The Starke County Initiative for Lifelong Learning is gearing up for the start of the school year. As of last Tuesday, 127 students were signed up for SCILL’s three vocational training programs.
Brown Circle Water Lines Provide Better Fire Protection
Lake Maxinkuckee Amphitheater Project Closer to Construction
The Lake Maxinkuckee Amphitheater project in Culver is nearing the construction phase.
Town Manager Jonathan Leist told the Culver Town Council members last week that $47,501 was transferred from the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority for this project. The town was able to get a $30,000 state grant along with additional online crowdfunding for the project. That money, along with the first half of the Marshall County Community Foundation grant, will allow the council to move forward with the construction phase.
Culver School Board Meets New Elementary School Teachers
The Culver Community Schools Corporation has finalized the list of teachers for the upcoming school year. Three new elementary school teachers were officially hired during last week’s school board meeting.
INDOT to Award Community Crossing Grants This Fall
Local and county government agency officials are waiting patiently to learn if their road projects will be accepted for grant funds through the state’s Community Crossings grant program.
The competition for grant funds ramped up this year as the state dropped the local match requirement for all applications to 25 percent. Several more municipalities and city government agencies were able to submit requests this year as the local match made a $1 million grant more affordable for some.
School Schedules Affect Sleeping Schedules
Many school corporations welcome students into the 2017-2018 school year this week which means students’ sleep schedules will be changing. Nearly 8 in 10 Indiana high school students sleep less than the recommended eight hours on school nights.
According to Pediatric Sleep Specialist Dr. Sarah Honaker, a change in internal body clocks makes it difficult for many teens to fall asleep before 11 p.m. or midnight. Decreased sleep associated with rising early and later bedtimes can lead to dangerous consequences, to learn more check with this expert toddler sleep consultant.
Sixth Annual Drew’s Gift of Music Fundraiser to be Held Saturday in Knox
Giving students the chance to play a musical instrument is the goal of a fundraiser taking place this weekend in Knox. Drew’s Gift of Music will host its sixth annual event this Saturday afternoon at 4:00 at the Knox VFW.
SCEDF Discusses U.S. 30 Freeway Proposal with Hamlet Town Council
Upgrading U.S. 30 to freeway standards would have a big impact on the Town of Hamlet. Starke County Economic Development Foundation officials say they’re working to make sure it’s positive, rather than negative.
Counterfeit Bills Circulating in La Porte
Several reports have been filed with the La Porte City Police Department concerning counterfeit currency.
Officers encourage business owners and employees to be more vigilant in checking money of any denomination when conducting a cash transaction. Several $10 and $20 dollar bills have been passed along as deceptive.
Culver Town Council Discusses Crosswalks
The Culver Town Council will be looking at an ordinance that reviews the enforcement of the brick-paved crosswalks in town.
There are several crosswalks on Lake Shore Drive and on Main Street that are designated by a brick walkway. Residents are concerned about confusion between drivers and pedestrians as to which party has the right-of-way and if they are a legal crosswalk.
Knox Officials Tackling Growing Vegetation
It’s been a rainy summer season which has created a problem of tall grass and weeds within the Knox city limits.
Director of Building, Planning and Code Enforcement Kenny Pfost told the Knox Board of Public Works this week that he’s sent out 14 enforcement infractions due to tall grass and weeds. He said a lot of property owners have complied but it’s been an issue this summer.
Culver School Board Gets Update on Summer Food Program, Adopts Food Service Policy
Fourth Annual WoodStarke Festival Scheduled for Labor Day Weekend
The WoodStarke festival will return for a fourth year this September. This year’s event will bring at least 15 bands, 10 to 12 artists, and a jiu-jitsu demonstration to Wythogan Park, according to event organizer Jacob Lippner. Continue reading
Watch for School Buses as School Begins
The start of school is upon us as a few school corporations begin their new school year next week.
When school buses are on the roads picking up children for school or dropping them off after school, Indiana State Police troopers remind drivers to stop when a school bus displays flashing lights and stop arms, even on multiple lane highways. Motorists who are on a highway that is divided by a barrier or unimproved median are required to stop only if they are traveling in the same direction as the school bus. If there is a divided highway without a barrier or unimproved median, all drivers in all directions must stop. Continue reading
Bell Found Guilty on Three Counts Stemming from April 2016 Drug Raid in Koontz Lake
A Koontz Lake man was found guilty of three meth-related charges by a jury in Starke Circuit Court Thursday. Troy Bell was arrested in April of 2016, following a drug raid in Koontz Lake.
Culver School Board Approves Facilities Use Agreement with Crossroads Church
Culver Community High School now has a regular weekend tenant, but school board members had a few questions about what kind of precedent that sets going forward.
Hamlet Council Signs Onto Oregon-Davis School Resource Officer Agreement
Oregon-Davis School Resource Officer John Kohles will remain in the position for at least another year. Last week, the school board took action to employ him full-time and also approved a memorandum of understanding with the Town of Hamlet. The town council followed suit Wednesday by approving the agreement, as well.
Knox Council Updates How It Compensates for Circuit Breaker Tax Credit
The Knox City Council had to change the way it compensates for the circuit breaker tax credit in the city’s budget.
Culver Town Council Receives Stellar Update
Culver Town Manager Jonathan Leist updated the Culver Town Council this week on work being done toward being designated a stellar community with the Stellar Communities Designation Program.
Leist said he and Utility Superintendent Bob Porter met with Marshall County Highway Supervisor Jason Peters to review details for the walking/biking trail. The Marshall County Commissioners agreed to pave one mile of the walking/biking trail as an in-kind contribution for this project within the town’s Stellar plan.
Knox Street Department Following New Law to Track MVH Spending
The state is requiring the Knox Street Department and other municipal street departments to provide written reports of how the Motor Vehicle Highway (MVH) money is being spent within the department.
Street Superintendent Jeff Borg told the Knox Board of Public Works that there are six forms. Employee time allocation is required so each employee is including all tasks for this report whether it’s allocated toward streets or other tasks such as brush pickup days. A report on material and supplies will also be submitted. That report includes the limestone for alleys, road shoulders, asphalt patch, crack sealing material, and more. Equipment operating expenses such as fuel, oils, filters, batteries and tires will also be recorded.
