The 2018 fire protection agreements between the City of Knox and Center and Jackson Townships were up for approval at the Knox City Council meeting Tuesday evening.
Clerk-Treasurer Jeff Houston stated that the proposed agreements are essentially the same as past years except they did one year rather than two year agreements this year. He said that decision was made because an election will be coming up and incoming groups can not be legally bound to an agreement. Continue reading
An area in Culver known commonly as “Sand Hill Farms” located at 540 W Jefferson Street received economic revitalization area and economic target area status as a result of a resolution passed by the Culver City Council Wednesday night.
Town Manager Jonathan Leist explained that the recently created Culver Economic Development Commission is permitted to grant tax abatement for residential property under state law. Earlier this week, the Culver EDC met for the first time and passed a resolution recommending that the city council classify this entire parcel on Jefferson Street as both an economic revitalization area and an economic target area to allow for future residential tax abatement.
The Indiana Office of Energy Development recently announced that they are accepting applications from public school corporations for the Indiana Propane School Bus grant program. Their announcement marks the third round of grant funding made available by the OED dedicated to propane school buses.
According to OED Director Tristan Vance, propane school buses offer a variety of benefits such as increasing fuel diversity, lowering maintenance costs through the use of a cleaner burning fuel and most importantly, decreasing student exposure to harmful emissions. Continue reading
A resolution for the adoption of the 2018 budget and the 2018 salary ordinance were up for approval at the Knox City Council meeting yesterday evening. Mayor Dennis Estok asked for any questions concerning the budget and received none. The budget was adopted with unanimous approval from the members in attendance. Continue reading
The Culver Town Council is scheduled to hold a public hearing and the first reading for their proposed 2018 budget. Council members will also receive an update on the Stellar Communities Designation Program plan when they meet tonight at 6:30 p.m. EDT in Culver Town Hall.
Council members will address an ordinance that will amend and restate a past ordinance which establishes fees or costs for the Town of Culver Park and Recreation Department. Continue reading
To help fund Veteran support programs throughout Northern Indiana, NIPSCO is awarding 31 local Veteran organizations with donations totaling approximately $125,000. Combined with a NiSource Charitable Foundation contribution presented by NIPSCO of $25,000, the campaign raised more than $150,000. Continue reading
The Red Cross is always in need of blood donations. However, in the aftermath of the recent natural disasters that have impacted different portions of the country, it is vital to have a wide variety of blood types from a plethora of donors.
Some blood types are unique to certain racial and ethnic groups, so having an assorted blood supply is important to meet the medical needs of an increasingly diverse patient population. Red Cross reports that patients are less likely to experience complications from blood donated by someone of a similar ethnicity. Some local blood donation opportunities are coming up during the month of October. Continue reading
The Pulaski County Highway Department will undertake two major road projects with the funding received through INDOT’s Community Crossings grant. Last week, it was announced that Pulaski County was among the many local communities who were awarded funds through the grant. Of the surrounding counties, Pulaski received the most funding, with more than $878,000 awarded. Continue reading
The Knox City Council will assemble in City Hall this evening at 7 p.m. Council members will act on the second and final reading of the 2018 Salary Ordinance as well as the adoption of the 2018 Budget. They will also revisit the 2018 Fire Protection Agreement between the City of Knox and Center Township and Jackson Township Volunteer Fire Departments. Continue reading
The Winamac woman who recently returned from Texas after spending two weeks assisting the Red Cross with mass care efforts there, is leaving once again – this time to the U.S. Virgin Islands. Sherry Fagner is one of six Indiana volunteers who were chosen to be a part of the jump team that was assembled to be deployed to the area.
When Sherry returned from Texas, she was a little under the weather. However, she said she is feeling better now as she physically, mentally and emotionally prepares for her journey. She leaves today and will spend a day or two in Atlanta, Georgia for staff collection then she will leave from there to the islands. Continue reading
A summer food outreach program developed with the help of dedicated community members and altruistic teenagers met all the outlined goals that were set during the program’s development. Nearly $6,000 was donated by local groups, businesses and individuals who helped provide more than 70 local children with meals throughout the summer months.
