Firefighters fought a fire at American Oak in North Judson shortly after 1:30 a.m. Thursday morning.
North Judson-Wayne Township Firefighters Battle Factory Fire
Crews Battle Fire at Cravin’s
Firefighters from the North Judson-Wayne Township Fire Department were called to Cravin’s in North Judson Thursday night.
According to Fire Chief Joe Leszek, old tires inside the building were on fire. Crews were on the scene for about two hours. No injuries were reported. No other fire departments were called to assist.
North Judson Town Council Approves Purchase of Fire Truck
The North Judson Town Council members approved the purchase of a new fire truck for the North Judson-Wayne Township Fire Department.
According to Fire Chief Joe Leszek, the department will be purchasing a used KME pumper truck with a five-man cab. The truck will be the first truck out on structure fires and auto accidents.
Recent North Judson Fire Ruled Accidental
A North Judson family lost their home the day after Christmas due to an accidental fire. The North Judson-Wayne Township Volunteer Fire Department was dispatched to the home on Wesley Street around 2:45 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 26 and remained on the scene for about two hours. Nobody was injured, but the family’s dog died in the blaze. Fire Chief Joe Leszek tells WKVI News the trailer fire was started by the homeowner trying to unthaw pipes.
Fire Chief Joe Leszek Retains Position Another Year
For the third year in a row, Joe Leszek will be filling the shoes of North Judson-Wayne Township Fire Chief, having been nominated by the 25-member department. Mike Scutchfield remains as the assistant fire chief despite being nominated by Leszek for the chief position, as Scutchfield’s work schedule did not allow enough time for him to handle the additional responsibilities. Fortunately, Leszek said the teamwork between the pair is phenomenal.
“It’s great. Mike Scutchfield is a great assistant chief; I nominated him for chief this year, and with his work schedule, he’s just unable to fulfill some of the responsibilities that the town board has. Hopefully in the near future he’ll be taking over for me!” Leszek said.
Firefighters Called to House Fire in North Judson
The North Judson-Wayne Township Fire Department was called to a house fire at 112 Lane Street Friday evening. Fire Chief Joe Leszek said the fire occurred at a multiple family dwelling and the structure sustained damage.
No preliminary cause of the fire has been given and it remains under investigation with the State Fire Marshal’s Office. More information on the fire will be released as the investigation unfolds.
North Judson-Wayne Township Fire Department Battles Brush Fires
The warm weather has prompted early spring cleaning and North Judson-Wayne Township Fire Chief, Joe Leszek, says his department has been called out to several brush fires already this season.
In the past five days, firefighters have been called to seven brush/woods fires. Leszek asks that you be cautious when burning brush this time of year as foliage has not yet begun its spring transformation and is dry. Winds are usually very strong and unpredictable this time of year.
North Judson Town Board Receives Fire Department Update, Independent Audit to be Conducted
Fire Chief Joe Leszek approached the North Judson Town Council and informed them that the hose training for the department was completed in December and everything is up-to-date. However, Leszek had some bad news for the board: Firefighter Todd Jackson was injured on the job recently. He refused medical treatment at the scene as the injury was not life-threatening; however, his injury worsened over the next day and he required medical attention. Clerk-Treasurer Donna Henry said she will follow up with a workman’s compensation inquiry.
The council also discussed the possibility of conducting an independent audit. Henry told the council that it is recommended by the Indiana Association of Cities and Towns to have an independent audit conducted as soon as possible, but Board Member Jane Ellen Felchuk disagreed, saying she felt it might not be necessary, especially when considering the cost. Previously, the cost for an independent audit was about $2,500, and is usually done every two years. A motion was made by Board member Tim Cummins to have an independent audit conducted, and it was approved.
Fire Destroys Home in Northern Pulaski County
The North Judson Fire Department was called to a house fire at 5315 W. 500 N. in northern Pulaski County.
Residents were in the home when the storms went through Wednesday morning and it was around 9:00 a.m. when they heard a loud crack. Minutes later, the smoke alarms went off and as the residents were exiting the house, flames were already showing from the ceiling. All occupants made it out safely. When the fire department arrived, Fire Chief Joe Leszek said the home was completely engulfed and the house was a total loss. An investigator from State Fire Marshall’s office will be at the scene today to determine the cause of the fire.
News from the North Judson Town Board
The North Judson Town Board members received information on implementing a 50/50 sidewalk program at their meeting on April 4th. The Board has not made a decision on whether or not to move forward with the project. The attorney will look over the proposal and other information and bring it back for discussion at the May 2nd meeting.
News from the North Judson Town Board
The North Judson Town Board heard a presentation from Clerk-Treasurer, Connie Miller, about a 50/50 sidewalk program. The Clerk presented ordinances and other papers to the Board members for their consideration. It is a new program for the town and it mirrors the program in Knox where the property owner submits their project to the Board, the Utility Superintendent inspects the site and determines whether or not the applicant’s project is acceptable. The homeowner would pay for half the project and the Town would pay for the other half. The discussion was tabled until the April 18th meeting so the Attorney and the Board members can decide how to move forward.
Knox City Police, North Judson-Wayne Township Fire Department Monthly Reports
Knox City Police Chief, Clint Norem, reports that in the month of March, the Police Department had 419 calls, handled 9 accidents and had 45 incident reports.
North Judson Police; Fire Reports for February
North Judson Town Marshal, Doug Vessely, reports that in the month of February, the Department received 234 calls. The Department responded to 12 lockout calls, 6 animal control calls, 16 thefts-conversion calls, 3 accidents, 13 juvenile-family disturbance calls, and 2 assault, battery or fighting calls, and conducted 48 traffic stops.
Officers completed 1 battery report, 2 Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated reports, 2 Burglary-Robbery reports, 3 theft-conversion reports, 4 traffic reports, 2 alcohol-drug reports, and 1 death investigation. 15 ordinance tickets were written, 29 traffic warnings given and North Judson officers made 14 adult arrests.
North Judson-Wayne Township Fire Chief, Joe Leszek, reports that his department had 2 structure fires, 2 medical assist calls, 1 vehicle accident call, 2 carbon monoxide investigations. 3 calls were in North Judson town limits, and 4 were in Wayne Township.
North Judson-Wayne Township Fire Department Statistics for January
North Judson Fire Chief, Joe Leszek submitted the Fire Department’s statistics for January to the North Judson Town Board during the Board’s recent meeting.
The Department had two smoke investigations, one search and rescue call, two medical assist calls, and one burn complaint. Four of the calls were in North Judson, one call was in Wayne Township and two calls were in Jackson Township.
