Road Closure on U.S. 35 Begins Today

Posted on Author WKVI
 
 

U.S. 35 will be closed between County Road 800 South and County Road 900 South, about two miles south of State Road 10 in Starke County.

Indiana Department of Transportation officials say the closure begins today and will reopen in late April. Crews will be replacing a pipe across the road.

Southbound drivers will be detoured west on State Road 10, south on State Road 39, east on State Road 14, and back to U.S. 35. Northbound drivers will be detoured west on State Road 14, north on State Road 39, east on State Road 10, and back to U.S. 35.

Asphalt Plants to Open Later This Spring, Pothole Patching Continues

Posted on Author WKVI
 
 

As temperatures continue to improve and we move further into the spring season, construction projects are beginning and pothole patching continues. The asphalt plants will soon open to create product.

Asphalt plants will be opening a little later this season due to the unusually difficult winter. INDOT representatives have been told that the cold and poor traveling conditions have delayed prep work for the summer paving season. The prep work is necessary before the plants can open.

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Pulaski County Looking at Costs of Fire Alarm Upgrades

Posted on Author WKVI
Pulaski County Courthouse

None of the Pulaski County government buildings have fire alarm systems tied in to the 911 system to immediately notify the fire department in the event of an emergency, and the courthouse does not have any sort of sprinkler system in place. Those issues were raised during Monday’s county commissioners meeting when Teri Hansen from the health department asked why the fire alarm system at the annex building on Riverside Drive does not go anywhere. Maintenance supervisor Jeff Johnston says he will look into the cost of doing hard-wiring it to the dispatch center. He says the annex building at least has a zoned sprinkler system in place. “If there’s a fire on the third floor, only the third floor suppression goes off,” Johnston said.

That’s more than the courthouse has in place, according to Johnston. “Over here, there’s nothing. If there’s a fire downstairs in the hallway, this is going to be a nightmare. This is something we’ve looked at. We’ve got battery- powered smoke detectors stuck on like you’ve got in your house.” Continue reading →

Purdue Extension Postpones Poverty Simulation

Posted on Author WKVI

Purdue Extension LogoA Saturday poverty simulation event in Pulaski County has been canceled. It was to take place from 8:30 a.m. until 1 p.m. EDT at the Knights of Columbus Hall in Winamac. Purdue Extension was hosting the event to help people understand the complexities and frustrations of living in poverty day to day. It will be rescheduled sometime this fall.

Flood Warnings Extended for Local Rivers

Posted on Author WKVI
 
 

The National Weather Service has extended flood warnings for two local rivers. Minor Kanakee River flooding is occurring at Davis Route 30. The river was holding steady at 10.4 feet last night. Flood stage there is 10 feet, at which low-lying agricultural areas start to flood. The river is expected to fall below 10 feet Friday morning. The flood warning has also been extended for the Tippecanoe River near Ora. Last night the there was just below the 12-foot flood stage. It’s expected to rise above that tomorrow afternoon, crest near 12.1 feet Wednesday morning and fall below flood stage around mid-afternoon. Significant lowland and rural flooding begins when the river reaches the 12 foot mark.

Work Zone Awaress Week begins Today

Posted on Author WKVI
 
 

With the start of spring, road construction projects are ready to begin.

This week is Work Zone Awareness Week in Indiana. The Indiana Department of Transportation is dedicated to continuously improving work zone safety and crews and motorists need to make highway work zones as safe as possible.

This year’s national theme is “Work Zone Speeding: A Costly Mistake”. Motorists can face fines up to $1,000 for speeding and up to $5,000 for driving recklessly through work zones. Fines are used to fund additional Indiana State Police work zone patrols and promote public safety.

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Remember Laws When Posting Political Signs

Posted on Author WKVI
 
 

Candidates seeking office in the May Primary Election and who are posting campaign signs should be reminded that the signs can not be placed in a right-of-way space.

Political signs should be within private property. Signs shall be permitted to be displayed no more than 90 days prior to the scheduled election and shall be removed within 14 days after the Primary Election.

