The Knox Center Township Fire Department is reminding residents to follow a few key rules when operating a space heater this winter.
The devices use electricity to help warm various spaces in homes, typically during colder months. Keeping the device too close to flammable household items can result in structure fires or other damage.
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The Town of North Judson will be able to leverage grant money for sidewalk and ramp replacement as part of their ADA improvement plan. Town board members approved a contract with consulting firm Fleis and Vandenbrink to assist with that project. The town’s plan calls for sidewalks to be replaced in 2015 and 2016 as funds allow. However, the 80-20 matching grant will allow the town to stretch its resources. The process is in the very early planning stages, and there’s no timeline yet for when work will be done. Continue reading
The City of Knox will be picking up live Christmas trees on their regular Thursday brush pick-up day, starting tomorrow. Be sure to remove ornaments, lights and tinsel from the tree before placing it at the curb where brush would normally be placed in the summer months. Trees can also be taken to the compost pile located behind city hall. Trash contractors will not pick up natural Christmas trees.
Bundle up before you head out, as a wind chill warning is in effect for northern Indiana through Thursday. A combination of very cold air and strong winds will make temperatures feel like they are in the 15 to 30-below-zero range. Frostbite, hypothermia and death are possible if precautions are not taken. Continue reading
Starke County officials are keeping a close eye on the weather and may issue travel restrictions if necessary. Emergency Management Agency Director Ted Bombagetti says the county commissioners have the final say and consider several factors, including the safety of snow plow drivers, first responders and the public in general.
He adds the county highway and EMA have been rehearsing their response to a winter weather emergency since late summer.
“We’re kind of like the fashion stores where in the winter time they’ve got the swimsuits out. We’re always preparing a season ahead. The drivers have been out practicing their areas.” Continue reading
Temperatures dropped overnight in Pulaski County and brought several inches of snowfall with it.
The Pulaski County Sheriff’s Department got a bit of a preview for potentially hazardous conditions during this weekend’s accumulation. Pulaski County Sheriff Jeff Richwine says if conditions get bad, they will pair emergency responders with Highway Department vehicles.
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Single digit temperatures pose a threat to health and safety. IU Health Starke Hospital is open as a warming shelter. Anyone needing that service can check in at the registration desk. Food may be purchased in the cafeteria, and patients who take medications will need to bring their own. Continue reading
Winter weather can pose a danger to your four-legged friends.
The Starke County Humane Society says that exposure to the elements should be limited and house pets should be brought indoors when possible.
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The Winamac Town Board has reinstated several department heads within their government, but has seen a change in one of the board positions.
During their meeting Monday night, the Winamac Town Board elected Kenneth McFarland to serve as its next President. The term will be carried out over the next four years.
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A state law aimed at curbing conflicts of interest by prohibiting volunteer firefighters from holding certain elected offices does not apply to Starke County Council members. President Dave Pearman is also an 18 year veteran of the Washington Township Volunteer Fire Department. He sought clarification about the policy when he ran for reelection. Continue reading
Construction of the new Starke County Sheriff’s Office and Detention Center remains on schedule and under budget. Contractors are presently working on the plumbing, electrical and mechanical connections at the site east of Knox on State Road 8. Continue reading
Before the Knox Community School Board met for its first meeting of the new year, Monday, Knox City Court Judge Charels F. Hasnerl administered oaths of office to members selected in the November 2014 election. Taking oaths of office were Mary Lynn Ritchie, Gary Dulin and Mike Yankauskas.
The Culver Community School Board elected officers for 2015 after the swearing-in of recently reelected members Jack Jones, William Sonnemaker and Ryan Sieber. Ken Vandeputte replaces Jack Jones as president. Jim Wentzel succeeds Vandeputte as vice president, and Mark Maes took over Wentzel’s previous seat of secretary. Continue reading
Single digit temperatures pose a threat to health and safety. IU Health Starke Hospital is open as a warming shelter. Anyone needing that service can check in at the registration desk. Food may be purchased in the cafeteria, and patients who take medications will need to bring their own. Continue reading
The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Weather Advisory for the Kankakee Valley tonight into tomorrow morning. Snow is expected to overspread the area this evening and continue overnight, with three to five inches possible. Continue reading
A state law passed fairly recently may start having implications for elected officials in Starke County.
House Enrolled Act 1005 states that an individual may not hold elected office if they are working, or volunteering, for a fire department providing services to that unit of government. The language may have consequences for several individuals about to serve in county, city, and township government.
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Revenue projections for the state of Indiana have area representatives thinking about items to tackle during the upcoming session of the General Assembly.
The state budget committee reviewed revenue forecasts in December, showing a 2.3-percent uptick in 2015 and a 2.4-percentage point increase the following year.
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Warmer weather experienced in the Kankakee Valley during fall and winter has been good for keeping potholes repaired on Starke County roadways.
Crews have used zero time or money to clear snow this year. That opens up some room for Starke County Highway Department staff to fill damaged road surfaces.
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The Monterey Fire Department is purchasing Culver Fire Department’s old squad truck for $50,000. The money will go toward the purchase of Culver’s new squad truck expected to arrive later this month.
