Applicants for health insurance coverage through the marketplace should be aware of scammers during this open enrollment period. Indiana Department of Insurance Commissioner Stephen W. Robertson says no one at Healthcare.gov needs credit card information in order to help you apply for insurance. This has happened to people who have called the toll-free number to sign up for coverage or ask questions about the plans offered in accordance with the Affordable Care Act. Robertson says scammers set up telephone numbers that are very similar to the Healthcare.gov number in hopes that someone will misdial. Continue reading
Take Steps to Prevent the Flu
The flu season is underway and health officials urge you to take steps now to prevent the flu.
Influenza is a viral infection of the respiratory tract and is spread by droplets from close contact with infected people or contact with contaminated surfaces or objects. Symptoms of the flu include fever, headache, fatigue, cough, muscle aches and sore throat.
Some people are at higher risk of complications related to the flu including pregnant women, young children, those with chronic illnesses and/or compromised immune systems and the elderly.
Prevent the spread of the flu by washing your hands frequently, cover your coughs and sneezes and stay home if you are sick.
The Pulaski County Health Department has a full supply of flu vaccines. You can get a flu shot from 8 a.m. to noon and from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. ET Monday through Friday. For more information, call (574) 946-6080.
Marshall County Police Investigating Residential Burglary
The Marshall County Police Department is investigating a recent burglary at a home in the 17000 block of 12th Road. Sometime between 6 and 9 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 21 someone broke into the residence and stole two diamond rings and currency, according to the property owner. Anyone with information about the theft is asked to call the Marshall County Police Department.
Town of Culver Still Searching for Town Manager
The search for a Town Manager in Culver continues. At the last meeting, Culver officials extended the search for a town manager until Dec. 1st. The town has been working with consultant Mitch Ripley to find a suitable candidate. Continue reading
Unemployment Dips Slightly in October
Unemployment slipped a little in October for Starke County, but still remains low compared to previous reports. In all, 77 counties saw a slide in unemployment in October.
Starke County had an October unemployment rate of 6.1 percent. The percentage fell two points in October. Starke County is ranked 15th in the state.
Marshall County Commissioners Split Cost of Conduit with Plymouth
The Marshall County Metronet project is drawing to a close.
The commissioners last week approved a payment agreement between the county and the City of Plymouth for shared conduit installation. The county is to pay half of the cost of the installation and handholds on Lincolnway to State Road 17 on Pioneer Drive, Pioneer Drive to Overmyer Drive and three lateral connections to the three county buildings for a total cost of $37,513.76. The city will pay the same cost for those installation costs.
The commissioners unanimously approved the agreement and now it will go to the Plymouth Redevelopment Commission for their review.
Thanksgiving is a Time to Save at the Pump
People traveling this week for Thanksgiving will see sizeable savings in fuel costs. Prices that had been on the decline crept up to $2.99 a gallon in some areas over the last couple of days. Continue reading
Historically Low Gas Prices Await Holiday Travelers
Hitting the road this holiday weekend will not put as big a pinch on your pocketbook. Gas prices are at their lowest level in five years, according to AAA Hoosier Motor Club. That’s good news for the 43.1 million travelers planning to drive more than 50 miles from home. That’s the highest projected travel volume since 2007. Continue reading
INDOT Halts Construction Over Holiday Weekend
Hoosier motorists will have a holiday from road construction this Thanksgiving weekend. INDOT spokesman Will Wingfield tells WKVI News remaining construction projects will pull back barrels and barricades to the greatest extent possible starting at noon today and continuing through sunrise on Monday. Continue reading
Holiday Season Kicks off in Plymouth
The annual Christmas Tree Lighting and Parade of Lights Celebration in Downtown Plymouth and River Park Square is this Friday Nov. 28. The festivities begin at 5:30 p.m. ET where you can listen to sounds of local choirs singing holiday jingles. The Parade of Lights begins at 6:00 with Santa and Mrs. Claus arriving at the end. Continue reading
Expert Offers Turkey Prep Tips
Americans will consume an estimated 736 million pounds of turkey tomorrow, according to the National Turkey Federation. Preparation methods vary and are largely a matter of personal preference. One that’s gained tremendous popularity in recent years is deep frying. Experts from the Butterball Turkey Tip Line offer suggestions to do so safely.
