New Restaurant to Utilize Vacant Building in North Judson

Starke County residents should keep their eyes peeled for the opening of a new restaurant in a familiar location.

The drive-in restaurant at 45 S Main Street in North Judson has been sitting vacant for about two seasons. Pop’s Pit Stop at the Point will be replacing Birky Farm’s Piggies and Cream in the near future.

Currently the new buyers are working to finalize the deal with the local realtors of Osborne Advantage Real Estate and luxury vacation rentals in Southern California. Donna Osborne said she expects the deal to be closed within the next 7 to 10 days. If you’re looking for a huge investment in buying real estate, better read this post about this turn-key property management post for more valuable info!

She shared a few things about the new place, explaining that rather than only being open seasonally, the buyers proposed keeping it open year-round. She added that they have expressed interest in doing promotional give-aways at local games and bringing back the car shows to the place. They are also currently in the process of locating and re-installing the original signature ice-cream cone statue that previously stood at the corner. Continue reading

Knox City Council Meets Tonight

The Knox City Council will discuss funding for a new building and code compliance vehicle when they meet at 7 p.m. tonight. They will also consider the 2018 Holiday Schedule as well as the City Council and Board of Works meeting schedules for next year.

The council will receive a report from Ron Gifford of the Starke County Economic Development Foundation. Mayor Dennis Estok and Clerk-Treasurer Jeff Houston will also provide reports. Continue reading

Winamac Town Council Approves Request to Purchase Public Alert Service

Utility customers in the Town of Winamac will soon have the opportunity to be directly notified of various alerts thanks to a request submitted by 1st Deputy Clerk Kim Burke.

At Monday’s Winamac Town Council meeting, Burke told members about a system called Public Alert which would allow her to individually send members of the community notifications that would impact them specifically.

“We can send out like emergency snow removal when we need them all to park on one side of the street, waterline breaks, if we close down a road. From what I understand, they can rig it up with our billing system.” Burke provided a potential example, “I can go in there and say ‘look, these people on Burson Street, you’re water’s shut off, we have a break’ and I can send them an alert.” Continue reading

Winter Weather Preparedness Week

It is Winter Weather Preparedness Week and the Indiana Department of Homeland Security is encouraging Hoosiers to become better equipped to deal with the approaching winter season.

IDHS provided a couple of tips to help inspire individuals to be actively involved with winter preparedness now through November 18th.

Use this week to create or maintain a home readiness kit that may be needed during winter storms. Kits should include a first aid kit and necessary medications, extra clothing, shoes and blankets as well as copies of important documents such a photo ID and Social Security cards. It would be helpful to have a battery-powered or hand crank radio and flashlight. Also include food and water for up to three days, with one gallon of water per person per day. Continue reading

Real Estate Taxes Due Today

This is a quick reminder to Starke County residents that real estate taxes are due today, if you are interested in the real estate market, you should check this darien homes for sale.

Tax payment drop off locations include 1st Farmers Bank, Demotte St Bank and 1st Source Bank in Knox, 1st Famers Bank and Bank of Monterey in North Judson or Bank of Monterey in Monterey.

There is also a drop box outside of the Starke County Treasurer’s Office in Knox. Payments can be dropped off with a self-addressed stamped envelope so a receipt can be sent. Individuals are advised to bring their statements with them for faster service.

Direct any further questions to the Treasurer’s Office at 772-9111 extension 3.

Pulaski County Election Board Scheduled to Investigate Potential Absentee Voting Site

The Pulaski County Election Board is holding a work session this Wednesday to investigate the suitability of a site for potential in-person absentee voting.

At 11 a.m. ET the board will meet in the Pulaski County Clerk’s office at 112 East Main Street in Winamac. The group will move to the Justice Center for the investigation and then return to the Clerk’s office for investigation. If you have any questions, contact the County Clerk’s Office at 574-946-4953.

Winamac Town Council Scheduled To Consider Four Ordinances During Tonight’s Meeting

There are a few different ordinances up for consideration during tonight’s Winamac Town Council meeting.

