Travel Watches in Effect for Northwest Indiana

Posted on Author WKVI
 
 

All of the counties in the WKVI listening area are under an “orange level” travel watch this morning. That means only essential travel, such as trips to work and school, is recommended. More snow is set to move into the area this afternoon. Tomorrow’s forecast calls for a mixture of snow and sleet. As always, we’ll bring you the very latest on the air and online at WKVI.com. If you haven’t already done so, be sure to bookmark our closings and delays page. That’s where you’ll find a link to the Indiana county travel advisory map and more.

It’s Tax Season; Get Prepared To File

Posted on Author WKVI

 
 
Tax season is upon us and many people have already received their W-2 statements for 2013, giving just under three months to get those taxes filed before April 15. Michelle Bachtel, senior tax adviser for H&R Block, said there haven’t been many big changes in the tax laws for individuals this year.

“As far as individuals are concerned, there are not a lot of changes on the tax laws. Some of our credits have been extended, such as the energy credits, the child tax credit, charitable distribution credit – some of those have been extended through 2017. They were originally set to expire for this year, but they’ve extended those on,” said Bachtel.

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Wind Chill Warning Set to Expire Later Today

Posted on Author WKVI
 
 

The WKVI listening area remains under a wind chill warning for the next few hours. The National Weather Service advises the warning is set to expire at noon EST, 11 a.m. CST today. Meanwhile, bitterly cold temperatures combined with winds of 10 to 15 miles per hour will cause wind chills between 15 and 25 below zero. Exposed skin can experience frostbite in a matter of minutes when it’s this cold, and hypothermia or even death are possible with prolonged exposure for those not properly dressed for the weather.

Today’s forecast calls for a significant warm up, although temperatures will remain well below freezing. Look for sunny skies and a high of 19 with a wind chill of five above zero. What a difference a year makes. Last year we set a record high of 59 degrees on this date.

 

Francesville House Fire Caused by Electrical Issue

Posted on Author WKVI
 
 

An issue with an electrical panel is the cause of a Monday night fire at a Francesville home.

According to Tim Wuethrich, the fire began in the electric panel and traveled up to the second story of the home. Francesville and Medaryville firefighters were on the scene at 6055 S. County Road 1100 W. The Buffalo and Monon Fire Departments also provided manpower and water support while Pulaski County REACT was on scene to set up a warming station so no firefighters suffered from frostbite.

No injuries were reported.

Francesville Baby Has Cool Story to Tell in Later Years

Posted on Author WKVI

Owen Lee Trusty
Owen Lee Trusty
It’s a story Owen Trusty can proudly tell when he gets older. Tawny Trusty, Owen’s mother, was set to be induced on Monday at a hospital in Lafayette, but the road conditions were not cooperating Sunday or Monday. Tawny told WKVI that she and her husband, Kevin, made every attempt to get to the hospital and even attempted to reschedule at one point.

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Double-Check Your Winter Preparedness

Posted on Author WKVI

 
 
With subfreezing temperatures forecast for at least the next week, now is the perfect time to double-check your winter weather preparedness. Sherry Fagner with the Pulaski County Health Department said a good checklist includes a food backup plan, plenty of stocked water, and a number of other items in case disaster strikes.

Fagner recommends having enough food for at least three days and enough water for several days as well in case the electricity goes out or your pipes freeze. She said the amount of water should be sufficient to be used for sanitation purposes and for cooking. For food, she said it’s important to not only have nutritious items, but to stash some comfort food as well to prevent getting stir-crazy.

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Fires Destroy Homes in Knox and Francesville

Posted on Author WKVI
20140128_075539
Toto Road Fire

A pair of house fires kept firefighters from five area departments busy last night. The Knox-Center Township and California Township Volunteer Fire Departments responded to a fire on Toto Road at Lart Lane near Fletcher’s Carpet and spent three hours battling that blaze. They were called out around 8:10 p.m., according to dispatchers from the Starke County Sheriff’s Office.

In Pulaski County, the Francesville and Medaryville Fire Departments spent several hours fighting a fire at 6055 S. County Road 1100 W. The Buffalo Fire Department also provided manpower and water support, and Pulaski County REACT set up a warming station with coffee for the firefighters and EMS personnel on the scene. No injuries were reported at either fire scene. We’ll have more information about both later this morning.

 

Temperatures Continue in the Negative; Wind Chill Warning in Effect

Posted on Author WKVI

 
 
The National Weather Service has issued a wind chill warning for northern Indiana, predicting occasional snow, blowing and drifting snow, and bitterly cold temperatures. However, the Winter Weather Advisory has been allowed to expire for areas outside of lake effect snow showers. Steady or slowly falling temperatures will keep wind chills bitterly cold. A very slow improvement can be expected today and Wednesday.

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Winter Weather, Wind Chill Advisories In Effect for Kankakee Valley

Posted on Author WKVI
 
 

A winter weather advisory is in effect until noon Central today for the WKVI listening area. We’re also under a wind chill advisory until late Wednesday morning. Strong gusting winds of around 35 miles-per-hour will cause snow to blow and drift this morning. This in turn could make some roads impassable and cause localized white-out conditions in open areas. Please do not call county dispatch centers for updates on road conditions, as dispatchers are busy fielding emergency calls and sending help. Call 1- 800-261-7623 for road condition information or visit the Indiana Department of Transportation’s website at www.trafficwise.in.gov.
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Fire Truck Crashes En Route to Call

Posted on Author WKVI
Plow Truck 1
This INDOT plow truck was destroyed by fire Saturday morning on SR 39 north in Pulaski County.