If you use an outdoor propane fryer, turn the gas off before putting the turkey into the oil in order to prevent fires. Also, make sure the turkey is completely thawed out and thoroughly dry before cooking it. Continue reading
Marshall County Commissioners Approve Agreement for Meals on Wheels
The Marshall County Commissioners recently discussed a Memorandum of Understanding to continue the Meals on Wheels program at the Marshall County Council on Aging.
County Attorney Jim Clevenger stated that the current agreement expires Dec. 31 of this year and it needed to be renewed. The agreement allows the meals to be cooked at the Marshall County Jail at a cost of $3.25 per person. The personnel at the Marshall County Council on Aging pick up the meals at the jail and deliver them to those in need.
RoboNinjas Continue Winning Ways
A pair of robot enthusiasts at Plymouth High School continues to trounce the competition. Josh Kuhn and Kennedy Schneiders, seniors at Plymouth High School traveled to Crown Point Saturday, Nov. 8 to compete in their first VEX Robotics competition for the 2014-15 season. The two time reigning state champions unveiled their robot and quickly discovered they had an advantage over the competition. They toppled their opponents and grabbed the title of Tournament Champions giving them an invitation to the Indiana State Tournament in March. They will next compete at the Warren Central Tournament on Dec. 6.
In the VEX Robotics Competitions, teams of students are tasked with designing and building a robot to play against other teams in a game-based engineering challenge. Classroom STEM concepts are put to the test on the playing field as students learn lifelong skills in teamwork, leadership, communications, and more. Tournaments are held year-round at the regional, state, and national levels.
Another Bomb Threat Reported at Culver Schools
A second bomb threat in as many weeks was reported today at the Culver Community Middle and High School building. Superintendent Dr. Vicki McGuire tells the MAX News Department a message was left on the restroom wall stating there was a bomb in the building. Continue reading
BMV Announces Holiday Branch Closings
If you have business to take care of at the BMV, you may want to do it during the first part of the week. Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles branches will be closed Thursday, Nov. 27 and Friday, Nov. 28 in honor of the Thanksgiving holiday. All license branches with Saturday hours will return to their regular schedules on Saturday, Nov. 29. Visit myBMV.com for more information.
Plymouth’s Condon Named Principal of the Year
The principal of a local high school is the 2014 District High School Principal of the Year. Plymouth High School Principal James Condon was honored by the Indiana Association of School Principals during their weekend celebration dinner. Continue reading
“Internet Casanova” Free On Parole
The “Internet Casanova” is out of jail. Marshall County native Raymond Holycross was released on Nov. 2, according to our reporting partners at WNDU-TV, and is now on parole. A judge in South Bend sentenced him to 18 months behind bars in May of 2013 on a theft charge. A live-in girlfriend discovered he wasn’t a jet-setting reporter for “The Huffington Post” when she found a pawn slip for the $850 digital camera she’d loaned him. She then learned Holycross was an unemployed womanizer who made a habit of wooing and stealing from women. Continue reading
The Great American Smoke Out Encourages Smokers to Quit
The American Cancer Society’s Great American Smoke Out is today. It challenges smokers to put down tobacco for one day and is held every year on the third Thursday in November. The number of adults in Indiana who smoke has decreased significantly since 2011, however Indiana’s smoking rate remains among the highest in the nation with over one million adult smokers. Tobacco Control Network Program Director Rachelle Back says today is a big step for those wanting to quit.
Plymouth Chamber of Commerce Helps Local Families in Need
The Plymouth Chamber of Commerce is doing their part to help families in need this holiday season. They have a Christmas tree on display for individuals and businesses to decorate with new pairs of socks. Donations will be collected until Dec. 19th at the chamber office at 120 North Michigan Street in Plymouth. Collected socks will be donated to the Marshall County Neighborhood Center. The nonprofit social service agency collects clothing donations to help the community.
Bomb Threat Reported at Culver Community Middle and High School
A bomb threat was reported at the Culver Community School Corporation today, according to School Superintendent Dr. Vicki McGuire. A note was left inside a restroom stall at the middle and high school building. Continue reading
