The Culver Town Council members will take a closer look at amendments to the 2018 salary ordinance.
A proposed change was made in the EMS and park departments. The EMS Vice Director would be amended to be a full-time ALS-EM2 position with an hourly range $11.75-$17.50.
Starke County’s Chief Probation Officer is leaving the position after 10 years.
John Thorstad’s resignation is effective today (Thursday, March 1). According to Starke Circuit Court Judge Kim Hall, Thorstad was recently recognized by the Judicial Conference of Indiana with the highest award for a probation officer who “exemplified professionalism and commitment to transform lives, making our community safer for everybody.”
All of the roads closed due to flooding in the City of Knox are now open. Knox Street Superintendent Jeff Borg told the Board of Works members Wednesday morning that rerouting the truck traffic helped keep trucks out of danger and be on more solid roads.
The city had 60 tons of sand available for sand bags and the county brought in another 50 tons of sand to fill sand bags. Borg said about 10 tons of sand remain for city use. Any sand bags that are no longer needed may soon be collected and the sand re-deposited at the city street department.
The Culver Police Department is making their presence known around the Culver Community School Corporation.
The Culver Town Council members approved the lowest bid received for the proposed Damore Amphitheater project in the Culver Town Park.
The lowest bid was from Easterday Construction in the amount of $131,450. Town Attorney Jim Clevenger will review the construction contract before Council President Ginny Bess Munroe signs the document.
The Knox Board of Public Works will meet today where they will receive updates on renovation efforts at 6 N. Pearl Street and 1 and 3 N. Main Street. The owners of the properties have certain timelines to meet so fines aren’t imposed. The structures have been deemed unsafe and need rehabilitation.
The Culver Town Council will consider awarding a bid for the proposed Damore Amphitheater when they meet tonight. The council members opened four bids for the amphitheater during their last meeting where the lowest base bid was $131,450 and the highest base bid was $189,355.
Starke County Auditor Kay Chaffins recently received the budget order for 2018. Starke County was the 82nd county out of the 92 counties in the state to receive this year’s budget.
Chaffins stated last week that that there were no cuts expected in this year’s budget.
Two requests for the possession of Starke County Annex keys were brought before the Starke County Commissioners this week.
Auditor Kay Chaffins explained that Deb Mix asked for a key as she is working for Purdue, but she is not classified as a county employee. Chaffins said that Purdue is paying her wages.
Gary Poppins will be in production very soon.
Larry Wickert from the Starke County Economic Development Foundation told the Starke County Commissioners on Monday night that brand new popcorn popping machines are in the building along with some other new equipment. Wickert also said a few contractors were at the facility getting things ready to start production soon.
A Plymouth man accused of hitting a Knox resident in the head and taking money, prescription medication, an Indiana ID card, and multiple credit cards from him will be in Starke Circuit Court for a plea and sentencing hearing today. The victim, Sescoe Wireman, died following the alleged incident.
The Starke County Commissioners entertained a request from a resident about the abandonment of a road during their meeting this week.
Highway Superintendent Rik Ritzler explained that resident Dan Gumz just bought property on 200 East north of 50 S. from 50 S. to the dead end and Division Road from 300 East to the dead end that meet. The previous owner gated the road to keep out trespassers and the county hasn’t maintained it for about 25 years, according to Ritzler. The road is in the county inventory. However Gumz asked if the county would like to abandon the road or resume maintenance.
The Pulaski County Human Services organization was a recent recipient of a donation as part of the America’s Farmers Grow Communities program.
Funding for the Starke County Economic Development Foundation and the SCILL Center was discussed by the Starke County Council members Monday night.
Hours of operation at the Culver Beach Lodge will change this summer.
Park Superintendent Anna Campbell Nowalk told the Culver Town Council last week that people want to get out on Lake Maxinkuckee in the morning when the water is calm. The extra activities with additional rentals plus activity with the sailing group left the staff struggling to keep up with visitors first thing in the morning.
Starke County Highway Superintendent Rik Ritzler and his crew have been patrolling areas in the county and identified areas of high water. One state road is even closed to due to snow melt and heavy rain.
The Starke County Council members want more information about what will be offered to Starke County in the proposed U.S. 30 freeway project before they pay $10,000 toward consultation fees for coalition efforts.
Councilman Dave Pearman asked Larry Wickert from the Starke County Economic Development Foundation about the payment as it was requested. The funds would come out of the commissioner’s County Economic Development Income Tax Fund. Wickert explained that six out of the seven counties involved in the proposed U.S. 30 project pay into the coalition. La Porte County is the only county that doesn’t pay. Wickert believes that U.S. 30 would stay rural in La Porte County and not see an impact. The county has the toll road for a focus.
A task force will come together to research the possibility of utilizing space inside the First Farmers Bank and Trust building on Main Street in Culver.
The Culver Town Council members, along with officials from the Culver Redevelopment Commission, Marshall County Economic Development Corporation and Utility Superintendent Bob Porter previously toured the building and thought there may be a benefit to using the space.
The Culver Town Council members will open bids for the Sand Hill Farms workforce housing development project in March.
Culver Town Manager Jonathan Leist explained to the council members last week that Engineer Mark Sullivan will have design plans ready for bidders on Wednesday, Feb. 28. A notice will be published so bidders have time to get them in by the deadline.
The West Central School Board met in special session on Thursday and discussed eLearning days.
Superintendent Don Street said the corporation utilizes eLearning days after all snow makeup days are spent.
