The Knox City Council will be holding a public hearing tonight in regards to re-establishing the cumulative capital development fund for the city. Clerk-Treasurer Jeff Houston explained that the council would like to re-establish that fund because over time the levy – that is, the amount of money raised from taxes – goes up, while the percentage of funds going toward the cumulative capital fund goes down.
Hoover says the river in both Monterey and Winamac crested well short of the high-water mark set in 2009, when it hit 15.72 and 15.69 feet respectively. It topped out at 12.21 feet in Winamac over the weekend and reached 14.37 feet in Monterey. Additional rain is possible tomorrow, but Hoover hopes that the water level will have dropped enough by then that it won’t cause any significant problems.
Voters who reside within the Knox Community School Corporation limits can see for themselves the problems with the elementary school’s 60-year-old Palmer wing during an open house and tour this afternoon at 4 p.m. It’s sponsored by the “Whatever It Takes” Committee, who claims the original school lacks the electrical infrastructure necessary to support today’s high-tech classrooms, the heating and air conditioning systems are over-taxed, and foundation problems are causing cracks in the floor. Additionally, they say the kitchen is too cramped for cafeteria staff to prepare enough food for the entire building.
Melody Braun was at the Indiana Statehouse recently to accept an award in her late husband’s honor.
Governor Mike Pence recently honored Ralph Braun with the Distinguished Hoosier Award. Representative Doug Gutwein attended the award ceremony and stated that there was no way to fully show appreciation for all that Ralph Braun accomplished, but hoped this could show how appreciative Indiana is for the major contributions he made to the state.
After 26 years at the helm of the Eastern Pulaski School Corporation, Superintendent Dr. Robert Klitzman announced that he would be retiring when his contract ends on June 30. The Eastern Pulaski School Board met in special session on Monday, March 18 and approved Klitzman’s request for retirement.
The board’s split vote on renewing Klitzman’s contract for the 2013-2014 school year prompted his decision.
The board is now tasked in finding his replacement. That process will begin tonight during the board’s work session.
The Plymouth Police Department’s ranks are growing, with the addition of three new academy-trained officers to the force. Jeremy Enyart previously worked for the Argos Police Department. Matt Emenhiser was an officer with the Marion P.D., and Ben McIntire received his training while he worked for the Bourbon Police Department. Plymouth Clerk-Treasurer Toni Hutchings administered their oaths of office Monday morning. All three were offered conditional employment in January by then-Chief Jim Cox, who noted the department received more than a dozen applications for the three openings. They have since completed the testing process and pension board approval. They will complete the department’s field training process by working with other officers before taking to the road on their own.
Hoosiers are invited to participate in National Volunteer Week by helping Indiana’s State Parks & Reservoirs. Jody Heaston, volunteer coordinator for the DNR Division of State Parks & Reservoirs, says there are many opportunities from maintaining trails to entering computer data. Heaston hopes many volunteers from National Volunteer Week will “catch the giving-back spirit” and continue to volunteer throughout the year. The Tippecanoe River State Park north of Winamac is always in need of volunteers. Park management and the nonprofit Friends of Tippecanoe River State Park are teaming up on Saturday, May 4 to host a volunteer day and spring clean the nature center, work on the new scenic overlooks and get the horse campground ready for the park’s busy season. Give the park office a call at 574-946-3213 if you would like to help out or like the Friends of Tippecanoe River State Park page on Facebook for more information
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“A lot of social services providers, neighborhood centers, youth groups, churches and so forth, will reach out to their populations to do some good financial education,” said Henn.
Governor Michael Pence has signed a bill into law that addresses mobile disaster relief funding.
This bill helps pay overtime for the emergency personnel called out to statewide disasters. When the tornadoes hit Henryville in March 2012, firefighters from around the state responded to the scene. Local departments had to absorb the cost of paying the firefighters and their backups for their overtime work.
If you’re going to leave valuable electronics in your vehicle, you may want to make sure your doors are locked. A LaPorte man told police that an Apple iPod, a Garmin GPS unit and a Coach brand backpack were taken from inside his unlocked Suzuki sometime overnight Friday. It was parked in the 300 block of Harrison Street. The LaPorte Police Department is investigating the theft.
Palmer requested that the court enter into an agreement with Maximus Consulting in order to help prepare claims and collect child support through the IV-D Child Support Program. Palmer explained to the commissioners that money collected for child support comes in and is divided between the prosecutor’s office, the clerk’s office and the general fund. If they work with Maximus Consulting, it could boost money for the general fund that could amount up to $40,000.
The facility, located in the back of Wythogan Park and near the Yellow River, is prepared for any flooding that may occur. Several years ago, the treatment facility suffered issues from a high Yellow River when there was backflow of water into the equipment. Residents were unable to use restrooms facilities until the workers could get the issue under control. Workers have since revamped the area so backflow will not be an issue.
Wastewater Superintendent Kelly Clemons said the river is expected to reach 10.1 feet and flood stage in Knox is about 10 feet. The river should fall below flood stage around 8 p.m. this evening.
Spring cleaning at the Eagle Creek and Lerch Cemeteries at the corner of 700 East and 25 North will be Sunday, April 28 beginning at 1 p.m. CT. You are asked to remove all times from graves. All items that are left will be removed for disposal.
On Sunday, May 5 at 2 p.m., the Washington Township Board will hold a special meeting to go over the year-end report and accept bids for mowing at the Eagle Creek and Lerch Cemeteries. Bids will also be accepted for mowing at the Washington Township Elementary School and for the replacement of a concrete pad in front of the fire station.
The Knox Community School Corporation will once again offer breakfast and lunch to area youngsters this summer. The Summer Feeding Program starts on Monday, June 3 and continues through Thursday, July 25. All meals will be served in the Knox High School cafeteria. Breakfast will be available from 7:15 until 8:15 each weekday morning. Lunch will be served from 11 a.m. until noon. Free meals will be available to children ages 18 and under and to persons over age 18 who are enrolled in a state-approved educational program for the mentally or physically disabled. The program is funded through a federal grant. If you would like more information, call Knox Community School Corporation Director of Food Services Sandra Landry at (574) 772-1632.
If you can’t make it to the Starke County Sheriff’s Department on Saturday, you can take it to any Indiana State Police Post from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. local time. The sixth nationwide “Prescription Drug Take Back” initiative will allow you to drop off your unwanted, expired and unused prescription medication at any of the state police posts around the state. This is intended for liquid and pill medications.
Other sheriff’s departments in the area are also participating. For a list of locations, click here.
