Friday, December 30, 2016
Cardiac Arrest vs Heart Attack
From Starke Hospital: Think you're having heart trouble? DON'T WAIT. Get to the ER fast! Thanks to the American Heart Association for this great infographic.
Thursday, December 29, 2016
Starke Circuit Court Schedules Emergency Hearing on Railroad Township Fire Protection Contract
Posted on December 29, 2016
Author Michael Gallenberger, WKVI
The controversy surrounding the planned restructuring of the San Pierre Volunteer Fire Department has led to an emergency hearing in Starke Circuit Court. A complaint filed on behalf of Fire Chief Joe Kryzyzanowski and Railroad Township Board members Clarence Gehrke and Gus Eckert requests an emergency order allowing the department to continue providing fire protection under a temporary contract.
It states that Township Trustee Mandy Thomason has so far failed to present board members with a contract, as requested by Gehrke and Eckert last week. The complaint alleges that Thomason’s decision not to renew the San Pierre Volunteer Fire Department’s contract violates Indiana’s Open Door Law, since it didn’t happen during an advertised board meeting.
However, Attorney Stephen Buschmann says that since the township trustee is an executive and not a governing body, she is not bound by Open Door Law, according to Township Trustee Clerk Sarah Gillard. Buschmann represents Thomason, and acts as general counsel for the Indiana Township Association.
That raises the question of whether Thomason has the authority to make decisions about fire protection without approval of the township board. Buschmann says she does. However, Attorney Cassandra Hine, who filed the complaint, says she doesn’t.
The emergency hearing is scheduled for tomorrow morning at 11:30 in Starke Circuit Court. The Railroad Township Board plans to meet in special session tomorrow evening at 6:00 at the San Pierre Fire Station to potentially consider a contract.
Author Michael Gallenberger, WKVI
The controversy surrounding the planned restructuring of the San Pierre Volunteer Fire Department has led to an emergency hearing in Starke Circuit Court. A complaint filed on behalf of Fire Chief Joe Kryzyzanowski and Railroad Township Board members Clarence Gehrke and Gus Eckert requests an emergency order allowing the department to continue providing fire protection under a temporary contract.
It states that Township Trustee Mandy Thomason has so far failed to present board members with a contract, as requested by Gehrke and Eckert last week. The complaint alleges that Thomason’s decision not to renew the San Pierre Volunteer Fire Department’s contract violates Indiana’s Open Door Law, since it didn’t happen during an advertised board meeting.
However, Attorney Stephen Buschmann says that since the township trustee is an executive and not a governing body, she is not bound by Open Door Law, according to Township Trustee Clerk Sarah Gillard. Buschmann represents Thomason, and acts as general counsel for the Indiana Township Association.
That raises the question of whether Thomason has the authority to make decisions about fire protection without approval of the township board. Buschmann says she does. However, Attorney Cassandra Hine, who filed the complaint, says she doesn’t.
The emergency hearing is scheduled for tomorrow morning at 11:30 in Starke Circuit Court. The Railroad Township Board plans to meet in special session tomorrow evening at 6:00 at the San Pierre Fire Station to potentially consider a contract.
Wednesday, December 28, 2016
1/21/2017 The Jungle Book Movie
Mark your calendar so you join us on January 21st as the North Judson-Wayne Township Library presents the movie "The Jungle Book". Our presentation will start at 11 a.m. in the library Activity Room. We hope to see you here.
Mowgli is a human boy who, as a young child, was adopted by a pack of wolves. The appearance of a villainous tiger named Shere Khan forces Mowgli's guardian, the panther Bagheera, to shepherd the child to safety in the "man village." Along the way, the boy meets an affable, lazy bear named Baloo, as well as a snake with hypnotic powers and an orangutan who wants to harness the power of fire.
Lawsuit Filed Against Railroad Township Trustee, Advisory Board Member
Posted on December 28, 2016
Author Mary Perren, WKVI
A lawsuit filed on behalf of three Railroad Township advisory board members against the township trustee secretary claims the Dec. 15 meeting in which the trustee announced plans to abolish the San Pierre Volunteer Fire Department violated the state’s Open Door Law.
