Be Wary of Door-to-Door Unsolicited Sales Representatives

  
 

There are so many ways that people can scam you and it’s the season now where you have to be mindful of door-to-door sales representatives – or those who claim to be selling products.

If an unsolicited sales person comes to your door, ask to see their peddler’s permit. Look around for a vehicle that may have a company logo or other description of the business. Although the person may have a uniform on that suggests the person works for the company, ask for proper identification like a business card or other credential. If that person cannot produce the items you asked for, send them away.

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Search for Ron Wood, Jr. Suspended

Crews are searching for Ron Wood, Jr.Conservation officers have suspended their search for missing Knox High School graduate Ron Wood, Jr.

Wood went into Lake Michigan Saturday night to help struggling swimmers who went into the lake and drifted away from the boat that they were in. All swimmers were rescued by nearby boaters and the United States Coast Guard but Wood was nowhere to be found.

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Roofing Repairs to be Done at Pulaski County Justice Center

Pulaski County Sheriff's Department
Pulaski County Justice Center

The Pulaski County Commissioners learned Monday night that the roofing repairs at the Justice Center are moving forward.

Commission President Larry Brady said it’s been a year since a hail storm created the damage.

“We’re moving forward with finalizing the cost of the roofing repairs,” explained Brady. “The adjustors had to work it out with the insurance agents and everything seems to be moving forward. It’s at a slow pace but yet moving forward.”

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New Scholarship at Ancilla College Aimed at Non-Traditional Students

  
 

A newly created scholarship at Ancilla College will give non-traditional students a chance to obtain a college degree.

The family of Jack and Peggy Lynch have created an endowed scholarship that will allow students who are 22 or older to enroll in at least six credit hours (two classes) and to receive financial assistance in doing so.

Students may apply for the scholarship for the fall semester by contacting Ancilla College at (574) 936-8898.

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Winamac FWA Offers Shooting Sports Event

shooting-rangeAn event to introduce families to shooting sports is set at the Winamac Fish and Wildlife Area (FWA) shooting range later this month.

Experienced archery and firearms instructors will teach proper form and safe shooting procedures. Several shooting stations will offered where a .22 caliber rifle, 20 gauge shotgun, bow and arrow, and crossbow can be demonstrated and used for practice. All firearms, ammunition and equipment will be provided.

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Ron Wood, Jr. Remains Missing

Crews are searching for Ron Wood, Jr.
Crews are searching for Ron Wood, Jr.

Indiana Conservation officers are continuing in their search for 29-year-old Ron Wood, Jr.

Wood, a Knox High School graduate, went missing after jumping into Lake Michigan Saturday night to attempt to rescue struggling swimmers who drifted from their boat a mile off shore. All swimmers were rescued by the US Coast Guard and nearby boaters except for Wood who remains missing.

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Pulaski County K-9 Detects Drugs During Traffic Stop, Three Arrested

Pulaski County Sheriff's Deputy Travis Clark and K9 Gil
Pulaski County Sheriff’s Deputy Travis Clark and K9 Gil

Pulaski County Sheriff’s Department K-9 Gil’s nose landed three people in jail Saturday night for various drug charges. He assisted with a traffic stop in the 3500 block of County Road 650 South in Pulaski County.

A truck driven by Jason B. Maroules, 36, of Knox, was pulled over for driving on the wrong side of the roadway, according to information provided by the sheriff’s department. He had two passengers with him. Paul Mast, 44, of Bourbon, was in the front seat. A female who repeatedly told the officers her name was Amanda Cooley but was found to be Heather Manns, 35, of Winamac, was in the back seat. She was arrested for false identifying.

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Pulaski County Sheriff’s Deputies Bust Meth Lab in Star City

Meth BustA Star City man faces numerous drug-related charges after his neighbor reportedly found a duffel bag full of items used to make methamphetamine and called the police. He was mowing the lawn at his home in the 8000 block of South Corinne Avenue last Friday when he spotted an unfamiliar bag underneath his shed. While waiting for a sheriff’s deputy to arrive, a man picked up the bag, walked next door to a camper, put the bag inside and left the residence, according to the incident report. Continue reading

Summer Cooling Program Begins July 1

  
 

The summer cool program is about to begin.

Community Services of Starke County, Pulaski County Human Services, Inc., and North Central Community Action Agencies, Inc. will accept applications starting July 1. Residents must bring in income information for the past year for each member of the household, a current utility bill, a lease if the home is rented, and a social security card for each household member. New applicants may start calling June 23 to schedule an appointment for July. The program will run through Aug. 15.

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LaPorte Woman Falls Victim to Phantom Debt Scam

  
 

LaPorte police are warning of a phantom debt scam making its way around Northern Indiana.

A LaPorte woman told police that she received a text message on Thursday from her supervisor that she needed to call 202-239-8194 as soon as possible regarding fraudulent activity with the victim’s social security number. The supervisor received the call at work and notified the victim.

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Teens Urged to Be Mindful of Curfew Laws

  
 

Summertime is right around the corner and that means longer days and shorter nights. No matter how short the nights may be, minors still have to obey curfew ordinances. State law mandates that all individuals between the ages of 15 through 17 cannot be in public unaccompanied Monday through Friday between the hours of 11 p.m and 5 a.m. On Saturdays and Sundays the curfew is set from 1 a.m. until 5 a.m. Children under the age of 15 are prohibited from being unaccompanied in public between the hours of 11 p.m until 5 a.m. any day of the week.

