Schools that canceled classes due to the extreme winter conditions may not have to make up the day of missed instruction. “The Elkhart Truth” reports that State Superintendent of Public Instruction Glenda Ritz has authorized schools to apply for a one-day waiver from the required 180 days of instruction. The waiver was initially offered after school districts across the state canceled classes on Monday. However, the director of the office of accreditation for the education department told the paper that the waiver will be offered to schools on Tuesday as well. He says the waiver means that schools can escape the “very severe financial penalty” they would otherwise incur by canceling one day of instruction. The waiver has only been used a few times in the past several years to offset instructional days lost due to severe weather. School districts typically build in makeup days in the event of snow, but if they miss more days than they have built into the calendar they’re forced to extend the school year into summer vacation in order to meet the state’s requirements.
Travel Warning Extended for Northwest Indiana Counties
The travel warning for counties in northwest Indiana has been extended until further notice. Starke County Emergency Management Agency Director Ted Bombagetti says high winds and extremely cold temperatures are causing large amount of drifting on county roads. Starke County and all the surrounding counties are under the Warning Level, which only allows emergency responders and equipment to be on the roadways. Also, INDOT has once again shut down I-65 from Merrillville to Lafayette. I-94 is open again, but INDOT officials warn it is very treacherous and advise motorists to use extreme caution if they do travel. If you need to find out about road conditions call 1-800-261-7623. For any other information call the Starke County Emergency Management Agency office at 574-772-9182.
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State of Emergency Extended Due to Frigid Weather
The state of emergency has been extended for counties in the WKVI listening area due to the bone-chilling cold. Starke, Pulaski and Marshall County offices are all closed again, and the Starke County Council meeting scheduled this evening at 5:30 p.m. has been pushed back to Wednesday instead due to the weather. Should that change, we’ll post the information our closings and delays page. The travel warnings for Starke, Pulaski and Marshall Counties have also been extended until further notice. This means you should not get out on the road unless it is a true emergency. Please do not call 911 or dispatch centers for updates, as they are extremely busy fielding emergency calls. Drivers in Northwest Indiana can monitor road closures, road conditions, and traffic alerts at any time via the District’s social media channels: www.Facebook.com/INDOTNorthwest or Twitter @INDOTNorthwest. Or visit http://www.trafficwise.in.gov for INDOT’s TrafficWise Traveler Information Service.
Stay Safe During Extreme Cold Weather
A blizzard warning remains in effect for the Kankakee Valley until 8 a.m. EST/7 a.m. CST. The wind chill warning remains in effect through tomorrow evening, with air temperatures of between 5 and 15 below zero and deadly wind chills of between 30 and 45 below expected. Frostbite and hypothermia will occur in a matter of minutes with these expected wind chills, so be sure to protect exposed skin. Death will also occur if precautions are not taken. Starke County officials have set up a warming center at IU Health Starke Hospital in Knox. You may warm up in the main lobby, surgery waiting area and in the chapel. Food will be available for purchase during normal cafeteria hours, and you will need to bring your own medications and personal care items. Starke County Emergency Management Agency Director Ted Bombagetti urges caution when heating your home. If you use a generator, be sure it is outside your house. Space and kerosene heaters should be kept away from curtains, carpet, furniture and clothing. Bombagetti also recommends charging your cell phone and programming the numbers for your power company into your phone should your power go out. The Indiana Department of Homeland Security also asks residents to please clear a path to their fire hydrants so they are accessible in the event of an emergency.
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Watch for Dangerous Wind Chill Levels, Warm Up at IU Health Starke Hospital
Strong winds will create dangerous wind chills during this cold snap. Local Emergency Management Agency Directors urge you to to limit your exposure to the elements by staying indoors. If you must go outside, make it as brief as possible. You should wear several layers of loose-fitting clothings and cover any exposed skin with a hat, scarf and gloves.
Two Robbery Suspects Charged
The two suspects involved in an armed bank robbery at the First National Bank of Monterey on Monday afternoon have been formally charged in the incident.
The lead detective in the case, Scott Taylor from the Pulaski County Sheriff’s Department, said Scott Freeman and Michelle Riley were charged in a probable cause hearing held this week.
