The City of Knox held a second public meeting Thursday night that continues collecting information in the development of the City’s comprehensive plan.
The process is being undertaken after a grant was received to fund the development of the plan. Once completed, the City hopes targeted areas for development, infrastructure, and connectivity can be identified.
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The new officer at the Knox City Police Department introduced himself to the Knox City Council members Tuesday night. Eric Vanderhoff said he will be headed to the police academy on March 31 for 15 weeks of training. He’s been on the road for six months and getting to know the area. He will return to the Knox City Police Department when his training is complete. Vanderhoff was hired last spring.
The city council also approved the use of the Nancy J. Dembowski Community Center on April 25 for an event hosted by Women Anchored in Hope. The council approved the use of half of the great room, but if there are more people than anticipated then they could use the entire room.
A contract was approved to have Anne Mannix complete all of the paperwork with the Blight Elimination Program grant. The contract is for $50 an hour, not to exceed $10,000. The city attorney will review the contract.
The city council members also recognized that George Byer was reappointed as the park superintendent. That action was completed this month.
Knox City Police Chief Clint Norem told the Board of Public Works members this week that some maintenance needs to be conducted at the building housing the police department.
Norem stated that fans are on in the garage to help evaporate the water from the floor in the garage. The drainage issue has been ongoing for some time, according to Norem. He hopes that the issues can be corrected in the spring.
Indiana Democrats are speaking out against the current state budget process.
House Democratic Leader Scott Pelath out of Michigan City held a news availability to answer questions about what he says are over exuberant elected representatives and the continued murkiness of Indiana’s budget process.
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State health officials warn scalding risks increase significantly during the winter months, especially among young children and the elderly. Scalds occur when contact with hot liquid or steam damages one or more layers of skin. Injuries are painful and require prolonged treatment. They can result in lifelong scarring and possibly death. Frequent sources of scald burns include hot tap water, hot food and beverages and steam. Health officials say most burns occur in the kitchen or bathroom. Visit https://www.helpingthehurt.com/ for information on how to file a personal injury claim and consult a personal injury lawyer. Continue reading
Eastern Pulaski Schools and the Culver Community School Corporation are under a soft lockdown.
Eastern Pulaski School Superintendent Dan Foster told WKVI News that an individual in the community had threatened to harm himself. Foster said that the school is simply taking a precaution where all of the doors have been locked at all of the buildings. Students will not be leaving the buildings for recess or any student aid projects.
It was a general threat and not a specific threat to the school or any students or staff at the school, according to Foster. Foster stated that it was a safety precaution.
A two-month investigation has led to the arrest of a businessman operating out of LaPorte county.
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A Monterey man was arrested by Pulaski County Sheriff’s deputies this week on six counts of child molesting.
According to court documents, Stanley W. Myers, 70, is accused of committing child molesting on six different occasions with six-year-old and seven-year-old children. The acts were allegedly committed over a period of time. Each incident reportedly occurred at a home on 750 North in Monterey.
Indiana State Senator Joe Donnelly has voted to approve legislation that authorizes the Keystone XL Pipeline.
In a 62-36 vote, Donnelly says he’s pleased with the result. The move brings the legislation one step closer to the White House. The Senate bill will either need to be approved by the House of Representatives, or merged with a similar bill previously voted on.
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Street Superintendent Jeff Borg told the Knox Board of Public Works this week that operations in the city are going well this winter.
There has been some cost savings in getting sand from Area Excavating. The cost is two dollars cheaper than their previous supplier. They don’t have to go as far to pick up the material. Borg said he has been able to see a difference in the cost and wear and tear of vehicles. He coordinates a pick up time with the company and brings back up to ten tons of sand as needed. Borg said the sand is mixed with salt, and the combination works well during a snow event. Porter County and LaPorte County department use the same company for their road product as well.
The Indiana Secretary of State’s office is reminding residents of the importance of understanding how to protect their personal financial information.
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More Hoosiers are graduating college on time.
That’s according to a report from the Indiana Commission for Higher Education. The report says that since financial aid reform was adopted in 2013, the number of college students taking and completing the minimum number of courses needed to graduate on time has increased by double digits.
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Knox Clerk-Treasurer Jeff Houston told the city council this week that the budget order came back, and the city is $45 shy of the maximum levy. The maximum levy is the maximum amount of money the city can collect from taxes. Houston said they couldn’t have gotten any closer, which is good.
Houston noted that he spoke to Matt Parkinson from the Department of Local Government Finance who said that the city will know in April about how much the tax caps will affect the city’s budget. When Houston gets that information, he will let the department heads know how much they will need to cut from their department. Last year, the city was cut over $200,000.
The Town of Hamlet employees will receive an “across the board” three-percent pay increase effective with the February pay date. The board approved the increase after a lengthy discussion on the town’s 2015 budget Wednesday night. No increase was approved for the members of the Board. Continue reading
Don’t let your Super Bowl celebration end with a trip to jail. Starke County Sheriff Bill Dulin says deputies will be on high alert for impaired drivers Sunday.
“There will be increased patrols on the roads. With that comes heavy enforcement in problem areas. Those problems are where the heavy volume of accidents could possibly occur,” Dulin told WKVI News. Continue reading
A skills gap is being blamed for the lack of progress in Indiana’s economic recovery. According to the Indiana Skills2Compete Coalition, career and technical education for youth and the lack of credential attainment among the state’s adult workforce, are needing attention.
The Starke County Initiative for Lifelong Learning Center or SCILL Center, is ahead of the curve with providing opportunities for adults and students to gather skills needed to be a productive member of the adult workforce. Ron Gifford from the Starke County Economic Development Foundation said officials recognized one gap about three years ago.
In response to a proposed increase in the minimum wage in Indiana, the Starke County Chamber of Commerce has decided to survey its membership.
The survey, sent out earlier this week, asked member businesses their thoughts on Indiana’s current minimum wage rate of $7.25 per hour. While there are multiple proposals filed in Indianapolis, the latest proposes to raise the minimum wage to $10.10 per hour.
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The process continues for developing a town convention in North Judson and Hamlet.
The Starke County Election Board met on Tuesday to review additional plans for towns with a population under 3,500.
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The Knox City Council approved a date for the annual fireworks celebration.
Knox Mayor Rick Chambers said he had no phone calls at his office and only seven people responded to the question on WKVI’s Facebook page. According to the informal survey on Facebook, the majority picked Friday, July 3 for the fireworks celebration.
Council member Linda Berndt commented that the residents who visit their homes at Bass Lake in the summertime may not be able to come in for the celebration. Greg Matt commented that it was that reason that caused him to think to hold the celebration on July 4, but the consensus of the council was to have the celebration on July 3.
