Resolving to Help Others This New Year? Visit Serve.Gov
IRS Reminds Professional Tax Preparers to Renew PTINs
Anyone who prepares or helps prepare all or substantially all of a federal tax return, claim for refund or other federal forms for compensation must have a valid PTIN. All enrolled agents also must have a PTIN. Tax professionals can obtain or renew their PTINs at www.irs.gov/ptin.
Coroner Rules Out Homicide as Cause of Death for Grounds
The Grovertown man whose body was discovered in a ditch near his home Monday was not the victim of a homicide. Starke County Coroner Kris Rannells tells WKVI news he’s awaiting preliminary autopsy results on 26-year-old Isaiah Lincoln Grounds in order to confirm his cause of death. Grounds was last seen on Monday, Dec. 9 at the Grovertown Truck Stop, and his wrecked car was reportedly found abandoned nearby. The Starke County Sheriff’s Office issued a missing person’s alert for Grounds on Thursday, Dec. 12. Rannells says the initial pathology reports will be available next week. The autopsy was conducted yesterday.
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.
Gas Prices Jump after Christmas Holiday
Knox Council Discusses Ideas for Park
The Knox City Council this week discussed a number of options to bring more money into the park department. Ray Stephenson with the park board told the council that they are considering charging a fee for children to use the fields for practices or games, and said a $5 charge per child would go a long way in funding some of the park’s maintenance.
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.
Starke County Sheriff’s Department Pill Drop-Box Used Often, Says Cowen
The Starke County Sheriff’s Department is home to a 24-hour prescription drop-box, giving residents the opportunity to drop off expired, unused or unwanted prescription medications 365 days a year. Previously, the sheriff’s department only housed a prescription drop-box during programs once per year, and now, Sheriff Oscar Cowen said they’re happy to have a full-time drop-box available at all times.
Ancilla College Offers Free College Course for New Students
Ancilla College is offering a free college course to first-time students to help kick-start a college career. Todd Zeltwanger, executive director of institutional advancement at the college, told WKVI that a number of students have started their college career through the We Believe In You program.
The program offers a chance for new students to give college a shot and get readjusted to a life of education.
Resolve to Quit Smoking This New Year
One of the most common resolutions made each year is to quit smoking; unfortunately, nicotine addiction is a hard battle to win, but the folks at the Quit Line are eager to help smokers drop the nasty habit. Ainslee Lara is a quit coach with the Quit Line and she offered a number of tips for those who are looking to fight their cravings.
Lara recommends smokers plan ahead to quit rather than just trying to drop the habit on a whim. She said it’s better to have a plan for how to manage the withdrawals, especially for regular smokers. Plan ahead at least a week or two, she said, and account for the discomfort of withdrawals.
Hunger Reaches Beyond the Holiday Season
Many Hoosier families are struggling to stretch their grocery budgets. A reduction in food assistance benefits last month meant about 36-dollars less in food stamp benefits per month for a family of four. And that’s resulted in longer lines at food pantries and soup kitchens, says Tim Keane, who heads the Second Harvest Foodbank of Central Indiana.
Study Rasies Questions about Movie Ratings
You may give the O-K for your child to see a PG-13 movie, thinking the content is age-appropriate, but a new study says when it comes to some risky behaviors on-screen, there’s little difference between PG-13 and R-rated flicks. Amy Bleakley is a research scientist at the University of Pennsylvania, author of a study in the latest edition of the journal, Pediatrics. She says a PG-13 rating by the Motion Picture Association of America, doesn’t always stop the kind of material parents may think it does.
IU Health Starke Hospital Interim Director Answers Asset Questions
Knox Council Approves End-of-Year Transfers
The Knox City Council on Monday night hustled to get last-minute fund transfers out of the way before the holidays, ensuring that no city funds are in the negative. Clerk-Treasurer Jeff Houston advised the council that transfers were necessary in the general, motor vehicle highway, park and recreation, and the river boat revenue fund for the payment of vouchers.
Hoosiers Encouraged to Give Blood This Holiday Season
According to Dan Fox, communications manager with the American Red Cross, what with school vacations, inclement weather and busy schedules, the number of donations declines over the holidays, while the need for blood in local hospitals remains constant.
Knox Christmas Tree Pick-Up Begins Thursday, Jan. 2
Resolve to Get Healthy This New Year
Fortunately, Trisha Metz, marketing director for Fitness Forum Sports and Wellness, has some advice for those looking to get in shape for the coming year. She said Stephanie Ferch, a certified personal trainer at Fitness Forum, suggests having a gym membership or personal trainer to give you the accountability that is required to stay true to your fitness goal. Ferch also said you need to be committed and be willing to make sacrifices in your life to stay true to your routine.
Expert Weighs In on Indiana’s Deer Dilemma
NASCAR News Briefs
James Buescher left Turner Scott Motorsports after driving for four seasons with the organization. He was with TSM since its inception in 2010. The former NASCAR Camping World Truck Series champion has moved on to drive the No. 99 Toyota for RAB Racing in the Nationwide Series in 2014.
