Culver Town Council Discusses Request from Southwest Conservancy District

Posted on Author Anita Goodan

The Culver Town Council discussed a request from Southwest Conservancy District Representative Kathy Clark to expand the district in order to hook up two properties to that sewer system.

The agreement that the district has allows 175 hookups to the system and 168 are already connected. One family has petitioned to connect to the line as their septic system has failed. The property is contiguous to the district’s system that runs along West Shore Drive. The family plans to combine two lots with one house and request an easement on one parcel to allow a lateral line through the vacant lot on West Shore Circle. Continue reading →

Knox Marching Band One of Four Local Schools Heading to ISSMA Semi-State Competition

Posted on Author Jacque Ryan

Four local high school marching bands will be heading down to Indianapolis tomorrow for the Indiana State School Music Association Open Class Semi-State Marching Band Festival. Students from Bremen, John Glenn, Knox and Plymouth will join 80 other bands from around the state competing to be chosen as one of the 10 bands who will represent their class at the 45th Annual Indiana State Marching Band Finals.

As the sole band representing Starke County, the Knox Band Boosters are asking community members and business owners to put up signs or decorate their windows today to show support for these students. Booster Sandra Redden said the marching band members sacrificed every Saturday since the start of the school year, not to mention band camp during the summer.

She said, in all they have dedicated more than 200 hours of practice to their show entitled Pi 3.14. Friends and family as well as faculty and former band members are encouraged to come out and line Redskin Trail to see the band members off and wish them luck at their performance tomorrow. Continue reading →

Missing Walkerton Man Found

Posted on Author Jacque Ryan

A Walkerton man who was reported missing earlier this week was found safe in his home today according to the Walkerton Police Department dispatch center.

The Walkerton PD issued a press release on Tuesday, seeking public help finding a missing person. The individual, 25-year-old Robert Allan McEndarfer reportedly hadn’t been seen or heard from since he left work in Napanee on October 19th. The release also stated his phone was found smashed on the side of the road.

As of Thursday, October 26th the search has been called off and McEndarfer is reported to be alive and well.

Starke County Economic Development Foundation Hosts U.S. 30 Upgrade Committee Meeting

Posted on Author Jacque Ryan

The Starke County Economic Development Foundation hosted a meeting last night with various members of the Starke County community who would be impacted by the proposed U.S. 30 Freeway Project.

SCEDF Executive Director Charles Weaver began the meeting and introduced representatives from Appian , a consulting firm that is working with the foundation. President of the organization, Dennis Faulkenberg started by saying that though the project is still very far down the line, they wanted to hear some of the ideas that were circulating within the community.

Faulkenberg advised everyone present that it is imperative to collect data and come up with a concrete plan prior to approaching INDOT. He said that’s the best way to avoid being pressured into doing the most cost effective option at the expense of what is best for the community. Continue reading →

Concerns Surround Unsafe Building in Downtown Knox

Posted on Author Anita Goodan
 

The Knox Board of Public Works took action this week to enforce unsafe building violations on a downtown building.

The owner of 1 N. Main Street and 3 N. Main Street was previously told to replace glass from a broken window at the storefront at that location and it is currently boarded shut. Knox Mayor Dennis Estok said that the owner has had plenty of time to make the proper changes. He was given 45 days to make repairs on several violations within the buildings and Estok said nothing has been done with only a handful of days left on the time frame allowed for repairs. Owners of buildings or properties that were condemned by a government agency may seek legal assistance from a Private Property Condemnation Lawyer to learn their best course of action. Continue reading →

Culver and Lake Maxinkuckee Visitor Center Relocation Discussed

Posted on Author Anita Goodan

The Culver and Lake Maxinkuckee Visitor Center may soon have a new place to call home.

Becca Pazin asked the Culver Town Council if she could move the visitor center office from the bank to the top floor of the Culver Beach Lodge. She noted that she only has a few items to move. The display of activities on a computer screen will be moved to the Culver Beach Lodge as well. A large, more permanent display will stay at the bank.

Continue reading →

Starke County Council to Adopt Budgets

Posted on Author Anita Goodan

The Starke County Council is slated to approve budgets when they meet in special session this evening.

The council will adopt the 2018 county budgets and the Starke County Solid Waste 2018 budget.

The council will meet at 5:30 p.m. CT to take action on those budgets in the meeting room in the Starke County Annex Building No. 1 in Knox.

