Bridge to Be Named for Medal of Honor Recipient

Posted on Author WKVI
U.S. Army PFC Frank Ono
U.S. Army PFC Frank Ono

The new bridge on U.S. 35 just south of U.S. 30 will soon be named in honor of Starke County’s most decorated veteran. State Senator Jim Arnold sponsored a resolution to name the structure after PFC Frank Ono, who distinguished himself as a member of the U.S. Army’s Nisei 442nd Regimental Combat Team during World War II. During a July 4, 1944 battle near Castellina, Italy, Ono advanced ahead of his unit and single-handedly defended his position against an enemy counter-attack. He then braved intense hostile fire to aide two wounded comrades and voluntarily covered his unit’s withdrawal when retreat became necessary. Ono was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for his heroic actions. During the 1990s, a review of service records for Asian Americans who received the Distinguished Service Cross led to Ono’s award being upgraded to the Medal of Honor. President Bill Clinton presented the award to his surviving family members during a White House ceremony on June 21, 2000. Continue reading →

Senator Discouraged by Voter Turnout

Posted on Author WKVI
Senator Jim Arnold
Senator Jim Arnold

A state senator who represents parts of the Kankakee Valley is discouraged by Tuesday’s anemic voter turnout. Democrat Jim Arnold’s district includes parts of LaPorte, Starke and St. Joseph Counties. Starke County saw 22-percent of registered voters cast ballots. Even in the General Election, 30 to 35 percent is considered a good turnout. Arnold says that means 60 to 65 percent of residents will be governed by their decisions. He also finds the most vocal critics of state government are the ones who don’t bother to vote. Arnold spoke yesterday to the Starke County Chamber of Commerce. He encourages local party and business leaders to recruit qualified, professional individuals who understand the office they are running for and not just the position in government.

 

Bills Proposed by Sen. Arnold Improve School Safety, Law Enforcement Policies

Posted on Author WKVI

Senator Jim Arnold
Senator Jim Arnold
A number of bills proposed by State Senator Jim Arnold of LaPorte during the recently adjourned legislative session have been approved by the General Assembly, and several of them have already been signed into law – most of which become effective July 1. Among those are bills aimed at improving school safety standards and policies regarding law enforcement.

Senate Enrolled Act 1, co-authored by Arnold, seeks to increase safety for Hoosier school children by assisting schools in hiring more school resource officers and dictates how to implement resource officer programs. The act requires individuals to complete training sessions for law enforcement officers as well as receive 40 hours of certified school officer training.

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Senate Approves Arnold Measure to Increase Protections for Law Enforcement Officers

Posted on Author WKVI

Senator Jim Arnold
Senator Jim Arnold
The Indiana Senate recently passed yet another measure sponsored by State Senator Jim Arnold of LaPorte – this one aiming at improving safety of and ensuring protection for police officers in Indiana. Arnold said the bill gives communities the tools to become more informed during incidents involving police officers, and by keeping the public informed, locals can pull together to help protect those who serve their cities and towns.

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Arnold Sponsors Proposal to Expand Officer Training for Alzheimer’s Patients

Posted on Author WKVI

Senator Jim Arnold
Senator Jim Arnold
A House measure sponsored by State Senator Jim Arnold of LaPorte seeking to improve public safety training for police officers recently passed through the Indiana Senate. Arnold said this bill would complement the training officers receive for various situations by creating better guidelines for how they respond to people with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia, allowing law enforcement to safely interact with those suffering from the conditions.

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Senator Arnold Pushing Bills Regarding Property Tax Deductions

Posted on Author WKVI

Senator Jim Arnold
Senator Jim Arnold
State Senator Jim Arnold is backing a number of bills that are now advancing through the Senate, including legislation regarding property tax deductions and safer railroad crossings.

House Bill 1261 would allow homeowners in LaPorte County to receive deductions in delayed property taxes for a current assessment date, authorizing the Department of Local Government Finance to delay payments for the March 1, 2011 or Jan. 15, 2013 assessment dates. A number of property tax policies would also apply to delayed property taxes, including payment via credit or debit card, sales tax exemptions for one year, and a two-percent discount for payments made within 30 days.

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Rep. Dermody and Sen. Arnold To Address LaPorte County Taxpayers

Posted on Author WKVI
State Representative Tom Dermody

State Representative Tom Dermody of LaPorte has announced he will be hosting a Town Hall-style meeting emphasizing the important of the taxpayer protection plan he has laid in place through the passage of Senate Engrossed Act 19. The Town Hall will be held at 4:30 p.m. today at the LaPorte Civic Auditorium.

Dermody says he will be discussing his amendment to SEA 19 that helps solve the property tax issues in LaPorte County, which he says is a positive solution to the city’s vital problem. Dermody will be joined by a representative of the Department of Local Government and Finance, as well as Senator Jim Arnold of La Porte.

Dermody represents parts of Porter, Starke, Jasper and LaPorte counties.

For more information, contact Dermody at h20@in.gov.

2012 Legislative Session Could Finish Today

Posted on Author WKVI
Senator Jim Arnold

The 2012 legislative session could end by as early as today, making it just in time for the March 14 deadline. Democrat Senator Jim Arnold of La Porte late yesterday afternoon explained the possibility of an early finish.

