Kankakee Valley High School - Kougar Pride Yearbook (Wheatfield, IN)

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the Internal Revenue Service to permit their losses to be deductions on their 1975 returns. If their return has already been filed, they would have an option of filing an amended return or waiting to declare the losses until next year DeMotte Town Marshal Carl Koch and the DeMotte Police Department would like to thank all assisting agen es in the disaster that occurred in DeMotte last weekend Marshal Koch said that he would also like to explain to the town the reasons that several groups of people and vehicles not from the area were in DeMotte. He said that these people provided security service and also brought with them equipment which was utilized in restoring normal service to the community. Koch said that they did have a problem with sightseers, but that no looting was reported. The Marshal said that all in all, he thinks that the results of the assistance from outside groups was evident. “I for one, with the police department, thank them for their assistance, which was greatly needed and appreciated,” he said. Tornado Devestates Surrounding Area Reprint rights granted by K.V. Post on April 27, 1976. t «

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Clocks of many DeMotte area residents stopped at approximately 10 minutes until two last Friday as a late winter storm, brought on by warm spring-like temperatures, spawned deadly tornadoes, one of which ravaged through the Roselawn-DeMotte area. In the aftermath of the tornado, two persons were killed, at least 11 injured, and dozens of homes and businesses were either destroyed or damaged. The tornado began its destructive path near Lake Village and traveled across northern Newton County tearing apart homes and uprooting trees along its way. Red Cross reported 14 homes completely destroyed in Newton County and many more damaged. The tornado found mobile homes and trailers easy prey. At least 11 mobile homes were destroyed in Newton County. At Pioneer Campground between Lake Village and Roselawn a reported 25 trailers were destroyed, and another 15 were destroyed at Ponderosa Country Club, with many more damaged The storm also slammed into Naked City nudist camp near Roselawn, apparently causing damagp there, also. Students of Lincoln Elementa ry School were rounded up into the hallways. Walls of the school were said to have “vibrated,” but only minor damage was caused. The storm continued on its path, crossing over Interstate 65, where it turned over three semi-trailer trucks and stopped traffic for at least an hour on the highway. A WJCK radio employee reported that his car was picked up, turned around, and left facing in the opposite direction. The twister then entered Jasper County and caused considerable damage near the DeMotte-Thayer Road. From there it headed on a path toward the north side of DeMotte. The most heavily concentrated damage from the tornado occurred in the north end of DeMotte The wind slashed into the DeMotte Airport flattening the hangar and tossed around several of the planes. At least one ended up several hundred feet away. Four or five airplanes were destroyed by the tornado and other damaged The tornado then cut a path through Prospect Hill subdivision, crossed US 231,. (Hallect St.) just north of the Hillside Shopping Center, and continued northeast where it finally passed near the junction of 1400N and 700W A line of recently built brick homes in the west end of Prospect Hill were extensively damaged. DeMotte Town Marshal Carl Koch estimated that four or five homes were completely destroyed, but many others received severe damage Many homes were shaved off at the roof level and garages collapsed on family cars. In some cases, walls were blown in, and debris was scattered everywhere. About 20 homes were damaged in that area alone. The tornado then moved toward the north section of Prospect Hill, where it downed trees everywhere and caused some home damage, but damage was less severe than in the western section of the subdivision. Radar’s Standard Station and Barbara’s Laundromat were in the path of the tornado. Radar’s was completely destroyed, with much of the building thrown across the street, and Barbara’s Laundromat had a large section of its north wall taken out and some other damage. Prospect Auto Supply to the south also had roof damage. Skipping across the street, the storm slammed into Moolenaar Floral and Garden Center, taking out one wall there and bashing in the front of the store Most of the merchandise inside the store was also destroyed, and a tree in the parking lot fell on the car of a passing motorist who had stopped to take refuge. The storm then leveled a barn at the nearby