Starke County Commissioners are proceeding carefully with the drafting of an ordinance to allow utility vehicles on county roads. They chose to separate gasoline powered vehicles like John Deere Gators and Kawasaki Mules from the policy they recently passed to allow battery operated golf carts to be driven on county roads. County attorney Marty Lucas is researching policies from other jurisdictions and hopes to have a draft recommendation for the commissioners to consider when they meet on Monday, Dec. 2. The intent of the proposed ordinance, according to the commissioners, is to allow utility vehicles with steering wheels, roll bars and seatbelts that are properly insured to be operated on roads while still restricting all-terrain vehicles like 3- and 4-wheelers.
Pulaski Commissioners Hear Recycling Center Update
The Pulaski County Commissioners heard a regular report from the director of the Recycling and Transfer Station, Ed Clark, who explained the center is once again suffering from equipment problems. Commissioner Larry Brady agreed with Clark, and said one of the tractors the center uses is in disrepair and will need replaced.
Marshall County Officials Look to Reduce Road Repair Costs Caused by Horse and Buggy Units
The Marshall County Commissioners will be discussing what to do with horse and buggies and the damage they cause to the county’s roads in a future meeting.
Commissioner Jack Roose asked Highway Superintendent Neal Haeck Monday to see what Elkhart and LaGrange county highway departments do to reduce the cost on the wear and tear on roads.
Construction of North Judson Salt Shed to Begin Dec. 3
The new salt shed in the town of North Judson is still under construction, but Clerk-Treasurer Donna Henry said they’re making progress and the concrete floor has been finished. Next up are the cement blocks to be placed on the concrete floor, and following that, ClearSpan will be constructing the structure for the shed.
Materials for the building are expected to be delivered on Nov. 27 with construction expected to begin on Dec. 3.
Henry also said the board held the first reading of the 2014 salary ordinance, and they will move on to the second and third readings on Dec. 2. Following that, the board will advertise the ordinance and put it into effect on Jan. 1.
Oregon-Davis School Board Discusses Transfer of Property
The Oregon-Davis School Board discussed the donation of a property back to the township in Hamlet.
Interim Superintendent Greg Briles stated that the property would be used for an upcoming project proposed by the Hamlet Fire Department.
“We’ve been working on the transfer of property in Hamlet, where the elementary school previously sat, back to the township so they would have the capabilities of potentially building a new fire station,” explained Briles.
This was one of the goals set forth the school board at the beginning of the year so this project could move along.
The paperwork for the transfer of property will be officially complete and that project should be wrapped up at the school board’s next meeting on Dec. 16.
NJ-SP Schools to Undergo Technology Upgrade This Weekend
The North Judson-San Pierre School Corporation is moving toward the future as they plan to undergo upgrades to their network infrastructure this weekend. Superintendent Lynn Johnson said that because of the increase in technology being used by students, teachers, administrators and everyone else on a daily basis, the networking infrastructure in place throughout the corporation is no longer able to suit their needs. Because of that, the corporation must undergo the upgrade in order to keep up with the demands of technology.
Great American Smoke Out Approaching; Quit Smoking Now
The American Cancer Society’s 38th Great American Smoke Out is approaching, and on Nov. 21, Starke County residents are encouraged to drop the habit in celebration of the event. Linda Molenda, coordinator for Drug and Tobacco Free Starke County, said now is the perfect time to quit with the holidays just around the corner.
Drug and Tobacco Free Starke County chairperson Judy Jelinek said the goal is to give smokers the initial push they need in order to beat their nicotine addictions.
Winter Wonderland Coming to Pulaski County Dec. 7
The Winter Wonderland event, sponsored by the Pulaski County Chamber of Commerce, is set for Saturday, Dec. 7 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. ET in downtown Winamac.
But first, join the chamber in ushering in the holiday season in the lighting of the Christmas Tree on the Pulaski County Courthouse lawn on Friday, Dec. 6 at 6 p.m. ET followed by tours of three beautiful homes in Pulaski County. Tickets for the home tour can be purchased at the Pulaski County Chamber office, at Refined or from Winter Wonderland committee members. Tours will be given at Melody Braun’s home as well as at Bailey Hoover’s home and Patrick Shuttrow’s home.
Representative Dermody Named Chair of Public Policy Committee
Republican State Representative Tom Dermody of LaPorte has been appointed chairman of the Public Policy Committee. House Speaker Brian Bosma (R-Indianapolis) made the announcement Wednesday.
Dermody explained that the committee covers all of the pertinent items in the legislature.
Donnelly Donates Pay to Ten Indiana Food Banks
Ten food banks across Indiana received a monetary gift from Senator Joe Donnelly on Wednesday.
