Starke County’s new sanitarian will earn considerably less per hour than his predecessor after action last night by the county council. Health nurse Frank Lynch asked the council to lower the wage for the position from $20.28 per hour to $18.50 to start. After 90 days and a successful performance evaluation it will go up to $19.00 and top out at $19.50. Lynch says this is consistent with what other counties pay for the same position and addresses the salary discrepancy between that job and his as head of the health department.
Judge Sets Trial for Man Accused of Fleeing from Cops
A Grovertown man who is accused of backing his car into a Starke County Sheriff’s Deputy following a high-speed chase will go to trial next month on charges stemming from that incident.
Starke Circuit Judge Kim Hall yesterday rejected a second guilty plea from 35-year-old Paul Coffin. He’s charged with possession of methamphetamine, resisting law enforcement, operating a vehicle dangerously while intoxicated and possession of pseudoephedrine by a meth offender in connection with the Sept. 3 incident on U.S. 30 at 1100 East. Continue reading
Judge Accepts Pleas, Sentences Three Defendants
Starke Circuit Judge Kim Hall yesterday accepted plea agreements and sentenced three defendants. Dakota Rousch, 19, of Knox, was sentenced to two years in prison for attempted theft, two years in prison for assisting a criminal and two years in prison for residential entry. The sentences are to run consecutively, for a total of six years, with no time suspended. That sentence can be served on work release through Pulaski County. Continue reading
Knox Elementary Art Program Faces Uncertain Fate
The Knox Elementary School MAY or MAY NOT have an art program in the 2015-16 school year. In an action on reduction of force (rif), the administration recommended that cancellation of contracts be approved for two teachers, including that of elementary art teacher Derek Eveland.IU Health Urgent Care Facility Available in LifePlex
If you are currently between primary care physicians or need to receive medical attention for any reason there is a local facility available to you. Lisa Jones with IU Health shared the details with WKVI, “We have urgent care in the LifePlex building and we do feel like its a secret that not many know about. It’s not very far from the folks here in Knox and this area, it takes about 20 minutes.” Continue reading
N.J.-S.P. Board Discusses Salaries
Administrative and non-instructional North Judson-San Pierre School Corporation employees will not be getting pay raises this year after action last week by the school board. That move is in response to budgetary constraints. Superintendent Lynn Johnson says there will be no increase to any salaries. Every year the board is required to take action on a resolution about Teacher’s Credit Union. The board was in agreement about continuing to use the company for payroll deductions. Continue reading
Two Alternative-Learning Students Receive Ancilla Tuition Scholarships
An alternative learning school in Knox is partnering with Ancilla College to offer scholarships to students.
The two-year liberal arts school in Marshall County is awarding their “Ancilla Alternative Achievement Award” to two students from The Crossing Educational Center in Knox.
Oregon-Davis Officials Prepare for Start of School
School’s starting earlier this year, but the Oregon-Davis School Corporation is ready. That’s the message superintendent Greg Briles gave the school board Monday. He told board members the schools are fully staffed.Culver School Board Takes Proposals Under Advisement
The agenda for the Culver Community School Board meeting was slightly amended yesterday evening. Rather than having the bond refinancing opportunity presentation after the consent items, the representative from Bose McKinney & Evans LLP spoke first. Continue reading
CASA of Marshall County Sees Lower Cases Than State
The Marshall County Commissioners were provided an update from an organization that advocates for children in the court system.
Haley Kittrell, the Director of Court Appointed Special Advocates of Marshall County, says cases involving abused and neglected children have been down in the area the first half of the year.
Continue reading
Knox Town-Wide Yard Sales Scheduled for September
The City of Knox has another set of town-wide yard sales scheduled for September 19th and 20th. Anyone within city limits or on the outskirts is permitted to participate. There are also spots open for vendors. A free map will be available in the parking lot of the Moose Lodge on the specified dates in September. Continue reading
Starke County Sheriff’s Office Gets Grant for New Vests
The Starke County Sheriff’s Office will be able to equip seven officers with bullet resistant vests thanks to a grant from Kankakee Valley REMC. Continue reading
Pulaski County Gauging Business Interest in Former Sportsman’s Site
The rubble at the site of the former Sportsman’s Bar and Grill remains according to officials with Pulaski County.
The building, owned by Courtney Hardin, collapsed earlier this year, prompting health and safety concerns in Monterey. The building is owned by an individual in Culver, but according to Pulaski County Commissioners, few are taking responsibility to clean-up the site. Continue reading
State Senator to Brief County Officials on Legislative Developments
State Sen. Jim Arnold will discuss new state laws with the Starke County Council and Commissioners when they meet this evening. He’s first on the agenda for the 5:30 p.m. council meeting. Continue reading
Hamlet Ward One Crowded As Convention Deadline Draws Near
Hamlet will be holding a Town Convention according to the latest candidate information from the Starke County Clerk’s office.
Multiple Democratic candidates are seeking to represent Hamlet’s Ward 1 on the Town Council. Brian Earnest, the Incumbent Frank Lonigro, and Connie Bailey are all vying for the seat.
Culver School Board to Discuss Financial Matters
The Culver School Board of Trustees will meet this evening and view a presentation over a bond refinancing opportunity for the school corporation. The board is also seeking permission to advertise for fuel bids. Continue reading
Organ & Tissue Donations Needed Daily
There are more than 100,000 people in the United States alone waiting for an organ transplant. There are even more than that awaiting donated tissue. There are more than 6,000 lives lost annually waiting for a transplants due to the lack of tissue and organ donations. Donate Life Indiana, formerly known as the Indiana Donation Alliance Foundation, has been working for nearly 20 years to educate Hoosiers on the benefits of being an organ donor. Continue reading
Convicted Murderer Released from IDOC
A man convicted of sex crimes and murder was released from the Indiana Department of Corrections.
According to a press release from the LaPorte County Sheriff’s Department, Richard Dobeski was let out of a New Castle, Indiana facility. He is a registered sex offender for crimes against children in Indiana.
North Judson Clerk Reports Highland Cemetery Mowed
Following citizen calls on the length of the grass at Highland Cemetery in North Judson, the situation has been remedied.
North Judson Clerk-Treasurer Donna Henry says the grass was mowed on Wednesday of this week.
High Temperature Tips
After an exceptionally stormy summer so far, Indiana will receive a blast of hot summer air this weekend. The National Weather Service predicts temperatures will reach at least 90 degrees across most of the state. Combined with high humidity, the heat index in some areas will reach more than 100 degrees. Prolonged exposure to these conditions can lead to heat illnesses like heat exhaustion and heat stroke. You should take all precautionary measures prior to feeling the effects of the heat in order to avoid developing either condition. Continue reading
