One of Indiana’s U.S. Senator’s has released his annual report, and says it shows some of his legislative work over the previous year.
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Donnelly Touting Accomplishments Over Previous Year In Office
Amid Congressional Amendments, Petroleum Institute Promotes Keystone XL
Members of the United States Senate debated 18 amendments yesterday on a bill that would approve construction of the Keystone XL Pipeline.
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Indiana State Police Polygraph Unit Receives Acceditation
The Indiana State Police Polygraph Unit is now accredited. The unit was accredited by the Polygraph Law Enforcement Accreditation (PLEA).
A polygraph unit monitors and records readings of the Sympathetic and Parasympathetic Nervous Systems when a person is asked a series of carefully designed questions while attached to the unit. The person taking the test is asked questions where they only answer yes or no. The examiner can determine if the person is giving a true statement by reviewing the readings.
No Injuries Reported in Vehicle Versus Train Collision
An Argos man walked away from a Tuesday morning vehicle versus train crash in Marshall County. Joshua Ramer, 33, was crossing the tracks on 18B and Dewberry Roads just before 11 a.m. in a 2005 Dodge pickup truck when the trailer he was pulling got stuck on the tracks. An eastbound Norfolk Southern train hit the truck and trailer, causing extensive damage to both and to the railroad crossing signal. Continue reading
Indiana Granted Approval for Health Reform Program
The state of Indiana received approval yesterday to use an updated version of the consumer-driven Healthy Indiana Plan instead of Medicaid.
The program is expected to offer healthcare to 350-thousand uninsured Hoosiers.
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Suspicious Activity at Culver CVS Leads to Meth Related Arrests
Suspicious activity at the CVS in Culver led Indiana State Police to assist local police.
Officers responded January 21st around 1 p.m. to the area of East Lake Shore Drive and Coolidge Street in Culver.
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Five Arrested in Winamac Meth Lab Bust
Five people were arrested Saturday, Jan. 24 after Winamac police received a complaint of high traffic and a smell at one of the Franklin Street apartment complex around 11:30 p.m. ET.
A search warrant was obtained for 214 S. Franklin Apt. B. and where an active meth lab was allegedly found along with marijuana, prescription medication, packaging materials, meth, and syringes, according to Winamac officer Mark Hoffman.
Marshall County Safety Commission Sub-Committee to Formulate Crisis Communication
The Marshall County Safety Commission held a discussion on many key issues of emergency planning when they met Tuesday morning.
Troy Heckaman from Culver Military Academy and Emergency Management Agency Director Clyde Avery noted that they were trying to put together a crisis communication plan for each school. Avery said they would like to have representatives from each of the schools to designate a safety person to be a part of a sub-committee that will work on a plan that’s specific to the school.
Culver Town Council Hears Wind Energy Language On First Reading
An ordinance that better defines when and where wind energy can be used in Culver went to first reading last night.
The Culver Town Council delayed the first reading after a public hearing at their last meeting. The decision was made after the council said they needed additional time to review the ordinance before making a decision.
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State Unemployment Rate Rises Slightly
The state’s unemployment rate went up a tenth of a percent to 5.8 percent. Since December 2013, Indiana’s labor force has grown by over 83,000 people that is nearly twice of any neighboring state, according to Indiana Workforce Development. December was the first month where Indiana’s unemployment rate has exceeded the U.S. rate. The U.S. rate has declined by two-tenths of a percent to 5.6 percent, mainly due to a decrease of 273,000 in the national labor force.
The lowest point of employment in the state was July of 2009 and Indiana has grown to a total of 267,000 private sector jobs today.
Marshall County Safety Commission to Meet Today
The Marshall County Safety Commission will meet for the first of its two meetings of the year this morning.
The commission members will develop strategies in emergency planning for schools, highways, emergency management, police, and health department.
During the fall meeting, programs were suggested to better gather information about how to handle bomb threats at school corporations and how to prepare for winter weather. A system for responding to emergencies was also discussed where communication plans were laid out. Those plans will be reviewed, and other thoughts given to help ensure all entities are on the same page when emergencies occur.
Culver Town Council To Further Consider Park Agreement
The Culver Town Council will be reviewing an economic development presentation during tonight’s meeting.
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Minimum Wage Proposal Invites Local Business Input
While business people are working on Building a Strong Brand: The Power of an Elevated Position, a bill has been filed in Indianapolis that could affect local businesses.
Senate Bill 41 looks to increase Indiana’s minimum wage from its current rate of $7.25 an hour to $10.10 an hour. If signed into law, the increase would put Indiana in line with other states implementing similar pieces of legislation.
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Department of Revenue Says Hoosiers Can Qualify for Free Tax Filing
The Indiana Department of Revenue is promoting an option that some Indiana residents may qualify for when filing their taxes.
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File Your Taxes, Complete Your FAFSA
Income tax filing time means it’s also time to see where you stand in terms of need-based college financial aid for the 2015-16 academic year. Ancilla College Executive Director of Admissions Eric Wignall says you need to have family income information handy before visiting www.fafsa.gov to fill out the necessary form. Last year’s tax information can be used to estimate, and this year’s data can be plugged in after taxes are finished.
Indiana Sheriff’s Association Offers Scholarship
The Indiana Sheriff’s Association (ISA) is awarding college scholarship to high school students or college students who are pursuing a degree in criminal justice.
LaPorte County Sheriff John Boyd said there are 40 scholarships valued at $500 to qualifying students throughout the state. Sheriff Boyd said the ISA provides invaluable services to the citizens of LaPorte County and the county is pleased to be a part of the scholarship program.
The applicant must be an Indiana resident, a current member of the ISA or dependent child or grandchild of a current member of the Indiana Sheriff’s Association, attend an Indiana college or university, major in a law enforcement-related field, and be enrolled is a full-time student.
School Choice Week Recognized with Events
In conjunction with national efforts, Indiana Governor Mike Pence has issued a proclamation recognizing this week as Indiana School Choice Week.
The movement organizes events that look to inform parents about the K-12 education options available, and to point out a few of the benefits for choice in education policy.
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New Filings for Municipal Election
The clerk’s office in Marshall County was busy tending to more candidates who wished to file for office for this year’s Municipal Election.
Former Democrat State Representative Gary Gook has filed for an at-large seat on the Plymouth City Council while Republican Larry Wattenbarger filed for Bourbon Town Council. Republicans William L. Daily and Rick Lee Graverson both filed for seats on the Bremen Town Council.
The city positions up for election will have a primary election while towns with a population under 3,500 will have town conventions if there is opposition on any positions on the ballot. If there is no opposition, all names will be on the General Election ballot in November.
Marshall County Commissioners Approve Tax Sale Paperwork
The Marshall County Commissioners last week approved an action to sign paperwork in order to move forward with a tax certificate sale.
In a previous meeting, Joe Edwards from SRI, Inc. told the commissioners that there were about 30 properties that were not sold in the 2014 property tax sale. These particular properties have been on the tax sale for years without interest by potential buyers.
A tax certificate sale could lower the price of the properties to heighten interest and to get the severely tax delinquent properties back on the tax rolls. The redemption period is a little quicker in a certificate sale. The average time period is 120 days.
Prescription Drop-offs Continue Hazard Prevention Efforts
The Starke County Sheriff’s Department says their prescription drug drop-off program continues to bode well.
A box sits in the lobby of the Starke County Jail that’s intended to act as a receptacle for the prescriptions. Drop-off programs are designed to protect water supplies, prevent taking expired medication, and reduce the spread of medications used as an illegal narcotic.
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