All posts by Lenny Dessauer

Area Firefighters Battle Field Fire

Posted on Author Lenny Dessauer

The Plymouth Fire Department was called to a large field fire Monday afternoon.

According to officials, a farmer was conducting a controlled burn that got out of hand on Hawthorne Road. The fire went into a bean field and the ditch. It also jumped the road into another ditch and another farmer’s field.

Plymouth firefighters arrived at the scene at 3:16 p.m. ET and asked for grass truck assistance from the Bremen and Bourbon Fire Departments. Four grass trucks, a tanker, and an engine used 1,300 gallons of water to extinguish the fire. The firefighters remained on scene for just over an hour.

Triple A Studies Teen Driving, Distraction Levels High

Posted on Author Lenny Dessauer

A video analysis of teen driving has shown evidence that distracted driving is more of a problem than previous thought.

The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety reviewed video evidence and found that distraction was a factor in about 6 of 10 moderate-to-severe crashes when teens were the drivers. Information released by AAA suggests that’s four times higher than the data suggests based on police reports.

Continue reading →

Don’t Miss the Bus to the Tulip Festival

Posted on Author Lenny Dessauer

Kankakee Valley Broadcasting Travel Coordinator Ed Hasnerl has a few available slots for his upcoming trip to Holland, Mich. Enjoy the beauty of the annual Tulip Festival May 4-7. It’s just one of the adventures Ed has planned.

“Several people have talked to me about going to the Henry Ford Museum and eating dinner in an auto baron’s home – Edsel Ford, Edsel and Eleanor Ford’s home. It’s a wonderful home full of antiques and art, besides having dinner there,” Hasnerl said. Continue reading →

Palm Sunday Tornado Anniversary Tomorrow

Posted on Author Lenny Dessauer

Sunday marks the 50th anniversary of the 1965 Palm Sunday tornadoes here in the Starke-Marshall area.

Shortly before 6 p.m. after massive thunderstorms passed through the area, the first tornado of many reported that day touched down in Starke County a few miles southwest of Hamlet. It crossed U.S. 30 and tore directly across Koontz Lake.

One-hundred vacation cottages were damaged. As one of the cottages was blown to pieces, the man inside was lifted into the air and thrown to his death 600 feet away.

Continue reading →

Plea Deadline Date Extended in Grand Jury Case

Posted on Author Lenny Dessauer

A plea deadline date was continued to Thursday, April 23 at 9 a.m. in a case involving former Marshall County Highway Superintendent Neal Haeck. A judge granted the decision on behalf of the defense in a judgment released yesterday.

A Grand Jury returned an indictment against Haeck in September of 2014 alleging theft of scrap metal from the county in 2012 and 2013. He was employed at the highway department at the time the alleged acts occurred.

Continue reading →

Marshall County Election Board Releases Polling Site Information

Posted on Author Lenny Dessauer

The Marshall County Election Board has approved polling sites for the 2015 Municipal Primary Election on May 5.

Center 1 and Center 2 voters in Plymouth will cast ballots at the National Guard Armory at 1220 W. Madison Street while Center 3 and Center 4 voters will be at the Knights of Columbus Hall at 901 E. Jefferson Street.

In Bremen, voters in German 3, German 4 and German 5 precincts will be voting at the Bremen High School at 511 E. Grant Street.

Continue reading →

Gas Prices Expected to Stay Within Current Range over the Summer

Posted on Author Lenny Dessauer

The price for a gallon of unleaded gasoline remains low. Prices have gone up slightly in the past few weeks. Gasbuddy.com Senior Petroleum Analyst Patrick DeHaan says most stations raised prices to $2.45 a gallon.

“This is in line with what we would have expected. We’ve watched wholesale gasoline prices go up and in an account of some refinery kinks that occurred about a week-and-a-half ago that are still impacting the supply of gasoline and those prices. Prices, though, remain about $1.25 lower than last year. Over the coming week, I would expect some sort of minor decrease to emerge in gas prices,” said DeHaan.

Continue reading →

No New HIV Cases Reported in Immediate Area

Posted on Author Lenny Dessauer

Injection drug use is pinpointed as a cause of a jump in HIV cases in Scott County. No new cases of HIV have been reported locally.

