The wind turbine project has been delayed at the West Central School Corporation.
“The components that are coming from Germany are here, but the tower itself is being manufactured in Tennessee. That component is being delayed as far as the manufacturing date. I think they had some issues at their factory so we’ve been pushed back to the week of January 9th,” said Superintendent Charles Mellon.
Eastern Pulaski School Superintendent Dr. Robert Klitzman compiled data that compares the tax rates of the Eastern Pulaski School Corporation and schools in the area. He gave that report to the Board.
The LaPorte County DUI Task Force is in the midst of saturation patrols in an effort to reduce impaired and dangerous driving. The increased enforcement will continue through the New Year’s holiday.
Marked and unmarked police vehicles will also be out seeking aggressive driving.
LaPorte County law enforcement has a zero tolerance for those under the age of 21 consuming alcohol or who are in possession of alcohol.
Winamac Clerk-Treasurer Judy Heater will be retiring at the end of the year and she was honored Friday afternoon at the Winamac Fire Department.
Ted Hayes asked Judy what she will be doing in her retirement.
“I going to spend time with my husband, Vic, and my daughters and grandchildren,” she laughs. “I’ve been the Clerk-Treasurer for the past 16 years and there were so many good times and so many wonderful people it would be hard to pick out just one highlight. I’m not giving up the people, just the Clerk-Treasurer’s position. I’d have to say that winning the Halleck Award the same time you were named the Henry F. Schricker Award winner was a wonderful highlight.”
Clark Gudas presented his Eagle Scout project proposal to the Winamac Town Board last week.
He gave the Board information on design, location, cost, and fundraising ideas for a skate park in Reinhart Park, or Lion’s Park, which is across the street from the Pulaski County YMCA. He presented pictures and a detailed project outline with different types of equipment that would be constructed in the park. Different versions of the park was presented to the Board. Gudas, who is a Winamac High School student, said the project would cost in the neighborhood of $50,000 and is planning to apply for grants and hold fundraisers to finance the project. He and a five member Advocacy Board will be working together to make his project a reality.
The annual Christmas decoration contest in the City of Knox will be held on Monday, December 19th and judging will be from 6:00-9:00 p.m. CT.
Any homeowner wishing to have their decorations judged must have the lights turned on during the judging hours. The first place winner will receive $100, second place $50 and third place will get $25.
Winners will be announced on WKVI.
IU Health LaPorte VNA Services is announcing the opening of a new office at 5595 County Road 600 North in Hamlet. VNA Skilled Home Care and Private Duty Services allows individuals to recuperate at home or in an assisted living residence instead of a long hospital stay.
IU Health LaPorte VNA Services provides care in Jasper, LaPorte, Marshall, Pulaski, Starke, St. Joseph, and Porter counties. For an appointment or for more information, call (574) 867-7700.
On this date 65 years ago, three men met in the Commissioners room to map out and help organize the Board of Directors for a proposed new hospital for Starke County. Mr. L.L. Gilliland, Luther Everts and John Hill came up with names for the new board. It was a dream come true in 1951 when Starke Memorial opened its doors. Building cost? $325,000.
Democrat Senator Jim Arnold, of LaPorte, visited with the Knox City Council this week. Senator Arnold has picked up five townships in Starke County with redistricting, and he wanted to alert the council and other city officials of possible issues coming up in the 2012 session of the legislature.
Of course the biggest issue is the right to work legislation.
“This issue is going to be coming up again. It’s going to be House Bill 1001. Speaker Bosma has already set it as a priority issue to the Senate in this session. It’ll probably be brought up on Tuesday, January 4th and begin consideration of it because they want to get it addressed and get it out on the floor for a vote and hopefully put it to rest. I would encourage you to pay particular attention to this issue because it could be a session killer.”
Three people were injured in a rollover accident on County Road 550 North from U.S. Highway 421 in Pulaski County on Saturday.
