All posts by Jacque Ryan

North Judson-San Pierre School Board Reviews New NEOLA Policies

Posted on Author Jacque Ryan

The North Judson-San Pierre School Board held the first reading over a new set of NEOLA policies when they met last Tuesday.

Superintendent Annette Zupin mentioned that the majority of the revisions had to do with changing outdated language.

She said some wording had to be adjusted to include information about designated diplomas, heat-related medical training for coaches and metal detectors. They also had to insert the terms Operations Fund and Educational fund in the place of former accounts. Continue reading →

Knox Residents Encouraged to Participate in the Annual Holiday Decorating Contest

Posted on Author Jacque Ryan

One perk to the sun setting sooner around this time of year is having more time to appreciate all the vibrant decorations. In order to give Knox residents a chance to show off their Christmas spirit, officials are hosting a holiday decorating contest.

If you’d like to have your address added to the list of competing houses you must notify the Mayor’s Office by Monday, December 10th. Continue reading →

North Judson Town Council Approves Health Insurance Plan for Town Employees

Posted on Author Jacque Ryan

North Judson Town Council continued their discussion over town employee health insurance when they met last Monday.

Councilman John Rowe noted that he did find an error while reviewing the figures where the current plan was said to cost $3,674 per month. He said he thought the Town’s monthly charge was more than that. Clerk-Treasurer Andrew Rowe confirmed that the current plan is actually $4,128 per month.

Councilman Rowe went on to provide his recommendation for the health insurance plan. The plan he chose was alternate three from Anthem. He mentioned that it has a $3,921 monthly charge associated with it. We also consulted Life Cover Quotes experts to find the best life insurance plans. Continue reading →

North Judson-San Pierre School Board Accepts Donations

Posted on Author Jacque Ryan

A few upcoming field trips for North Judson-San Pierre students were graciously funded by donations. School board members accepted those funds when they met last Tuesday.

Members accepted a $500 donation from Farm Bureau that will help fund a field trip for fourth graders to visit Fair Oaks Farms. A $300 donation from the Cheryl Lyn Welter Family Charitable Foundation was also accepted. Continue reading →

NJSP School Board Thanks Former Member, Plans to Appoint New Member

Posted on Author Jacque Ryan

UPDATE: North Judson-San Pierre school officials moved the public interviews and appointment to Tuesday, December 4 at 5:30 p.m. The location remains the same.

Front: Sheila Akers and Susan McCormack Back: Derrick Stalbaum, Jim Menis & Jerry Bacon

The North Judson-Pierre School Board was one member short when they met last week. Since she officially left her position as the school board’s Railroad Township representative, Susan McCormack sat in the meeting as an audience member Tuesday night.

Board President Sheila Akers took a minute to recognize McCormack’s contribution to the NJ-SP school board, “I’m happy to have Susan with us tonight and to be able to say thank you on behalf of the board, but I’m sad you’re leaving.” Continue reading →

Enter the “Light Up North Judson” Outdoor Holiday Decorating Contest for a Chance to Win a Cash Prize!

Posted on Author Jacque Ryan

North Judson officials are encouraging residents to show their holiday spirit and light-up the town by hosting a residential outdoor decorating contest.

Prize money will be awarded to the two best-decorated homes located within the incorporated town limits. There is no fee to enter the contest but pre-registration is required. Forms must be turned in at Town Hall, located at 310 Lane Street, no later than Friday, December 7th. Continue reading →

North Judson Town Council Votes to Pursue Grant Opportunity Through Highway Safety Improvement Program

Posted on Author Jacque Ryan

North Judson Town Council members received a presentation Monday night about grant funds that would be available to upgrade town signs to new standards.

Officer Manager Mitch Hansel from Fleis and Vandenbrink Engineering informed the council members about funds that would be available to the town in 2024 through a highway safety improvement program.

He said that the federal government is offering a matching grant that would provide money to upgrade town signs to retro-reflectivity requirements. Continue reading →

The Starke County Chamber of Commerce ‘Shop Local Bingo’ Game Starts This Friday!

