The Starke County Council members will meet in special session tonight to hold a public hearing on the 2018 budgets and the Starke County Solid Waste budget for 2018. The meeting will begin at 5:30 p.m. CT.
Starke County Community Health Fair Registration Still Open
There’s still time to register for the Starke County Community Health Fair. It will take place Tuesday, October 17 from 3:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Knox Middle School.
Knox City Council Unofficially Discusses Potential New Lighting Downtown
Mayor Dennis Estok has been discussing the possibility of replacing the lights in the downtown area during the last few Knox City Council meetings. They have been experimenting with a new kind of bulb. When they first met in September, he suggested that the council members take a little time after the meeting was adjourned to see the change and provide their input.
At their meeting last Tuesday, Mayor Estok said the experiment bulb was moved from its initial placement due to an obstruction from a near by tree. However, even with the tree covering the original spot, many council members said they could see a definite difference in brightness. Continue reading
Budget Hearing Scheduled for NJ Town Council Meeting Tonight
The North Judson Town Council is scheduled to hold a public hearing for their proposed 2018 Budget when members meet tonight at 6:30 p.m. According to Indiana Gateway, the budget estimate submitted for the general fund is $728,584, while the total estimated budget amounts to $983,546.
The meeting agenda states that council members will discuss the railroad bank account that was established during a meeting in September. At that meeting, they passed an ordinance designating an account where all funds railroad related would go. That includes money set aside for renovations as well as revenue received from the railroad company. Continue reading
LaPorte Physician Network to Cut Ribbon on New North Judson Office Tomorrow
North Judson residents can check out the town’s new doctor’s office tomorrow. The LaPorte Physician Network’s new location at 701 Talmer Avenue is now open.
New Culver Teen Center Opens Today
The new teen center in Culver opens today.
The new center is located in the Culver Jr./Sr. High School in Room 913. The Culver Teen Center is open to students in 6th through 12th grades and offers a variety of programs. The Center will offer food, drinks, door prizes, video game competitions, ping pong, air hockey tournaments, and more.
Crane Cruise Bicycle Ride to Take Place October 14
See the sandhill cranes while enjoying a bike ride through rural Pulaski and Jasper counties next week. The Medaryville-White Post Township Fire Department will hold the 19th annual Crane Cruise Bicycle Ride on Saturday, October 14.
Indiana State Police Conduct Enforcement Blitz in Pulaski County
The Indiana State Police District #13 All Crimes Policing Team joined forces with the Medaryville PD, Francesville PD and the Pulaski County Sheriff’s Department for the second time to conduct a multi-agency law enforcement blitz in Pulaski County on Friday. The 8-hour enforcement resulted in 1-felony arrest, 2-drug related arrests, 8-criminal arrests, 13-traffic citations and 84-warnings given.
According to an ISP press release, the Indiana State Police District #13 ACP Team is a group of State Troopers who work in several counties including Pulaski, Starke and La Porte to deter violent crime and address drug related activity. The additional manpower and resource support provided helps local agencies address specific crime trends within local communities to make the area as safe as possible. Continue reading
Starke County Sheriff’s Office Receives Award from Porter-Starke Services
Porter-Starke Services, the local not-for-profit community mental health center, has a mission to enhance the quality of life in our community through prevention, treatment, education and research. The organization presents the Service to Community Mental Health Award to individuals in the area who are contributing to that mission.
The Starke County Sheriff’s Office recently won the award for their work with inmates. Sheriff Bill Dulin described receiving the recognition as a huge testament to the hard work the jail and Starke County Staff does on a daily basis that sometimes goes unnoticed. Continue reading
Nominate Someone Now for the Henry F. Schricker Award
Nominations are now being accepted for the Henry F. Schricker Award.
The members of the Starke County Chamber of Commerce will review all nominations of those Starke County residents who exemplify the former governor’s motto of “service before self”. This is the 30th Schricker Award to be given to a worthy Starke County resident.
The chamber is also accepting nominations of the Business of the Year.
