Potential upgrades to the Bass Lake Beach will be discussed during tonight’s Starke County Park Board meeting. According to the advance agenda, board members will discuss a grant received for the beach project. The park board has been working on plans to restore the sand, and install glacial stone to prevent future erosion, as well as damage to the seawall.
Knox City Council to Consider ADA Coordinator and Procedures Ordinance Tonight
Knox City Council members are scheduled to discuss an ordinance pertaining to an ADA coordinator and procedures when they meet tonight.
Reports will be delivered from Mayor Dennis Estok and Clerk-Treasurer Jeff Houston and council members can comment on any additional business they deem necessary. Continue reading
Culver Town Council to Meet Tonight
The Culver Town Council will consider awarding a bid for the proposed Damore Amphitheater when they meet tonight. The council members opened four bids for the amphitheater during their last meeting where the lowest base bid was $131,450 and the highest base bid was $189,355.
Judge Rejects Jason Cooke’s Second Plea Agreement
Another plea agreement from Jason Cooke has been rejected in Starke Circuit Court. He’s charged with the October 2015 robbery of Sescoe Wireman. Cooke is accused of hitting Wireman in the head, and taking money, prescription medication, an Indiana ID card, and multiple credit cards from him. Wireman died a few days later, but a murder count against Cooke was dropped last February.
Residents Urged to Disinfect Flood-Impacted Wells
Those using wells are urged to take a few steps to keep their drinking water safe, following recent floods. The Starke County Health Department reminds residents not to use the well water, as long as the well casing is submerged in flood water.
State Senator and Representative Meet with County Officials About Flooding
On Sunday afternoon, Starke County officials met with State Representative Jim Pressel (District 20) and State Senator Mike Bohacek (District 8) to discuss the recent devastation caused by flooding and what steps to take next.
Local officials who were present included Starke County EMA Director J. Nier, Surveyor Bill Crase and Highway Superintendent Rik Ritzler as well as Engineer Lee Nagai and County Commissioners Kathy Norem, Donnie Binkley and Charles Chesak. Continue reading
Starke County Budget Approved
Starke County Auditor Kay Chaffins recently received the budget order for 2018. Starke County was the 82nd county out of the 92 counties in the state to receive this year’s budget.
Chaffins stated last week that that there were no cuts expected in this year’s budget.
Pulaski County Commissioners Approve Updated EMS Policies, at Request of Billing Company
Pulaski County Emergency Medical Services continues to see success with an outside billing company, according to EMS Director Bryan Corn. “Last month, they deposited $31,509.50, and that’s still them kind of working on some of our older reports,” he told the county commissioners last week. They haven’t even kind of hit a lot of our new stuff yet.”
Knox School Board Approves Resolutions to Finance Facility Improvements
The Knox School Board continues making financial arrangements for the school corporation’s $5 million facility improvement project.
Medaryville Council Considers Water Tower Options
The Medaryville Town Council continues planning for a new water tower. Last week, representatives from Commonwealth Engineers reviewed the different types of water towers with council members, and made some recommendations for replacing the town’s current one, according to Clerk-Treasurer Judy Harwood.
Eastern Pulaski School Board to Consider Paving Project Bid
Citizens Encouraged to Attend Public Hearing Over Knox Parks 5-Year Master Plan Tonight
A public hearing over the Knox Parks 5-Year Master Plan will be held tonight at 6 p.m. in City Hall.
The draft plan had to be submitted to the DNR by January 15th in order for the city to be eligible for potential funding for proposed park plans. Mayor Dennis Estok reported that it was turned in on time and it will be discussed during the hearing tonight.
Additionally, Troyer Group representative will discuss the results from the online survey that was conducted. Mayor Estok mentioned that more than 250 surveys were received. Continue reading
Strong Winds Help Keep Another Surge From Hitting Starke County
According to Starke County EMA Director J. Nier another anticipated river surge will no longer impact the area.
Director Nier said that the strong winds we experienced last night into today helped push back the river and prevented another major surge from hitting. Continue reading
Knox Center Township and LaCrosse Volunteer Fire Departments Assist DNR With Rescue
On Sunday morning, members of the Knox Center Township Fire Department joined forces with the LaCrosse Volunteer Fire Department as well as DNR Conservation Officers to rescue an elderly individual from his home as floodwaters encroached.
Indiana DNR Law representatives from district 10 report that firefighters deployed a boat to rescue the resident and Conservation Officers deployed another boat as a secondary rescue vessel. Continue reading
UPDATED: Voluntary Evacuation Alert Announced Due to Expected River Surges
Starke County Emergency Management Officials have announced a voluntary evacuation alert due to a possible surge of flood waters affecting the Yellow and Kankakee Rivers over the next 24 hours.
UPDATE 8:00 p.m: Officials with Knox Community School Corporation are reporting that the temporary response site has been moved to Knox Middle School. Residents are asked to utilize the doors in the back by the bus parking lot (door #8). Additionally, the Red Cross has a site set up at Plymouth High School as well.
Residents in low lying areas near both rivers and those who live by any drainage ditches connected to the rivers are being advised that a shelter is being established at Knox Middle School should any residents feel it necessary to evacuate.
According to EMA Director J. Nier the areas in the City of Knox that may be affected include:
North side of Washington St from Sellers Ave to US 35
Sellers Ave North of John St
Parkview area: Residences West of Portland St
Ruthie Drive
Pacific Ave
North of Culver Rd between 200 East and 250 East. Continue reading
Starke County Flood Updates for Saturday
High water is still being reported in several sections of Starke County. Many area parks are remaining closed until further notice and major flooding has been confirmed around the Yellow, Brown and Kankakee River bridges as well as in areas near Bass Lake and English Lake.
Starke County EMA Director J. Nier is encouraging residents to submit damage reports through the Indiana Department of Homeland Security website. Officials are collecting data to submit in order to potentially receive federal or state financial assistance with relief efforts. Any additional questions or concerns can be directed to Starke County EMA at 574-772-9182.
Starke County Highway Department representatives added there are few things that motorists can do can do to assist crews who are working on the flooding. Continue reading
Saturday Flood Updates for Pulaski County
Much of Pulaski County is still experiencing flooded conditions. Motorists are advised to use caution while driving and to respond accordingly to all posted signage regarding high water and closed roads.
The Pulaski County Highway Department shared yesterday that sandbags can be picked up at the Pulaski County EMA Office (112 E Main St #110 in Winamac) and sand to fill the bags is available at the intersection of 200 W and 50 North in Pulaski County. Continue reading
Local Disaster Emergency Declared for Starke County
The Starke County Commissioners have declared a local disaster emergency. It says that Starke County “has been impacted and is immediately threatened by widespread flooding along rivers and streams, in low elevation areas and elsewhere throughout the county.” As part of the declaration, citizens are urged to comply with emergency measures, cooperate with public officials in executing emergency operations plans, and obey the directions of officers.
Knox Elementary School to Reevaluate Student Pickup and Drop-off Procedures, Following Accidents
Some recent traffic accidents have Knox Elementary School reevaluating its pick-up and drop-off procedures. Last week, a mother and daughter were taken to the hospital after they were injured in an alleged hit and run incident in the drop-off area.
Pulaski County Commissioners Approve Contract for Election Day IT Support
The Pulaski County Election Board is getting some outside help with Election Day IT support. The county commissioners Tuesday approved a contract with IT Consultant Willie DeGroot for the May primary and November general elections.
