Newly-hired North Judson-San Pierre Superintendent Dr. Annette Zupin faced her detractors during last night’s school board meeting amid their announcement of plans to affect change within the corporation. Continue reading
O-D Set to Hire Superintendent
The Oregon-Davis School Board will meet in special session Monday to hire a superintendent. Continue reading
Bass Lake Campground Discussions Turn Shrill During Contentious Meeting
The Starke County Park Board intends to make a site visit to the Bass Lake Beach and Campground.
Continue reading
Winamac Pool Committee Touts Fund Raising Success
Fund raising for Winamac’s community pool project is now well past the halfway point. Members of the Pool Committee presented an update on the $643,000 pool rebuilding project Tuesday. Continue reading
Winamac Council to Discuss Town Park Tree Removal Issue
Issues at the Winamac Town Park will be discussed during a special session of the town council tomorrow morning. Last week, the council voted to withhold a portion of the town’s payment to the contractor hired to remove ash trees from the park.
Starke County Council Discusses Road Funding Goals
A committee of Starke County officials recommends accelerating completion of the county’s bridge replacement schedule with one-time transportation money from the state. Continue reading
Pulaski County Sells K-9 Unit; Anticipates New Dog
Pulaski County has decided to start anew with its K-9 unit.
The handling officer for the dog has decided to accept a job in another county. K-9 units are often used to locate drugs or missing persons, but training them requires quite a few resources.
Continue reading
Culver School Board Combines Middle and High Schools Under Single Name
The Culver Community Schools Corporation continues taking steps to further consolidate its middle and high schools. Interim Superintendent Chuck Kitchell asked the school board Monday to take action to give the facility a single name. Continue reading
Starke Commissioners Amend Unsafe Building Ordinance
The Starke County Commissioners adopted amendments to the county’s unsafe building ordinance last night amid enthusiastic support from members of the public. Koontz Lake residents in particular attended the meeting and expressed frustration with the prevalence of visible junk vehicles, trash and other debris they say are driving down property values and affecting quality of life. Concerns were also raised about trash that’s not properly disposed of attracting rodents and potentially spreading diseases. Continue reading
Monterey Residents Present Sportsman’s Petition to Pulaski County
Pulaski County will investigate further options for managing the site of the former Sportsman’s Bar and Grill.
The County Commissioners were approached Monday night by officials residing in the Town of Monterey with a petition requesting action. The building collapsed in April of last year, prompting the county to construct a fence surrounding the site.
Continue reading
Park Board Officials Question Beach and Campground Improvements
The Starke County Park Board’s frustrations with Bass Lake Beach and Campground manager Richard Callahan are growing. They’ve asked county attorney Marty Lucas to attend their meeting this evening to answer questions about the difference between capital improvements and maintenance. Callahan’s lease with the county allows him to deduct capital improvements from his rent payments. However Park Board President Roger Chaffins recently told the county commissioners none of the work has been permitted or inspected and questioned whether it is safe for the public. Continue reading
Residents to Receive Update on Winamac Pool Project
Another meeting will be held this evening to give Winamac residents an update on the town’s community pool project. Much like the first meeting held in November, it will be a chance for residents to offer their ideas for the new pool. Project organizers will also discuss some of the progress that’s been made over the past few months, as well as their plans for the pool’s construction and eventual operation. Continue reading
Culver Schools Cuts Two Teaching Positions
The Culver School Board has decided to remove two teaching positions at the end of this school year. Board members voted Monday not to renew the contracts of Middle/High School teacher Amanda Hoag and Middle School teacher Susan Mattix. Continue reading
Vote Expected Tonight on N.J.-S.P. Superintendent Contract
The North Judson-San Pierre School Board is prepared to hire a superintendent when they meet this evening. High School Principal Dr. Annette Zupin will formally be offered the job during their 7 p.m. meeting. Continue reading
Knox School Board Recognizes Recent Band Accomplishments
The Knox Band was congratulated, when the Knox Community School Board met last night, for its recent awards recognizing its outstanding music accomplishments. Director Craige Phipps and drum major Josh Enger announced the group has received the 2016 “Best Communities for Music Education” Award from the NAMM Foundaton as well as the ISMA’s “ALL Music Award.” Continue reading
O-D Superintendent Contract Hearing Set for Tonight
The Oregon-Davis School Board will solicit input on a proposed superintendent contract during a public hearing this evening.
It includes a base salary of $95,000 for each of the next three years, along with health, dental, vision, long-term disability and term life insurance. Continue reading
Council to Consider N.J.-S.P. Appropriation Request
The next procedural step in the North Judson-San Pierre High School’s bond refinancing will take place during tonight’s Starke County Council meeting. The board is taking advantage of $1.43 million in available bond capacity to pay in arrears $600,000 worth of utility bills from the past couple of years that were paid out of the general fund. The rest of the money will be used to upgrade the lighting system in the middle and high schools and rework the HVAC control systems in both buildings. Those measures are expected to save money in the long run. Continue reading
Council to Discuss Additional Transportation Funds
The Starke County Council will consider a proposal from the highway superintendent with regard to additional state transportation funds when they meet this evening. Highway Superintendent Rik Ritzler assembled a road funding committee to discuss options for the one-time appropriation from the state. He also hopes to come up with the required local match to draw down additional funds in order to free up $1 million for additional uses throughout the county over the next five years. Continue reading
Pulaski County Commissioners to Discuss K-9 Future
The Pulaski County Commissioners will reconsider what to do about the K-9 Unit now that the handling officer has decided to accept a job in another county.
Tractor Supply Contractor Discusses Store Completion Timeline
The newest anchor store in the Knox Mall should be open for business in July. Buffalo Construction is in the process of renovating the former Alco store on the south end of the mall into space for Tractor Supply Company. Continue reading