Posted on January 17, 2017
Author Abby Adams, WKVI
Students completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid will notice a few changes this year.
Admissions Counselor at Ancilla College, Georgiana Hatter, spoke about the changes Friday. Applicants can now apply for FAFSA as early as October 1st, and applicants now use last year’s tax information. “This year is different, so everyone can file it a little bit earlier,” said Hatter.
Hatter stated that Ancilla would be offering free FAFSA courses from February 20th through February 23rd. Interested attendees can get the times of the classes by calling Ancilla College or stopping by the Admissions Office.
Hatter recruits students to Ancilla College from Eastern Indiana and all southern states of America. Hatter graduated from Ancilla in 2009 and started working for the college in 2016. You can contact Hatter at georgiana.hatter@ancilla.edu or through calling Ancilla College at 574-936-8898 ext. 334.
Ancilla has grown from a small commuter college to a residential college in the past few years. Ancilla now has two dorms which hold up to 192 students, as well as dining halls. The college has 500 students and is located in Marshall County. Students can earn either an Associate’s or an AAS degree. It is free to apply to Ancilla, and tours are offered daily.
Tuesday, January 17, 2017
Monday, January 16, 2017
1/31 & 2/2/2017 Ancilla Domini Children's Choir Auditions
From The Center at Donaldson:
Auditions will be held for the Ancilla Domini Children’s Choir on January 31 and February 2, 2017 from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. EST. Auditions are open to children of all faiths ages 7 to 10 and will be held at The Center at Donaldson’s main building both days. This is tuition free. No music experience necessary.
Rehearsals will take place on Tuesdays from 3:30-5:00 p.m. ET at The Center at Donaldson.
To register please contact Andrew Jennings at ajennings@poorhandmaids.org or 576-935-1723.
Auditions will be held for the Ancilla Domini Children’s Choir on January 31 and February 2, 2017 from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. EST. Auditions are open to children of all faiths ages 7 to 10 and will be held at The Center at Donaldson’s main building both days. This is tuition free. No music experience necessary.
Rehearsals will take place on Tuesdays from 3:30-5:00 p.m. ET at The Center at Donaldson.
To register please contact Andrew Jennings at ajennings@poorhandmaids.org or 576-935-1723.
Senator Donnelly Discusses Hoosier Healthcare
Posted on January 16, 2017
Author Abby Adams, WKVI
U.S. Senator Joe Donnelly is discussing his plans for healthcare in Indiana following the talk of repealing The Affordable Care Act.
Donnelly said Friday there must be a plan to replace the healthcare of those currently depending on government healthcare plans following the repeal of this bill. “I’m not willing to stand aside if someone in Knox who has diabetes loses their healthcare.”
Donnelly stressed in the interview that he would work with whomever was willing, Democrat or Republican, to make sure Hoosiers do not lose their healthcare during the repeal of The Affordable Care Act.
“I’m willing to make plans, I’m willing to work together as long as everybody’s healthcare is protected,” he said.
Author Abby Adams, WKVI
U.S. Senator Joe Donnelly is discussing his plans for healthcare in Indiana following the talk of repealing The Affordable Care Act.
Donnelly said Friday there must be a plan to replace the healthcare of those currently depending on government healthcare plans following the repeal of this bill. “I’m not willing to stand aside if someone in Knox who has diabetes loses their healthcare.”
Donnelly stressed in the interview that he would work with whomever was willing, Democrat or Republican, to make sure Hoosiers do not lose their healthcare during the repeal of The Affordable Care Act.
“I’m willing to make plans, I’m willing to work together as long as everybody’s healthcare is protected,” he said.
Starke County Forest Drainage Complaints Continue
Posted on January 14, 2017
Author Michael Gallenberger, WKVI
The Starke County Forest continues drawing complaints about drainage issues.
Forester Bruce Wakeland told the Starke County Park Board Tuesday that a complaint was brought to the County Drainage Board this week by a neighboring landowner. “For some reason, he’s focused on the Starke County Forest as his problem,” Wakeland said. “He does have drainage problems up where he lives apparently, but his house is built on a swamp and it doesn’t even have connectivity to the drains.”
Beaver dams have been blamed for flooding in the area, a claim Wakeland has disputed. The county has installed a beaver control device to help solve the issue, but Wakeland told board members the work wasn’t done properly.
