The Town of Hamlet has set its trick-or-treat hours. During Wednesday’s park board meeting, town officials agreed to hold trick-or-treating on October 31 from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m.
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All posts by Michael Gallenberger
Pulaski Council Considers Cutting Departments, Part-time Employees as Budget Talks Continue
The Pulaski County Council is slowly making progress on its 2020 budget, but there’s still a long way to go. Monday’s special meeting continued late into the night, as members reviewed the proposal line item by line item.
Continue readingRibbon Cutting Scheduled for Knox Ford Dealership
Following a recent transition in ownership, the Knox community will soon be cutting the ribbon on the city’s Ford dealership. The Starke County Chamber of Commerce will hold a ribbon cutting ceremony at Lochmandy Ford tomorrow morning at 10:00. Members of the public are welcome to attend.
Continue readingMissing North Judson Man Spotted at Western Illinois Gas Station, As Search Continues
The search for a missing North Judson man has expanded across Illinois. The Starke County Sheriff’s Department has been investigating the disappearance of 56-year-old James Runkle since Saturday.
Continue readingBicyclist Killed After Being Hit by SUV Near Francesville
A Francesville resident was killed Wednesday morning, after reportedly being hit by an SUV while riding a bicycle. Pulaski County Sheriff’s Deputies were called to County Road 500 South west of U.S. 421 around 7:45 a.m.
Continue readingPulaski County Council Once Again Requests More Time to Consider Tax Changes
The Pulaski County Council wants a few more days to consider what direction to take on potential tax adjustments. The county currently has the highest income tax rate in the state, but one of the lowest property tax rates. Council members have been looking at ways to balance those, while also preparing for the end of the special income tax that was put in place to pay for the Justice Center but also covers a large portion of jail operations.
Continue readingHamlet Town Council to Hold Budget Hearing Tonight
Hamlet residents have the chance to weigh in on the town’s 2020 budget proposal during tonight’s town council meeting. It totals just over $448,000, with over $311,000 of that being the General Fund. The proposal calls for $55,000 in the Economic Development Fund and almost $55,000 in the Motor Vehicle Highway Fund.
Continue readingKouts Man Sentenced for Mail Fraud, Following North Judson-Area Arson Fires
A Kouts man has been sentenced to seven-and-a-half years in prison for charges stemming from a series of arson fires at a mobile home park near North Judson. Michael Thomas, 42, was recently sentenced in U.S. District Court, according to U.S. Attorney Thomas Kirsch. A jury found him guilty of mail fraud almost a year ago.
Continue readingPulaski County Council Denies Funding for $35,000 Payroll and Time Clock System
The Pulaski County Council will not provide funding for a $35,000 payroll and time clock system. Auditor Laura Wheeler got approval from the county commissioners last week, but had less success when she brought the request to the council Monday.
Continue readingHamlet’s Draft Comprehensive Plan Recommends Expanding Town Limits, Creating ‘Community Campus’
The Town of Hamlet could get a “community campus district,” expanded town limits, and upgrades to the entrance off of U.S. 30, according to some of the recommendations in the town’s comprehensive plan. A draft version was presented to the public earlier this month.
Continue readingStarke County Election Board to Host Informational Meeting on Vote Centers Tomorrow
Starke County voters have three chances to learn about a proposed switch to vote centers. Vote centers typically mean fewer polling places but allow voters to cast their ballot at any voting location in a particular county.
Continue readingUnemployment Rates Down in Starke, Pulaski Counties
Unemployment rates are down in Starke and Pulaski counties. Starke County’s August unemployment rate was four percent, according to the latest report from the Indiana Department of Workforce Development.
Continue readingWest Central School Board Gets Update on Technology, Building and Grounds Upgrades
The West Central School Corporation is making some technology and facility upgrades, according to Superintendent Dan Zylstra, “including our student information system, some updates to our website, building and grounds improvements, which include a new diesel gas pump – we made some improvements to the football area for pedestrians.”
Continue readingHamlet Council Joins Starke County Election Board in Calling Off Town Election
The Hamlet Town Council has officially voted not to hold a town election this year, due to a lack of contested races. The only candidates to run were the current office-holders: Clerk-Treasurer Kristina Pitts and town council members Connie Bailey, Brian Earnest, and Dave Kesvormas.
Continue readingWest Central Finances Stable, Thanks to Smaller-Than-Expected Enrollment Drop
No comments were offered during the West Central School Board’s recent budget hearing, according to Superintendent Dan Zylstra. The proposed 2020 budget amounts to more than $9.8 million. Just over $5 million of that will be the Education Fund, while almost $3.4 million is being proposed for the Operations Fund.
Continue readingOregon-Davis School Board Renews Snow Removal Agreement
The Oregon-Davis School Board has renewed its agreement for snow removal services. Green Grass will once again handle snow removal in the schools’ parking lots during the 2019-2020 school year. Superintendent Dr. Don Harman says there are no changes from last year’s agreement. O-D paid Green Grass $475 per visit.
Continue readingEnrollment Questions Raised during Oregon-Davis Budget Hearing
Enrollment continues to be a concern, as Oregon-Davis school officials work on the corporation’s 2020 budget. Superintendent Dr. Don Harman says the school board held its public hearing on the proposed budget last week.
Continue readingHamlet Plans to Update Zoning Map, Following Storage Facility Proposal
A proposed storage facility in Hamlet has prompted town officials to reevaluate the town’s zoning map. Andrew Spite approached the town’s zoning board last week, seeking permission to build a 20-unit storage facility next to his apartment building on Indiana Avenue west of Starke Street.
Continue readingStarke County Election Board Schedules Informational Meetings on Vote Centers
Starke County voters have a few chances to learn about a potential switch to vote centers. The first town-hall-style meeting will be held Wednesday, September 25 at 6:30 p.m. at the Washington Township Community Building. Additional meetings are tentatively scheduled for 6:30 p.m. on October 9 at the Nancy J. Dembowski Community Center in Knox and October 10 at a location still to be determined in North Judson.
Continue readingWest Central Updates Kindergarten Enrollment, Criminal History Policies
The West Central School Board has agreed to push back the cutoff date for kindergarten enrollment. Children may now enroll in kindergarten if they turn five before September 1, according to the draft meeting minutes. Superintendent Dan Zylstra says that was pushed back from August 1, based on a provision in state law.
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