Schools Around The Area Refresh Students On Lockdown Procedures

Posted on Author WKVI
Culver Community School Superintendent, Brad Schuldt

As the nation recovers from the unbelievable tragedy that rocked the town of Newtown, Conn., schools around our area have been taking extra precautions and conducting drills to ensure they know how to respond if the unthinkable were to occur.

At Culver Community Schools, students at the elementary school coincidentally conducted a lockdown drill the day before the Newtown tragedy occurred. After the tragedy, Superintendent Brad Schuldt said the middle school and high school conducted their lockdown drills, which is something the schools do annually.

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Vandalism Reported At Plymouth Speedway

Posted on Author WKVI

A vandal went off-roading at the Plymouth Speedway this weekend, when police say someone broke through two separate sets of entry gates, entered the Speedway, and tore up parts of the property with a vehicle.

Police say multiple windows were shattered on one of the shacks located within the property, and consequently, the suspect vehicle may have front or rear damage from striking the gates.

Officials say the incident took place sometime over the weekend.

Anyone with leads on any possible suspects please contact the Marshall County Sheriff’s Department at (574) 936-3187.

Starke County Democrat Officials Sworn In, Dodge’s Retirement Celebrated

Posted on Author WKVI
County Clerk Evelyn Skronski swore in Kasey Clark, the new Starke County Treasurer.

The swearing-in ceremony of Starke County officials doubled as a retirement party for attorney Steve Dodge. Starke County Clerk Evelyn Skronski swore in four officials to their new responsibilities because the two judges on standby were unable to make it to the ceremony.

Kasey Clark was sworn in to the position of county treasurer, while Dennis Estok took the oath for the position of county surveyor. Freddie Baker and Bob Sims were sworn in to their new seats on the county council.

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Two Marshall County Break-Ins Under Investigation

Posted on Author WKVI

The Marshall County Sheriff’s Department is investigating two break-ins that occurred Sunday.

A deputy responded to a call by a resident in the 20,000 block of 10B Road that some unknown person(s) broke into his residence and stole his 32-inch flat screen TV and M1 Carbine rifle. Several hours later, police were called to a residence in the 16,000 block of 4B Road where a Plymouth resident told police that some unknown person(s) broke into his home. Upon further investigation, a shotgun was reportedly removed from the home.

If you know anything about either incident, call the Marshall County Sheriff’s Department at (574) 936-3187.

This Was a Good Year For Pulaski County Recycling Center, Says Director

Posted on Author WKVI
Pulaski County Commissioners Tracey Shorter, Kenneth Boswell, Michael Tiede

Ed Clark of the Pulaski County Recycling Center told the county commissioners this week that the recycling center is coming in a bit lower than last year in revenue. Clark explained that while last year the center turned around $300,000, this year’s lower commodity prices have put a damper on their revenue. He anticipates coming in at $275,000 revenue for the year, despite actually having a greater number of sales.

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Starke County Community Foundation Awards Organizations With Funds

Posted on Author WKVI

A reception was held last week to award nine charitable organizations with funds from the Starke County Community Foundation.

More than $22,000 in grants was distributed during the event held at the Nancy J. Dembowski Community Center in Knox. Community development and human services were supported with grants to Community Services of Starke County for the Homemakers Program that keeps disadvantaged senior citizens and disabled adults in their homes with housecleaning and personal services The Muscular Dystrophy Association was able to provide flu shots and the Salvation Army was awarded money for its Emergency Assistance Program.

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Senate Pages Wanted At Statehouse

Posted on Author WKVI
State Senator Ed Charbonneau

Middle school and high school students are encouraged to spend a day at the Statehouse and serve as Senate pages during the 2013 legislative session.

Republican State Senator Ed Charbonneau, of Valparaiso, covers four counties in Starke County and all of Pulaski County and parts of Jasper, LaPorte and Porter Counties. He asks that you visit www.in.gov/senatepageprogram to apply for a Senate page opportunity. All requests should include the student’s name, address, home telephone number, age, and school affiliation.

Senator Charbonneau said specific date requests will be considered, but may not be possible. Participating as a page is an excused absence from school. Pages will tour the historic Statehouse and observe legislative proceedings in either committee rooms or the Senate Chamber Parents are responsible for transportation to and from the Statehouse.

For more information, call 1-800-382-9467.

Winamac Man Arrested For Firing a Shotgun Toward a Home

Posted on Author WKVI
Jerry Lynch

Pulaski County Sheriff’s deputies arrested a Winamac man Friday night after he allegedly fired a shotgun toward an occupied house.

At around 11:46 p.m., police were called to 5885 N. 575 W. in Winamac in reference to a shooting, and were told that a gray or silver truck had pulled up by their residence while the family, including the wives and infant children, was standing outside. The property owner said the truck seemed to shine a light on them, and then fired five or six shots that seemed to be in their direction, which led police to find four red shotgun shells lying on the ground by the intersection of county roads 600 North and 575 West.

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Starke County Man Dies after Trees Falls on Him

Posted on Author WKVI

A Knox man died Sunday while cutting down trees.

Starke County Coroner Kris Rannells confirmed that John A. Nolen, Sr. was cutting down trees with his nephew Sunday afternoon when a tree fell on him and trapped him underneath it. Nolen was attempting to guide the tree with a rope as his nephew cut the trunk when it fell.

