Winamac Town Council Considers Moving Fireworks Display Due to Debris Concerns

The location for the Town of Winamac’s fireworks display was discussed during Monday night’s town council meeting. Town Manager Brad Zellers explained that last year when the event was held at the school, there was an issue with the wind blowing debris onto cars at a neighboring dealership.

Town Council President Tom Murray added that since the school corporation will be conducting paving work this summer, they should have an alternate site planned anyway. He suggested moving the event back over to the big baseball diamond at the town park. Continue reading

Mayor of Knox Provides Community Crossings Project Update at City Council Meeting

Knox Mayor Dennis Estok alerted city council members that work has begun on a Community Crossings Grant project. At Tuesday night’s city council meeting, Mayor Estok explained that crews recently began removing old curbs and sidewalks on Water Street.

As a part of the project that was submitted to INDOT and subsequently approved, curbs and sidewalks will be replaced and repaving on Water Street, as well as Main Street from U.S. 35 to Mound Street, will be completed. Continue reading

Winamac Town Council Approves Vehicle Purchase for Police Department

Winamac Town Marshal Mike Buchanan informed the town council members this week that officers with the Police Department are currently weighing options for a replacement vehicle.

When members met Monday night, Buchanan stated that the vehicle purchase was budgeted for this year. He said in order to move forward with the purchase, they would need the council’s approval.

Buchanan presented members with some different quotes from local dealerships. Council President Tom Murray read the proposed quotes into the record. Continue reading

Absentee Voting for Primary Election Starts Today

Today is the first-day voters may cast an absentee ballot for the 2018 primary election, which means you can walk into an absentee location and cast an early vote for the primary.

All registered Indiana voters are eligible to vote absentee-in-person at their county election board office, just don’t forget to bring a valid ID with you. Specific dates and locations for absentee voting can be found below: Continue reading

Knox City Council Meets Tonight

Knox City Council members will receive a report from Mayor Dennis Estok when they meet tonight at 7 p.m.

There is a light agenda for tonight’s meeting, with the majority of topics coming from the Mayor’s report which will include an update about the Community Crossings Grant Project on Water Street, details about an upcoming visit from the organization “Neuter Scooter” and some information about the status of the continuously absent city council member and the proposed official duties ordinance. Continue reading

Community Pool Project Brought Back to Winamac Town Council for Consideration

Winamac Town Council members are being asked once again to consider a community pool after some new information has come to light that could potentially cut down on initial installation costs.

When Winamac Town Council members met Monday evening, Councilwoman Judy Heater initially took a seat in the audience to speak on behalf of the pool committee. Other members of the pool committee as well as Park Board president Courtney Poor and several residents, who are in favor of the project, were in attendance to show their support. Continue reading

Winamac Town Council Meets Tonight

Winamac Town Council members will discuss paving bids when they meet tonight at 6 p.m. ET

When Clerk-Treasurer Melanie Berger delivers her report to the council, she will go over the employee handbook ordinance, the Winamac Economic Development Commission Fund and the 2020 Election. She will also discuss the Indiana League of Municipal Clerks and Treasurers conference. Continue reading

Kankakee Valley REMC Annual Meeting of the Membership to be Held Tomorrow

At the Kankakee Valley REMC Annual Meeting of the Membership, the company will be celebrating 79 years of providing safe, reliable electric power to rural Northwestern Indiana with a night of family-friendly fun open to all members.

The meeting will take place tomorrow, on Tuesday, April 10th, at the Porter County Expo Center in Valparaiso. Doors open at 5 p.m. and the business portion of the meeting will commence at 6:30 p.m.

A high voltage safety demonstration will be presented and members will have a chance to win prizes. The grand prize of the evening will be a $4,000 vacation voucher. Continue reading

2018 H.J. Halleck Community Service Award Recipient Announced

Pulaski County Chamber of Commerce President Aaron Paulsen recently announced that Mr. Charles “Charlie” McKinley has been named the recipient of the 2018 H. J Halleck Community Service Award.

The award is presented annually to recognize an individual who has been active outside of their employment to improve the quality of life in Pulaski County through volunteerism, civic commitment and involvement in various organizations. Continue reading

North Judson-San Pierre School Board Covers Corporation Plans and Graduation Pathways

When the North Judson-San Pierre School Board met in a work session on Wednesday, members reviewed the corporation’s technology, wellness, accountability and strategic plans. Those plans will all be up for approval at the May board meeting.

