A race has developed in Hamlet. Frank Lonigro, Jr. filed for candidacy this week in the Starke County Clerk’s office for the Hamlet Town Board #3 seat. Bob Yung had filed earlier for the same seat. Both candidates will compete in the Democrat caucus.
A discussion of the marching band program is on the agenda for tonight’s North Judson-San Pierre School board meeting. The numbers have dropped to 14 which is not comparable to other schools the size of North Judson-San Pierre.
Superintendent Lynn Johnson told WKVI News yesterday that no decision has been made as to what to do with the program. She and the School Board looks forward to any positive input parents and the community have on this issue.
The Love In The Name of Christ Annual Banquet will be held this Saturday night.
“This is our sixth annual banquet,” said Director Debbie Wappel. “It will be held at the beautiful facility at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in Knox.”
On Monday, we had census figures from Starke and Pulaski Counties. Here are census figures from around the Kankakee Valley:
Valentine’s Day has been a special day for 95 years for a prominent Starke County resident. Joe Smrt turned 95 yesterday, and his fellow VFW members surprised him with a party at the post.
“What better comradeship could you ask for than something like this? It was a complete surprise when Ben told me they were planning something for me ” said Smrt.
Indiana University Health-Starke Hospital announces the employment of Craig Felty as the Director of the Emergency Department and House Supervisor.
Felty has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing and is pursuing a Masters Degree.
He is married to his wife, Tricia, and is the father of five children. The family resides in Hebron.
Knox Middle School students and staff raised $602 for the American Heart Association and as a reward for their efforts, on Monday, February 14th, select students threw pies in the the faces of willing teachers and administrators.
Enjoy these pictures from the fun-filled afternoon at the Middle School! Continue reading
A former Winamac woman has been reunited with her baby after her husband took off with him on December 22nd. Sandy Young, represented by her Overland Park criminal lawyer, who is the mother of 10-month-old Jacob, has custody of the child after police found him in Nashville, Tennessee on Friday.
The Census figures were released last week. Here are the figures for Starke and Pulaski Counties:
Knox 3,704
North Judson 1,772
Hamlet 800
Bass Lake 1,195
Koontz Lake 1,557
San Pierre 144
Pulaski:
Winamac 2,490
Medaryville 614
Francesville 879
Star City 344
We’ll look at other towns and cities around us tomorrow.
Tracy and Tim Moore will be moving into their new Habitat for Humanity home Saturday in Winamac. The 1,050 square foot home was built in six months by volunteers for the Moores who have two children and another on the way.
Steve Morrison is the President of the Starke/Pulaski Habitat for Humanity Organization and tells us about the the selection process.
The General Assembly has passed a proposal to allow any Indiana county to use centralized vote centers instead of neighborhood polling precincts. We asked Starke County Clerk, Evelyn Skronski, what comes next.
“Now it is up to each County Election Board to resolute that we do indeed go ahead and establish these voting centers,” replied Skronski. “The Commissioners and the County Council would have to approve this. Throughout Starke County I think about five voting centers would be in the numbers for us to handle that many and to make it convenient for the voters. The biggest issue here is the reduction of the cost of the elections.”
On Saturday, February 12th, troopers with the Indiana State Police Emergency Response Team (ERT) raided a Plymouth home in search of a man wanted out of Marion County, Indiana for robbery.
ERT units entered the home at 2002 Lake Ave. in Plymouth shortly before 5:00 p.m. ET and arrested Jody Olmstead, 41, on two outstanding warrants. Olmstead was wanted on a robbery charge out of Marion County, as well as a parole violation. State police investigators recently obtained information and worked off a tip to locate Olmstead.
Knox municipal water and sewer customers might be asked to sign a written contract for services in the near future. That subject was discussed at last week’s Knox City Council meeting.
Attorney David Matsey said most small town utilities demand a signed contract. He said the information could be used in court in case a party doesn’t pay or “skips” without making payment for the services provided.
