Starke County Economic Development Foundation Executive Director Charlie Weaver told the Starke County Council this week that the Sysco property in Hamlet is up for sale.
All posts by Anita Goodan
Culver Redevelopment Commission Discusses Tax Abatement
Although the final decision about a residential abatement for the Sand Hill Farms workforce development housing project is up to the newly formed Culver Economic Development Commission, the Culver Redevelopment Commission discussed an option of how the abatement could be structured when they met this week.
La Porte Police, Bomb Squad Investigate Reported Explosive Device at Residence
La Porte Police and the Porter County Bomb Squad reportedly found an explosive device at a residence in the 700 block of F. St., in La Porte late Wednesday afternoon.
La Porte police detectives were able to secure a search warrant after police received information about a person in possession of explosive material at the home. Officers from the La Porte City Police Department and the La Porte County Emergency Response Team took Eric R. Weiler into custody without incident.
Search Warrant Results in Four Arrests in Medaryville
Four people were arrested Tuesday afternoon following a search warrant at a residence in Medaryville.
According to Medaryville Town Marshal Dave Combs, Medaryville police received a complaint about suspicious activity at a home in the 100 E. block of Main Street. The homeowner reportedly told police that no one was to be at the home.
High School Coach Arrested for Refusing to Leave Emergency Scene
An area high school basketball coach was arrested on misdemeanor charges Tuesday night.
According to the incident report filed by the Pulaski County Sheriff’s Department, police stopped a car driven by a juvenile near the intersection of Monticello Street and Adams Street in Winamac around 9:41 p.m. ET. Police reportedly determined that the vehicle’s registration was expired. Officers called the towing company to tow the car from the scene.
Starke County Receives Railroad Crossing Marking and Signs Grant
The state recently awarded Starke County a grant to update railroad crossings and signs.
Highway Superintendent Rik Ritzler told the Starke County Commissioners Monday that there are no matching funds for this grant.
“The good news is $36,000 is 100 percent paid for. We don’t have to pay anything. We do have to keep the records. Even better news is that TCS (Traffic Control Specialists) can do it cheaper than we can. They have a painting machine and it keeps the money in Starke County. It keeps the tax money in the county and all of their workers live in Starke County. It’s a good thing,” said Ritzler.
Starke County Council Approves Three Percent Employee Raise
The Starke County Council Monday night approved a three percent increase for county employees. The council members discussed what sort of impact that will have on the budget and found it would be about a $78,000 increase. They felt that was feasible, but they hope that the state won’t cut too much out of the budget.
The public hearing for the 2018 budget for Starke County will be held on Oct. 2. The budget adoption is scheduled for Oct. 18. Budgets must be approved by Nov. 1.
Community Crossings Grants to be Announced Soon
Indiana Department of Transportation officials will be announcing the Community Crossings grant awards in the next few weeks.
Local government entities have been waiting patiently for the notice as officials would like to send next year’s projects out for bid that will utilize these funds.
Culver-Union Township Fire Department Gains Firefighters
The Culver-Union Township Fire Department will have three new firefighters soon.
Fire Chief Terry Wakefield told the Culver Town Council last week that one member has passed all of the background checks and testing so he’s able to be added to the roster. Wakefield added that two others have applied and will enter several months of training.
Starke County Council and Commissioners to Meet Tonight
The Starke County Council will meet tonight with a full agenda.
The council members plan to adopt the North Judson-San Pierre 2018 budget and discuss a Rainy Day resolution request. A building corporation bond issue will be before the council along with discussions concerning transfer requests and additional appropriation requests by the IT Department, county highway, and Drug and Tobacco Free Starke County.
Fundraiser Created to Keep Culver Sign
The temporary giant Culver sign located on the pedestrian bridge in the Culver Town Park can stay there on a permanent basis with the community’s help.
