In an effort to further business recruitment efforts and opportunities for capital investment in Northwest Indiana, the Northwest Indiana Forum Board of Directors voted to explicitly acknowledge that the organization’s service territory extends beyond Lake, Porter, LaPorte and Starke Counties to include Newton, Jasper and Pulaski Counties.
Number of Influenza Cases Down in Starke and Pulaski Counties
Influenza has not been a big scare yet in Starke or Pulaski Counties.
Starke County Health Nurse, Frank Lynch, said that flu numbers are down right now and no cases of H1N1 have been reported. Whooping cough has been a great concern around the state this season but no cases have been reported in Starke County. Lynch would like to remind Starke County residents that flu shots are available at his office, both adult and child doses. He also recommends that residents wash their hands frequently to avoid getting the flu and spreading germs. Call the Health Department at (574) 772-9137 to make an appointment to get your flu shot.
Starke County Abate to Hold Christmas Party
The Starke County Abate Organization will make Christmas a little brighter for many families in the county. Club President, Terry Young, says there’s going to be a party.
Maxinkuckee Singers Wow Crowd in Starke County
Approximately 250 people braved the cold Monday night to attend the only Starke County appearance by the Maxinkuckee Singers.
The 1 1/2 hour musical presentation incorporated traditional music with comical songs like Rusty Chevrolet, and others.
Starke County Commissioners Approve Purchase of Cameras for County Jail
At their meeting Monday morning, the Starke County Commissioners approved the purchase of cameras that would upgrade security at the Starke County Jail.
Love Inc. Director Discusses Eligibility and Needs for the Organization
Love Inc. Director, Wendy Medborn, today, talks more about the six year old organization that helps people in need throughout Starke County.
We asked Wendy what the eligibility requirements are in order to receive help from Love Inc.
Starke County Government Officials Discuss Health Insurance
Health insurance coverage for Starke County employees was discussed this week by the County Commissioners, Starke County Council President, Mark Smith, and Council-elect member, Mitchell Semans.
Indiana Court of Appeals Upholds Starke County Magistrate’s Ruling
The Indiana Court of Appeals has upheld a ruling by Starke County Magistrate, Jeanene Calabrese, concerning a search warrant executed at the residence of Donnie Salyer of Knox.
Love Inc. Helps Meet the Needs of Starke County
The Love Inc. organization is fulfilling many needs of people experiencing crisis situations in Starke County. The Executive Director of Love Inc. is Wendy Medborn. She’s been “on the job” since August and is already realizing what a big job it is.
Ted Hayes talked with Wendy Medborn Wednesday and asked if needs have increased since so many people are out of work.
Newly Elected Starke County Officials to go through Orientation
Orientation for newly elected officials in Starke County will be held Tuesday, December 21st, from 9:00-11:00 a.m. A tentative agenda will be emailed to all existing department heads who are invited to attend.
New Council members are David Pearman, Mitchell Semans, Anthony Radkiewicz, and Marvin McLaughlin. They will be going into office after January 1st. Also invited to attend is newly elected Prosecutor, Nicholas Bourff.
October Statistics from the Indiana State Police, Lowell District
Indiana State Police, at the Lowell District, recently released statistics for the month of October.
Troopers issued 1,410 traffic citations and wrote 3,071 traffic warnings. Troopers also arrested 50 drunk drivers and made 93 criminal arrests. Lowell District includes Lake, Porter, LaPorte, Newton, Jasper, Pulaski and Starke Counties.
The Indiana State Police offers these safety tips for the holiday shopping season: Stay alert and be aware of what’s going on around you. Park in a well-lighted area and be sure to lock your car. Use extra caution when walking to and from your car, preferably with a friend and avoid carrying large amounts of cash. Pay with a check or credit card whenever possible. If you notice suspicious activity when you are shopping, contact the store’s security department or the nearest police agency.
Starke County Commissioners Approve Motion to Close out Federal Grant
The Hamlet Infrastructure grant was discussed at the most recent Starke County Commissioners meeting. Starke County Development Foundation Director, Charles Weaver, requested, and received, permission to begin the process to close out the Federal Economic Development Administration Grant. Starke County received almost $2 million dollars from E.D.A. toward the water tower in the Hamlet West Park, the installation of about 2 miles of 12 inch water mains, fire hydrants, and the installation of one mile of sanitary sewer lines to service the industrial area.
Offender Attempts to Escape from the LaPorte County Jail
Anthony Ferris was quickly apprehended by a K9 unit after attempting to flee from the LaPorte County Security Complex, Wednesday.
Ferris was arrested Tuesday night on a charge of Domestic Battery, a Class D Felony, and a Probation Violation warrant out of Starke County. He had been physically combative and uncooperative the entire night Tuesday and had been placed in an isolation cell for his own safety and the safety of the jail staff. Wednesday morning, Ferris asked for permission to use bathroom facilities in the isolation cell and when he didn’t come back into camera view, it was discovered that Ferris had somehow opened a secure vent in the ceiling area and escaped his cell into the pipe chase area.
Unemployment Report Shows Improvement
The unemployment report is out for October. Starke County went down in percentage, but went up in the state ranking. Starke County went from 11.3% in September to an even 11% in October. But the County moved from the ninth highest unemployment rate in the state to seventh in October.
Pulaski County and Porter County had the lowest rates in our area. Pulaski came in at 8.0% and Porter was 7.9%. Marshall was an even 10.0%; La Porte 10.6%; Fulton 9.2%; St. Joseph 10.6% and Jasper was 8.5%. Since the January report, Starke has dropped from 13.6% for the 11.0%; Pulaski dropped from 10.1% to 8.0% and Marshall dropped from 12.4% to 10.0%.
