typed up on a sign and posted at the main entrance. Clerk-Treasurer Donna Henry explained that the sign will detail each rule, regulation, and requirement, ensuring that everyone who enters the cemetery knows the town’s policies.
Marshall County Building Inspector Chuck DeWitt gave the county commissioners an update Monday on the interlocal agreement with the town of Culver.
DeWitt told the commissioners that the Culver Town Board approved an agreement in which all building permits and other construction issues can be accessed and filed online. All paperwork will then be processed by his department.
A committee will be formed to help in the search and the process should be getting underway in March.
The Knox Community High School recently entered into an agreement with NIPSCO to conduct an energy audit.
On Feb. 25, representatives with NIPSCO will arrive at the high school to evaluate the electrical needs at the high school and assess what can be improved in terms of energy efficiency. As part of the Energizing Indiana initiative, any improvements to be made,will not cost the school any money. The school could benefit up to approximately $13,000 in improvements.
The Culver Community School Board gave their approval two weeks ago for the school to advertise for the purchase of two new school buses. Superintendent Brad Schuldt explained that this process is generally taken care of in the spring to allow the school to purchase two new buses over the summer.
Schuldt said the state currently has Culver schools on a 12-year service cycle for buses, allowing the school to purchase new buses to replace those that are 12 years old. Schuldt said that unless some catastrophic failure occurs, the buses are traded in after 12 years for credit on a new school bus, preventing the school from getting stuck with a massive unexpected bill for emergency repairs on several buses.
