Marshall County Police arrested four people on drug-related charges Monday. William Freck, 29, was arrested on an outstanding warrant for dealing in methamphetamine.
Residents Notify Officials of Fraudulent NIPSCO Calls
NIPSCO officials are warning customers that calls are being made by unknown callers claiming to be affiliated with NIPSCO.
According to officials, the callers are contacting customers demanding payment through a prepaid card. The calls are fraudulent.
Confusion Remains Over Pulaski County Salary Matrix
Pulaski County officials continue to be unsure about what they’re supposed to pay certain county employees.
Starke County Commissioners Review Proposal for Elevator Project
The Starke County Commissioners reviewed paperwork Monday night pertaining to the construction of a new elevator at the Starke County Courthouse.
KIRPC Representative Shawn Cain presented forms that the commissioners reviewed that indicate that KIRPC is the grant administrator for the $500,000 grant received for the project. The project cost is approximately $550,560 with $35,000 in fees for KIRPC. The project is expected to be bid out in May. KIRPC is expected to oversee all financial aspects of the project and make sure all laws are followed concerning wages and reporting.
Knox City Council Holds Final Reading over Ordinance Eliminating Obstructions
The Knox City Council members held the final reading over the amended ordinance to eliminate obstructions on sidewalks, city streets and railroad right-of-ways when they met Tuesday night.
The ordinance up for approval last night states that individuals can face fines for obstructing sidewalks, streets or railroad right-of-ways with any structures or vehicles. It also includes a section that requires unobstructed passage of vehicles and clear view of any stopped vehicles.
According to that section, a person who stops, parks or leaves a vehicle has to leave a sufficient unobstructed width of the roadway opposite the vehicle free for the passage of oncoming traffic and a clear view of the stopped vehicle from a distance of 200 feet in each direction upon the highway. Continue reading
Eastern Pulaski School Board Continues Paving Project Discussions
The Eastern Pulaski School Board continues planning for a large-scale paving project on the schools’ campus. Joe Briggs with Gibraltar Design reviewed the project scope and preliminary cost estimates with board members Monday.
Culver Town Council Passes Traffic Ordinance
The Culver Town Council members heard public comments concerning the proposed traffic ordinance.
Council Vice President Sally Ricciardi read a citizen’s letter into the record that discussed safety concerns for emergency vehicles and residents maneuvering around the streets that are narrow. One street mentioned was Ohio Street and portions of that street will have no parking as part of the ordinance. The resident also mentioned the noise level of semi truck idling in residential neighborhoods and parking of the tractor trailers on residential streets.
Winamac Town Council Approves Backflow Testing Fees
Winamac Water Department Superintendent Jeremy Beckner presented town council members with different fees to consider for the town’s backflow testing services during Monday night’s meeting.
When the town adjusted their water rates, they also offered to perform backflow testing for a flat $35 rate. However, Proscapes Owner Jason Potthoff came before the council and expressed a concern that the low rate for all systems, regardless of size, may prevent other licensed businesses from fairly competing with the town for backflow testing services.
Before approving the amended water rates, the town removed the section about backflow testing fees so Superintendent Beckner could do some research and provide some other potential prices. Continue reading
Open Seats in Starke County for 2018 Elections
According to Starke County Election Deputy Clerk Crystal McCarty-Taylor, people can file for a declaration of candidacy starting today anytime between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. and they have until February 9th at noon to file.
Interested individuals must come into the Starke County Clerk’s Office to file. She added that no exceptions will be made if the February deadline is missed.
Officials up for election in Starke County include the County Sheriff, Assessor, Coroner, Recorder and Auditor as well as the Prosecuting Attorney and Circuit Court Clerk. Elections will also be held for the County Commissioners in District 2 which includes California, Center and Davis Townships. Continue reading
Pop-Up Market Planned for Winamac Town Park This Spring
A “vintage market” will be coming to the Winamac Town Park this spring, but whether that would pave the way for other types of vendors was a topic of discussion during last week’s park board meeting.
Red Cross Blood Mobile will be at Culver Middle/High School Thursday + Additional January Opportunities
The Red Cross Blood Mobile will be stationed at Culver Middle/High School from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. ET on Thursday, January 11th.
