FEMA Officials Provide Additional Guidelines in Public Notice

FEMA recently issued a public notice in regards to the major flooding that occurred earlier this year and the subsequent public and individual funding assistance being offered to several counties including Starke, Pulaski, Marshall and La Porte.

The notice, provided by Starke County EMA Director J. Nier, reportedly concerns activities that may affect historic properties, ones that are located in or affecting wetland areas or the 100-year floodplain and critical actions within the 500-year flood plain. FEMA officials report that such incidents may adversely affect the historical property, floodplain, or wetland or could result in continuing vulnerability to flood damage. Continue reading

Dentist with North Judson Practice Arrested, Following Fatal February Crash

A dentist with a practice in North Judson has been arrested, in connection with a February crash that left one person dead. According to the LaPorte County Sheriff’s Office, Jeffrey J. Bilyak, 47, of Chesterton, surrendered himself at the LaPorte County Jail Wednesday. Officers say a warrant had been issued for his arrest, following an investigation into the February 15 crash.

Continue reading

Dentist with North Judson Practice Charged in February Accident

A dentist with a practice in North Judson is formally charged in a La Porte County accident where one person died and two other people were injured.

Police say 46-year-old Jeffrey Bilyak was driving northbound in his red pickup truck in heavy fog shortly before 1 p.m. CT on Thursday, February 15, when he attempted to pass a semi in the area of the 19400 S. block of U.S. 421, north of LaCrosse. It was then when Bilyak’s truck hit a southbound ambulance head-on causing injury to himself, the driver and EMT inside the ambulance, plus a patient being transported to Indianapolis for medical treatment, according to police.

Continue reading

Kankakee River Basin Commission Votes to Fund Preliminary Repair Costs

When Kankakee River Basin Commission members met Thursday morning, they permitted a total of $254,000 to be paid to three counties in order to assist with immediate repair needs resulting from the recent flooding.

Initially, members considered having all funding requests submitted at a meeting that would be held within the next 30 days but a few members said there were some issues with that idea. Continue reading

Starke County Council Tables Payment to U.S. 30 Coalition

The Starke County Council members want more information about what will be offered to Starke County in the proposed U.S. 30 freeway project before they pay $10,000 toward consultation fees for coalition efforts.

Councilman Dave Pearman asked Larry Wickert from the Starke County Economic Development Foundation about the payment as it was requested. The funds would come out of the commissioner’s County Economic Development Income Tax Fund. Wickert explained that six out of the seven counties involved in the proposed U.S. 30 project pay into the coalition. La Porte County is the only county that doesn’t pay. Wickert believes that U.S. 30 would stay rural in La Porte County and not see an impact. The county has the toll road for a focus.

Continue reading

Nominations Now Open for Age of Excellence Awards

Nominations are now being accepted for the REAL Services’ 22nd Annual Age of Excellence Awards.

Each year, REAL Services celebrates unsung heroes of several local counties including Marshall and La Porte. The organization seeks to acknowledge those members of our communities who go above and beyond to care for elderly and low-income individuals.

Nominations are being accepted for eight award categories including Business of the year, The Wyatt Mick Volunteer of the Year, the Les Fox Hoosier Lifetime Award, Caregiver of the Year, Professional of the Year, Agency/Program Serving Low-income Award, Change Agent of the Year and the Sergeant Shriver Lifetime Achievement Award. Continue reading

LaPorte County Residents Encouraged to Sign-up for Rave Alert to Stay Informed

LaPorte County public safety officials are excited to announce a new free notification service that can keep residents and travelers informed on potentially hazardous situations involving weather, traffic and emergencies as well as other community events.

The service, Rave Alert, enables individuals to receive timely and useful emergency alerts via voice messages, texts or emails that are delivered directly to their cell phone. They can identify when and how they are alerted and communicated with before, during and after the emergencies.

Rave Alert is a trusted service utilized by several state and local authorities, business and educational institutions. Millions of messages are sent daily that help make first responders and residents better informed during emergency situations. Continue reading

Upcoming Local Red Cross Blood Drives

The Red Cross is always in need of blood donations. However, in the aftermath of the recent natural disasters that have impacted different portions of the country, it is vital to have a wide variety of blood types from a plethora of donors.

Some blood types are unique to certain racial and ethnic groups, so having an assorted blood supply is important to meet the medical needs of an increasingly diverse patient population. Red Cross reports that patients are less likely to experience complications from blood donated by someone of a similar ethnicity. Some local blood donation opportunities are coming up during the month of October. Continue reading

Local Court Officials Celebrate Constitution Day with Informative Programs for Students

Two-hundred-and-thirty years ago on September 17th, the United States Constitution was signed in Philadelphia Pennsylvania. In honor of Constitution Day, various judges and members of the Supreme Court staff will be visiting students across Indiana with a program that focuses on explaining the court process and addressing common misconceptions about America’s bail system. Continue reading

Ruth Sabin Home Celebrates 125 Years

6-27-14 Ruth Sabin Home picAs an 84-year-old woman who became a widow in 1886, Ruth Sabin found herself alone so she wished to develop a haven for other women like her. In an extraordinary act of philanthropy, she gave $25,000 toward land and construction of an institution. She didn’t stop there, she went on to establish a trust fund with an initial contribution of $33,000 to support the Ruth Sabin Home.
Continue reading

La Porte Officials Remind Residents That A Burn Ban Is In Effect

A burn ban has been in effect in La Porte County since June 15, a fact that La Porte City Fire Chief Andy Snyder and City Police Chief Adam Klimczak say is due to dry conditions that have created a threat to the lives and property of the people of La Porte County. The ban will remain in effect until further notice.

While the ban is in effect, residents are prohibited from lighting campfires, bonfires, and unpermitted controlled burns. This includes the burning of yard waste as well as construction and organic debris, and the lighting of fireworks is also prohibited. The ban also prohibits the discarding of unextinguished, smoking materials of any kind on the ground or anywhere not within an enclosed fireproof receptacle.

Continue reading