Whether or not Hamlet’s insurance will cover the cost of fixing a recent water main break was discussed during Wednesday’s town council meeting. The town has ended up with nearly $28,000 in repair bills from January’s water main break. It happened when Shoulder Bolts and a valve failed, according to Water and Street Superintendent Fred Rowe.
All posts by Michael Gallenberger
Starke County Park Board Seeking Grant Funding for Forest Access Project
The Starke County Forest may soon get some parking upgrades. The county park board is applying for a grant from the Hardesty Memorial Foundation Fund at the Starke County Community Foundation to help improve access to the forest.
Knox School Board Moves 2019 Graduation Date
The Knox High School Class of 2019 will get to graduate a week sooner. The school board last week voted to move next year’s commencement ceremony from June 6 to May 31.
Winamac Park Board to Pursue New Toddler Playground Equipment, Thanks to Donations
The Winamac Kiwanis Club’s offer to help buy new playground equipment for the Town Park has led to an outpouring of support from other town organizations. The Kiwanis Club hopes to contribute about $4,000, using a mix of its own money and grant funding. But when town officials researched costs, they learned that money wouldn’t go as far as they’d originally thought.
Pulaski Courthouse Elevator Construction Prompts Changes for Government Business
Construction’s set to start today on a new elevator at the Pulaski County Courthouse. That will cause some changes for government business for the next several months.
Starke County Election Board Sets Early Voting Hours Ahead of May Primary
The Starke County Election Board has finalized early voting hours, ahead of the May primary. The in-person absentee voting period runs from April 10 to May 7. During that time, Starke County voters will be able to cast their ballots on the first floor of the County Courthouse in Knox weekdays from 8:00 a.m. to noon and from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. Those hours will be extended to 6:00 p.m. on Friday, April 27 and Friday, May 4.
New Garbage Contractor Takes Over in Hamlet
The Town of Hamlet is ready for its new trash pickup provider. Local Affordable Disposal has completed the delivery of residents’ new garbage totes, and the company’s first garbage pickup day is Tuesday. “The transition has been very smooth,” Town Council President Dave Kesvormas reported Wednesday, “and we encourage any residents that have any issues to let us know immediately.” Town officials also reminded residents that large items will be collected the first Tuesday of each month.
Knox School Board Approves Budget Transfer for Potential Bus Purchase
The Knox Community School Corporation may be able to purchase an extra bus, thanks to some leftover funds. Treasurer Sherry Fort told the school board last week that the corporation’s Bus Replacement Fund has built up a significant cash reserve over the years, but this year’s budget only gives them permission to spend $325,000.
Starke County Park Board Gets $5,000 Grant for Bass Lake Beach Erosion Prevention Project
Efforts to prevent and repair erosion at the Bass Lake Beach have gotten a financial boost from the Starke County Community Foundation. The Starke County Park Board announced Tuesday that it was recently awarded a $5,000 Community Support Grant for the installation of glacial stone, as well as additional sand.
Winamac Park Board to Discuss Restroom Project, Toddler Playground
Updates on a couple projects at the Winamac Town Park are expected during tonight’s park board meeting. Town officials have been working with an architect to design new restrooms for the Town Park, but the proposed design raised a few questions during last month’s park board meeting. The concerns involved things like the number of toilets and the differences between the men’s and women’s restrooms.
Starke County Park Board Seeks Larger Compensation Offer for Bass Lake Beach Gate House Damage
The replacement of the Bass Lake Beach gate house may require some more negotiation. The structure was seriously damaged when a pickup truck reportedly crashed into it back in November.
Pulaski County EMS Denies 10 Ambulance Transfers in January, Due to Paramedic Shortage
Pulaski County EMS continues to deny ambulance transfer requests, due to a shortage of paramedics. EMS Director Bryan Corn reviewed his department’s January statistics with the county commissioners last week. “Essentially, for the month of January, we took nine transfers, but we also denied 10,” he said. Continue reading
Medaryville Council Considers Changing Town Election Cycle
The Town of Medaryville may soon be changing its election cycle. Clerk-Treasurer Judy Harwood says the town council is considering a pair of ordinances that would move the town’s elections to presidential election years. “So then, there’ll be a one-year term for the first election, which will fall in our general election time, and then after that one-year term, then we’ll fall in with the presidential term,” she explains.
Knox School Board Approves Sale of 1,000 Student Laptops
The Knox Community School Corporation stands to make at least $265,000 by selling unneeded student laptops. With the school corporation getting new Chrome Books over the summer, the school board decided last week to sell 1,000 MacBook Air devices.
Starke County Election Board to Set Early Voting Hours, Set Up Ballots for May Primary
Plans are coming together for May’s primary election. The Starke County Election Board is scheduled to set up the ballots during this morning’s meeting. Hours for early voting at the Starke County Courthouse will also be considered.
Starke, Pulaski, Marshall Counties Included in Governor’s Disaster Emergency Declaration
Eastern Pulaski School Board Awards Paving Project Bid
The Eastern Pulaski Schools campus will get major paving and sidewalk upgrades in the coming months. The school board awarded a $2.4-million construction bid to Rieth-Riley Construction Company Monday.
Knox School Board Donates Unused Woodworking Equipment to Oregon-Davis
The Knox Community School Corporation is donating several pieces of unused woodworking tools to Oregon-Davis.
Pulaski County Commissioners Open Lawn Care and Snow Removal Bids
Pulaski County officials continue to consider whether to hire an outside company to mow the lawn and remove snow at various county properties. The idea was raised several months ago, as a cheaper alternative to upgrading the county’s equipment. Last week, the county commissioners opened bids from six companies interested in the lawn care work, but few of them submitted a price for snow removal.
Medaryville Council Approves Engineering Contract for Upcoming Community Crossings Project
The Town of Medaryville is getting ready for its summer street paving project. Last week, the town council approved a contract with McMahon Associates for engineering work, according to Clerk-Treasurer Judy Harwood. She says the project will include the reconstruction of Main Street and a couple other roads in town.
