Severe Thunderstorm Warning with hail for Starke County and surrounding areas

The National Weather Service has issued a severe thunderstorm warning in effect for Starke County and the surrounding areas.

At the time of this article, the warning was in place until 10:45am Central Time, and warned of destructive, baseball-sized hail.

People in the areas are instructed to take shelter in a sturdy building, away from any windows. The alert states that people and animals outdoors will be severely injured.

The alert goes on to warn: Prepare immediately for large hail and damaging winds. People outside should move to a shelter, inside a strong building, and away from windows.

Torrential rainfall is occurring with this storm, and may lead to flash flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded roadways.

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Offers Tips on How to Avoid Grant Scams

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is warning citizens to be aware of scammers who see the New Year as the perfect opportunity to prey on unsuspecting individuals looking to replenish funds after the holidays. Fraudulent grant offers are particularly pervasive,so HHS representatives have a few tips to keep in mind in order to protect yourself from tricksters.

First of all, no legitimate federal government employee would ever call to say you qualify or you’ve been approved for a grant you never applied for. Representatives say to look out for people who target individuals since all government grants involve an application process to carry out projects with a public purpose and are not intended for personal use. Continue reading

Helpful Tips to Keep Your Pets Safe This Holiday Season

The holidays are time of social gatherings with lots of decadent foods and elaborate decorations. However, what seems like a winter wonderland to humans can actually cause pets a plethora of problems.

Dr. Sandra Norman, a veterinarian with the Indiana Board of Animal Health has a few helpful tips to keep in mind this holiday season to ensure your four-legged friends stay as safe as possible. Continue reading