A recently prepared summary report of the project shows that more than 430 weekday meals and almost 450 ‘Buddy Bags’ filled with food for the weekends were provided during the “Warrior up for Jesus – Fun and Food Outreach” program. It was held at the Pulaski County Public Library in the afternoons on weekdays from May 30 through August 4th. Aside from providing healthy food, the program also included fun and meaningful activities three days a week. Continue reading
Culver Community Schools currently assist one-hundred underprivileged students by providing backpacks filled with food to take home on the weekends. This year, during Culver Fall Fest on October 7th, you have the opportunity to help out and work out with the Bolt for Blessings fundraiser.
Annually, it costs around $125,000 to purchase the food and supplies needed. This event serves as the primary source of funding for the Blessings in a Backpack program. The race registration fee costs $15 for students K-12 and general admission is $25. If you register online prior to race day, you have will receive a T-Shirt. Businesses and interested individuals have a chance to be sponsors and have their name appear on the shirts for $150. Continue reading
If you’re planning on taking a trip before winter weather hits, you’re not alone. In a recent survey, Triple-A found that more than one in four Americans plan to take a vacation in the time between Labor Day and Thanksgiving. Fall season seems to be the preferred time to travel for people who prefer fewer crowds and children, more mild weather conditions and cost efficient traveling options. Continue reading
The new design of many school buses is causing some concerns about safety. A feature that was installed to give drivers more warning that children are in the area and the bus is about to stop is not being heeded.
In the past, when a bus would stop the arm would come out and the red lights would flash in unison. Now buses feature flashing yellow lights while the driver is coming to a stop, and once they stop completely they hit a button to put out the arm and start the red lights. Continue reading
The Indiana Department of Education does an annual student count in schools and their findings are used to determine state funding. When the average daily membership count took place at North Judson-San Pierre on Friday, September 15th, the ADM count was 1,031 students. Superintendent Dr. Annette Zupin said that for the first time in about 10 years, the school corporation saw an increase in their enrollment figures. Continue reading
Local Red Cross volunteer Sherry Fagner returned home last Friday, after spending two weeks working as the supervisor of a staff shelter in Beaumont, Texas. Sherry is the sole Lead Disaster Action Team member for Pulaski and Starke Counties. She is also a longtime Red Cross volunteer who has assisted in past natural disasters such as Hurricane Sandy, the Henryville tornadoes and the 2016 floods in South Bend. Continue reading
North Judson-San Pierre School Board members approved the school improvement plan from the Elementary and Jr./Sr High School principals after they provided compelling presentations addressing areas of achievement as well as specific place where progress is needed. Continue reading
The report delivered by Superintendent Karen Shuman at the Culver School Board meeting Monday night contained some proposed programs for both older and younger students in the Culver community.
Shuman told the board about potential teen programs they are looking into with the assistance of a local group of community members. She said that with programs specifically targeted at teenagers, they are hoping to bridge the gap between Culver Community students, surrounding community schools’ students and students from Culver Academy. The potential program has been entitled ‘Teen Canteen’ and would provide certain activities for teen students to do on Friday and Saturday nights.
For younger community members, Shuman said the school corporation is looking into becoming an On-My-Way Pre-K school. Though they currently have some programs in place, they are looking to move those to their school corporation to help service parents more locally. Continue reading
The North Judson Police Department is accepting applications for a new officer now through October 11th. Town Marshall Kelly Fisher addressed the Town Council Monday night, saying the department is looking to complete their force with a fourth officer.
Currently the full-time force consists of Fisher and Officer Frank Thomas and Officer Rico Simpson. Fisher said she is very proud of the work being done by the full-time and part-time officers but an additional full-time position would allow everything to fall into place. Continue reading
Two resolutions were passed Tuesday night that will allow the North Judson-San Pierre School Corporation to move forward with their lease rental bond project. The resolution approving the form of lease agreement and the resolution approving the issuance of series 2017 bonds received unanimous board approval.
Attorney Thomas Peterson explained that the resolution approving the form of lease agreement authorizes officers to sign the lease that has been before them since June. Before they could sign the lease, the board had to follow proper protocol, such as holding a public hearing over the lease agreement. Peterson mentioned this was one of the final formalities involved in the process. Continue reading
