The Knox Board of Public Works members discussed a water bill issue concerning Hoosier Custom Plastics during their meeting Wednesday morning.
Knox Mayor Rick Chambers and Clerk-Treasurer Jeff Houston explained that business owner Gordon Schenk reported an unusually high bill for July and was hoping the City of Knox would reduce the bill.
The effects of federal funding cuts are trickling down to the local agencies that deal with transportation for older residents and other services.
Community Services of Starke County Director Joan Haugh said the organization has incurred a 24.3 percent federal funding cut for transportation, which was before the sequester took effect. Elderly services, which include congregate meals, home-delivered meals, homemaker services, and restaurant voucher programs, have been cut by 12 percent.
Knox-Center Township Fire Chief Kenny Pfost stated that his department has not been called to many grass or brush fires during this dry spell and encourages residents not to burn – especially on windy days.
A work moratorium on road construction will be in effect for the Labor Day weekend.
The Indiana Department of Transportation will remove road restrictions to ease traffic flow for an anticipated traffic increase. Some closures and restrictions will remain on larger projects, including the U.S. 35 bridge project just south of the U.S. 30 interchange in Starke County and the U.S. 6 bridge project which is two miles east of U.S. 35 in LaPorte County.
The moratorium will begin Friday, Aug. 30 in the afternoon and normal construction will resume in the morning hours of Tuesday, Sept. 3.
Free food will be distributed on a first come, first serve basis. You are encouraged to bring a laundry basket or box to carry food home. Frozen meat, baked goods, beverages, vegetables, snacks and cereal are just a few of the items that will be given out.
You must meet 185 percent of the federal poverty guidelines in order for you to qualify. For more information on those guidelines, call (765) 471-0062 or visit http://www.Food-Finders.org.
Monday Night Ladies League Aug. 26
Monday Night Ladies League Sept. 9
Monday Night Ladies League Sept. 16
Monday Night Ladies League Sept. 23
Monday Night Ladies League Sept. 30
Monday Night Ladies League Oct. 7
Monday Night Ladies League Oct. 14
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Monday Night Ladies League Nov. 4
Monday Night Ladies League Nov. 18
Monday Night Ladies League Nov. 25
Monday Night Ladies League Dec. 2
Monday Night Ladies League Dec. 9
Monday Night Ladies League Dec. 16
Monday Night Ladies League Dec. 30
Monday Night Ladies League Jan. 13
Monday Night Ladies League Feb. 10
Monday Night Ladies League March 10
Monday Night Ladies League March 17
“You can tell that to people, and yet still the fear with the loss of such an icon and a pioneer in the community and the industry – until we do things people won’t see it. This is not anything but what we had planned to do if Ralph was still here, so it just happens to be that the timing is good, and it will be tangible evidence to people that we’re committed to this area,” said Gutwein.
The Knox City Council last night held a public hearing during their regularly scheduled meeting to discuss the 2014 budget. Clerk-Treasurer Jeff Houston explained to the board that the city expects to see an increase in the overall budget of just under 3 percent; however, he said the city will likely have to make some cuts in order to capture the maximum amount of taxes the city has coming to it, but overall, the budget is in pretty good shape.
With two festivals taking place this weekend and the weather heating up to over 90 degrees with some serious humidity, it is important to make sure you stay hydrated and don’t overexert yourself during the festivals in this intense heat. The Blueberry Festival in Plymouth and the Monterey Days Festival are both scheduled this weekend from Aug. 30 to Sept. 2, and festival-goers are strongly encouraged to make sure you have enough water for you and your family, and, if you begin to feel dizzy or light-headed, seek cooler environs and hydration immediately.
“Auto repairs that aren’t made properly; used cars that are sold that are total lemons – but because they’re ‘as-is,’ the consumer can’t do anything about it,” said Grant.
A judge in Fulton County has ruled in the bench trial of a murder defendant accused of brutally slaying an elderly Knox woman. Roy Bell is guilty of murder, robbery and criminal confinement. Fulton Superior Court Judge Wayne Steele says the state proved its case beyond a reasonable doubt. The charges stem from the November 22, 2011 murder of Wilma Upsall at her daughter’s home near Leiters Ford. Court documents indicate Bell admitted breaking into the home, finding her sitting on the couch in her robe and house slippers and tying her to a chair with a telephone cord while he and two friends ransacked the residence. They decided to kill Upsall because they were afraid she would be able to identify them. Upsall’s daughter found her slumped over dead in a chair when she came home. Bell was arrested two days later at a home in Monterey. The judge set Bell’s sentencing for Monday, Sept. 16 at 1:15 p.m. Eastern. He faces the possibility of life in prison without parole. WKVI’s Anita Goodan was in court for today’s proceedings and will have a complete wrap-up later this afternoon, on the air and online at WKVI.com.
The bench trial of the man accused of brutally murdering an elderly Knox woman after breaking in and ransacking her daughter’s home in Leiters Ford is under way in Fulton Superior Court. Roy Bell is charged with murder, robbery and criminal confinement in connection with the November 22, 2011 shooting death of Wilma Upsall. Photos of the crime scene indicate a telephone was ripped from the wall, and Upsall was bound to a chair with the cord and a knotted towel. Ligature marks were visible on her wrists, and forensic evidence indicates she was shot from behind with a .380. Bullet holes, casings and unspent cartridges were found nearby, and the master bedroom appeared to have been ransacked. Her daughter came home and found her slumped over in the chair. WKVI’s Anita Goodan is in the courtroom and says Upsall’s family members were visibly shaken when they saw the photos. However, Bell has shown no emotion so far. He faces a maximum sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole. So far three state troopers and a state police crime scene technician have testified for the prosecution. Bell was apprehended at a home in Monterey two days after the shooting.
“It means everything to Medaryville and the surrounding community to get a business like that, or any kind of business. Everyone in the area is in support of it. We really need it,” said Payne.
The next Pulaski County Commissioners meeting is Tuesday, Sept. 3, but it’s unclear whether the matter will be discussed then.
The Pulaski County Advisory Plan Commission granted conditional approval to a rezoning request for a proposed confined hog feeding operation pending approval from the Indiana Department of Environmental Management. Brothers Joshua and Jared Brown of North Judson, doing business as JoJa, LLC, want to raise between 20 and 25,000 pigs per year on 40 acres of land at 200 North and 400 West. The proposed farming operation will be situated behind a large sand hill in order to be somewhat less obtrusive. John Hoek is acting as a consultant on the project.
