Police officers arrested two on charges of Dealing and Possession of Marijuana after a marijuana growing operation was found at a residence in Knox.
Two Arrested for a Marijuana Growing Operation in Knox
Starke County Economic Development Director Discusses EDIT Funds with County Council
Starke County Economic Development Foundation Director, Charles Weaver, came before the County Council this week. He asked the members to appropriate the money received from the County economic income tax collections and use the funds appropriately.
Over $1.2 million dollars is appropriated for County bridges. Weaver explained why the bridge funds come from economic income taxes.
“One-half of the economic development income tax monies collected goes into bridges,” explained Weaver. This is an agreement that was reached some number of years ago when it was realized that the cumulative rate, which the County had always adopted to maintain bridges, was insufficient to maintain the bridges.”
The amount of collections received for the County’s use in 2011 is $200,000 less than what was received in 2010. Those County Commissioner’s economic funds can be used in conjunction with the Economic Development Foundation. Weaver was asked how the $200,000 revenue reduction would impact things he has on the drawing board.
“The amount that goes to the Economic Development Foundation would be less than what it was last year. We’re stretching it. We’ve got some projects in mind that we need to do and we’re trying to prioritize those as the most fruit comes to bear. When we have a project that is going to create jobs, we’re going to put the money there.”
The County Economic Income Tax is divided one-half for bridges, three-eighths for Starke County Economic Foundation work, and one-eighth for Starke County government.
Senate Approves Meth Bill
In the wake of year-end reports that law enforcement seized nearly 1,400 meth labs in 2010, Senate legislators vote 46-3 Tuesday in support of a bill co-authored by Senator Ed Charbonneau (R-Valparaiso) providing a new weapon in the fight against the narcotic.
Senate Bill 503 works to curb the manufacturing of methamphetamines by tracking the statewide sales of cold and allergy medications containing precursors to the illegal drug and preventing purchases exceeding certain limits.
Knox and Winamac License Branches Change Hours
Officials at the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles announced that the Knox and Winamac license branches will have new hours of operation beginning Monday, February 28th.
The Knox License Branch will be open on Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. CT. The Winamac License Branch will be open on Tuesday and Thursday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. ET.
Video and Audio Communication for Starke County Jail and Courts Approved by Council
Financing for video and audio communication between the Starke County Jail and County and City courts was approved this week by the Starke County Council.
The County’s share of the $6,000 cost is one-third. The other two-thirds will come out of the Knox City Court, and the Prosecutor’s Pre-Trial Diversion fund.
Starke County I.T. Director, Bob Smith, came before the Council members to explain the set up of the equipment that will be provided by Vermillion Systems of Walkerton.
Knox City Council Discusses Fire Territories
Trying to be proactive in anticipation of the elimination of township government, the Knox City Council invited John Julien, of Umbaugh and Associates, to explain the formation of a Fire Territory.
As explained by Julien, contiguous areas or townships could form a Fire Territory. The Knox Volunteer Fire Department has an agreement with Center Township and a contractual arrangement with part of Jackson Township to provide fire service. Under a Fire Territory, all property owners in the created district would pay the same tax rate for fire protection. They would also receive a uniform level of service.
Friday’s ‘Ted Hayes Remembers’ Show to Feature the Late Glen Kay
He was first Mayor of Knox in the 1950s. He was a Studebaker Dealer when the South Bend manufactured car was “cool,” and he was a clothing store owner in the building that now houses Fingerhut Bakery. I’m talking about the late Glen Kay who passed away on this date exactly 35 years ago today.
Junior Achievement Bowl-a-Thon Gathers $4,500
The Junior Achievement Bowl-a-Thon at Bowlaway Lanes in Knox brought in approximately $4,500 Wednesday for the organization, thanks to pledges gathered by the five-member teams bowling from Starke and Pulaski Counties.
All bowlers had a great time with some winning door prizes and other chances to win prizes during Wednesday’s fundraiser. Niki Clemons, Bridget Markin, and all involved with Junior Achievement did a great job planning the event. The WKVI Men’s and Women’s teams participated in the two game event with each team winning a game.
S.C.P. Property Sells in Starke County Tax Sale
The S.C.P. property sold Tuesday in the tax sale conducted at the Starke County Annex. S.C.P., doing business as the Federal Group on Culver Road in Knox, had been placed on the sale for back taxes of $93,000. The company’s four parcels of land and buildings were put on the auction, with opening bids of $300.00.
Purchasing all four of the parcels was the Starke County Economic Development Foundation, with with Ben Osinski of the Foundation’s Board placing the bids. The 40 acre parcel of land went for $500 and the other three parcels went for $300 a piece.
Starke County Board of Zoning Appeals down One Member
The Starke County BZA Board will continue on with business until a someone steps up to fill a vacancy on the Board.
Roger Chaffins had to relinquish his seat on that Board when he was elected as a Township Trustee. At this week’s Starke County Council meeting, it was announced that no one had emerged to put in his or her name for a seat on the Board. The replacement must be a Democrat.
Don White, Bob Troike, Sherri Bartoli, and Denise Marks are the current members of the Board.
