NIPSCO customers who are struggling to pay their utility bills are urged to contact the company’s 24-hour Customer Care Center to explore their options. They include state and federal payment assistance as well as resources available from local community action agencies. All three are based on income. Continue reading
A Walkerton woman who was arrested during a meth lab investigation in Hamlet faces additional charges after staff at the Starke County Jail allegedly found drugs during the booking process. Continue reading
U.S. Rep. Jackie Walorski will attend a signing ceremony at the White House today for a bill she cosponsored. The Clay Hunt SAV Act provides greater access to mental health care for military veterans. It’s named in honor of Iraq and Afghanistan War veteran Clay Hunt, who committed suicide after battling with post-traumatic stress disorder brought on by his service overseas. He sought care from the VA and received a 30 percent disability rating for his PTSD. He appealed and encountered administrative obstacles, including the VA losing his files. Hunt took his life weeks later, and five weeks after his death his appeal was approved. Continue reading
Inoperable cars parked on the sides of city streets create a hazard for snow plow drivers trying to clear roads. That topic was raised during Monday’s Plymouth City Council meeting. Mayor Mark Senter told the council he’s reached out to the mayors in other communities to gather information about their snow emergency route parking policies. Some restrict parking to even or odd numbered sides of the street to give plows room to work. Residents are asked to please move their cars if possible so roads can be cleared.
Marshall County Sheriff Tom Chamberlin presented a resolution regarding commissary fund expenditures to the county council this week.
Sheriff Chamberlin explained that the funds are spent by guidelines set forth in the state statute. He felt that a resolution be enacted to have a better understanding of how the money can be spent out of certain line items. Detailed information would be provided on active expenditures.
Councilman Steve Harper asked about the cap on expenditures in a single purchase of $1,000. Sheriff Chamberlin said purchases would need to come before the county council for approval.
Students at the Triton School Corporation will be making up days missed due to snow. Superintendent Donna Burroughs said two days were built into the calendar and four days have been missed so far this semester that will be made up.
“We have for of those scheduled,” explained Burroughs. “Next Monday is one of those days and Good Friday is the second one. May 26 and May 27 are days three and four. Hopefully, we don’t have anymore.”
The continued cold weather means higher utility bills for Hoosiers. NIPSCO offers a variety of energy efficiency rebates that can save money in both the short and long-term. They include up to $450 back, on attic insulation with air sealing, up to $250 back on a 95 percent efficient furnace, a $20 rebate on a programmable thermostat and a $50 rebate on a smart wi-fi thermostat. Customers can schedule a free home energy assessment by calling 1-800-721-7385. Continue reading
The community of Culver is coming together this weekend for the Culver Winter Festival.
The event kicks off Friday with the lighting of the ice sculptures at 6 p.m. and the Cupid’s Crawl until 9 p.m. The Cupid’s Crawl is a chance for festival attendees to shop and dine at local establishments to win prizes. An artist class begins at 5:30 p.m.
The Lion’s Club will host a pancake breakfast on Saturday morning from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m., an ice carving demonstration is at noon and a free ice fishing camp for kids is at 1 p.m. A snow fort construction class begins at 3 p.m. on Saturday.
The NAIFC Ice Fishing Tournament is planned for Sunday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. with weigh-in immediately following the contest. The Lion’s Club will have lunch available from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., and the Culver Beard Club Polar Plunge is at 3 p.m. ET.
Sledding and ice skating is free all weekend long.
If you need more information, call 1-800-626-5353 or visit www.culverchamber.com.
A Winter Weather Advisory has been issued for the Kanakee Valley during the overnight hours. It takes effect at 11 p.m. EST/10 p.m. CST and continues through tomorrow evening. Snow and blowing snow are possible, with totals of 3 to 7 inches expected across the advisory area. The system is lake effect, so forecasters stress it’s hard to predict where it will hit. Continue reading
The Marshall County Council discussed an additional appropriation request by the county commissioners for the Metronet project in the amount of $119,750.19.
Commission President Kevin Overmyer explained that the money was leftover in their line item in 2014 and was reverted to the Rainy Day Fund. Overmyer asked that the money be appropriated to finish paying bills for the Metronet project. He said the entire amount will not be spent and whatever is left can be put back into the Rainy Day Fund.
Drainage issues at Plymouth Municipal Airport will be addressed as part of the upcoming runway widening project. It is slated to start in May pending city and county drainage approval. The Board of Aviation Commissioners hopes repairs to the storm drain on the south side of the runway can be made at the same time. Continue reading
A new plaque in the lobby of the Catherine Kasper Life Center on the Center at Donaldson Campus celebrates the generosity of one of the ministry’s most staunch supporters. The Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ Foundation created the Otis Bowen, M.D. Fund after his death two years ago. The pediatrician-turned-politician resided there until his death. Sister Judith Diltz says they are delighted to be able to honor Doc Bowen.
“His presence here among us was a gift and a grace. Carol put many miles on that wheelchair as she rolled him around this facility and our whole campus, and he was just such a delight.” Continue reading
The Triton School Board approved the 2015-2016 school calendar when they met on Monday night.
Superintendent Donna Burroughs said the school board opted to go with a balanced calendar to keep in line with surrounding school corporations.
“It’s only about a week difference from what we’ve had in past years, so it’s not like it’s a whole new creation. We’re just starting one week earlier. With the importance they place on testing, we feel like that gives us an extra to week to work with the kids,” stated Burroughs.
Plymouth Fire Chief Rodney Miller has the blessing of the board of public works to hire a firefighter/paramedic to fill a position that’s been open since November. They unanimously approved his request to extend a conditional offer of employment to Kimberly Ursa of Culver. Continue reading
The Marshall County Neighborhood Center and the community benefitted by the Dancing with the Stars fundraiser on Saturday night.
Chad Barden from the Neighborhood Center told Max 98.3 FM News that $100,000 was raised to assist those in the community with food, clothes, energy assistance and an on-staff advocate. The advocate helps those struggling to end the cycle of poverty.
There will be two pick-up locations for for travelers in the Kankakee Valley Broadcasting Tulip Festival tour of Holland and Sagatuck, Mich. Departures from Plymouth as well as Knox will make it more convenient for Marshall County travelers. Continue reading
Discussions on a new vision for the Culver EMS Department will continue next week.
Over the last several years, the number of volunteers working with the EMS Department has been dwindling. That has created staffing issues for the department that the Town Council hopes can be remedied.
Continue reading
A local community will soon have a new police chief. Officials in the Argos Town Office tell MAX 98.3 FM News Police Chief Rodney Rudd has indicated he plans to step down but will remain with the department as a sergeant. He notified them of his plans via email. Continue reading
Two people were arrested on suspicion of trafficking with an inmate at the Westville Correctional Facility.
According to our reporting partners at WNDU-TV, Karrin Ransbottom from Warsaw arrived at the facility on Sunday afternoon to visit an inmate when she was allegedly found to be in possession of drugs after entering the front gate.
When she was questioned about her actions, officers learned that Delbert Schaetzle from Bourbon was reportedly waiting for Ransbottom in her car in the parking lot, according to the report. Correctional police officers took the pair into custody and transported to the LaPorte County Jail.
A longtime Marshall County elected official now has a key to the City of Plymouth from the current administration. Mayor Mark Senter visited recently with former Mayor Jack Greenlee and made a presentation to his family during last night’s city council meeting. Continue reading
