All posts by Anita Goodan

Starke County Projects Ready for Community Crossings Application

Posted on Author Anita Goodan

Starke County Highway Superintendent Rik Ritzler submitted projects to the commissioners for the county’s request for the state’s Community Crossings grant program.

The county is eligible for a 75/25 split for grant funding. Ritzler submitted five projects totaling just under $1.4 million. At a meeting hosted by INDOT addressing Community Crossing grant funds earlier this year, officials suggested that government entities include project plans in the $1.3 to $1.4 million range in order to capture that full $1 million.

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Three People Injured in Car/Train Accident

Posted on Author Anita Goodan
 

Three people were injured in a car vs. train accident in Starke County just after 3 p.m. on Thursday.

According to Starke County Sheriff Bill Dulin, the driver of a minivan reportedly failed to yield to the right of way of a westbound CF&E train on 1100 East just south of U.S. 30. When officers arrived at the scene they found the minivan on the north side of the railroad tracks in a deep ditch.

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Starke County EMA Director Position to be Part-Time

Posted on Author Anita Goodan

The Starke County Commissioners made a decision concerning the employment status of the Starke County Emergency Management Agency Director.

During their Wednesday night meeting, Commissioner Kathy Norem noted that when former EMA Director Ted Bombagetti was at full-time status, half of his salary and benefits were reimbursed by the state while 25 percent of Mary Lynn Ritchie’s salary and benefits was reimbursed as the director’s secretary. With a part-time position, only 50 percent of the director’s salary would be reimbursed. It would be a cost savings to the county, but Norem was unsure how much, if any, would be reimbursed when it comes to Ritchie’s salary.

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Hamlet Town Board Tables Community Crossings Grant Discussion

Posted on Author Anita Goodan

The Hamlet Town Board members tabled a discussion on a potential road project to submit for a Community Crossings grant.

The board members are interested in clearing up a drainage issue on Starke Street between old U.S. 30 and the new U.S. 30. Engineer Lee Nagai presented plans for milling the street and the installation of catch basins, storm water infrastructure and curbs and gutters. High and low points would also be incorporated into the road design to ensure better water drainage in that area.

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Blood Donations Desperately Needed

Posted on Author Anita Goodan

Blood supplies are at critical levels at the local hospitals and the American Red Cross is asking for your help to replenish the inventory.

Red Cross officials say that only three percent of the U.S. population gives blood, which means repeat donors are picking up the slack to help maintain the blood supply. New blood donors are needed at this time of the year when school is out during the summer break. Many blood drives occur during the school year and it is difficult to plan donation drives during the summer vacation.

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New Starke County EMS Director Appointed, EMT Interviews Start Today

Posted on Author Anita Goodan

The Starke County Commissioners appointed a new EMS Director during their meeting Wednesday night.

Interim Assistant Director Travis Clary was offered the position by the commissioners and he accepted the offer. Commissioner Kathy Norem noted that he will be placed on a probationary period for six months. He will be evaluated after three months and if his work is satisfactory Clary will receive a raise. If the commissioners continue to be satisfied with his work at the end of his probationary period, he will be bumped up to his intended salary of $59,000.

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Culver Movie Theater Owner Presents Proposal to Town Council

Posted on Author Anita Goodan

The Culver Town Council met in a work session Wednesday afternoon to hear information from the owner of the Culver Movie Theater in his attempt to sell the landmark to the town.

The owner, who would only be referred to as Tom, said he’s put $30,000 into the property in the installation of new sewer and water lines as well as other maintenance measures to shore up the building. He said he paid $100,000 for the property and will sell the property to the town for the amount that he’s into it which is $130,000.

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Marshall County Commissioners Approve Contribution toward Culver Stellar Project

Posted on Author Anita Goodan

The Marshall County Commissioners approved an in-kind contribution to assist the Town of Culver in a quest to become a stellar community.

Culver Town Council President Ginny Bess Munroe explained to the commissioners that other Stellar Communities Designation Program Grant candidates have included supporting documentation from partnerships with county and town entities in their applications. Munroe asked the commissioners for support of the bike/pedestrian trail around Lake Maxinkuckee that lies within their plans for the Stellar Communities grant.

