Oregon-Davis to Upgrade Camera Security System
Superintendent Dr. Steve Disney noted that the current system is 11 years old and with the growing age of technology and the need to provide the best security available for the staff and students, the board will be upgrading its system. Quotes will be received and the system will be installed once a bid is accepted.
Knox Community School Board Discusses Diploma Credits
North Judson Highland Cemetery Rules and Regulations Signs Installed
The North Judson Highland Cemetery now has two new aluminum signs in replacement of the older wooden sign that Clerk-Treasurer Donna Henry said had become dilapidated and disintegrated over the years. The town board had previously signed off on a quote of $860 for two new signs, one of which was posted at the main entrance while the smaller sign has been posted at the secondary entrance on the east side.
Hamlet Town Board Receives Police Update from Marshal Lonigro
The Hamlet Town Board this week received a report from Town Marshal Frank Lonigro III, who informed the board that his department in March made 51 traffic stops, responded to 50 calls, and made six arrests. He said the department is also working on getting a car repaired because the car battery regularly goes dead, and he said they suspect the accessory cables were to blame. The department will return the car to the business where the lights were installed and have them rectify the problem, and Lonigro said they will also fix the siren box.
Starke County Health Nurse Encourages Getting Active This Week
“More than anything it’s just a public awareness type of deal,” Lynch said. “You know, to get out and start becoming more active – spring’s here, people should be able to get out and do a little bit more activity outside as opposed to being cooped up in the winter like we have been this winter.”
San Pierre Fire Department Search for Serial Arsonist
San Pierre Fire Chief Mike Korous said that beginning Friday night and each night through Tuesday morning, an hour later each time, an unknown person(s) has started a fire on 900 West south of 700 South, 900 West north of 500 South, and on 800 West and 500 South. No homes or other buildings have been threatened by the fires, but a grass and brush fire is started every night on the side of the roads mentioned.
Whatever it Takes Committee Holds Open House at KCES
The Whatever it Takes Committee held an Open House Tuesday night at the Knox Community Elementary School in order to inform those attending of the proposed construction project on the May 7 ballot. Superintendent A.J. Gappa went over the specific problem areas in the 60-year-old Palmer Wing and how the project would be funded.
“I showed them the highlights of the problems with the HVAC units and the electrical system that’s maxed out,” said Gappa. “Door number seven fell in last year into a tunnel beneath it and we had to have that fixed. We also talked about wall separation in certain areas where the foundation is separating from the walls and the boiler system is outdated and in constant need of repair.”
Possible Urban Chicken Ordinance Discussed by Hamlet Town Board
Following the trend of cities and towns that have passed similar ordinances, the Hamlet Town Board this week held a public hearing to gain input on the proposed idea of an ordinance regulating urban chickens – that is, chickens within town limits. Board President Dave Kesvormas printed a copy of the small livestock ordinance currently in place for South Bend which regulates how many chickens are allowed at a residence and the requirements that must be met to house any livestock.
IDEM OK’s Use of Surplus Concrete As Road Fill Material
The pile of surplus concrete behind the Pulaski County Highway Department does not pose an environmental hazard, according to an official with the Indiana Department of Environmental Management. That was one of the claims disgruntled employees made against former highway superintendent Kenny Becker. New superintendent Mark Fox presented a letter from IDEM to the commissioners during their Monday meeting.
“This material is excluded from IDEM’s solid waste rules because it is all material that is found in roads, with the exception of possibly some of the material that is painted in there. If we run into a large quantity of painted material, it cannot be used,” said Fox.
Retirement Requests Accepted by Oregon-Davis School Board
Each of the teachers have more than 30 years of experience and have spent most, if not all in some cases, of their teaching career at the Oregon-Davis School Corporation.
North Judson to Soon Repair U.S. 30 Railroad Crossing Near Hanna
The town of North Judson received help from state representatives Douglas Gutwein and Tom Dermody, as well as Senator Ed Charbonneau and INDOT Representative Robert Alderman with the goal of obtaining funds to proceed with the repairs to the railroad crossing on U.S. 30 near Hanna. Clerk-Treasurer Donna Henry said the town has been working on getting the project under way since last summer.
Bass Lake Man Requests County Vacate Dilapidated Scoville Alleyway
An overgrown, unmaintained alleyway near the Bass Lake Property Owner’s Association building was a topic of discussion at the Starke County Commissioners meeting this week, as James Mol of Bass Lake approached them with a simple request: let him purchase the dilapidated alleyway which he currently maintains. However, nothing in government is that easy, and Mol learned that he would have to file a petition with the county, who would then be required to send notices of the petition via certified mail to all owners of property abutting the alleyway, hold a public hearing, and await a decision from the county as to whether or not they would vacate the property. To his dismay, Mol would be responsible for all related expenses.
Marshall County Commissioners Receive Medical Insurance Update
Nyers told the commissioners that the plan performed well in 2012. He noted at there were fewer ER visits, but the rate was higher than the national benchmark. Those who are involved on the county’s insurance plan utilized 72 percent of generic medications which Nyers said is excellent; it’s higher than the national average.
Psi Iota Xi Presents Craft and Vendor Show “Spring It On!”
Professor Questions Constitutionality of Ag-Gag Bill
Farm Service Agency Offering Loan Program for Farmers
Walking Challenge Extended to Starke County Residents
It’s National Walking Day today! In light of today’s observance, Julie Butus, health and human sciences educator at Purdue Extension in Starke County, is asking you to take part a walking challenge.
“What we want to do it get people up and moving,” said Butus. “We want them to get out and walk, run, jog, and bike and we will have a contest from Memorial Day to Labor Day.” If you have limited storage and you want to try cycling, there is a great range available from UK folding bike brand Ecosmo.
Mediacom to Implement Rate Changes
Bills will be going up $2.93 for a local broadcast station surcharge. Mediacom officials indicated that they were reluctant to raise prices, but pressure to pay more for the channels they carry prompted this rate increase. Their overall programming costs rose by over 12 percent in the past year.
Mediacom claims that the fees they pay to retransmit local broadcast stations are the fastest growing programming cost component.
The new rate for Family Cable will be $72.95 and the new family rate will be $75.88. These new prices will be effective May 1.
Two Arrested after Tuesday Morning Raid in Plymouth
Two Plymouth residents were arrested Tuesday morning after a raid at 1112 South Michigan Road in Plymouth, which is located across the street from Webster Elementary School.
Shortly before 6 a.m. ET, members of the Indiana State Police Emergency Response Section and the Meth Suppression Unit raided the home acting on a search warrant. The warrant was the result of a month-long investigation by the Plymouth Police Department and the Indiana State Police detectives.
