The Knox City Council members held further discussion on the proposed dumpster ordinance.
Councilman Don Kring commented that he would like to see the ordinance without the residential provision in it. The ordinance restricts a dumpster in areas zoned R-1. A dumpster could be allowed in an R-1 zone if a building permit is acquired. A dumpster is allowed in any 10-day period out of a month one time a year for cleaning projects or a roofing project. A dumpster may also be included in R-1 if a variance is granted by the Board of Public Works. Otherwise, a dumpster is not allowed.
The Indiana Court of Appeals has affirmed a sentence handed down in Starke Circuit Court in 2014. Gregory Schweisthal was sentenced to 64 months in prison on a felony invasion of privacy and a misdemeanor domestic battery charge. Continue reading →
A bill designed to allow the Sunday sale of alcohol for carry-out could soon be getting a vote.
Indiana is among a dwindling number of states that prevents alcohol sales on Sunday. House Bill 1624 was filed by Republican State Representative Tom Dermody – who’s Public Policy Committee reviewed the measure. Continue reading →
Two offenders were sentenced in Starke Circuit Court on Monday.
Sammie Marshall, 20, of Knox pleaded guilty in an agreement with the State to a charge of theft as a Class D felony. He admitted to stealing a Kindle Fire and several pieces of jewelry from a person with whom he was living. He then gave the items to another person.
The West Central School Board held a work session last week to look at the corporation’s strategic plan.
Superintendent Don Street said a presentation of the progression of the one-to-one technology program was given which led into the discussion of e-learning days. Street said the state has approved the corporation’s request to make up missed school days on Saturdays.
“Our first one is March 14 and a few will be held in April as opposed to adding those days on at the end of the year. This will make it a more meaningful and educationally related to our students,” said Street.
The students will receive assignments on Friday which will be due on Monday. The Board also discussed how the staff will prepare for e-learning days.
Principal Patrick Culp discussed a change in classes at the middle school level.
“We’re currently on a four-period day. We would be dividing a couple of those periods up for English and Mathematics. We would go to an eight-period day where those students would get instruction for 40 minutes and go into a lab setting for 40 minutes to get extra assistance if needed.”
More advanced learners would get more challenging assignments during that lab time.
No final decisions were made, but information from the work session will be presented at the March board meeting for approval.
The Culver Town Council may finally be taking a vote on their wind energy ordinance at tonight’s meeting.
The Council tabled the measure at their last meeting after certain portions were felt to be unclear. The Town of Culver has spent years attempting to develop a wind energy ordinance that addresses residents’ concerns. Continue reading →
A new medical practice is opening its doors in the area and one physician is looking to use the opportunity to help improve access to healthcare.
For about 10 years, Dr. Amed Alhamwi has been developing his skills in internal medicine in New York, Illinois, and a few other areas. His practice is now operating in Knox with a focus on patients ages 18 and older. Continue reading →
The West Central School Board members discussed their capital projects plan during a work session last week.
Superintendent Don Street said that one focus in the next three years will be work at the high school.
“It’s kind of an aging building so we discussed sewer drains, water lines, water, electric panels, lighting, windows, doors, security, restrooms, storage, locker rooms, sidewalks, and fitness facilities were all discussed. We’ll come back to this later in the spring and review many of those items that we see as a need for the future,” said Street.
The Culver Park Board held an informational meeting yesterday that saw bids opened for projects planned to start this year.
The Beach Lodge in Culver is considered to be lacking quite a few updates over the last 40 years. Among the items the Culver Park Board has been looking at is safety features. Continue reading →
Scammers claiming to be IRS agents are attempting to separate unsuspecting people from their money. That was the case recently in LaPorte, where a woman was swindled out of $600. She told police a man at “Russ Card Live” identified himself as an IRS agent, told her she was being sued and she needed to send $600 via Money Gram pre-paid card to an address in California. Continue reading →
The city-wide yard sale in Knox will be four days this year.
The event, sponsored by the Knox Moose Family Center, will be Thursday, May 14 through Sunday, May 17 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. CT daily. The permit fee will be waived during this time. The only signs allowed to be posted advertising yard sales may be purchased at Knox City Hall for a small fee.
Those who live outside the two-mile jurisdiction may participate. Space for those residents will be available at the Moose’s parking lot in downtown Knox.
Breakfast and lunch will be offered at the facility. A map of the yard sales will be available at the Knox Moose Family Center beginning at 7 a.m. CT each day of the sale. To reserve your spot on the free map or for more information, call Danna at 772-2098.
Time is running out to make your reservations for the Kankakee Valley Broadcasting trip to Holland, Mich. May 4-7 to enjoy the beauty of the Tulip Festival. WKVI Travel Coordinator Ed Hasnerl says that’s just one of the exciting adventures he’s got planned. Continue reading →
A man and woman Plymouth Police say robbed the Speedway gas station in the 2000 block of North Michigan Ave. early Sunday morning are in custody. Continue reading →
Pulaski County Commissioners (L to R) Bud Krohn, Jr., Terry Young and Larry Brady
The Pulaski County Commissioners said communication is getting better between the board members and the highway department.
It was announced in January that things needed to be changed at the highway department. The commissioners last week said the main issues were communication, and how to deal with problems and the policy book. That was according to Commissioner Terry Young, who spoke on behalf of the commissioners when the question was posed.
The Knox City Council members will be meeting tonight rather than their regular meeting night that occurs on the second and fourth Tuesdays.
The council will attempt to pass the third and final reading of the dumpster ordinance. There was a lengthy discussion about the proposed ordinance at the last meeting where the revised document included the requirement to have a building permit to place a dumpster on a property zoned R-1. A dumpster is allowed in any 10-day period out of a month one time a year for cleaning projects or a roofing project, or appear before the Board of Public Works for a variance.
A Winamac High School graduate has been named as this year’s Pulaski County Chamber of Commerce’s H.J. Halleck Award winner.
Judy Stinemetz will be recognized for her many years of dedicated service at Pulaski Memorial Hospital, where she worked as the dietary manager for 37 years. She is a volunteer at Pulaski Human Services where she is the food pantry organizer and is in charge of the mobile food pantry. She has also organized the Women of the Moose in Winamac and holds many fundraisers for the community. Among her other community efforts include her assistance on Election Day, memberships with the Cystic Fibrosis Organization in Pulaski County and the State Board of Dietary Managers, pack-a-backpack, and other fundraisers.
Ancilla College nursing students can complete their degrees in less time, thanks to the recently revamped curriculum. Director of Nursing and Health Sciences Ann Fitzgerald says the required number of credit hours has decreased from 72 to 63. By cutting a semester from the curriculum, Fitzgerald says students will be able to finish sooner and save both time and money.
Culver Police identified a suspect that led to an arrest after a routine traffic stop led to the discovery of a few items believed to be associated with the manufacture of methamphetamine.
The incident happened the evening February 17th on State Road 10 near the Family Dollar store in Culver. Officers say they viewed the vehicle, driven by 27-year-old Lance Walter, to be speeding. A traffic stop was initiated where Walter was subsequently asked to exit the vehicle. Continue reading →
Road salt supplies in Starke County should last until the weather warms.
That’s according to Starke County Highway Superintendent Rik Ritzler. He says at the current rate of usage, road salt should last through March. This cycle, no road salt was used in November and December. Continue reading →
