Superintendent Douglas G. Carter presented awards in the form of certificates and longevity medals to the five troopers.
Eastern Pulaski School Board Extends Administrator Contracts
Superintendent Dan Foster said the change in leadership at the corporation had delayed this process, but the board forged ahead with approving all contracts.
“We did go ahead and extend all of the principal’s contracts and the Athletic Director’s contract for an extra year,” explained Foster. “Their contracts are effective June 30, 2015 now instead of just this next summer.”
“Messiah” to be Performed Sunday at Ancilla College
“Messiah” is considered one of the greatest pieces of Christian music ever written. Embedded in the famous piece is the “Hallelujah Chorus” which is the most familiar movement.
Medicare Part D Open Enrollment Underway
With yearly open enrollment now underway, Hoosiers with Medicare Part D or an Advantage Plan are being urged to take a fresh look at their coverage. According to AARP spokesman Seth Boffeli, during the enrollment period, it’s important that all beneficiaries review their plans.
“Just take a look at what their coverage is, think about if it’s meeting their needs. See if there might be something that might cost a little less but cover just as much – and make those decisions. So, it’s an important time for seniors,” Boffeli said.
Matt Crafton, Menards and ThorSport Racing Renew Contract for 2014
Matt Crafton and the primary sponsor of his No. 88 Toyota Tundra, Menards, have renewed agreements with ThorSport Racing for the 2014 season in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series (NCWTS).
The 2014 season will mark the 10th consecutive year that Crafton will drive the Menards truck for ThorSport and 13th year overall with the team.
Sauter to Remain at ThorSport Racing
Johnny Sauter has been with ThorSport Racing for five years and he will remain a driver with that team as he has signed a multi-year contract with owners Duke and Rhonda Thorson. Sauter will pilot the No. 98 Toyota Tundra in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series.
“I’m excited to have the opportunity to extend my time with ThorSport Racing,” Sauter said. “It’s a great organization and it’s been a perfect fit for me… And with Nextant Aerospace joining our program — and looking ahead to two years of racing for wins and championships with them, Carolina Nut and Curb Records — needless to say the sky’s the limit.”
Cooper Standard Continues Partnership with Brad Keselowski Racing; Blaney to Drive for BKR in 2014
A contract extension has been approved by Cooper Standard and Brad Keselowski Racing (BKR) officials which means the company will continue with the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race team into 2014.
This will be Cooper Standard’s fourth year with the team and second campaign as a full-season partner. The company enhanced its involvement with the team in the 2011 and 2012 seasons.
Cequent and Brad Keselowski Racing Sign Multi-Year Contract Extension
A new agreement between Brad Keselowski Racing (BKR) and Cequent will extend the sponsorship of the No. 19 Ford F-150 through the 2017 season in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series. The new agreement takes effect in 2015.
Cequent brands such as Draw-Tite and Reese will be featured as the primary sponsor of the No. 19 truck for at least 10 races each season. A press release indicated that Cequent will also continue to receive associate sponsor branding for the balance of the races and be featured on the No. 29 Cooper Standard Ford F-150 as an associate sponsor for every truck series race each season.
Heroin Causing Problems in Pulaski County
A dangerous drug is making a resurgence in the area, as Pulaski County Sheriff Michael Gayer said the county has seen its third death as a direct result of a heroin overdose. Gayer said the third death was less than a week ago; the man was found by a roommate with heroin and paraphernalia nearby.
Gayer explained it’s difficult to combat this new danger in the community, as thus far, it’s staying under the radar.
LaPorte County Metro Operations Unit Investigations Result in Three Arrests
Investigators from the LaPorte County Metro Operations Unit recently arrested three people on drug-related charges. Dayle R. Pace, 27, of LaPorte, is charged with the A felony offense of dealing heroin. She’s being held in lieu of a $100,000 bond and is due to appear in court on Friday. Shane Ransom, 33, of LaPorte, is free on bond after being charged with the felony offense of dealing marijuana. So is Rebecca Johnson, 27, of LaPorte, who also faces a felony charge of dealing in marijuana.
The LaPorte County Metro Operations Task Force is comprised of investigators from the LaPorte County Sheriff’s Office and LaPorte Police Department. They are charged with investigating drug activity. Anybody with information about drug activity within their jurisdiction is urged to call them at (219) 325-9022.
National Adoption Day Ceremony and CASA Swearing-In Scheduled
Starke Circuit Court will be joining courts across the country in celebrating National Adoption Day on Friday, Nov. 22, when Judge Kim Hall will be swearing in new Court Appointed Special Advocates following a ceremony in his courtroom.
