Sheriff Tom Chamberlin explained that three new vehicles will be delivered on Monday, Jan. 27 and a prepayment is needed in order to complete the transaction. The vehicles will need to be equipped with light bars and other pertinent equipment that needs to be installed in a police cruiser.
Registration may be done online at mybmv.com or in person at a BMV branch. Questions about the process should be directed to the BMV at 1-888-692-6841.
We’re in for another bout of arctic cold weather overnight into tomorrow morning. The National Weather Service in Northern Indiana has issued a Wind Chill Advisory for the area. It takes effect tonight at 7 Eastern, 6 Central and continues through midday tomorrow. Another surge of Arctic air moving across the area will cause wind chills of 15 to 25 below this morning… and again tonight and Friday morning. There will also be patchy blowing and drifting snow this morning. The combonation of blowing and drifting snow combined with bitterly cold wind chills will cause hazardous travel this morning. Remember, exposed skin can suffer frostbite with extended exposure. Visibilities will also be limited this morning due to a combination of falling and blowing snow. Use caution when traveling, especially in open areas. If you must venture outdoors, be sure to wear a hat and gloves.
Representatives from the Northern Indiana Passenger Rail Association recently came before the Plymouth Board of Public Works to propose its idea of a high speed passenger rail service on existing rail lines that would extend from Chicago, Ill. to Columbus, Ohio with 11 stops in Indiana – Plymouth being one of them.
The NIPRA recently obtained funding for a feasibility study that addressed assessment of the market, engineering needs, an operating plan, and financial and economic returns. According to an article in The Pilot News, the operating plan examines the use of diesel powered trains operating anywhere from 110-130 mph. Trains traveling at 110 mph would provide a four hour long train service from Chicago to Columbus. In Indiana, the trains would stop in Gary, Valparaiso, Plymouth, Warsaw, Fort Wayne, and in Ohio the trains would stop in Lima, Kenton, Marysville, Columbus downtown and Columbus airport. The trains would operate round trip from Chicago to Columbus.
The first grant would be for $5,179.77 where the money would be used to purchase handed held devices for the emergency operations center, emergency alert radios to be given to the public, and literature to inform residents about various events and how to protect against the impact of those events.
The town of Monterey in Pulaski County will continue being served by Culver EMS after the county commissioners this week decided to stay with the agreement in place with Culver EMS that renews annually. Brandon Cooper with Culver EMS approached the commissioners and explained that the contract between his department and the county had lapsed, and he proposed a three-year contract at $6000 per year to ensure they keep the same rate.
INDOT Spokesman Matt Deitchley told WKVI that snow plow drivers have been in full call out mode since Monday night. This means that 170+ snow plow routes have been fully staffed in order to keep roads safe for motorists.
Crews are working 12-or-more hours on alternating shifts so drivers are out 24 hours a day. They have been working these shifts for six straight days. Dozens of other employees are working around the clock in order to dispatch drivers and maintain the equipment. Continue reading
A pair of robot enthusiasts at Plymouth High School are climbing the ladder to become tournament champions in the Vex Robotics competition. Last year, Josh Kuhn and Kennedy Schneiders made it all the way to the world championships in Anaheim, Cali., finishing the competition and ranking 18th in the world.
The duo were tournament champions at a competition held in Zionsville on Nov. 23, ultimately competed against the last remaining undefeated team in Indiana and beat them, winning the tournament to go on to the state championships in early March and the U.S. Open in Nebraska in April.
The Knox Community School Board recognized Mrs. Fletcher’s elementary JESSE class Monday night for a special event held during Christmas.
Superintendent A.J. Gappa said 20 people attended the meeting including students, aides, parents and Mrs. Fletcher.
NASCAR officials Wednesday announced a new format for qualifying to “enhance the fan experience” when watching the event on TV and the track.
This season qualifying will feature a group qualifying format.
It’s been a busy off season for teams and owners as sponsorships get into line for the upcoming season.
It was announced Tuesday that Love’s Travel Stops will expand its partnership with Front Row Motorsports. The primary sponsorship is slated for 14 races in the 2014 season, which is a significant increase. from last season. The sponsor will be on David Gilliand’s No 38 at the season-opening Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway and for 13 other races in the season.
Knox police officers have arrested a woman suspected of child abuse.
A complaint was made to the department on Wednesday, Jan. 15 allegeding child abuse involving a juvenile. A search warrant was executed at 404 Fear Court and police found that the suspect, 24-year-old Mary Young, was reportedly locking her child in a bedroom in addition to battering the child.
Officers took Young into custody in the evening hours of Monday, Jan. 20 and she has been booked into the Starke County Jail on preliminary Class D felony charges of Criminal Confinement, Battery and Neglect of a Dependent.
The case remains under investigation.
Several hearings were held before the honorable Judge Kim Hall in Starke Circuit Court on Tuesday.
It was decided that Gregory Schweisthal will go before a jury of his peers in a trial scheduled to begin today (Wednesday). Three days have been set aside to hear testimony and evidence on the five charges filed against Schweisthal. Those charges include Rape as a Class B felony, two counts of Invasion of Privacy as Class D felonies, Strangulation as a Class D felony, and Domestic Battery as a Class A misdemeanor. Timothy Lemon is Schweisthal’s defense attorney. Continue reading
The Starke County Commissioners are looking into the possibility of saving some money on non-election years through the Microvote company. The county currently pays Microvote $9500 per year for their election equipment and services, even on years when the equipment is not used. Commissioner Kent Danford asked IT Director Joe Short to look into whether or not they can pay for that service only on election years to help save a bit of coin. Continue reading
The Marshall County Highway Department has used quite a bit of salt in helping clear snow and ice covered roads this winter.
In his department report Tuesday morning, Highway Superintendent Neal Haeck told the commissioners that last year he ordered 1,000 tons of salt and didn’t use a lot of the supply. He ordered another 950 tons of salt in a later order and the department has gone through its supply. Continue reading
The Office of the Surgeon General recently released a report that reviewed the health consequences of smoking, entitled “The Health Consequences of Smoking: 50 Years of Progress.” The report indicates 151,000 Indiana youth will become smokers and die prematurely, killing 9.5 percent of those age 17 and younger – nearly one out of every 10 Hoosier kids.
The report calls on Americans to make the next generation tobacco free, and Linda Molenda, coordinator for Drug and Tobacco Free Starke County, said the organization will continue to work to support policies that aim to protect community members from the dangers of tobacco use and secondhand smoke. Continue reading
Firefighters with the Medaryville Fire Department responded to a house fire Monday night.
Chief Shaun Hauptli told WKVI that neighbors called 911 when they noticed smoke coming from the home owned by Stacy and Amanda White at 12070 W. 100 N. Upon arrival, firefighters found heavy smoke but no visible fire coming from the southeast part of the single-story home.
Firefighters were able to quickly ventilate the roof and extinguish the fire. The fire was contained to a bedroom. Hauptli said all members of the department who responded acted quickly to try and save the residence. Continue reading
