Starke County is the recipient of a $24,000 federal grant to improve voting accessibility.
The Starke County Election Board inspects polling locations annually and determined that the North Bend Township polling location needed to meet federal Help America Vote Act (HAVA) standards, according to Starke County Clerk Evelyn Skronski.
The Marshall County Commissioners approved two speed limit ordinance amendments on second and final readings Monday morning.
Lincoln Highway West in Plymouth from the city limits to Pioneer Drive will be reduced to 45 mph. Safety was the driving force behind the change. The same idea was behind the reduction of the speed limit on 3B Road between Birch and Beech Roads.
Working smoke alarms are responsible for saving the lives of at least 70 individuals statewide this year.
Knox-Center Township Fire Chief Kenny Pfost echoes that statement released by the Indiana State Fire Marshal and encourages all residents to have smoke detectors on all levels of the home.
“Make sure you have working smoke detectors in your home and change the batteries at least once a year. We always tell people that the beginning of October is a good time to change those batteries,” said Pfost.
A semi driver from Harvey, Ill. was taken to St. Joseph Regional Medical Center in Plymouth for evaluation after his truck jackknifed Monday afternoon. The wreck occurred at the intersection of King Road and U.S. 30 at 1:16 p.m., according to a Marshall County Sheriff’s Department news release. Continue reading
Keith Emigh can remove the “interim” from his title as Starke County EMS Director. He’s been serving in that capacity since Paul Matthewson stepped down in July. Yesterday the commissioners offered Emigh the job on a permanent basis. He accepted their offer of the position for $40,000 per year with a $1,000 raise after his 90-day review. Emigh asked if he will be expected to run the service and also work a truck and was told that is his call to make as director. He was one of eight applicants interviewed for the position.
Repairs to the Pulaski County Justice Center, to the Pulaski County Courthouse and to the county home barn have been completed.
Maintenance Director Jeff Johnston told the commissioners last night that just minor items need to be finished to complete the damage sustained in a hail storm over a year ago.
“They’ve got metal coping to do on the justice center but the courthouse roof has been repaired and the justice center roof has been replaced and sealed. The barn at the county home has been repainted. The damaged section in the back and the roof have been repainted and sealed. The damaged screens were also repaired,” explained Johnson.
The Jefferson Street bridge in Plymouth will be closing beginning Thursday.
Michael Obergfell from USI Consultants told the Marshall County commissioners Monday morning that the concrete slabs by the bridge are not stable and the sidewalk is not reinforced. The bridge was rehabilitated in 1986 but a storm sewer line is leaking and may be causing stability issues.
Obergfell suggested that the commissioners close the bridge so crews can immediately fix the issue.
A public hearing was held by the Knox School Board Monday evening for the renovation and addition being planned for Knox Elementary School. The project is designed to expand the kitchen and cafeteria areas by about 5,500 square feet. A final hearing is scheduled for November 3rd.
Superintendent A.J. Gappa presented a detailed summary the 2015 budget, expressing a concern about the effect of reduced revenues on operations. The board will hold the final hearing on that budget on October 20th.
The purchase of a 78 passenger bus was approved, as was the hire of four substitute teachers and substitute personnel for food service and custodial work.
Raelyn Binkley was approved for the position of Middle School Treasurer, effective October 20th, subject to the customary criminal history report.
In the “Spotlight on Success” portion of the agenda, Middle School Principal Josh Pugh and three students made presentations on the successful Manufacturer’s Day event, attended by 7th grade students from Knox, North Judson and Oregon-Davis schools last week.
Washington Township officials are looking for ideas on how to improve the Washington Township Park property, also known as the old Washington Township school.
Fundraising ideas are being considered to improve the property.
Bids were taken two years ago for the demolition of the building, but repairs to the Washington Township Community Building took precedence to provide a nice facility for community events.
The Culver School Board members are considering a balanced calendar for the 2015-2016 school year. On Nov. 3rd Rochester School Corporation Superintendent Jana Vance, a principal and a teacher will come to Culver High School auditorium to share the pros and cons of the schedule. Continue reading
The Plymouth Community School Corporation has received the Face Sports School Award from the National Athletic Trainers Association (NATA). Continue reading
The intersection of Starke County Roads 210 and 675 East at Bass Lake is now a four-way stop. The Starke County Commissioners approved that change in July. Starke County Highway Superintendent Rik Ritzler opted to wait until exterior renovations at Sporty’z were finished before putting the signage up. Continue reading
The Indiana State Police is the recipient of a $567,000 federal grant to boost efforts in the fight against methamphetamine production and distribution.
U.S. Senator Joe Donnelly announced the reception of the grant on Monday afternoon which will allow the Department of Justice Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) Anti-Methamphetamine Program to investigate activities related to the ongoing methamphetamine issue in the state.
Two LaPorte residents were arrested in their alleged role in dealing narcotic drugs.
The arrests were made Friday by officers in the warrants division of the LaPorte County Sheriff’s Department.
Two Plymouth residents were arrested on Saturday morning after allegedly lying to the police after an accident.
A Marshall County sheriff’s deputy was called to the scene on Glenn-Overmyer Drive where he talked to those involved in the accident. Miranda Smith, 19, told police that she didn’t realize that the vehicle in front of her stopped and she ran into the back of the car. Smith told the officer that two women left the other car and got into another car and left the area.
The former Stelrema building on U.S. 35 north of Knox will soon be ready for occupancy. Starke County Economic Development Foundation Special Projects Coordinator Ron Gifford says it was recently sold to the Michigan man who owns the Freeman Products building at the corner of 300 East and Culver Road. Continue reading
The Starke County Commissioners are set to hire a new county EMS director. Keith Emigh has served in an interim capacity since Paul Matthewson resigned in July and was one of the applicants for the position. That hiring is one of the items on their agenda for today’s meeting. Continue reading
The North Judson town council members will have two ordinances to take action on when they meet tonight.
An ordinance establishing responsible and responsive bidder requirements on public works projects will be up for review while the third reading of the salary ordinance will be up for adoption.
A vacancy on the park board will need to be filled by the council.
The Marshall County commissioners will meet today with a host of items to discuss.
Bart Trester of USI will provide the commissioners with an update on the 7th Road project and the Metronet project. The Metronet project is ahead of schedule while the 7th Road project continues. An update on the Jefferson Street bridge will also be provided by a USI representative.
Ward Byers from Court Services will be before the board for approval of an employment contract and Stacy Richer will have a request to vacate a street on county-owned property.
The West Central School Board members reviewed the ADM, or Average Daily Membership, count during their meeting last week.
Superintendent Don Street commented that the enrollment is up from last year.
