Knox Local Re-Appointed To State Board of Health Facility Administration

Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels

Governor Mitch Daniels has made some appointments to several boards and commissions.

One reappointment Daniels made was to the State Board of Health Facility Administration. Daniels reappointed Jennifer Gappa of Knox who will serve on the board that issues licenses to qualified persons as health facility administrators and establishes qualification criteria for them as well. The board adopts rules establishing standards for the competent practice of a health facility administrator and may suspend, deny or revoke licenses for violations of those standards.

Gappa’s term expires in 2015.

Sexually Violent Predator being Sought by LaPorte County Sheriff’s Department

Maurice Ward

LaPorte County deputies are attempting to locate a sexually violent predator.

28-year-old Maurice Ward is wanted for failing to register as a sex offender, a Class C Felony. He is also wanted by the Indiana Department of Corrections Parole Board for a parole violation.

Ward was convicted of Criminal Confinement as a Class B Felony and it was then he was identified by Indiana Code as a Sexually Violent Predator. He was also convicted in 2010 for failing to register as a sex offender.

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Fugitive William Newman in Custody

William Newman

A fugitive who has been on the run after a high-speed police chase in Marshall County has been arrested. He was taken into custody after Marshall County officers learned he was at a home in Argos. Around 6:00 p.m. ET last night, police gained consent to enter the property and arrested William Newman. He was wanted on a Marshall County warrant and a felony drug warrant out of Fulton County. Continue reading

Marshall County Commissioners Issue Travel Advisory

Due to numerous accidents caused by the winter weather, the Marshall County Commissioners have issued a travel advisory for travel on country roads.

The commissioners issued the advisory yesterday afternoon, urging citizens to use caution while driving. Routine travel or activities may be restricted in some areas because of hazardous conditions, and businesses may begin to implement their emergency action plans.

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Plymouth Man Arrested Following Domestic Dispute

The Plymouth Police Department arrested a man after a domestic dispute.

Officers responded to a residence on Dora Lane on Sunday after Stella Hinman called in to report a physical altercation. Police responded to the scene and after an investigation, Mark A. Weaver of Plymouth was arrested on a preliminary charge of Battery Causing Bodily Injury. The case will be forwarded to the Marshall County Prosecutor’s Office for further review.

Plymouth officers also investigated two theft incidents on Sunday and Monday. Amanda Bowen was arrested after she was caught shoplifting in Walmart. Brock Biddle was arrested in a separate incident of shoplifting at Walmart. They were both taken to the Marshall County Jail. Bowen was given a $3,000 bond.

Starke Commissioners, Council To Meet Today

Starke County Commissioners

After failing to reach a quorum at their last meeting on Dec. 17, the Starke County Commissioners and the County Council will meet once again tonight to wrap up end-of-year business.

Items that had been on the council agenda for the last meeting included a request for funding from Community Services Director Joan Haugh, a third-quarter commissary fund report from Sheriff Oscar Cowen, and a report from the county auditor on anti-nepotism certifications of department heads.

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Relay For Life Kicks Off In Two Weeks

Megan Hamand

In just two weeks, Relay for Life will host their Kick Off Event to jump start the Relay season. Megan Hamand of Key Bank said the event aims not only to kick off the start of the season, but also to give information to anyone interested.

Hamand explained the kickoff event features a number of important ceremonies like Luminaria, and this year they will focus on honoring cancer survivors and caregivers.

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Avoid Winter Accidents With These SCILL Center Tips

Next time you go to wipe the snow off your car, be courteous – get all of the snow off your vehicle to prevent it from whipping around your car as you drive down the road, worsening the visibility for those behind you. If you get involved in a road accident caused by a reckless driver, you may hire a vehicle accident lawyer to help you file a claim for your injuries and other damages.

Ron Dawson of the SCILL Center said one of the key things that most people do not do in the winter time that could prevent an accident is to clean off the car completely. Snow flying off your car can obstruct the view of drivers behind you and cause an accident. On top of that, Dawson encourages drivers to wipe their lights clean from snow and ice to improve visibility.

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2012 Census of Agriculture Heading To Mailboxes Soon

The 2012 Census of Agriculture forms will be mailed out soon.

The Census of Agriculture is the leading source of facts and figures about American agriculture. This census is taken every five years and it provides a detailed picture of U.S. farms and ranches and the people who operate them. Participation by every farmer and rancher, regardless of the size or type of operation, is important and is required by law.

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Starke County Auditor Encourages Verifying Your Homestead Deduction

With the new year quickly approaching, tax season isn’t far behind, and that means Hoosiers are preparing for the chore of filing their tax information – but many may not have realized that in order to receive their Homestead Deduction, they have to file a claim.

The Starke County Auditor’s Office said yesterday that if you haven’t verified your home since 2009, you will have to refile for the deduction.

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Two-Vehicle Accident Requires Extrication of Victim

Emergency crews work to remove the passenger door of the minivan to extricate a female victim.

A two-vehicle accident stopped traffic on Toto Road in Starke County this afternoon, just east of 550 East. Police, fire, and EMS crews were called to the scene, where a pickup truck and a minivan collided. The official report has not yet been completed, but snowy conditions undoubtedly played a part.

Two people were transported to the hospital via ambulance, and one woman had to be extricated from the minivan with the Jaws of Life before being rushed to the hospital for treatment.

More information will be released as it is received.

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Starke County Republicans to be Sworn into Office Next Week

The Starke County Republican swearing-in ceremony is set for Monday, December 31 at 3:00 p.m. CT.

Starke County Commissioner Kathy Norem ran unopposed in the General Election and was retained in her District and Kent Danford won in his District over Dan Bridegroom in November. They will take the oaths of office along with newly elected Starke County Council member, Bryan Cavendar.

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Gas Prices Expected to Rise

Gas prices have fallen nearly 12 cents over the last two weeks, but it looks like that trend may be coming to a stop.

The average cost of a gallon of regular gasoline is $3.26, down 58 cents over the past 11 weeks.

Analysts say higher crude oil prices will turn into higher wholesale gasoline prices.  Expect prices to jump 5 or 10 cents per gallon soon.

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Starke County Tri Kappa Donates Items to IU Health Starke Hospital

Nikkole Frazier is appreciative of the donations made by the Starke County Tri Kappa organization

The Starke County Tri Kappa organization recently donated sweatshirts and sweatpants to the Emergency Department of Indiana University Health Starke Hospital.

The donations will be used by sexual assault victims.

Often times, clothing is taken from the victims of sexual assaults for evidence purposes for a police investigation and the victims are left without clothes to wear when released from the hospital. Nikkole Frazier, an ER nurse and sexual assault nursing examiner, usually helps police gather evidence and was happy to see the donation.

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Food Finders Mobile Pantry Plans Stop in Winamac

Free food will be given away to those eligible on Friday, January 11 at 11:00 a.m. ET at the Pulaski County Human Services building in Winamac.

The Food Finders Mobile Pantry food giveaway day is set for that day. They will have frozen meat, baked goods, beverages, snacks, cereals and vegetables available for distribution on a first come, first served basis. You are encouraged to bring a laundry basket or box in order to carry food home.

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Now is the Time to Start Applying for Student Financial Aid

January 1st is the day students can begin to apply for financial aid for college and with the cost of attending a state school averaging $25,000 a year, many families are looking for any grants, scholarships and loans.

Financial aid expert, Maura Kastberg says the earlier students get a handle on all of the paperwork and financial aid information required, the easier the process gets.

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