Parents be advised, there are some new immunization requirements for students heading to school in the fall. The State Department of Health recently released their immunization requirements for students, which includes some new vaccinations.
Continuing her efforts to raise awareness of the health problems in the county and the newly-formed coalition, “Moving Starke County Forward,” former state representative Nancy Dembowski appeared before the Knox City Council asking them to proclaim 2013 a “Year of Health” for the city of Knox.
Dembowski explained that because the county had come in second-to-last place for health rankings in the state, she said it’s time to see what can be done to improve health in Starke County. She said that a proclamation from all county governments would help spread the word, and she said the organization is also planning a number of county-wide health contests. On top of that, Dembowski said the group is hoping to hold a drug symposium in the spring to raise awareness of the harmful effects of drugs.
The Culver School Board discussed a number of action items at their regular meeting on Jan. 7 and appointed several members to various teams and responsibilities.
Board member James Wentzel made a motion to appoint Superintendent Brad Schuldt as the Title IX Coordinator – a motion that was seconded by board member Ken VanDePutte and passed unanimously. Every school or school district that receives federal funding is required to designate and adequately train at least one employee to coordinate the recipient’s Title IX responsibilities.
The Starke County Chamber of Commerce has announced the winner of the Henry F. Schricker Award for 2012.
This year’s recipient is Joseph Eugene “Gene” Blastic of Bass Lake. Gene has served Starke County in many ways and exemplifies Schricker’s motto of “Service before Self.”
An all-day conference of the Leadership Starke County organization will take place today at the North Judson-San Pierre School Corporation from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The 12 members on the committee will be discussing education, future direction, funding and holding several panel discussions on the different topics.
Pulaski Memorial Hospital’s winner of the Patsy Shoemaker Award for 2012 has been announced.
The Patsy Shoemaker Award is presented to the Pulaski Memorial Hospital Outstanding Associate of the year each December and the 2012 recipient was Michele Willing. Willing began her career at the hospital in 1988 as a medical transcriptionist in Health Information. She then advanced to Data Specialist within the department. After the unexpected passing of Patsy Shoemaker, she filled the position of Health Information Management Supervisor.
Willing continues in her work as Health Information Management Supervisor.
A Starke County man was arrested recently amidst allegations that he invited a child to engage in inappropriate physical contact.
Rodney Freet, Jr. is accused of Child Solicitation after a juvenile girl told her father that Freet had invited her to engage in the inappropriate conduct.
An ongoing dispute in the city administration for Knox has left one office empty, as former Planning Commissioner Greg Matt was not re-elected to his position. Worse, the Planning Commission and Mayor Rick Chambers are at odds as to who elects the planning commissioner – Chambers said he believes the planning commissioner is a department head appointed by him, but the Planning Commission believes he is an employee appointed by the commission.
The Plymouth Police Department made two drug arrests Tuesday afternoon.
Officers conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle driven by 36-year-old Nigel Rowe of Plymouth at the intersection of 5th and Adam streets. Police found that he was driving on a suspended license with a prior conviction. He was arrested on preliminary charges of Driving While Suspended-Prior and Possession of Synthetic Marijuana.
Police then conducted an investigation at 810 N. 5th St. and found the homeowner, 36-year-old Cheryl R. Knapp, to be in possession of drugs. Knapp was taken to the Marshall County Jail and booked on a preliminary charge of Possession of Marijuana. She was jailed on a $1,500 bond.
Pulaski County Sheriff Michael Gayer approached the county commissioners at their meeting this week with a request to follow through with the second of two vehicle purchases approved by the county council. Gayer said he had purchased one of the vehicles last year with the commissioners’ approval, but now, he has returned once again seeking permission to purchase the second.
Vincent Rossetti pleaded guilty to two causes in the Starke Circuit Court this week. Rossetti pleaded guilty to Habitual Traffic Violator as a Class D felony and was sentenced to 18 months in the Department of Corrections with none suspended, and his driver’s license was suspended for two years.
The Starke County Commissioners this week approved the signing of a contract application for Community Corrections. Robert Hinojosa, director of Starke County Community Corrections, told the commissioners that he wasn’t asking them to sign the contract just yet; he was merely asking them to approve the application for the contract.
Starke County Commissioner Jennifer Davis attended the most recent meeting of the North Judson Town Council to express, on behalf of the commissioners, their thanks to the North Judson Park Board, Council, and anyone else that had anything to do with the Christmas light display at Norwayne Field. Davis said the lights were spectacular and a fine representation of the community and Starke County.
The Oregon-Davis School Board met in special session Monday night to install new board members. Superintendent Dr. Steve Disney said the two newly elected members, Kurt Hayes and Lee Nagai, were sworn into office and then the board reorganized for the year.
The Culver Community School Board held their first regular meeting of the year on Monday, Jan. 7, and the first order of business was the swearing-in of new board members.
Vice President Ryan Sieber and notary public Jo Ann Warner administered the oath of office to elected board members David Cooper, Ken VanDePutte, James Wentzell, and Mark Maes, before the board members made their nominations for board officers.
A glucose and blood pressure screening was recently completed by IU Health Starke Hospital Wellness Specialist Crystal Sanders at the hospital in Knox. The screenings are part of an ongoing effort by the hospital to keep Starke County residents informed about conditions that could become problematic if left undetected.
The next screening conducted by Crystal Sanders will be Wednesday, Jan. 16 when she will be attending the next Coffee With Dave event at the Country Kettle Restaurant in Knox. Attending will be Red Hat members, but the screening is open to the public.
The Knox Community School Corporation will soon be implementing a new program that will enhance communications between the three schools, parents, guardians and patrons.
School Messenger will be utilized to help get the message out to subscribed patrons about important school events such as closings or delays or school emergencies. Superintendent A.J. Gappa explained that a mass text message will be sent out on Monday, Jan. 14.
A financial aid meeting has been organized by the officials at Knox High School.
The “Paying for College” workshop will be Wednesday, Jan. 16 at 6:30 p.m. CT in the high school cafeteria.
1-8-13: Haley Collings had a season high 24 points and 19 rebounds in a 77-47 win over John Glenn.
Boys Basketball Coaching Leaders: (Through 1/8/13)
Dan Warkentien-South Central (16 years): 262-117 .691
Travis Hannah-John Glenn (13 years): 151-149 .495
Bryan Heimlich-West Central (9 years): 113-96 .541
Kyle Elliott-Culver (5 years): 47-49 .489
Kyle Johnson-Winamac (3 years): 29-25 .537
Phil Shabi-NJSP (2 years): 19-10 .655
Matt Crawford-OD (2 years): 4-26 .133
Scot Spoljaric-LaCrosse (2 years): 3-26 .115
Chris McGowen-Knox (1 year): 2-8 .200
