Don’t Forget Any Income When Filing Your Taxes

Federal and state income taxes are due in eight days. Michelle Bachtel from H&R Block in Knox says it’s important not to exclude any sources of income.

“Pretty much all income, whether it’s reported or not reported, is taxable unless the law specifically excludes it,” Bachtel said. “This includes non-cash income from things like bartering or exchanging of assets. Both parties are expected to include the fair market value of the item or services they received as income on their tax returns.” Continue reading

Today is Primary Voter Registration Deadline

Monday is the final day for those looking to vote in the municipal primary election to register.

Forms must be turned into the voter registration office by 4:00 p.m. or, at the very least, postmarked by today. Voters can register to cast their ballot online, in-person, or through the U.S. Postal Service. Registration can be completed through the local county election office or at any BMV office.

Taxes Are Due Next Week – Who Needs to File?

Federal and state income taxes are due April 15. Michelle Bachtel with the H&R Block office in Knox says anyone whose income exceeds the filing threshold set by the IRS needs to file a tax return. Thresholds are based on your age and filing status, which is either single, married filing joint, married filing separate, head of household or qualifying widower.

Income requirements vary, but Bachtel offers a general guideline. Continue reading

7th Road Update on Marshall County Commissioners Agenda

The Marshall County Commissioners will receive an update on the 7th Road project when they meet this morning. Bart Trester from USI Consultants will relay the progress of the extension of the road to the new U.S. 31 highway. Among the aspects of the project, the roundabout needs to be completed. In a previous meeting, Trester noted that the project should be done in May. The completion deadline has already passed. Crews ran into unsuitable soils that needed to be addressed before work could continue. That delayed the project by a few weeks. Continue reading

Hoosier Lottery Jackpot Hits $12.3 Million

Tonight’s Hoosier Lottery Jackpot is worth a whopping $12.3 million. It’s been steadily growing since Oct. 2, 2014 when it was last hit. Tickets cost $1 per play. Hoosier Lotto players have a chance to win other prizes as well. Matching two of six numbers is good for a free Hoosier Lotto ticket, and matching three of six pays $3. Prizes for matching four or five of the six numbers are based on sales. Continue reading

Man Sentenced In Meth Cooking Case

A nine-year prison sentence was handed down on Thursday in Marshall County Superior Court for a Bremen man accused of cooking methamphetamine.

31-year-old Jerald Standifer received the sentence after being arrested in October of 2014. Officers allegedly located two one-pot meth labs in a car Standifer was driving on U.S. 31 near U.S. 30. Three others were arrested in the incident.

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Marshall County Community Foundation Awards Scholarship

A Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship recipient has been named in Marshall County.

The scholarship includes sufficient funds for the recipient to receive full tuition at a four-year college or university. The Lilly Endowment scholarship also includes a $900 stipend for books and other equipment.

The Marshall County Community Foundation says Haley Klimaszewski was this year’s recipient. She currently attends Culver Community High School, but is planning to attend Indiana University in Bloomington.

The scholarships are managed as part of a statewide initiative to help residents achieve higher levels of education.

A committee made the recommendation to the Marshall County Community Foundation’s Board of Directors. The recommendation comes after the committee interviewed three individuals out of 20 applications.

Klimaszewski plans to study genetics during her time at university.

 

Applications Available for Miss Blueberry Pageant

An annual scholarship pageant for girls in Marshall County now has applications available.

The 2015 Miss Blueberry Pageant will take place June 27th at the Argos High School Auditorium. The pageant is held prior to the Marshall County Blueberry Festival which acts as a continuation of a 150th anniversary celebration of Marshall County and honors the areas’ blueberry crop production. That festival will take place Labor Day weekend.

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Utility Provider Encourages Marking Service Lines Prior to Spring Work

A local utility provider is encouraging safety before individuals or businesses begin any spring and summer excavation projects.

NIPSCO says April marks National Safe Digging Month and is encouraging residents to call the national “call-before-you-dig” number 8-1-1 two days prior to starting work. The 48 hour suggestion allows work crews to properly mark utility lines to avoid problems.

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INDOT Prepares for Busy Travel Weekend

The combination of the Men’s Final Four in Indianapolis and spring break traffic will make for a busy weekend on Indiana’s highways. Of the four teams playing in the NCAA tournament, three are within a five-hour drive of Indiana. INDOT advises motorists should also expect additional traffic on interstates 65, 69, 74 and U.S. 31. Officials say contractors will pull back construction barrels and have to buy stanchions and install barricades as much as possible on highways to welcome basketball fans. Some road restrictions will remain in place for ongoing projects, though. They include I-65 north of Louisville for construction of a new Ohio River bridge and I-74 in Montgomery County between State Road 25 and U.S. 231. U.S. 31 is also down to one lane in each direction north of Indianapolis between State Roads 38 and 32 in Westfield. I-69 is reduced to one lane in each direction on weekdays as well for bridge rehabilitation at State Road 4 near Ashley. Continue reading