MDWise and IU Health Starke Hospital Schedule Affordable Care Act Forum

Posted on Author WKVI
 
 

Health care industry experts will be available Tuesday, Dec. 10 at IU Health Starke Hospital to answer your questions about the Affordable Care Act. Representatives from the nonprofit health insurance company MDwise will offer a presentation about the health insurance marketplace at 3 p.m. CST in the conference room of the Knox facility. It’s one of several “learn and enroll” events the hospital is putting on to answer questions about the effect of the Affordable Care Act, health insurance options and the consequences of not enrolling in a health plan. Hundreds of thousands of Hoosiers will be eligible for health insurance starting next year, but there’s still quite a bit of confusion about the enrollment process and various health plan options. The session is open to the public, and an RSVP is not required to attend.

Tree Lighting Ceremonies in Winamac, North Judson Today

Posted on Author WKVI

 
 
The trees will soon be gloriously lit in Winamac and North Judson with tree lighting ceremonies scheduled in both towns on Friday, Dec. 6 at 6 p.m. local time. In North Judson, a small parade will take place at 5:45 p.m. The lighting of the trees will then be performed by a child from the crowd who will pull the switch to turn on the lights. Following that, Reimbold said there will be hot cocoa, cookies and refreshments at the old firehouse with an appearance from Santa Claus himself.

Continue reading →

HVRM Hosts Santa Trains on Dec. 7, 14

Posted on Author WKVI

HVRM Tourist Train
HVRM Tourist Train
The Hoosier Valley Railroad Museum is ringing in the holidays with their third annual Santa Trains, featuring Santa Claus himself aboard as passengers take a round-trip train ride from North Judson to the Kankakee River and back. Marketing Specialist Loretta Kosloske said Santa Claus also has a gift bag for the passengers as well.

Continue reading →

LaPorte County Sheriff’s Office Asking Burglary Victims to Reclaim Items

Posted on Author WKVI

LaPorte County Sheriff's Department
La Porte County Sheriff’s Office
A string of residential burglaries in the LaPorte County area led police to conduct a raid that turned up a variety of electronics, including cellular telephones, handheld personal devices, laptops and even jewelry. Sgt. Andrew Hyneck with the LaPorte County Sheriff’s Office said they are still trying to identify the owners of the recovered property.

The propery was recovered on Nov. 26 at a residence in rural Coolspring Township through a search warrant. The investigation remains open and ongoing as a collaborative effort between the LaPorte County Sheriff’s Office and Michigan City Police Department. The goal remains to locate the victims and owners of the recovered property and return it to them.

Continue reading →

Two Pulaski County Bridges Now Open

Posted on Author WKVI

Pulaski County Commissioners Larry Brady, Vice President Terry Young, and President Tracey Shorter
Pulaski County Commissioners Larry Brady, Vice President Terry Young, and President Tracey Shorter
Two bridges that were previously closed in Pulaski County are now open, though one bridge is still awaiting a final inspection. Pulaski County Highway Superintendent Mark Fox told the county commissioners this week that the contract for bridge inspections for 2014–2016 has been approved by INDOT and is ready to sign, and informed them that the two bridges closed in the county have since been reopened. Bridge 268, however, still needs a final inspection but is currently open to traffic.

Continue reading →

Starke County Highway Department Reviewing Bridge Inspection Bids

Posted on Author WKVI

Starke County Highway Superintendent Stephen "Rik" Ritzler
Starke County Highway Superintendent Stephen “Rik” Ritzler
The Starke County Highway Department has been busy with a number of projects, according to Superintendent Rik Ritzler. Ritzler informed the county commissioners at their meeting this week that his department has received five bid submissions for bridge inspections and one bid for bridge design and presented them to the commissioners. He said he will review the bids and rate them for their approval at the next meeting.

Continue reading →

Marshall County EMA Director Clyde Avery Urges Filing of Damage Reports

Posted on Author WKVI

 
 
Howard County is one county seeking federal assistance after the Nov. 17 storms that wrecked havoc in the state. The weather affected our listening area with an EF-1 tornado in Pulaski County.

It was reported by our reporting partners yesterday that Kosciuscko County will not be able to receive assistance as the damage reported was not enough to declare a disaster on the federal level.

Continue reading →

Marshall County Economic Development Corporation Seeks Executive Director

Posted on Author WKVI

 
 
The Marshall County Economic Development Corporation is looking for a new executive director. Jay Bahr, who took over leadership of the corporation in mid-April is leaving. Board Chair Bill Davis says in a news release, “Mr. Bahr has been effectively leading our organization since April of this year. We want to wish Jay a successful career transition.”

Continue reading →

Marshall County Commissioners Approve Emergency Response Plan

Posted on Author WKVI

 
 
Gene Gray from the Local Emergency Plan Commission came before the Marshall County Board of Commissioners Monday morning to seek approval of the emergency response plan.

