A project that began in 2002 is in the construction phase and should be completed by the summer of 2012. The Koontz Lake Sewer project is making headway and Paul Warnke of the Koontz Lake Regional Sewer District is in to talk to us about it today.
“We started initial construction of the collection system about a month ago and they’re working out there everyday, five days a week, and so far, I’d have to say we’re pretty much on target,” said Warnke.
The Pulaski County Airport Association Board approached the Commissioners Monday to inform them of their need to extend their runway an additional 800 ft. The runway, which is currently 4200 ft long, is required to be at least 5000 ft in order for corporate aircraft to land without jeopardizing their insurance. This is a huge issue for corporations, such as the Braun Corporation, because they are forced to lower the amount of weight on their aircraft in order to land on a shorter runway. This adds up to a substantial amount of difference in cost of operation, because the fewer trips an aircraft has to make, the better; Each time an aircraft has to shut off and then start up again, cycling the fuel through the system, it costs about $2000!
“The future of the Democratic process is at stake.” Those words were pronounced by Indiana’s House Majority Leader, Brian Bosma, last week in reference to the continued walk-out of 39 Democrats from their state legislative seats.
The Democrats have managed to shut down the House for a month and win concessions from Republicans on labor and education bills. As long as they hang together, the legislature is at an impasse.
Ted Hayes talked with Representative Robert Behning (R-District 91) to find out the attitude of a ranking Republican on the walkout. Behning is the Republican steering the education bill through the House. Ted asked him his general view of the walk-out.
Indiana has 43 new probationary troopers assigned to state police districts throughout the State. Members of the 70th Indiana State Police Recruit Academy took their oath of office on March 4th at the Zionsville Performing Arts Center.
The recruits received approximately 917 hours of structured training since September 9th, 2010. Their curriculum included administrative subjects, general police subjects, investigations/criminal subjects, criminal and traffic law subjects.
Merrillville, Ind.-based NiSource Inc., parent company of Northern Indiana Public Service Company (NIPSCO), today announced a $25,000 donation from the NiSource Charitable Foundation to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund in support of its relief efforts in Japan.
It was on this date in 1969 that UCLA beat Purdue in the final game of the NCAA Basketball Tournament at Freedom Hall in Louisville, Kentucky.
Jerry Johnson of Knox started in that game going up against Lew Alcinder, who eventually became Kareem Abdul Jabbar.
Jerry Johnson will be Ted Hayes’ guest on “Ted Hayes Remembers” this Friday at 12:20 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. CT.
Too bad Jerry won’t be able to cheer, cheer, for old Purdue during the program as the Boilermakers stumbled against VCU Sunday evening.
Marshall County police are reporting that 21-year-old Kristan Kye Wright hasn’t been seen since she left her grandmother’s house around noon on Friday, March 11.
Wright’s grandmother stated that she said she was going to work, but she never showed up at the Plymouth restaurant where she works as a waitress. No contact has been made with relatives or known friends since then.
Police said there is no indication of foul play and they believe Wright might have left on her own free will. However, they say want the public’s assistance in finding her.
Wright has been known to have acquaintances on South Bend’s west side, possibly in the Western Avenue and Indiana Avenue areas, say police. At the time of her disappearance she was driving a green 1999 Buick Regal 4-door with Indiana registration MG3847.
If you have any information, call (574) 936-3187 or 1-800-800-6999.
Friday Night Mixed League 03/18/11
Team Standings:
1. 4-Alarm Fire 74.0-42.0
2. Alley Aces 73.5-42.5
3. Rollin’ Thunder 67.0-49.0
4. Good Friends 62.0-54.0
5. Mariah’s Hill 60.5-55.5
6. Dolezal Family 57.5-58.5
7. Raiders 57.0-59.0
8. Undecided 56.5-59.5
9. Hard Times 53.0-63.0
10. Baugh Construction 52.5-63.5
11. Feel the Power 49.5-66.5
12. O’s Tap 33.0-83.0
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Thursday Night Ladies Sandburr League 03/17/11
Team Standings:
1. Sew What Embroidery 68.0-32.0
2. WKVI Radio 58.0-42.0
3. Area Services 57.0-43.0
4. Mark’s Body Shop 54.0-46.0
5. Mirror Images 53.0-47.0
6. Norton’s Packaging 50.0-50.0
7. Smith’s 49.0-51.0
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LaPorte County Sheriff’ Michael Mollenhauer has announced the death of an in-custody inmate at the LaPorte County Security Complex. The death occurred in the early morning hours of Saturday, March 19th, 2011.
