The Marshall County Commissioners heard a report from Marshall County Economic Development Corporation Board Chairman Bill Davis.
Davis explained that 2013 was one of the best years in Marshall County. Over $25 million in investments and businesses came into the county last year. The county has also seen a drop in unemployment and an increase in personal income.
As temperatures continue to improve and we move further into the spring season, construction projects are beginning and pothole patching continues. The asphalt plants will soon open to create product.
Asphalt plants will be opening a little later this season due to the unusually difficult winter. INDOT representatives have been told that the cold and poor traveling conditions have delayed prep work for the summer paving season. The prep work is necessary before the plants can open.
The Hamlet man whose trailer was destroyed by an early morning fire Tuesday is jailed on numerous drug charges after local police officers reportedly found a meth lab in the rubble. Hamlet Police arrested David Salyer, 45, at 2:10 Tuesday morning on preliminary charges of manufacture and possession of methamphetamine, possession of two or more precursors with intent to manufacture methamphetamine, false informing and maintaining a common nuisance. The Hamlet Volunteer Fire Department responded at 12:34 a.m. to 504 North Starke Street, lot 10 and left at 2:18 a.m., according to dispatch records. The Koontz Lake Volunteer Fire Department was called in to assist. Continue reading
The LaPorte County Sheriff’s Department is on the lookout for a wanted sex offender.
James W. Adams, 31, is wanted on a charge of Failure to Register, a Class D felony. Adams was convicted in Milwaukee County, Wisconsin of third degree Sexual Assault of a Child in 2001. He was identified as an Offender Against Children with lifetime requirement to register with law enforcement.
Adams first registered in LaPorte County in 2009 and in October 2013 he told the sheriff’s office he was homeless. Since October of 2013 he had been registering as homeless every seven days as required but he last registered in mid-February but has not been seen or heard of since. He was last seen in the Michigan City area.
The Knox Community School Board members discussed entering into a contract with The Crossing alternative school during their meeting this week.
Superintendent A.J. Gappa said The Crossing is a second-chance opportunity for students who have dropped out of high school, been expelled or transitioned to home school. Education is delivered in a way that best fits students.
Gappa confirmed that the board is moving forward to help those students.
None of the Pulaski County government buildings have fire alarm systems tied in to the 911 system to immediately notify the fire department in the event of an emergency, and the courthouse does not have any sort of sprinkler system in place. Those issues were raised during Monday’s county commissioners meeting when Teri Hansen from the health department asked why the fire alarm system at the annex building on Riverside Drive does not go anywhere. Maintenance supervisor Jeff Johnston says he will look into the cost of doing hard-wiring it to the dispatch center. He says the annex building at least has a zoned sprinkler system in place. “If there’s a fire on the third floor, only the third floor suppression goes off,” Johnston said.
That’s more than the courthouse has in place, according to Johnston. “Over here, there’s nothing. If there’s a fire downstairs in the hallway, this is going to be a nightmare. This is something we’ve looked at. We’ve got battery- powered smoke detectors stuck on like you’ve got in your house.” Continue reading
Voters who cast ballots in one Starke County precinct will do so in a new location, starting with the May 6 primary. Clerk Evelyn Skronski told the commissioners Wayne Township 4 was previously located at the North Judson-San Pierre School Corporation Administration Building. School officials said it’s becoming too crowded and offered an alternative.
“They told us that we could use the atrium area at the high school,” Skronski said. “The east side has the handicapped parking and a lot of space. It’s got what we need. The only thing is we have these big, open windows that let in lots of light. That’s fine. They’re going to cover them so that candidates cannot stand out there and do whatever they do.” Continue reading
Attention sports fans. Don’t miss your chance to hang out with Chicago Tribune sports writer David Haugh and bid on some exclusive Chicago sports SWAG Saturday night. He’s headlining a tailgaiting party Saturday night at the Nancy J. Dembowski Community Center to benefit a nonprofit organization close to his heart. His mother, Joan, is the executive director of Community Services of Starke County. Proceeds from “Tailgaiting with David Haugh and Charlie Adams” will all benefit the agency. Haugh says the organization was a part of his life when he was growing up in North Judson and is very important to Starke County because of all of the services they provide. He and former WSBT sportscaster Charlie Adams will be at the 5 p.m. event, which will include a live auction of a lot of sports memorabilia. Items up for bid include items from the reigning Stanley Cup Champion Chicago Blackhawks and footballs signed by Chicago Bears players. The Chicago White Sox also donated items, and a signed Notre Dame Football will be sold as well. Continue reading
The Knox City Council members discussed a revised fee ordinance Tuesday night.
Under Section 1, Article VI, Sec. 4-251. Location improvement permit fees, a commercial/industrial permit for new construction, additions and remodeling will be left at $5,000. In a previous discussion, the members considered an increase to $7,500, but later determined the $5,000 fee was sufficient.
Mike Lintner from the Marshall-Starke Development Center provided an annual report to the Marshall County Commissioners on Monday.
In addition to his annual report, he brought a client to visit with the commissioners. Gilbert Harrington became a client in 2008 in the supported living program. He is wheelchair-bound and rents a room with two roommates in one of seven staffed housing sites. Sixteen people are in the residential program in Marshall County.
