The Knox Community School Board unanimously approved the Balanced Calendar Concept for the 2015-16 school year at its Monday night meeting. Specific calendar dates are yet undetermined, awaiting the scheduling of test dates from the State of Indiana.
The Culver Community School Corporation adopted the balanced calendar concept last night making it the third school in the area to do so. The school board unanimously approved the plan. Superintendent Dr. Vicki McGuire says a set calendar cannot be made until test dates are released, but the concept will be put in effect.
Michael Shireman, Jim Menis, Larry Lambert Marsha Reimbold and Patricia Goin
The North Judson-San Pierre School Corporation is holding a public meeting tonight at the high school auditorium. The Fight for Public Education presentation headlines the evening with what the future at N.J.-S.P. could be. A combination of declining revenue and enrollment over the last several years have resulted in drastic budget cuts. Continue reading →
The Starke County Commissioners did not act on a proposed contract for the highway superintendent as planned. Commissioner Kent Danford was not at yesterday’s meeting, and his vote is needed in order for the measure to pass. President of the Commissioners Jennifer Davis clarified the measure can pass by a simple majority but said she does not want to vote on it since she is stepping down as a commissioner at the end of the year. Continue reading →
The bridge over Eagle Creek on Starke County Road 800 East just north of 50 South is open to traffic again. The road has been closed for the past two months to accommodate its replacement. Starke County Highway Superintendent Rik Ritzler also told the county commissioners yesterday the bridge on 900 South over Bogus Run just west of 100 West should be finished in the next week or so as well, depending on the weather. Continue reading →
The three-member recount commission appointed last week by Starke Circuit Judge Kim Hall to review the votes cast in two recent General Election contests will meet this morning at the courthouse. They’re looking into the outcome of the fourth district county council race between Democrat Pam Stalbaum and Republican Don White. The Republican Party filed a recount petition on White’s behalf after Stalbaum eked out a two-vote victory in the race to succeed Democrat Marvin McLaughlin. Incumbent Railroad Township Trustee Roger Chaffins, Sr. also filed a petition for a recount after losing to Republican Mandy Thompson by three votes. Continue reading →
Knox Mayor Rick Chambers updated the city council last week on the Blight Elimination Program.
The city received a grant for $187,000 that will aid in the cost of removing blighted,vacant and abandoned homes in the city. A majority of the homes on the list are in the Parkview Heights area.
Mayor Chambers explained that the state does not want the purchased properties for demolition under this grant in the name of the city. They want a holding company that is not associated with the city. Starke County Economic Development Foundation Executive Director Charlie Weaver said the city could use the development foundation as a holding company. City Attorney David Matsey will draft a Memorandum of Understanding with the development foundation to hold those properties for three years.
The Pulaski County Commissioners denied a request from Auditor Shelia Garling to withdraw a former appeal to close offices early on Christmas Eve.
Garling had made the request in an earlier meeting as she had gotten some feedback from fellow department heads asking to close the office early to accommodate plans for Christmas. The commissioners approved the request with the understanding that the workers who leave early use remaining PTO time or forego those hours.
Officers from the Knox City Police Department are looking for information regarding an alleged stabbing that occurred early Sunday morning.
IU Health Starke Hospital officials called the police department after a man came into the facility with a single stab wound, according to police. The victim, whose name has not been released, was transferred to an area trauma center in critical condition.
There has not been an arrest in this case, but police are seeking information regarding this incident. Call (574) 772-4122 to report an anonymous tip.
The Starke County Commissioners will revisit the notion of offering Highway Superintendent Rik Ritzler a long-term contract when they meet this morning. President of the Commissioners Jennifer Davis is spearheading the effort in order to maintain continuity within the department. She notes Ritzler has a multiple-year plan for road and bridge improvements and wants to see that it is carried out.
