Plans for the $14 million renovation project at Eastern Pulaski Schools are nearly finished. Superintendent Dan Foster says the architect is putting the final touches on things. Plans include securing the main entrances to the schools, upgrading the restrooms and replacing the floors in both gyms. Once the design is finalized, the project will be let for bid. Foster says they want to do a full 30-day process since it is so extensive. Continue reading
Area Schools Could Benefit From Community College Proposal
Ivy Tech Community College says they may become more accessible if one of President Barack Obama’s proposals makes it through Congress.
The President announced last week his intent to significantly reduce the cost of attending community college. The multi-billion dollar program intends to largely pay for the cost of the first two years of tuition for students maintaining a certain grade point average. This could have implications locally.
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Starke County Commissioners Exploring Vehicle Options for Coroner
Starke County Coroner Adam Gray will either have the old sheriff’s department prisoner transport van or former Starke County Sheriff Oscar Cowen’s Dodge Durango for use as a body transport vehicle. He broached the subject to the Starke County Commissioners last week. President Kent Danford is checking into whether the van is road-worthy before a decision is made. Continue reading
Citizen Complaints Lead to Francesville Bar Arrest
Individuals at a bar in Francesville Saturday night say the establishment was serving alcohol to intoxicated patrons..
The Indiana State Excise Police responded to Charlie’s Old Corral in the 100 block of Bill Street. Officers began investigating the complaints after arriving on the scene around 7:45 p.m.
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Culver Town Board to Reorganize, Update Town Manager Search
The Culver Town Council will be following suit and reorganizing itself during a regularly scheduled meeting, Tuesday.
Boards around the area have been reorganizing in accordance with state statute. The selection of a new board President and the reappointment of department positions are being carried out now that the November elections are over and board members have been seated for the New Year. Terms for the newly appointed positions can vary.
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Starke County K-9 Assists in Drug Arrests
Starke County’s new K-9 assisted with the apprehension of two suspects on drug charges at a Knox residence late last week. Continue reading
Snow Plow Truck Driver Arrested for Drunk Driving
The driver of a truck with a snow plow attached involved in a single-vehicle rollover wreck last week in Marshall County faces a drunk driving charge in connection with that incident. Continue reading
Starke County Creates Sheriff’s Department Receptionist Position
The Starke County Sheriff’s Department will soon have a receptionist in addition to the full-time matron after action last week by the Starke County Council and Commissioners. Sheriff Bill Dulin sought permission to add an employee to process civil papers, answer the telephone, greet visitors and provide general clerical support to the department. Some of that work has been done by dispatchers in the past, but Dulin advised the council and commissioners the state jail inspector could cut funds to the 911 center if they are caught doing work not that’s not part of their statutory job description. The county council discussed the issue and decided it’s not worth the risk, especially since funds for the new position are already in the sheriff’s budget. Dulin also noted the floor plan for the new jail is different, and 911 center and main entrance are in separate parts of the building. The matron will continue handling sheriff’s sales and processing payroll and claims for the sheriff’s department. Continue reading
Eastern Pulaski School Board May Approve Final Building Plans
The Eastern Pulaski School Board will consider final plans for the $14 million campus renovation project when they meet this evening. The project includes upgrades to the elementary, middle and high schools. Main entrances will be secured and restrooms will be updated. Planned classroom improvements include changing chalkboards to marker boards and replacing windows. Both gyms will be updated with new floors and other electrical improvements. Continue reading
Winamac Town Board To Meet After Town Manager Interviews
Interviews were conducted last week, but now the Winamac Town Board is anticipated to make a hiring decision.
The Town of Winamac has been without a Town Manager for several weeks. Searching for a potential candidate to fill the position follows the termination of previous Town Manager Jim Conner.
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Indiana AARP Hoping to Influence Retirement Savings, Caregivers
Two bills are being pushed by the AARP in Indiana during this session of the General Assembly and they look to help two different issues.
About half of Americans aged 50-years and older have less than 25-thousand dollars in retirement savings. To help solve this problem, the AARP is proposing the Hoosier Employee Retirement Option, otherwise known as the “HERO Plan.”
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Culver Public Hearing Scheduled For Personal Wind Energy Systems
The Culver Town Council will meet Tuesday, and a public hearing hopes to gather input on an amendment to the zoning ordinance.
The Town’s Plan Commission recommended a draft to change the ordinance at their meeting in November to allow for Wind Energy Conversion Systems. That includes things like windmills on personal property.
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4-H Enrollment Deadline Fast Approaching
Those interested in joining 4-H for the year have a few more days to do so.
4-H allows area students to join clubs and complete projects over the year in the hope they better develop skills in leadership and other activities. More than 70 different projects are available for students to learn and participate in.
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Starke County Council, Commissioners Reorganize
Democrat members of the Starke County Council banded together and elected a new president during a special-called organizational meeting. Freddie Baker replaces Republican Dave Pearman in that role. Councilman Bob Sims nominated Baker, and recently elected Democrat members Jennifer Davis and Pam Stalbaum voted for him. Councilman Bryan Cavender nominated Pearman, but nobody stepped forward to second his motion. Pearman was elected vice-president of the council. Continue reading
Rep. Gutwein Supportive of New VA Position
He had a bill prepared, but 16th District State Representative Doug Gutwein says he is just as pleased with a new resource for female veterans in Indiana.
There are 38-thousand vets in the state who also happen to be women.
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Ice Fishing Season Brings Safety Reminders
As temperatures continue to fall, anglers of all ages may find themselves with the opportunity to ice-fish.
The Indiana Department of Natural Resources says thousands of Hoosiers go ice-fishing each year and are offering some tips to ensure safety.
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Travel Watch Issued for Marshall County, Wind Chill Advisory Extended
Marshall County is now under an orange level travel watch. That means only essential travel is recommended. Starke, LaPorte and Pulaski Counties are still under yellow level travel advisories, meaning routine travel may be restricted because roads are hazardous in places. Find more information at http://www.in.gov/dhs/traveladvisory/. Continue reading
Starke County Highway Superintendent Breaks Down Snow Removal Expenses
Winter has finally arrived, and it is keeping the Starke County Highway Department extremely busy. Crews have been spreading salt and plowing roads for the past week. In spite of the uptick in activity, highway superintendent Rik Ritzler says the county’s snow removal costs remain significantly lower than last year’s at the same time. He told the commissioners yesterday the department is still working on its first load of salt and has only used 200 tons. By this time last year, Ritzler says they had already used more than 1,000 tons of salt. Continue reading
Analyst Explains Gas Price Spike
The lower price of unleaded gasoline has relieved a pinch from consumer pocketbooks, but some retailers have dropped the price too low for a profit margin. GasBuddy.com Senior Petroleum Analyst Patrick DeHaan said that has caused prices to spike.
“What you’re seeing with the big spike is essentially gas stations losing 20 or 25 cents a gallon and raising their price back up to where they’re making about 15 or 20 cents a gallon. Obviously, you have a 40 cent a gallon difference between a station losing 20 cents and making 20 cents and that’s where these big spikes come from. The good news is that prices are already coming back down,” said DeHaan.
Bill Could Disband Pulaski Superior Court
Legislation was recently filed in Indianapolis that could have implications for Pulaski County.
Senate Bill 58, if signed into law, would eliminate the Pulaski County Superior Court by January 1st, 2019. The bill would also remove certain appointment privileges in other counties. Continue reading