The Indiana Secretary of State’s office is reminding residents of the importance of understanding how to protect their personal financial information.
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Secretary of State Stresses Importance of Financial Cybersecurity
Marshall County Safety Commission Discusses Blocked Railroad Crossings
The Marshall County Safety Commission heard concerns about trains stopped at crossings which creates an issue when buses are transporting students to and from school.
Cindy King from the John Glenn School Corporation said there are at least three instances a week where a train blocks a bus route for buses transporting students to school. She said a new route will have to be constructed for next year.
Indiana State Police officers and Marshall County Sheriff Tom Chamberlin both indicated that they have talked with Norfolk Southern and CSX officials and the issues are getting better. Several tickets have been written to the engineers to help curb the issue.
State Coalition to Attempt to Close Skills Gap, Programs Already in Place Locally
A skills gap is being blamed for the lack of progress in Indiana’s economic recovery. According to the Indiana Skills2Compete Coalition, career and technical education for youth and the lack of credential attainment among the state’s adult workforce, are needing attention.
The Starke County Initiative for Lifelong Learning Center or SCILL Center, is ahead of the curve with providing opportunities for adults and students to gather skills needed to be a productive member of the adult workforce. Marshall County students make up a part of the enrollment in the vocational programs. Ron Gifford from the Starke County Economic Development Foundation said officials recognized one gap about three years ago.
Culver Plans to Put Building Permits Online
Plans are currently in the works to help ease the process for gaining a building permit in the Town of Culver.
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Donnelly Touting Accomplishments Over Previous Year In Office
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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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.