Knox Mayor Announces Committee Meeting, Requests Volunteers
A committee meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. on Wednesday, October 4 at the Nancy J. Dembowski Community Center. During a Knox City Council meeting Tuesday evening, Mayor Dennis Estok reminded council members that the focus would be on some past and future projects.
Estok said the committee will discuss the financial results of this year’s fireworks display as well as address the upcoming Peppermint Parade. Estok said the parade applications have already been submitted for the event. Continue reading
Brown Circle Water Line Project Nearly Complete, Water Tower Cleaning Needed
Only six houses are left that need to hook up to the new water lines in the Brown Circle project in Knox.
Water Superintendent Todd Gardner told the Knox Board of Public Works on Wednesday that everything should be done by the end of October. He said that firm costs will be presented at the next meeting on Oct. 25.
Hoosier Valley Railroad Museum’s Pumpkin, Halloween Trains to Return in October
Special fall train excursions will be offered during the month of October at North Judson’s Hoosier Valley Railroad Museum. Pumpkin Trains will run the first three Saturdays in October. Passengers will enjoy a trip through the countryside to English Lake and back, before stopping at the museum’s pumpkin patch.
Culver Town Council Held Public Hearing and First Reading over 2018 Budget
A public hearing was held over the proposed 2018 Budget at a Culver Town Council meeting on Wednesday. Council President Ginny Bess Munroe acknowledged that the council held a number of work sessions and departmental meetings over the budget. She handed things over to Clerk-Treasurer Karen Heim who provided a basic synopsis of the budget to the public.
Heim said the proposed general fund is at $1,840,530 and the expected income is set at $1,815,437. She continued that with the proposed tax caps coming in at $29,135 that leaves a deficit of $54,228. She advised that she low-balled the income and the difference will not be as substantial. Continue reading
Oregon-Davis Elementary Students Raising Money for Hurricane Victims
Oregon-Davis Elementary School students are doing their part to help the victims of recent hurricanes. P.E. Teacher Aubrey Lady has organized a competition to raise funds for the American Red Cross. Continue reading
Francesville Woman Arrested on Drug, Neglect of a Dependent Charges
A report of a possible domestic incident Wednesday night led to a Francesville woman being arrested on drug charges. Deputies from the Pulaski County Sheriff’s Office were called to a home in the 100 block of North Plummer Street around 10:00 p.m., after a caller said they heard screaming and yelling coming from a house.
Knox Police Department Taser Fundraiser Less Than $400 Away from Goal
The Knox Police Department has been seeking funds for taser replacement. At the Knox City Council meeting on Tuesday, Mayor Dennis Estok announced that the goal of $6,000 has nearly been reached.
Police Chief Harold Smith has said in the past that the tasers that are currently available to the department are more than 14 years old and in a state beyond repair. Due to budget restrictions, the Knox PD asked for community assistance to replace the tasers. They had a crowd-funding account where people could donate online and they also received check and cash donations. Continue reading
Site Dedicated for New Assisted Living Facility
A 6.2 acre parcel of land in Winamac will soon house a new assisted living facility like this senior living in Pleasant Hill, CA where healthcare workers will be able to assist the elderly of the community by providing respite care Monroe NJ as well as any of their needs in their own custom medical scrubs uniform to represent their local town. You can visit sites like https://residencesatplainview.com/apartments/independent-living/ to know more about senior living.
According to Pulaski Health Foundation Executive Director Sharon McKinley, long-time Winamac residents Kenny and Phyllis Garner wanted to give something back to the community. Continue reading
Knox Board of Public Works Members Get Updates on Blighted Structures
The Knox Board of Public Works received updates on two blighted structures in the city limits.
Jack Fogarty owns the property at 301 S. Shield St. and has tried to refinance with no success and he explained that his financial situation doesn’t support the updates. He understands that the property needs a new roof, exterior work and interior work. He just asked the board for one thing.
High School Seniors Encouraged to Continue their Education during College Application Day
Indiana high school students are getting some extra encouragement today to apply for college. As part of National College Application Day, 13 Indiana colleges are waiving their application fees, according to Learn More Indiana. On top of that, more than 50 events are taking place around the state.
