Several fire hydrants will be replaced in Knox this spring.
Water Superintendent Todd Gardner said the hydrants on John Street in front of the apartment building will need to be changed out. He said they are over 100 years old and are not functioning. He’s concerned because there isn’t adequate fire protection in that area if a structure fire were to occur. Another hydrant on the corner of John and Prettyman Streets will be replaced, as it is broken off at the ground.
Starke County is generally known for growing three crops: corn. soybeans and peppermint. A local man plans to join a dozen or so other Hoosier farmers that are now planting hops – a main ingredient in beer that could become a major local crop.
Typically grown in the Pacific Northwest, there are half-a-dozen varieties adapting to Hoosier weather. Hops are essentially flowers that grow on a vine. The crop requires a tall trellis system about 20 feet tall and then every year you have to tie strings to the top of the trellis and anchor them down. Continue reading
Part of Starke County Road 300 East through the Knox Industrial Park is closed today so concrete can cure. Contractors are working in the area to restore lawns and driveways that were disturbed by last year’s road widening project. Continue reading
A plea hearing has been set in Starke Circuit Court for a man accused of stabbing a Knox resident in the early morning hours of Sunday, Nov. 30.
According to the affidavit of probable cause, Benton Christopher Howard and Brandon Davidson got into an argument at a home in Knox which escalated to a physical confrontation. Howard allegedly unsheathed a knife and stabbed Davidson in the chest. Davidson was taken to the hospital with a collapsed lung and damage to his heart.
Howard is charged with attempted murder as a Level 1 felony and aggravated battery as a Level 3 felony.
The Marshall County Council on Aging continues to cater to more and more patrons with transportation needs.
Executive Director Jackie Wright gave the Marshall County Commissioners an annual report this week and said they have been turning down requests for transportation as they aren’t able to accommodate all of the requests. About 60 denials were given in each quarter in 2014. She explained driver and vehicle availability and hours in the operation day were the main reasons why those requests were denied. The agency has nine vehicles with 15 drivers.
The March unemployment rates in Starke, LaPorte and Jasper Counties are well above the state average, while Marshall and Pulaski Counties are slightly under that number. That’s according to figures released by the Indiana Department of Workforce Development. Continue reading
A Winamac industry has been recognized for efforts to create employment opportunities for residents.
Officials from Galfab, Inc. received a WorkOne Achievement Award this week during a ceremony at the Indiana Statehouse.
Galfab, Inc. is a premier designer and manufacturer of waste equipment of all types. They partnered with WorkOne to utilize hiring services, along with the WorkKeys skills assessment and interviewing processes to locate, assess and identify individuals with the right skills for positions. According to the Indiana Workforce Development, over 40 welders have been hired in this partnership and over 20 young adults have received valuable work traits and industry knowledge through work experiences.
North Judson-San Pierre students can attend summer school classes that have been offered in the past, or they can take new classes.
Superintendent Lynn Johnson said summer school classes will be meet Monday through Thursday starting June 8th and continuing through June 25th.
More income surveys are needed to help Pulaski County obtain a planning grant for a new EMS building.
Pulaski County Community Development Commission Executive Director Nathan Origer told the county commissioners this week that 500 surveys are needed, and only 100 have been returned.
The lone contractor to submit a timely cemetery mowing bid to the town of North Judson will do the work this year. Clerk-Treasurer Donna Henry says the town council awarded the bid to Shef’s Lawn Care Services. Their $15,000 bid includes mowing of Highland and Pioneer Cemeteries and other miscellaneous lawn care around town. Continue reading
Starke County officials have opted to do their own lawn maintenance and snow removal at the new jail in an effort to contain costs. On Monday the county council approved the purchase of a mower with a commercial grade deck for the facility. It will be paid for with tax money set aside for construction of the building east of Knox on State Road 8. Continue reading
The Starke County Sheriff’s Office will have a vehicle kennel for another K9 when the time comes to purchase another dog.
The Knox Board of Public Works agreed to loan the city-owned kennel to the county to help reduce the county’s costs toward another K9 unit. Mayor Rick Chambers explained that the Knox City Police Department no longer has a K9 unit and had the kennel in storage. Sheriff Bill Dulin requested the use of the kennel and the request was granted Wednesday morning.
A demonstration to bring awareness to student driver safety is set for Friday, April 24 at 10:30 a.m. CT at the South Central School Corporation.
The LaPorte County Sheriff’s Office is focused on safety for the upcoming prom season. Sheriff John Boyd stated that LaPorte County has not seen any accidents involving teen drivers during this time of the year, and he wants that to continue.
Sheriff Boyd wants to focus on the importance of safe driving habits including distracted driving. Cell phone calls and texting are two issues surrounding distracted driving.
A born-again Christian who had two abortions during her teenage years is the featured speaker at this evening’s Marshall County Right to Life banquet. Angela Minter is the founder and executive director of Louisville-based Sisters for Life. Continue reading
A bid of $13,100 was accepted by the Hamlet Town Board last night to complete six improvements in Hamlet’s 2015 50-50 sidewalk replacement project. There was also discussion with engineer Lee Nagai about installing new street lights and sidewalks in a possible downtown revitalization project.
Another improvement under consideration includes solving the standing water problem at a street intersection near the Lutheran Church. Continue reading
Part of Starke County Road 300 East through the Knox Industrial Park will be closed overnight and through the day tomorrow to allow concrete to cure. Contractors are working in the area to restore lawns and driveways that were disturbed by last year’s road widening project. Continue reading
A Grovertown man faces theft and drug charges in Marshall County following a weekend undercover investigation. A patrolman from the Marshall County Sheriff’s Department was investigating the theft of truck rims and tires which the victim had located for sale on Craigslist. Continue reading
Concerns over the stability of a grain elevator that exploded last week, injuring four employees, have delayed the investigation into the cause of the blast. Experts at the LaCrosse Feed Mill site say some work will need to be done first to make the structure safe for entry. Continue reading
Formal charges have been filed against a Knox man accused of handcuffing, shackling and water boarding a woman at his Bass Lake area home. Employees at Bass Lake Pub and Ristorante called 911 after the woman showed up there early last Wednesday afternoon and told them she had managed to escape. Benny Giselbach was arrested nearby by deputies from the Starke County Sheriff’s Office after a multi-agency manhunt. Continue reading
North Judson will still have a grocery store thanks to quick action by the town council. Heartland Markets has signed a letter of intent to buy Ray’s Super Foods on Lane Street. Company officials also asked the town if they could offer any incentives. North Judson Clerk-Treasurer Donna Henry recently spoke with representatives from the State Board of Accounts, who suggested they could set up a revolving loan fund for economic development projects. Continue reading
