Proposed renovations to the Starke County Courthouse and old jail building across the street will start next spring and wrap up by the end of 2016 under a timeline adopted last night by the county commissioners. Plans call for the former jail building to be turned into office space for Starke County Community Corrections and the probation department. Purdue Extension will move from the courthouse into the basement, and space will be incorporated for a county morgue facility. Continue reading
North Judson will be holding a Town Convention after all.
Jesiah Clemons filed to run for the North Judson Town Council Ward 2 seat this November. He was listed as an Independent candidate for the position. The Starke County Clerk’s office, however, says Clemons failed to meet the deadline to file his paperwork.
Starke County EMS is still looking for EMTs and paramedics. Director Keith Emigh told the county commissioners this week his goal is to have all three bases adequately staffed in order to offer county-wide Advance Life Support Service around the clock, seven days a week. Continue reading
The North Judson City Council met Monday evening for their regularly scheduled meeting. Clerk-Treasurer Donna Henry presented a $225 quote for pest control services during their last meeting and after some deliberation during their latest meeting the The Council approved the treatment of town hall by Combs Pest Control, so they will be using florence sc pest control or the pest control portland to get rid of the problem. Continue reading
There’s only a few more months left for prime Farmers Market season. The Knox Farmers Market runs until Halloween and then they close up for the year. In an effort to highlight the importance of farmers markets across the country on Saturday, August 1st U.S Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced the start of the 16th annual Farmers Market Week. It began Sunday August 2nd and will run until Saturday August 8th. Continue reading
Are back-to-school vaccinations on your end of the summer to-do-list? If not, they should be. Regardless of what grade your child is going into, there are required immunizations they must receive or have listed on their medical records. The requirements and recommendations are in alignment with the routine vaccination schedules from the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices. Continue reading
Officers from several Starke County law enforcement agencies assisted in the apprehension of a man at a Koontz Lake residence on an out-of-county robbery warrant. They responded to a home in the 7700 block of Tippecanoe Drive this morning to arrest 30-year-old Cody Cooley on a warrant from Dearborn County. A news release from the Starke County Sheriff’s Office indicates they spotted him through a sliding door trying to hide in an upstairs closet. Continue reading
IU Health Starke Hospital officials are using a life-size cardboard mock-up of their proposed new facility to finalize design plans. President Craig Felty says the blueprint doesn’t do it justice.
“When you see something actually 3-D and real life, it really puts it into perspective. It really helps to solidify what we have in the blueprint but also shows us so much more, that we could actually make it so much better than we thought. On the blueprint it looks good, but it looks so much better when it’s actually all put up together.”
The Pulaski County Commissioners have decided to make an investment in an Information Technology Department.
It was learned recently that Willie DeGroot, a Winamac-based small business owner who provides technology repair services for the County, will be ending his contract for services in 30 days or fewer.
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The Starke County Health Department held an executive session Monday evening to receive information and interview prospective employees. Following the executive session, a public meeting was held related to the environmentalist position. Continue reading
It’s only the first week of August, but officials with the Starke County Highway Department are already planning for winter. Superintendent Rik Ritzler told the county commissioners this week the county’s salt cost has gone down significantly over last year. The county piggybacks on the state’s bid and is able to realize considerable savings as a result. Ritzler says the price per ton has gone down from $73.62 to $65.32. If this winter is comparable to last year’s, he says that will save the county about $10,000. Continue reading
Congresswoman Jackie Walorski wants to hear how federal regulations have impacted farmers, business owners and manufacturers throughout her district. She’s launching a Get Regulation Out of the Way, or GROW, tour. Walorski cites a report from the American Action Forum that the Obama administration has issued more than 500 major federal regulations. They’ve cots taxpayers almost $2 trillion in compliance. A major regulation is anything expected to have a $100 million annual effect on the economy. Continue reading
The Indiana Bicentennial Commission oversees the planning and execution of a statewide celebration for Indiana’s 200th birthday. On the final day of July they held a meeting where more than fifty Legacy Projects were deliberated. Pulaski County’s Legacy Project was among those that received the commission’s approval. Continue reading
During the summer months, the American Red Cross and other blood banks see a sharp decline in the amount of donors at their blood drives. On average during the summer months, about two fewer donors give blood at each Red Cross drive than what is needed. It if for this reason that the American Red Cross is urging all eligible donors to pitch in an help prevent a blood shortage. Continue reading
Several candidates met the Monday deadline to file paperwork for office in Starke County.
Communities hosting Town Conventions – which includes Hamlet and North Judson had a state deadline of August 3rd. Parties with more than one candidate for office will now decide which candidate represents the party heading into November’s General Election.
Some major changes were implemented to the Pulaski County Emergency Management Agency Board, Monday evening.
The Pulaski County Commissioners felt it necessary to make the changes after a review of Indiana Code. State law was being reviewed following the resignation of EMA Director Larry Hoover.
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Highway superintendent Rik Ritzler says Starke County is on schedule to have no deficient bridges by 2020, according to the latest bridge inspection report. It finds the condition of the county’s bridges has significantly improved over the last two years, going from 17 to 12 deficient. Ritzler says that number should be down to 10 by the end of the year. Continue reading
School is back in session this week for students in several local corporations. Motorists are reminded to be alert and aware near bus stops and places where youngsters may walk or ride bicycles to or from school.
Indiana Department of Homeland Security spokesman John Erickson says drivers need to slow down and be extra alert for children who are closer to streets. He notes youngsters aren’t good at judging vehicle speeds and may try to cross streets too close to oncoming vehicles. Also Erickson says children listening to music on headsets and playing games on hand-held electronic devices may not be as aware of their surroundings. Continue reading
After a successful “open house” and “back to school night,” all three Knox school principals reported last night, at a school board meeting, that the events “went well” and they saw many smiling faces. Superintendent A. J. Gappa reported an “air of optimism” in the halls about the new balanced calendar, as did board members.
While an official count of students will be made later, Gappa said a look at early registration indicates an increased enrollment and that additional computers may have to be ordered for high school students. Continue reading