Freeman, 34, of Winamac has been charged with Robbery and because the action involved a weapon, the classification of the charge was elevated to a Class B felony. He is being held in the Pulaski County Jail on a $250,000 bond. Riley, 29, of Culver has been charged with Aiding in a Robbery, a Class B felony. Riley is being held in the Pulaski County Jail on a $150,000 bond.
Candidate Filings for 2014 Election to Begin Soon
It won’t be long now and those choosing to run for office will be lining up at the county clerk’s office to file intentions to run for office.
Starke County Clerk Evelyn Skronski said the first day to file for candidacy is Jan. 8, 2014. Several offices are up for election this year in Starke County including prosecutor, auditor, sheriff, coroner, clerk, assessor, county commissioner district 2, county council districts 1-4, and Center Township assessor. The at-large and North Bend Township seats on the Culver Community School Board are open, as well as the California Township, Washington Township and Center Township Seat 1 on the Knox Community School Board and the District 1-3 seats on the Oregon-Davis School Board.
Bank Robbery Suspects Arrested in Pulaski County
The man authorities say robbed the First National Bank of Monterey at gunpoint Monday afternoon and his alleged female accomplice are jailed in Pulaski County. Scott Randall Freeman, 34, and his girlfriend, Michelle Marie Riley, 29, both of rural Winamac, were arrested last night, according to Pulaski County Sheriff Mike Gayer. Officers from the Pulaski, Starke, Marshall and Fulton County Sheriff’s Departments and the Indiana State Police responded to the 1:30 p.m. call. Witnesses told them the gunman was wearing a maroon ski mask and a Carhart jacket when he entered the bank brandishing a long-barreled revolver and demanding cash. He fled north in a silver Chevrolet Impala without a license plate, according to witnesses. Investigators gathered statements and used surveillance recordings to identify the suspects. Formal charges are pending.
Bank Robbed in Pulaski County; Suspect on the Run
A bank in Pulaski County was robbed at gunpoint this afternoon around 1:33 p.m. ET, according to officials with the Pulaski County Sheriff’s Department. The First National Bank of Monterey was robbed by an unknown suspect who left the scene in a silver Impala after flashing a gun and demanding money.
The vehicle was reportedly missing a license plate and the suspect is described as a 6’ white male with a maroon ski mask and Carharts. The bank manager lost contact with him near the T-intersection at Lake Langenbaum. He was reportedly carrying a pull-along suitcase.
If you have any information about this incident or have seen the suspect vehicle, call 911.
Pulaski Commissioner Tracey Shorter Filed New Conflict of Interest Form
Free Christmas Dinner at Winamac First United Methodist Church
Flood Watch in Effect Through Sunday Morning
Pulaski Commissioners Approve Purchase of Conveyor For Recycling Center
The Pulaski County Commissioners this week heard an update on the recycling and transfer station from Director Ed Clark, who presented a proposal to purchase from the nearby mobile conveyor manufacturer, a 22-foot conveyor to be used to feed the recycling center’s baler. He said the cost came to $2875. The commissioners approved his request.
Pulaski EMS Dept. May Need to Expand Ambulance Garage
Pulaski Commissioners Rescind Motion to Move Offices
Pulaski Commissioner Questioned About Home Business
Charbonneau to Visit Fox’s Den in Pulaski County for Meet and Greet
Heater said she’s not sure what the senator will discuss, but he will be present to answer questions.
Only Two Shows Remain For Maxinkuckee Singers Christmas Concert
Underwood has been a Maxinkuckee Singer for 10 seasons, and Lichte said he’s been around for a few years longer than that. The group itself was established 32 years ago.
Celebrate the Season at Tippecanoe River State Park
Hunting Range Accident Sends Porter Man to Chicago Hospital
A Porter man is hospitalized in Chicago after a Wednesday afternoon accident at Jasper-Pulaski Fish and Wildlife Area. DNR officials say Timothy P. Tackett, 54, was at the property’s gun range when the accident occurred. He was reportedly adjusting a sight on his rifle when it fell, discharged and shot him in his right hand. Tackett told conservation officers he did not realize the weapon was loaded. He drove himself to Porter Regional Hospital and was transferred to Christ Advocate Hospital in Chicago for specialized treatment. The incident remains under investigation. Conservation officers remind anyone handling firearms to point the muzzle in a safe direction and always treat the firearm as if it were loaded.
