Latest news with #Marroquin
Yahoo
10-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Ivy Tech celebrates first graduates from ESL Career Training course
The first class of students in Ivy Tech Community College Logansport's ESL Career Training certificate program walked across the graduation stage Wednesday night. The program helps those in the community who are non-native English speakers learn language skills and career training. The program recently received a $50,000 grant from Northern Indiana Public Service Company LLC (NIPSCO) and the NiSource Charitable Foundation. Among those earning certificates Wednesday were Vincente and Norma Garcia, owners of La Fiesta restaurant, 524 North St. The couple said they were excited to be earn their certificates and they looked forward to continuing the program at the next level. Vincente was encouraged to take the courses by Carlos Marroquin, ESL coordinator for Ivy Tech's Kokomo Service Area. Vincente than asked his wife to join him. 'We encourage anyone to come and participate in the program,' the couple said with Marroquin's assistance as a translator. 'It's a great, great program for people like us who are maybe a little bit older. It's never too late to learn. It's never too late to get ahead in life. Overall, we have great things to say about the program and we encourage everyone to at least get information (about the course.)' 'Starting this program back in November there was a lot of uncertainty,' Marroquin said. 'We built it from the ground up. What we've done in such a short amount of time is phenomenal. I feel very blessed to be here. We are making an impact on our community and individual lives. I'm excited to see where we go from here.' Lizette Garcia, Vincente and Norma's daughter, said she was very happy to see her parents earn the certificate. Normally they are watching her graduate, she said. She attended Ivy Tech, studying in the ASAP program, a program that helps students complete the first two years of college in under a year. From there she transferred to IUPUI and graduated with her bachelors in psychology and sociology. 'My dad has always been big on learning English, learning to read English, anything to be able to better communicate with his clientele,' she said. 'As a business owner we have a lot of different cultures coming in and out of their business and it was very important for him to be able to communicate with them.' Lizette said that Ivy Tech was a great institution and said it was a great starting point for those looking to get an education or just learn English through the ESL career training program. 'I would definitely advise anyone who doesn't know where to look, who don't have the resources or tools to reach out to Ivy Tech,' she said. 'Ivy Tech has a great team. They can get all the help and resources they need.' The funding from NIPSCO and the NiSource Charitable Foundation will cover fees for things like instructional tools, the Test of Adult Basic Education (an English assessment test) and EnGen, a language learning software. After taking the test, students are placed in the proper class based on their English language skills. There are four levels of classes and students can advance to each level by completing the previous course they tested into. 'By reducing language barriers and equipping individuals with essential job skills, the ESL Career Training Program will create clear pathways to educational and workforce success,' said NIPSCO's Karen McLean, Public Affairs & Economic Development manager in a press release. 'NIPSCO and the NiSource Charitable Foundation are proud to support this community initiative.' McLean was at the ceremony Wednesday night, handing the students their certificates as they were called to the stage. 'So much of what we do is dependent upon really great partners,' said Ethan Heicher, chancellor of the Ivy Tech Kokomo service area. 'Great community partners, a great community and NIPSCO has always been a great friend for the college. They have supported us whether it be funding STEM camp or this ESL program. They've been willing to commit to helping our community. We really appreciate their contribution.' Marroquin encouraged anyone interested in learning more about the course to reach out to him. The next class will run from June 9 to August 1 at Ivy Tech's Logansport Campus. Day and evening classes are available. For more information, contact Marroquin at cmarroquin1@ or call 574-398-6081.