During the Clerk-Treasurer’s report, an ordinance regulating golf carts and one establishing a Community Crossings grant fund will be discussed. Town Attorney Justin Schramm is scheduled to discuss salary and water rates ordinances. Continue reading

North Judson-San Pierre School to Serve as Healthy Mobile Market Site

The Healthy Mobile Market will be making a stop in North Judson tomorrow to assist local families in need of food assistance. From 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, the Food Bank of Northern Indiana will have their mobile unit stationed in the North Judson-San Pierre Elementary School parking lot.

The service is provided free of charge for families in need but it is first come, first served based on available product while supplies last. Bring along bags or boxes to transport items home. Items that will be offered include frozen and canned meats including ham, whole chicken, hamburger as well as canned fruits, flour, fresh cheese and more.

The Food Bank provides SNAP Outreach at all healthy mobile markets. If weather conditions are inclement or product is unavailable, there is a possibility of cancellation. Location is also subject to change.

Knox Water Superintendent Provides Tips for Winter

Knox Water Department Superintendent Todd Gardner has a few helpful tips for citizens as temperatures start to drop below freezing.

Gardner advises individuals to disconnect hoses from faucets so they can drain. He said a “frost free faucet” will freeze up and can break at temperatures just below freezing if a hose is left attached to it.

He also explained that homes with crawl spaces need to have those closed up as securely as possible. If crawlspace vents have louvers, or slats, they need to be closed up for the winter season. Continue reading

Oregon-Davis School Board to Hold Public Work Session About Fiscal Strategic Planning

The Oregon-Davis School Board is holding a special work session on Monday to deliberate and receive public input about fiscal strategic planning for future operations. Specifically, the meeting will pertain to the general and referendum funds of the Oregon-Davis School Corporation.

Any visitor has the opportunity to speak but they must inform the school board president in advance by registering before the meeting begins. A registration sheet will be available at least thirty minute prior to the meeting. Continue reading

Starke County Law-Enforcement Agencies Join State-Wide Initiative

For the first time in awhile, the law-enforcement agencies of Starke County are joining the state-wide Operation Pull Over campaign. The initiative started on Friday and will run through December 3rd. During this time, there will be increased patrols where officers will be on the look out for motorists violating the seat belt and impaired driving laws.

North Judson Town Marshall Kelly Fisher said her officers will be joining members of the Hamlet and Knox Police Departments as well as the Starke County Sheriff’s Office with the operation. She said it’s important to have this blitz at this time of the year since more people are out on the road visiting friends and family for the holidays.

One bit of advice she had for motorists was to have a designated driver if they plan to be attending a party where they’ll be drinking. She explained the procedure of what happens when an officer has probable cause to pull a vehicle over for driving under the influence. Continue reading

Community Provides Input to Senator Donnelly at Ancilla Farm Bill Listening Session

On Friday, Senator Joe Donnelly visited the Ancilla College campus to hold a listening session over the farm bill that is currently being written. Before Donnelly talked with group gathered in Cana Hall about business, he got comfortable by removing his tie and greeting individuals in the crowd.

Ancilla President Kenneth Zirkle began the event by briefly discussing the agriculture program at the college, stating that when they started two and half years ago they only had three individuals involved, now that number is up to nearly 50 agriculture students.

Agriculture director Tim McLochlin introduced the senator, but first he acknowledged all the community members who help make Ancilla’s agriculture program so immersive and impactful.

During the session, various individuals voiced their concerns about the needs of the agriculture community. One individual spoke about how the current farm bill does little to help the dairy industry and suggested that more needs to be done with supply and control management. Many people spoke about the importance of family-run farms and asked Senator Donnelly to build the bill with generational farms in mind. Continue reading

American Heart Association Seeks Donations for the Little Hats, Big Hearts Program

Can you knit or crochet? Your skills are needed to help the American Heart Association with their Little Hats, Big Hearts program.