Governor Mike Pence declared a public health emergency in Scott County yesterday due to an outbreak of HIV cases. The Indiana State Department of Health has identified 79 cases of HIV originating in Scott County.

Frank Lynch from the Starke County Health Department said that the state may take action and institute a program that brings awareness to all counties.

Continue reading →

Income Tax Filing Deadline is Quickly Approaching

Posted on Author Lenny Dessauer

Just three weeks remain to file income taxes on time. The deadline to file is Wednesday, April 15.

Katie McLear Public Relations Specialist with the Indiana Department of Revenue says taxes can be filed for free with the Indiana Free File program. If eligibility requirements don’t allow that option, McLear says the best option is to file electronically.

“There are a number of benefits to filing electronically,” explained McLear. “First for foremost you’re going to get your refund much faster. You’ll get that refund in about 10 to 14 days. You could wait up to 12 weeks if you file by paper.”

Continue reading →

Judge to Determine Additional Court Proceedings in Grand Jury Case

Posted on Author Lenny Dessauer

A judge in a Grand Jury case involving former Marshall County Highway Superintendent Neal Haeck will determine a timeline today on whether a plea agreement hearing or trial will be scheduled. A Grand Jury returned an indictment against Haeck in September of 2014 alleging theft of scrap metal from the county while in his capacity as highway superintendent in 2012 and 2013.

According to court documents, Haeck is accused of stealing $12,351.41. He is charged with theft as a Class D felony. He appeared for an initial hearing in October of 2014 after being summoned to appear in court. He pleaded not guilty to the charge of theft.

Continue reading →

Beware of State Tax Scam

Posted on Author Lenny Dessauer

State officials warn of a national telephone scam targeting Hoosiers. Callers claim to represent the Indiana Department of Revenue and say there is an outstanding tax warrant in the taxpayer’s name. They claim local law enforcement is on the way to arrest the taxpayer unless the debt is paid over the telephone. The scam artist sounds convincing and professional. They often have personal information about the taxpayer and can alter the caller ID to appear more legitimate.

Department of Revenue officials stress they do not call taxpayers without first corresponding through the mail and does not threaten to use local law enforcement. Commissioner Mike Alley says taxpayers should not be afraid to hang up the telephone if they suspect they are being targeted by a scam artist. Continue reading →

Ancilla College Announces Summer CNA Course

Posted on Author Lenny Dessauer

Ancilla College is offering a Certified Nursing Assistant course this summer. Graduates who pass the Indiana State Department of Health CNA test are state-certified to work as nurse’s aides in long-term care facilities, home health and hospice groups and assisted living facilities.

Prospective enrollees must pass a physical, drug screen and background check. The program consists of 32 hours of classroom instruction and 75 hours of clinicals. Courses will meet Monday and Wednesday nights from 6 until 10 p.m. starting June 8th. Clinicals will take place on Saturdays from 7 a.m. until 3 p.m. Students will take the state certification exam after they complete the course requirements. Continue reading →

Culver Town Council Reviews Questions About Business Rezoning

Posted on Author Lenny Dessauer

The Culver Town Council held a Public Hearing for two businesses looking to have a change in zoning.

During Tuesday night’s meeting the Town, and members of the public, were able to ask questions about the changes. Earlier this year, the Culver Plan Commission recommended a zoning change to the Town Council to allow Papa’s Pizza to expand its kitchen and some of its seating.
Continue reading →

Marshall County Habitat for Humanity Taking Applications for Minor Home Repairs

Posted on Author Lenny Dessauer

The Marshall County Habitat for Humanity organization is offering help to low-income homeowners who may need to have minor or critical repairs done to their home.

Executive Director Dean Byers said there are two different options available for a homeowner to apply within a program called “A Brush with Kindness”. If a homeowner is chosen to participate, they will repay the organization based on their income.

Byers said one program allows for help in minor repairs and routine home maintenance.

Continue reading →

Culver Town Council Needs More Time for Flouridation Considerations

Posted on Author Lenny Dessauer

The Culver Town Council has a decision to make regarding public health, but decided to postpone providing direction until more council members were present .

The Town is in the process of designing a new water treatment facility. At this point in the design, engineers are requesting council input on whether the Town will use fluoride in the water treatment process.
Continue reading →