The suit claims Trustee Mandy Thomason and board member Michael Lawecki were in attendance at the meeting, but advisory board President Clarence Gehrke and member August Eckert were not notified in advance. Thomason announced via Facebook the day of the meeting that a session was taking place “regarding the status of fire protection in Railroad Township.”
The suit notes a special township advisory board meeting may be held if the Trustee, chairman of the legislative body or a majority of the members issue a written notice of the meeting to each member of the legislative body. Such a notice must state the time, place and purpose of the meeting.
The state’s Open Door Law also requires notice of at least 48 hours prior to the meeting be posted at the legislative body’s principal office, which in this case is the San Pierre Fire Station, or at the building where the meeting took place. The lawsuit contends the location of the Dec. 15th meeting is not currently known to the plaintiff.
State law provides for the filing of a declaratory judgment to declare void any policy, decision or final action taken during a meeting for which proper legal notice was not provided.
During the Dec. 15 meeting, Thomason announced a new plan for fire protection in Railroad Township. The proposed “restructuring” of the San Pierre Fire Department, Inc. to create the “Railroad Township Volunteer Fire Department. The suit contends that action pertained directly to official Railroad Township business.
State law also requires any fire protection plan of a township trustee to be approved by that township’s legislative body. The suit states “A township trustee has no statutory authority to unilaterally act on fire protection matters.”
The suit also contends there was not a quorum of the township’s legislative body present during the Dec. 15th meeting. Only one advisory board member was in attendance, and two are required to meet that requirement.
Also, the trustee is required to obtain the township board’s approval before expending funds on fire protection services and equipment, according to the lawsuit. It contends the trustee has failed to obtain said approval for the funding of the new entity.
State law also sets checks and balances between the trustee and advisory board for the purchasing of fire protection equipment and employing full or part-time personnel to staff a department. According to the lawsuit, “The Trustee lacks the express statutory authority to incorporate a Township’s volunteer fire department and to run same on behalf of the Township.”
The lawsuit notes a quorum of the township advisory board passed a resolution during a special called Dec. 21 meeting stating the board rejects fire protection services provided by any other entity than the San Pierre Fire Department and directed the Trustee to present them with a contract for consideration and approval during a scheduled Dec. 30 special meeting. The suit claims the trustee has yet to provide a contract to the advisory board.
View a copy of the railroad-township-lawsuit by clicking the attached link.
Editor’s note: The Railroad Township Trustee also has a Township Trustee Clerk, who receives a salary from the township and is responsible for taking minutes for the trustee. She is not named in the lawsuit.
Author Mary Perren, WKVI
A lawsuit filed on behalf of three Railroad Township advisory board members against the township trustee secretary claims the Dec. 15 meeting in which the trustee announced plans to abolish the San Pierre Volunteer Fire Department violated the state’s Open Door Law.
The suit claims Trustee Mandy Thomason and board member Michael Lawecki were in attendance at the meeting, but advisory board President Clarence Gehrke and member August Eckert were not notified in advance. Thomason announced via Facebook the day of the meeting that a session was taking place “regarding the status of fire protection in Railroad Township.”
The suit notes a special township advisory board meeting may be held if the Trustee, chairman of the legislative body or a majority of the members issue a written notice of the meeting to each member of the legislative body. Such a notice must state the time, place and purpose of the meeting.
The state’s Open Door Law also requires notice of at least 48 hours prior to the meeting be posted at the legislative body’s principal office, which in this case is the San Pierre Fire Station, or at the building where the meeting took place. The lawsuit contends the location of the Dec. 15th meeting is not currently known to the plaintiff.
State law provides for the filing of a declaratory judgment to declare void any policy, decision or final action taken during a meeting for which proper legal notice was not provided.
During the Dec. 15 meeting, Thomason announced a new plan for fire protection in Railroad Township. The proposed “restructuring” of the San Pierre Fire Department, Inc. to create the “Railroad Township Volunteer Fire Department. The suit contends that action pertained directly to official Railroad Township business.