Gray explained that there were a few format changes to the plan and updates were made. The plan includes site plans for evacuations and how to report hazardous material. All departments are to respond accordingly to the plan.

The commissioners told Gray that the plan looked good and that he and EMA Director Clyde Avery and other members have worked hard to make this report available and to create protocol for emergency situations. The commissioners unanimously approved the plan and signed the document to enact the changes.

Check Snow Removal Ordinances in Your Area

Posted on Author WKVI

 
 
The start of the winter season isn’t for another two weeks, but Mother Nature has made her presence known in a couple of recent snowy events in the Kankakee Valley.

It is recommended to check with your local city officials to see if an ordinance exists for snow removal from sidewalks. The city of LaPorte has an ordinance regulating the placement of snow removed from sidewalks, driveways and parking lots.

Continue reading →

Town of Hamlet Decoration Contest Dec. 21

Posted on Author WKVI

 
 
The town of Hamlet is holding an outdoor Christmas decoration contest on Saturday, Dec. 21 from 6:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. CT.

During that time, residents with outdoor Christmas displays are urged to light those displays to be part of the contest. Clerk-Treasurer Kristina Pitts told WKVI that residents don’t need to register for the contest; you just need to make sure your outdoor display is in working order during the time of the judging.

The officials will give the address to the clerk-treasurer and she will send a check to the residences for the top three displays. The winner will receive $100, second place will get $75 and third place gets $50.

State Launches Effort to Reduce Infant Mortality

Posted on Author WKVI

 
 
A new effort is under way to ensure more Indiana babies are able to blow out candles on their first birthdays. The state’s infant mortality rate is 25 percent higher than the national average. Indiana Sate Department of Health Commissioner Dr. William VanNess says reducing that number is the department’s top priority.

“Losing a child is one of the worst things that can happen to somebody. So it is about heartbreak. That’s why we’re saying this is like motherhood and apple pie. Nobody wants a baby not to get to their first birthday, and everybody should want to make a difference,” said VanNess.

Continue reading →

Barn Fire Cause Remains Under Investigation

Posted on Author WKVI
 
 

The cause of a Tuesday night barn fire southeast of Knox remains under investigation. Bass Lake Fire Chief Less Jensen says the structure at 200 East and 350 South was fully engulfed when firefighters from his department arrived. Dispatchers notified them of the blaze around 6:40 p.m. Jensen requested water support from the Knox-Center Township and North Judson-Wayne Township Fire Departments. Firefighters spent 2.5 hours bringing the blaze under control. Nobody was injured. Jensen says the barn belongs to Sharon Murphy.

Governor Mike Pence Visits Pulaski County

Posted on Author WKVI
Governor Mike Pence greets those gathered in Winamac
Governor Mike Pence greets those gathered in Winamac

Indiana Governor Mike Pence entered the Fox’s Den in Winamac Tuesday afternoon with a smile on his face and his hand extended to meet the many residents and business owners who gathered there and to discuss the state of Indiana, along with great measures the state is making in education and employment.

Governor Pence stated that small business is what makes Indiana a great place to be.

Continue reading →

Marshall County Commissioners Approve Bond Increase

Posted on Author WKVI

 
 
Marshall County Building Inspector Chuck DeWitt presented a revision to an ordinance to the commissioners Monday that sought to raise a contractor’s bond from $5,000 to $20,000.

Dewitt explained that this would only help homeowners in construction or remodeling projects. Recently, a code violation occurred in a project that would have made the dwelling unsafe and the contractor was only bonded for $5,000. The work that needed to be redone exceeded $15,000. That was additional money to come out of the homeowner’s pocket. Dewitt said this ordinance would better aid the homeowner in case a similar incident occurs.

Continue reading →

Pulaski Commissioners Tentatively Approve Forgivable Loan

Posted on Author WKVI

Pulaski County Commissioners Larry Brady, Vice President Terry Young, and President Tracey Shorter
Pulaski County Commissioners Larry Brady, Vice President Terry Young, and President Tracey Shorter
A business is looking to expand in Pulaski County, as a representative for Winamac Coil Spring approached the county commissioners this week alongside Community Development Corporation Executive Director Nathan Origer. Origer said the business has acquired Chesapeake and they are looking to make improvements and investments in order to expand. They are not moving the facility, he said, but they are moving a division from Kewanna to Winamac with hopes to double or triple in size within the next few years.

Continue reading →

Marshall County Police Investigating Campground Break-Ins

Posted on Author WKVI

 
 
The Marshall County Police Department is seeking the public’s help to solve a series of break-ins that occurred on the eve of Thanksgiving. Officers were called to the Pla-Mor Campground on U.S. 6 in Bremen around 11 a.m. Thursday following the discovery that seven camping trailers had been broken into. The incidents occurred sometime between 7 p.m. Wednesday and 6 a.m. Thursday, according to investigators. Witnesses reportedly spotted a beige pickup truck in the area at the time the burglaries are believed to have occurred. Anyone with information is asked to call (574) 936-3187.