Knox Mayor Announces Committee Meeting, Requests Volunteers

Posted on Author Jacque Ryan

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 →

Hoosier Valley Railroad Museum’s Pumpkin, Halloween Trains to Return in October

Posted on Author Michael Gallenberger
Hoosier Valley Railroad Museum Photo

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.

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Culver Town Council Held Public Hearing and First Reading over 2018 Budget

Posted on Author Jacque Ryan

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 →

Knox Police Department Taser Fundraiser Less Than $400 Away from Goal

Posted on Author Jacque Ryan

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

Posted on Author Anita Goodan

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

Posted on Author Anita Goodan
 

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.

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Stellar Update Provided to Culver Town Council

Posted on Author Jacque Ryan

Town administrators and community members in Culver have been preparing for the upcoming Stellar Communities Designation Program site visit. On Wednesday evening, the Culver Town Council received an update about what has happened so far and what is yet to come.

Culver is one of three finalists in District 2 of the program, competing to be designated as a Stellar Community. In an effort to ensure they are aptly prepared, the Stellar Committee has been meeting on Tuesdays during the month of September. The night before the town council meeting, the committee met and did a practice run for the site visit. Continue reading →

Knox Street Department to Complete Four Projects with Community Crossings Grant Funds

Posted on Author Anita Goodan

The City of Knox was recently awarded $455,559.61 in Community Crossings grant funds. Street Superintendent Jeff Borg told the Knox Board of Public Works members on Wednesday morning that the city’s match is $151,853.17 which will complete four priority projects.

INDOT funds 75 percent of the projects to help with the purchase of materials for the projects. It is the goal of INDOT to help build and improve Indiana’s infrastructure.

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Starke County Manufacturer’s Day Event and Job Fair Set

Posted on Author Anita Goodan
 

WorkOne and the Starke County Economic Development Foundation will be hosting a Job Fair on Wednesday, Oct. 11 from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. CT at the Knox Middle School Auxiliary Gym. This is a new event this year that is designed to showcase what is available for employment in Starke County as workers are needed for several positions. Students and adults are invited to this event.

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Fire Protection Agreements Approved by Knox City Council

Posted on Author Jacque Ryan

The 2018 fire protection agreements between the City of Knox and Center and Jackson Townships were up for approval at the Knox City Council meeting Tuesday evening.

Clerk-Treasurer Jeff Houston stated that the proposed agreements are essentially the same as past years except they did one year rather than two year agreements this year. He said that decision was made because an election will be coming up and incoming groups can not be legally bound to an agreement. Continue reading →

Economic Growth Anticipated As a Result of Culver Town Council’s Resolution Approval

Posted on Author Jacque Ryan

An area in Culver known commonly as “Sand Hill Farms” located at 540 W Jefferson Street received economic revitalization area and economic target area status as a result of a resolution passed by the Culver City Council Wednesday night.

Town Manager Jonathan Leist explained that the recently created Culver Economic Development Commission is permitted to grant tax abatement for residential property under state law. Earlier this week, the Culver EDC met for the first time and passed a resolution recommending that the city council classify this entire parcel on Jefferson Street as both an economic revitalization area and an economic target area to allow for future residential tax abatement.

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NIPSCO to Seek Increase in Natural Gas Bills

Posted on Author Anita Goodan

More than 25 years have gone by since NIPSCO has increased natural gas base rates, but that may change.

NIPSCO along with the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission are looking to increase natural gas base rates as the cost to comply with state and federal safety standards has increased. According to a NIPSCO press release, the company has made additional investments in its aging gas system to improve service to 820,000 customers while maintaining more than 17,800 miles of pipelines.

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