The Marshall County Commissioners like the stop signs at all railroad crossings in the county and they have no plans of amending that decision.
Highway Superintendent Neal Haeck told the commissioners Monday that if they would like to change the stop signs to yield signs, they will need to have a review and traffic study completed by the Indiana Department of Transportation-LaPorte District. Commission President Kevin Overmyer told Haeck that they don’t intend on taking out the stop signs and would like to make sure INDOT receives a letter stating that intention.
Every railroad crossing has a stop sign with the exception of the crossings that have gates.
Gov. Mike Pence has set an ambitious goal of creating more jobs than ever in Indiana by 2016. Lt. Gov. Sue Ellsperman says her personal goal is to bring jobs to rural communities during that time. Speaking last night at the Marshall County Republican Party’s Lincoln Day Dinner, Ellsperman acknowledged not all young people are four-year college material and encouraged students to pursue two-year technical degrees. She says employers are also looking for qualified technical school graduates and adds that many of those jobs pay really well.
Ellsperman also notes the legislature and administration passed a couple of key pieces of legislation aimed at job creation during the recent session. These include the Indiana Regional Works Councils, which will regionally allow us to bring business and education together regionally to look at the needs of the workforce.
“The Speaker of the House and Minority Leader of the House sponsored legislation for Indiana Careers Council, which will put the governor at the chair, I’ll be vice chair, the superintendent of public instruction, the commissioner of higher education, the department of workforce development all coming around the table to say ‘where are the gaps in education and preparing that workforce for the future?’,” Ellsperman added. She grew up in a small town in southern Indiana and says she’s sensitive to the “brain drain” issue that occurs when young people go away to college and don’t return. She adds she wants to make sure all of Indiana thrives.
Starke County Highway Superintendent Stephen “Rik” Ritzler
The Starke County Council has taken a first step toward approving the purchase of three new Freightliner trucks for the highway department. Superintendent Rik Ritzler says that eight of the trucks in the county’s fleet are more than 15 years old, and many have more than 300,000 miles. He says they are becoming more costly to maintain than to replace. Even though the initial replacement cost is $439,672 for three new vehicles, Ritzler says they would last the county several years. Money for the purchase is in the county highway fund; however, the state requires the appropriation be advertised before it can be spent. Council members approved the advertisement and expect to give final approval to the purchase when they meet in June. Ritzler also told the council he plans to implement a fleet management plan and replace a vehicle each year after this.
A LaPorte construction company will replace a bridge in Koontz Lake after submitting the lowest of six bids for the work. JCI Bridge Group bid $177,367.06 to replace the bridge on County Road 1000 East. Commissioners opened the bids during their Monday meeting. JCI’s price for the work was the lowest, and Gariup Construction Company from Gary submitted the highest bid at $327,700. Mark Wilson of JPR reviewed the six bids to make sure they were in order and recommended the commissioners award the project to JCI Bridge Group. The project is scheduled to begin on June 1 and continue for 90 days.
The Eastern Pulaski Elementary School welcomed a special guest Tuesday morning. Indiana’s First Lady, Karen Pence, visited the school which recently received the honor of being named a Four Star School.
Superintendent Dr. Robert Klitzman and Elementary Principal Jill Collins escorted Pence around the elementary school where she visited with a handful of teachers. Pence, who has taught for many years, stopped to talk to a couple of classes and took questions from the students.
Winamac Town HallThe Winamac Town Board last week tabled discussion regarding the new employee handbook and addressed a number of issues brought forward by Clerk-Treasurer Melanie Berger during their regular meeting on May 13.
Berger asked the council to consider requiring that property owners be responsible for any unpaid water and electric bills after a renter moves out, leaving the town with an outstanding bill. Following a discussion, the council voted to raise the water and electric deposits as a solution to the matter and an ordinance will need to be written for these changes to take effect.
The end of the school year is approaching quickly and High School Principal Dr. Elizabeth Ratliff gave the Knox Community School Board an update on senior activities for the next few days.
A meeting was scheduled earlier this week to discuss dress codes for graduation and laptops will be turned in later this week. The computers will be inspected by the technology staff to note any damage for insurance claims. Students are accountable for the equipment.
North Judson-San Pierre Superintendent Lynn JohnsonThe North Judson-San Pierre School Board met Monday night and approved a number of action items, including the adoption of a textbook series for the corporation’s new Business Math class. Superintendent Lynn Johnson explained the board adopted Pearson Scott Foresman for kindergarten through fifth grade as well.
The life of Lance Cpl. Michael DeLancey, a native of Pinellas Park, Fla., changed entirely in 2006 when he was injured in Iraq. A sniper’s bullet pierced DeLancey’s spinal cord, paralyzing him from the waist down and damaging his lung. Today, however, this very deserving disabled veteran will be presented with an accessible Honda Entervan modified by BraunAbility, a Winamac manufacturer of wheelchair-accessible vehicles.
