Texting and smoking bans are possible next year if legislators pass legislation proposed by a State Senator and a State Representative.
A statewide smoking ban is being proposed by State Representative Charlie Brown. Governor Mitch Daniels said he would sign a bill if it hits his desk.
Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles Commissioner, Scott Waddell, has announced that full service license branches normally open Tuesday through Saturday will be closed on Friday, December 24 and Saturday, December 25th in observance of the Christmas holiday. Branches will resume normal hours of operation at 8:30 a.m. on Tuesday, December 28th.
Here is just some of the news that made the news in the Kankakee Valley this week:
Marvin Allen of Knox is this year’s recipient of the Indiana Historical Society’s Hubert Hawkins History Award. The award is made annually to a local historian for his or her distinguished service and career in local history.
Two trees from Hensler Nursery were delivered to the Statehouse this week.
A jury found John Loftus, Jr. Guilty on four out of five charges against him in a trial this week in Starke Circuit Court. The jury deliberated nearly an hour-an-a-half. The trial lasted nearly two days.
Loftus, Jr. was found Guilty on the following charges: Domestic Battery with a Child Present, a Class D Felony; Resisting Law Enforcement, a Class A Misdemeanor; Battery, a Class A Misdemeanor; and Battery, a Class B Misdemeanor. He was found Not Guilty on a charge of Attempted Robbery, a Class C Felony.
Stiff buttons could be a problem in the spring.
The Starke County Election Board met last week and one of the topics of conversation was whether to have an inspection of the voting machines. Clerk, Evelyn Skronski, said among the problems noticed on some of the machines was that the buttons to cast votes were sticking. Also, it’s felt that some of the connections are bent. In the end, it was decided to being the MicroVote company in to give certain machines a thorough cleaning. If any of the machines do not pass, they will have to be replaced or repaired. The cost for going over the machines is $50.00 apiece.
Starke County Sheriff’s Department deputies arrested 33-year-old Donald Smith of Walkerton, Wednesday, on a preliminary charge of Intimidation, a Class C Felony, and more could follow.
The jury has gone into deliberations in the John Loftus, Jr. trial in Starke Circuit Court. The trial began Wednesday and the jury started deliberating at approximately 2:45 p.m. Thursday afternoon.
Toys are a fun part of every child’s life and an essential ingredient to the holiday season. However, some toys and gifts can pose a hazard for children. December is National Toys and Gifts Safety Month and State health officials would like to remind parents to take care when buying toys and gifts for children and adolescents.
During its meeting Tuesday night, the Knox City Council approved the final payment to close out the rehabilitation project at the Wastewater Treatment Facility. Even with the change orders presented, the total project came in $9,991 under budget. Mike Strang, from Bonar and Associates, said he and Wastewater Superintendent, Kelly Clemons, were happy with the work done by the contracting company, R. E. Crosby.
Over 30 states have some type of ban on texting while driving, but not Indiana. That may change soon because legislators are being made aware of the dangers of driving and texting.
Have you noticed the Salvation Bell ringers at Five Star and at Bailey’s Discount on the weekends? Elaine Silvius, Service Representative for the Starke County Salvation Army Chapter, says the campaign seems to be going very well this season. Elaine said Starke County donates well to the bell ringers.
“The people of Starke County are real givers when it comes to the buckets,” said Elaine Silvius. “They always put something in.”
When Ted Hayes was told that Pat Dunn was talking with a member of the U.S. Marine Corps in his office this week, Ted naturally thought of the Jarheads his nephew brought home with him when he was in the Corp. Pat asked if Ted might be interested in interviewing his guest, and he said yes, because he’s so impressed with this generation of those who are in uniform now in all branches of the service.
Friday, December 17th, marks the last day for students at some schools before they embark on winter break. Friday is the last day for students at the Knox Community School Corporation. Teachers will return to classrooms on Monday, January 3rd and students on Tuesday, January 4th. The Knox Community School Board canceled their meeting for Monday, December 20th and will not meet until Monday, January 3rd.
The Knox City Police are investigating damage done to the Knox Community Center after a Saturday event at the facility. During Tuesday night’s Knox City Council meeting, Clerk-Treasurer, Jeff Houston, told the Council that 112 chairs were damaged, the dance floor was ruined and 25 of the 32 tables were damaged. The carpets were stained and the walls had marks on them.
A big thank you goes out to many people from the Knox Kiwanis Club. President, Todd Wallsmith, was in Wednesday to thank Knox Community Schools, Knox High School teachers, Dean’s Food of Rochester, the Knox Center Township Fire Department Auxiliary, Community Services of Starke County, the SCILL Center, and members of the Kiwanis, among others.
The Eastern Pulaski School Board had a lengthy discussion with the building principals and administration about the new growth model for the State of Indiana. This new model will not only be for student assessment, it will also be for teacher, administrator and school assessments.
State Representative, Nancy Dembowski (D-Knox), said the State Budget Committee approved a $5.8 million project for the major reconstruction of the Koontz Lake Dam.
The committee gave its approval during a Tuesday meeting at the Statehouse. The project will correct water seepage problems as well as upgrade the spillway to meet current standards.
Dembowski said that state crews worked to stabilize the dam’s northwest embankment in 2008. They cleared trees and brush, then placed about 100 cubic yards of stone over a geo-textile fabric on the embankment.
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The Knox City Council learned that the budget order came back from the State and the Council will need to cut $71,932 from the 2011 budget. During the Council meeting Tuesday night, Clerk-Treasurer, Jeff Houston, recommended that the Council cut the purchase of a new backhoe that was put in the budget for 2011. That budgeted item was approximately $72,000 and the Council unanimously approved Houston’s recommendation. Houston added that the budget is at the “bare bones” and spending will be tight in 2011. Election costs had to be added to the 2011 budget as well.
LaPorte County Sheriff, Michael Mollenhauer, announced Wednesday that the scabies infestation at the LaPorte County Jail has been totally eradicated.
Members of the Knox VFW and the American Legion laid wreaths at the War Memorial at the Starke County Courthouse. Organizer, Terry Turner, says this is a part of the national Wreaths Across America program.