Three Medaryville Volunteer Firefighters were taken to Pulaski Memorial Hospital for treatment of minor injuries after their truck hit a patch of black ice Saturday morning on County Road 175 North just west of County Road 1400 West, struck a NIPSCO pole and came to a stop in a field. They were responding to a report of an INDOT snow plow truck that had caught fire on northbound State Road 39 just south of County Road 200 North. Plow driver Jimmy Collins, 26, of Winamac, came upon a large snow drift as he was heading north, and his plow got stuck. Collins got out of the truck to get a tow chain and saw that the rear tandems were on fire. The small fire extinguisher in the cab of the truck was no match for the high wind that was fanning the flames. The plow truck was a total loss, according to the accident report from the Pulaski County Sheriff’s Office. The fire truck sustained repairable damage.

Passenger Injured in Pulaski County Rollover Wreck

Posted on Author WKVI
A passenger in this 2005 Buick Ranier was taken to Pulaski Memorial Hospital following a Saturday morning rollover wreck.
A passenger in this 2005 Buick Ranier was taken to Pulaski Memorial Hospital following a Saturday morning rollover wreck.

A Winamac man was taken to Pulaski Memorial Hospital by ambulance after being involved in a Saturday morning rollover wreck northwest of Winamac. A deputy from the Pulaski County Sheriff’s Office discovered the crash on County Road 200 North just west of County Road 450 West around 11:30 a.m. Lisa Vonville, 45, of Winamac, reportedly hit a patch of black ice and lost control of her 2005 Buick Rainer sport utility vehicle. It rolled over at least once before landing upright in a field, according to the crash report. Charles Vonville, 59, was a passenger in the truck. He complained of pain in his knee, lower leg, foot and head.

Pulaski County Recycling Center to Look Into Snow-Clearing Options

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 Highway Department may soon have slightly less work to do when it comes to snowing, as the commissioners this week instructed Recycling Center Ed Clark to look into the purchase of a skid-steer plow to be used to plow his own lot. Highway Superintendent Mark Fox approached the commissioners and explained that Clark has been contacting him after snowfall and asks to have his lot plowed as soon as possible, which has become a bit of a burden on his plow crew.

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Pulaski Commissioners Approve Purchases for Recycling Center

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 Commissioners this week approved the purchase of five self-dumping hoppers for the recycling center at the request of Ed Clark, recycling center director. He told the commissioners that the purchase could come out of his equipment fund, and the hoppers won’t rust, weigh very little, and would increase their productivity.

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Wind Chill Advisory Remains In Effect, More Snow on the Way

Posted on Author WKVI
 
 

In addition to the bitterly cold temperatures, we’re also in for more snow this weekend. A wind chill advisory is in effect for the WKVI listening area through midday, and a winter weather advisory has been issued through Saturday afternoon. Wind chills of between 15 and 25 below will continue this morning, according to the National Weather Service. On top of that, southwest winds will cause snow to blow and drift. More snow is possible across the area later today into the evening hours. It’s expected to taper off Saturday morning, but areas to our north could get additional lake effect snow. The combination of snow and strong winds will create hazardous travel conditions. Motorists should prepare for snow-covered roads and limited visibilities, especially in open areas. If you do go out this morning, cover any exposed skin, as frostbite and hypothermia can occur quickly when it is this cold. Several schools have either canceled classes today or are operating on two-hour delays. That list is posted on our closings and delays page: http://www.wkvi.com/closings-and-delays/

Pulaski Commissioners Approve Revolving Loan for Reception Center

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
Pulaski County continues to smile upon fledgling businesses, as a family hoping to construct a banquet hall and reception center in the county have been granted a revolving loan on top of the rezoning approval they received in December. Gary and Sandra Saltzman were approved to have three parcels located at 8631 S. U.S. 421 in Francesville rezoned from A-1 to C-2 to allow them to open the banquet hall and reception center. Building Inspector Dave Dare said there are already buildings on the parcel that can be used for that purpose with only remodeling necessary.

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Fire Destroys Star City Home

Posted on Author WKVI

 
 
A late Wednesday night fire destroyed a home in Star City.

According to Fire Chief Mark Fox, Star City firefighters were called to the home of Dennis and Lisa Day at 6874 S. 150 E. in Star City on a report of an attic fire. Star City firefighters were joined by Winamac, Buffalo Township, Royal Center and Kewanna fire departments to help extinguish the fire. Crews were on the scene for three-and-a-half hours.

Fox said the fire was caused by an electrical issue. Both occupants were home at the time of the fire and smoke alarms alerted them to the danger of fire so they were able to exit the home safely.

No injuries were reported.

More Frigid Temperatures Set Up Over Kankakee Valley

Posted on Author WKVI

We’re in for another bout of arctic cold weather overnight into tomorrow morning. The National Weather Service in Northern Indiana has issued a Wind Chill Advisory for the area. It takes effect tonight at 7 Eastern, 6 Central and continues through midday tomorrow. Another surge of Arctic air moving across the area will cause wind chills of 15 to 25 below this morning… and again tonight and Friday morning. There will also be patchy blowing and drifting snow this morning. The combonation of blowing and drifting snow combined with bitterly cold wind chills will cause hazardous travel this morning. Remember, exposed skin can suffer frostbite with extended exposure. Visibilities will also be limited this morning due to a combination of falling and blowing snow. Use caution when traveling, especially in open areas. If you must venture outdoors, be sure to wear a hat and gloves.