Contractors or subcontractors doing business in or with the town of North Judson must obtain a permit from the town and be properly insured. That’s the gist of the contractor permit ordinance passed on final reading Monday night by the town board. The new policy does not apply to homeowners who perform their own renovations. However, anyone hired to build, remodel or renovate a structure is subject to the law. Continue reading
Marshall County to Deed Property to the City of Plymouth
The Marshall County Commissioners approved a motion to have the county attorney prepare paperwork to assign sale certificates of some property to the city of Plymouth. The parcels are down by the new park by the river.
Treasurer Deb Vandemark approached the commissioners about the properties in question that could not be sold in previous tax sales.
Be Wary of Door-to-Door Unsolicited Sales Representatives
There are so many ways that people can scam you and it’s the season now where you have to be mindful of door-to-door sales representatives – or those who claim to be selling products.
If an unsolicited sales person comes to your door, ask to see their peddler’s permit. Look around for a vehicle that may have a company logo or other description of the business. Although the person may have a uniform on that suggests the person works for the company, ask for proper identification like a business card or other credential. If that person cannot produce the items you asked for, send them away.
Knox Farmer’s Market Set to Open
This weekend is the kickoff for the Knox Farmer’s Market at Sandy Acres Park on South Heaton Street. Food and craft vendors are welcome. Individuals interested in participating can sign up for free at the mayor’s office. All food must be homegrown, and crafts have to be handmade. Participants keep all the money they make. Even if you aren’t a vendor you are still encouraged to attend the launching event this Saturday June 7. The farmer’s market will be open from 8 a.m. until 6 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday. It runs from June until the end of October.
Road Closed in Starke County
A road in Starke County is closed due to damage. A large sinkhole has opened on State Road 23 a quarter-mile north of Toto Road. That’s just south of Ober. Barracades are set up in both directions. INDOT officials have not released a timetable of when the road would be opened. There’s also no word yet on what caused it to develop.
Search for Ron Wood, Jr. Suspended
Conservation officers have suspended their search for missing Knox High School graduate Ron Wood, Jr.
Wood went into Lake Michigan Saturday night to help struggling swimmers who went into the lake and drifted away from the boat that they were in. All swimmers were rescued by nearby boaters and the United States Coast Guard but Wood was nowhere to be found.
Fire at Bremen Factory Remains Under Investigation
A fire that forced the evacuation of hundreds from a Bremen factory remains under investigation. Multiple departments responded to Charleston Corporation on Dogwood Road around 1:30 p.m. yesterday, according to our reporting partners at WNDU-TV. Employees say they heard a loud explosion, which was followed by flames and dark smoke. A few employees were taken to the hospital for treatment of smoke inhalation. No other injuries directly related to the fire were reported. At the time of the fire, 12 people were working inside the building. The entire Charleston campus was evacuated as a precaution. Charleston’s president and CEO says the remaining five buildings will be up and operational today. Only two of the company’s 60 clients will be directly affected by the fire. Charleston Corporation makes fiberglass roofs for high-end RV motorhomes.
Gas Prices Holding Steady, No Drop in Sight
Gas prices remain close to $4 per gallon of regular unleaded in the Kankakee Valley. GasBuddy.com senior petroleum analyst Patrick DeHaan says they should have dropped by the middle to end of May. He says there’s no specific reason but notes wholesale prices are higher. DeHaan says he’s been waiting for prices to drop or trends to shift. He says the tipping point that should revert to a downward trend should occur at any time, but it hasn’t happened yet. Meanwhile, he says refineries are looking good and production is up, so he doesn’t expect gas prices to go up considerably more before they eventually drop.
Starke County Highway Department Releases Road Maintenance List
The Starke County Highway Department will be busy throughout the summer making improvements to 145 miles of county roads. Highway Superintendent Rik Ritzler says the projects are based on the PASER, or Pavement, Surface, Evaluation and Rating, system and average daily traffic.
“All of the townships are well-represented on the list,” Ritzler told the county commissioners. “The San Pierre area now has the most roads. Most of the roads we added we’re adding in that area because they had the lowest PASER ratings and were a little under-represented on the previous list, and now we’ve put those on there. We’re probably going to chip-seal all of the roads in town and probably a couple of the roads out west of there.” Continue reading
Marshall County Commissioners Approve Purchase of Asphalt Zipper
The Marshall County Commissioners discussed the purchase of an asphalt zipper to take care of some of the roads that aren’t in the best shape in the northern part of the county.
Several county officials viewed a demonstration of the machine last week and thought it could fit the county’s needs for asphalt maintenance. The one the county has now is old and parts are not available to repair it.
Interim Highway Superintendent Jason Peters explained what the asphalt zipper accomplishes.
Roofing Repairs to be Done at Pulaski County Justice Center
The Pulaski County Commissioners learned Monday night that the roofing repairs at the Justice Center are moving forward.