“Right now they’re moving at a pretty good pace. We should have a full day Friday. There are rumors though that we may decide to just adjourn Friday and come back and finish up on Monday, but we do have to finish by Wednesday, March 14, at the latest,” Arnold said.

Whenever they finish, the session will be remembered for the fight over the “Right to Work” bill. That bill brought thousands of labor union members to the statehouse to protest making Indiana the 23rd “Right to Work” state. Governor Mitch Daniels and the Republican majorities in both the House and Senate made it a priority, and in the end it passed.

Starke County Jail Committee to Meet Today

Posted on Author WKVI
Starke County Jail

The Starke County Community Jail Committee will meet this afternoon at 4:00 p.m. in the County Annex building.

One agenda item is the scheduling of public meetings to inform the public of the options to solve the jail problems. Commissioner Kathy Norem, who is chairing the committee, conceded that specific plans have not been formulated, but the public will be brought up to date on where the committee is at this point in time.

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Senator Arnold Discusses Right to Work with Knox City Council

Posted on Author WKVI
Senator Jim Arnold

Democrat Senator Jim Arnold, of LaPorte, visited with the Knox City Council this week. Senator Arnold has picked up five townships in Starke County with redistricting, and he wanted to alert the council and other city officials of possible issues coming up in the 2012 session of the legislature.

Of course the biggest issue is the right to work legislation.

“This issue is going to be coming up again. It’s going to be House Bill 1001. Speaker Bosma has already set it as a priority issue to the Senate in this session. It’ll probably be brought up on Tuesday, January 4th and begin consideration of it because they want to get it addressed and get it out on the floor for a vote and hopefully put it to rest. I would encourage you to pay particular attention to this issue because it could be a session killer.”

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Senator Jim Arnold Gives Project Advice to Starke County Jail Committee

Posted on Author WKVI
Starke County Jail

The Starke County Jail Committee met this week. Eight of the ten members were in attendance and heard presentations from two construction project management companies. Representatives from CCI in Ft. Wayne and The Skillman Corporation regional office in Merrillville were on hand to answer questions about jail construction.

Also on hand to address the group was State Senator Jim Arnold of LaPorte. Senator Arnold went through a jail building project when he was the Sheriff of LaPorte County and had this advice for the Committee.

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Starke County Jefferson-Jackson Day Dinner Held Saturday

Posted on Author WKVI

Starke County Democrats gathered at the Knox Community Center Saturday night for the annual Jefferson-Jackson Day Dinner.

Those present heard from Congressman Joe Donnelly, Senator Jim Arnold and State Representative Nancy Dembowski. They also heard from Brendon Mullen for the first time who is the party’s 2nd District Congressional candidate scheduled to take on Republican Jackie Walorski in the 2012 election.

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Jim Arnold Named Senator of the Year by Aviation Association of Indiana

Posted on Author WKVI
Senator Jim Arnold

State Senator Jim Arnold was named State Senator of the Year by the Aviation Association of Indiana. In ceremonies last week at the Association’s annual conference held at Swan Lake Country Club in Plymouth, Arnold was presented his award.

Top legislators are annually recognized by the Association for their commitment, accessibility and responsiveness to issues facing the aviation industry.

Senator Arnold (D-LaPorte) said the honor is particularly important to him as he has personal experience with the aviation industry. While serving in the U.S. Air Force, he was an air traffic controller.

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Senator Arnold Visits Starke County Commissioners and Council

Posted on Author WKVI
Senator Jim Arnold

Sixth District State Senator, Jim Arnold, paid a visit to the Starke County Council and Commissioners this week. Arnold, who was assigned parts of Starke County in a new district, paid a courtesy call on both governing bodies, saying that the members can call him if they need help in any way. If elected in the 2012 election, Arnold’s new district will take in Davis, Oregon, Washington, Center, and Jackson Townships. Senator Ed Charbonneau will be left with only Railroad, Wayne, California, and North Bend townships.

Members of the council mentioned two topics they will be interested in during the 2012 legislative session. Those topics are the 9-1-1 and Police Pension Fund financing.

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Gas Price Forum Held in LaPorte

Posted on Author WKVI
Senator Jim Arnold talks with a constituent following the forum

Over 75 people attended a meeting to address gasoline pricing in LaPorte last night. The meeting was arranged by State Senator Jim Arnold (D-LaPorte) and State Representative Tom Dermody (R-LaPorte).

Presenters were Scot Imus, Executive Director of the Indiana Petroleum Marketers and Convenience Store Association, and Maureen Hellman-Ferguson, Executive Director of the Indiana Petroleum Council.

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Senator Jim Arnold to Represent Parts of Starke County in State Senate

Posted on Author WKVI
Senator Jim Arnold

WKVI News had an opportunity recently to talk with Eighth District State Senator Jim Arnold (D) of LaPorte. Arnold, if elected in 2012, will represent a few townships in Starke County.

“It’s a pleasure and an honor to have the opportunity to represent the people of Starke County,” said Senator Arnold. “I don’t have all of Starke County, but I do have five townships in the northern part of the County. I picked up additional portions of St. Joe County as well. I’m honored and privileged to be down here and I look forward to working with the people on concerns of mutual interest.”

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