Indiana’s food banks were recently given $300,000 from the Indiana State Department of Agriculture. Locally, the Food Bank of Northern Indiana, which serves Marshall, Starke, and four other counties, was given just over $36,000. Food Finders Food Bank, whose 16-county territory includes Pulaski and Fulton counties, has gotten nearly $29,000.
All posts by Michael Gallenberger
Campaign Sign Rules Not Addressed during Pulaski County Plan Commission Meeting
Campaign sign regulations appear to be on their way out of Pulaski County’s Unified Development Ordinance. No formal action was taken on the ordinance’s “special signs” section when the advisory plan commission discussed other potential changes last week, but it wasn’t clear that any action was actually needed.
Indiana’s Secretary for Career Connections and Talent to Visit Knox this Afternoon
Knox Schools, Ivy Tech Exploring Graduation Pathways Partnership
The Knox Community School Corporation is looking to partner with Ivy Tech Community College to help students meet the state’s new graduation requirements. During a recent school board meeting, Knox Schools Superintendent Dr. William Reichhart said that he and a couple other school officials met with representatives from Ivy Tech. He said Ivy Tech is willing to form a partnership with Knox Schools based on Indiana’s new Graduation Pathways. “They really want to get involved with Knox Community Schools,” Reichhart told board members. “They made that quite clear to us. And I believe that we want to get involved with them, as well.”
Knox Woman Gives Birth in Car on State Road 49
A Knox woman ended up having a baby in the backseat of a car Monday, before she could make it to the hospital.
The Northwest Indiana Times says it happened shortly after 9:00 a.m. in Valparaiso. The woman’s husband was driving her to Porter Regional Hospital, when he had to pull over near State Road 49 and Vale Park Road. The 32-year-old woman gave birth to a healthy baby boy with no complications.
Hamlet Officials Looking to Bring More Activities to Town Park
The Hamlet Park Board tossed around some ideas for future park activities during last week’s meeting. A proposal to add some sort of summer camp was brought up. The Starke County Fairgrounds would be available during the month of June. Camp activities could also be held in the Town Park.
Knox School Board Hires Teachers, Accepts Deputy Treasurer’s Retirement
When Knox students return to class Thursday, there will be a few new faces. The school board hired some new teachers during this month’s regular meeting.
Eastern Pulaski to Work with Indiana Department of Education on Teacher Mentoring Initiative
Mentoring and retaining young teachers is the goal of a new partnership involving the Eastern Pulaski Community School Corporation and the Indiana Department of Education. Eastern Pulaski Superintendent Dan Foster says the DOE is putting together a handbook to help with that effort, and the school corporation has been asked to join in.
Starke County Court Services Director Reports Smooth Transition, Following Merger
The process of merging Starke County Community Corrections with the County Probation Department has been a smooth one, so far. That’s according to Shawn Mattraw. He’s the director of the new entity, known as Starke County Court Services. “Some of the concern some folks have shared is they felt maybe the Probation side might be swallowed up by Community Corrections, that we just want to take over everything, and that’s not the intent,” he says. “The intent is we want to make sure that we can provide our probation officers more resources to do their job more effectively.”
Eastern Pulaski Announces First Distinguished Alumni Class
The Eastern Pulaski Community School Corporation has named its first group of distinguished alumni. Continue reading
Starke County Officials Learn Science Behind Addition at Statewide Opioid Summit
Combating Indiana’s opioid crisis was the goal of a summit this week in Indianapolis. Hundreds of criminal justice leaders from around the state took part in the event, including Starke County Court Services Director Shawn Mattraw. Continue reading
Red Cross Seeks Blood Donations, Amid Continuing Shortage
The American Red Cross continues to experience a severe blood shortage. Red Cross officials say blood donations are being distributed faster than they are coming in, and the supply has fallen below the five-day level the Red Cross tries to maintain. The organization says all types of blood are needed, but there’s a particular need for type O.
Hamlet Fire Department Working to Resolve Siren Issues
The Hamlet-Davis Township Volunteer Fire Department is looking to have more immediate control over the town’s siren. “They have an issue about the siren going off and getting stuck, and they want to move the controls down to the fire house,” Town Council President Dave Kesvormas explained Wednesday.
Eastern Pulaski Schools Strengthening Doors and Windows, Adding Security Cameras
The Eastern Pulaski Community School Corporation will be securing doors and windows, thanks to the latest round of Secured School Safety Matching Grants. Superintendent Dan Foster says the school corporation was awarded just over $34,000 this year.
Knox Middle, High School Teachers Get Training on Apex Learning System
Knox middle and high school teachers are gearing up for the introduction of the Apex digital learning system. Training sessions were held last week for sixth through 12th grade teachers, according to High School Principal Dr. Elizabeth Ratliff.
Knox School Board Updated on School Safety, Formative Assessment Grants
The Knox School Board got an update last week on a pair of state grant programs. Director of Curriculum and Instruction Peggy Shidaker said the $50,000 Secured School Safety Matching Grant the corporation recently got will help pay for a new fire/surveillance system at the high school.
Hamlet Council Adjusts Plans for Electronic Message Board
The Hamlet Town Council continues discussing the possibility of getting an electronic message board. Council President Dave Kesvormas has found a full-color, eight-and-a-half-by-three foot LED sign, for just under $2,900.
Oregon-Davis School Board Approves 2018-2019 Student Handbooks, Wellness Policy
The Oregon-Davis School Board finalized the 2018-2019 student handbooks last week. Superintendent Dr. Don Harman says the only major change was the removal of the language on eLearning. The school board decided to do away with eLearning last month, due to the desire to have students in school for every available instruction day.
