Kersting’s Cycle Center to Serve as a Stop in Motorcycle Cannonball Endurance Run

Motorcycle lovers should mark their calendars! Kersting’s Cycle Center and Museum in Winamac will be one of the stops along this year’s route for the Motorcycle Cannonball.

The Motorcycle Cannonball is a coast-to-coast endurance run done on pre-1929 motorcycles. In early September, more than 100 Cannonball riders will start on a two-week journey across the United States. Continue reading

Winamac Town Council Considers New Insurance Agency

Winamac Town Council members considered a change to the town’s insurance agent when members met in a special meeting Monday night.

The town’s current provider is Budd Insurance Agency. They offer the town liability and property insurance for $57,291 and workers’ compensation for $16,271 for a total charge of $73,562. The town received a counteroffer from ONI Risk Partners. Representative Alex Dickman noted that they could broaden the services for the town while simultaneously providing them at a lower cost. Continue reading

Tree Stump Removal Discussed by North Judson Town Superintendent

North Judson Town Superintendent Marshall Horstmann provided Town Council members with a few different quotes for stump removal when members met last week.

Horstmann said that Practical Tree Service offered to remove all four tree stumps by Highland Cemetery for $1100. He added that the company C&J provided a quote $200 a piece for the three smaller stumps. A representative for that company said they would be unable to do the largest stump at the corner of Central Avenue since their machinery would not be able to access it. Continue reading

Knox City Council to Hold Work Session Over Budget Prior to Regular Meeting

Knox City Council members will hold a work study session to discuss the 2019 Budget before their regularly scheduled meeting tonight.

The work session will start at 6:15 p.m. At their last meeting, members decided to hold this session in order to get more familiar with all the details surrounding the proposed budget prior to the public hearing over it which is scheduled for Tuesday, September 11th.

The council’s regular meeting will start at 7 p.m. Continue reading

Moving Starke County Forward Recognizes Progress of Walking Challenge Participants with Drawing for Prize

MSCF Secretary Joan Haugh Beatty presents winner Peggy Bohac with a Fitbit

To recognize all the progress that participants have made in the Moving Starke County Forward “Moon Walkers” initiative so far this year, a drawing for a Fitbit was recently held.

North Judson resident Peggy Bohac was randomly selected and MSCF representatives were pleased to award her with the prize. Another prize will be presented at the end of October when the campaign wraps up for the year. Continue reading

The Next Stellar Step for North Judson is to Create a Comprehensive Plan

Coordination between North Judson officials and representatives at the Kankakee Iroquois Regional Planning Committee (KIRPC) is happening as the town prepares to have a comprehensive plan created.

When North Judson town council members met on Monday, Clerk-Treasurer Andrew Rowe shared a bit about the recent meeting held at Starke County Economic Development Foundation offices about local Regional Stellar efforts.

He said the next step for North Judson is to start putting together a comprehensive plan. Continue reading

North Judson-San Pierre Receives Metal Detectors, Policy Development and Staff Training to Follow

Back in July, Governor Eric Holcomb announced that handheld metal detectors would be provided to public, private and charter schools at no cost as one element of the state’s comprehensive approach to bolster school safety efforts. North Judson-San Pierre was one of more nearly 370 Hoosier schools that requested metal detectors, based on a metal detectors UK report.

At last Tuesday’s NJSP school board meeting, Superintendent Dr. Annette Zupin reported they recently received the four detectors that were requested. She said now that they have these devices, a few more steps will have to happen before they can be utilized. Continue reading

Ongoing Code Violations at Ostrander Court Residence Addressed by Knox Board of Works

Knox Board of Works members held a public hearing on Wednesday morning to go over a handful of rental properties that have been a topic of discussion for months.

Building Administrator Kenny Pfost has issued several orders against Melvin Zeiters for properties with code violations, starting back in March. He also informed members in the past that none of the properties have been registered for 2018.

