The Pulaski County Commissioners denied a request from Auditor Shelia Garling to withdraw a former appeal to close offices early on Christmas Eve.
Garling had made the request in an earlier meeting as she had gotten some feedback from fellow department heads asking to close the office early to accommodate plans for Christmas. The commissioners approved the request with the understanding that the workers who leave early use remaining PTO time or forego those hours.
Officers from the Knox City Police Department are looking for information regarding an alleged stabbing that occurred early Sunday morning.
IU Health Starke Hospital officials called the police department after a man came into the facility with a single stab wound, according to police. The victim, whose name has not been released, was transferred to an area trauma center in critical condition.
There has not been an arrest in this case, but police are seeking information regarding this incident. Call (574) 772-4122 to report an anonymous tip.
The Starke County Commissioners will revisit the notion of offering Highway Superintendent Rik Ritzler a long-term contract when they meet this morning. President of the Commissioners Jennifer Davis is spearheading the effort in order to maintain continuity within the department. She notes Ritzler has a multiple-year plan for road and bridge improvements and wants to see that it is carried out.
Commissioner Kent Danford previously raised concerns about the precedent such an action would set. He says possibly offering Ritzler a contract is a “test case” and adds he will say no to anyone else who requests a long-term employment contract until he sees how this works. Commissioner Kathy Norem agrees and says the county commissioners need to approach any such matters with an abundance of caution. Danford agreed at the last commissioners meeting to meet with county attorney Marty Lucas before today and come up with contract language to address his concerns. Continue reading
The Knox Community School Board will consider the adoption of a balanced calendar when they meet this evening. It still features 180 instructional days. School starts the first of August and ends the first of June. Students get longer fall and spring breaks which can be used for remediation or enrichment activities. Continue reading
The Culver School Board will be discussing the Balanced Calendar concept tonight. During the last meeting the board received balanced calendar survey responses from families, students and faculty members. A total of 780 responses were received with 75 percent of the surveys saying yes, they would like to see a balanced calendar implemented. Continue reading
Applicants for health insurance coverage through the marketplace should be aware of scammers during this open enrollment period. Indiana Department of Insurance Commissioner Stephen W. Robertson says no one at Healthcare.gov needs credit card information in order to help you apply for insurance. This has happened to people who have called the toll-free number to sign up for coverage or ask questions about the plans offered in accordance with the Affordable Care Act. Robertson says scammers set up telephone numbers that are very similar to the Healthcare.gov number in hopes that someone will misdial. Continue reading
The Marshall County Commissioners will meet today where Bart Trester from USI will give an update on the 7th Road construction project, the Metronet project and work on the Jefferson Street bridge.
The commissioners will also have the second reading of an ordinance regulating construction setbacks at Pretty Lake. Plan Director Ralph Booker explained in a public hearing that the Pretty Lake Homeowners Association approved a change where new construction at the lake would need to be a 45 foot setback from an 789.0 elevation line.
The Knox City Council approved an ordinance to refinance the water bonds.
John Julian from Umbaugh and Associates explained to the Knox City Council members last week that the city has $1.5 million outstanding on bonds from 1988 and from 2006 and refinancing now could save the city up to $10,000 a year throughout the remainder of the life of the bond.
Julian said it depends on where the interest rates are but he hopes that he can close on this refinancing by the end of the year.
The Town of Culver is receiving more monetary assistance from the Culver Redevelopment Commission to go towards the new water treatment plant project. The commission announced last week at the town council meeting they will be giving $100,000 to the town. Continue reading
The flu season is underway and health officials urge you to take steps now to prevent the flu.
Influenza is a viral infection of the respiratory tract and is spread by droplets from close contact with infected people or contact with contaminated surfaces or objects. Symptoms of the flu include fever, headache, fatigue, cough, muscle aches and sore throat.
Some people are at higher risk of complications related to the flu including pregnant women, young children, those with chronic illnesses and/or compromised immune systems and the elderly.
Get into the spirit of the holiday season tomorrow with Giving Tuesday. Starke County Youth Club Executive Director Irene Szakonyi says the local nonprofit has joined the movement.
“It really does inspire people to take action for their local community to give, whether it’s giving a gift of money, of time, of making a donation of another sort,”Szarconyi said. “We really want to encourage and join what is now actually a global movement to give on Giving Tuesday, which is Dec. 2nd.” Continue reading
Knox Street Superintendent Jeff Borg told the Knox Board of Public Works members that the last leaf pickup was conducted last week and overall the season went really well.
Borg said his staff is ready to tackle winter. He has obtained a different sand to mix with the salt in order for it to distribute onto the road with greater ease. Borg said the sand has some fine stone in it so it can flow better and he’s purchased it from Area Excavating at a less expensive price and half of the cost of transportation to haul it to the city than the previous vendor and location. He indicated that there is a stockpile of the sand ready for when the snow hits.
Hensler Nursery is donating farm-grown Christmas Trees to U.S. troops and military families through Trees for Troops once again this holiday season. Last year more than 17,000 trees were delivered to 65 military bases in the U.S. and overseas. Continue reading
Starke County will be represented on the main Christmas tree on display in the Capitol Building in Indianapolis this holiday season. Each year First Lady Karen Pence hosts an event to light the large tree in the rotunda of the Capitol with hundreds of school children attending.
This year, the program has changed to provide multiple smaller trees, and one 12-foot tree provided by the Indiana Tree Growers Association. All the trees will be in the rotunda. The main tree will have a statewide theme. Continue reading
Starke Circuit Judge Kim Hall has appointed a three-member recount commission to review the votes cast in two recent General Election contests. A petition seeking a recount was filed in the fourth district council race on behalf of Republican Don White, who lost to Democrat Pamela Stalbaum by two votes in the race to succeed Marvin McLaughlin. Incumbent Railroad Township Trustee Roger Chaffins, Sr. also filed a petition for a recount after losing to Republican Mandy Thompson by three votes. Continue reading
The Marshall County Police Department is investigating a recent burglary at a home in the 17000 block of 12th Road. Sometime between 6 and 9 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 21 someone broke into the residence and stole two diamond rings and currency, according to the property owner. Anyone with information about the theft is asked to call the Marshall County Police Department.
Unemployment slipped a little in October for Starke County, but still remains low compared to previous reports. In all, 77 counties saw a slide in unemployment in October.
Starke County had an October unemployment rate of 6.1 percent. The percentage fell two points in October. Starke County is ranked 15th in the state.
Money has been earmarked for the construction of a shell building in the Knox Industrial Park.
Starke County Economic Development Foundation Executive Director Charlie Weaver told the Knox City Council members last night that companies are looking for existing structures to move right into to start up their businesses. Weaver said companies don’t want to have to go through the process of building the site with infrastructure, permitting and zoning issues. They want to have a building that they can customize to their needs and begin their business right away.
A man was sentenced to probation in a hearing in Starke Circuit Court Tuesday afternoon.
William Jones pleaded guilty in a plea agreement with the state to a charge of domestic battery as a Class D felony. Judge Kim Hall accepted the plea agreement and Jones was sentenced to 18 months in the Indiana Department of Corrections with the entire sentence suspended to be served on probation. Jones must pay a $50 domestic violence fee along with court costs.
The search for a Town Manager in Culver continues. At the last meeting, Culver officials extended the search for a town manager until Dec. 1st. The town has been working with consultant Mitch Ripley to find a suitable candidate. Continue reading