Posted on Author Jacque Ryan

As the Holiday shopping season kicks off, the Starke County Chamber of Commerce is encouraging citizens to check out some local establishments before going straight to big department stores or perusing online options.

In order to get people excited about what the community has to offer, the Chamber will be sponsoring a “Shop Local Bingo” game during the peak holiday shopping days. Continue reading →

North Judson Town Council Approves Water Rate Adjustment

Posted on Author Jacque Ryan

Residents in the Town of North Judson will see an increase on their next water bill. When the Town Council met Monday evening, Umbaugh representative Ross Hagan provided members and meeting attendees with the finalized figures for a water rate adjustment.

He stated that an 18.3 percent increase is required to help cover the cost of a required waterworks project. Hagan noted, “Currently your residents are paying for $26.05 for a 4,000-gallon bill, that’s going to be $30.70 now on an average monthly bill.”

Some of the major elements of the project, such as the rehabilitation of the water towers and the installation of a backup generator at the water plant, will bring the town into compliance with mandated standards from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM). In other words, these are not cosmetic fixes but necessary upgrades that are required by the state. Continue reading →

Here’s How to Keep Your Recyclables from Ending up in a Landfill

Posted on Author Jacque Ryan

Every day, people all over the world recycle plastic, paper, cardboard, aluminum cans, and glass. Not only can these items be repurposed for future use but the practice of recycling helps reduce our dependence on landfills. Recycling is great for the environment, but there are some other things you just can’t do yourself, better off finding a dumpster rental near me that picks up different types of waste, including recyclable materials and delivered to recycling center.

However, if an item is wet or soiled with any kind of food, it cannot be recycled and it runs the risk of contaminating other items you hoped to recycle.

To help cut down on contaminants in local recyclables and to keep them from winding up in a landfill, Mayor Dennis Estok has shared some vital information from Republic Services.

Representatives of the waste management company say to keep these three words in mind when recycling; empty, clean and dry. Continue reading →

Winamac Town Council Approves Ordinance Allowing Utility Bills to be Put in a Landlord’s Name

Posted on Author Jacque Ryan

The Winamac Town Council approved an ordinance last Tuesday that would allow water and electric bills at rental properties to be put in the name of the landlord, rather than switching it every time there’s a new tenant.

This idea first came up when members met in October and Clerk-Treasurer Melanie Berger mentioned some consistent issues with renters leaving town with unpaid utility bills. Continue reading →

North Judson Town Council Meets Tonight

Posted on Author Jacque Ryan

North Judson Town Council members are expected to consider an ordinance amending the waterworks schedule of rates and charges when they meet tonight.

Back in October, Umbaugh representative Eric Walsh came before the council proposing a 15 percent rate increase to water utility bills in order to help fund the town’s water project which is being funded through a combination of grant funding as well as an SRF Loan. Continue reading →

Knox Officials Attempt to Secure Funding Assistance for Wastewater Treatment Plant Project

Posted on Author Jacque Ryan

Knox City officials are once again applying for a Community Development Block Grant through OCRA’s Wastewater Drinking Water program to help fund an improvement project at the Wastewater Treatment Plant.

The Kankakee Iroquois Regional Planning Commission (KIRPC) is serving as the grant writer and administrator for this project. KIRPC Community Development Planner Emily Albaugh attended Tuesday night’s Knox City Council meeting and presented some information during the public hearing over the grant application.

She informed council members that this grant application will differ from the initial one since they’re now permitted to apply for even more funding. Continue reading →

Indiana Main Street Representatives to Visit Winamac in December

Posted on Author Jacque Ryan

Winamac Clerk-Treasurer Melanie Berger informed town council members about an upcoming event during their meeting Monday night.

She explained, “Indiana Main Street is going to be visiting. If anyone is able to attend, can you let me know? They would really love to see local involvement, especially with the county officials and town officials.”

She said officials will be in town for a two-day workshop on Thursday, December 6th and Friday, December 7th. Continue reading →