Indiana General Assembly Approves More Than 300 New Laws

Posted on Author WKVI

 
 
The Indiana General Assembly has approved just under 300 new laws this year, many of which became effective July 1. The new state laws impact a variety of issues, including the budget, roads and infrastructure, education funding, Medicaid expansion, and several others.

Some of the laws passed regarding education include House Enrolled Act 1003, which extends vouchers to any student who lives in an attendance zone with a failing school or has a sibling already participating in the program. In addition, the legislation permanently lifts the cap on the number of vouchers and increases eligibility to those earning up to 200 percent of the federal poverty level. HEA 1003 amends the definition of voucher to require an individual or sibling of the individual to receive a scholarship granting organization of at least $800 in a prior school year as well as meet 150 percent of free and reduced lunch program income requirement.

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Preliminary Autopsy Results Revealed in Lake Maxinkuckee Drowning Incident

Posted on Author WKVI
 
 

An autopsy has found that 22-year-old Valentin Sirghi of Plymouth died as a result of asphyxiation due to drowning in an incident at Lake Maxinkuckee Sunday evening.

That preliminary result was confirmed by Marshall County Deputy Coroners Ann Leed and Brigette Hite. The autopsy was conducted by Dr. Joseph Prahlow, Board-Certified Pathologist in Mishawaka.

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LaPorte Man Acted in Self Defense When He Shot Burglar

Posted on Author WKVI
 
 

No charges will be filed against a LaPorte man who shot and killed a burglar in his home on the morning of July 8.

Investigators from the LaPorte County Sheriff’s Office completed their investigation and submitted their reports to LaPorte County Prosecutor Robert Szilagyi who concluded that Stephen Penny acted in self defense when Jason Rabe broke into his home in the 6700 East block of County Road 1000 North.

Penny had awoken at the sound of breaking glass inside his home. He armed himself with a gun and found Rabe armed with a hatchet. The pair struggled and Penny shot Rabe once in the chest. He was pronounced dead at the scene from a single gunshot wound.

LaPorte County Sheriff’s Department investigators and the prosecuting attorney have closed this investigation.

Traffic Stop Leads to Felony Drug Arrest

Posted on Author WKVI
Travis Bates
Travis Bates

A LaPorte man’s lead foot landed him in jail for possession of heroin following a Sunday night traffic stop. Travis Bates, 26, was pulled over for speeding at Fox Park in LaPorte around 8:20 p.m., and his vehicle was searched. Officers reportedly found drug paraphernalia and a brown crystal substance that tested positive for heroin. He’s facing a felony charge.

 

Plea Agreement Proposed for Murder Suspect Kathleen Holt

Posted on Author WKVI

Kathleen Holt
Kathleen Holt
The Starke County prosecutor and the attorneys for Kathleen Holt have reached a proposed plea agreement.

Prosecutor Nicholas Bourff stated that the agreement has yet to be reduced to writing and to be heard in a formal court setting. The proposed agreement would have Holt pleading guilty to a charge of Murder with a minimum sentence of 45 years and the maximum sentence of 55 years. As part of the plea agreement, she would be giving up her right to appeal the sentence.

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Starke County Council Discusses Next Sheriff’s Compensation

Posted on Author WKVI

The pool of candidates interested in becoming Starke County’s next sheriff may shrink based on pending action by the county council to drastically reduce the pay for that position during the next term. Incumbent Sheriff Oscar Cowen earns $102,000 per year in salary plus proceeds from tax warrants, based on the terms of the contract he negotiated with the county. That can’t be changed, but state law does allow the county council to set the next sheriff’s compensation rate prior to the election. A law passed in 1993 requires the sheriff to earn at least 60-percent of what the prosecutor is paid, and that salary of roughly $125,000 is set by the state based on the county’s population. That means the next Starke County sheriff will be paid at least $75,000. Continue reading →

Marshall County “Shell” Building Project Groundbreaking Next Month

Posted on Author WKVI

 
 
The Marshall County “shell” building project is moving right along with a groundbreaking ceremony planned for next month. The Plymouth Industrial Development Corporation yesterday signed the agreement to sell the land to the Marshall County Economic Development Commission to allow the project to move forward, and last week, the MCEDC board approved all the other documents necessary to proceed. According to MCEDC Executive Director Jay Bahr, there have been no recent snags and they expect to start construction soon.

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Pulaski County Recycling Transfer Station Needs Repairs

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

The Pulaski County Recycling Center Transfer Station is in need of some repairs, according to Director Ed Clark. He told the commissioners last night that a piece of equipment has a leaking cylinder that must be fixed, but he said it isn’t an emergency and he will soon approach the council for a transfer approval.

