IU Health Starke Hospital to Hold Breast Cancer Awareness Walk Saturday

 
 
With Breast Cancer Awareness Month in full swing, IU Health Starke Hospital has announced they will hold a 5K, two-mile walk in partnership with multiple organizations in the community to raise awareness of breast cancer. According to Craig Felty, executive director of Patient Care Services, the race begins on Saturday with registration at 3 p.m. and opens at 3:30 p.m. with ceremonies before kicking the races off at 4 p.m.

Felty said it’s a great cause to get behind and invites everyone in the community to participate.

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Utility Scam Hitting Customers

  
 
Utility customers in Indiana are the target of a new scam.

In the latest attempt to rob you of your hard-earned money, a consumer may receive a phone call from someone claiming to work for the utility company, with a fake number showing on the consumer’s caller ID. The caller will claim the customer has a delinquent bill, threaten to disconnect service and demand immediate payment, often with a prepaid debit card.

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Number of IU Health Layoffs Increased; No Local Impact Indicated

 
 

A letter from Dan Evans to the IU Health Team has indicated an increase in the number of anticipated layoffs as part of the corporation’s strive toward a 25 percent improvement in productivity over the next five years. Previously, Evans indicated that approximately 800 jobs would be cut at the academic health center, IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital, IU Health North, Saxony and Tipton hospitals, as well as System Services.

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Two Arrested in Alleged Burglary Incident

 
 
Formal charges have been filed in Pulaski Circuit Court against Alexander McDaniel and Frank Wireman in an alleged burglary incident.

According to the police report filed into court documents, on Sept. 27 Winamac police arrested the pair after an officer identified a pick-up truck involved in a burglary incident. The officer reportedly located an air compressor in the back of the pick-up along with tools that were reported stolen.

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Two Arrested at LaPorte Business on Felony Theft Charges

Joshua Bochik
Joshua Bochik
George Byroad
George Byroad

An officer with the LaPorte Police Department interrupted a theft in progress at LaPorte Blower early Wednesday morning after observing a white van near the scrap metal dumpsters and stopping to investigate. Joshua Bochik, 30, of Michigan City, reportedly told the officer he and a friend were removing scrap metal from the dumpsters because they needed the money. He claimed he didn’t realize the scrap belonged to New York Blower and told the officer he would put it all back. While the officer was talking to Bochik, George Byroad, 30, of Kouts, reportedly emerged from the second dumpster. Both were arrested on felony theft charges. The officer noted on the incident report that there was so much scrap metal in the back of the van that it was starting to bow in the middle from the weight.

Staffing at Congressional Offices Varies During Budget Shutdown

Joe Donnelly
Senator Joe Donnelly
U.S. Sen. Joe Donnelly has shut down his six field offices throughout the state and transferred all calls to his Washington, D.C. office until the federal government shutdown is resolved. He’s also furloughed 33 of his 40 aides and plans to donate the paycheck he receives while the government is shut down to either a charity or the U.S. Treasury. Fellow Sen. Dan Coats and U.S. Rep. Jackie Walorski have both asked that their pay be withheld during the shutdown. Salaries for House and Senate members as well as the President are protected under the Constitution. Coats has furloughed about half of his aides, according to the Indianapolis Star.

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Common Core Standards Decision Delayed

West Central School Superintendent Charles Mellon
West Central School Superintendent Charles Mellon
No recommendation has come out of a committee tasked with evaluating the Common Core standards.

The General Assembly decided earlier this year to pause further implementation of statewide Common Core standards beyond second grade. A committee was formed and lawmakers approved a decision for a year of public feedback on Common Core before the Board of Education decides what the state’s standards will be.

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Hoosiers Signing Up for Indiana Health Insurance Exchange

 
 
Indiana residents were able to sign up for the Indiana Federal Health Insurance Exchange on Tuesday, Oct. 1.

According to a section labeled “news” on the Indiana Health Insurance Exchange (IHIE) website, the officials suggest waiting before taking out an exchange application as all plans have narrow networks which makes it crucial to review the networks to make sure you have access before you purchase a plan.

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Hunting Accident Spurs Hunting Safety Reminders

 
 
A hunting accident under investigation in Newton County this week has prompted Indiana conservation officers to remind hunters to stay safe while hunting, particularly when perched in an elevated tree stand. A hunter fell to the ground from a tree stand approximately 20 feet from the ground, and the investigation revealed that 18-year-old Tyler Claus had fallen asleep prior to falling from the stand.

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Federal Shutdown “Shouldn’t Affect” Local Veterans Service Office

  
 

With the shutdown of the federal government now a reality due to failure of Congress to reach an agreement to fund federal agencies, a vast majority of federal programs are now in limbo. If the shutdown continues for an extended period, veterans’ compensation, pension, education and other benefits could be cut off, and call centers, hotlines and regional offices that help veterans understand their benefits have already closed to the public.

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Breast Cancer Awareness Month Reminds Women to Get a Checkup

 
 
It’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month, a month dedicated to the collaboration of national public service organizations, professional medical associations, and government agencies working together to promote breast cancer awareness, share information on the disease, and provide greater access to services. In light of that, Sarah Coil, communications director at Pulaski Memorial Hospital, said the hospital is offering a great deal for women throughout the month of October.

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Dermody Named Indiana Bankers Association Legislator of the Year

State Representative Tom Dermody
State Representative Tom Dermody
A state representative whose district includes portions of the WKVI listening area was recently honored as the 2013 Legislator of the Year by the Indiana Bankers Association. Representative Tom Dermody, R-LaPorte, was honored during the association’s recent annual convention for his role in passing a bill to reduce the Financial Institutions Tax and protect the Public Deposit Insurance Fund. Indiana banks pay into the fund, which protects local taxpayers. Dermody said in a statement he’s “honored to receive the IBA’s Legislator of the Year Award” for his work in “sensibly lowering Hoosiers’ taxes.”

Gas Prices on the Way Down

 
 
Gas prices saw the largest monthly decline in September since October of 2012.

The national average price has fallen for 29 days in a row, the longest consecutive decline since April of 2012.

Gas prices in September averaged $3.52 per gallon, which was the lowest national average for the month since 2010 and 31 cents per gallon cheaper than the monthly average a year ago. The AAA Hoosier Motor Club released that refineries have been running smoothly with few problems. Continue reading →

Special Event Planned for Saturday to Recognize Breast Cancer Awareness Month

 
 
IU Health Starke Hospital and WKVI Radio are urging you to “think pink” this October. One way to do that is to participate in a 5K race/2 mile walk this Saturday, Oct. 5 at Knox High School.

Registration for the event begins at 3 p.m. and the race begins at 4 p.m. At 3:30 p.m., a celebration will be held to recognize all breast cancer survivors. Continue reading →