West Central School Board Reviews E-Learning Survey Results

Posted on Author WKVI

Students at the West Central School Corporation participated in their first e-learning day of instruction on Saturday, March 14. The school board reviewed returned surveys last week following the experience.

Superintendent Don Street said that the responses were favorable for this type of method in making up missed days of instruction.

“Out of the parents that responded to the survey, 87.4 percent found that the e-learning day was effective,” explained Street. “From the students that responded to the survey, 65.6 percent found e-learning to be effective. Forty-nine of our staff members responded with 85.7 percent stating that our students made the expectations for the day.”

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Don’t Forget Any Income When Filing Your Taxes

Posted on Author WKVI
 
 

Federal and state income taxes are due in eight days. Michelle Bachtel from H&R Block in Knox says it’s important not to exclude any sources of income.

“Pretty much all income, whether it’s reported or not reported, is taxable unless the law specifically excludes it,” Bachtel said. “This includes non-cash income from things like bartering or exchanging of assets. Both parties are expected to include the fair market value of the item or services they received as income on their tax returns.” Continue reading →

Winamac Woman Wanted on Warrant Arrested for New Meth Charges

Posted on Author WKVI

A vehicle stopped in Pulaski County has led to the arrest of a Winamac woman on multiple charges.

Sheriff’s Deputies were in the area of State Road 39 and County Road 100 North in Pulaski County, Saturday evening. Officers spotted the passenger of a vehicle they claim was wanted on two warrants. Those charges allege possession of methamphetamine and failure to appear.
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Taxes Are Due Next Week – Who Needs to File?

Posted on Author WKVI
 
 

Federal and state income taxes are due April 15. Michelle Bachtel with the H&R Block office in Knox says anyone whose income exceeds the filing threshold set by the IRS needs to file a tax return. Thresholds are based on your age and filing status, which is either single, married filing joint, married filing separate, head of household or qualifying widower.

Income requirements vary, but Bachtel offers a general guideline. Continue reading →

Utility Provider Encourages Marking Service Lines Prior to Spring Work

Posted on Author WKVI
 
 

A local utility provider is encouraging safety before individuals or businesses begin any spring and summer excavation projects.

NIPSCO says April marks National Safe Digging Month and is encouraging residents to call the national “call-before-you-dig” number 8-1-1 two days prior to starting work. The 48 hour suggestion allows work crews to properly mark utility lines to avoid problems.

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Indiana Department of Revenue Aims to Prevent Identity Theft

Posted on Author WKVI
 
 

The Indiana Department of Revenue has implemented programs to help deter tax refund fraud and identity theft. They have already stopped more than $5.3 million in attempted identity theft and refund fraud this year.

Increased security features confirm the identity of each Indiana resident before processing tax returns. As part of the program, more than 179,000 taxpayers have been asked to complete an Identity Confirmation Quiz that features four questions and takes three minutes to complete. Those required to complete the quiz receive a letter with directions from the Indiana Department of Revenue. It can be completed online or over the phone. Once the quiz is successfully done, his or her refund will be processed and delivered within 14 days if electronically filed and within 12 weeks if filed by paper.

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Many Offices Closed in Observance of Good Friday

Posted on Author WKVI

If you have business to conduct with a government body tomorrow, you may want to phone first. Starke, Pulaski and Marshall County government offices are all closed in observance of Good Friday. Indiana is one of 13 states that give employees the day off. BMV offices that are normally open on Fridays will be closed. Normal business hours will resume on Saturday. Mail will be delivered on Friday, and federal government offices will be open.

Fire Officials: Don’t Burn Yard Debris on a Windy Day

Posted on Author WKVI
 
 

Temperatures are becoming more spring-like and it’s tempting to get out into the yard to get rid of leaves and brush left over from the winter months. The most common way to get rid of the debris is to burn it. On occasion, burn piles can get out of control, and the fire department is called to assist a homeowner in putting out the flames.

Firefighters have responded to several brush fires in the past few days.

Knox-Center Township Fire Chief Kenny Pfost urges you to choose a nice day to burn any of that debris.

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Wednesday is National Walking Day

Posted on Author WKVI

Walking DayThe American Heart Association’s National Walking Day is a chance for idle residents to get up and start moving to improve heart health.

National Walking Day will be observed tomorrow. Residents are becoming less active and the observance of walking and other activities allow young and old people alike to decrease the chance of heart disease, stroke and other diseases.

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Pleasant View Rest Home Operations to Cease Tomorrow

Posted on Author WKVI
Pleasant View Rest Home
Pleasant View Rest Home

The last day of operations at the Pleasant View Rest Home in Winamac is tomorrow.

Operations are coming to an end after the Pulaski County Council made a decision in October of 2014 to not include funding for the assisted living facility in the 2015 budget. The decision was approved by a majority vote. The commissioners voted in December to close the operations at the county home because of the lack of funding.

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Don’t Miss the Bus to the Tulip Festival

Posted on Author WKVI
News Contributor, Ed Hasnerl
Ed Hasnerl

Kankakee Valley Broadcasting Travel Coordinator Ed Hasnerl has a few available slots for his upcoming trip to Holland, Mich. Enjoy the beauty of the annual Tulip Festival May 4-7. It’s just one of the adventures Ed has planned.

“Several people have talked to me about going to the Henry Ford Museum and eating dinner in an auto baron’s home – Edsel Ford, Edsel and Eleanor Ford’s home. It’s a wonderful home full of antiques and art, besides having dinner there,” Hasnerl said. Continue reading →

Triple A Studies Teen Driving, Distraction Levels High

Posted on Author WKVI

AAAA video analysis of teen driving has shown evidence that distracted driving is more of a problem than previous thought.

The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety reviewed video evidence and found that distraction was a factor in about 6 of 10 moderate-to-severe crashes when teens were the drivers. Information released by AAA suggests that’s four times higher than the data suggests based on police reports.

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Palm Sunday Tornado Anniversary Tomorrow

Posted on Author WKVI
This photo from the NOAA archives shows the "double tornado" destroying the Midway Trailer Park, on U.S. Route 33, in Dunlap, Ind. on Palm Sunday of 1965.
This photo from the NOAA archives shows the “double tornado” destroying the Midway Trailer Park, on U.S. Route 33, in Dunlap, Ind. on Palm Sunday of 1965.

Sunday marks the 50th anniversary of the 1965 Palm Sunday tornadoes here in the Starke-Marshall area.

Shortly before 6 p.m. after massive thunderstorms passed through the area, the first tornado of many reported that day touched down in Starke County a few miles southwest of Hamlet. It crossed U.S. 30 and tore directly across Koontz Lake.

One-hundred vacation cottages were damaged. As one of the cottages was blown to pieces, the man inside was lifted into the air and thrown to his death 600 feet away.

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