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Starke County Commissioners to Meet Tonight

Posted on Author Anita Goodan

The Starke County Commissioners will meet tonight where contracts will be signed for the elevator at the courthouse. Paperwork from K-IRPC and DLZ will be approved in that process.

The search for a Starke County EMA Director is on tonight’s agenda. The commissioners will be discussing making it a full-time or part-time position. Highway Superintendent Rik Ritzler will have a report from the highway department, Maintenance Director Jim Coad will present a fire contract for the second annex building, and EMS Clerk Mary Lynn Ritchie and Assistant Director Travis Clary will provide a department report.

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Culver Town Council to Meet for Work Session

Posted on Author Anita Goodan

The Culver Town Council will meet in a work session this afternoon to discuss the proposed theater project.

The town council previously discussed purchasing the movie theater and renovating the structure. The current owner isn’t confident that the repairs can be made within a specified budget. The council members want to be sure to have architects or local contractors evaluate the renovation needs and offer opinions on needed repairs.

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Starke County Building Corporation to Meet Today

Posted on Author Anita Goodan
 

The Starke County Building Corporation will meet this morning at 8:30 a.m.

The corporation members will be going over outstanding claims for payment by the commissioners from the construction of the second annex building.

The meeting is set in the Starke County Commissioners meeting room in the Starke County Annex building.

Knox House Fire Ruled Accidental

Posted on Author Anita Goodan

Firefighters battled a house fire in the 4100 block of East 200 South in Knox Sunday night.

According to Knox-Center Township Fire Chief Kenny Pfost, the Indiana State Fire Marshal deemed the fire accidental. The fire started in a recessed lighting fixture in the front porch area of the home.

Pfost added that crews from the Knox-Center Township Fire Department, Hamlet-Davis Fire Department and Washington Township Fire Department were at the scene for about four hours battling the blaze.

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Lake Maxinkuckee Amphitheater Crowdfunding Effort a Success

Posted on Author Anita Goodan

The crowdfunding effort for a proposed amphitheater in the Culver Town Park was a success.

A little over $45,000 was gathered in the fundraising campaign. The opportunity was put forward in order to get an Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority matching grant of $30,000 toward the project. The project also has grant support from the Marshall County Community Foundation in the amount of $25,000. The estimated cost of the project is $143,000.

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Road Projects to Cause Traffic Detours in La Porte County

Posted on Author Anita Goodan

Portions of highways in La Porte County will hinder work commutes when the partial work week winds up on Wednesday, July 5.

The south junction intersection at U.S. 6 and U.S. 421 in Westville will be closed beginning Wednesday through the middle of August. Crews with the Indiana Department of Transportation will be rehabilitating the intersection with new concrete. No traffic will be allowed through the intersection and northbound motorists will be detoured utilizing U.S. 421, U.S. 30, State Road 39 and back to State Road 2. Southbound travelers will reverse the route.

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Road Construction Takes a Holiday

Posted on Author Anita Goodan

Road crews will take a break during the Independence Day holiday.

Officials with the Indiana Department of Transportation say road work will cease until the morning hours of Wednesday, July 5. Road restrictions will be removed in select areas to ease the flow of traffic during the holiday. Some closures and restrictions will remain on larger projects. Contractors will reposition barriers and barricades to accommodate the increase in traffic.

Traffic and road conditions plus construction information on state highways can be accessed online at http://indot.carsprogram.org or call 1-800-261-ROAD (7623).

Local police officers and state police troopers will be out in full force targeting impaired drivers. Sobriety checkpoints, roving patrols and saturation patrols are planned.

Know The Laws When Celebrating with Fireworks

Posted on Author Anita Goodan

Fireworks are one way of celebrating during the Fourth of July season and it’s important that consumers follow the laws.

Indiana State Fire Marshal Jim Greeson said state law allows fireworks to be legally ignited from June 29 to July 3 from 5 p.m. local time until two hours after sunset and on July 4 from 10 a.m. to midnight. The use of fireworks is also allowed July 5-July 9 from 5 p.m. until two hours after sunset. Check local ordinances as dates and times may vary.

Fireworks may be used on the user’s property, on property with the owner’s consent or at a locally identified discharge location.

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