Here is just some of the news that made the news in the Kankakee Valley this week:
The Starke County Commissioners met with HJ Umbaugh and Associates and RQAW last week to go over a few capital projects at the county facilities including the jail roof and the Courthouse elevator. A slight tax increase is being discussed to repay any money that may be borrowed for the projects.
Students from the three Starke County schools were able to see Shakespeare’s Macbeth Tuesday at the North-San Pierre High School Auditorium. The play was performed by professional actors from the Shakespeare Theatre in Chicago’s Navy Pier.
This week is National Work Zone Safety Week. You are urged to be careful when driving through road construction zones this summer. Drivers who injure or kill a highway worker will find themselves paying a $10,000 fine or serving up to eight years in prison.
The Starke County Commissioners unanimously voted to place the drug policy in the Employee Handbook. All new employees will have to take a pre-employment test and those involved in accidents with County vehicles will have to take a post-accident test.
The Pulaski County Commissioners approved the Friends of Pleasant View’s proposal to repair the roof at the Pleasant View Rest Home. The organization has raised approximately $9,500 to repair the leaky roof and they are waiting to see if they have been awarded a grant to replace the roof.
Starke County employees will see an increase in their contribution for health insurance in 2012. The increases will take effect January 1st.
Starke County officials closed three bridges last week for safety reasons. Bridge #9 over the Jane Ditch in Oregon Township, bridge #62 over the Smith Ditch in California Township and Bridge #156 over the Robbins Ditch in Davis Township were closed.
After July 1st of this year, due to Federal guidelines, the Pulaski County Health Department will no longer be able to provide services to residents covered under Medicaid or private insurance.
All emergency services in Starke County will have their radios reprogrammed as the FCC has mandated that all frequencies be changed to narrow band.
The North Judson-San Pierre School Board approved retirements in a special meeting this week. Eight of the nine retirements were due to Reductions in Force (RIF). One retirement approved was Athletic Director and teacher Dave Vessely. His retirement was not a result of RIFs.
Starke County officials, IU Health Starke Hospital administration and staff and EMTs met this week to discuss the ambulance service and its immediate needs. It is hoped that the status of Advanced Life Service can be obtained for the ambulance service in Starke County.
And that is just some of the news that made the news in the Kankakee Valley this week.