Eastern Pulaski School Board Approves Purchase of Computers for AP English Students
The Eastern Pulaski School Board approved the purchase of laptop computers from the Gifted and Talented fund for AP English students.
“The AP students have a very rigorous curriculum,” said Superintendent Dr. Robert Klitzman. “It is the equivalent of the college level English class so we are going to provide them with laptops where they can do their research, do their word processing and check the internet. The computers are not their computers. We will have a little agreement that they’re going to use it properly and take care of it. At the end of the year, we’ll collect those and hopefully will be able to assign them to a new group of students for next year.”
Starke County Family to Adopt Child from Ukraine
Starke County residents, Phil and Megan Hamand, are in the process of adopting a child from the Ukraine.
“We actually put our application in to adopt in July of 2010 so things are going pretty quickly,” said Megan. “We just found out last week that we should be traveling to the Ukraine to meet our child at the end of August, maybe beginning of September of this year. That’s a pretty quick adoption turnaround. Ukraine as approved our home study, which is a big step, and right now we’re just getting all of our international paperwork put together so we can legally adopt the child from Ukraine and the United States.”
FAFSA Workshops Scheduled This Week
In anticipation of Indiana’s March 10th FAFSA deadline, Ancilla College will offer a series of free one-on-one workshops for people looking to file their 2011-2012 FAFSA applications.
Filling out the FAFSA is a vital step for college students to complete in order to be considered for financial aid. The FAFSA not only enables students to be considered for federal, state, and institutional grants, but is also necessary for those looking to take out a Stafford or Parent Plus Loan for the 2011-2012 academic year.
Starke County Senior Volunteer of the Year; Older Hoosier of the Year Applications Available
Nominations are being accepted for Starke County’s Senior Volunteer of the Year and Older Hoosier of the Year.
Community Services of Starke County is accepting nominations for these two honorary awards. The Board will decide the winners for each category. The honorees will be entered into the Area 1 competition. Entry forms are available at the Community Services of Starke County on Culver Road in Knox. Forms must be received by March 15th.
Former Rockwell Windows Property in Knox up for Tax Sale
Property owned by S.C.P. Building Products, LLC in Knox will go on the auction block today. The property will go on a tax sale, because over $93,000 in back taxes is owed.
S.C.P. Building Products, LLC has been doing business as The Federal Group. At one time, Rockwell Windows was doing business on the property, and was employing around 180 people, according to Starke County Development Foundation Director, Charles Weaver. Currently, there are approximately 25 people working at the Knox facility.
Starke Circuit Judge Sentences Two on Meth Charges
Starke Circuit Court Judge Kim Hall sentenced two men to the Indiana Department of Corrections late last week. Both were sentenced for Dealing in Methamphetamine convictions. David Gingerich was sentenced to 8 years with 2 suspended, and Nathaniel Furlong was sentenced to 12 years with 4 suspended.
The sentences were handed down Thursday, February 17th.
Bill Lemke Remembered as North Judson Basketball Great
The death of Bill Lemke Friday afternoon brought back memories to many North Judson Bluejay fans. Lemke was a member of one of the greatest basketball teams ever at the school. Coached by the legendary Guy Ingwell, Lemke played with two Bluejay greats Walt Zakostelsky, and Dick Hargrave. Some others on that team were Austin Gobdell, Tex De Armond and Al May.
Eastern Pulaski School Board Accepts Donations to Corporation
The Eastern Pulaski School Board accepted a generous donation for the Elementary School. Here is Superintendent Dr. Robert Klitzman:
“Our Star City Lions Club donated a sum of money to help with our Reading is Fundamental (RIF) program,” said Superintendent Dr. Robert Klitzman. “What we do, is we target second grade and with the money provided by the Star City Lions we buy three story books for each student in second grade. Kids are very, very proud to have their own book. They can put their name in it. So, at different intervals through the year, they will receive one of these three books and we thank the Star City Lions Club for helping us with that.”
Accident Claims Life of North Judson Man
The Starke County Sheriff’s Department investigated a fatal accident late Friday afternoon.
According to the accident report, Edward O’Boyle was traveling eastbound on State Road 10 when 93-year-old William Lemke pulled into the roadway from the Highland Cemetery, attempting to go westbound on State Road 10. O’Boyle told police he was unable to avoid striking Lemke’s vehicle on the driver’s side. Lemke was pronounced dead at the scene. O’Boyle sustained minor injuries. Both O’Boyle and Lemke are from North Judson.
A witness told police that she saw Lemke stopped at the stop sign at the entrance of Highland Cemetery. She said that the sun was about to set and that it was hard to see oncoming traffic.
Starke County Food Inspector Finds Food Establishments Operating on Expired Permits
One-third of the food handling businesses in Starke County are operating on expired permits. That fact was presented to the Starke County Health Board Monday night by Health Officer, Dr. Theresa Alexander.
That fact was discovered when going over the list of businesses to be inspected by new contract Inspector, David Kesvormas. Kesvormas told the Board that when he inspects a business that is operating on expired permits, he is notifying them and urging them to purchase the proper permit without a fine.
