Pulaski Circuit Court Judge Michael Shurn continues to push for increased security at the courthouse. He told the county council and commissioners last week that violent outbursts in and around the courtroom, as well as other county offices, are becoming more and more frequent. Continue reading
The Yellowstone Trail Fest will be able to add a beer garden to next year’s festival. Back in October, organizers approached the Hamlet Town Council to ask about placing a beer garden in the town park.
The Knox Community School Corporation is looking at ways to help students who are struggling in a traditional high school setting, following the closure of The Crossing alternative school’s Knox campus.
Pulaski County officials are trying to figure out how to keep the county’s salary matrix intact, while also ensuring the smooth operations of the Highway Department.
The Hamlet Town Council has formally recognized Brad Hazelton as the Hamlet-Davis Township fire chief. Hazelton has already been leading the department for the past few months.
Changes to Pulaski County’s Unified Development Ordinance will be considered by the county commissioners this morning. The updates would provide guidelines for the development of breweries, distilleries, and wineries – things that aren’t addressed in the county’s current ordinance. Similarly, specifications would be put in place for short term-rentals, such as AirBnb.
The Knox School Board has a light agenda for tonight’s regular meeting. Board members are scheduled to consider the hiring of two computer hardware technicians, a substitute teacher, substitute custodian, and substitute bus driver. Continue reading
Pulaski County is moving ahead with upgrades to its data backup system. The county commissioners voted Monday to buy a new Unitrends backup device. That involves an up-front cost of $25,000 for the device itself, plus $6,900 a year for support.
The Oregon-Davis School Corporation plans to continue its partnership with the Starke County Youth Club over the coming years. m says the two groups recently signed a memorandum of understanding, allowing them to keep working together through May of 2022. Continue reading
The Starke County Forest is starting to build up some savings. It’s designed to be a self-sufficient park facility, with timber sales being the main funding source. Forester Bruce Wakeland told the Starke County Park Board Tuesday that the forest will soon have enough money on hand to start looking at some improvement projects.
Hamlet residents have a week to get ready for this year’s decorating contest. Judging will take place Saturday, December 23 between 7:00 and 8:00 p.m. Clerk-Treasurer Kristina Pitts announced the date of the contest during Wednesday’s town council meeting.
Pulaski County has decided to chip in $30,000 to help the Indian Trails Career Cooperative upgrade its equipment and train teachers. Indian Trails requested $100,000 from each of the five counties it serves to apply for a Skill UP grant from the state. Any money committed locally would be matched three-to-one, if Indian Trails is selected.
The idea of Starke County taking ownership of Koontz Lake Lions Club Memorial Park will soon be brought to the county commissioners. Lions Club members say they plan to continue maintaining the park as long as they can, but transferring ownership to the county would save them the cost of insurance.
Oregon-Davis is the latest area school corporation to expand its background check policy, as required by state law.
The LaPorte County Sheriff’s Office has released the name of the man killed in a LaPorte house fire Thursday morning. Charles Mares, 67, is believed to have died of smoke inhalation, according to LaPorte County Coroner Bob Cutler.
Potential changes to the Bass Lake Beach and campground’s operations were discussed by the Starke County Park Board Tuesday. Operator Callahan Development, LLC plans to extend its lease with the county through April of 2028. But the company said it’s willing to consider turning over the less profitable areas of the facility back to the county, while it would continue to run the campground and pier slots.
The replacement of the elevator at the Pulaski County Courthouse has been delayed slightly. “Because we got no bids on the elevator project, we had to push the date back for construction,” Maintenance Supervisor Jeff Johnston told the county council and commissioners Monday. “With pushing it back to March, we were able to get three interested parties.”
Whether the Starke County Election Board should have a fixed meeting schedule in 2018 was a topic of a heated debate during last week’s meeting.
