Comprehensive plans are used to guide the city for the future, pushing them in the right direction for development, targeting areas that may need redevelopment and helping the city to plan for growth socially and economically.
City of Knox Owner-Occupied Housing Project Delayed
Knox Mayor Rick Chambers stated the city should know something in June on how many homes will benefit from upgrades through grant funding.
North Judson Receives Update from INDOT on U.S. 30 Railroad Repairs
State Education Officials Urges Schools To Try Referendums Again
Indiana Superintendent of Public Instruction Glenda Ritz says school districts will have to continue to conduct referendums to seek tax increases until the Indiana Legislature changes the school funding formula. She made the comments during several stops in Lake and Porter Counties. Ritz told educators at the Hammond Area Career Center that “you have to spend money to get money.” She thinks that many voters in areas where school district referendums failed may not have been aware of the issue. The state school superintendent says she encourages the school districts whose referendums did not pass, to try again during the next election. Knox was one such school. Local voters rejected a property tax increase to pay for construction of a new $16 million elementary school wing. The Knox Community School Board has not indicated whether they plan to pursue the issue again during next year’s regular election cycle. In the meantime, Ritz says she will help the schools in any way she can. Ritz addressed members of the Professional Educators Partnership at Valparaiso University.
Pence Vetoes Pulaski County Tax Collection Bill
He adds that retroactive approval of the taxes collected is not the proper remedy for Hoosiers. Pence says he looks forward to working with the General Assembly during the next session to resolve the matter. Meanwhile, he has directed the Office of Management and Budget to develop options for refunding or crediting the revenues in question.
Plymouth School Board Approves $500,000 for Summer Projects
The Plymouth School Board this week unanimously approved several summer maintenance projects with a total cost of $585,369.49, and Maintenance Director Dave Schoof said most of the expenses will be taken out of a refunding bond for the school. The projects include renovating Lincoln Junior High and Riverside Intermediate to allow the accommodation of the new Innovation Academy, and the refinancing of the bonds has made these renovations possible. The Media Centers at both schools will be converted into space to allow project-based learning.
Pulaski County Commissioners Brace for Insurance Premium Spike
Starke Commissioners Approve Grant Application for Community Corrections
Bella Vita Holds 3rd Annual Fundraising Reception
Pulaski County Sheriff Says Register Your Valuables Through ReportIt
Plymouth Woman Arrested on Battery, Neglect Charges
An 18-year-old Plymouth woman was arrested early Thursday morning after an investigation into a battery incident.
Plymouth emergency personnel were called to a home in the 200 block of East Lake Street in Plymouth on a report that a one-month-old infant was having difficulty breathing. The infant was later transported to Memorial Hospital in South Bend.
Plymouth police conducted an investigation and found that the infant’s mother, Diana Turner, caused the baby’s serious injuries two hours prior to the medical call.
Olan Howard to Appear for Status Hearing This Morning
Tax Payments Due Tomorrow; Don’t Be Late
The dreaded day is nearly here. The first installment of property taxes are due tomorrow, and treasurers in Marshall, Pulaski, and Starke counties are working hard to process payments as they come in. May 10 is the due date for the first installment of property taxes with the second installment due Nov. 12.
Search Lands Knox Woman in Jail on Drug Charges
Kozecar Sentenced to Two Years for Receiving Stolen Property
Five witnesses were called to the stand including Kozecar himself and his brother for the defense during the trial.
Kozecar was sentenced to two years in the Department of Corrections with none suspended, but he can serve 12 of those months on home detention through Starke County Community Corrections. He is also required to pay restitution to the victim and has the right to an appeal.
Starke Commissioners Approve Purchase of Truck, Chassis for Highway Dept.
The Starke County Commissioners at their meeting this week heard from Highway Superintendent Rik Ritzler, who told the commissioners that he has received five quotes on trucks and chassis for the department and requested permission to purchase at least one truck before going to the county council to request permission to purchase the other three trucks that he says his department needs.
North Judson Town Board Again Revises Schedule of Fees Ordinance
Internet Casanova Sentenced in St. Joseph County Court
The man accused of leaving a string of broken hearts and bad debt from the Pacific Coast to the Midwest will be making his home in jail for the next several months. A judge in South Bend sentenced the so-called “Internet Casanova” to 18 months behind bars. Marshall County native Raymond Holycross, 29, pleaded guilty to theft during a prior court appearance. Authorities say he pawned his live-in girlfriend’s $850 camera. The Mishawaka woman found a pawn slip and called the police. She then discovered the man she believed was a jet-setting reporter for “The Huffington Post” was an unemployed womanizer who reportedly made a habit of wooing and stealing from women. She told the judge she thinks he’ll return to his old habits once he’s out of jail. Since his arrest, women in seven states have come forward claiming to be victims of Holycross’s womanizing ways. He’s also wanted on a Howard County warrant stemming from the theft of a firearm from a woman he dated there. Holycross has been in jail since his arrest in February. He received a credit of 78 days worth of jail time.
Marshall County Commissioners Discuss Emergency Fund Procedure for EMA Dept.
The Marshall County Commissioners will be approving resolution spelling out the procedure in obtaining emergency funds for the Emergency Management Agency.
In the case of a disaster, a way to appropriate emergency funds to the EMA Department will follow the state guidelines and will mirror the same procedure that the health department follows. The resolution will be ratified by both the commissioners and the county council.
Tentative Timeline Set for Hiring a New Eastern Pulaski School Superintendent
The Eastern Pulaski School Board met in special session this week to discuss criteria for the selection of a new superintendent.
Superintendent Dr. Robert Klitzman said the board made a tentative timeline for the application process and the hiring of a new superintendent.
