State Senator Jim Arnold is hoping several bills will assist in the efforts of the law enforcement community.
Among Arnold’s proposed bills this session is legislation that would better define a safety indicator on firearms. It would also increase penalties for those found to have modified a toy gun to resemble a real firearm.
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The Marshall County Commissioners this week discussed a prepayment limit for department heads.
Commissioner Deb Griewank suggested the change to the purchase ordinance so department heads can make county equipment purchases with a personal credit card that does not exceed $750. She said that it was brought to her attention that sometimes different departments need to purchase something online, but don’t have the time to wait for commissioner approval. Buildings and maintenance directors can find items on eBay for cheaper but then they have to wait to purchase the items pending approval. Time could cost them.
Before more cold weather sets in, the Better Business Bureau wants you to be sure you be careful in hiring a plumber to help you in any repairs you may need to make due to freezing pipes.
BBB officials say plumbers need to be licensed and display their license number on their website, vehicles and marketing pieces. Ask for three estimates from different companies to ensure you’re getting the best deal. Be sure to understand if a plumber charges by the hour or a flat rate for work to be completed and get that agreement in writing. Keep a copy of that contract. It’s also good to break up the payments and offer the last payment when the work is done to your satisfaction.
The Marshall County Highway Department will be working toward getting a pug mill to save money on paving costs.
Supervisor of County Highways Jason Peters told the commissioners this week that they have been using Starke County’s pug mill and have patched roads with the stone, oil and sand mixture. Compared to a hot asphalt mix, having a pug mill will save the county thousands and thousands of dollars. He said the materials for other paving options are getting more expensive.
Menominee Elementary School students will soon be able to enjoy state-of-the art playground equipment that meets all of the standards outlined in the Americans with Disabilities Act. The school’s PTO has been raising funds for the past decade to buy larger, more engaging equipment. Principal Steven Boyer says the new playground will sit atop rubber tiles that all students will be able to access. It also provides a number of activities that accommodate students with disabilities. Continue reading
The decision to allow discussion on the Sunday sale of alcohol in Indiana has been made.
State Representative Tom Dermody has not only decided to allow discussion, but he also authored a bill to allow for the sales. House Bill 1624 would permit Sunday alcohol carry-out between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m.
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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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A pilot program started in 2012 has been granted long term approval according to NIPSCO.
The company’s Green Power Rate program is offered to residential, commercial, and industrial customers. Currently there are 940 homes and businesses enrolled in the Green Power Program.
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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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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.
The next step can be taken for the possible expansion of a Culver pizza restaurant.
During Tuesday night’s Culver Plan Commission meeting, a zoning change was discussed for Papa’s Pizza. The change from C-2 to C-1 would allow the restaurant to expand its location without providing additional parking.
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Changes to the state school funding formula have area school corporations closely tracking the legislative movements.
Governor Mike Pence has previously said he wants the current session of the General Assembly to be an education session.
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Indiana U.S. Senator Joe Donnelly says he wants to make sure all of the country’s foreign partners are standing together.
Senator Donnelly sits on the Senate Armed Services Committee that was part of a bi-partisan Senate delegation to Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Israel. The trip was described as important due to ongoing instability in the Middle East.
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Congresswoman Jackie Walorski had a few goals in mind prior to Tuesday night’s State of the Union Address.
Indiana’s 2nd District U.S. Representative has made a point of discussing what she considers an overreach of power through the President’s recent executive orders.
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A report of suspicious activity at a gas station in LaPaz Monday night led to the arrest of a man on drug possession charges. Continue reading
A store that has been in the Plymouth community for 20 years will be closing in mid-April.
Approximately 60 employees will be let go from the Kmart store on Pilgrim Lane and they found out about the closure last week, according to a report in the South Bend Tribune.
The number of snow days taken in Culver Schools has now affected the school calendar.
The Culver School Board, Monday night, approved a measure that attempts to make up a day lost to the weather by having students attend class on Good Friday – which was previously part of the extended spring holiday weekend.
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Indiana’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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U.S. Senator Joe Donnelly had a few topics he wanted to hear discussed prior to last night’s State of the Union address.
On a conference call yesterday, Donnelly stressed the importance of further supporting military service members. Key among those opportunities, according to Donnelly, is ensuring adequate access to mental health.
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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
