The Knox Board of Public Works members opened bids for street paving this week. The lowest bid came from E&B Paving with $91,992.27 as their bid. The highest bid was from Central Paving for $120,000. The board members agreed to accept the lowest conforming bid pending approval from Street Department Superintendent Jeff Borg and City Attorney David Matsey.
The Knox City Council reviewed Hoosier Custom Plastics’ compliance papers for tax abatement purposes.
Starke County Economic Development Executive Director Charlie Weaver spoke on behalf of the company since the owners were busy at a trade show to promote the business.
Young people who plan to work this summer need to be aware of the tax consequences of doing so. For instance, an employer is required to withhold federal and state taxes from your check. The amount is determined after you complete a W-4 Employee Withholding Allowance Certificate, which your employer will submit to the IRS. Tip income is also taxable and should be reported to your employer and the IRS. Money earned doing work for others is also taxable. This includes jobs like babysitting and mowing lawns. Keep good records of expenses incurred, like gas for your lawn mower. You may be able to subtract them from the amount of taxes you owe and lower your taxes. Active duty pay for students enrolled in ROTC is taxable, but the subsistence allowance you get while in advanced training is not.
The mobile food pantry is on a roll! Pulaski County residents who meet income guidelines can receive assistance from the Food Finders Food Bank Mobile Pantry at the Medaryville Town Park on Friday, June 6 from 11 a.m until 1 p.m Eastern Standard Time. The provided food will include fresh produce, essential non-perishable items, breads, and assortment of frozen foods. In 2012 Food Finders provided over 6 million pounds of food across the Mid-Northern area of Indiana. Hoosier families in need can benefit greatly from what mobile food pantries have to offer. Anyone in need of emergency food assistance is invited to attend the free event. For questions regarding income guidelines, any other information or in order to make a donation you can contact Food Finders at 765-471-0062 or http://food-finders.org/.
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After competing only one year prior, the Knox Community High School graphics department was noted in the Phoenix Challenge National Magazine for taking home a silver award for Flexo Press printing. Flexography is used for producing labels on packages. It utilizes a raised rubber plate to imprint on products. Candy wrappers, bottles of pop, anything you see in the store with a label on it was most likely produced with Flexo Press printing. This is the second year that Knox has sent students and their graphics teacher, Mr. Sullivan, to Charlotte, NC for the Phoenix Challenge. Schools from all over the nation and Canada compete in the program. The Knox team ranked third in the nation. The students who participated this year were Sarah Horstman, Elizabeth Radelja, Mario Rodriguez and Nathan Lynch. Thanks to their success this year, the Phoenix Challenge program will continue to be funded through the Knox School Corporation in years to come.
Governor Mike Pence helped Alcoa dignitaries break ground Thursday morning on a $100 million expansion project next to its current facility in LaPorte.
The 320,000 square foot addition will enable 329 new workers to produce nickel-based superalloy jet engine parts. It will allow Alcoa to go beyond the structural engine component assembly for business and regional jets to large commercial aircraft. The plant will also increase the company’s capacity to supply engines for narrow-body aircraft, which are the top-selling jet engines in the world.
A father and son face drug charges in Marshall County following a traffic stop late Tuesday night on U.S. 31 near U.S. 6. The driver, Marshall Smith Sr., 52, of Mishawaka was believed to be under the influence of a controlled substance, according to a news release from the Marshall County Sheriff’s Department. The passenger, Marshall Smith Jr., 28, was reportedly found to be in possession of synthetic marijuana. Officers detained both men and searched the vehicle. That’s when they reportedly found more than three grams of what appeared to be methamphetamine packaged for resale. Both men were arrested. Marshall Smith, Sr. faces charges of operating a vehicle while intoxicated endangering a person, operating a vehicle while intoxicated controlled substance, dealing and possession of more than three grams of methamphetamine. Marshall Smith, Jr. was charged with possession of marijuana with a prior charge, dealing and possession of more than three grams of methamphetamine. Bond was set at $20,000 cash. Formal charges are pending with the Marshall County Prosecutors Office.
The ordinance pertaining to procedure and fees concerning calls to free frozen water lines will be reviewed by Knox Water Superintendent Todd Gardner with recommendations to be considered by the Knox Board of Public Works. Continue reading
The Starke County Environmental Management District will hold its two-day collection event in June.
The purpose of this event is to help residents get rid of unwanted and recyclable material from their households.
On Friday, June 13 from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. CT, Starke County residents may discard tires, appliances, computers and televisions. Five tires will be accepted for free. One of those tires may be a farm-type tire.
The Knox City Council tabled a discussion on a mutual aid agreement between the city and the Bass Lake Fire Department.
Knox-Center Township Fire Chief Kenny Pfost told the council members that he doesn’t approve of the agreement presented and will talk with Bass Lake Fire Chief Les Jensen about an agreement that would be acceptable between both parties.
Chief Pfost stated that the departments are operating under a mutual aid agreement provided by the state, but he would like to see it tailored to fit the needs of both departments.
IU Health Starke Hospital associates will be getting out of the medical setting tomorrow to spruce up the community. President Craig Felty says all hospitals in the IU Health system take part in a community day of service. This year the local staff is installing fitness equipment and painting the pavilion at Sandy Acres Park on South Heaton Street in Knox. ”
“We want to be good neighbors. We want to engage the community, and we want to do what is best in order to help achieve our mission, which is to improve the health of our patients and our communities we are in,” Felty says.