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INDOT Announces Temporary SR 23 Road Closure

Posted on Author WKVI

 
 
A highway east of Knox will be closed for the next couple of days for some preventive maintenance. INDOT crews will chip and fog seal State Road 23 between State Roads 8 and 10 today and tomorrow, weather permitting. INDOT’s marked detour will utilize State Road 8, U.S. 35 and State Road 10 to get around the work. The process consists of pouring liquid asphalt on the roadway and covering it with crushed stone to provide a new wearing surface. Chip-sealing extends the life of the roadway by protecting it from moisture, ultra-violet degradation and other possible damage. The fog seal is applied on top of the chip-seal work. It’s a light application of asphalt that helps to lock in loose stone and help with dust problems. It also makes the road black, which in turn makes pavement markings more visible. INDOT warns that loose gravel may be present on recently chip-sealed roads and can damage windshields and paint on vehicles that are following too closely. Motorists are urged to slow down and allow plenty of space between vehicles.

Power from the Past Begins Thursday, Preview Night Wednesday

Posted on Author WKVI

 
 
The Northern Indiana Power from the Past event kicks off this week, with preview night scheduled for Wednesday beginning at 4:30 p.m. with the HAP’s Chicken Bash sponsored by Boy Scout Troop 229. Thursday marks the start of the daily events with entertainment including Jim Kersting and the Monday Nite Pickers from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and square dancing with Ralph Hardy beginning at 7 p.m. Line Dancing with the Tri County Kickers will take place as well.

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New Requirements to 21st Century Scholars Program

Posted on Author WKVI
 
 

There are new requirements for the state’s 21st Century Scholars program.

The 21st Century Scholars program provides funding to low-income students who plan on pursuing more educational opportunities after high school.

The Indiana Commissioner for Higher Education has implemented the Scholar Success Program, a series of 12 steps scholars must complete in high school to earn the scholarship. This is in addition to the previously set requirements.

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Frequent Rains Delay Harvest of Winter Wheat

Posted on Author WKVI

 
 
While the frequent rains might be good for plant growth, it is causing some headache for farmers who need to harvest winter wheat before planting a crop of soybeans. While nearly all of the soybean crop is already in the ground in Indiana, some farmers who “double crop” have not yet been able to plant their beans and are facing crucial dates this month for planting them. Double-cropping is not recommended in the north because of its shorter season.

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Drowning in Culver Takes Life of 22-Year-Old Man

Posted on Author WKVI
Valentin Sirghi
Valentin Sirghi

A fatal drowning in Culver is under investigation by Indiana DNR officials after EMS and police responded to an emergency call Sunday night. Shortly after 7 p.m., officials recovered the body of Valentin Sirghi, 22 near the public beach.

Sirghi and a friend were reportedly wading offshore near the buoy line, and when his friend was on his way back to shore, he noticed Sirghi had gone under. Officers quickly arrived at the scene and recovered the body around 8 p.m., when paramedics promptly transported him to St. Joseph Memorial Hospital in Plymouth. There, Sirghi was pronounced dead around 8:30 p.m.

While the official cause of death has not yet been determined, officials have confirmed that weather did not play a part in the man’s death. More information on the drowning will be reported as it is released.

Railroad Crossing Work Planned at the End of July

Posted on Author WKVI

 
 
Work will be done on some railroad crossings in Starke County at the end of the month.

Hoosier Valley Railroad Museum volunteers, Chesapeake and Indiana Railroad Company and the Starke County Highway Department will start the work on Tuesday, July 30 with the closure of the Toto Road grade crossing. The closure of the 650 West grade crossing at English Lake will take place on Wednesday, July 31. Surface work will be done at both locations on Thursday, Aug. 1.

The railroad grade crossings are expected to reopen to traffic on Friday, Aug. 2.

Starke County 4-H Fair Officially Opens Today

Posted on Author WKVI
 
 

The Starke County 4-H Fair officially kicks off today at the fairgrounds in Hamlet!

The 4-H club parade begins at 6 p.m. which will be immediately followed by the opening ceremonies in the show arena. The 4-H club and 4-H leader recognitions will be made along with the announcement of fair board scholarships and Junior Leader scholarships. Ten-year members will be recognized and the 4-H Junior Leader Achievement Royalty will be named.

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Winamac Students Learn Business Lessons in Competition

Posted on Author WKVI
Left to right: Brandon Burgess, teacher; Zachary Shidler, first runner-up; Adam Sommers, winner; Nathan P. Origer, PCCDC/ED
Left to right: Brandon Burgess, teacher; Zachary Shidler, first runner-up; Adam Sommers, winner; Nathan P. Origer, PCCDC/ED

Six students recently participated in the Pulaski County Economic Development’s Young Entrepreneur Initiative.

The Pulaski County Economic Development, along with the Northwest Indiana Small Business Development Center and the Pulaski County Chamber of Commerce coordinated a student business plan competition in a business management class at Winamac Community High School this spring.

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