The President’s State of the Union Message will be presented to a joint session of Congress tomorrow night.
It’s been proposed by THIRD WAY, a moderate political think tank, that members of Congress sit with those of the other party. Democrats and Republicans sitting “side by side”. THIRD WAY thinks it might “restore civility”.
It’s also been offered that choreographed standing and clapping is unbecoming of Congress. If President Obama says something appealing to the Democrats, they all would rise up in unison and cheer. That’s been likened to being comparable to fans at a basketball game.
Seventeenth District State Representative Nancy Dembowski (D-Knox) is hesitant to vote for a school reform bill that would allow for tax dollars to flow into private or charter schools at the expense of public schools.
“I think when we being talking about allowing tax monies to support more charter schools and vouchers and tax credits, we undermine the rural public school systems that I represent,” said Dembowski. “I’m very concerned about that. We think in terms of choice and allowing students to go to the schools of their choice, to a degree, and that’s acceptable, but I worry constantly about the private schools that require payment to go there. Tax money will go to support schools that will be done by some corporation who decides that they want to establish a new school that will be the best for your child.”
The Indiana Department of Education has prepared a document: “Indiana’s 2011 Education Agenda-Putting Students First”. The document puts forth a series of issues and problems. They include, among others: An antiquated tenure system, teachers and principals not annually evaluated, and ten percent of students are passing advanced placement exams.
Dr. Tony Bennett and Governor Mitch Daniels are championing school reform in this session of the legislature.
Gary Dulin, Jerry Fletcher, Harold Welter, Mary Lynn Ritchie, Kirk Bennett, Nathan Marcum, Mike Yankauskas, Superintendent A.J. Gappa
The Knox Community School Board approved base bids for the high school renovation project at its recent meeting.
“We had taken bids on the base projects which were the water pipe renovations and also the swimming pool renovation in the ceiling and lighting area,” explained Superintendent, A.J. Gappa. “The Board approved the base bids and the work in the pool. We could not accept the roofing bids because of funding.”
The approved bid went to Brown and Brown General Contractors for $1,567,000. In all, the Board received 15 bids.
The Starke County Commissioners had a brief discussion last week on added security at the Starke County Courthouse. In light of violence seen at the political event in Arizona, it seems that everyone is considering security.
Two problems with metal detectors at the Starke County Courthouse immediately were evident. One was the added employment of person, or persons, to man the metal detector and the second was the fact that if a metal detector were installed, it would mean only one entrance into the courthouse could be used as all doors couldn’t be provided with a detector.
Here is just some of the news that made the news in the Kankakee Valley this week:
Robert "Lynn" Fraine and family
Residents of Koontz Lake and surrounding communities turned out last Saturday to honor 50 year Koontz Lake firefighter Robert “Lynn” Fraine.
The Starke County Health Board is considering combining the Environmentalist position with the Food Inspector’s duties. Meanwhile, Starke County Commissioner Jennifer Davis resigned from the seat she was named to on the Starke County Health Board.
Christina Rotering
Christina Rotering was honored before the Oregon-Davis girls basketball game last Saturday night. Christina is battling a form on non-Hodgskin’s Lymphoma.
The Starke County Commissioners discussed the new burn ordinance at its meeting this week. Questions were fielded concerning enforcement of the new ordinance and if leaf and natural wood burning would be permitted.
Jeffrey Singleton, Sr.
Jeffrey Singleton, Sr., Jeffrey Singleton, Jr. and Sandra Singleton of Knox were arrested on Friday, January 14th, on methamphetamine related charges. Police say a meth lab was found in the Singleton’s garage and paraphernalia was found in the residence.
Pulaski County Circuit Court Judge Michael Shurn
Pulaski County Circuit Court Judge Michael Shurn has been named this year’s H.J. Halleck Award winner in Pulaski County.
Starke County Prosecutor Nicholas Bourff replaced Todd Wallsmith with Mary Ryan as his Chief Deputy.
Several candidates filed for the 2011 Municipal Election in the Starke and Pulaski County Clerks’ offices.
Steve Cronk
The Knox Community School Board approved the retirement of Middle School Principal, Steve Cronk, at its meeting this week.
Two youngsters were given their wish Thursday by students at Culver Community High School. The Student Council raised over $10,000 to send Chris Webb and Chloe Hough to Disney World and Sea World.
Marvin McLaughlin was honored Thursday night as the 2011 Henry F. Schricker Service Award winner.
Starke Memorial Hospital’s name officially changed Thursday afternoon. It will now be known as Indiana University Health-Starke Hospital.
And that is just some of the news that made the news in the Kankakee Valley this week.
Linda Satoski (L) helps present the new Indiana University Health flag to the community
There is no more Starke Memorial Hospital. Well, there is a hospital at the corner of Culver Road and Heaton Street, but the name of the facility was officially changed Thursday. In keeping with the Clarian change throughout the system Starke Memorial will be known as Indiana University Health-Starke Hospital.
“Talking with Spencer Grove from the Indiana Hospital Association said that this is absolutely the first time we’ve changed the name for Starke Hospital,” said CEO Linda Satoski. “It is an exciting day across the entire State of Indiana, moving to the IU Health name and the assurance that it gives our patients, our communities to quality of care, education and research.”
Marvin's family Front row: Nancy Leonard, Chuck Leonard, Lynette Altman, Barbara McLaughlin (wife), Marvin McLaughlin, Sarah Altman, Evan Altman. Back row: David Altman, Barbara McLaughlin, Alan McLaughlin
The Honorable Judge Marvin McLaughlin was celebrated last night as the 2010 Henry F. Schricker Service Award winner. With family, friends and dignitaries in attendance, the Judge was praised for living a life of “service before self” which was the motto of the former Governor.