Last year IU Health Starke Hospital associates did work at Wythogen Park in downtown Knox. Felty encourages community members to stop by and visit the IU Health Starke Hospital administrators and staff members at the park tomorrow.
Smokers who would like some hands-on help to kick the habit can sign up for classes offered at Fitness Forum Sports and Wellness at LifePlex in Plymouth. American Lung Association Certified Freedom From Smoking Instructor Cindy Riester will lead the seven-week program. Classes start Monday, June 2. Riester will offer resources to quit, skills to manage weight and stress and group support during the eight classes. They meet Mondays through July 14 from 6 until 7:30 p.m. EDT and on Wednesday, June 18. That’s the scheduled quit day. Participants must register by May 30. The program is partially grant funded by the Marshall County local coordinating council and Governor’s Commission for a Drug-Free Indiana. The out-of-pocket cost for participants is $40 and includes a bonus two-month membership to Fitness Forum Sports and Wellness for those who successfully complete the course. Call Riester at 574-936-2333 to register.
The Knox fireworks committee will hold a fundraiser on June 21 to help gather funds for this year’s extravaganza.
The Saturday, July 5 celebration event will be at the Starke County Airport. The gates will open around 6 p.m. CT with the fireworks show at dusk. Several vendors will be available so you can go early and get a snack and listen to some music before the show begins.
The Starke County Youth Club is benefiting from Kankakee Valley REMC members who choose to round their monthly bills up to the nearest dollar. The organization received a $3,000 Operation Round Up grant from the electrical cooperative. SCYC Executive Director Irene Szakonyi says the money will provide supplies for the many science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) projects the club offers at sites across Starke County. She says the activities the club offers in an after-school setting help youngsters develop critical thinking, collaboration and problem-solving skills and build confidence. Visit www.thescyc.org for more information. Kankakee Valley REMC is a member-owned rural electric cooperative serving approximately 18,000 members throughout portions of Starke, Pulaski, Porter, Lake, Marshall, St. Joseph and LaPorte Counties. Members who take part in Operation Round Up donate an average of $6 per year, which is then distributed to local nonprofit organizations throughout the service territory.
The deadline to enter the annual North Judson Mint Festival Father & Grandfather of the Year contest is fast approaching. Entries are due Saturday, May 31. Any child from the North Judson – San Pierre School District can nominate their father or grandfather. The essay must be in a child’s handwriting and include the name of their father or grandfathers as well as their name, an address and phone number. All local NJ-SP children are encouraged to get involved. Proposals can be sent to Father/Grandfather of the Year, Mint Festival, P.O. Box 33, North Judson, IN 46366.
The Henry F. Shricker Public Library in Knox is offering programs for everyone this weekend. Elwood Staffing is sponsoring a job fair tomorrow from 10 a.m until 2 p.m. This program is open to all local adults and will take place in the meeting room of the library.
On Saturday, local man Jack O’Malley will be hosting a program and planting flowers that attract monarch butterflies. This opportunity is aimed at young adults but open to everyone. This special gardening event happening at 10 a.m Saturday, but it will run all weekend. This is the first of several summer programs in the butterfly garden at the library. For more information regarding library programs you can contact Andrea Brown at abrown@starkecountylibrary.org or call her at 574-772-7323.
The two-year long discussion on the outdoor storage ordinance in the city of Knox could come to a close soon.
The Knox City Council voted last night to reject the plan commission’s outdoor storage ordinance as it doesn’t have wording to allow for special use.
The council members were not settled on a certain setback of an outdoor display at a business. The 25-foot setback was what needed to be changed and the council members were trying to decide the best way to go about that change.
The Starke County Election Board met Tuesday morning to discuss some issues that arose during the Primary Election.
Pat Mitchell, who has been a member of the Starke County Election Board for many years, tendered his resignation. He cited declining health as his reason for resigning, but noted that he’s enjoyed serving the county in this capacity for many years.
The hotel project in Winamac is in a holding pattern, according to Nathan Origer, Director of the Pulaski County Community Development Commission.
He indicated that they are working out some details with the hotel company, Wisconsin-based Cobblestone Development.
“We are trying to get on the same page on some different financing options,” explained Origer. “We’re also still looking at final property options. We are still very eagerly looking for individuals in the Winamac area who are interested in learning more about investing in the project.”
A familiar face at Culver Community High School will be back next year in a dual role. Speech teacher Luke Biernacki is the new assistant principal for the middle and high schools and and athletic director for the entire corporation. The Culver Community School Board hired him last night after a brief executive session. Superintendent Dr. Vicki McGuire says combining the administrative roles will allow for more dedicated academic accountability by the principals, as well as working on improving graduation rates. Biernacki says the opportunity is a perfect fit for his career goals.
“I’ve had my administrative license for a couple of years and been looking to move up,” he said in an interview after the meeting. “I’ve always wanted to move up with this corporation. It’s been a wonderful experience for the past six years. What I love most is the people I work with and the students and the community. It’s the best I’ve ever seen, and I look forward to continuing to work with them.”
Biernacki adds he wants to continue to meet the students’ needs and provide them the best possible experience. He’s also looking forward to working with new Culver Community High School Principal Brett Berndt and coaches as he transitions into his dual role.
