Marshall County is now under an orange level travel watch. That means only essential travel is recommended. Starke, LaPorte and Pulaski Counties are still under yellow level travel advisories, meaning routine travel may be restricted because roads are hazardous in places. Find more information at http://www.in.gov/dhs/traveladvisory/. Continue reading
The lower price of unleaded gasoline has relieved a pinch from consumer pocketbooks, but some retailers have dropped the price too low for a profit margin. GasBuddy.com Senior Petroleum Analyst Patrick DeHaan said that has caused prices to spike.
“What you’re seeing with the big spike is essentially gas stations losing 20 or 25 cents a gallon and raising their price back up to where they’re making about 15 or 20 cents a gallon. Obviously, you have a 40 cent a gallon difference between a station losing 20 cents and making 20 cents and that’s where these big spikes come from. The good news is that prices are already coming back down,” said DeHaan.
NIPSCO says they will begin construction this summer on a project that has been in the works for a couple of years.
The Reynolds-Topeka Electric Transmission Line hopes to improve reliability and lower costs for NIPSCO customers. Representatives of the company have held meetings with the public to better plan the line’s route.
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Concentrating on a two-year state budget in Indiana will be the primary focus in Indianapolis, but state Senate Democrats have a few items they plan to support this session.
According to a press release, 8th District state Senator Jim Arnold and other state Democrats intend to propose raising the minimum wage in Indiana to $10.10 an hour.
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Legislation was recently filed in Indianapolis that could have implications for Pulaski County.
Senate Bill 58, if signed into law, would eliminate the Pulaski County Superior Court by January 1st, 2019. The bill would also remove certain appointment privileges in other counties. Continue reading
20th District State Representative Tom Dermody says he is still evaluating a bill that could affect consumers in Indiana.
House Bill 1026 would allow for those with a proper permit to sell alcoholic beverages for carryout on Sundays in the state. The bill, filed this week in Indianapolis, has not been presented to Representative Dermody – who chairs the often controversial Public Policy Committee.
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U.S. Senator Joe Donnelly reintroduced legislation yesterday that could redefine a section of the Affordable Care Act.
Donnelly, along with Senators Susan Collins of Maine and Lisa Murkowski of Arkansas, introduced language that would change the current definition of full-time employee to a 40-hour work week.
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The Marshall County Commissioners signed grant paperwork so EMA Director Clyde Avery can order equipment. The commissioners previously approved the 2014 Department of Homeland Security grant worth $20,000 to order newer 800 MHz radios to have on hand.
Highway Administrator Laurie Baker informed the commissioners that bridge inspections are ongoing. The department has gotten a bill for $78,967 for work already completed on the first phase. The inspections are about 60 percent complete. INDOT will reimburse the county for 80 percent of the cost.
The Indiana General Assembly is anticipated to consider certain reforms to funding education, and Knox Community Schools is considering their options.
Governor Mike Pence has said he wants the legislative session that started Tuesday to be an “education session.” Discussions have included lifting the cap on education vouchers and reforming the school funding formula.
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The Marshall County Commissioners and EMA Director Clyde Avery have implemented an advisory level travel restriction.
The advisory level is the lowest level when talking about travel restrictions. The advisory level means that routine travel or activities may be restricted in areas because of a hazardous situation and individuals should use caution or avoid those areas.
Avery explained that the primary concern that officials have are that the roads are snow covered, slick and hazardous. Visibility is reduced due to blowing snow.
With wind chills dipping well below zero for the next couple of days, protect yourself against the effects of hypothermia.
Your body temperature drops after prolonged exposure to the cold which causes abnormal activity of the heart, nervous system and other organs, according to information released by the Mayo Clinic. Symptoms of mild hypothermia include: shivering, dizziness, hunger, nausea, trouble speaking, slight confusion, fatigue, and increased heart rate
An older person may develop mild hypothermia after prolonged exposure to cooler indoor temperatures that may be tolerable by younger people. Signs and symptoms in these cases may not be as obvious.
The Marshall County Commissioners discussed a contract with the Great Lakes Lab through the prosecutor’s office.
The Great Lakes Lab provides forensic services for Marshall County. All of the law enforcement agencies in the county may send drug samples or alcohol tests for analysis with this lab company. The number of tests that have been requested through the lab by Marshall County officers has dropped since 2013. As a result, the contract price has decreased.
Today is the first day to file for candidacy for the Municipal Election. Candidates may file in the county clerk’s office.
Municipal offices up for election in Marshall County include the mayor of Plymouth, clerk-treasurer in Argos, Bourbon, Bremen, Culver, LaPaz, and Plymouth. Voters will also elect three council members in Argos, two in Bourbon, four in Culver and three in LaPaz. All five city council seats in Plymouth are on the ballot as well as two additional at-large seats.
Legislators are now in Indianapolis for the long-session of the General Assembly.
5th District State Senator Ed Charbonneau offered comment on the issue of reversion reform which could result from projected revenue increases over the next two years. Reversions allow the Governor to withhold spending in the instance of an economic downturn or other revenue shortfall.
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The Knox Center Township Fire Department is reminding residents to follow a few key rules when operating a space heater this winter.
The devices use electricity to help warm various spaces in homes, typically during colder months. Keeping the device too close to flammable household items can result in structure fires or other damage.
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01-06-15
Wind Chill Warning In Effect for Kankakee Valley
Bundle up before you head out, as a wind chill warning is in effect through Thursday. A combination of very cold air and strong winds will make temperatures feel like they are in the 15 to 30-below-zero range. Frostbite, hypothermia and death are possible if precautions are not taken. Continue reading
The Marshall County Emergency Management Agency, sheriff’s department and highway department are prepared for any type of weather situation, including snow.
Director Clyde Avery said he and the Marshall County Commissioners will be following the state criteria when coming to decisions about travel restrictions. There are three categories for those restrictions. The lowest level is advisory.
Winter weather can pose a danger to your four-legged friends.
The Starke County Humane Society says that exposure to the elements should be limited and house pets should be brought indoors when possible.
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The Marshall County Commissioners have approved a measure to help the City of Plymouth move forward with the Greenway Trail.
City Attorney Sean Surrisi told the commissioners last week that the city is attempting to complete phase two of the grant-funded project. Officials with SEH Engineering need GIS data in order to continue with the design work.
“In order for them to prepare the plans, they would like to have some GIS data for that area,” explained Surrisi. “We’ve made a similar request before and we were able to put together a contract where we signed off and said we were guaranteeing that the contractors were just going to use the information for this project and not for any other commercial purposes.”
The Culver Community School Board elected officers for 2015 after the swearing-in of recently reelected members Jack Jones, William Sonnemaker and Ryan Sieber. Ken Vandeputte replaces Jack Jones as president. Jim Wentzel succeeds Vandeputte as vice president, and Mark Maes took over Wentzel’s previous seat of secretary.