Sidney Van Schepen residence and damaged parts of that home, then continued its northeasterly direction causing pockets of damage here and there before leaving the area. Remarkably, with all the damage, no one in the town of DeMotte was injured and Red Cross reported only one injury in Jasper County. Newton County was less fortunate with two deaths and 10 injuries, that’s still a low figure considering the destruction. Killed in the storm were Mary Rahmoeller, 83, of rural DeMotte, and Gilbert Cain, 70, of Momence, 111., who died of a heart attack while visiting a son in Lake Village Within minutes after the disaster, police, fire departments, and other groups from surrounding communities streamed into the area with help. Volunteers quickly sealed off the damaged areas and rerouted US 231 traffic. Hardest hit areas of Prospect Hill subdivision were sealed off through Sunday to all but residents and volunteers Besides the other injuries, a REACT worker from Lowell was injured Friday night when he was hit by a car along US 231 . He suffered a broken leg and contusions in the accident. Base of operations at DeMotte was in the United Methodist Church, while other churches and homes were opened up to sleep those left homeless. The Methodist Church stayed open all night Friday, Saturday, and Sunday to aid victims and provide a place for volunteers to rest. Meals served at the church averaged about 100 in attendance with an endless amount of people being served Friday night. A number of businesses in, and even out of DeMotte donated time, food, and other items that were needed Local Red Cross units came Friday and Red Cross people from South Bend came Saturday, as soon as they were notified of the disaster. The Red Cross stayed in operation through Tuesday providing food, clothing, shelter and many other services to people hit by the storm. Local people praised the Red Cross for the organization thev brought and the massive help given. It was said that they did everything from setting up menues and buying food to be served at the church to purchasing paper plates, cleaning supplies, and gloves needed after the disaster. In addition, the Red Cross provided individual case workers for people who had been affected by the tornado in order to find out what was needed and how those needs might be obtained. According to Red Cross statistics, direct assistance by their organization in Jasper and Newton counties amounted to $7,500 as of Monday night. That figure was expected to grow to an estimated $15,000, however, when all expenses are finally made. Red Cross headquarters were closed up Tuesday, but a worker will be back in the area Monday, March 22, to give any more assistance that is needed. He plans to be located at the Methodist Church 10 a m. to noon Monday and at theThayer Fire Station 1-3 p.m. In all, the Red Cross declared 15 families in Jasper County eligjble for assistance and 52 families in Newton County eligible. Workers for the Red Cross stressed that their assistance is absolutely without charge. Anyone who would like to contribute to a fund for the American Red Cross may do so aTthe DeMotte State Bank. State Representative Walt Roorda contacted Governor Otis Bowen Saturday asking that the area be declared a disaster area, and the governor has signed a proclamation seeking a Presidential disaster declaration which would provide federal assistance to Jasper, Newton, Lake, LaPorte, Marshall, Porter, Starke, and Wayne counties. A decision on that was not available at press time, but state disaster officials have conducted damage estimates in i.hese counties and believe that the level of damage is sufficient to justify federal action. Second District Congressman Floyd Fithian visited the area Saturday and U S. Senator Vance Hartke was scheduled to tour the damaged areas Wednesday afternoon. For those who suffered damage from the tornado, Walt Drees, DeMotte public accountant, advises that they keep a record of losses for income tax purposes Anything which was uninsured is tax deductible. Also, if the area is declared a disaster area, people will be eligible to make application to 6

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R «i 8 (A.) Coach encourages team and gives last minute instructions. (B.) Rick Sytsma skillfully outjumps opponent. (C.) Pep band leads students in snake dance. (D.) Mr. Lewis ' leads faculty in 2 bits cheer. (E.) Coach Miller talks up team at pep session. (F.) Cheerleaders urge team on to victory. (G.) Deb Thompson awaits signal to begin cheer. (H.) Scott Terpstra outjumps rival with ease as team members await the tip. (I.) Joanne Polomchak presents Don Duttlinger with Best Legs award. (J.) Ron Herring sets up for the drive. (K.) Kougars prevail with determination against Kouts.