When discussing recent changes to graduation requirements, the members and Superintendent Dr. Annette Zupin decided it was best to hold off on hosting an informational meeting over Graduation Pathways due to unanswered questions. Continue reading

Mint Festival Update Provided to North Judson Town Council

When North Judson Town Council members met this week, they received a brief update about the Mint Festival from event organizer Donna Henry.

According to Henry, everything is on schedule. She told members that they received a grant for the pedal tractor pull. She also mentioned that organizers are waiting to hear back from Knox Community School Officials about using the middle school for the Mint Festival Pageant since NJSP will be unavailable due renovation projects planned this summer.

At a previous meeting, Henry shared that the theme this year is ‘Mint to be Friends’ which was inspired by some new friends the Mint Festival representatives made recently. Continue reading

Starke County Prosecutor Issues Press Release about Sexual Assault Awareness Month

Sexual violence is a serious public health issue that affects millions of men and women. According to the Center for Disease Control, in the United States alone, 1 in 6 men and 1 in 3 women reported experiencing sexual violence involving physical contact at some point in their life.

As startling as that statistic may sound, it doesn’t capture the true magnitude of the problem as many victims do not tell police, family or friends about the incident. Unfortunately, this is a crisis that individuals may face at any age. Children, adolescents, adults and the elderly can all fall prey to attackers.

In an effort to draw attention to the pervasive problem, April is recognized as Sexual Assault Awareness Month. Starke County Prosecutor Nicholas Bourff issued a press release about the topic providing some information and commenting on the seriousness of sexual assault. Continue reading

Business Owner Submits Site Plan to Knox Planning Commission for Review, Faces Issue with Rear-Yard Setback Requirement

A Knox business owner looking to build a dual-purpose structure will have to complete a few more steps before construction can commence at his Pacific Avenue property.

Owner of Royal Star Builders Tim Miller came before the Planning Commission Tuesday night in order to present his site plan for review. Miller intends to construct a building at 409 Pacific Avenue that will serve as a shop for his construction company and an office for his wife’s bio-medical feedback business. Continue reading

City of Knox Now Accepting Applications for the 2018 Sidewalk Replacement Program

The City of Knox will be working with residents and business owners to replace damaged sidewalks.

The Mayor’s Office recently issued a press release that states they will receive requests for residential and business sidewalk replacements until all available funds are used, on a first come, first served basis until the money to support the program runs out.

According to the release, the street superintendent will measure and inspect the requested area and approve or disapprove of the work order. If it is approved, the next step is to bid the project out to contractors. Continue reading

North Judson Clerk-Treasurer Inquires About Town’s Policy on Buying Back Graves

A question about the town of North Judson’s policy on buying back grave plots was raised during this week’s town council meeting.

Tuesday night, Clerk-Treasurer Andrew Rowe alerted members that an individual recently came into the Clerk’s Office and inquired about selling back two graves that he purchased for $350 each since his plans have changed and he no longer intends to be buried in town. Continue reading

Starke County Prosecutor’s Office Coordinates With Indiana State Police on Wayne Township Audit Investigation

Between 2009 and 2016, approximately $20,278 was overpaid to the Trustee and Deputy Trustee of Wayne Township, according to information found in a 2017 Indiana State Board of Accounts audit.

After a compliance report allegedly uncovered some discrepancies with salary and rent payments in Wayne Township, the Starke County Prosecutor’s Office began coordinating with the Indiana State Police on an investigation into the accusations made against Trustee Clara Schacht and her husband, Deputy Trustee Donald Schacht. Continue reading

North Judson Town Marshal Completes Chief School, K9 Officer Nears End of Training

Officer Rico Simpson, K9 Jimy & Town Marshal Kelly Fisher
Photo Source: NJ Town Photographer Peggy Bohac

North Judson Town Marshal Kelly Fisher alerted town council members that she recently completed chief school through the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy.

During her report Monday night, she told council members that she completed the schooling last week and was able to get some valuable information that will be beneficial to the department and town.

On a related note, she also mentioned that Officer Rico Simpson and his K9 Partner Jimy are in their final week of training at Vohne Liche Kennels. Simpson came in during Fisher’s report and provided a few details about his new K9 partner. Continue reading