In a school year filled with challenges, the Eastern Pulaski Schools community is making sure it’s also a year of hope.
Continue reading‘An Ornament Filled with Hope’ Brightens Holidays for Eastern Pulaski Student
Hamlet Looking into Getting Christmas Decorations, North Judson Wants More
Two Starke County towns are looking to upgrade their Christmas decorations. The North Judson Town Council Monday approved the third and final payment to Temple Display for the 42 light pole decorations it purchased in 2019. Now, town officials are ready to get more.
Continue readingHamlet Police Looking to Add Reserve Officers, Town Officials Reappointed
The Hamlet Police Department is working on adding new reserve officers. Town Marshal Clint Norem told the town council last week that one of his reserves has left the force, but about five others have expressed interest.
Continue readingEastern Pulaski School Board Chooses New President, Attorney
The Eastern Pulaski School Board has some new leadership. Newly-elected board members Scott Hanson and Jimmy Terry took their oath of office last week, along with returning members Beth Ruff and Rob Zeider. Tim Rausch was elected board president. Zeider takes over as vice president, while Ruff was elected secretary.
Continue readingN.J.-S.P. Superintendent Credits Classroom Reconfigurations for Reducing Quarantines
The North Judson-San Pierre school superintendent is expressing optimism with the school corporation’s COVID-19 numbers.
Continue readingInvestigation Finds ‘No Validity’ to Reported Threat Against Knox Middle School
A report of a possible threat against Knox Middle School Tuesday turned out to be unfounded, according to a phone message sent to parents from Principal Jake Skelly.
Continue readingNorth Judson-Wayne Township Fire Chief Addresses Weekend Fire Truck Accident
North Judson-Wayne Township Fire Chief Joe Leszek is expressing relief that Sunday’s fire truck accident wasn’t much worse. A tanker truck was responding to a house fire near County Roads 500 South and 650 West, when Leszek says a combination of ice and traffic conditions caused it to slip off the roadway and roll over at about 15 miles per hour.
Continue readingNorth Judson to Sell Railroad to Midwest & Bluegrass
North Judson has picked a buyer for its short line railroad. The town’s redevelopment commission voted Monday to sell the 33-mile railroad corridor to Midwest & Bluegrass Rail. The company submitted the highest of three offers at $2,725,000.
Continue readingN.J.-S.P. School Board to Choose Elementary Project Construction Contractor Tonight
The North Judson-San Pierre School Board will choose a construction contractor for its elementary school project tonight.
Continue readingOregon-Davis School Board Transfers $180,000 from Rainy Day Fund to Retirement Fund
The Oregon-Davis School Corporation is tapping into its Rainy Day money to help shore up its Retirement Fund. Superintendent Bill Bennett says the school board agreed last week to transfer $180,000. “In past collective bargaining agreements, we had teacher buyouts or incentives for retiring,” Bennett explains. “And so we moved the money from Rainy Day into the Retirement Fund to cover the cost associated with those buyouts.”
Continue readingNorth Judson Redevelopment Commission to Consider Railroad Sale Tonight
The North Judson Redevelopment Commission could choose a buyer for the town’s short line railroad tonight. Midwest & Bluegrass Rail, Co-Alliance, and Columbia Rail submitted offers. Midwest & Bluegrass was the apparent high bidder and is also the line’s current operator.
Continue readingCity of Knox Considering Next Steps to Encourage Housing Development
Bringing more housing to Knox may require some financial outlay from the city. Mayor Dennis Estok told the city council last week that he’s been in contact with a developer out of Indianapolis. But before anyone would be willing to invest, they’d want to see a market survey.
Continue readingKnox Student Lunch Debt Paid Off Thanks to Donations
Knox students who’d fallen behind in their lunch payments have had their debt erased, thanks to the generosity of the local community.
Continue readingWinamac Seeking Demolition Bids for Abandoned Grain Elevator
An abandoned grain elevator in Winamac could soon be coming down, as part of a revitalization effort. The town council voted to purchase the property near Logan and Jefferson streets for under $40,000 back in August and officially took ownership last month.
Continue readingKnox Board of Works Renews Fire Protection Agreements with Center, Jackson Townships
The City of Knox is hoping to streamline the approval process for fire protection agreements. The board of works recently agreed to continue letting Center Township and part of Jackson Township get fire protection from the Knox-Center Township Volunteer Fire Department for 2021. Center Township will once again pay $30,000 for the year, while Jackson Township’s cost is $5,000.
Continue readingNorth Judson Council President Calls for Random Checks for Pet Tag Compliance
North Judson is looking to put more teeth into its animal ordinance. During last week’s town council meeting, Council President John Rowe noted that pet owners have until February 15 to get their 2021 pet tags. After that, a late fee will take effect.
Continue readingNorth Judson-San Pierre School Board Approves Bus Purchases
The North Judson-San Pierre School Corporation is updating its bus fleet. The school board recently approved the purchase of three 78-passenger IC Collins buses from Midwest Transit. The total cost ended up being just over $278,000, after trade-in allowances for three 2009 buses.
Continue readingHamlet Zoning Board Agrees to Waive Permitting Fees for New Homes on Jefferson St.
More new homes may soon be coming to Hamlet. Builders told the town’s zoning board Wednesday that they’re in the process of buying two lots on the west side of Jefferson Street near the intersection with Davis Street. They plan to build two 1,200-square-foot spec homes that would sell for around $139,000.
Continue readingKnox School Board Moves School Start Date, Following Calendar Error
Knox students will head back to class a day later than previously thought next school year, after school officials apparently miscounted the number of class days. Superintendent Dr. William Reichhart told the school board last week that the 2021-2022 school calendar had an extra student day in the first semester.
Continue readingOregon-Davis Support Staff to Get Pay Raise, Stipend
The Oregon-Davis School Corporation is raising the pay for its support staff. “We raised our minimum starting pay to $9.50 an hour,” says Superintendent Bill Bennett, “and for those employees who are making over $9.50, they received a 25-cent-per-hour raise.”
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