Starke County Commissioners Defer Drainage Decision

starke-county-courthouseThe Starke County Commissioners have agreed to wait until after next week’s park board meeting to make a decision about drainage issues in the Starke County Forest. Continued beaver dam activity along the Anderson Ditch is causing drainage problems for neighboring landowners. Several sent a petition to Starke County Surveyor Dennis Estok and to the DNR requesting a solution to the problem. Continue reading

Commissioners Uphold Demolition Order for Downtown Winamac Building

Pulaski County CourthouseThe Pulaski County Commissioners have agreed to uphold a demolition order given to a downtown Winamac building.

A hearing was held during Tuesday night’s Commissioner’s meeting for the property, located in the 200 block of West Main Street. The facility is home to a tax service company, but according to County Building Inspector Dave Dare, it has been neglected over the years.
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SCEDF Claims Businesses Notice Civility in Communities

  
 

A local economic development official says community disruptions can harm job creation.

Charlie Weaver, Executive Director of the Starke County Economic Development Foundation, says companies often target a community’s workforce quality, infrastructure, and access to major markets prior to locating. He also says a second set of criteria must be met that includes how a community works through its problems.
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Culver Clarifies Nuisance Violations Following Ordinance Adoption

culver town hall
 

The Town of Culver is attempting to make sure everybody is on the same page when enforcing violations of a newly updated ordinance.

Town Council members approved the amendments to their Nuisance Ordinance in August, specifying grass length and the types of items that are allowed in yards. The administration wanted to ensure they were interpreting the language correctly during a work session meeting on Tuesday night.
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Hamlet Town Board Outlines Budget Schedule

Hamlet Town HallA public hearing is scheduled September 23rd. on the 2016 budget for the Town of Hamlet. Action to adopt the budget is expected to be taken October 21st.

The Town Attorney, Martin Bedrock, discussed with the board action that can be taken to remove abandoned, fire damaged and unsafe structures. Notices have been mailed to the owners of several such properties, who have 10 days to request a hearing on the matter.  Continue reading

Knox Students Prepare for Homecoming

 
 

“Homecoming” activities were the focus of reports from the principals of the Knox Community School Board earlier this week. The Homecoming Parade will begin in the Knox downtown area about 1:10 Friday afternoon, ending at the Weinberg Gymnasium for a pep session. The football game, Knox vs. North Judson, begins at 7 p.m. Continue reading

State Officials Urge Patience and Caution When Driving During Harvest Season

Harvest season means motorists and farm implements will be sharing the road.
Harvest season means motorists and farm implements will be sharing the road.

Harvest season’s getting underway, and state officials are warning drivers to be on the lookout for farm equipment on Indiana roads. A number of agencies, including the Indiana State Department of Agriculture, the Indiana Department of Homeland Security, and the Indiana Department of Transportation, are teaming up to bring attention to safety issues on roads in rural areas. Continue reading

MPI Official Discusses Contract Negotiations

MPIContract talks are continuing between MPI Products and its employees. A petition was filed with the National Labor Relations Board in 2014 allowing the employees to join the United Steelworkers. Contract talks have been taking place since that time. Officials with MPI say they are meeting with union officials as often as possible to help finalize a first contract. Continue reading

Starke County Election Board Finalizes Ballots

  
 

The ballots are set for the Nov. 3 General Elections in Starke County. Voters in the towns of North Judson and Hamlet will elect clerk-treasurers. In North Judson, Republican incumbent Donna Henry has drawn a challenge from Democrat Alicia (Amidei) Collins. North Judson voters will also choose between incumbent Republican Wendy Hoppe and Democrat Joan Haugh for the Ward 2 town council seat. Democrat Ward 1 incumbent Jane Ellen Felchuk and Republican Ward 3 candidate Nathan Bradley are both unopposed. Continue reading