Commissioner Kent Danford previously raised concerns about the precedent such an action would set. He says possibly offering Ritzler a contract is a “test case” and adds he will say no to anyone else who requests a long-term employment contract until he sees how this works. Commissioner Kathy Norem agrees and says the county commissioners need to approach any such matters with an abundance of caution. Danford agreed at the last commissioners meeting to meet with county attorney Marty Lucas before today and come up with contract language to address his concerns. Continue reading →
The Knox Community School Board will consider the adoption of a balanced calendar when they meet this evening. It still features 180 instructional days. School starts the first of August and ends the first of June. Students get longer fall and spring breaks which can be used for remediation or enrichment activities. Continue reading →
The Culver School Board will be discussing the Balanced Calendar concept tonight. During the last meeting the board received balanced calendar survey responses from families, students and faculty members. A total of 780 responses were received with 75 percent of the surveys saying yes, they would like to see a balanced calendar implemented. Continue reading →
Applicants for health insurance coverage through the marketplace should be aware of scammers during this open enrollment period. Indiana Department of Insurance Commissioner Stephen W. Robertson says no one at Healthcare.gov needs credit card information in order to help you apply for insurance. This has happened to people who have called the toll-free number to sign up for coverage or ask questions about the plans offered in accordance with the Affordable Care Act. Robertson says scammers set up telephone numbers that are very similar to the Healthcare.gov number in hopes that someone will misdial. Continue reading →
The Knox City Council approved an ordinance to refinance the water bonds.
John Julian from Umbaugh and Associates explained to the Knox City Council members last week that the city has $1.5 million outstanding on bonds from 1988 and from 2006 and refinancing now could save the city up to $10,000 a year throughout the remainder of the life of the bond.
Julian said it depends on where the interest rates are but he hopes that he can close on this refinancing by the end of the year.
The Town of Culver is receiving more monetary assistance from the Culver Redevelopment Commission to go towards the new water treatment plant project. The commission announced last week at the town council meeting they will be giving $100,000 to the town. Continue reading →
The flu season is underway and health officials urge you to take steps now to prevent the flu.
Influenza is a viral infection of the respiratory tract and is spread by droplets from close contact with infected people or contact with contaminated surfaces or objects. Symptoms of the flu include fever, headache, fatigue, cough, muscle aches and sore throat.
Some people are at higher risk of complications related to the flu including pregnant women, young children, those with chronic illnesses and/or compromised immune systems and the elderly.
Get into the spirit of the holiday season tomorrow with Giving Tuesday. Starke County Youth Club Executive Director Irene Szakonyi says the local nonprofit has joined the movement.
“It really does inspire people to take action for their local community to give, whether it’s giving a gift of money, of time, of making a donation of another sort,”Szarconyi said. “We really want to encourage and join what is now actually a global movement to give on Giving Tuesday, which is Dec. 2nd.” Continue reading →
Knox Street Superintendent Jeff Borg told the Knox Board of Public Works members that the last leaf pickup was conducted last week and overall the season went really well.
Borg said his staff is ready to tackle winter. He has obtained a different sand to mix with the salt in order for it to distribute onto the road with greater ease. Borg said the sand has some fine stone in it so it can flow better and he’s purchased it from Area Excavating at a less expensive price and half of the cost of transportation to haul it to the city than the previous vendor and location. He indicated that there is a stockpile of the sand ready for when the snow hits.
Hensler Nursery is donating farm-grown Christmas Trees to U.S. troops and military families through Trees for Troops once again this holiday season. Last year more than 17,000 trees were delivered to 65 military bases in the U.S. and overseas. Continue reading →
Starke County will be represented on the main Christmas tree on display in the Capitol Building in Indianapolis this holiday season. Each year First Lady Karen Pence hosts an event to light the large tree in the rotunda of the Capitol with hundreds of school children attending.
This year, the program has changed to provide multiple smaller trees, and one 12-foot tree provided by the Indiana Tree Growers Association. All the trees will be in the rotunda. The main tree will have a statewide theme. Continue reading →
The Knox Community School Board unanimously approved the Balanced Calendar Concept for the 2015-16 school year at its Monday night meeting. Specific calendar dates are yet undetermined, awaiting the scheduling of test dates from the State of Indiana.