One ticklish part of the contract would be how to identify the homeowner or tenant. Asking for a drivers license number or social security number must include protection for identity theft.
The West Central Technical Review Committee met recently to discuss the wind turbine project.
“At our last meeting, we were actually going over the proposal from Performance Services, Inc.,” said Superintendent Charles Mellon, a Committee participant. “We talked about the identification of the site. It’s actually going to be on the AG plot. Of course there’s different studies including environmental studies that have taken place. We talked about the development plan and there’s still a lot of components yet to put in place. We’re still waiting on NIPSCO to finalize rates. The final meeting will take place February 25th. The earliest our Board would make a final decision would be on March 17th.”
If the project goes as planned, the turbine could be operational in November of this year.
SCILL Center instructors, students and several chaperones will be attending the Chicago Auto Show this Wednesday.
“The great thing about the Auto Show is that we get to see just about every car manufactured that there is,” said Instructor Mark Anderson. “These kids are going to be able to see cars that are $1 million Bentleys, Maybachs, and cars that you may not encounter any other time in your lifetime. We’re also going to see engine cutaways and what we’re pushing them for is green. We want them to see all of the electric cars. We really want them to key in on those because by the time they get out of our program and out of college, those are more likely the cars they’re going to be working on.”
Knox Middle School faculty and students recently participated in a fundraiser for the American Heart Association.
“We decided that the best way to raise money to help the American Heart Association was to sell Heart Association t-shirts and arrange a pie-in-the-face competition for Valentine’s Day,” explained Knox Middle School Principal, Steve Cronk. “By combining those two exercises, we have raised over $600.”
Here is some of the news that made the news in the Kankakee Valley this week:
The Lincoln Township Fire Department in Fish Lake received an Assistance to Firefighters Grant for $54,480 for Operations and Safety.
Starke County Highway Superintendent Steve Siddall told the Starke County Commissioners that the Department received complaints about mailbox damage after the winter storm. Siddall also reported that more damage could be reported in Bass Lake and Koontz Lake when they start to push big piles of snow back on the right-of-ways.
Tuesday Night Men’s League 02/08/11
Team Standings:
1. Quarter’s 116.0-31.0
2. Konrad Cabinets 89.0-58.0
3. 1st Choice Pawn 85.0-62.0
4. Hensleys 82.0-65.0
5. Marks Body Shop 80.0-67.0
6. WKVI 75.0-72.0
7. Bowlaway Lanes 72.0-75.0
8. Sandbar 67.0-80.0
9. Time Out 62.0-85.0
10. Half Track 58.0-89.0
11. Simonis 51.0-96.0
12. Fishers 45.0-102.0
Continue reading
The Starke County Commissioners passed a resolution this week that would be used as a guideline for all office holders and staff to follow when traveling. The subject came up when several claims from December came in over what is recommended by the State.
In question were lodging and food claims turned in by some officials and staff members who attended the Newly Elected Prosecutor’s Conference and Attorney General’s Winter Meeting.
Attempting to answer questions on the claims were current Prosecutor, Nicholas Bourff, and his Chief Deputy, Mary Ryan. Discussed were claims turned in by then-Prosecutor Julieanne Havens, Mary Ryan, Jeff Williams, and Ryan Bratcher.
It was noted that all claims did not surpass the limit, but the Commissioners reminded Bourff and Ryan of the limits. The County will pay $6.50 for breakfasts and lunches, and $13.00 for dinner. The difference between what is allowed and the receipts for meals and lodging will be paid for by the attendee. The Commissioners also instructed those traveling to attempt to car pool when possible.
There was some heated discussion regarding the recycling center’s purchase of aluminum and other recyclables at the last Pulaski County Commissioners meeting. Ed Clark, of the Pulaski County Recycling Center, approached the commissioners and mentioned his interest in allowing the recycling center to once again purchase aluminum from county residents and businesses.
