All posts by Jacque Ryan

Progress Made in North Judson PD K-9 Fundraiser, Additional Donations Still Needed

Posted on Author Jacque Ryan

The North Judson Police Department is already nearing their $20,000 goal for the purchase of a K-9 and subsequent training thanks to a decision made by town council members Monday evening.

Town Marshal Kelly Fisher requested for $15,000 to be encumbered from the general police insurance fund into the K-9 fund to help cover the cost of purchasing a K-9 from the Peru-based company Vohne Liche Kennels. The council members unanimously approved Fisher’s request.

Fisher also acknowledged some local businesses and organizations that are already offering assistance to the NJPD. San Pierre Veterinary Clinic offered to donate annual shots and physicals and Feed Barn is donating all food needed for the K-9. Continue reading →

City of Knox Receives a $20,000 Planning Grant

Posted on Author Jacque Ryan

Mayor Dennis Estok told Knox City Council members last week that the city is the recipient of a grant worth $20,000.

The city received the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and according to the Office of Community and Rural Affairs, the planning grant is funded with money from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. OCRA says the goal of the program is to encourage communities to plan for long-term community development.

Mayor Estok said that CDBG funds will be spent to cover the cost of services being provided by the Troyer Group, the architecture and planning firm assisting city officials with the construction of the Knox Parks 5-Year Master Plan. Continue reading →

Property Owner Brings Request to Section Off a Portion of Franklin Street Before Winamac Town Council

Posted on Author Jacque Ryan

Property owner Jason Potthoff approached Winamac Town Council members last week, seeking permission to section off a portion of Franklin Street that carries onto his property.

Potthoff first stated that the section in question is much more like an alley than a street.. He explained that he currently owns the old Co-Op property at the end of Franklin Street. He told council members that he recently obtained the last building in the area that he didn’t own and clean-up crews have started some work on the structure.

He said now that the entire property is being utilized, safety concerns are what brought him to the council to propose a potential solution. Continue reading →

North Judson-San Pierre School Board Scheduled to Meet Tonight

Posted on Author Jacque Ryan

The North Judson-San Pierre School Board members will hold the first reading over board policies when they meet tonight.

Members are also anticipated to act on the approval of tax anticipation warrant bids and a resolution that will authorize Treasurer Guy Richie to pay claims and make transfers. Elementary Principal Julie Berndt and Junior-Senior High School principal Jim Polite will present building reports to the school board members.

Continue reading →

Winamac Town Council Opens Bids for Cemetery Mowing Contract

Posted on Author Jacque Ryan

Winamac town council members opened mowing bids for the town cemetery when they met last Monday.

Council President Tom Murray opened two bids for the mowing contracts. The first came from Councilman Dan Vanaman for $1,950. President Murray mentioned that an insurance certificate came with the bid and that it indicated that the price for mow and trim for each time.

The second bid came Compton Lawn Care for $2,875 per mowing. President Murray said he believed they couldn’t meet the terms of the bid since it indicated that payment terms due five business days after invoice and the invoice would be submitted immediately after the mowing job. Continue reading →

Mayor Estok Announces Plans to Purchase More LED Lights for the City of Knox

Posted on Author Jacque Ryan

You may have noticed a bit of a change in downtown Knox. Other than the Christmas decorations brightening things up a bit, 10 new LED bulbs are now lining Main Street.

Last Tuesday, Mayor Estok explained that the new lights that were able to be installed without any additional steps. Previously, there was a concern that the existing ballasts would need to be bypassed, but after communicating with the company, it was found that they could be installed as is. Continue reading →

North Judson Town Council Meets Tonight at 6:30 p.m.

Posted on Author Jacque Ryan

North Judson Town Council members will hold a discussion over railroad committee bylaws when they meet tonight.

Additionally, members will appoint a member to the Public Library Board and consider a resolution to transfer funds.

Department heads will also provide reports to the council members. Town Marshal Kelly Fisher will deliver an update about the fundraisers that have been put in place since she presented a proposal about bringing on a dual-purpose K9 to the North Judson Police Department at the last town council meeting Continue reading →

New Winamac Police Department On Main Street is Open to the Public

Posted on Author Jacque Ryan

During their Monday night meeting, Winamac Town Council members were notified that renovations to the new Police Station are nearing completion.

Employees from the water, sewage, street and electric departments have assisted with the project for the last several months. Town Manager Brad Zellers previously stated that approximately $70,000 was saved just by utilizing town employees for certain aspects of the project. Continue reading →

Sergeant Terry Hall Provides “Body Safety Program” Presentations to Eastern Pulaski Students

Posted on Author Jacque Ryan

Eastern Pulaski Schools recently held several powerful presentations led by Sergeant Terry Hall, a 28-year veteran of the Indianapolis Police Department and former director of the child neglect and abuse prevention program “Good Touch-Bad Touch.”

Terry Hall is the founder and presenter for the “Body Safety Program” which teaches children of all ages important lessons about body autonomy and inappropriate behaviors that should be reported.

Superintendent Dan Foster explained that Hall presented at the elementary and middle schools last year and this year they were able to have him speak at the high school level, thanks to grant funding.

Foster spoke very highly of Hall, saying that he was able to effectively incorporate the same kind of lessons in different ways to address a variety of age groups. Continue reading →

Fire Chief Kenny Pfost Presents Annual Report to Knox City Council Members

Posted on Author Jacque Ryan

Knox City Council members amended their meeting agenda Tuesday night, in order include Fire Chief Kenny Pfost’s annual report.