Secretary of State Connie Lawson will be the featured speaker at the upcoming Starke County Lincoln Day Dinner. It’s scheduled Saturday, April 26 at the Bass Lake Community Center.
Gov. Mitch Daniels appointed Lawson to that post on March 16, 2012. He called her the obvious choice because of the local and state elections experience she brings to the office. Lawson served in the Indiana Senate for 16 years prior to her appointment. Before that she was clerk of the Hendricks County Circuit Court for eight years.
Two road construction projects in the Kankakee Valley will hamper travel for a few days.
According to INDOT Northwest Media Relations Coordinator Matt Deitchley, U.S. 35 between Knox and Winamac will be closed for 10 to 20 days for a pipe replacement. Deitchley said the closure should begin at State Road 10 and go south. The project is expected to begin on Monday, April 14.
The exterior of the new North Judson maintenance building should be finished by the end of the month. Clerk-Treasurer Donna Henry says town employees will complete the interior work. The new structure replaces the dilapidated building on George Street near the town park.
Speaking of the park, Henry says the town is looking for a seasonal caretaker to work through September taking care of mowing and maintenance issues there. Applicants can submit resumes to the town office through Friday, April 18. Continue reading
The Marshall County Sheriff’s Department has two new patrol sergeants. Patrolmen Phil Beam and Nick Laffoon were selected through a numerical scoring system by the Marshall County Sheriff’s Department Merit Board. Beam is a 27-year veteran of the department and lives in the Argos area. Laffoon lives near Plymouth and has been with the Marshall County Sheriff’s Department for nine years.
The defending champion in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series took time out of his busy schedule to talk to Behind the Wheel Producer Anita Goodan.
Crafton had his daughter with him during this interview as he talked about the upcoming truck series race at Kansas Speedway, his career and his championship:
Economy Auto Sales in Knox is a locally owned, Award winning Dealership and is celebrating its 25th Anniversary! Economy Auto Sales was named the 2012 Quality Dealer of the Year by the Indiana Independent Auto Dealers Association and was voted Starke County’s #1 Used Car Lot 8 years running by the Leader/Review’s readers. Located at 300 N. U.S. 35, you will find a large selection of used automobiles. Their buy here-pay here finance program provides you with Affordable down payments, flexible Pay Day payments plans, short loan terms with no added fees and no penalty for early payoff. All vehicles are inspected and serviced with a free 6 month, 7500 mile warranty. Financing Good People with All Types of Credit since 1989. Call 574-772-6646 or visit our website.
www.economyautosales.net
Starke County Youth Club celebrates it’s 7th Annual Radio-athon on May 2nd
Starke County Youth Club celebrates it’s 7th Annual Radio-athon on May 2nd
Starke County, Indiana – After the school bell rings, youth in Starke County have amazing opportunities. Students have access to high quality homework assistance, engaging enrichment activities, and fun recreational centers with adults who care. The Starke County Youth Club (SCYC) provides innovative services to children and families every day. These services are available at four convenient sites across the county during the school year and the summer. And, an amazing expansion is in the works!
The community is heartily encouraged to participate in The Starke County Youth Club’s 7th Annual RadioThon on WKVI, 99.3 FM on Friday, May 2, 2014 from 10 a.m. to 4 p. m.. The day of the RadioThon is filled with testimonials, special guests and fun challenges. It helps spread the word about this amazing program and the exciting changes ahead. Most importantly, it lets everyone know that
we must keep the doors open after school
Members:
Do you want to include a coupon or offer in our new member packet? Post a job opening? Need a copy or send a fax?
Take Advantage of your Chamber membership
1.) Would you like to share a coupon or special? The chamber would be happy to share your specials, coupons, etc. with our members and the rest of the community. We can place them in our new member packet, new resident packet, and even on the website. This is a free offer for chamber members. Contact the chamber office at 574-772-5548 to take advantage of this great offer!
2.) Do you have a job posting you’d like listed on the chamber website? Send an email to info@starkecountychamber.com and your job will be listed. A new page will be set up for job listings. This is a free offer to members.
3.) If you’re not in a local office and need a quick place to stop and make a phone call, make a copy, send a fax or check your email, stop by the chamber office and if it’s open, you’re welcome to come in and use our office as your quick, temporary one.
Starke County Tourism is putting together the next edition of the Traveler Magazine, the county’s Official Visitor’s Guide. This guide is distributed locally and throughout Indiana and peripheral states.
Would you like to advertise in it? Newcomers, visitors and local residents read this magazine. The last magazine was printed in 2009, and now we need to print more. Now you know the quality of the magazine. This is a great value for your advertising dollars! Lindenwood Retreat and Conference Center was quick to note how advertising in the Traveler brought them guests from far to become regular guests at their facility. Bring our visitors and readers to your business!
Click here for the form to advertise. We’re looking at an April 20 deadline date. Digital artwork is required, and if needed, we can help you create what you want. For more information, call 574-772-5548 or 772-0896. Pictured is the new front cover, Cleaver’s Chute at Bass Lake. 