Starke County Emergency Medical Services and responders from the Bass Lake Fire Department arrived at the scene at an area east of Starke County on 400 South, but Nolen had already died of his injuries. The Starke County Sheriff’s Department and the Starke County Coroner conducted an investigation and Coroner Rannells found that 69-year-old John Nolen, Sr. died instantly at the scene of blunt force trauma.

Marshall County Police Make Three Drug-Related Arrests

Posted on Author WKVI

A Winamac man was arrested last week after he was found to be operating a vehicle as a Habitual Traffic Violator.

An officer from the Marshall County Sheriff’s Department saw a car driven by Jonathan Adriano, 29, who disregarded a red light on a traffic signal while traveling north on Pioneer Drive and U.S. 30 outside of Plymouth. The officer conducted a traffic stop and found that Adriano was operating as a Habitual Traffic Violator and he was wanted on a warrant out of Panama City, Fla.

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Starke Commissioners, Council Unable To Reach Quorum

Posted on Author WKVI
Starke County Commissioners

Yesterday was a boring day for the Starke County commissioners and the council, as neither body was able to form a quorum. For a variety of reasons including sickness and prior engagements, four members of the county council and two commissioners were absent from last night’s meeting.

A quorum is the minimum number of members of an assembly necessary to conduct the business of that group; in this case, the council requires at least four members while only three were present, and the commissioners require at least two. Only one commissioner, Jennifer Davis, made it to the meeting.

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Pulaski Commissioners Approve Expense For New 911 System

Posted on Author WKVI
Pulaski County Commissioners Tracey Shorter, Kenneth Boswell, Michael Tiede

The Pulaski County Commissioners this week approved the purchase of a new emergency 911 system after they learned their current system, which is about 10 years old, has been discontinued for about three years.

The new system, which will cost $144,000, will satisfy the order by the state fire marshal who told the county that they must relocate their 911 system to a new location for fire protection. A representative from a company who handles 911 systems told the commissioners that he developed a number of bullet points for a new system, because his company would be unable to renew the maintenance contract on their current system due to it being effectively obsolete.

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Starke County Officials To Be Sworn In Tonight

Posted on Author WKVI

Newly elected Democratic Starke County officials will be sworn into office tonight at 6 p.m. CT at the Nancy J. Dembowski Community Center in Knox.

Treasurer Kasey Clark, Surveyor Dennis Estok, and County councilmen Bob Sims and Freddie Baker will be sworn into office.

After the swearing-in ceremony, a retirement party for attorney Steve Dodge will be held. You are welcome to attend and thank him for all of the work he has done for the county and the community during this time.

Light refreshments will be served.

Pulaski County Officials To Be Sworn In Tomorrow

Posted on Author WKVI
Pulaski County Courthouse

A swearing-in ceremony for Pulaski County elected officials will be held Wednesday, Dec. 19 at 4:30 p.m. ET in the Pulaski County Commissioners meeting room in the courthouse.

All elected officials will officially be sworn into office. Pulaski County Circuit Court Judge Michael Shurn and Pulaski Superior Court Judge Pat Blankenship will administer the oaths of office. If you are an elected official and don’t attend this service, you will be sworn into office by appointment.

The November 2012 election found several new candidates elected to the Commissioners office, school boards and county positions.

Toy Store a Success In Pulaski County

Posted on Author WKVI

More than 1,000 people will enjoy a happier holiday season after 45 Pulaski County volunteers distributed food bags, toys and gifts to those in need.

More than 300 households received assistance and more than 700 children were served in this total. Volunteers from Pulaski County Human Services, the Methodist Church in Winamac, Kiwanis members, Winamac High School Sunshine Girls, boys basketball team and Student Council, Winamac Boy Scouts, Head Start, Junior Leaders, and community members spent the day Saturday helping parents shop for toys and wrapped them for distribution.

A donation drive was held to gather toys for the children this year for the Toy Store at the Pulaski County Human Services building in Winamac. Jacki Frain from PCHS thanks all who helped and proved that Pulaski County is working to help bring the community together.

IU Health Starke, La Porte Hospitals Now STAR Program Certified

Posted on Author WKVI

IU Health La Porte and Starke hospitals proudly announced this week that they were recently awarded with the STAR Program Certification, a certification that qualifies the two hospitals to offer the STAR Program, a state-of-the-art cancer rehabilitation program to help survivors recover from the side effects and aftereffects of treatments.

STAR Program Certification is an offering of the Massachusetts-based healthcare company Oncology Rehab Partners and provides hospitals and cancer centers with the tools needed to quickly and effectively implement evidence-based cancer rehabilitation services for survivors suffering from post-treatment symptoms such as pain, fatigue, weakness, and emotional distress.

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Tips For Staying Warm This Winter

Posted on Author WKVI

The weather’s getting chillier, and many Hoosiers are staying indoors trying to stay warm. With high heating costs, many are also trying alternative sources of home heating, which, if used carelessly, can contribute to residential fires.

According to the U.S. Fire Administration, winter residential building fires result in an estimated average of 945 deaths, 3,825 injuries, and $1.7 million in property loss each year. Fires in one- and two-family dwellings account for 67 percent of all winter residential building fires, and cooking is the leading cause of all winter residential building fires.

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Accident Reported on U.S. 30

Posted on Author WKVI

Emergency crews were called to a two vehicle accident on U.S. 30 and 600 East in Hamlet just before 9:00 pm tonight. The Starke County Sheriff’s Department said nobody was injured in the accident and crews are clearing the scene. Traffic was rerouted while officers investigated. A semi and a passenger vehicle were reportedly involved. Again, no injuries were reported.