Indiana Failing To Make The Grade On Tobacco Control

The American Lung Association says the state of Indiana needs to do more to enact tobacco control policies.

The “State of Tobacco Control 2015” report evaluates tobacco control policies at the state and federal level. It says Indiana failed to enact any policies that the American Lung Association believes will save lives. That led the state to receive a failing grade in tobacco prevention, taxes, and access to tobacco cessation services.
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Starke County Ranks First In State for Meth Seizures

A new report says that while seizures of meth labs are up in Indiana, the number of labs is also up in the state.

The publication from Purdue Extension says Indiana saw nearly 1,800 meth lab seizures in 2013, the highest of any state in the country. Data supplied in the report describes the trends in illegal drug use in rural areas and proposes a few solutions to the problem.
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Metronet Project Done, 7th Road Project Awaiting Completion

This week, the Marshall County Commissioners approved and signed paperwork to complete the acceptance of the Metronet project along Glen Overmyer Drive. The work ended on Nov. 12 with all punch list items checked off the list. The installation of conduit for the three phases of the Metronet project is now complete.

The conduit will house dark fiber capable of distributing high-speed internet to business and industry in Plymouth. The conduit was installed in the city limits and along old U.S. 31 through LaPaz, LaVille, Lakeville and into South Bend. LaVille School Corporation and Hoosier Racing Tire have already lit dark fiber to begin using the product.

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Congresswoman Supports Measure Defunding Recent Executive Action

Jackie_Walorski,_official_portrait,_113th_CongressIndiana’s 2nd District Congresswoman is supporting a provision in the Homeland Security Appropriations Act that she hopes will help maintain the separation of powers in Washington.

The 114th Congress was sworn-in earlier this month following the November elections. With Republicans in the majority, Congresswoman Jackie Walorski says she voted to support the legislation – which appropriates funds for the operation of Homeland Security.
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MAX-FM Presents TCU Bi-County Basketball Tournament

Kankakee Valley Broadcasting will present the 50th annual TCU Bi-County Basketball Tournament in its entirety for the first time. Tony Ross and his crew will have the tip-off between Triton and LaVille tonight on MAX 98.3-FM or possibly WKVI-FM and online at www.SportsToTheMax.net. They will also provide scoring updates from the other first round games during their broadcast. Argos is at Culver, John Glenn is playing host to Bremen, and New Prairie will be at Oregon-Davis. All of the games tip off at 8 p.m. EST. Continue reading

Plymouth High School Students Participate in National Day of Service

Plymouth High School Key Club members participated in a National Day of Service on Monday to honor the legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr.

Several students were at the Plymouth Fire Department washing fire trucks while others were lifting and carrying boxes down flights of stairs to help organize things at the Marshall County Museum. The animals at the Marshall County Humane Society got some exercise Monday morning when the students took them out for walks and played with them. The students also cleaned the cages and gave the animals food and fresh water.

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Ancilla College Schedules Financial Aid Night at Knox High School

Get answers to all of your questions about applying for financial aid during an upcoming workshop at Knox High School. Ancilla College Executive Director of Admissions Eric Wignall says filling out a Free Application for Federal Student Aid or FAFSA makes you eligible for need-based assistance, including student loans and state and federal grants. Continue reading

Marshall County Jail to Update Inmate Communications

The communication system for inmate phone calls and visitation at the Marshall County Jail will get an upgrade after the commissioners approved a contract Tuesday morning with a new vendor.

Sheriff Tom Chamberlin told the commissioners that the company, Telmate, not only offers the telephone option for inmates, but also video visitation at an off-site location. Family members can schedule a video visitation with an inmate by going through officials at Telmate. Chamberlin explained that kiosks will be placed in the cells for video visitation as well as computers. The inmates will use the notebook computers if the kiosks are being used.

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Flu Season Affecting Starke County

The seasonal flu virus is circulating nationwide and the Starke County Health Department says there are a few things you can do to keep your family healthy.

Influenza is a respiratory virus that can lead to various symptoms such as a stuffy nose, coughing, and body aches according to the Centers for Disease Control. This year, a stronger strain of the Influenza A virus is spreading in the U.S.
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