Monetary assistance is the best way to help victims of the Oklahoma tornado. That’s the advice of officials with the Indiana Department of Homeland Security and the Indiana Voluntary Organizations Active in Disasters are advising Hoosiers about how to help Oklahoma citizens in need. The destruction in Oklahoma City has left communities in need of hands-on help and donations. Volunteers play a vital part in disaster recovery. However, Indiana VOAD President Chris Gilbert says, “Well-meaning individuals who simply show up to help without coordinating with disaster management personnel can complicate or even hinder response and recovery operations already underway. Become part of a coordinated effort.”
As the death toll continues to climb in the wake of yesterday’s horrific Oklahoma tornado, many people are asking what they can do to help. The American Red Cross and other disaster relief organizations are already on the ground providing food and supplies to first responders and setting up shelters for displaced residents. Giving money to organizations like the Red Cross, Salvation Army and other reputable nonprofit organizations is the fastest, most effective way to help victims of this and other disasters. While donations of food, clothing and household items are well intentioned, they need to be stored, sorted and given out to people who may be living in shelters or staying with friends or family members. Additionally, trying to warehouse and distribute items taxes local volunteer resources. Continue reading →
Starke County Sheriff’s DepartmentStarke County officials took a major step toward settling the federal class action lawsuit filed by inmates who claim jail overcrowding violates their civil rights. After some discussion, council members agreed to accept the mediation agreement worked out last month. County attorney Marty Lucas says it will cost the county $90,000 in attorney fees for the plaintiff’s counsel. The inmates who sued won’t get any money. Lucas says the negotiated amount is considerably less than the county would have paid had the lawsuit gone forward.
Pulaski County Commissioners Larry Brady, Vice President Terry Young, and President Tracey ShorterThe Pulaski County Commissioners and Building Inspector Dave Dare held a discussion regarding an unsafe building at 533 N. Monticello St. in Winamac that Dare said is in very bad shape and needs to be addressed. He said the order to repair or demolish the building went out on April 24 and he received confirmation of its delivery via certified mail on April 26.
Superintendent A.J. GappaThe Knox Community School Board approved an appropriation worth $21,000 in order to pay for expenditures for the special election held earlier this month.
The amount was a little more than estimated but now all of the expenses can be paid with the approval of this appropriation.
The construction project at the Henry F. Schricker Public Library in Knox continues as the new addition begins to take shape. Library Director Sheila Urwiler said the construction crews are currently working on the wall framing and sheeting, roof framing, and structural steel aspects of the work and they will soon begin the roof trusses and exterior wall sheeting.
North Judson Police DepartmentThe North Judson Police Department has announced that they will be holding an unclaimed property sale on Saturday, June 8 beginning at 10 a.m., when they will conduct an auction or sale of unclaimed recovered property as well as some items laying around the department.
A variety of items, including more than 35 bicycles, several stereo speakers, a few strands of wire, a few tools and a number of gasoline cans will be sold. Each bicycle will have a minimum price of $10.
The auction begins at 10 a.m. at the North Judson Police Station, where the items will be displayed in the back near the garage area.
Aspiring performers are urged to showcase their vocal talent during the North Judson Mint Festival Karaoke Contest. It’s scheduled Friday, June 14 at 6 p.m. at the St. Peter Lutheran School Gym in North Judson. C & D Entertainment is hosting and all ages are welcome to take part. Trophies will be presented for first, second and third place winners in the ages 1-12, 12-17 and 18 and up categories. Call Chuck or Donna at (574) 806-2501 to sign up by June 1.
Indiana Governor Mike PenceThe issue of over-prescription and abuse of controlled substances is being addressed by state senators and was signed into law this month by Governor Mike Pence. A bill introduced by State Senator Ron Grooms to crack down on the issue provides the Indiana Medical Licensing Board with the authority to regulate who can own and operate pain clinics prescribing controlled substances like hydrocodone and oxycodone.
Bremen Police Officers responding to a call about trespassers found an apparent meth lab inside a residence in the 400 block of South East Street. The incident occurred yesterday around 3:30 p.m. according to WNDU-TV. Brandon Shackelford and Raymond Van Blaricom are being held in the Marshall County Jail.
Funeral services for Leon D. Wuethrich, 91, of Selma, formerly of Francesville, are Friday, May 24 at 10:30 a.m. EDT at the Apostolic Christian Church in Francesville. Visitation is Thursday, May 23 from 3-8 p.m. EDT at the Frain Mortuary Querry-Ulbricht Chapel in Francesville and Friday, May 24 one hour prior to the service at the funeral home.