More than 3200 children currently in foster care in Indiana are ready and waiting to be adopted. National Adoption Day is a collective national effort to raise awareness of children like these who are waiting for a forever family. All of these children are in their situation through no fault of their own; many are in the foster care system because their birth parents were not protective and nurturing caregivers or chose to abuse or simply abandon them.
Warrant Issued for Sex Offender
The LaPorte County Sheriff’s Office is looking for a wanted sex offender and is asking for your help in locating him.
Stephen N. Rootes, 31, is wanted on a criminal arrest warrant issued by the LaPorte County Circuit Court for Failure to Register which is a Class C felony.
Knox Firefighter Raises Questions About Injury Claim
Knox-Center Township firefighter Wayne Noah and Fire Chief Kenny Pfost were at the Knox City Council meeting Tuesday night to raise questions about Noah’s injury claim through the city.
Noah was injured five weeks ago while assisting in an investigation at a fire scene. He fractured his ankle in the incident and has filed a claim through the city. He has received some money from the insurance but not all of what is owed to him. If you’re also having difficulty getting the compensation you’re entitled to, you may consider speaking with a workers compensation attorney.
Luncheon Scheduled for Potential Winamac Hotel Investors
Cobblestone Development specializes in building budget friendly accommodations for business travelers and others in small communities like Winamac. Developer John F. Seibert says the accommodations would be similar to those offered by a Holiday Inn Express or Hampton Inn. He adds hotels like the one his company is proposing take about five months to build.
Candidate Filing for 2014 Election in January
Candidate filing for the 2014 election is just two months away. Several members of the community have already announced intentions to seek their party’s vote for a chance to win a seat in local elections.
Starke County Clerk Evelyn Skronski said the first day to file for candidacy is Jan. 8, 2014. Her position is up for election in 2014 as well as prosecutor, auditor, sheriff, coroner, assessor, county commissioner district 2, county council districts 1-4, and Center Township assessor. The at-large and North Bend Township seats on the Culver Community School Board are up for election, as well as the California Township, Washington Township and Center Township Seat 1 on the Knox Community School Board and the District 1-3 seats on the Oregon-Davis School Board.
Winamac Seniors Present Policy Proposal to School Board
The Eastern Pulaski School Board heard a presentation from a group of seniors who developed a “bring your own device” policy as a class project for the board to consider for second semester.
Superintendent Dan Foster explained that this policy would allow students to bring in their own iPad, laptop, smart phone or technology device for use during the second semester. The seniors felt that they weren’t being treated fairly.
West Central Maintenance Officials Working on Boiler Issue
The West Central School Board recently learned that the boiler system needs repairs fairly quickly as the colder weather sets in.
Superintendent Charles Mellon explained that one boiler needs to be repaired and another needs replaced at the high school.
“It’s a three-phase unit so we are down to one boiler and we need one repaired rather quickly,” stated Mellon. “We don’t want to be caught having no heating system at all. We’re going to move rapidly on that.”
Mellon has discussed the issue with the maintenance director at the school corporation and repairs are ongoing at this time.
Real Services in Culver to Offer Thanksgiving Meal
Real Services in Culver is offering a Thanksgiving meal to those aged 60 and older who may not have a place to go for the holiday.
Site Director Cecelia Moroni said the dinner will be on Tuesday, Nov. 26 at the site at the Culver Beach Lodge beginning at Noon ET. Turkey will be served along with mashed sweet potatoes, corn bread stuffing, green bean almondine, cranberries and pumpkin pie.
Keep Pets Warm This Winter
The temperature is dropping, prompting residents to stay indoors and crank up the heat to stay warm, but what can outdoor pets do to stay warm? Suzanne Crider with the Starke County Humane Society has a few tips to keep your roaming pets safe and warm this winter.
For those who have a doghouse or other structure for their animals, Crider said it’s important not to make it too big. She said it’s best to have it big enough that the animal can get in and comfortably lay down and stretch out, but any bigger and it becomes harder for the animal’s body heat to keep it warm.
Firearm Deer Season Approaching; Drive Carefully
With firearm deer season mere days away, the spooked animals will soon be more active and may be more prominent near roads. Because of that, the Indiana State Police urge drivers to be cautious when traveling.
Motorists should take the following precautions when driving in rural areas to avoid having a crash involving a deer: when possible, use high beam headlights at night and be aware that deer could be standing on or near the side of the roadway; watch approaching vehicles and observe what may break their headlights beams, as it could be a passing deer; watch for reflections from the deer’s eyes; where there is one deer there are often several, so don’t assume you missed the deer because more could follow.
