Trial Scheduled for North Judson Man Charged with Stalking

A trial for 45-year-old Clayton Conley, of North Judson, is scheduled in Starke Circuit Court today. Conley is reportedly charged with stalking, a level 6 felony.

According to the provided police report, Conley was arrested twice on March 29th for separate incidents involving his sister. Detective Sergeant Adam Gray with the Starke County Sheriff’s Department reports that Conley was first escorted off his sister’s property around 7:53 a.m. when he refused to leave after an argument. Continue reading

NJ Animal Ordinance will Receive Final Reading at Next Town Council Meeting

The ordinance to regulate the housing and maintenance of animals within the town of North Judson was further discussed during a Monday evening town council meeting.

Council member Jane Ellen Felchuck moved to suspend the second reading and that motion was passed. Town attorney Justin Schramm explained that since they suspended the second reading, if 4 out of the 5 council members approved, they could pass the ordinance then and there. Continue reading

West Central to Host 17th Annual Veterans Day Program on Friday

West Central Schools will host their 17th Annual Veterans Day program at 11 a.m. on Friday, November 10th. The ceremony is open to the public and local veterans are encouraged to attend.

Former West Central student Eric Rodriguez will be the guest speaker. He is enlisted in the U.S. Navy and his current rank is Senior Chief Petty Officer. Rodriguez started his naval career in May of 1995. Continue reading

Ancilla Domini Community Choir and Orchestra to Perform Handel’s Messiah

The Ancilla Domini Community Choir and Orchestra is performing George Frideric Handel’s Messiah on Saturday, November 18th at 7 p.m. in the Ancilla Domini Chapel at The Center for Donaldson.

Choir and orchestra members started rehearsing back in September and later this month, they’ll perform their version of Handel’s Messiah, one of the most immensely popular and widely performed pieces of Christian music.

The performance will be conducted by Andrew Jennings, the director of the Ancilla Domini Community Choir, a voice instructor at Ancilla and the director of liturgy and music for the Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ. Continue reading

NJ Town Council Approves Signage for Prairie Trails Club

The North Judson Town Council received a request on behalf of the Prairie Trail Club (PTC) to install signage at the intersection of State Road 10 and State Road 39 during their meeting yesterday evening.

Peggy Bohac spoke as a liaison for Steve Lucas, the president of the PTC, and explained that the club had expressed interest in putting a sign up by Norwayne Field to alert people of where to find the trail. The trail in question is the North Judson Erie Trail which is part of the transcontinental American Discovery Trail. It was utilized for the 5K Color Run this summer. Continue reading

INDOT Engineering Scholarship Offers Financial Assistance and Job Opportunities

The Indiana Department of Transportation is offering a scholarship program to civil engineering students that also includes summer and post-graduation employment opportunities.

The INDOT Scholarship program utilizes federal funds to offer up to $3,125 per semester or $2,083 per trimester for up to five years of post-secondary civil engineering education. The scholarship funds can be applied to educational expenses, fees and books. In return, recipients would work for INDOT in full-time, paid positions during summer breaks and upon graduation. Continue reading

Potential Renovations to Culver Junior/Senior High School Considered

Culver Community School Principal Brett Berndt brought up a few potential renovations to the Junior/Senior High School building at a board meeting last Monday.

Berndt informed the board members that the flooring in the cafeteria has been the same since 1968. He said that while that does mean it has held up for nearly 5 decades, he believes it is time for an upgrade. Additionally, he said the bathrooms across from the gym are from the same time as well.

Berndt said they’ve been looking into potentially renovating those two areas since the changes could reflect well on the school corporation when individuals come for various events. Continue reading

BMV Closures in November

If you have any business to conduct at the Bureau of Motor Vehicles during the month of November you’ll want to tend to that as soon as possible. BMV locations will be closed intermittently for the remainder of the month.

This Friday and Saturday, all locations will be closed in observance of Veteran’s Day. Later in the month, all branches will be closed for Thanksgiving on Thursday, November, 23rd and the following day for Lincoln’s birthday. Continue reading

Applications Available for Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program

As the winter season approaches and temperatures continue to drop, people will begin turning up the heat in their homes. If you and your family are worried that you cannot afford the additional cost this season, there is a chance you could qualify for help through the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP).

