Updates Given on Unsafe Properties

Posted on Author Anita Goodan

The Knox Board of Works members got an update on the renovation efforts on two identified unsafe structures.

Knox Planning Administrator and Director of Building and Code Compliance Kenny Pfost said Lucia Valladares hasn’t gotten any work done for a couple of months. She told Pfost that she hopes to resume efforts in March. The construction permit expires May 22. The board approved a motion to request for her to appear at the next meeting on Wednesday, March 28. She also owns property on Bender Street that needs renovation work.

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Culver Town Council to Hold Public Hearing on PUD

Posted on Author Anita Goodan

A public hearing is scheduled for Tuesday, March 13 for the proposed Planned Unit Development (PUD) at 17664 State Road 17 and 19456 State Road 10 in Culver owned by Thomas Beste.

Culver Town Manager Jonathan Leist said the plan commission approved the primary plans for Culver Meadows by a vote of 5-2. Those plans will come before the Culver Town Council in a public hearing setting on Tuesday, March 13.

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Wythogan Skate Park Discussed at Park Plan Public Hearing & Knox Park Board Meeting

Posted on Author Jacque Ryan

The Wythogan Skate Park, which is currently closed and in need of repairs, was discussed during last Monday’s park plan public hearing as well as the regular Knox Park Board meeting.

During the public hearing for the 5-year Master Plan for Knox Parks, Architect Mike Reese with the Troyer Group mentioned the conditions of the skate park, saying that much of the equipment and materials are damaged and in need of upgrades. He said, judging from survey results, Knox residents were in favor of renovating the skate park rather than removing it. Continue reading →

NJ Town Council Members to Discuss Cemetery Mowing Ad and Amended Salary Ordinance Tonight

Posted on Author Jacque Ryan

North Judson Town Council members will discuss the cemetery mowing advertisement when they meeting tonight.

Members will also hold the second reading over an amended salary ordinance. At the final meeting in February, members held the first reading over a salary ordinance that would not include a 3 percent raise for the town council members.

At the beginning of the year, members signed off on a salary ordinance that essentially gave a 3 percent raise across the board. However, Town Attorney Justin Schramm explained that since the salary ordinance was approved in January of 2018, the members couldn’t approve a raise for themselves since it wouldn’t look good to the State Board of Accounts to approve a raise in the same year it is given. Continue reading →

City of Knox to Hold One of the First Events of 2018 Later this Month

Posted on Author Jacque Ryan

There are a plethora of events planned in Knox for 2018 and the city is scheduled to kick off their string of celebrations with a charitable music show later this month.

On Friday, March 23rd, local music lovers are invited to attend the Bluegrass Jam at the Nancy J. Dembowski Community Center from 6 p.m. until 10 p.m.

The admission for the show will be non-perishable food donations for the Starke County Food Pantry. The event description says that all musicians are welcome but country music, gospel and bluegrass will be featured. Continue reading →

Park Superintendent One of Nearly 20 Knox Residents Who Reported Spray Painting Last Weekend

Posted on Author Jacque Ryan

Park Superintendent George Byer told members about a recent string of spray-painting related vandalism that has been reported in various places around the city, including Wythogan Park.

Byer said he spotted a blue can of spray paint on a picnic table while doing a run through of the park on Saturday.

However, due to the high waters, he didn’t get a chance to investigate the scene until Sunday morning. Though the graffiti he found was reportedly small and easily fixed, he said while discussing the incident with police he learned the park wasn’t the only place that was hit. Continue reading →

Flooding Creates Headaches for Winamac Town Park

Posted on Author Michael Gallenberger
Entrance to the Winamac Town Park

The Town of Winamac is starting to clean up its park facilities, following recent flooding. Park Manager Dave DeLorenzo told the park board Thursday that the park office got nearly 14 inches of water, and he’s begun pulling out damaged insulation. Park Board President Courtney Poor expressed confidence that the town departments will work together to do what needs to be done.

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Culver Joins Disaster Declaration for Marshall County

Posted on Author Anita Goodan

The Culver Town Council members acknowledged Culver’s inclusion in Marshall County’s designation in a disaster declaration for flooding. Any residents experiencing flood damage are encouraged to call 2-1-1 or the Marshall County Emergency Management Agency at 574-936-3740. All damage is to be reported for a better chance of receiving federal assistance for repairs and recovery.

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North Judson-San Pierre Students Present the Wizard of Oz

Posted on Author Jacque Ryan

North Judson-San Pierre students from the elementary, middle and high schools have been practicing for months, preparing for this weekend’s production of the Wizard of Oz.

The musical premiered in the NJ-SP Auditorium at 6 p.m. on Friday. It will be shown again tonight at 6 p.m. and there will be a 2 p.m. matinee on Sunday.

The entry fee for the show is $8 for adults, $5 for students and children under 5 get in for free. There is a $20 family deal that is also offered. Continue reading →

Starke County Park Board Continues to Discuss Erie Trail Lease with Hoosier Valley Railroad Museum

Posted on Author Michael Gallenberger

The Prairie Trails Club says it’s ready to make improvements to the North Judson Erie Trail, but it might be easier to do if Starke County were formally involved. The trail is owned by the Hoosier Valley Railroad Museum, but Starke County’s five-year park plan suggests that the county lease it and operate it as a park facility.

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Starke Election Board to Discuss Voting Machine Upgrades with County Council, Commissioners

Posted on Author Michael Gallenberger

The Starke County Election Board is ready to take its proposal for voting machine upgrades to the county council and commissioners. Vendor MicroVote wants to bring the county’s 46 machines up to the latest federal standards, in time for the 2020 presidential election. Board members decided Wednesday to discuss the upgrades with the county council and commissioners during their March 19 meetings.

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Red Cross to Serve Meals in Starke, Pulaski Counties Saturday and Sunday

Posted on Author Michael Gallenberger

Red Cross volunteers will be serving meals in Starke and Pulaski counties Saturday and Sunday. Lunch will be available at the Monterey Fire Station from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. EST. Dinner will be served there from 5:00 to 6:00 p.m. Meals will also be served at the Winamac Fire Station from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. EST for lunch and 7:00 to 7:30 p.m. for dinner.

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