Chad Stewart, deer research biologist for the Indiana Department of Natural Resources, explained that the deer breeding season is approaching which increases migration.
LaPorte High School Student Died of Genetic Heart Defect
Only Two Issued Peddler’s Permits Are Still Valid in Starke County
Since this week’s report of unsolicited salespeople once again visiting homes in Starke County, there has been some confusion as to who is and is not allowed to go door-to-door trying to peddle merchandise. According to officials at the Starke County Auditor’s Office, the county’s peddler’s permits are valid for six months and only two issued permits are currently valid. However, that does not mean the person visiting your home is breaking the law; there are several exemptions allowed in the ordinance.
The ordinance allows anyone who grows what they sell – such as flowers, fruits or vegetables – to try to sell their items without a permit, as well as anyone who crafts the item by hand, auctioneers that are licensed, residents of the county that offer the items for sale for no more than four days, anyone who is exempt from the Indiana gross retail tax, activities sponsored by organizations, trade shows or conventions, and anyone who holds a registered retail merchant certificate. Continue reading
Hamlet Man Arrested on Sexual Assault Charges
A Hamlet man was arrested early Sunday in an alleged attempted sexual assault incident in LaPorte.
The victim told police that a knock on her door woke her up. She answered the door and saw William T. McGrath, 48, of Hamlet standing there. She told police that she recently met him. McGrath allegedly asked the victim if he would stay at her home as he was too intoxicated to drive home. She allowed him to stay.
Watch for Slow Moving Farm Equipment This Harvest Season
While the harvest season isn’t in full swing yet, it’s just around the corner. Be prepared to see farm implements on the highways and county roads.
When you see a piece of farm equipment on the road, slow down. Watch for hand signals as the tractor operator may be pulling over to make a rather wide turn and may not be indicating to you that you may pass.
Seasonal Allergens to Be Strong This Fall
Bad news for those with allergies: experts say this fall will have the same allergen intensity as spring of this year, when pollen dusted vehicles and sniffling noses ran amok. Starke County Health Nurse Frank Lynch said the spring allergy season was horrible, and fall is shaping up to be just as bad.
Lynch said he doesn’t have any special tips or tricks for those who suffer from allergies, other than the typical advice; that is, avoid allergens and medicate symptoms.
Knox City Council Adopts 2014 Budget Resolution
The Knox City Council this week adopted the resolution for the 2014 budget, having held the public hearing at the end of last month. Clerk-Treasurer Jeff Houston explained to the board that the city expects to see an increase in the overall budget of just under 3 percent; however, he said the city will likely have to make some cuts in order to capture the maximum amount of taxes the city has coming to it, but overall, the budget is in pretty good shape.
Knox Board of Public Works Members Open Water Project Bids
Knox Mayor Rick Chambers opened seven bids for the proposed Starke County Jail water project. The members of the the Board of Public Works heard all of the bids as they were presented Wednesday morning.
Several representatives from a number of the bidding companies were present when the bids were presented as well as Starke County Auditor Kay Chaffins and Starke County Commission President Kathy Norem.
LaPorte High School Player Dies After Collapsing During Practice
Grief counselors will be at LaPorte High School today to help students and teachers cope with the death of a 17-year-old football player who died after suffering cardiac arrest during yesterday’s football practice. Jake West collapsed on the track area at the field, according to WNDU-TV. First responders shocked him several times with a defibrillator before rushing him to IU Health LaPorte Hospital. An autopsy is scheduled this afternoon. West was a junior at LaPorte and played middle linebacker for the Slicers.
Invasive Species Field Day Planned Along Erie Trail
Plants are pretty and trees are terrific until they start to take over your property and choke out any other flora and fauna. The Northwest Indiana Cooperative Weed Management Area and Prairie Trails Club are teaming up for an invasive species field day to teach you how to identify and eradicate invasive plant species. Committee member Linda Byer says a hands-on workshop is planned Saturday, Oct. 5 from 10 a.m. until noon CT on the North Judson Erie Trail.
