Work Continues on Starke County Bridges

Posted on Author WKVI
Starke County Highway Department workers add rip rap to bridges.
Starke County Highway Department workers add rip rap to bridges.

Work on two Starke County bridges should be finished by the end of the month. Starke County Highway Superintendent Rik Ritzler says the replacement bridge on 800 East over Eagle Creek just north of 500 West is halfway done. Work is also under way on the bridge on 900 South over Bogus run just west of 100 West. LaPorte Construction is doing both projects for the county. They will also replace the bridges on 50 East over Smith Ditch just south of 500 South and on 450 South just west of Range Road over Smith Ditch in the spring. Continue reading →

Pulaski County Commissioners to Review Courthouse Repairs after New Year

Posted on Author WKVI

Pulaski County CourthouseRepairs needed to the Pulaski County Courthouse structure will be determined after the first of the year.

Maintenance Director Jeff Johnston brought up the issue after an assessment was received about masonry repairs at the courthouse last month. The limestone needs to be repaired around the perimeter of the courthouse as it has come apart. Mortar joints were found to be defective, eroded or missing. The stairs also need to be repaired.

The base quote given for repairs were just over $83,600.

Continue reading →

Pulaski County Drug Free Council Seeking Grant Applicants

Posted on Author WKVI
 
 

Grants are available from the Pulaski County Drug Free Council for programs that combat marijuana and alcohol abuse. Those are the main issues identified in the council’s three-year comprehensive plan, based on data from the police, prosecutor’s office, probation department and local treatment providers. They found alcohol abuse is on the rise among both juveniles and adults in Pulaski County. Also adult abuse of marijuana is increasing. Continue reading →

LaPorte Officials Evacuate City Block after Suspicious Package Found

Posted on Author WKVI
 
 

A LaPorte city block was evacuated this morning after police found what appeared to be three pipe bombs inside of a box.

LaPorte Mayor Blair Milo informed residents on her Facebook page that the LaPorte Police Department responded to a call of a suspicious package in the 700 block of Philadelphia Street. Once officers determined what was inside the box, the Porter County Bomb Squad and the ATF were notified. Those officers successfully removed the package.

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Polls are Open for General Election

Posted on Author WKVI
 
 

Today is Election Day! The polls are open from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. local time.

You need to have a legal ID in order to cast your important vote at the polls. The Bureau of Motor Vehicles will be open during the time the polls are open. License branches will only process new, amended or replacement ID cards, and renewed, amended or replacement driver’s licenses, learner permits, and CDLs. Aside from disability placards, the branches will not perform any other BMV services today only.

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Starke County Coroner-elect Weighing Space Options

Posted on Author WKVI
The Starke County EMS base in Grovertown is one possible location for a county morgue.
The Starke County EMS base in Grovertown is one possible location for a county morgue.

Starke County Coroner-elect Adam Gray has a backup plan for morgue space in case a basic structure cannot be completed before he takes office in January. He told the county commissioners Marshall County Coroner Bill Clevenger uses space at St. Joseph Regional Medical Center in Plymouth and is talking to officials there about allowing Starke County to share that space as needed. Gray says the Jasper County coroner is also willing to let Starke County use space there if necessary. Continue reading →

Equipment Installation in Progress in the Pulaski County Justice Center

Posted on Author WKVI
Pulaski County Justice Center
Pulaski County Justice Center

The installation of equipment at the Pulaski County Jail is underway. Maintenance Director Jeff Johnston have the commissioners an update on the progress during last night’s meeting.

The metal work on the roof at the justice center is complete and a final walk through was conducted.

“The new water heaters are over halfway through the installation process,” said Johnston. “One of the water heater units is in place, but they haven’t fired it up yet. They won’t take the other one offline until they’re positive that it’s working correctly. On Nov. 10, I’m set to meet with the council to go over the sealed bids that you guys opened and made decisions on and get all of that worked out as far as the CAGIT goes.”

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Three Major Projects in Marshall County on Track for Completion This Year

Posted on Author WKVI
Jefferson Street bridge
Jefferson Street bridge

Bart Trester from USI Consultants updated the Marshall County Commissioners on a few projects in the county.

Trester said traffic is running on the third phase of the roundabout north of Plymouth on Michigan Road as part of the 7th Road project.

“The contractor is in the process of starting work from the roundabout to the bridge over the Seltenright Ditch in hopes of opening the roundabout this year. Contractors also finished the majority of the bridge construction over Seltenright Ditch with only railing items to be completed,” said Trester.

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Washington Township School to be Demolished Monday

Posted on Author WKVI

Washington Township SchoolThe Washington Township School, at the corner of Division Road and State Road 23, will be demolished on Monday, Nov. 10.

A volunteer contractor from Monterey is in charge of the demolition and debris removal.

For safety reasons, the Washington Township Park will be closed to the public until the demolition and cleanup is complete.  Availability of brick will be reviewed after the demolition begins.  Officials can decide if the bricks or other materials can be salvaged.

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Bids Accepted for Hamlet-Davis Township Fire Station

Posted on Author WKVI
The new fire station will be built between the Starke County Fairgrounds and the Wayne Apartments in Hamlet.
The new fire station will be built between the Starke County Fairgrounds and the Wayne Apartments in Hamlet.

The plans for the new Hamlet-Davis Township Fire Department building moved forward last night at a joint meeting of the Davis Township Advisory Board and the Davis Township Building Corporation. Construction bids totaling $665,681.00 from seven contractors for the $870,000 project were accepted. There is no re-bidding required. Continue reading →

Vocational Program’s Fate Hinges on Balanced Calendar Adoption

Posted on Author WKVI
 
 

At least one of the popular trade programs offered through the North Central Vocational Educational Cooperative could be in jeopardy as participating corporations weigh the pros and cons of a balanced school calendar. Kyle Elliott is instructor for the building trades program based at Culver Community High School. He says students from Knox and North Judson-San Pierre are also enrolled in the program. If the three schools are on different schedules, Elliott says it will put kids and parents in a really tough situation. Continue reading →

Knox Redskin Brigade Ends Season at Semi-State

Posted on Author WKVI

06-07-14 Music Recycled picThe Knox Redskin Brigade performed in the semi-state round at Decatur Central High School this past weekend. Twenty schools competed for the top ten spots to advance to state on Nov. 8th at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. Their gold rating received at the Indiana State School Music Association regional competition earned the band a slot to compete at the semi-state round. Continue reading →

Officials to Discuss Pleasant View Rest Home’s Historic Landmark Status in Thursday Meeting

Posted on Author WKVI
Pleasant View Rest Home
Pleasant View Rest Home

The Pulaski County Commissioners and the Pulaski County Council will meet in joint session this week with the Indiana Department of Natural Resources Division of Historic Preservation and  Archaeology regarding the historical landmark status of the Pleasant View Rest Home.

The members of the historic preservation committee met on Oct. 22 to hear comments of support or non-support of the county home’s nomination as a historic landmark. The committee received 27 letters of support and Pulaski County Commission President Larry Brady was the only county representative who spoke to the panel.

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Fire Destroys Walkerton Bar

Posted on Author WKVI

Red-Hots-fireOfficials are investigating a fire that occurred early Sunday morning at Red Hot’s Bar in Walkerton.

The fire started around 3:30 a.m. ET and crews were on the scene for several hours attempting to extinguish the fire. Several departments responded to the scene.

The fire started in the basement, according to report on WNDU-TV.

The Indiana State Fire Marshal will assist in the investigation.