The Culver EMS, Fire Department and Police Departments are still looking to fill positions.
Culver Police Chief Wayne Bean told the Culver Town Council last week that he received five applications for an open officer position. He will be reviewing those with a recommendation soon.
Another unsafe structure the Knox Board of Public Works would like to see progress on is at 6 N. Pearl Street.
The owner, Lucia Valladares, has gotten some work done, but the renovation effort has stalled. Knox Planning Administrator and Director of Building and Code Compliance Kenny Pfost told the board members Wednesday morning that she has a family member in California suffering from medical issues and she has been there. A lot of her funds are now going to help her family member. She will be able to do what she can.
The Culver Town Council reorganized for the year when they met Tuesday night. They were unable to do this action during their first meeting of the year as President Ginny Bess Munroe was unable to attend that meeting.
Munroe was elected to serve another year as the council president and the council members voted to retain Sally Ricciardi as the vice president.
The Knox Board of Public Works members received an update on the progress of repairs at 1 and 3 N. Main Street in downtown Knox.
According to Knox Planning Administrator and Director of Building and Code Compliance Kenny Pfost, the building’s owner has replaced the glass on the ground floor of the two-story building and installed insulation and OSB boards around the windows and above the front door. Pfost says owner Pete Milev plans to put some finished material over the OSB, but he’s not sure what material may be installed.
Engineering plans are being finalized for work on the Sand Hill Farms workforce housing development project in Culver.
According to Culver Town Manager Jonathan Leist, Mark Sullivan and Utility Superintendent Bob Porter have been working on the plans and the project should be bid out in February.
The Knox Board of Public Works members reviewed revisions to the employee handbook when they met Wednesday morning.
Culver’s WinterFest event is set for February, but the possibility of a beer garden was brought before the Culver Town Council Tuesday night.
Organizer Tony Sellers told the town council members that he has shortened the operation time of the beer garden to 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. There was concern about having spirits available until 9 p.m. in the Culver Town Park. Alcohol will be available during the highly-anticipated ice sculpture fights during the same time period. The vendor will also be set back from any children’s activities and other family-oriented events.
The Marshall County Council on Aging is stepping up efforts to gather funds for transportation services for the county’s veterans, disabled, and older population.
Jackie Wright from the Marshall County Council on Aging explained to the Culver Town Council members Tuesday night that the organization wants to meet the growing needs of the public and more funding can help expand routes and possibly add another route to service community members. She said that they had over 600 denials last year as not all requests could be handled due to availability.
The Knox Board of Public Works will meet this morning where the board members will get an update on two unsafe properties.
The owner of 1 and 3 N. Main Street, Pete Milev, is anticipated to give the board an update on repairs needed to that downtown building. Knox Planning Administrator and Director of Building and Code Compliance Kenny Pfost told the board members last month that a timeline was provided for repairs. Milev was given until May 2018 to complete extensive repairs to the exterior masonry and interior violations. There are smaller improvements that should have been done by Jan. 12.
The Culver Town Council members will meet in regular session tonight where they will hear a presentation from students on park improvements.
Thanks to the hard work of local basketball and cheerleading teams Starke County cancer patients will have some financial relief.
The North Judson-San Pierre basketball team, both boys and girls, and the cheerleading team sold pink t-shirts and chances to win pink, autographed basketballs in order to raise money for the effort.
The dugnad idrettslag is a great option to make money on volunteer work, is simple, profitable and risk-free sales service.
Four people were arrested on drug related charges after a traffic stop on Friday afternoon in the area of State Road 14 and County Road 100 W. in Pulaski County.
According to the arrest information, Ray Clemans, 60, of San Pierre, was arrested on a preliminary felony charge of maintaining a common nuisance, and misdemeanor charges of possession of marijuana and possession of paraphernalia.
Production should start soon at the Gary Poppins factory at the corner of U.S. 35 and 250 North, north of Knox.
Larry Wickert from the Starke County Economic Development Foundation updated the Starke County Council last week that the delivery of equipment was delayed. The initial date was Nov. 1, but that has since been postponed to Feb. 1. Wickert said the company has hired a manager who now lives in Starke County.
Knox Community School Board members recognized High School Senior Elizabeth “Libby” McEntee who was recently chosen as the 2018 Starke County Community Foundation Lilly Endowment Community Scholar.
McEntee will receive a four-year, full-tuition scholarship to an Indiana college or university of her choice and a $900 yearly stipend for required books and equipment.
McEntee told the board members that she’s not quite sure which college she will attend. She is majoring in neurology.
Officers from the Indiana State Police Commercial Vehicle Enforcement and Motor Carrier Inspectors are teaming up with Ohio, Michigan and Illinois officers next week to educate motorists about the signs of human trafficking and to enforce laws that crack down on traffickers.
The Starke County Council members made several appointments to boards and commissions when they met this week.
The council reorganized with a change in leadership. Brad Hazelton was elected as council president and Dave Pearman retained as council vice president. Freddie Baker opted to step down from leading the council. He held the position in 2016 and 2017.
The Starke County Council members cleared up some confusion on county police pay.
The council members approved a $5,000 raise for Starke County police officers for 2018, but they were unsure about the three percent raise that was proposed them in addition to the raise.
The State Department of Education recently released the graduation rates for each corporation and Knox Community School Superintendent Dr. William Reichhart updated the board on the school’s statistics.
“The high school is at 94.5 percent which is the highest in the county,” said Dr. Recihhart. “The school ranks above the state average by about five percentage points.”
The Starke County Community Corrections, in partnership with the Starke County Probation Department and the Starke County Sheriff’s Office, are working to submit a grant request for programs and funding.
Community Corrections Director Robert Hinojosa said this is the ninth year of requesting funding for community corrections and the second year for jail treatment programs and pretrial funding.
The Starke County Council members will be revising the salary ordinance to allow for a Starke County Sheriff’s Office employee helping out with case work.
Newly-appointed County Council President Brad Hazelton read aloud from a letter that an employee who had worked with the county for several years was hired as a part-time jailer at $14.00 an hour, which is higher than the $12.51 rate of pay, because of his many years of experience.
