The Starke County Commissioners are looking to hire a couple of department heads. They voted last night to terminate Emergency Management Agency Director Jacob Lippner, after being advised by the EMA Advisory Board that they have the authority to do so. Continue reading
Garbage Remains at Medaryville Property, Two Years After Owner’s Death
A Medaryville man reportedly left behind large amounts of garbage at his home when he passed away over two years ago, with no heirs willing to claim it. Now, town officials are asking for advice from the Pulaski County Commissioners on what to do next. Continue reading
N.J-S.P. School Board Planning for 2017-18
The North Judson-San Pierre School Corporation is planning for the next school year as the current one draws to a close. Continue reading
Culver School Board Hires New Dean of Students
The Culver Community School Board Monday night approved the hire of Mike Zehner as the new corporation Dean of Students.
Interim Superintendent Chuck Kitchell said that Zehner has been with the corporation for a year and feels that his move to administration is the best fit for the school as a whole. He will be taking the place of Julie Berndt who is moving to the North Judson-San Pierre School Corporation as the new elementary school principal.
County Opioid Profiles Released by State Health Officials
Health problems related to opioid use are being tracked by the Indiana State Department of Health. County-level statistics on things like opioid overdoses resulting in a trip to the emergency room or death, as well as diseases like Hepatitis C that may indicate the sharing of needles, are all included in the new county opioid profiles. Continue reading
Structural Engineer to Evaluate North Judson Building Before Demolition
Demolition of a partially collapsed North Judson building is on hold until a structural engineer can be brought in to determine whether it’s safe for the owner to remove personal items from inside.
Part of the roof and upper floor of the structure at 205 and 207 Lane Street fell in last Thursday afternoon. The town sought an emergency demolition order to tear the structure down without having to go back through the bid process. Continue reading
Hadden Accused of Violating Pretrial Release Terms
The woman charged in connection with the March 3rd murder of a Knox man is back in jail.
Augusta Hadden, 39, is charged with the Level 5 felony offense of assisting a criminal. Court documents indicate she threw a cell phone out of a truck driven by murder suspect Edward Blackburn after he fatally shot Cord Colgrove at a rural North Judson residence. Continue reading
Starke County Truck Route Ordinance Set for Adoption Tonight
The Starke County Commissioners will consider a proposed heavy truck route ordinance on third and final reading when they meet tonight.
It looks to maximize three-to-one matching money from the state to pave nearly 120 miles of county roads with hot mix asphalt over the next decade.
Highway Superintendent Rik Ritzler says the eventual goal is to have all locations in the county within a mile of a hot-mix asphalt road. Right now Starke County has 10 miles of locally maintained hot mix asphalt roads. Continue reading
Five Year Infrastructure Plan Includes Knox Industrial Park Improvements
Updates to the roads through the Knox Industrial Park are included in the Starke County Highway Department’s five-year infrastructure plan. Continue reading
Pulaski Commissioners to Revisit Court Software Switch
The Pulaski County Commissioners are expected to continue their discussion of court software this morning. Pulaski County could save $25,000 a year by switching to the Odyssey case management system used by most of the rest of the state. Continue reading
Starke County Park Board May Wait Until Next Year to Apply for DNR Grant
The Starke County Park Board may have to wait another year before applying for grant funding from the Indiana Department of Natural Resources. Continue reading
SADD Students Stage Successful Mock Crash
Officials with the Eastern Pulaski School Corporation hope a recently staged mock crash will prevent a real-life tragedy from occurring.
The Students Against Destructive Decisions group enlisted the help of the Winamac Fire and Police Departments, Pulaski County Sheriff’s Department, EMS, REACT and Coroner, Indiana State Police and Samaritan Helicopter. Their goal was to underscore the dangers of driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol and driving while distracted. Continue reading
Culver Community School Board to Meet Tonight
The Culver Community School Board will have an update on the Stellar Communities designation program given by Culver Town Council President Ginny Bess Munroe when the school board meets tonight.
The board also plans to receive information from the BPA students on their recent appearance at the National Leadership Conference in Florida.
INDOT Announces State Road 49 Closure
A section of State Road 49 in Porter County will be closed to through traffic for the next two weeks. Starting today, the road will be closed between U.S. 20 and U.S. 12 so crews can dig up and replace a section of roadway. Continue reading
Culver Beach Lodge Open House Set for Today
The staff at the Culver Parks Department is hosting an open house at the Culver Beach Lodge as a prelude to the summer season at Lake Maxinkuckee.
Park Superintendent Anna Campbell said members of the public are welcome to visit the beach lodge and see the many improvements made to the building as well as the grounds over the winter months. Town Manager Jonathan Leist will present information along with members of the Culver Town Council who will be available for questions.
May Recognized As Older Americans Month
Americans are encouraged to “Age Out Loud” this month. May is Older Americans Month, a designation that seeks to recognize and support senior citizens. According to Community Services of Pulaski County, older adults are redefining aging and living with boldness, confidence, and passion. Continue reading
Traffic Stop Leads to Pursuit and Arrest
A Chicago man is in custody after leading two La Porte County Sheriff’s Department deputies on a foot pursuit on Saturday.
Deputy Jon Samuelson conducted a traffic stop for a speeding violation in the area of U.S. 20 east of State Road 39. Deputy Samuelson reportedly observed a large amount of credit cards partially concealed near the center console of the vehicle and he also smelled a strong odor of marijuana.
North Judson Block Closed Pending Monday Unsafe Building Hearing
A block of the North Judson business district is closed until at least Monday morning after part of a building previously declared unsafe by the town council fell in. Town attorney Justin Schramm says an emergency hearing on the fate of the structure at 205 and 207 Lane Street will take place Monday morning at 8 a.m. EDT in Winamac. Special Judge Michael Shurn of Pulaski County will hear the case. Starke Circuit Judge Kim Hall recused himself due to a conflict of interest. Continue reading
Knox Council Looks to Address Illegal Dumping
The Knox City Council hopes to soon consider an ordinance to levy heavy fines for illegal dumping. Continue reading
Starke County Park Board Hopes to Discuss Erie Trail Lease with Hoosier Valley Railroad Museum
The Starke County Park Board may consider taking over the operation of the North Judson Erie Trail. The facility is owned by the Hoosier Valley Railroad Museum. Starke County’s five-year park plan suggests that the county lease it. Continue reading