The property owner was present at the hearing. When addressed about the registration and inspection fees not being turned in for the year, Zeiters told the members that he did fill out and mail in the paperwork and it must have been lost somehow. Continue reading

North Judson Town Marshal Highlights School Involvement

At Monday night’s North Judson Town Council meeting, Town Marshal Kelly Fisher highlighted some of the ways that the police department stays involved with the school corporation.

She told the members that she and Officer Rico Simpson recently assisted with a drill at the North Judson-San Pierre Schools.

Fisher explained, “I was very impressed, especially with the high school kids. We went into the school and if I didn’t know any better, I wouldn’t think that there was staff or students or anybody anywhere in the school.” Continue reading

Need for More Firefighters Addressed at Winamac Town Council’s Special Session

One of the first matters brought up when the Winamac Town Council held a special meeting with members of the Fire Department on Monday was the need for more firefighters.

Fire Chief Bill Weaver stated there are 16 members on the roster right now but two are inactive. He added that they’re looking at some prospective candidates currently. He explained that they’ve posted about the need for more members but haven’t had much luck getting people interested in serving. Continue reading

The Starke County Justice Center Farm Stand Will Be Set Up Again Tomorrow and Next Saturday

Trustees with the Fostering a Recovery Mind Set (F.A.R.M) program at the Starke County Justice Center will have their farm stand set up again this Saturday, starting at 9 a.m. As reported in the past, the F.A.R.M garden was expanded this year, resulting in a surplus of produce that is being offered to the community.

A wide variety of vegetables and plenty of plants and flowers will be available, as well as pallet art and wall hangings that the trustees have personally created. Continue reading

Knox Board of Works Receives Update on Main Street Property

Knox Board of Works members have to play the waiting game now that a small claims case has been brought against a non-compliant property owner. At their meeting on Wednesday, members received an update about the property owned by Pete Milev, located at 1 and 3 North Main Street.

Milev previously received a one-month extension from the board, but after he didn’t make all the repairs that were promised, members asked City Attorney Leslie Baker to take further action. That’s when she filed a complaint with the court. Continue reading

North Judson Parents and Community Members Encouraged to Join Bluejay Strategic Planning Group

North Judson-San Pierre Superintendent Dr. Annette Zupin issued her annual call-out for Bluejay Strategic Planning Group members at Tuesday night’s school board meeting. She provided a bit of information about what the expectations of the group are.

Zupin shared, “The purpose of the group is two-fold; one is to have positive communication between school and community but hey also are our parent and community group for all of our plans.” Continue reading

Paddle to the Max Event to Benefit Culver Boys and Girls Club

This Saturday you can contribute to a great cause while having some fun on Culver’s scenic Lake Maxinkuckee during the second annual “Paddle to the Max” event.

Hosted by Shaka SUP Racing, this event features stand-up paddleboard and kayak races. There will be racing divisions for youth, beginners and advanced paddlers. Though there is a competitive element, participants are also free to come out just for fun.

Five dollars from every registration fee collected will be donated to the Culver Boys and Girls Club. Continue reading

The Cheryl Lyn Welter Family Charitable Foundation RadioThon Is Happening Today!

The Inaugural RadioThon for the Cheryl Lyn Welter Family Charitable Foundation is scheduled for today on WKVI.

The Foundation was established in memory of Cheryl Welter, a popular member of the Knox Class of 2001, who was killed in an auto accident early in her Senior year. The purpose of the Foundation is to help underprivileged kids in local schools with the little things which are often out of their reach. Continue reading

Knox Board of Works Approves Hiring Recommendation from City Police Chief

The Knox Board of Works considered a hiring recommendation from City Police Chief Harold Smith when they met Wednesday morning.

Chief Smith reminded the board that Knox PD had to fill a position that came open when Officer Daniel Byrd resigned from the force to pursue a different job opportunity. Smith said they looked over the applications that were submitted during their most recent hiring process and found a suitable candidate. Continue reading