State law also requires any fire protection plan of a township trustee to be approved by that township’s legislative body. The suit states “A township trustee has no statutory authority to unilaterally act on fire protection matters.”
The suit also contends there was not a quorum of the township’s legislative body present during the Dec. 15th meeting. Only one advisory board member was in attendance, and two are required to meet that requirement.
Also, the trustee is required to obtain the township board’s approval before expending funds on fire protection services and equipment, according to the lawsuit. It contends the trustee has failed to obtain said approval for the funding of the new entity.
State law also sets checks and balances between the trustee and advisory board for the purchasing of fire protection equipment and employing full or part-time personnel to staff a department. According to the lawsuit, “The Trustee lacks the express statutory authority to incorporate a Township’s volunteer fire department and to run same on behalf of the Township.”
The lawsuit notes a quorum of the township advisory board passed a resolution during a special called Dec. 21 meeting stating the board rejects fire protection services provided by any other entity than the San Pierre Fire Department and directed the Trustee to present them with a contract for consideration and approval during a scheduled Dec. 30 special meeting. The suit claims the trustee has yet to provide a contract to the advisory board.
View a copy of the railroad-township-lawsuit by clicking the attached link.
Editor’s note: The Railroad Township Trustee also has a Township Trustee Clerk, who receives a salary from the township and is responsible for taking minutes for the trustee. She is not named in the lawsuit.
N.J.-S.P. School Board Reviews ISTEP Scores
Posted on December 28, 2016
Author Mary Perren, WKVI
The North Judson-San Pierre School Corporation has been working for several weeks to raise ISTEP scores and school letter grades. Superintendent Dr. Annette Zupin told the school board officials were anticipating low letter grades, and they were right. Last year was a new test, which made preparation difficult.
Overall, the corporation scored a “D” letter grade. The middle and high schools individually received D’s, while the elementary school got a B.
Math proficiency continues to be an issue, and it is addressed in both the elementary and junior/senior high school improvement plans. Both were presented to the school board in November.
N.J.-S.P. Elementary School Principal Mike McBride says school officials are collecting and analyzing data from a range of sources and adopting it to their in-house training and updated curriculum mapping. McBride says the elementary school is also working to improve academic proficiency across the curriculum and to continue to meet targets in reading and math.
N.J.-S.P. Elementary also has a Title 1 School-wide plan that is funded in part by the federal government. McBride says it includes making sure all core classes are taught by highly qualified teachers, ongoing professional development, inclusion of faculty in decision making, parental involvement through activities like literacy nights, assistance for students who are not proficient and working with all area preschool programs to ensure students are ready to start kindergarten.
N.J.-S.P. Junior/Senior High School Principal Jim Polite’s plan recognizes the first year of the new configuration. He says the school has increased its advanced placement and dual credit course offerings and is proud of its extremely successful agriculture program.
Polite acknowledges the needs to improve student proficiency in math by increasing the mastery of key concepts. He says they are administering STAR assessment tests at least three times per year to identify areas in need of remediation.
Author Mary Perren, WKVI
The North Judson-San Pierre School Corporation has been working for several weeks to raise ISTEP scores and school letter grades. Superintendent Dr. Annette Zupin told the school board officials were anticipating low letter grades, and they were right. Last year was a new test, which made preparation difficult.
Overall, the corporation scored a “D” letter grade. The middle and high schools individually received D’s, while the elementary school got a B.
Math proficiency continues to be an issue, and it is addressed in both the elementary and junior/senior high school improvement plans. Both were presented to the school board in November.
N.J.-S.P. Elementary School Principal Mike McBride says school officials are collecting and analyzing data from a range of sources and adopting it to their in-house training and updated curriculum mapping. McBride says the elementary school is also working to improve academic proficiency across the curriculum and to continue to meet targets in reading and math.
N.J.-S.P. Elementary also has a Title 1 School-wide plan that is funded in part by the federal government. McBride says it includes making sure all core classes are taught by highly qualified teachers, ongoing professional development, inclusion of faculty in decision making, parental involvement through activities like literacy nights, assistance for students who are not proficient and working with all area preschool programs to ensure students are ready to start kindergarten.