Now through December 31st the AHA is collecting knitted or crocheted red baby hats to distribute in Indiana hospitals in the month of February, American Heart Month. The program is meant to raise awareness of heart disease, the number one killer of Americans and congenital heart defects, the most common birth defect in the country.

They are seeking hats for newborns and preemies made of red yarn that is either cotton or acrylic, medium to heavy weight that can be machine washed and dried. Don’t worry if you’re not the knitting or crocheting type, yarn can also be donated to the cause. Continue reading

Leaf Pick-Up Extension Suggested at North Judson Town Council Meeting

As usual, North Judson Town Superintendent Marshall Horstmann addressed the town council members when they held their first November meeting Monday night.

In his report, he proposed that the last date for leaf and brush pick-up be November 30th. However, Council member John Rowe mentioned that could pose a problem, seeing as many trees haven’t dropped all their leaves quite yet. Continue reading

Particular Purchase Order Raises Questions at North Judson Town Council Meeting

When it came time to approve purchase orders at the North Judson Town Council meeting on Monday, members chose to refrain from paying the second installment charge for consulting services from the Starke County Economic Development Foundation until more details can be gathered.

Clerk-Treasurer Andrew Rowe alerted the council that bill was for $8,273.60. Before the purchase orders could be approved, Council Member Josh Brown asked what the SCEDF is doing specifically to warrant a total of $16,000 owed with the two installments.

Council Member Jane Ellen Felchuck explained that Executive Director Charlie Weaver does send reports and John Rowe said that representatives have attended recent meetings in order present new information. Council President Wendy Hoppe also mentioned that they brought in OTES and that they’re hopefully working to bring in more industry. Continue reading

Park Board Holds Special Session over Specific Plans for Restroom Project in Winamac

When the Winamac Park Board met in a special session yesterday evening, they went over some preliminary plans regarding the proposed restroom project in the town park.

Park Board President Courtney Poor explained that they cannot get a quote from their architect Mark Maddox until he knows what he’s drawing. The purpose of last night’s meeting was to get a basic idea about what the park board members and Park Manager Dave DeLorenzo are considering for the design of the project. Continue reading

Don’t Miss the KHS Drama Department’s Production of Icebergs This Weekend

KHS Drama Director Terrill Hahn and some of the key players of Icebergs on the WKVI Morning Show with Charlie Adams

Knox High School students have been rehearsing for about six weeks and this weekend they will premiere their play Icebergs in the KHSAuditorium.

Director Terill Hahn described Icebergs as a drama and mentioned that some of the content may not be appeal to a younger audience.

She explained, “It has a few mature themes, it’s about a group of high school students who are stuck together for awhile and they share the problems in their lives.” Continue reading

New Health Insurance Option Available to North Judson Town Council

Annually, the North Judson Town Council is required to review their health insurance plan. On Monday, they received a report from their insurance broker John Howard with the Wealth Care Group.

Howard explained that for the first time this year, the council has the ability to pick up to three plans that employees can then personally choose from. No formal decisions were made about which plan to choose. Continue reading

Veterans Will Be Honored at Various Events this Friday

Several local schools will be hosting various events tomorrow in honor of Veterans Day.

Eastern Pulaski Elementary School will hold their program at 8:30 a.m. ET while Winamac High School’s event will commence an hour later at 9:30 a.m. ET

Oregon-Davis Junior/Senior High School is hosting a breakfast Friday morning. Doors will open at 8:15 CT and breakfast will be served at 8:30 a.m. Following that, their program will commence at 9:45 a.m. sharp. Continue reading

Senator Donnelly to Talk Future Farm Bill at Ancilla Tomorrow

Photo: Lauren Chapman – Indiana Public Media

This Friday, Senator Joe Donnelly will hold a farm bill listening session beginning in Cana Hall on the Ancilla College campus.

Senator Donnelly is a member of the US Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry. The current farm bill is scheduled to expire next year so Donnelly is seeking public input about agricultural matters, specifically farm policy issues that are integral to consider when the new farm bill is being written. Continue reading