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National Weather Service Issues Tippecanoe River Flood Warnings

Posted on Author WKVI
 
 

Flood warnings have been issued for the Tippecanoe River near Ora and above Winamac until further notice. Recent heavy rainfall has caused minor to moderate flooding, according to the National Weather Service. The Ora warning takes effect this evening. Late this morning the river was at 10.9 feet and rising. Flood stage near Ora is 12 feet. It’s expected to rise above that tonight and crest near 13.5 feet early Tuesday morning. At 14 feet extensive flooding of homes and low-lying areas begins. The Tippecanoe River above Winamac is also on the rise. At noon today it was at 7.9 feet. Flood stage is 10 feet. It’s expected to exceed that very early Sunday morning and crest near 11.1 feet around 8 p.m. Tuesday. At 11 feet extensive residential flooding is in progress. Continue reading →

Eric Newman Named Pulaski County Community 2014 Lilly Endowment Community Scholar

Posted on Author WKVI
Eric Newman
Eric Newman

A Winamac Community High School Senior has been named the recipient of the 2014 Pulaski County Community Foundation 2014 Lilly Endowment Community Scholar.

Eric Newman will receive a four year full-tuition scholarship to an Indiana college of his choice. He will also receive a $900 yearly stipend for required books and equipment.

Newman has been involved in Student Council, Shakespeare Club, Key Club, FFA, National Honor Society, and the Robotics Team. He was also involved in sports and volunteered in the community. He has also received the DAR Good Citizen Award, Presidential award for service, Hoosier Boys State delegate, Distinguished Honor Roll, and the Hugh O’Brien award.

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Winamac Community High School Drama Announces Spring Musical

Posted on Author WKVI

The Winamac Community High School Drama Department will present Happy Days – The Musical on stage on Saturday, April 12 at 7 p.m. and Sunday, April 13 at 1 p.m. and 6 p.m. ET.

This musical composed by Garry Marshall in 2008 will feature all of the same characters as in the popular TV show 40 years ago: Howard Cunningham, Marion Cunningham, Joanie Cunningham, Arnold Devecchio, Ralph Malph, Chachi Arcola, Potsie Weber, Lori Beth, and Arthur Fonzarelli.

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National Weather Service Issues Flood Warning, Wind Advisory

Posted on Author WKVI
 
 

The National Weather Service has extended the flood warning for the Kankakee River at Davis Route 30 until further notice. Last night at 9 the river was at 10 feet there and rising. Flood stage there is 10 feet. The Kankakee is expected to crest at 11.5 feet early tomorrow morning and begin falling. At 11 feet, flooding of secondary roads near the river begins. We’re also in for a blustery day, so hang on to your hats. The National Weather Service has issued a wind advisory, which takes effect at 1 p.m. EDT/noon central and continues through mid-evening. Southwest winds of 25 to 30 miles-per-hour, with gusts to 45 are expected. Isolated gusts of up to 50 miles-per-hour are possible. This will make driving difficult, especially for tall vehicles like vans and SUVs. Large limbs may fall, and isolated power outages are possible.

Severe Weather Predicted Thursday Night into Friday Morning

Posted on Author WKVI
 
 

Severe weather is predicted for the Kankakee Valley into Friday morning.

Heavy rains may create high water areas and flooding on roads. Six inches of water will reach the bottom of most passenger cars causing loss of control and possible stalling. A foot of water will float many vehicles. Do not attempt to drive through a flooded road – the depth of water is not always obvious. Do not drive around a barricade as they are there for your protection. Turn around and go the other way.

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Starke County Unemployment Grows Slightly

Posted on Author WKVI
 
 

Starke County’s unemployment numbers rose in February to 9.1 percent which now ranks the county 8th in the state.

The state rate is 6.1 percent which is down .3 percent for February.

Eighty-seven counties rose in unemployment in February, including all of the surrounding counties. Pulaski County was up .4 percent to 6.2 percent unemployment, Marshall County rose to 7.2 percent and LaPorte County rose to 9.4 percent and is now ranked third in the state in terms of unemployment.

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New Program Aims at Processing State Excise Violations More Efficiently

Posted on Author WKVI
 
 

A new program is being launched to aimed at processing State Excise Police violations more efficiently.

The program, Fast Track, will have the capability of processing certain violations, particularly those allegedly who have occurred at locations where public safety has become an issue. Those include public nuisance charges, use or sale of controlled substances, prostitution, over service of alcohol resulting in death or serious injury and any other cases concerning public safety repeat violations that indicate a disregard for the law.

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