Commission President Larry Brady said it’s been a year since a hail storm created the damage.
“We’re moving forward with finalizing the cost of the roofing repairs,” explained Brady. “The adjustors had to work it out with the insurance agents and everything seems to be moving forward. It’s at a slow pace but yet moving forward.”
North Judson Adding Lots to Highland Cemetery
The North Judson Town Board plans to add three additional rows of grave sites to Highland Cemetery. Clerk-Treasurer Donna Henry tells WKVI news that there is room to do so on the far east side of the existing property. Board members voted Monday night to proceed with surveying and plotting the land. Henry says the expansion will add between 100 and 115 grave sites. They will be available within the next few months. Contact the North Judson Clerk’s Office at 574-896-3340 for more information.
Knox School Board Sets School Meal Prices
The meal prices for the Knox Community Schools’ 2014-15 school year have been officially set by the school board. The breakfast price will remain the same at $1.15. Lunch prices will increase by 10-cents. That brings the elementary school lunch price to $1.85. The middle and high school lunches will be $2.10. Knox Community School Corporation Superintendent A.J. Gappa says even with the 10-cent increase, Knox Elementary School still has the lowest lunch price in the area.
New Scholarship at Ancilla College Aimed at Non-Traditional Students
A newly created scholarship at Ancilla College will give non-traditional students a chance to obtain a college degree.
The family of Jack and Peggy Lynch have created an endowed scholarship that will allow students who are 22 or older to enroll in at least six credit hours (two classes) and to receive financial assistance in doing so.
Students may apply for the scholarship for the fall semester by contacting Ancilla College at (574) 936-8898.
Mint Idol Contest Deadline Approaching
Do you have what it takes to be a singing sensation? Don’t hide your talent, share it with the everyone at the North Judson Mint Festival in the Mint Idol contest! Friday, June 6 is the entry deadline for the Friday, June 13 contest, so get your application in as soon as possible! The competition is open to individuals ages 5 and up. All participants will receive ribbons, and first, second and third place prizes will be awarded in each age group. Age groups are as follows: 5-9, 10-13, 14-17 and 18 and older. Contestants under 18 require parental consent. Contestants must have their song chosen and ready to go in time for the Thursday June 12 rehearsal. It will take place from 6 until 9 p.m CDT at St. Peter Lutheran School in North Judson. Tracks cannot have lead vocals. Music on CDs, MP3 players, iPods and phones are acceptable, but contestants are responsible for bringing the appropriate connector or format to play the songs. The Mint Idol competition will be Friday June 13 at 6 p.m. at St. Peter Lutheran School. Click here for the Mint Idol 2014 Registration Form. Entry forms can be completed and sent to Mint Idol, P.O. Box 33, North Judson, IN 46366.
Winamac FWA Offers Shooting Sports Event
An event to introduce families to shooting sports is set at the Winamac Fish and Wildlife Area (FWA) shooting range later this month.
Experienced archery and firearms instructors will teach proper form and safe shooting procedures. Several shooting stations will offered where a .22 caliber rifle, 20 gauge shotgun, bow and arrow, and crossbow can be demonstrated and used for practice. All firearms, ammunition and equipment will be provided.
Severe Weather Potential High through Wednesday
The National Weather Service is warning of potential severe storms through Wednesday evening.
Damaging winds, large hail, heavy rain, flooding, lightning, and tornadoes are possible. The highest threat for severe weather will be late Wednesday morning through the afternoon for northern and central Indiana.
Suspect Harboring Possible Explosive Devices on the Run
Police never know what they walk into when called out.
LaPorte County police deputies were called to a domestic disturbance at a home in 7200 west block of County Road 125 North on Monday evening. When inside the home officers found what appeared to be homemade explosive devices.
Ron Wood, Jr. Remains Missing
Indiana Conservation officers are continuing in their search for 29-year-old Ron Wood, Jr.
Wood, a Knox High School graduate, went missing after jumping into Lake Michigan Saturday night to attempt to rescue struggling swimmers who drifted from their boat a mile off shore. All swimmers were rescued by the US Coast Guard and nearby boaters except for Wood who remains missing.
Pulaski County K-9 Detects Drugs During Traffic Stop, Three Arrested
Pulaski County Sheriff’s Department K-9 Gil’s nose landed three people in jail Saturday night for various drug charges. He assisted with a traffic stop in the 3500 block of County Road 650 South in Pulaski County.
A truck driven by Jason B. Maroules, 36, of Knox, was pulled over for driving on the wrong side of the roadway, according to information provided by the sheriff’s department. He had two passengers with him. Paul Mast, 44, of Bourbon, was in the front seat. A female who repeatedly told the officers her name was Amanda Cooley but was found to be Heather Manns, 35, of Winamac, was in the back seat. She was arrested for false identifying.