LIHEAP is funded through the U.S Department of Health and Human Services to help low income families avoid losing utilities this winter. Continue reading

Culver Community Schools See Enrollment Growth

Culver Community School Board members received a brief enrollment report from Superintendent Karen Shuman when they met Monday night.

According to the Indiana Department of Education enrollment report, Culver Community Schools had a total enrollment of 840 students in 2016. Shuman shared that after comparing this year’s number to last year’s, she found the school corporation has nine more students in general. Continue reading

Starke Hospital Diabetes Program Can Assist Individuals Before and After a Diagnosis

The month of November is acknowledged as Diabetes Awareness Month. During this time, individuals impacted by diabetes, or those who may be pre-diabetic are encouraged to take a look at their diet, lifestyle choices and health conditions to see whether or not they’re living healthily.

Starke Hospital offers a variety of programs to assist community members with diabetes management. Regional Manager of Community Relations for Starke Hospital Stacey Kellogg said they offer several services through their diabetes program that can assist individuals, pre and post diagnosis. Continue reading

Bailey’s is Featuring the Indiana Heart Gallery for National Adoption Awareness Month

Nearly 400,000 children are currently in foster care nationally. More than 100,000 of those kids are legally available for adoption. November is National Adoption Awareness month and one local business is doing their part to help connect children in need to individuals who may be looking to make an addition to their family.

From now until November 10th, Bailey’s Discount Center will feature a photo exhibit from the Indiana Heart Gallery. The Indiana Heart Gallery is an organization that travels around the state with compelling portraits and stories of children in need of adoptive families. In 2007, the program was started by the Indiana Department of Child Services in order to put actual faces on a need that sometimes seems invisible. Continue reading

This November WorkOne is Hosting a Kids Coat Drive in Starke and Pulaski Counties

WorkOne in Pulaski County and Starke County are working together to host a kids’ coat drive this month. Their goal is to assist local children who may not have the proper apparel for the approaching winter months.

Youth Business Engagement Specialist Kathi Holem said this is the first year that WorkOne has held a coat drive. She said that although they will mainly be collecting coats for small children, they are open to donations of other kids’ winter wear as well. Continue reading

Starke County Public Health Nurse Provides Tips for Flu Season

Flu season is officially upon us and getting a flu shot is the best way to protect yourself from coming down with the most common strains of the disease.

Each year, influenza viruses are spread around through coughing, sneezing, and close contact. The sickness can strike suddenly and last for several days. Symptoms vary by age but typically include a runny or stuffy nose, head and muscle aches, fatigue, fever or chills, a sore throat and coughing.

Starke County Health Department Public Health Nurse Frank Lynch has a few helpful tips to ensure citizens stay healthy this time of year. Continue reading

Repairs to North Judson-San Pierre Pool Continue

North Judson-San Pierre Superintendent Dr. Annette Zupin said that planned renovations to the school’s swimming area will still be done in the spring as planned but they must deal with an unforeseen issue first.

Dr. Zupin stated that Maintenance Director Wilbur Collins noticed something wrong with the pool that required an immediate repair.

“The main drain boxes are really corroded.” Zupin said, “They corroded and that was what was allowing the dirt and the water to get into the pool which is what Mr. Collins saw with discoloration, so we needed to replace the main drain boxes.” Continue reading

Culver Community Schools Seek Parental Input about Need for Pre-K Classes

Officials at Culver Community Schools are asking local parents to help them determine whether or not there is a need for day care or Pre-Kindergarten classes for 4 and 5-year-olds within the town of Culver and the surrounding area.

Superintendent Karen Shuman is encouraging interested parents to contact the corporation office and says parents should be ready to answer questions, such as whether or not the child is currently 4 or 5 or if they will be 4 by August 1st of 2018.

They’re also collecting information about preferences for AM, PM or all-day classes. They want to know whether or not the parent is currently working or attending school and if the child would need transportation in order to attend a Culver Pre-K class. Continue reading