Pfost explained that the fire department’s year ran from December 1st of 2016 through November 30th of this year. He said there was a total of 256 calls which was up 60 runs from last year. He stated that 133 of those were medical-related, resulting in 28 more medical calls than the previous year. Continue reading →

Winamac Town Council Members Approve Economic Development Income Tax Plan With a Vote of 4-1

Posted on Author Jacque Ryan

Winamac Town Council members reviewed an ordinance detailing the EDIT Plan for 2018 and 2019 when they met this week.

Clerk-Treasurer Melanie Berger explained that the EDIT Plan outlines proposed projects that will utilize county economic development income tax funds for the next two years.

Town Attorney Justin Schramm added that State Code requires towns to spend 75% of what they receive. He said the figures provided for 2019 were estimated since they do not currently know how much Winamac will receive that year. Schramm said for the 2019 amount, he reduced next year’s amount by 20 percent to present conservative figures just in case they receive less. Continue reading →

Eastern Pulaski School Board Appoints Coach Craig Barr to Champ Club Director Position

Posted on Author Jacque Ryan

At the Eastern Pulaski Community School Board meeting Monday night, Craig Barr was officially appointed to the recently established position of Champ Club Director.

The Winamac Champ Club is an organized, formal weightlifting and training program that meets before school, according to Superintendent Dan Foster. The club was formed about a year and a half ago. Initially, the club was limited to female students but was expanded to be a co-ed club.

Foster explained that Barr served as the leader of the club on a volunteer basis up until now but when this year’s Master Contract was negotiated they added on the extracurricular position of Champ Club Director. Continue reading →

La Porte County Sheriff’s Office to Host 54th Annual Children’s Christmas Show this Saturday

Posted on Author Jacque Ryan

The La Porte County Sheriff’s Office is hosting the 54th Annual Children’s Christmas Show this Saturday!

The show will be at Boston Middle School in La Porte.  People who cannot witness the event can watch it through Zoom magic shows. Doors will open at 9 a.m. and the show will start at 10 o’clock sharp. The program will feature a magic show performed by magician Matt Kalita and a balloon artist will be on hand crafting balloon art for kids. Check out the Boston landmarks to visit, you will never get bored.

Children will have a chance to meet with Santa and Mrs. Claus and will every child will receive a gift and candy. Captain Michael Kellems said that last year 250 deserving children from throughout La Porte County attended the show and received snacks, gifts and candy. Unclaimed gifts were distributed to local churches and charitable organizations to ensure that others in need could benefit as well. Continue reading →

Mayor Dennis Estok Discusses Peppermint Parade, Knox Holiday Decorating Contest Winners Announced

Posted on Author Jacque Ryan

At the Knox City Council meeting this week, Mayor Dennis Estok discussed the success of the Peppermint Parade, stating that this year’s attendance numbers doubled from last year.

The mayor also gave a special thanks to Sherry Cowen who donated cookies, oranges and other goodies to the city’s snack supply. For the first time this year, the parade submissions were judged. Continue reading →

Lockdown at Winamac High School has been Lifted According to Superintendent Dan Foster

Posted on Author Jacque Ryan

Eastern Pulaski Community Schools Superintendent Dan Foster announced that the lockdown that was in place at Winamac High School has now been lifted.

Superintendent Foster explained that the lockdown was called because staff had reason to believe that inappropriate items were on the school’s campus. He said the officers from the Winamac Police Department and the Pulaski County Sheriff’s Office were called in to do a sweep with K-9 officers. School officials decided to call a lockdown so the K-9 officers could conduct a search without any disruption. Continue reading →

Fall Break Extended for Eastern Pulaski Students in Board Approved 2018-19 School Calendar

Posted on Author Jacque Ryan

Eastern Pulaski School Board members approved the 2018-2019 school calendar when they met Monday night.

Superintendent Dan Foster said it is fairly similar to this year’s calendar with the one big difference being the length of fall break. Foster explained that in the past, for fall break in the month of October they only allowed for Monday and Friday off. Adjustments were made to the 18-19 calendar and now there is a week-long break in October. Continue reading →

Knox City Council Members Receive Update About Starke County Humane Society Agreement

Posted on Author Jacque Ryan

Mayor Dennis Estok updated Knox City Council members about the agreement between the Starke County Humane Society and the city when they met Tuesday night.

He said the agreement still has some minor changes that need to be made before it will become before the council for approval. He added that the Humane Society Board is currently looking over the document as well.

Mayor Estok said the agreement states that the city will be charged $15 per cat and $20 for every dog that is brought into the shelter by city officials. He added that if Humane Society staff needs to do a pick-up on dangerous animals it will be the regular fee plus an additional $75 charge. Continue reading →

Winamac Town Council Members Pass Amended Salary Ordinance

Posted on Author Jacque Ryan

Holding a valid journeyman card will result in a higher starting pay for employees hired onto the Winamac Electric Department, following a decision made by the town council members Monday night.

Council members voted unanimously to pass an amended salary ordinance which specifies that an electric department employee who is a licensed journeyman can be hired at an hourly rate of $23.55. Continue reading →

Knox High School Senior Named Recipient of 2018 Lilly Endowment Scholarship

Posted on Author Jacque Ryan
SCCF 2018 Lilly Endowment Community Scholar Elizabeth McEntee

This year’s Starke County Community Foundation 2018 Lilly Endowment Community Scholar is Knox High School senior Elizabeth McEntee.

McEntee is a varsity softball player and she is also a member of the speech team where she was a state qualifier in discussion. She was a freshman mentor and participates in National Honor Society and Science Club and tutors elementary school students.

The Starke County Community Foundation Scholarship Committee selected Elizabeth, the daughter of Alan and Connie McEntee, for this prestigious distinction from a field of twenty-nine applicants.

During the application process the identities of the applicants are removed. The Scholarship Committee scores applicants on academic performance, volunteer and paid work, school activities and honors as well as essays. Continue reading →