North Judson Town Board to Hold Budget Adoption Hearing Oct. 7
Preschool Parent Involvement Activity Spotlighted by Knox School Board
Superintendent A.J. Gappa said 70 people were involved in the effort.
Culver School Board Holds Public Budget Hearing; Passes Plans
Hoosier Lottery’s “Lucky Dog” Scratch-off Campaign Benefits Animal Shelters
At local shelters, donation boxes will be placed allowing visitors to donate unscratched or scratched winning Lucky Dog tickets, or any other Hoosier Lottery scratch-off ticket, as a way to help the shelter raise funds. In addition, anyone who adopts a pet from a participating shelter will receive a scratch-off ticket while supplies last.
Week 5 Football Picks
Harold’s Picks (18-4)
Bremen-32 Culver-7
John Glenn-46 Triton-6
NJSP-28 Pioneer-14
West Central-60 South Newton-13
Winamac-59 Tri-County-12
South Central-27 Wheeler-13
Knox-14 LaVille-7
Nathan’s Picks (17-5)
Bremen-48 Culver-14
John Glenn-35 Triton-7
NJSP-21 Pioneer-14
West Central-61 South Newton-21
Winamac-50 Tri-County-6
South Central-20 Wheeler-13
Knox-27 LaVille-21
Tom’s Blind Picks (8-14)
Bremen over Culver
Triton over John Glenn
Pioneer over NJSP
West Central over South Newton
Tri-County over Winamac
South Central over Wheeler
Knox over LaVille
Three Arrested on Drug Charges, Questionable Device Found
Three Marshall County residents were arrested Tuesday after a traffic stop in which a device was found that appeared to be explosive in nature.
Officers from the Marshall County Sheriff’s Department pulled over a vehicle in the 16000 block of 14B Road and reportedly found evidence of manufacturing methamphetamine.
Town of Hamlet Approves Advertisement of Ordinance Amendment
The Hamlet Town Board has published an amendment to an ordinance that pertains to the removal of weeds and rank vegetation within the town limits of Hamlet.
The amendment states that residents shall cut and remove weeds and other rank vegetation from their property. Growth should not exceed six inches in height.
Walkerton Man Arrested on Warrant, Drug-Related Charges
A Walkerton man was arrested in Knox on an outstanding warrant, and a subsequent investigation led to further drug-related charges for John Kwiatkowski. On Wednesday, an officer with the Starke County Sheriff’s Department conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle on U.S. 35 in Knox. Kwiatkowski, a passenger in the vehicle, was found to have an outstanding warrant for his arrest through St. Joseph County.
Starke Commissioners Discuss Drafted Golf Cart Ordinance
After receiving a number of complaints from various lake associations, like the Bass Lake Property Owners Association, the Koontz Lake Association and the Boa Shores Association, the Starke County Commissioners this week held a public hearing for an ordinance regulating the use of golf carts in the county. Commissioner Kathy Norem explained during the hearing that the associations around Koontz and Bass lakes requested that the commissioners consider an ordinance regulating golf carts around the lakes, and with the sheriff’s input and help from the county attorney and highway superintendent, Norem said they now have a drafted ordinance that should suit the needs of the county.
North Judson Town Board Looking to Build New Garage
The North Judson Town Board this week received an update on the process of moving the town’s garage to a new building, and according to Clerk-Treasurer Donna Henry, councilwoman Jane Ellen Felchuk is working closely with Town Superintendent Marshall Horstmann and will soon be acquiring signatures from residents as required to establish that the town is in need of a new garage.
Pulaski County Making Strides to Help Homeless Animals
More than 90 animals have “fur-ever” homes thanks to the efforts of Pulaski County Animal Control Director Sarah Thompson. Since March she’s been providing short-term housing for strays she picks up and posting their photos on Facebook and other animal rescue websites. Thompson says that number does not include the kittens that have been re-homed to farmers and others looking to control their rodent populations. Prior to Thompson’s hiring as animal control director, homeless pets were taken to the shelter in Starke County, where a fee had to be paid to drop them off.
ISTEP+ Results at Knox, West Central and Eastern Pulaski Schools
The ISTEP+ results have been looked at by officials at all schools in our area and Knox Community School Superintendent said there were some positive points and areas that need to be worked on.
“There were some good points and some points that need to be looked at,” explained Gappa. “In the elementary school, the average in both Language Arts and Math were in the upper nineties – the high point being the fifth grade Math with over 90 percent. The middle school had a little bit lower results and those will be checked out and we’ll report to the board at the next meeting.”
Culver Schools Report Positive ISTEP+ Results
The Culver Community School Corporation reports continue growth in their ISTEP+ results, according to Superintendent Brad Schuldt, who explained the corporation reported the highest scores they’ve ever had in combined English/Language Arts and Math scores. In addition, the number of kids passing the test at the elementary school is the highest its been as well, with the highest percentage they’ve had at the high school passing the end-of-course assessments as well.
ADM Counts Vary at Local Schools
“In this particular year, the elementary was up one student compared to last year. The middle school was down 14 and the high school was down 18,” reported Gappa. “Last year the middle school was up three. It varies from year to year in the class sizes. With the money following the students and open enrollment, it has changed things a little bit more.”
NJ-SP School Board Approves Receives Technology Update
The North Judson-San Pierre School Board at their meeting this week received an update on their technology plan, and according to Superintendent Lynn Johnson, the school will soon undergo some improvements on their networking infrastructure. She said they’re currently gathering quotes to improve the system, aligning various networking components to improve performance, in order to allow the school to possibly look into a one-to-one technology initiative in the future.
Dry Spell to Negatively Impact Yields, Says FSA Director
It’s nearing harvest time, according to Noel Lawson, executive director for Starke County Farm Service Agency. He said while harvest efforts haven’t really kicked in high gear, there are some fields being harvested, but he doesn’t expect fields to be cut for at least another week due to a dry spell that has hit the area over the last several weeks.
Lawson said the dryness has been pushing crops to maturity quicker than expected, but the harvest work hasn’t really kicked in yet.
Francesville Fall Festival Kicks Off Today
The Francesville Fall Festival kicks off today, marking the 48th anniversary of the festival that was originally created to celebrate the town’s new firehouse nearly five decades ago, but has since evolved into a beloved community event. Friday features attractions such as the Heritage Quartet at 6 p.m., Tri-County Kickers line dancing at 7 p.m. along with a “Master Cracker Jack and Miss Kandy Korn Contest.” Chicken bingo wraps up the day at 8:30 p.m.
ACLU Lawsuit Dismissed Against Eastern Pulaski Schools
Four People Arrested on Methamphetamine-Related Charges in North Judson
Officers located the wanted suspect, Michael Mann, in the home along with three other people inside the residence. The officers also reportedly observed several items used in the manufacture of methamphetamine.
