KINGFORD HEIGHTS
Semi destroys more than half mile of fencing
A Kingsford Heights used car dealer will have to replace more than a half mile of chain link fence damaged when a semitrailer truck missed a curve.
Fortunately, Terry Eckstrom has insurance to cover his losses because the driver was nowhere to be found.
"He just kept right on going," said Eckstrom.
Monday morning, Eckstrom noticed the heavy damage to his 3,000 foot long chain link fence that runs in front of his business, C & T Automotive Sales at 1188 U.S. 6 and U.S. 35.
Judging by ruts from the semi tires, Eckstrom said the rig missed the curve sometime after he closed Friday evening.
The truck plowed into some railroad ties buried deep into the ground to protect his property.
Eckstrom said the semi also traveled along the edge of his chain link fence, twisting and stretching the metal before veering back onto the highway.
"It's all crinkled up and looks hideous. I can't have it looking like that," said Eckstrom, who was getting estimates Tuesday on replacing the entire fence in the spring.
LAPORTE
Hot-rodding vehicle ends in man's arrest
A man made the mistake of hot rodding his compact car in front of a LaPorte Police officer, who arrested him for drunk driving, according to authorities.
Dennis Woodward, 43, of Kingsford Heights was booked into the LaPorte County Jail on Tuesday night for operating while intoxicated and resisting law enforcement.
Officer Robert Metcalf said he was at Clay Street and Jefferson Avenue when he spotted a car traveling at high speeds.
He then saw the front wheels of the 1996 Ford Focus came off the pavement while speeding over a bump westbound on Jefferson Avenue crossing Monroe Street.
Metcalf said the driver then braked so hard for a stop sign the rear wheels of the compact sized car lifted off the surface.
According to police, officers were forced to pick him up by the legs and shoulders to force him into the back seat of the police due to a fierce struggle.
LAPORTE
LaPorte pushes for tax, meets resistance
The city of LaPorte has scratched road and sidewalks repairs from next year's budget and could face more cuts in services due to a projected $2 million shortfall in the next two years.
With the end of 2008 in sight, the city -- to avoid further budget damage -- is pushing hard for a new tax to make up for revenue lost from statewide property tax reform.
Support from the LaPorte County Council right now seems lukewarm at best on the city's desperate bid for a new option income tax.
For the tax to go into effect, the county council must approve it and has scheduled hearings for Dec. 8 and Dec. 29 to possibly decide the issue.
Given the economic downturn, LaPorte County Council president Mark Yagelski said he would prefer the city look hard at making cuts in areas like parks and recreation instead of another tax.
Mayor Kathy Chroback said the city could be looking at a $500,000 loss in revenue in 2009 and as much as $1.2 million in 2010.
She said the new tax would generate about $750,000 annually for LaPorte softening what still would be major budget challenges.
Chroback said cutting too much money from parks will lead them into decline, providing a haven for vandalism and gangs.