N.J.-S.P. Junior/Senior High School Principal Jim Polite’s plan recognizes the first year of the new configuration. He says the school has increased its advanced placement and dual credit course offerings and is proud of its extremely successful agriculture program.
Polite acknowledges the needs to improve student proficiency in math by increasing the mastery of key concepts. He says they are administering STAR assessment tests at least three times per year to identify areas in need of remediation.
Tuesday, December 27, 2016
1/10/2017 Creative Canvas with Tabitha
On the second Tuesday of each month Tabitha Dillner will host a painting class at the North Judson-Wayne Township Library.
Classes will run from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at a cost of $10 per 8x10 canvas. (If interested in a different canvas size - 11x14 or 16x20 - contact Tabitha at 219-314-2030. ) The fee includes all materials, instructions, and light refreshments.
Class size is limited. You can RSVP for classes by contacting the North Judson-Wayne Township Library by calling 574-896-2841 or emailing events.norjudlib@gmail.com.
ISP Releases More Information About Fatal Police Shooting
Posted on December 27, 2016
Author Mary Perren, WKVI
The Indiana State Police have released more information in last week’s fatal, police-involved Starke County shooting.
William R. Newman, 46, of Plymouth had an active Fulton County warrant for failure to appear for dealing methamphetamine and was also wanted for a parole violation by the Indiana State Parole Board.
Officers from the Starke County Sheriff’s Office and Knox City Police Department were trying to serve a felony warrant at Bailey’s Furniture, located just south of Toto Road on U.S. 35 last Wednesday morning.
In the process of the warrant service, investigators say a black GMC pickup truck drove through the closed garage door of the business and struck a marked Starke County Sheriff’s patrol car. The GMC driver then tried to run over another officer while attempting to flee.
That’s when officers fired their weapons, striking the truck and the driver, who was the sole occupant. He was taken to Starke Hospital where he was pronounced dead.
According to the Indiana State Police, Knox City Police Chief Harold Smith, Cpl. Chad Dulin and Detective Donald Ferguson with the Starke County Sheriff’s Office were involved in the shooting. The three have a combined 40 years of law enforcement service. None of the officers were injured.
Author Mary Perren, WKVI
The Indiana State Police have released more information in last week’s fatal, police-involved Starke County shooting.
William R. Newman, 46, of Plymouth had an active Fulton County warrant for failure to appear for dealing methamphetamine and was also wanted for a parole violation by the Indiana State Parole Board.
Officers from the Starke County Sheriff’s Office and Knox City Police Department were trying to serve a felony warrant at Bailey’s Furniture, located just south of Toto Road on U.S. 35 last Wednesday morning.
In the process of the warrant service, investigators say a black GMC pickup truck drove through the closed garage door of the business and struck a marked Starke County Sheriff’s patrol car. The GMC driver then tried to run over another officer while attempting to flee.
That’s when officers fired their weapons, striking the truck and the driver, who was the sole occupant. He was taken to Starke Hospital where he was pronounced dead.
According to the Indiana State Police, Knox City Police Chief Harold Smith, Cpl. Chad Dulin and Detective Donald Ferguson with the Starke County Sheriff’s Office were involved in the shooting. The three have a combined 40 years of law enforcement service. None of the officers were injured.
State Fire Marshal Urges Proper Tree Disposal
Posted on December 27, 2016
Author Mary Perren, WKVI
Christmas is over, and Indiana State Fire Marshal Jim Greeson reminds Hoosiers to properly dispose of their live trees.
When a tree starts to drop needles, it means it is too dry and should be removed from the home, according to Greeson. He says dry trees are a fire hazard. The National Fire Prevention Association notes roughly one of every 34 reported home fires that begin with a Christmas tree resulted in death, compared to an average of one death per 142 total reported home fires.
All decorations should be removed before disposing of the tree.
Many communities offer a disposal or pickup service for Christmas trees. In Knox they can be dropped off at the brush pile behind city hall.