He said the way the device was installed, it’s far too noisy, causing the beavers to instinctively build dams. “I’ve never given it more than about a 50-50 chance of working, but I haven’t given up on it yet,” he said. “So we got a major problem to try to fix, and my intention is, in the next week or two, to go in and talk with the county surveyor and to find out who’s responsible for this mistake. And if the contractor’s not, well then what’s it going to cost to fix it because I still think we’ve got over $3,000 invested in it. It’s worth an attempt to try and fix what is an obvious problem.”
On top of that, he says someone’s been trespassing in the forest property, in an apparent attempt to fix the drainage issue. “Somebody came out there and dug a hole clear through the lane, and also, they went down to the next dam and dug a big notch in the next dam, directly west of the observation tower,” Wakeland said. “And so not only did he drain the marsh between the observation tower and the main pond, but somebody dug a ditch clear through the lane.”
Wakeland says that puts the access lane at risk of washing out and also makes the beaver control device even less likely to work. He believes the best solution to drainage issues would be to build a bypass ditch, but he guesses that would cost $30,000 – money the county doesn’t have.
Still, Wakeland feels that in spite of the complaints, he’s done a good job at maintaining the water levels according to an agreement made when Dennis Estok was county surveyor. He also believes the drainage complaints are just taking money away from maintenance and improvements at the forest.
Surveyor Bill Crase is expected to put together a report on the drainage issue, along with some suggested solutions.
Author Michael Gallenberger, WKVI
The Starke County Forest continues drawing complaints about drainage issues.
Forester Bruce Wakeland told the Starke County Park Board Tuesday that a complaint was brought to the County Drainage Board this week by a neighboring landowner. “For some reason, he’s focused on the Starke County Forest as his problem,” Wakeland said. “He does have drainage problems up where he lives apparently, but his house is built on a swamp and it doesn’t even have connectivity to the drains.”
Beaver dams have been blamed for flooding in the area, a claim Wakeland has disputed. The county has installed a beaver control device to help solve the issue, but Wakeland told board members the work wasn’t done properly.
He said the way the device was installed, it’s far too noisy, causing the beavers to instinctively build dams. “I’ve never given it more than about a 50-50 chance of working, but I haven’t given up on it yet,” he said. “So we got a major problem to try to fix, and my intention is, in the next week or two, to go in and talk with the county surveyor and to find out who’s responsible for this mistake. And if the contractor’s not, well then what’s it going to cost to fix it because I still think we’ve got over $3,000 invested in it. It’s worth an attempt to try and fix what is an obvious problem.”
On top of that, he says someone’s been trespassing in the forest property, in an apparent attempt to fix the drainage issue. “Somebody came out there and dug a hole clear through the lane, and also, they went down to the next dam and dug a big notch in the next dam, directly west of the observation tower,” Wakeland said. “And so not only did he drain the marsh between the observation tower and the main pond, but somebody dug a ditch clear through the lane.”
Wakeland says that puts the access lane at risk of washing out and also makes the beaver control device even less likely to work. He believes the best solution to drainage issues would be to build a bypass ditch, but he guesses that would cost $30,000 – money the county doesn’t have.
Still, Wakeland feels that in spite of the complaints, he’s done a good job at maintaining the water levels according to an agreement made when Dennis Estok was county surveyor. He also believes the drainage complaints are just taking money away from maintenance and improvements at the forest.
Surveyor Bill Crase is expected to put together a report on the drainage issue, along with some suggested solutions.
Friday, January 13, 2017
Starke Park Board Seeks Documentation on Bass Lake Beach and Campground Code Violations
Posted on January 13, 2017
Author Michael Gallenberger, WKVI
Bass Lake Beach and Campground improvements continue to be monitored by the Starke County Park Board.
County Building Inspector Terry Stephenson had provided park board members with a written update, according to Board President Debbie Mix. “Everything he requested to be fixed and brought to code in the bathhouse has been completed,” she said Tuesday, “and there’s some exposed wiring in the main house that needs to be brought up to code.”
During Tuesday’s meeting, some board members were disappointed that Stephenson didn’t provide a full inspection report. Mix said the county needs the proper documentation, to have the option not to renew its lease with the operator of the beach and campground. “If we’re going to find them in violation, we need to make sure that we’re right on top of inspection report after inspection report, to make sure that they’re correcting things within the 30 days, we’re putting everything in writing,” she said. “And if we don’t do that, they’re getting that automatic extension.”
