Solar panels could soon be coming to the Culver Community Schools campus. Last week, the school board heard a proposal from Performance Services on a few potential energy savings upgrades.
All posts by Michael Gallenberger
Unemployment Rates Up from Previous Month, Down from Last Year
Starke and Pulaski counties’ unemployment rates went up last month, but they were lower than the same period last year. According to the latest report from the Indiana Department of Workforce Development, Starke County saw an unemployment rate of 4.4 percent last month. That’s a tenth of a percent higher than the July figure, but a tenth of a percent lower than it was in August of 2017.
Hamlet Council to Consider Revised Bids for Railroad Street Improvements, Adopt 2019 Budget
The Hamlet Town Council will make a second attempt tonight at choosing a contractor for Railroad Street improvements. Council members decided last week to give the three bidders a chance to revise their estimates, after the council decided to cut sidewalk work and tree removal out of the project. The town plans to apply for a Community Crossings grant to cover 75 percent of the cost, but the application has to be turned in by Friday.
Pulaski County Plan Commission Accepts Suggested Changes to Proposed Wind Turbine Ban
Pulaski County’s proposed wind turbine ban took another step forward Monday. The advisory plan commission voted to accept the list of suggested amendments that the county commissioners sent back in response to its initial recommendation.
Pulaski County Building Inspector Requests Funding for Full-Time Assistant
Pulaski County Building Inspector Doug Hoover is urging the county council to upgrade his assistant to full-time status. “We’ve got a person that deals with money, does everything with the computer, has got real estate license, got many different things, and you know what? The janitor that pushes a broom makes one dollar more than she does,” Hoover told council members during last week’s public hearing on the 2019 budget. “I’m not very pleased with that.”
Knox Elementary School Reports Success with New Pickup Procedure
A new student pickup procedure is proving to be successful for Knox Elementary School. Principal Michelle Tarnow told the school board last week that the new system is working “beautifully.” She said that on a typical day, the school is able to handle about 100 cars in roughly 14 minutes.
Culver Schools Seeing Success from Energy Savings Projects
Energy savings upgrades are paying off for the Culver Community Schools Corporation. It saved more than $364,000 in energy costs, as the result of guaranteed energy savings projects in 2011 and 2013. That’s more than $100,000 beyond what was originally guaranteed.
Knox City Council to Vote on 2019 Budget Tonight
The Knox City Council is expected to adopt the city’s 2019 budget tonight. The proposal calls for a total budget of almost $3.1 million, according to the notice posted on the state’s Gateway portal.
Proposed Wind Turbine Ban Heads Back to Pulaski County Plan Commission Tonight
Pulaski County’s proposed wind turbine ban may move a step closer to reality tonight. The advisory plan commission will consider the county commissioners’ list of suggested changes to its recommendation to ban wind energy convergence systems.
Pulaski County Council Plans Salary Matrix Overhaul
Pulaski County’s salary matrix will soon get an overhaul. That was the promise council member Scott Hinkle gave after department heads voiced concerns during last week’s public hearing on the 2019 budget.
Starke County School Officials, Emergency Personnel Take Part in Active Shooter Tabletop Exercise
Starke County’s educators and first responders recently tested how they’d react to an active shooter situation. Knox Elementary School Principal Michelle Tarnow reviewed this month’s tabletop exercise with the school board last week.
Winamac Aero Modelers Field Insurance Discussed by Pulaski County Commissioners
Pulaski County is working to resolve some insurance issues with the Winamac Aero Modelers Field. Gene Timm discussed the issue with the county commissioners last week. “That organization had asked to see if the county could carry the liability and then they would reimburse the county,” he said. “That won’t work. They’ve got to have their own because that’s their function.”
Culver School Board Updated on Teacher Training, Middle School’s STEM Designation Efforts
Culver Community Middle School is working to achieve a “STEM school” designation. To help with that effort, school officials will soon be attending training sessions, with more coming up in January, according to Superintendent Karen Shuman.
Pulaski County Highway Department May Accept WorkOne Job Training Participants
The Pulaski County Highway Department is looking into partnering with WorkOne to get some free labor. As part of a job training program, participants would have the chance to learn skills by working with the Highway Department for a certain period of time, while WorkOne would pay their wages and assume any liability. Similar partnerships have already been put in place with the county’s Maintenance Department, as well as the Starke County Highway Department.
Potential Long-Term Care Facility, Other Development Opportunities Discussed by Hamlet Council
A long-term care facility may be looking to set up operations in Hamlet. “They’re checking with the state, a certificate of need with the State of Indiana, for a long-term care facility and an assisted living,” Town Council President Dave Kesvormas said during last week’s regular council meeting. “So I do know that.”
Pulaski County Sheriff’s Department Making Arrangements to Apply for Work Release Grant
The Pulaski County Sheriff’s Department is pursuing funding to launch a work release center. Sheriff Jeff Richwine told the county council this week that Natalie Federer, who serves as coordinator of the county’s Juvenile Detention Alternatives Initiative, is willing to help with grant applications.
Knox School Board Finalizes Policy Updates, Considers Changes to Field Trip Approval Process
The Knox School Board has finalized its latest round of policy updates. On Tuesday, board members approved a list of 18 policy revisions recommended by policy consultant NEOLA.
Culver School Board Accepts Donation for BPA Chapter, Approves Budget Transfers
The Culver School Board cleaned up a couple bookkeeping items when it met Monday. Treasurer Casey Howard said that the Special Education Grant wouldn’t be enough to cover costs. She explained that the grant application was turned in before teacher contract negotiations wrapped up and didn’t take into account a pay increase that ended up being included.
Pulaski County to Hold Off on Community Crossings Application Until January
The Pulaski County Highway Department apparently won’t be applying for Community Crossings funds this month.
Winamac Ambulance Garage Expansion Plans Getting Back on Track
Pulaski County’s ambulances may finally be getting more space in the near future. During last month’s budget discussions, the county council directed EMS Director Bryan Corn to start working on expansion plans for the Winamac ambulance garage.