Knox Community Elementary School Officially Opens New Outdoor Learning Lab

Posted on Author Jacque Ryan

Yesterday afternoon, Knox Elementary School celebrated the completion of a grant-funded project with a ribbon cutting ceremony. Outdoor Odyssey is a one-of-a-kind classroom that was constructed thanks to community collaboration and the dedicated efforts of motivated faculty members.

Second Grade teacher Jamie Shireman worked with Knox High School science teacher Marge Woods to obtain grants to fund the project. They were able to receive $11,000 worth of funding through the Starke County Soil and Water Conservation District and the Arrow Head Country RC & D Grant. Continue reading →

New Partnership Aims to Bring High-Speed Internet to All Hoosier Students

Posted on Author Jacque Ryan

Governor Eric Holcomb and Indiana State Superintendent of Public Instruction Dr. Jennifer McCormick have announced a partnership that aims to give all Hoosier students access to the tools and resources needed for digital learning with high-speed internet in every classroom.

The state is teaming up with Education Super Highway (ESH), the nation’s leading non-profit focused on upgrading internet access in every public school classroom in America, at no cost to tax payers. ESH will work with the Indiana Department of Education and local school districts to determine need, whether that’s fiber infrastructure, greater and more affordable bandwidth or Wi-Fi upgrades. Continue reading →

North Judson Man Arrested on Arson Charge

Posted on Author Jacque Ryan

A North Judson man is currently being held at the Starke County Jail on a preliminary charge of arson, a Level 4 felony, after he allegedly confessed to starting a fire at the old Craven’s factory back in September.

According to information disclosed by Starke County Sheriff Bill Dulin, on Monday, October 23rd detectives with the Starke County Sheriff’s Office were in the process of conducting interviews with possible suspect(s) about numerous burglaries within the county.

During questioning, 19-year-old Jacob Carter allegeldy confessed to starting a fire at a building in North Judson. Carter reportedly admitted to lighting a fire which led to a large pile of tires burning, according to the release. Continue reading →

Starke County U.S. 30 Planning Committee to Hold First Meeting Tonight

Posted on Author Michael Gallenberger

Potential upgrades to U.S. 30 will be discussed this evening by a group of local stakeholders. The Indiana Department of Transportation may consider upgrading the highway to freeway standards in the coming decade. Starke County has assembled a group of people who’d be impacted by the change, to come up with some recommendations for INDOT to consider.

Continue reading →

LaPorte Construction Chosen to Replace Two Starke County Bridges

Posted on Author Michael Gallenberger

The Starke County Commissioners have chosen a contractor to replace two of the county’s bridges, but not before some concerns were raised about the county’s responsible bidding ordinance. LaPorte Construction was selected Monday to replace a bridge on County Road 25 North over Eagle Creek for just over $325,000. The company will also replace the bridge on 800 South over Bogus Run for just under $297,000.

Continue reading →

Culver Stellarbration Set for Nov. 8

Posted on Author Anita Goodan

The state recognition of the Stellar Communities Designation Program designees is set for today from 10 a.m. to noon ET in Indianapolis. Officials from the Town of Culver and the City of Madison will attend today’s festivities as a Stellarbration of becoming stellar communities.

Culver’s local Stellarbration will be held Wednesday, Nov. 8 at the Culver Beach Lodge. Town Manager Jonathan Leist told the Culver Town Council Tuesday night that Lt. Governor Suzanne Crouch will attend the local event that begins at 3 p.m. with an open house from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. ET. The public is invited to attend.

Continue reading →

Starke County Chamber of Commerce Announces Award Recipients

Posted on Author Jacque Ryan

Members of the Starke County Chamber of Commerce met earlier this week to officially decide the winners of Business of the Year, the Above and Beyond Award and the Henry F. Schricker “Service Before Self” Award.

Starke County Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Jessica Craig reported that the winner of Business of the Year is the North Judson-based company First Choice Insurance owned by Carrie Block.

The winner of this year’s Henry F. Schricker Award is Jim Kersting. Craig said that Kersting was a recipient of the Business of the Year award back in 2015 but he has been nominated for the Schricker award three years in a row. Henry F. Schricker Award Committee members, as well as past winners, decided to grant Kersting with the award this year for his continued service to the community.

The winner of the Above and Beyond award is Starke County A.B.A.T.E. This award can go to an individual, a business or an organization. This year the award when to the Starke County American Bikers Aimed Toward Education for their countless fundraising efforts and immersive community involvement. Continue reading →