Pulaski County Public Library Celebrates Banned Books Week
The Pulaski County Public Library is celebrating banned books this week. Banned Books Week, according to the library’s website, is a celebration of more than 30 years of the freedom to read, a freedom firmly rooted in the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution that guarantees not only freedom of speech but freedom of the press as well.
Overnight Fire Destroys San Pierre Grain Elevator
Firefighters from four departments in three counties spent the night fighting a blaze at the grain elevator in San Pierre. Dispatchers got a call about the fire just after 9 last night and notified the San Pierre Volunteer Fire Department. They were assisted by North Judson, Medaryville and Wheatfield. No injuries were reported, and the firefighters cleared the scene at 1:12 this morning. There’s no word yet on the origin of the blaze.
Forgery Suspect Apprehended in Michigan
Allan Best, who was listed as the Wanted Person of the Week by the LaPorte City Council Department in April, was taken into custody near Detroit and he is expected to be extradited back to LaPorte County sometime this week.
Best, 22, was wanted through LaPorte Circuit Court for Forgery as a Class C felony.
Haschel’s Bridge to Close Sept. 30
Fox said this work shouldn’t take more than two months and a detour is in place utilizing State Road 14 and County Road 200 East to circumvent the bridge.
The project is funded entirely with local funds, Fox explained, and the bridge will soon be repaired and reopened.
Linda Lewandowski is This Year’s Unsung Hero
According to the nomination letter written to Chambers by Lawson, Lewandowski is not only the director of Kid’s Closet Ministry, an organization run out of the north Judson Methodist Church to give needy families gently used clothing, but she also organized an event to give backpacks for the start of school to families. The event gave more than 100 backpacks to families in need.
Knox City Council Approves Rental Property Fee Ordinance
The Knox City Council approved the third and final reading of an ordinance that creates a fund for fees collected for rental property registrations and inspections.
Mayor Rick Chambers clarified that there are no new fees with this ordinance, and said the city was just required by the state to create a separate fund in the budget for the fees. The fees are currently $25 for both rental property registrations and inspections. The city building administrator and the council may look at adjusting that fee at a later time.
The fees have to placed in a certain account per Indiana code. The motion was made by Greg Matt, seconded by Jeff Berg, and passed unanimously.
Be Alert When Door-to-Door Salesmen Visit Your Home
These salesmen reportedly acted suspicious in nature. After an investigation, deputies found that the salesmen did not possess a peddler’s permit and were asked to leave. They were reportedly working for the Kirby vacuum company.
If you encounter unsolicited salespeople visiting your home, make sure their business logo is on a vehicle parked nearby or ask for credentials. Officers suggest you ask to see a peddler’s permit that allows them to sell the product they are pitching. If they do not have a permit, ask them to leave and call the Starke County Sheriff’s Department at (574) 772-3771. Be prepared to give a thorough description of the people in question.
Local Chambers of Commerce Meet in “Business After Hours” Event
“It’s a Business After Hours event because it allows different businesses to network with each other on a regional basis instead of just local. It will be including Starke County, Marshall County, Bremen and Culver chamber members, and they get the opportunity to meet each other and greet each other,” said Mix.
Knox Redskin Brigade Marching Season Steps Off on Right Foot
The band placed first in marching and second overall in the Class C competition.
This year’s Brigade features 82 members – 50 of which play woodwind instruments and 15 students in the percussion section. The 2013 show features various Hitchcock themes including “Psycho,” “The Birds,” “North by Northwest,” and “Alfred Hitchcock Presents.”
Ancilla College Offers Dual-Credit Program for High School Students
High school juniors and seniors with a 3.0 grade point average can participate in Ancilla’s Early Bird program. A brief letter of recommendation is needed by a guidance counselor. A selection of courses is available online and students can take afternoon, evening and Saturday courses in the program.
