Starke and Pulaski counties’ June unemployment rates are lower than last year’s, but the number of people employed has actually dropped slightly.
Bass Lake Festival this Friday through Sunday
The 2017 Bass Lake Festival is this weekend. It gets underway this Friday with the Miss Bass Lake, Junior Miss Bass Lake, and 
the Little Miss/Mister Bass Lake pageants. Saturday’s activities include a 5K run/walk, sailboat races, and a fireworks display over Bass Lake.
Magic Show, Movie in the Park to be Featured Tonight at Wythogan Park Performance Stage
A full night of entertainment is coming to the Wythogan Park Performance Stage tonight.
Vouchers Available for Free Mammograms
Women in Starke or La Porte Counties who do not have the resources to pay for screening and diagnostic mammograms may apply for a voucher for these services.
700 Pairs of Shoes Still Needed for Philanthropic Educational Organization Shoe Drive
An organization working to boost educational opportunities for women is making one last push in its shoe collection campaign. The local chapter of the Philanthropic Educational Organization has teamed up with an organization called Funds2Orgs.com to collect new and gently worn shoes.
Grovertown Man Arrested after Reports of Drug Activity
A Grovertown man was arrested on Monday after deputies from the Starke County Sheriff’s Office investigated a report of drug activity.
Deputies arrived at the Grovertown Truck Stop and deployed K9 Zardoz around the suspect’s vehicle in the parking lot. The K9 reportedly indicated to the presence of narcotics inside the vehicle. A subsequent search by officers revealed 46 grams of marijuana, drug paraphernalia and firearms, according to police.
North Judson Residents Killed in Monday Morning Accident
Attorney’s Fees Adding Up in North Judson Railroad Dispute
Legal costs continue to add up for North Judson in the dispute over the town’s short line railroad. The town is paying several thousand dollars a month to Chicago-based railroad regulatory attorney Thomas McFarland to help deal with two ongoing lawsuits.
Trial Set for Augusta Hadden
The woman who is connected to the murder of a Knox man in March is headed to trial on Oct. 11.
Augusta Hadden, 39, is charged with assisting a criminal. Court documents indicate she disposed of a cell phone out of a truck driven by Edward Blackburn after he allegedly shot and killed Cord Colgrove in North Judson on March 3rd. She remains in custody, but she is currently being held in the Pulaski County Jail.
Pulaski County Commissioners Respond to Concerns About Health Insurance Costs
The Pulaski County Commissioners say their decision to keep the same county health insurance provider will not have a negative impact on taxpayers. Earlier this month, the commissioners decided to stay with insurance company Cigna and local agent Dave Bennett, after several county employees said they were happy with their current coverage.
Financial Arrangements for Knox Community Center Upgrades to be Considered Tonight
The City of Knox will finalize some of the financial arrangements for the Nancy J. Dembowski Community Center renovations. The Knox Community Center Building Corporation will meet tonight at 6:30 to consider a resolution amending the lease and approving the financing. Once that’s complete, the city council will consider its own resolution, during its regular meeting at 7:00.
Culver School Board Updates Sixth Grade Textbook Fees, Following Move to Middle/High School
When sixth graders at the Culver Community Schools corporation return to class next week, they’ll head to the middle/high school, rather than the elementary school. The change was approved by the school board earlier this month.
Culver Town Council to Meet Tonight
The Culver Town Council will meet tonight where discussions will continue surrounding the Stellar Communities Designation Program.
A public hearing is scheduled to gather comments on several additional appropriations. An ordinance to approve those additional appropriations will be discussed on first reading. Town Manager Jonathan Leist will have a report along with other department heads. Representatives from various boards and commissions will provide updates for the town council.
The Culver Town Council will meet tonight at 6:30 p.m. ET at the Culver Town Hall.
Attorney General Warns Hoosiers of Tech Support Scams
If you see a pop-up saying your computer has a virus, there’s a good chance it’s a scam. That’s according to Indiana Attorney General Curtis Hill.
Kid’s Closet Ministry Pack-a-Backpack Event a Success
The volunteers behind the Pack-a-Backpack event call Saturday’s school supply drive a success. School supplies were purchased from members of the community to help students in need through the Kid’s Closet Ministry at the North Judson United Methodist Church at 210 Central Ave.
Any Starke County student in kindergarten through 12th grade who qualifies for free or reduced lunch is welcome to attend the 5th annual Kid’s Closet Pack-a-Backpack on Monday, July 31 and Tuesday, Aug. 1. School supplies may be chosen at that time. The child must be present and the parent must have proper identification.
La Porte Man Named EMS of the Year
Members of the American Legion, Department of Indiana’s 3rd District has named the 2017 EMS of the Year.
Jeffrey Koon, of La Porte, is the recipient of this year’s award. According to 3rd District Commander Chuck Wotring, Koon was chosen for his outstanding service to his community in the medical field. Koon has worked as an EMT and paramedic for La Porte County EMS since 1993. He currently serves as captain there.
North Judson Town Council Approves Phone Upgrades, Discusses Website Plans
The Town of North Judson is looking to save some money by upgrading its phone system. Last week, the town council approved a proposal from IT company Datacrates to install an Internet-based phone system.
Pulaski County Building Inspector Reports Increase in Permits, in Spite of Fewer Large-Scale Projects
Building permits are up overall in Pulaski County, according to Building Inspector Doug Hoover. He told the county commissioners last week that agricultural construction permits, in particular, are up quite a bit from last year.
Knox Schools to Implement eLearning Days
The Knox Community School Corporation will implement the use of eLearning Days during the 2017-2018 school year.
According to Director of Curriculum and Instruction Peggy Shidaker, when inclement weather creates a school cancellation all students K-12 will log into the district Learning Management System, Canvas, to access learning targets and assignments for the day.