If you’re unable to attend Thursday’s blood drive, or if you wish to make multiple donations in January, there are a few other local opportunities available this month.
The Red Cross has a blood drive scheduled at the Community Wellness Center of Winamac, formerly the Pulaski County YMCA, from 12:30 p.m. until 6 p.m. ET on Friday, January 12th. Continue reading
Two Arrested on Warrants for Dealing Drugs
Plymouth Police officers arrested two people in separate incidents who were wanted for dealing drugs.
On Monday, Jan. 8, officers stopped 29-year-old Wayne Austin Hardesty, of Grovertown, who was reportedly speeding and found that he had an active warrant for two counts of dealing in a schedule III drug. He was booked in the Marshall County Jail on those charges with a cash bond of $10,005.
Dollar General Project to Move Forward
The Starke County Commissioners gathered public comment Monday night on the proposed construction of a Dollar General store at the corner of 200 South and U.S. 35 south of Knox.
Commission President Donnie Binkley noted that he wanted to gather public opinion on the project as the intersection poses a safety concern. Highway Superintendent Rik Ritzler said INDOT expedited a traffic study at that intersection and found that it does not warrant the installation of a stop light. About 8,000 northbound and southbound vehicles pass that intersection on U.S. 35 each day. Less than 30 cars turn east on 200 South which is the location of the driveway.
Pulaski County Income Tax Revenue Concerns Continue
Declining income tax revenues continue to cause concerns for Pulaski County officials.
Winamac Town Council Holds Public Hearing Over Application for $700,000 OCRA Grant
Winamac Town Council members held a public hearing over their OCRA grant application Monday night.
OCRA Certified Grant Administrator Mike Kleinpeter began the hearing by stating that the town is applying for $700,000 with a $550,000 match for proposed wastewater treatment facility upgrades. Kleinpeter said town’s project is competing with 17 other proposals. The application must be submitted by February in order to be eligible for funding.
Midwestern Engineers CEO Mark Sullivan explained that the proposed upgrades are not optional.When the town renewed their NPDES (National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System) Permit last year, they were given 3 years to adapt plant procedures to the new Environmental Protection Agency compliance regulating ammonia levels. Continue reading
Eastern Pulaski School Board Reorganizes for 2018, Reappoints Attorney, Treasurer
Winamac Park Board Discusses Snow Removal Around Town Park
The Town of Winamac is looking to step up its snow and ice removal efforts in and around the Town Park. Park Board President Courtney Poor raised the issue during last week’s meeting, after hearing concerns about snow on the walkways leading to the park’s south entrance. Continue reading
Public Hearing on Culver Traffic Ordinance Tonight
The Culver Town Council will hold a public hearing tonight to consider comments on the town’s proposed traffic ordinance.
The traffic ordinance designates a congested motor vehicle traffic and pedestrian area on Lakeshore Drive and signage will be placed between 508 Lakeshore east to 824 Lakeshore Drive. The ordinance also creates a no parking zone for 50 feet from the intersection on both sides of the street on Batabano and South Plymouth Street.
Knox City Council Meets Tonight
The Knox City Council will meet tonight where the election of the 2018 Council President Pro Temp will be addressed.
Council members will consider appointments for the BZA, the Starke County Solid Waste Board, the Starke County Economic Development Foundation as well as the Plan Commission and Redevelopment Commission. Mayor Dennis Estok will also present his mayoral appointments.
An amendment to the Salary Ordinance will be considered on first reading and the second reading over the Ordinance to Eliminate Obstructions will be held. Continue reading
Open Seats in Pulaski County for 2018 Elections
Wednesday marks the first day a declaration of candidacy may be filed and several Pulaski County positions will be up for election this year.
Seats are open for Circuit Court and Superior Court Judges who each serve 6-year terms. Elections will also be held for the 4-year terms of Prosecuting Attorney, Clerk of Courts, the Sheriff, Assessor, Surveyor, Coroner and Commissioner for District #3. All registered voters can vote for these positions and may also cast a vote for the delegate to State Conventions. Continue reading