Some local towns have implemented their own policies expanding on the state’s curfew ordinances. Continue reading

Boater Education Classes Offered in Starke County

DNR law enforcementBoater education courses are planned for June 14 and July 19 in Starke County. If you successfully complete the class, you will be given an Indiana ID which allows you to operate motorboats on state waters. These IDs can be obtained by anyone 15 years of age and older.

Indiana Conservation Officers offer the first class on Saturday, June 14 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. CT at the Bass Lake Property Owners Association (BLPOA) Community Center at 6996 S. State Road 10. The second class will be on Saturday, July 19 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. CT at the Koontz Lake Homeowners Association Clubhouse at 10896 Cherokee in Walkerton.

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Food Finders Mobile Food Pantry Schedules Medaryville Stop

 
 

The mobile food pantry is on a roll! Pulaski County residents who meet income guidelines can receive assistance from the Food Finders Food Bank Mobile Pantry at the Medaryville Town Park on Friday, June 6 from 11 a.m until 1 p.m Eastern Standard Time. The provided food will include fresh produce, essential non-perishable items, breads, and assortment of frozen foods. In 2012 Food Finders provided over 6 million pounds of food across the Mid-Northern area of Indiana. Hoosier families in need can benefit greatly from what mobile food pantries have to offer. Anyone in need of emergency food assistance is invited to attend the free event. For questions regarding income guidelines, any other information or in order to make a donation you can contact Food Finders at 765-471-0062 or http://food-finders.org/.
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Officials Break Ground on $100 Million Expansion Project in LaPorte

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Governor Mike Pence addresses the crowd on the grounds at Alcoa’s manufacturing facility

Governor Mike Pence helped Alcoa dignitaries break ground Thursday morning on a $100 million expansion project next to its current facility in LaPorte.

The 320,000 square foot addition will enable 329 new workers to produce nickel-based superalloy jet engine parts. It will allow Alcoa to go beyond the structural engine component assembly for business and regional jets to large commercial aircraft. The plant will also increase the company’s capacity to supply engines for narrow-body aircraft, which are the top-selling jet engines in the world.

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Starke County Youth Club Receives Operation Round Up Grant

Starke County Youth Club Executive Director Irene Szakonyi and Amanda Steeb from Kanakee Valley REMC
Starke County Youth Club Executive Director Irene Szakonyi and Amanda Steeb from Kanakee Valley REMC

The Starke County Youth Club is benefiting from Kankakee Valley REMC members who choose to round their monthly bills up to the nearest dollar. The organization received a $3,000 Operation Round Up grant from the electrical cooperative. SCYC Executive Director Irene Szakonyi says the money will provide supplies for the many science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) projects the club offers at sites across Starke County. She says the activities the club offers in an after-school setting help youngsters develop critical thinking, collaboration and problem-solving skills and build confidence. Visit www.thescyc.org for more information. Kankakee Valley REMC is a member-owned rural electric cooperative serving approximately 18,000 members throughout portions of Starke, Pulaski, Porter, Lake, Marshall, St. Joseph and LaPorte Counties. Members who take part in Operation Round Up donate an average of $6 per year, which is then distributed to local nonprofit organizations throughout the service territory.

 

Winamac Hotel Project on Hold

The hotel project in Winamac is in a holding pattern, according to Nathan Origer, Director of the Pulaski County Community Development Commission.

He indicated that they are working out some details with the hotel company, Wisconsin-based Cobblestone Development.

“We are trying to get on the same page on some different financing options,” explained Origer. “We’re also still looking at final property options. We are still very eagerly looking for individuals in the Winamac area who are interested in learning more about investing in the project.”

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Pulaski County Commissioners Approve Emergency Well Replacement

Pulaski County Commissioners Larry Brady, Terry Young and Tracey Shorter
Pulaski County Commissioners Larry Brady, Terry Young and Tracey Shorter

The Pulaski County Commissioners were forced call an emergency meeting last night after the well pump at the county recycling center quit. Maintenance supervisor Jeff Johnston scrambled to get prices for repair options. They ranged from a high of $11,250 to run 1,500 feet of water line and connect to the town’s infrastructure to a low of $2,450 to repair their existing well pump. The commissioners voted unanimously to hire Bill Montgomery Well Drilling to drill a new well and replace the existing infrastructure for a cost of $4,400. They noted this will solve the problem of having to heat the pump in the winter, as it will be located inside a building. Also the new well will last indefinitely. The commissioners cited concerns over having to make additional repairs had they opted to fix what was already in place. Tying into the town system was deemed too expensive an option, as it would carry a recurring monthly water bill. Johnston did not have a time frame on how long the work will take. He told the commissioners he will see that it starts as soon as possible. The commissioners had previously advertised a special session to discuss animal control for the county. That meeting was cancelled and has not yet been rescheduled.

Pulaski County Sheriff’s Department Honors Fallen Heroes

pulaski county sheriff memorial 2As they have for the past eight years, members of the Pulaski County Sheriff’s Department hosted the annual memorial service on May 27 in front of the Sheriff’s Department in Winamac.

This ceremony is held to honor the memory of three fallen officers from the Pulaski County police force. The department recognized Sheriff Charles Henry Oglesby, Sheriff Milo “Mike” Lewis and Deputy Sheriff Shadron Kiley “Shad” Bassett who were all tragically lost in the line of duty. Family members received honorary license plates from the station.

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