The Town of Culver began a “Creating Stellar Places” fundraiser where donors can win prizes for donating any denomination to retain the Culver sign . For example, the first 15 donors will receive a “Stellar Town Year Round” yard sign. Other donors could receive a Culver t-shirt, and a chance to be fire chief or police chief for a day in Culver.
Crews Battle Fire at Cravin’s
Firefighters from the North Judson-Wayne Township Fire Department were called to Cravin’s in North Judson Thursday night.
According to Fire Chief Joe Leszek, old tires inside the building were on fire. Crews were on the scene for about two hours. No injuries were reported. No other fire departments were called to assist.
Culver Town Council Accepts Street Deed of Dedication
Culver Town Manager Jonathan Leist presented the town council this week with a deed of dedication for the streets for the Sandhill Farm workforce development housing project.
The proposed housing project will be constructed on W. Jefferson Street. The streets in the project may be extended as needed. The housing development will include 24 apartment units. It is part of the town’s Stellar Communities Designation Program application.
Culver Town Council Establishes Economic Development Commission
The Culver Town Council approved the formation of the Culver Economic Development Commission.
A public hearing on the matter was held Tuesday night where a question about the purpose of the commission was raised. Town Council President Ginny Bess Munroe explained that the commission would be able to deem a residential project eligible for tax abatement. She further explained that a residential tax abatement differs from a commercial tax abatement, but the financial incentive is the same. A recommendation for a residential tax abatement has to be presented by the commission to the town council for approval.
Armed Robbery under Investigation
An armed robbery suspect is in custody after an Wednesday morning incident at a LaCrosse business.
According to the La Porte County Sheriff’s Department, a black male entered the BP gas station in LaCrosse at 11:15 a.m. CT and demanded that the cashier open the register. Police say the suspect told the cashier that he had a weapon in his possession, but it was not displayed. The suspect fled the area south on Washington Street.
Culver Town Council Supports Petition Against Proposed J-Turns
The Culver Town Council members are in support of a petition against INDOT’s proposed J-turn intersection at U.S. 31 and State Road 10 and Dewey Street and another at U.S. 31 and State Road 110.
The J-turn intersection would not allow a vehicle to turn left at a crossroad. Instead, the driver has to travel quite a distance in order to turn left, or the opposite direction to go back past the crossroad to turn left again to the desired location. INDOT feels that the construction would create a safer way for traffic to maneuver.
Culver Town Council to Meet Tonight
The Culver Town Council will hold a public hearing tonight on an ordinance that establishes the Culver Economic Development Commission. The three-member commission will be formed to consider a residential tax abatement in the proposed workforce housing development. One appointment will be made by the town council president, one from the town council and one from the county council.
One Dead, Two Injured in Pulaski County Accident
A three-car accident in Star City claimed the life of a Logansport man in Pulaski County on Sunday evening.
Indiana State Police troopers were called to 6274 U.S. 35 in Star City where a preliminary investigation found that a vehicle driven by Bradyn Bordenet, 20, of Lafayette crossed the center line on U.S. 35. He was reportedly driving south in the north bound lane, forcing a 1930 Ford Model A off the road. Police say Larry Williams, 67, of Knox, lost control of the Model A and rolled approximately three times.
Starke County EMS Director Hires New Part-Time Paramedics, Gives Ambulance Maintenance Report
Starke County EMS Director Travis Clary told the county commissioners this week that five part-time paramedics were recently hired and they are completing orientation. He hopes this will help cut down on overtime hours.
Combined Police Enforcement Conducted in Pulaski County
A recent multi-jurisdictional law enforcement effort in Pulaski County resulted in several citations and arrests.
The Indiana State Police All Crimes Policing Team out of the Lowell District, along with officers from the Pulaski County Sheriff’s Department and Medaryville Police Department participated in the effort in addition to K9 units. In all, 17 traffic citations were issued, 58 warnings were given, two drunk driving arrests were noted, one minor was arrested for consumption of alcohol, 12 criminal arrests were made along with one felony arrest, and six arrests involved marijuana and methamphetamine charges.
