Starke County Council Tables Park Board Consideration

starke-county-courthouseStarke County Council members want more information about costs associated with setting up a park board before agreeing to do so. Tony Radkiewicz chairs the county park board committee, which was set up to gather information. Their proposed mission statement indicates there will not be a cost to the county to provide oversight to Bass Lake Beach and Campground, the Starke County Forest and other publicly dedicated lands not under municipal control. The board would be comprised of volunteer members with a personal interest in parks and recreation and a desire to be proactive in service to the community. Continue reading

Pulaski County Commissioners to Have Generator Information on July 7

Pulaski County CourthouseThe Director of Maintenance for Pulaski County gave an update on the generator situation to the commissioners Monday night.

Jeff Johnston has talked with officials with Hyre Electric out of Valparaiso to give him details about connectors to hook up generators to the courthouse, annex, county home, recycling center and highway department. He’s also gathering information whether or not what the county has is sufficient enough to work or if generators will need to be purchased.

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Marshall County Commissioners Move Forward with Property Transfer

  
 

The Marshall County Commissioners are moving forward with deeding property to the city of Plymouth.

There are three lots that were on the county’s tax sales for years that failed to sell. Mayor Mark Senter approached Treasurer Deb Vandemark about the possibility of the county deeding those parcels to the city for the city’s use and she brought it to the attention of the commissioners earlier this month.

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Community Leader Honored for Altruism

  
 

The annual 1st Source Bank Ernestine M. Raclin Award is given to people in the community who display exceptional selflessness. Cathie Jessee was one of the recipients of the 16th annual community leadership award. She was personally awarded $1,000 and another $1,000 was to be donated in her honor to the organization of her choice. Jessee chose to donate the charity portion to Knox Community Elementary School. Of that, $500 is being donated to the nurse’s office to provide extra clothes in case of accidents. The other half of the money will go into a fund to help under-privileged children afford field trip fees.

Winamac Man Killed in White County Motorcycle Crash

 
 

A Tuesday afternoon motorcycle crash in rural White County claims a Winamac man’s life. Travis Hunt, 32, was northbound on County Road 650 East, just north of Buffalo, when his bike was struck by a southbound vehicle. Hunt was pronounced dead at IU Health White Memorial Hospital, according to WLFI-TV. He was not wearing a helmet. The driver of the car, Raul Salazar Diaz, 37, of Idaville, was not injured. Salazar was arrested on a charge of operating a motor vehicle without ever receiving a license.

North Judson-San Pierre School Board Approves Budget Reductions

 
 

The North Judson-San Pierre School Board members discussed budget reductions during their meeting last night.

There were only three members in attendance, but Superintendent Lynn Johnson explained to those present what cuts they were looking to make. Johnson said the cancellation of grants and declining school enrollment were two main reasons for the $1.2 million cut.

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Jury Trial Scheduled for Today in Starke Circuit Court

  A jury trial will be held in Starke Circuit Court today.

Brad Allen is facing charges of dealing in methamphetamine, a Class B felony, and possession of precursors and/or chemical reagents, a Class D felony. The alleged incident occurred on June 3, 2013.

A 12-member jury will be seated this morning and opening statements and witness testimony will occur following the seating of the jury.

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Council Approves Vehicle Purchases for Sheriff

 
 

Starke County Sheriff Oscar Cowen has the county council’s permission to buy two new patrol cars. Funds for one vehicle will come from from the county’s cumulative capital development fund. The other will be paid for from the commissioners’ EDIT fund. The county has agreed to spend up to $30,000 each on the vehicles, with the rest of the money to come from the sheriff’s commissary account. Continue reading

Pulaski County Commissioners Offer Comment on Military Vehicle Use

Pulaski County Commissioners Larry Brady, Terry Young and Tracey Shorter
Pulaski County Commissioners Larry Brady, Terry Young and Tracey Shorter

The Pulaski County Commissioners were asked by a citizen to address their thoughts on the use and ownership of military vehicles in the county. That update was given at the commissioner’s meeting Monday night.

EMA Director Larry Hoover was present and stated that there were no dollars spent to get these vehicles. The only money spent was for manpower and fuel to get the vehicles and bring them to Pulaski County. As Sheriff Michael Gayer explained to the Pulaski County Council members last week, fuel was spent out of his budget and no additional tax money was used in the acquisition of the military vehicles.

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Marshall County Commissioners Approve Large Change Order

  
 

The Marshall County Commissioners approved a rather large change order during their meeting Monday morning for the 7th Road project.

At the previous meeting, Bart Trester from USI told the commissioners that unsuitable soil was found along the project route. Upon testing, it was found that the soil had a high organic compound which is not stable for construction. A soil bore had been conducted prior to the start of the project, but the soil composition was found to change frequently along the route. Trester explained that the organic soil needs to be removed.

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New Animal Shelter Opening in Pulaski County

6-18-14 Pulask Animal Center picAnimal lovers of Pulaski County can prepare for the opening of the new Pulaski Animal Center.

This non-profit organization aims to prevent animal cruelty and provide homes for misplaced animals. Their purpose is to educate the community about proper animal care and promote appropriate steps to prevent overpopulation. The facility will take owner surrenders and strays, but they do not have the ability to pick animals up. They can not accept any animals with severe medical conditions or extremely aggressive behavioral issues.

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