No details are being released pending further investigation of the incident by the LaPorte County Sheriff’s Office and the LaPorte County Coroner’s Office and until notification is made to the individual’s next of kin.
Starke County Prosecutor, Nicholas Bourff, is in his third month on the job and has already made a suggestion to help speed up C and D Felony proceedings.
“One of the proposals I’ve made is to try, even if it’s with the C and D Felonies, to see if a case is going ahead to trial, and we know it will, to see if we could get a bench trial set, which just involves the Judge, instead of a jury trial,” said Bourff. “The one major drawback there is that if a defendant wants a jury trial, he or she has that right. If the defendant agrees to a bench trial, then it would save thousands of dollars and it would shave off quite a bit of time as far as eliminating the need for jury selection. In my experience as a defense attorney, the majority of my clients would not have had a problem with going to a bench trial.”
When WKVI asked Starke County Health Board member, Brenda Stanojevic, about funding, she said that Health Officer Dr. Theresa Alexander told the Board that funding will be a problem, but they should make it through.
The question was raised because the fee for a septic permit has decreased from $200 to $60. Dr. Alexander said she going to a meeting to find out ways to keep the office solvent.
Dr. Alexander said, “At some point, funding is going to raise its ugly head and we’re going to have to keep on top of it.”
Sam Frain, of Winamac, has been named the 2nd District Acting Republican Party Chairman, upon the death of GOP Chairwoman, Joyce Smith. Frain has been fulfilling many of Smith’s duties over the past two years because of her illness.
A caucus will be called in April to permanently fill the vacancy. Frain has announced that he will be a candidate for the position.
The Eastern Pulaski School Board members discussed the possibility of eliminating Driver’s Training at their most recent meeting.
“Funding is being cut and in turn, we have to make some very hard decisions,” explained Superintendent Dr. Robert Klitzman. “Driver’s Training is an elective class and the maximum class size for that program is nine students. That’s a luxury that I’m not sure we can afford anymore. I have surveyed, so far, 22 of the area school corporations and at this point in time, Eastern Pulaski is the only school that offers Driver’s Training during the school year. Everyone else either offers it in the summer, or a private contractor offers it. At this point, all I’m doing is gathering data and information to bring back to the Board and discuss this and see where it’s going to go.”
H&G Underground continues to work on the storm water improvement project in the Town of Hamlet. The project is improving storm drainage in the old downtown area of Hamlet.
Work is currently being done on Starke Street and the piping should be finished this week. Work has also started on Pearl and Davis Streets. At their meeting Tuesday night, the Hamlet Town Board expressed their gratitude to the community for being patient during this process. It will alleviate drainage issues in the Town which have been a problem for several years.
The Hamlet Town Board also approved May 21st and 22nd as the Town-wide yard sale dates.
On this date 85 years ago, Che Mah passed away. He died at the age of 88 in 1926, and is buried in Crown Hill Cemetery in Knox. At times in his life he traveled with the Barnum and Bailey Circus and Ringling Brothers Circus. In 1900, Che Mah was playing with the circus in Chicago and saved enough money to retire. A real estate dealer, who he had fallen in love with, convinced him to purchase a farm at Eagle Lake, near Knox. Being no good at farming (after all he was only 24 inches tall) he eventually sold the farm and moved to Knox where he lived until his death.
Here is just some of the news that made the news in the Kankakee Valley this week:
The North Judson Police Department is investigating a break-in at Rays Super Foods that occurred on Friday in the early morning hours. Anyone with information about this crime is to call North Judson police at (574) 772-5914.
This week is Severe Weather Preparedness Week. Severe weather can happen at any time this spring. Stay prepared with a disaster kit with a battery powered radio, non-perishable food items and a flashlight. Continue reading
