2011 H.J. Halleck Award Winner Named

Pulaski County Circuit Court Judge Michael Shurn

Congratulations to Pulaski County Circuit Judge Michael Shurn of Winamac. In balloting yesterday, Judge Shurn was selected as the 2011 H.J. Halleck award winner in Pulaski County.

Judge Shurn lives in Pulaski County with his wife, Mary, and is the father of two children. He will be honored during a ceremony February 24th at the Moss Creek Country Club.

Eastern Pulaski School Board Discusses Bill that would Require Schools to Start after Labor Day

Dr. Robert Klitzman
Dr. Robert Klitzman

At its recent meeting, the Eastern Pulaski School Board discussed a legislative bill that has been filed in this session.

“There has been a bill introduced already which would require schools to not start school until after Labor Day,” explained Superintendent Dr. Robert Klitzman. “With the kind of weather we’re having right now, there have been schools that have delayed, which doesn’t count against you, but if you call off, you make them up. Starting after Labor Day, there is not nearly as many days available to do makeups and things. That’s something that we’re really going to watch. We don’t favor it. We truly favor local control where right now, if our School Board decided they wanted to start after Labor Day, they can do that. We don’t need a law to tell us to do those things. The main push for this is coming out of the entertainment and tourism where they would like to have more people out and about, taking advantage of their attractions and spending money.”

What is your opinion? Let your State Representative or State Senator know your views so your voice can be heard before a vote is taken on the bill.

NIPSCO Launches Online Tool to Report Street Light Outages

Reporting a non-working street light just became easier, thanks to a new online tool launched by NIPSCO.

Customers noticed a streetlight that is broken or burned out can conveniently visit this website and submit a request to have it fixed. An interactive map identifies all of the street lights owned or maintained by NIPSCO. If a customer does not have the exact pole number, they will still be able to search for the street light by address or location.

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Starke County Commissioners Discuss Proposed Burn Ordinance

Starke County Commissioners ( L to R ) Kathy Norem, Dan Bridegroom, Jennifer Davis

Approximately 20 people turned out Monday night to question the Starke County Commissioners about the proposed new burn ordinance. Numerous questions were asked about the ordinance which has been written to mirror the State’s ordinance on burning.

Many questions pertained to the enforcement of the new ordinance. The Sheriff’s Department, the Environmental Department and possibly even the Health Department will enforce the ordinance. If fire departments determine that a fire was set illegally or illegal materials were being burned, a report would be sent to the various departments mentioned for further action.

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State Legislature to Discuss the Elimination of Township Government this Session

State Representative Nancy Dembowski

Will this be the session of the State Legislature when township government is done away with? Governor Mitch Daniels would like for it to be eliminated. Indiana has more than 1,000 townships. The Trustees and Advisory Boards are responsible for fire protection and poor relief, among other things.

WKVI News asked State Representative Nancy Dembowski (D-Knox) gives us her perspective on the possible elimination of township government.

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Commissioner Davis Resigns from Starke County Health Board

Jennifer Davis

After only one meeting, Starke County Commissioner, Jennifer Davis, has resigned from the seat she was named to on the Starke County Health Board. It was determined that the position she was named to was not one that requires a Commission representative. That being the case, Davis was named to be the Commission’s liaison on the Health Board, but not a voting member.

The seat she was named to was the one held by Bob Howard until December 31st, 2010. It will now have to be reappointed by the Commissioners.

Marshall County Habitual Traffic Violator Arrested in Griffith

An Habitual Traffic Violator from Marshall County has been picked up in Griffith. Jamie Lee Nitcher, 36, who now lists his address as Gary, was found to be a Habitual Traffic Offender in Marshall County in 2003. He lost his driving privileges for life, but when picked up early Friday morning police said he had three open beers inside his Dodge truck and admitted he’d been smoking marijuana. Charges of Operating a Vehicle after a Lifetime Suspension is a Class C Felony, punishable by a maximum of eight years in prison.

Eastern Pulaski Elementary School to Bridge Gap Between Preschool and Kindergarten

Dr. Robert Klitzman
Dr. Robert Klitzman

Eastern Pulaski Elementary Principal, Mrs. Jill Collins, reported a new plan to the Eastern Pulaski School Board that would help students bridge the gap between Preschool and Kindergarten.

“We’re setting up a series of meetings where we are going to invite Preschool teachers and students into our building during the day and evening at different times and we’ll put them in a classroom and we’ll bring some teachers in to talk with them about some of the things they’ll be doing in Kindergarten,” explained Eastern Pulaski School Superintendent, Dr. Robert Klitzman. “The students will be able to see the teachers now with the comfort of their Preschool teacher and the other students right there and the next year it won’t be such a traumatic situation.”

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Ice Fishing Safety Reminders

Keith Wildeman

Conservation Officer, Keith Wildeman, is in today to discuss ice fishing safety.

“Ice is never safe just because it can always change depending on weather conditions,” said Wildeman. “If we have a heavy snow like we did a few weeks back, the snow acts as an insulator and the ice will not form as quickly or as hard.”

What is the rule of thumb about the thickness of the ice?

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Winter Weather Advisory

Statement as of 12:22 PM CST on January 17, 2011/

Winter Weather Advisory
… Winter Weather Advisory in effect from 6 PM EST /5 PM CST/
this evening to noon EST /11 am CST/ Tuesday…
The National Weather Service in northern Indiana has issued a
Winter Weather Advisory for freezing rain and snow… which is in
effect from 6 PM EST /5 PM CST/ this evening to noon EST /11 am
CST/ Tuesday.
* Timing… a mixture of snow and freezing rain will spread into
the area tonight and persist Tuesday morning.
* Main impact… surfaces are likely to become icy causing slippery
travel and hazardous walking conditions.
Precautionary/preparedness actions…
A Winter Weather Advisory means that periods of snow… sleet… or
freezing rain will cause travel difficulties. Be prepared for
slippery roads and limited visibilities… and use caution while
driving.

Phil Potempa’s Monday Soup Recipe

Phil Potempa
Phil Potempa

Cheeseburger Soup:
Ingredients:
1 lb ground beef, browned and drained
1/2 cup chopped onion
1/2 chopped celery
1 carrot, shredded
1 large (33oz) can of 99% fat free chicken broth
2 (14 oz) cans of low-fat Cheddar-Broccoli soup
2 cups milk
2 cups cooked rice, brown or white
1 cup sour cream

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Sunday Morning Mixed League 1/16/11

Sunday Morning Mixed League 1/16/11
Team Standings:
1. The Unknown 87.0-32.0
2. The Quest 72.0-54.0
3. WRJN 70.0-56.0
4. Split Heads 69.0-60.0
5. The Smelly Cats 66.0-57.0
6. Lucky #7 57.0-69.0
7. S*** Happens 55.0-71.0
8. Odd Balls 54.0-72.0
9. Strange Brew 53.0-73.0
10. Snowdon’s Lawncare 47.0-79.0
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Starke County Health Board to Consider Combining Envrionmentalist and Food Inspector Duties

Deb Hansen, Brenda Stanojevic, Dr. Bartush, Jennifer Davis, Dr. Lochner, Donna Bailey and Bev Fraine

The Starke County Health Board is considering combining the Environmentalist position with the Food Inspector’s duties. Health Nurse Frank Lynch brought the suggestion to the Board last week.

David Kesvormas, who had been selected to do food inspections on a contract basis, was in attendance and said he would not be willing to be considered for the expanded position. The Board made no decision, but would be willing to look at the job description before deciding. Until that time, the Board is willing to consider Kesvormas for the Food Inspector’s position on a contractual basis.

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