Donnelly donated his take-home pay for the 16 days of the federal government shutdown to the ten food banks in Indiana. The ten food banks each received a $500 gift from Donnelly.
Senator Donnelly refused to take the salary he received during the shutdown. This action by the federal government had a direct affect on families all over the state as well as businesses and the country’s economy.
The Food Bank of Northern Indiana in South Bend and the Food Finders Food Bank in Lafayette were two of the ten food banks that profited from this action.
LaCrosse-Wanatah Schools Open Late After Workers Hit Gas Line
School is open at LaCrosse following a two-hour delay this morning. Classes at LaCrosse High School were dismissed early yesterday when workers putting in a new parking lot hit an unmarked gas line. No injuries were reported. The line was capped, and the start of school was delayed this morning to allow ample time to make the necessary repairs. School officials tell WKVI news the heat is back on and the building is safe for occupancy. Yesterday’s incident also forced the cancellation of the girls JV and varsity basketball games between LaCrosse and West Central. Those games will be made up tomorrow evening.
LaPorte County Metro Operations Unit Announces Two Drug Arrests
A pair of LaPorte County residents are free on bond following their recent arrests on drug charges. Jason Kazen, 41, and Jenny Kazen, 38, both of Hudson Lake, surrendered themselves at the LaPorte County Sheriff’s Office last Thursday after criminal arrest warrants were issued. Both are charged with possession of marijuana as a class D felony. Jenny is also charged with the felony offense of possession of hydrocodone, which is a Schedule II Controlled Substance. Both are free on bond. Their arrests are a result of an investigation by officers from the LaPorte County Metro Operations Unit. The public is encouraged to report potential drug activity to the La Porte County Metro Operations Unit by calling (219) 325-9022.
Gas Leak at LaCrosse Schools Causes Evacuation
A gas leak at the LaCrosse School Corporation caused varsity and junior varsity volleyball games against West Central to be postponed until Thursday night. Superintendent Tim Summers told WKVI that the gas leak was caused by an unmarked gas line that was struck while crews were working on putting in a new parking lot.
Fire Ruled Undetermined
The cause of the fire at the corner of Mound and Prettman Street in Knox is undetermined.
Knox-Center Township Fire Chief Kenny Pfost told WKVI that there is too much damage and the structure is unsafe to excavate.
Knox-Center Township firefighters were at the scene for several hours in the overnight hours on Sunday battling the that fire that destroyed the property that was once known as “Mackey’s Boarding House.”
U.S. 35 Bridge Opening Delayed
The bridge projects in Starke and LaPorte Counties that Indiana Department of Transportation crews have been feverishly working on for the past six months are close to being done.
INDOT Spokesman Matt Deitchley says one bridge opening has been delayed while the other will be opening at the end of the month.
Pulaski CDC Website to Undergo Redesign
The Pulaski County Commissioners this week received an update on the efforts of the Community Development Commission, as Executive Director Nathan Origer explained they are moving forward with their “Savor Indiana” special and the hiring of a company to redesign the CDC website.
Public Health Forum Held Last Night in Knox
The third in a series of four public forums on the topic of the quality of health services in Starke County was held last night at the Nancy J. Dembowski Community Center in Knox. Commissioner Jennifer Davis hosted the forum, which she said was aimed at gathering input on the direction the county needs to take in order to provide quality healthcare.
State Certified Classes Taught at Washington Township Fire Department
Two state certified classes were recently taught by Dave Pearman at the Washington Township Fire Department over the course of five weeks.
Pearman taught an Instructor 1 class that will bring additional instructors into the fire service which will allow them to enhance training at their departments. Those who successfully complete the rather extensive Instructor 1 training can then train students in mandatory, firefighter 1 and firefighter II classes. These training sessions are the foundation of all firefighter classes.
Marshall County Commissioners Approve Property Purchase
The Marshall County Commissioners Monday morning approved the purchase of the Anthony Ross property in the amount of $87,248.
The Ross property sits alongside the river and the commissioners are buying the property in order to control riverbank erosion as part of the Yellow River Bank Stabilization Project.
Winter Weather Preparedness Week Demonstration at INDOT Plymouth Site
This week is Winter Weather Preparedness Week and to gain a better perspective of what it’s like for a snow plow driver during a snow event, Indiana Department of Transportation officials invited members of the media to hitch a ride with driver Dave Pennington to get a snowbird’s eye view of the process.
WKVI’s Anita Goodan rode in the snow plow and even though reporters were offered a chance to drive in an obstacle course at the Plymouth Sub-district, she opted not to challenge the state’s insurance policy. However she did talk to six-year snow plow driver, Dave Pennington, while in the snow plow about what challenges he faces while out on a route.