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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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

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.

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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.

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North Judson Town Council to Meet in Special Morning Session

North Judson Council President Wendy Hoppe; Police Officer Frank Thomas; Council Members Josh Brown, John Rowe, Jane Ellen Felchuk, James Young; Town Attorney Justin Schramm, Clerk-Treasurer Alicia Collins

The North Judson Town Council will meet in special session this morning.

An executive session is set for 7 a.m. with a special meeting at 7:30 a.m. to sign a contract for asbestos removal to proceed with the demolition of 205 and 207 Lane Street. The council members are also expected to amend the salary ordinance.

The North Judson Town Council will meet in the town hall building.

Knox Board of Public Works Receives Update on Property

The members of the Knox Board of Public Works received an update on the rehabilitation of the property at 6 N. Pearl Street.

Knox Director of Building, Planning and Code Compliance Kenny Pfost said the owner, Lucia Valladares, was in a car accident and has not been able to complete any work. Pfost reported that she is looking for a vehicle capable of towing a trailer in order to aid her work on the dilapidated structure.

Renovation plans were previously approved by the board. Pfost said an engineer’s report on the foundation found that only a few repairs need to be made in order to move forward with work. Continue reading

Culver Town Council Holds Public Hearing on Additional Appropriation

The Culver Town Council held a public hearing Tuesday night to hear comments on the appropriation of funds for a new ambulance.

Clerk-Treasurer Karen Heim explained that the new ambulance is arriving soon but the money wasn’t earmarked in the budget for the replacement of an older truck. Heim said the older ambulance was overdue for replacement. It will be sold with the proceeds to be split between the town and Union Township.

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Knox Board of Public Works to Meet Today

The Knox Board of Public Works will receive an update on the progress of 6 N. Pearl Street when they meet this morning.

The property was set for demolition, but Lucia Valladares purchased it in a tax sale and provided the board of works with plans for extensive renovations at a previous meeting. The members approved her plans, pending a positive report from the structural engineer concerning the building’s foundation.

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Grovertown Man Arrested after Reports of Drug Activity

Hunter McCoy

A Grovertown man was arrested on Monday after deputies from the Starke County Sheriff’s Office investigated a report of drug activity.

Deputies arrived at the Grovertown Truck Stop and deployed K9 Zardoz around the suspect’s vehicle in the parking lot. The K9 reportedly indicated to the presence of narcotics inside the vehicle. A subsequent search by officers revealed 46 grams of marijuana, drug paraphernalia and firearms, according to police.

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Trial Set for Augusta Hadden

Augusta Hadden

The woman who is connected to the murder of a Knox man in March is headed to trial on Oct. 11.

Augusta Hadden, 39, is charged with assisting a criminal. Court documents indicate she disposed of a cell phone out of a truck driven by Edward Blackburn after he allegedly shot and killed Cord Colgrove in North Judson on March 3rd. She remains in custody, but she is currently being held in the Pulaski County Jail.

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Culver Town Council to Meet Tonight

The Culver Town Council will meet tonight where discussions will continue surrounding the Stellar Communities Designation Program.

A public hearing is scheduled to gather comments on several additional appropriations. An ordinance to approve those additional appropriations will be discussed on first reading. Town Manager Jonathan Leist will have a report along with other department heads. Representatives from various boards and commissions will provide updates for the town council.

The Culver Town Council will meet tonight at 6:30 p.m. ET at the Culver Town Hall.

Kid’s Closet Ministry Pack-a-Backpack Event a Success

The volunteers behind the Pack-a-Backpack event call Saturday’s school supply drive a success. School supplies were purchased from members of the community to help students in need through the Kid’s Closet Ministry at the North Judson United Methodist Church at 210 Central Ave.

Any Starke County student in kindergarten through 12th grade who qualifies for free or reduced lunch is welcome to attend the 5th annual Kid’s Closet Pack-a-Backpack on Monday, July 31 and Tuesday, Aug. 1. School supplies may be chosen at that time. The child must be present and the parent must have proper identification.

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