However, park board member Rosemary Rose pointed out that many people have expressed support for the current operators and their improvement efforts. She asked if the board’s goal is to end the current lease or to make sure the necessary repairs are made.
Mix felt that the board needs to be in a position to take action. “It really depends on if we want the status quo for the next 10 years or if we want to be able to implement some of these ideas that are going into the five-year plan,” she said. “I mean, that will certainly make a difference. So if we like what we see and we like how everything is running, then let’s keep the status quo. If we see room for improvement, then we need that report.”
Mix said the operator has had plenty of time to make the necessary repairs, and now the park board should hold them to their end of the lease, even if that means making repairs over the winter.
Author Michael Gallenberger, WKVI
Bass Lake Beach and Campground improvements continue to be monitored by the Starke County Park Board.
County Building Inspector Terry Stephenson had provided park board members with a written update, according to Board President Debbie Mix. “Everything he requested to be fixed and brought to code in the bathhouse has been completed,” she said Tuesday, “and there’s some exposed wiring in the main house that needs to be brought up to code.”
During Tuesday’s meeting, some board members were disappointed that Stephenson didn’t provide a full inspection report. Mix said the county needs the proper documentation, to have the option not to renew its lease with the operator of the beach and campground. “If we’re going to find them in violation, we need to make sure that we’re right on top of inspection report after inspection report, to make sure that they’re correcting things within the 30 days, we’re putting everything in writing,” she said. “And if we don’t do that, they’re getting that automatic extension.”
However, park board member Rosemary Rose pointed out that many people have expressed support for the current operators and their improvement efforts. She asked if the board’s goal is to end the current lease or to make sure the necessary repairs are made.
Mix felt that the board needs to be in a position to take action. “It really depends on if we want the status quo for the next 10 years or if we want to be able to implement some of these ideas that are going into the five-year plan,” she said. “I mean, that will certainly make a difference. So if we like what we see and we like how everything is running, then let’s keep the status quo. If we see room for improvement, then we need that report.”
Mix said the operator has had plenty of time to make the necessary repairs, and now the park board should hold them to their end of the lease, even if that means making repairs over the winter.
Justice Center Receives Heartland Award for Therapeutic Garden Program
Posted on January 13, 2017
Author Abby Adams, WKVI
The Starke County Justice Center’s community garden received The People’s Choice Heartland Award from the Indiana Department of Correction. The award was chosen by residents of Indiana for their successful 2016 harvest. To win the award, the program had to attain the most votes on Facebook and Starke County won by a landslide.
Officials from the IDOC visited the justice center Thursday to present the award. The community garden produces tomatoes, pumpkins, watermelon, and potatoes currently, with plans for even more variety next year. The inmates also keep track of 36 chickens, which produce about 20 eggs a day.
The food that isn’t used to help feed the Justice Center is donated to local nursing homes and food pantries.
Jim Bradford, the IDOC director of culinary arts for vocational reentry, who set up the People’s Choice Award, said he was impressed with the popularity of the facility. “I can’t tell you how much (Starke County) came behind this to support this award. It’s one fine facility.”
Phil Cherry, the jail warden, takes great pride in the program. “Because we’re a farming community, we thought this is something everyone will look at and pay attention to. Their family members are proud of what they’ve done and I think that’s important. We’re excited to expand next year.”
The County Justice Center has had a very successful therapeutic recovery program, with inmates coming in from eight surrounding counties. The inmates are organized into different groups, and mentor each other throughout the program. The inmates had a lot of praise for the different aspects of the program.
“We have GED classes, so some of us who don’t have a GED or a high school education got to participate in that. And I’d just like to say it is a great program.” Said an inmate in the recovery program.
Other inmates brought up being able to participate in raking leaves for the community, and cleaning up the fairgrounds. Inmates also have intensive family re-connection programs, where they get to have family discussions about home life for their return and healing processes within the family.
There are also fun activities for members of the recovery program. They have a dog come in every once in awhile to relieve stress which means a lot to the inmates, as well as football viewing parties.
Author Abby Adams, WKVI
The Starke County Justice Center’s community garden received The People’s Choice Heartland Award from the Indiana Department of Correction. The award was chosen by residents of Indiana for their successful 2016 harvest. To win the award, the program had to attain the most votes on Facebook and Starke County won by a landslide.
