Entries for the goats, poultry, rabbits, sheep and swine livestock competition start the day off at 5 a.m. and run til 10 a.m., with open class exhibits entered from 8:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. A meeting of livestock exhibitors is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. at the 4-H Show Arena, and poultry judging will take place at noon.
With the many house fires that have been fought in the area recently, fire safety is one thing to keep in mind.
Fifty-three fire fatalities have been reported so far this year, compared to 46 total last year. Knox-Center Township Fire Chief Kenny Pfost notes that these deaths could have been prevented if a working smoke alarm was present.
“Most home fire casualties occur at night when people are sleeping,” said Pfost. “The smoke and toxic gases generated by a fire induce a deep sleep and decreases a person’s chance of survival. It’s important that every sleeping room has a smoke detector and one placed outside of every sleeping room. You also need a smoke detector for every level of the home.”
The Pulaski County Fair kicks off this weekend with a number of exciting events planned throughout the week until the fair ends on Friday, July 5. Unfortunately, due to the large amounts of flooding that have occurred recently, the Truck and Tractor Pull event has been postponed until late summer or early fall. On top of that, the 4-H Horse and Pony Show planned for Sunday has been moved off the grounds and officials have postponed the contesting planned for Wednesday.
Despite that, there are a number of fun events planned for the next several days. Judging of 4-H projects will take place Saturday at 1 p.m., followed by the 4-H Dog Show at 9 a.m. The 2013 4-H Royalty will also be crowned on Saturday at 3 p.m.
The new wing is looking more and more complete each day, and Urwiler said they’re still on track for completion toward the end of August or early September. The crew will soon finish putting in the windows and then the masonry work will take priority as they improve the exterior of the addition, matching the look of the existing library. Workers will also be working on the electrical infrastructure next week as well.
Knox Street Superintendent Jeff Borg reported to the Board of Public Works that they are active in eradicating mosquitoes but conditions have to be right to do so.
Borg explained that calm winds and clear nights are just right for spraying for mosquitoes. Regular spraying times have been hampered due to the weather this season, but crews are making efforts to rid the city of the pesky bugs. They are also applying larvicide to standing ponds, swamps and marsh areas as often as possible.
The board members voted to hold two meetings next week to discuss a proposed contract for a new superintendent. The board will be holding negotiations soon.
The North Judson Lions Club call-out didn’t quite have the turnout expected, but that doesn’t mean the Lions Club isn’t coming to town. Connie Roe, who was involved in the coordination of the call-out, said they are still planning to organize a Lions Club in North Judson; it’s just a matter of finding the right time.
Details on Pulaski County’s German Fest have been released.
The Aug. 10 event in downtown Winamac will feature a live DJ from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. and live music by the Jay Fox Bavarian Showtime Band from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. ET. Food will be offered beginning at 3 p.m. including brats, potato salad and corn on the cob with pre-sale tickets available at various Winamac businesses.
It’s the time of the year when people love to get in the water, visiting local pools, lakes and reservoirs for recreational water activities. The Indiana Department of Child Services and the Department of Natural Resources are reminding parents and guardians to ensure they keep an eye on children playing in or near bodies of water.
In 2011, 11 Hoosier children drowned, and Mary Beth Bonaventura, director of the IDCS, said lack of supervision is mostly to blame. Children, she said, don’t usually have an awareness of the risks around water, and it’s up to adults to supervise them and ensure their safety.
The Pulaski County Fair is set to go on as scheduled at the fairgrounds at the back of the Winamac Town Park. Natalie Federer with Purdue Extension Pulaski County says they’re keeping an eye on the Tippecanoe as areas upriver got significant amounts of rainfall yesterday. All of the projects are in place and will be moved to safety if water levels start to rise. The fair starts this weekend, and Federer says fairgoers should be cautious about parking so they don’t get stuck in the mud. Also as a precaution no livestock trailers will be left at the fairgrounds. Tomorrow night’s tractor pull has been postponed and will be rescheduled sometime this fall. Purdue Extension and fair board officials are working closely with the town of Winamac to ensure everyone’s safety, but as of right now everything else will go on at the fairgrounds as scheduled.
An electrical problem is likely to blame for sparking Monday’s deadly grain elevator explosion in Union Mills, according to fire investigators. Two motors apparently overheated and caused the silo to blow up, killing 67-year-old James Swank, who was at the top of the structure when it blew Monday afternoon and fell to his death. The fire was contained to the silo, and no other injuries were reported. The fire rekindled Tuesday night, and some grain was still smoldering Wednesday. Officials with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and State Fire Marshal’s Office were called in to investigate.
Firefighters from Washington Township, Knox-Center Township and Hamlet fire departments were called to 9515 E. 100 N. at about 1:36 p.m. after the residents reported a fire. Firefighters were quick in using strategic fire suppression which left minimal structural damage.
Investigators with the Indiana State Fire Marshal’s Office will be at the residence at 8 a.m. today to determine what caused the fire.
The Knox Board of Public Works was to approve bids Wednesday morning for the demolition of the old Knox theater and the former office of the Starke County Economic Development Foundation in the downtown area, but that process was put on hold.
A representative of the Office of Community and Rural Affairs was at the meeting Wednesday morning and informed the board members that since asbestos was found in the two buildings, the federal wage will have to be used by bidders. The representative informed Territorial Engineers, who then informed the four bidders that their bids would not be submitted as the wage system will have to reflect the federal Davis-Bacon wage system.
The entire process will be re-advertised with a pre-bid meeting set for July 12 at 9:30 a.m. and bids will be opened during the Board of Public Works’ next meeting on July 24.
The officer arrived in the area of Upas Road and 12th Road where he found a man he recognized leaning into a vehicle at a residence west of the intersection. The officer knew that that suspect, Pedro Pinion, did not live at the residence.