Yahoo
08-04-2025
- Yahoo
Creston Police: Drinking and driving lands two in jail over the weekend
Apr. 8—Brooklyn M. Roberts, 19, of Creston was taken into custody 5:36 p.m. April 4, at the Union County Law Enforcement Center on a Union County warrant for the charge of failure to appear on the original charges of OWI, first offense and possession of a controlled substance — marijuana, first offense. According to a Union County District Court document, Roberts was to appear April 4 for a plea hearing on the original charges and did not. Roberts was transported to the Adams County Jail where she was released from after posting $3,000 cash-only bond. — — — — — Cory S. Laird, 38, of Creston, was taken into custody 11:24 p.m. April 4, in the 400 block of South Sumner Avenue on the charge of OWI, first offense. According to a Creston Police report, at approximately 10:57 p.m. officers observed a 2007 Chevrolet Trailblazer on Adams Street across the centerline of the road. The trailblazer turned south onto South Sumner Avenue, traveling 37 mph in a 25 mph zone. The Trailblazer almost hit the curb, corrected and then crossed the centerline again. A traffic stop was conducted and contact was made with the driver, identified as Laird, who had slurred speech, bloodshot, watery eyes and the odor of a consumed alcoholic beverage coming from his person. A open beer can was observed in the driver's cupholder. Laird told officers he had consumed three to four beers. Laird consented to field sobriety testing and showed numerous validated clues of impairment. A PBT showed his BrAC to be above .08%. Laird was transported the law enforcement center where he consented to provide a breath specimen for chemical testing. The result indicated Laird to have a a BAC of .162%. Laird was transported to the Union County Jail where he was released from after posting $1,000 cash or surety bond. — — — — — Jose R. Marroquin, 24, of Hildago, Texas, was taken into custody at 1 a.m. April 5, at Highway 25 and Montgomery Street on the charge of OWI, first offense. According to a Creston Police report, at approximately 11:12 p.m. officers stopped a vehicle for a violation. Contact was made with the driver, identified as Marroquin, who was determined to be impaired and believed to be under the influence of a controlled substance. Marroquin consented to field sobriety testing which showed significant signs of impairment. He also consented to a DRE evaluation which confirmed his impairment to be from a controlled substance. Marroquin was transported to the Union County Jail where he was released from after posting $1,000 cash or surety bond. __ __ __ __ __ Eric D. Shawler, 52, of Creston, was taken into custody 3:09 a.m. April 5, at the Union County Law Enforcement Center on the charge of OWI, first offense. According to a Creston Police report, at approximately 2:08 a.m. a 2006 Ford F350 was stopped after being observed traveling 39 mph in a 25 mph zone. The driver, identified as Shawler, exited his vehicle and approached the patrol car. While speaking with Shawler, the odor of a consumed alcoholic beverage was detected coming from his breath. Shawler admitted he had had a couple of drinks at a local bar, with the last one being consumed about 15 minutes prior to being stopped. Shawler refused all field sobriety testing and a PBT. A search warrant was obtained for a breath specimen. The test result indicated his BAC to be .092%. Shawler was transported to the Union County Jail where he was released from after posting $1,000 cash or surety bond. — — — — — Travis Q. Wambold, 48, of Creston, was taken into custody 4:55 p.m. April 5, at Chestnut and Walnut streets on the charge of driving while suspended. According to a Creston Police report, at approximately 4:39 p.m. Wambold was observed driving a 2000 Ford Explorer on South Chestnut Street. Walmbold has a suspended license. Wambold was cited and released at the scene on a summons to appear. — — — — — Wesley G. Keeler Jr., 37, of Creston, was taken into custody 7:09 p.m. April 5, at East Montgomery and North Vine streets on the charge of driving while suspended. According to a Creston Police report, at approximately 7 p.m. Keeler was observed driving a 2013 Dodge Avenger on Vine Street. Keeler has a suspended license. Keeler was cited and released at the scene on a summons to appear. — — — — — Robert T. Jackson, 46, of Creston, was taken into custody 9:19 p.m. April 5, at Adams and Division streets on the charge of driving while suspended. According to a Creston Police report, at approximately 9:13 p.m. Jackson was observed driving a 2013 Ford Fusion on Division Street. Jackson has a suspended license. Jackson was cited and released at the scene on a summons to appear. — — — — — Payten R. Jurgensen, 21, of Creston, was taken into custody 9:30 a.m. April 6, at her residence on the charge of harassment, third degree. According to a Creston Police report, a male victim reported his ex-girlfriend, identified as Jurgensen, was repeatedly calling him and provided evidence to police showing repeated calls from her. Officers contacted Jurgensen on a recorded line and advised her to stop contacting the victim. Jurgensen told officers she wasn't going to stop and had already called in excess of 100 times. These calls were made without legitimate purpose and in a manner which likely caused the victim annoyance. Jurgensen was transported to the Adams County Jail where she was released from on her own recognizance on a promise to appear for sentencing after she pled guilty to the charge. — — — — — Rhonda J. Thompson, 55, of Corning, was taken into custody 12:25 a.m. April 6, at Highway 34 and Smith Street on the charge of possession of drug paraphernalia. According to a Creston Police report, at approximately 11:07 p.m. April 5 a 2020 Nissan Kicks was stopped for speeding and crossing the centerline. Contact was made with the driver, identified as Thompson. While speaking with Thompson officers observed a marijuana pipe in plain view and handed it to officers after being asked. There was still marijuana residue in the pipe. A probable cause search was conducted. Officers located two empty tubes marked "marijuana." Thompson was cited and released at the scene on a summons to appear. — — — — — Noemy Aguirre, 22, of Creston, was taken into custody 4:28 p.m. April 6, for the charge of animal at large. According to a Creston Police report, at approximately 3:52 p.m. April 5, officers were dispatched to a residence on Pine Street for two dogs attacking a smaller dog. Officers were able to get the dogs separated. The owner of the two dogs, identified as Aguirre, said the dogs had run off after a door was opened at her residence. Aguirre was cited and released on a summons to appear.
