K99.3 WKVI is sponsoring an American Red Cross blood drive this month.
The blood drive is scheduled for Tuesday, July 30 from noon to 6 p.m. CT at the Nancy J. Dembowski Community Center in Knox.
BMV Branches to Close for 4th of July Holiday
The branches will resume normal business hours on Friday, July 5 except for 16 branches state-wide including Rensselaer, Walkerton and Winamac which will reopen on Tuesday, July 9.
Online transactions can be conducted at http://www.mybmv.com.
Synthetic Drug Bill Tightened
In a new law that took effect in May, wording tightens the current law regarding synthetic drugs. It makes it illegal to possess or sell products that look like the chemically enhanced substances banned under previous laws targeting products sold legally as incense or bath salts but that mimic the effects of marijuana and cocaine when smoked or ingested.
More Funding for Roads and Bridges Coming to Starke County
The General Assembly chose to allocate a significant increase in funding for counties, cities and towns to more fully maintain and construct new road and bridge projects as the years go on. With the economy and greater usage of high fuel economy vehicles giving the state less of a chance to collect revenue with the gas tax, local road and bridge projects have been delayed to keep local budgets fiscally balanced.
Mechanical Issues Plague Knox City PD Squad Car
Chief Clint Norem told the Knox Board of Public Works that the car had been in repair status for a while and when Norem was off-duty, his patrol car was being used during evening rotation. The Charger was returned to the department on Thursday and is back in rotation.
Former Meth Lab Sites Require Remediation to Clear Toxic Byproducts
Properties where meth labs are discovered must be professionally decontaminated by a state-licensed contractor before they can be deemed fit for human habitation again. Local enforcement of that law falls to county health officials, who work closely with law enforcement to keep tabs on arrest records and make sure properties are cleaned up. Joe Mazuka, the operations manager for Meth Lab Cleanup Company, says the toxic waste can linger indefinitely if it’s not addressed.
“It doesn’t go away. A lot of people think meth has a half-life or something. It does not,” said Mazuka.
MPI Employees Vote No to Union Takeover
Two Men Sentenced for Conspiracy to Possess, Distribute Heroin
The pair pleaded guilty to the offense as the result of an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer Chang-Adiga.
State Creates New Office in Effort to Serve Entrepreneurs, Small Business
The office will house two centers and a number of specialty programs. The Small Business Development Center and the Procurement Technical Assistance Center will work to provide integrated resources and consulting services to businesses in Indiana that have fewer than 500 employees.
Medaryville Rescinds Letters of Mowing Ordinance Violation
Utility Bill Corrected for Reageant Chemical
The Knox Board of Public Works approved a utility bill credit for Reagent Chemical.
Knox City Clerk-Treasurer Jeff Houston explained that a coding error occurred and the industry was billed $397.74 more than necessary. A decimal point in the wrong spot was reportedly to blame and was picked up by the staff.
Number of Events Planned for Pulaski County 4-H Fair This Weekend
Entries for the goats, poultry, rabbits, sheep and swine livestock competition start the day off at 5 a.m. and run til 10 a.m., with open class exhibits entered from 8:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. A meeting of livestock exhibitors is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. at the 4-H Show Arena, and poultry judging will take place at noon.
Fireworks Celebrations Planned for Independence Day
Michigan City Man Sentenced on Unemployment Insurance Fraud
Fraudulent Activity Suspected at LaPorte Banks
Starke County Jail Site Receives Zoning Variance
Knox Fire Chief Offers Fire Safety Tips
With the many house fires that have been fought in the area recently, fire safety is one thing to keep in mind.
Fifty-three fire fatalities have been reported so far this year, compared to 46 total last year. Knox-Center Township Fire Chief Kenny Pfost notes that these deaths could have been prevented if a working smoke alarm was present.
“Most home fire casualties occur at night when people are sleeping,” said Pfost. “The smoke and toxic gases generated by a fire induce a deep sleep and decreases a person’s chance of survival. It’s important that every sleeping room has a smoke detector and one placed outside of every sleeping room. You also need a smoke detector for every level of the home.”
Pulaski County Fair Underway This Weekend
The Pulaski County Fair kicks off this weekend with a number of exciting events planned throughout the week until the fair ends on Friday, July 5. Unfortunately, due to the large amounts of flooding that have occurred recently, the Truck and Tractor Pull event has been postponed until late summer or early fall. On top of that, the 4-H Horse and Pony Show planned for Sunday has been moved off the grounds and officials have postponed the contesting planned for Wednesday.
Despite that, there are a number of fun events planned for the next several days. Judging of 4-H projects will take place Saturday at 1 p.m., followed by the 4-H Dog Show at 9 a.m. The 2013 4-H Royalty will also be crowned on Saturday at 3 p.m.
Henry F. Schricker Library Addition Should Be Complete by September
The new wing is looking more and more complete each day, and Urwiler said they’re still on track for completion toward the end of August or early September. The crew will soon finish putting in the windows and then the masonry work will take priority as they improve the exterior of the addition, matching the look of the existing library. Workers will also be working on the electrical infrastructure next week as well.
Knox Street Superintendent Gives Update to Board of Works
Knox Street Superintendent Jeff Borg reported to the Board of Public Works that they are active in eradicating mosquitoes but conditions have to be right to do so.
Borg explained that calm winds and clear nights are just right for spraying for mosquitoes. Regular spraying times have been hampered due to the weather this season, but crews are making efforts to rid the city of the pesky bugs. They are also applying larvicide to standing ponds, swamps and marsh areas as often as possible.