Officials from the IDOC visited the justice center Thursday to present the award. The community garden produces tomatoes, pumpkins, watermelon, and potatoes currently, with plans for even more variety next year. The inmates also keep track of 36 chickens, which produce about 20 eggs a day.
The food that isn’t used to help feed the Justice Center is donated to local nursing homes and food pantries.
Jim Bradford, the IDOC director of culinary arts for vocational reentry, who set up the People’s Choice Award, said he was impressed with the popularity of the facility. “I can’t tell you how much (Starke County) came behind this to support this award. It’s one fine facility.”
Phil Cherry, the jail warden, takes great pride in the program. “Because we’re a farming community, we thought this is something everyone will look at and pay attention to. Their family members are proud of what they’ve done and I think that’s important. We’re excited to expand next year.”
The County Justice Center has had a very successful therapeutic recovery program, with inmates coming in from eight surrounding counties. The inmates are organized into different groups, and mentor each other throughout the program. The inmates had a lot of praise for the different aspects of the program.
“We have GED classes, so some of us who don’t have a GED or a high school education got to participate in that. And I’d just like to say it is a great program.” Said an inmate in the recovery program.
Other inmates brought up being able to participate in raking leaves for the community, and cleaning up the fairgrounds. Inmates also have intensive family re-connection programs, where they get to have family discussions about home life for their return and healing processes within the family.
There are also fun activities for members of the recovery program. They have a dog come in every once in awhile to relieve stress which means a lot to the inmates, as well as football viewing parties.
Thursday, January 12, 2017
1/25/2017 The Role of Young Adults in Church and Society
Ancilla College welcomes Bishop Kevin Rhodes, the first Lampen Lecture speaker of 2017 to Lindenwood Retreat & Conference Center on Wednesday, January 25, 2017 at 6:30 p.m. EST. Bishop Rhodes will discuss The Role of Young Adults in Church and Society. This event is free and open to the public. Please join us. Ancilla College and Lindenwood Retreat and Conference Center are a part of The Center at Donaldson, sponsored by The Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ.
1/12/2017 It's Kiss a Ginger Day!
Inquiring minds are always asking questions. If you don't believe me just ask a parent or a teacher. So I was ever so intrigued when I stumbled on this website: https://www.daysoftheyear.com.
Did you know that the month of January celebrates 13 different things? Some of them are: Be Kind to Food Servers Month, Soup Month, Clean Up Your Computer Month, and International Brain Teaser Month. And in February there’s Hot Breakfast Month, Cherry Month, and Bird Feeding Month amongst others.**
Today – January 12th – is Kiss A Ginger Day, Poetry At Work Day, Pharmacist Day, and Marzipan Day. I’m personally looking forward to January 16th (Appreciate A Dragon Day) and the 20th (Penguin Awareness Day). Each day seems to have 2 to 8 items listed which gives you a choice of what to celebrate.
So if your children are often “bored – nothing to do” or just deserving of a special treat, check out this site and see what you can do to brighten their day or set up a future day to celebrate.
**By the way, February is also Bake For Family Fun Month, and there are quite a few snack days listed: Baked Alaska Day, Carrot Cake Day, Gumdrop Day, Chocolate Mint Day, Tortilla Chip Day. (And, if the kids have too much sugar, mom and dad might appreciate Drink Wine Day or Margarita Day.)
Did you know that the month of January celebrates 13 different things? Some of them are: Be Kind to Food Servers Month, Soup Month, Clean Up Your Computer Month, and International Brain Teaser Month. And in February there’s Hot Breakfast Month, Cherry Month, and Bird Feeding Month amongst others.**
Today – January 12th – is Kiss A Ginger Day, Poetry At Work Day, Pharmacist Day, and Marzipan Day. I’m personally looking forward to January 16th (Appreciate A Dragon Day) and the 20th (Penguin Awareness Day). Each day seems to have 2 to 8 items listed which gives you a choice of what to celebrate.
So if your children are often “bored – nothing to do” or just deserving of a special treat, check out this site and see what you can do to brighten their day or set up a future day to celebrate.
**By the way, February is also Bake For Family Fun Month, and there are quite a few snack days listed: Baked Alaska Day, Carrot Cake Day, Gumdrop Day, Chocolate Mint Day, Tortilla Chip Day. (And, if the kids have too much sugar, mom and dad might appreciate Drink Wine Day or Margarita Day.)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)