The three building principals told the Knox Community School Board this week that with the recent school closures, students are working well with the alternative instruction day.
Elementary School Principal Glenn Barnes said eLearning is a positive experience for his students when school is closed due to inclement weather.
Starke County may soon have two more paramedics on staff.
EMS Director Travis Clary and Clerk Mary Lynn Ritchie discussed the need for two full-time paramedics with both the Starke County Council and Starke County Commission members Tuesday night. They explained that it is difficult to find part-time paramedics to work for the county and it’s even harder to get part-time people to work shifts when a full-time paramedic is not able to work a shift. Clary said he’s been picking up extra shifts to fill the void.
The Knox Community School Board members discussed the purchase of Chrome Books for everyday student use.
Director of Technology Jim Landrum explained that the operating system will be a little different that what the students are used to with their MacBook Air devices.
The Knox Community School Board held a public hearing Monday night to gather comments on the corporation’s proposal for updates to the Knox High School and additional projects at the two other schools and corporation office.
The issue concerning the removal of flags on veteran’s graves at the Round Lake Cemetery has been resolved.
Mark Gourley, acting as American Legion District Vice Commander, told the Starke County Commissioners last week that he sat in during the Round Lake Cemetery Association meeting on Monday, Jan. 8 and the action of placing and removing American flags on veteran’s graves at Round Lake Cemetery will now be handled by the Knox American Legion Post #131.
The Starke County Council members will meet for the first time in 2018 tonight at 6 p.m. CT where the reorganization of the council is planned and 2018 appointments will be filled.
The Knox Community School Board members will hear public comments on the proposed renovation and improvements to corporation buildings.
The Starke County EMS Department is working to get the heat installed at the Grovertown EMS base.
EMS Director Travis Clary told the Starke County Commissioners last week that some parts were needed to install a ceiling-mounted heater at the base. The heater was purchased as an emergency need at the end of 2017 as medications were freezing while the ambulance was parked in the unheated garage. Clary noted that the heater was to be installed last week.
The Town of Culver will require building permits for reproofing projects and installation of solar energy systems in town limits or in the town’s two-mile planning and zoning jurisdiction. The fee schedule goes into effect on Thursday, Feb. 1.
Fees for roof replacements with no structural change will be $50. Permits for micro solar energy systems are $50 while a medium system permit is $100 and $150 for large systems. Continue reading
The large-scale Culver sign at the Culver Town Park will be replaced by the time WinterFest begins on Friday, Feb. 9.
Park Superintendent Anna Campbell told the Culver Town Council members this week that the sign spelling out C-U-L-V-E-R will go in the same place where the plywood sign is now. A mock-up placard that describes the history of the name of the Lake Maxinkuckee town will be included next to the sign until a more concrete structure can be constructed.
Starke County Highway Superintendent Rik Ritzler told the county commissioners on Monday that it was an eventful, snowy end to 2017.
“We had 14 plow events in December,” said Ritzler. “We’ve had 9.7 inches of show which is less than last year in November and December. Plow hours so far total 1,800. We’ve cleared 35,193 miles. That’s at 18.72 mph.”
WinterFest organizer Tony Sellers gave the Culver Town Council an update on tentative plans for the event during the weekend of February 9-11.
The Starke County Election Board members are moving the voting site for Oregon Township Precinct 2 voters from the Koontz Lake Fire Department to the Koontz Lake Association Building. In order for that to happen, a few upgrades need to be done.
The winter weather has put a dent in the Town of Culver’s road salt supply.
Town Manager Jonathan Leist told the Culver Town Council members Tuesday night that half of the town’s salt supply has been used to help clear roads in town so far this season. He assured the council members that the town’s contract with the salt supplier allows the town to purchase more at the current rate if the supply reaches a critical level.
NIPSCO officials are warning customers that calls are being made by unknown callers claiming to be affiliated with NIPSCO.
According to officials, the callers are contacting customers demanding payment through a prepaid card. The calls are fraudulent.
The Starke County Commissioners reviewed paperwork Monday night pertaining to the construction of a new elevator at the Starke County Courthouse.
KIRPC Representative Shawn Cain presented forms that the commissioners reviewed that indicate that KIRPC is the grant administrator for the $500,000 grant received for the project. The project cost is approximately $550,560 with $35,000 in fees for KIRPC. The project is expected to be bid out in May. KIRPC is expected to oversee all financial aspects of the project and make sure all laws are followed concerning wages and reporting.
The Culver Town Council members heard public comments concerning the proposed traffic ordinance.
Council Vice President Sally Ricciardi read a citizen’s letter into the record that discussed safety concerns for emergency vehicles and residents maneuvering around the streets that are narrow. One street mentioned was Ohio Street and portions of that street will have no parking as part of the ordinance. The resident also mentioned the noise level of semi truck idling in residential neighborhoods and parking of the tractor trailers on residential streets.
Plymouth Police officers arrested two people in separate incidents who were wanted for dealing drugs.
On Monday, Jan. 8, officers stopped 29-year-old Wayne Austin Hardesty, of Grovertown, who was reportedly speeding and found that he had an active warrant for two counts of dealing in a schedule III drug. He was booked in the Marshall County Jail on those charges with a cash bond of $10,005.
The Starke County Commissioners gathered public comment Monday night on the proposed construction of a Dollar General store at the corner of 200 South and U.S. 35 south of Knox.
Commission President Donnie Binkley noted that he wanted to gather public opinion on the project as the intersection poses a safety concern. Highway Superintendent Rik Ritzler said INDOT expedited a traffic study at that intersection and found that it does not warrant the installation of a stop light. About 8,000 northbound and southbound vehicles pass that intersection on U.S. 35 each day. Less than 30 cars turn east on 200 South which is the location of the driveway.