Recycle Indiana has a statewide list of Solid Waste Management Programs, which can found here: http://bit.ly/INSolidWasteManagement. This service allows Indiana residents to locate waste management district and disposal options in their area.
If disposing of a Christmas tree at home, treat a tree as garden waste. Do not lean the tree against any structures, instead place in designated decomposition pile. Placing the tree in a garden or backyard can provide winter shelter for birds and other wildlife. Another option is chopping the tree for firewood for summer bonfires, or indoor use next winter when the wood is properly seasoned.
Author Mary Perren, WKVI
Christmas is over, and Indiana State Fire Marshal Jim Greeson reminds Hoosiers to properly dispose of their live trees.
When a tree starts to drop needles, it means it is too dry and should be removed from the home, according to Greeson. He says dry trees are a fire hazard. The National Fire Prevention Association notes roughly one of every 34 reported home fires that begin with a Christmas tree resulted in death, compared to an average of one death per 142 total reported home fires.
All decorations should be removed before disposing of the tree.
Many communities offer a disposal or pickup service for Christmas trees. In Knox they can be dropped off at the brush pile behind city hall.
Recycle Indiana has a statewide list of Solid Waste Management Programs, which can found here: http://bit.ly/INSolidWasteManagement. This service allows Indiana residents to locate waste management district and disposal options in their area.
If disposing of a Christmas tree at home, treat a tree as garden waste. Do not lean the tree against any structures, instead place in designated decomposition pile. Placing the tree in a garden or backyard can provide winter shelter for birds and other wildlife. Another option is chopping the tree for firewood for summer bonfires, or indoor use next winter when the wood is properly seasoned.
Friday, December 23, 2016
N.J.-S.P. Board Updated on Lighting Projects, Band Room Relocation
Posted on December 23, 2016
Author Mary Perren, WKVI
The North Judson-San Pierre School Corporation is taking on some lighting projects during the holiday break. Superintendent Dr. Annette Zupin told the school board Tuesday improvements at the bus garage are already underway. During the break lighting upgrades will be made in the middle and high school gym. Zupin says care has been taken to ensure that project does not interfere with any scheduled games or practices.
Zupin was also asked about when the band may get their room back now that repairs have been made to the upstairs space that was formerly the weight room. Structural concerns forced the closure of that space two years ago, and the weight room was moved into the band room in the music suite.
Zupin says the weight room cannot be moved back upstairs due to weight restrictions for the mezzanine. It is now being used as a practice area for other athletic programs.
The band director conducts classes on the auditorium stage, but that becomes an issue when functions are scheduled. Also, due to the size of the beginning band, the class is split into two groups, with some of the students taken to the cafeteria to practice.
Zupin promised to find a permanent space for the band by the start of the 2017-18 school year. She says that’s preferable to moving them multiple times. Zupin adds the former band room is an ideal location for the weight room due to its proximity to the gym and locker rooms.
Author Mary Perren, WKVI
The North Judson-San Pierre School Corporation is taking on some lighting projects during the holiday break. Superintendent Dr. Annette Zupin told the school board Tuesday improvements at the bus garage are already underway. During the break lighting upgrades will be made in the middle and high school gym. Zupin says care has been taken to ensure that project does not interfere with any scheduled games or practices.
Zupin was also asked about when the band may get their room back now that repairs have been made to the upstairs space that was formerly the weight room. Structural concerns forced the closure of that space two years ago, and the weight room was moved into the band room in the music suite.
Zupin says the weight room cannot be moved back upstairs due to weight restrictions for the mezzanine. It is now being used as a practice area for other athletic programs.
The band director conducts classes on the auditorium stage, but that becomes an issue when functions are scheduled. Also, due to the size of the beginning band, the class is split into two groups, with some of the students taken to the cafeteria to practice.
Zupin promised to find a permanent space for the band by the start of the 2017-18 school year. She says that’s preferable to moving them multiple times. Zupin adds the former band room is an ideal location for the weight room due to its proximity to the gym and locker rooms.
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