In his acceptance speech, the Judge talked about setting aside politics and working for the good of your community, county, and country.
North Judson Town Board: (L to R) Dan Anderson, Jane Ellen Felchuk, Wendy Hoppe, Connie Miller (Clerk-Treasurer)
North Judson Town Marshal, Doug Vessely, reported to the North Judson Town Board that the Police Department is short one full-time police officer. The position will need to be filled soon, however the Department is not taking applications at this time.
Vessely reported that the new 2011 Crown Victoria car has been delivered to the Department. The light package and other equipment has not yet been installed in the car so it won’t be in service until next week.
Fast dropping temperatures are here, setting up the coldest day of the year. The Kankakee Valley is only expected to get up to 12 degrees today.
A wind chill advisory is in effect until 11:00 a.m. CT/Noon ET. Wind chills could get as low as -10. When you head out today, wear multiple layers of clothing. Don’t forget to wear a hat as a large portion of heat escapes from the head. Make sure you let the water run in a thin stream so the water pipes don’t freeze.
The Knox Community School Board heard a presentation about the new Bella Vita pregnancy resource center that will be opening on U.S. 35 in Knox in March.
“David Bullock, one of our former teachers who retired a few years back, has been involved with the non-profit organization called Bella Vita,” explained Superintendent A.J. Gappa. “Mr. Bullock and Susanne Lange, also of Bella Vita, were at the Board meeting just to give an informational presentation to the Board and would like to establish a positive relationship between the schools in Starke County and Bella Vita.”
The Culver Student Council proudly displays the check that will help grant wishes for two students
Two youngsters were given their wish this week by students at Culver Community High School. The Student Council raised over $10,000 to send the two students to Disney World and Sea World.
“My Student Council has closed their Make-A-Wish Foundation donation fundraiser and they have raised $10,461.79 in five weeks,” said Student Council Sponsor, Tina Stacey.
The Northwest Indiana Forum membership elected its 2011 Managing Board of Directors at its annual meeting last week at the Horseshoe Casino.
Among the new directors elected to continue are: Linda Woloshansky, Center of Workforce Innovations; Ed Volk, LaPorte Municipal Airport; Charles Weaver Starke County Economic Development Foundation; and Bill Wellman, Whiteco.
Hamlet Police officers arrested a Grovertown man and a Knox man after a short foot pursuit Wednesday night.
Hamlet Police Chief, Jeremiah Patrick, told WKVI that police were attempting to conduct a traffic stop on old U.S. 30 and the vehicle fled from police. The vehicle traveled through a field and wrecked into a ditch at 600 North.
The Starke County Commissioners this week voted to approve a request for Video Conferencing at the Starke County Jail. The technology would allow arraignments to be done from the jail, without having to take prisoners to the courtroom.
The cost will be shared between the County, Knox City Court, and the Prosecutor’s office. Both audio and video will be provided by a fiber optic line. Families who want to watch the proceedings can do so on flat screen T.V.s that will be mounted in the courtrooms. The equipment will cost $6,061.00.
Starke County Prosecutor Nicholas Bourff, in an exclusive interview Wednesday with WKVI, talked about the need to replace his Chief Deputy, Todd Wallsmith, with former Chief Prosecutor Mary Ryan.
“There were several factors that led to a quick decision,” said Bourff. “I knew going into it that this was going to be an issue I’d have to face. About a month ago when I gave an interview here, I said ‘if I’m creative enough with how I handle this, I think I can work through it’. I really did think that and then I got into the office and I learned that in order to make it work, I was going to have to absorb not only the previous Prosecutor’s case load, but also the previous Chief Deputy’s case load.”
The Knox Community School Board approved the retirement of Middle School Principal, Steve Cronk, at its meeting Monday night.
“Mr. Cronk, who has worked in a number of school corporations throughout Indiana, but who has been at the Knox Middle School as Principal for the last number of years, decided it’s finally time to sit back and enjoy life a little bit,” said Superintendent A.J. Gappa. “He has submitted a letter of retirement that will take effect on June 30th. The Board regrettably accepted that resignation. It’s kind of a bittersweet personnel report when you accept the retirement of a person who has meant a lot to a lot of the kids at the Middle School here.”
The 2010 Henry F. Schricker Awards Banquet will be held tonight at the Knox Community Center. Honored will be former Starke County Circuit Court Judge and current County Councilman, Marvin McLaughlin, of North Judson.
When interviewed recently by Ted Hayes, Judge McLaughlin remembered the man of whom the award is named, the late governor Henry F. Schricker.
Jeff Berg (L) and Greg Matt file for candidacy in the Starke County Clerk's Office
The Starke County Clerk’s Office helped sign up candidates Wednesday for the 2011 Municipal Election. Jeff Houston filed for Knox City Clerk-Treasurer and Rick Chambers has filed for Mayor of Knox. Jeff Berg and Greg Matt filed for seats on the Knox City Council. Debra Sue Goble filed for Hamlet Clerk-Treasurer, Connie Miller filed for North Judson Town Clerk-Treasurer and Dan Anderson filed for a seat on the North Judson Town Board.
In Pulaski County, Christina Hoffa has filed for Winamac Town Clerk-Treasurer.
On Wednesday, January 12th, Knox Masonic Lodge 639 presented the second installment of $200.00 to the Community Services of Starke County Food Bank to help replenish supplies to the pantry after the holidays. The Masonic Lodge had donated $200.00 in November to help with Thanksgiving Day supplies.
Cecilia Torres was very thankful to the Masonic Lodge for their very kind contributions to the pantry and said all donations are greatly appreciated.