An officer from the Pulaski County Sheriff’s Department found that Glenn Sewell, of Medaryville, was on 550 North when he left the roadway, overturned and came to rest on the passenger side. Sewell was trapped inside the vehicle and was extricated by the fire department. Two children in the vehicle and Sewell were injured and were taken to Pulaski Memorial Hospital.
The storm water project has started in the City of Knox. The total cost of the project is just over $1 million. The city is contributing $166,005 toward the project from the City’s EDIT fund, while the rest of the cost comes in the form of a Community Development Block Grant from the Office of Community and Rural Affairs.
The Winamac Town Board opened three bids for a new transformer for the Plymouth Tube company.
The company is planning to expand its business and bids were received for transformers to add electric services to the property. A new substation will be built to accommodate the expansion. All of the bids were in the $385,000 range. The bids were taken under advisement and the Town Board members will be discussing the bids with officials from Plymouth Tube and future plans with the company.
Since the 1970’s, the Knox Kiwanis Club has helped those in need with Christmas food baskets and yesterday, members of the Knox National Honor Society and the Student Council, plus North Judson and Knox Kiwanis members, helped assemble those baskets at Community Services of Starke County.
Dave Bennett and John Bawcum from the Panhandle Pathway and Safe Routes to School organizations reported to the Winamac Town Board on their current project.
Officials are connecting a section of the Panhandle Pathway with Superior Street to provide Eastern Pulaski School students with a safe route to school. A piece of land was acquired from a resident for the project and an easement for the project was granted. Stone is lining the pathway for now, but it will be paved when spring arrives.
Five successful municipal election candidates were sworn in yesterday at the Pulaski County Courthouse. The swearing-in ceremony was conducted by Circuit Court Judge Michael Shurn and Superior Court Judge Patrick Blankenship.
Sworn in were Tom Murray and Jim De Armond for the Winamac Town Board, Melanie Parish as Winamac Town Clerk-Treasurer, Richard Denney for Winamac Town Board, and Marla Dawson as the Francesville Town Clerk-Treasurer.
Punch and a congratulations cake were enjoyed by friends, and relatives who attended the ceremony with their loved ones.
The Maxinkuckee Singers performed last night at the Knox United Methodist Church. It was the next to last performance of the season for the Singers whom have entertained audiences for over two decades with their Christmas show.
The compact one hour show is filled with the traditional, sacred, and humorous songs of the season.
The Knox-Center Township Fire Department was called to a vehicle fire last night in the Five Star parking lot.
Fire Chief, Kenny Pfost, said that when they arrived at the scene, flames were coming from the engine compartment. Firefighters were able to contain the fire to the engine area. No foul play is suspected.
Photo provided.
Ed Arnold, of the Golf Cart Company in Knox, announced at the Knox City Council meeting this week that he has sold the building on Heaton Street and must vacate soon.
Arnold gave a history of the building and business to the council members.
“Sixty-one years ago, my father decided to build a plant here in Knox, thirty years ago I purchased the building from him and the building has now been sold,” said Arnold. “We have relocated to a new facility in Grand Beach, Michigan, but it is our intent to keep a facility here in Knox as well because I have employees here that are important to me.”
Financing possibilities and informing the public have been topics the Starke County Jail Committee has been working on recently. The committee has discussed holding informational meetings throughout the county to bring the public up to date on various options for rehabbing or building a new jail.
Fires, escapes, and a class action lawsuit have brought attention to the liabilities at the jail. Reportedly the second oldest county jail in the state, the facility has been overcrowded at times throughout the past year.
The Starke County Commissioners are asking for the submission of letters of interest for 2012 board appointments.
The Commissioners are asking you to consider apply for seats on the following boards: Starke County Drainage Board, KIRPC, Health Board, North Judson-Wayne Township Library Board, Aviation Board, Hospital Community Board, Alcoholic Beverage Board, Regional Workforce Board, P.T.A.B.O.A. Board, and Community Corrections Board.
