Pulaski Commissioners Open Bids for Bridge 268 Repairs
American Contracting Service offered a bid of $302,515.20, while LaPorte Construction submitted a bid for $181,102.35. Jack Isom Construction sent in a bid for $169,999.99, JCI Bridge Group submitted one for $176,527.32, and Yates Construction entered their bid for $312.903.27. Rieth-Riley Construction entered a bid of $299,988.
Monterey Bridge Project on Schedule
Bret Smiley, construction manager with United Consulting, said the construction crews have installed the Stay-in-Place metal decking. Continue reading
Marshall County Commissioners Approve Zoning Ordinance Amendment
The ordinance stated that a person found in violation of a zoning ordinance would be fined $200 per day. As Plan Commissioner Ralph Booker explained, he doesn’t feel some violations warrant a $200 per day violation fee and only assesses that fee when a court appearance is scheduled. He said he often gives a resident a notice of the violation and a warning. If the issue isn’t remedied, a $50 fine is given. If the violation goes ignored, a fee of $100 would be given on a subsequent offense and then a $200 fine if the case heads to court.
Police Arrest Two Suspects in Storage Facility Burglary
New Superintendent Chosen at Eastern Pulaski Schools
“I was a high school band director at Fountain Central in Veedersburg, Indiana and then I came to Eastern Pulaski as the assistant principal at the high school in 2004,” said Foster. I spent three years here and then went to Caston High School for one year as the Junior/Senior high principal and I’ve been there for the last five years as superintendent. I did my undergraduate at Ashland University in Ashland, Ohio, my Master’s in music at Miami University in Ohio and all of my administrative work was at Indiana State.”
Culver Schools Superintendent Retiring; Board Hires Company to Find Replacement
Knox Community School Board Updated on Start of School
Superintendent A.J. Gappa said things are going smoothly so far.
“School in all three buildings got off to a fairly smooth start,” explained Gappa. “I reported to the board that all of our buses are in good shape and doing well. We’ve added three new buses to the fleet.
Our next bus inspection is due sometime in October.”
Sobriety Checkpoint Planned in LaPorte County
The LaPorte County DUI Task Force will be conducting this enforcement effort at a location based upon the analysis of available crash data, impaired driving arrests and officer safety.
Knox City Council to Discuss Jail Water Project
A necessary infrastructure improvement to keep the Starke County Jail project on schedule will be discussed during a special-called Knox City Council meeting this evening. The pressure from the water pipe that feeds the facility on State Road 8 east of Knox is not adequate to provide fire protection to the building, based on the results of a recent hydrant test. City and county officials are studying options to remedy that problem and have decided that running a loop from Henry Drive to Edgewood to the highway is the best option in terms of cost and the time frame necessary to finish the project. Dennis and Chuck Estok have agreed to donate an easement through their property in order to accommodate the upgrade. The work needs to be done by April 1, 2014 in order to keep the jail project on schedule. Other options include building an underground tank to hold water or constructing a temporary tank above ground until the water lines can be upgraded. However, both options are considerably more expensive than running a loop to join with the existing pipe. The county commissioners agreed to spend up to $50,000 for the upgrade, with the work to be done by the city. The city council will consider that offer during a meeting this evening at 7 p.m.
Marshall County Commissioners Approve New Jail Healthcare Contract
Sheriff Tom Chamberlin wanted the commissioners to hear details about what kind of services this company would provide concerning medical care for inmates at the jail.
U.S. 35 Bridge Project on Schedule
County Council Tables Establishment of Parks and Recreation Board
The Starke County Council will discuss the establishment of a parks and recreation board in greater detail during a work session on Friday, Sept. 6 and could act to formally set up such a body during their regular September meeting. After quite a bit of discussion, council members decided more input is necessary before creating a new department within the county. Perennial problems at Bass Lake Beach and Campground led the commissioners to recommend establishment of such a board to oversee that attraction and other non-municipal facilities within the county like Boa Shores, the public beach at Koontz Lake and other properties there, the Starke County Forest and the park in San Pierre. The board would not manage the attractions but would serve as a liaison between the management and county government officials. Commissioner Jennifer Davis notes that all aspects of managing public areas that would fall under the purview of such a body are very time consuming for elected officials. Recently issues at Bass Lake Beach and Campground have dominated the commissioners agendas. However, an Aug. 1 inspection by a state health inspector found both were in “reasonable compliance.”
Final Route Determined for NIPSCO Reynolds Topeka Line
NIPSCO has determined a final route for the Reynolds Topeka Line – a 100-mile electric transmission line running from Reynolds to Burr Oak to Topeka – after analyzing the impact that several proposed routes would have had on homes, farms, irrigation systems, terrain, and environmentally and culturally sensitive areas. Kathleen Szot, external communications manager for NIPSCO, explained that the public open houses held in February and July proved to be extremely useful in helping determine a route that would cause the least amount of disruption.
Pence Aide With Role In Grade Scandal Leaving State Government
Gov. Mike Pence’s chief lobbyist is leaving the administration. Heather Neal also served as chief of staff to former State Superintendent of Public Instruction Dr. Tony Bennett and played a significant role in the changing of grades for a charter school funded by a prominent Republican donor. Copies of emails obtained by the Associated Press indicate Bennett and Neal frantically intervened late last year on behalf of the Cristel House Academy to boost the school’s grade from a C to an A. “The Journal Gazette” reports Neal is joining Limestone Strategies as president of its public affairs practice. The company is based in Indianapolis and Washington, D.C. Bennett lost his reelection bid to Glenda Ritz last November and was hired as state education commissioner in Florida. He resigned from that job after news of the grading scandal broke.
Medaryville Woman Arrested After Failing Field Sobriety Tests
The caller attempted to wake up 42-year-old Lori Schultz by speaking loudly and pounding on the car’s window, but she wouldn’t wake up. A deputy with the Starke County Sheriff’s Department arrived at the scene along with Starke County EMS and the San Pierre Fire Department.
Pulaski County Commissioners Approve “Extraordinary Indiana” Expense
Police Agencies Continue to Collected Unused, Expired Medications
The unused medications had been collected since April 27 and they were incinerated in a licensed facility.
Community Walk Scheduled in North Judson Tonight
Do you need help logging steps in the Moving Starke County Forward walking challenge?
Those wanting to help step up the effort in reaching a goal of 25,000 miles by Sept. 2 can participate in a walk scheduled in North Judson tonight at 6 p.m. CT. Walkers are to meet at the intersection of State Road 10 and 250 West. A parking area is available at that location.
