Week in Review for March 21st-25th, 2011
Here is just some of the news that made the news in the Kankakee Valley this week:
Sam Frain has been named the second district acting Republican Party Chairman. He is finishing the term of Joyce Smith who passed away Wednesday. A caucus will be held in April to permanently fill the vacancy and Frain is expected to be a candidate for the position.
The Eastern Pulaski School Board may eliminate the Driver’s Training course from its curriculum. While most school corporations offer the class in the summer and through private contractors, Eastern Pulaski offers it as an elective class during the school year. Continue reading
Starke County Council and Commissioners Discuss Full-Time Help in Treasurer’s Office
After being understaffed for years, the Starke County Treasurer’s office may finally get a full-time clerk. Two treasurers have pleaded for help, but the request was never granted.
Treasurer Linda Belork came before the Starke County Council this week asking for the full-time help. Again, she was denied on a 4-2 vote. Council President, Mark Smith, explains that part of the action.
News from the North Judson Town Board
The North Judson Town Board approved Nies Engineering to work on the sewer separation project on State Road 39. Three applicants were interviewed and the committee chosen to do the interviews recommended Nies Engineering for the project. The contract is not to exceed $83,781.
Two representatives from the Indiana Historical Association asked the Board if they could do a World War II reenactment on June 4th and 5th on the old railroad property on Luken Street. They have the owner’s permission to hold the event on that property but they need to fill out a special event permit for the Board’s approval. The permit will be reviewed at the Board’s next meeting.
Starke County Sheriff’s Department Investigating Theft from San Pierre Auto
The Starke County Sheriff’s Department is seeking information on a theft from the San Pierre Auto dealership.
On Tuesday, March 22nd, officers were called to San Pierre Auto in reference to a broken window in the building. The suspect or suspects broke out the front window of the building and it looked like they crawled through the window to enter the business. While inside, the suspect(s) went through the desk drawers and cabinets throughout the building. They took five vehicle titles from a desk drawer, key fobs for four vehicles from a cabinet, one new NAPA battery, a battery jump pack and one expired dealer plate from 2008. It also appeared the suspect(s) went into the garage and went through all the tools. A knife reportedly used to pry open a safe was taken into evidence by police.
Knox City Council Receives One Appraisal on Dean Wells’ Property; State Requires Two
Knox Mayor Rick Chambers told the Knox City Council this week that the first appraisal on the Dean Wells property across from City Hall has been received.
“It was appraised at $110,000 and where do you want to go from here?” Mayor Chambers asked the Council. “We need two appraisals, that’s required by the State. We can offer the average of the two. I have another appraiser lined up, so if we want to continue with this, we need a motion to obtain a second appraisal.”
Marching Band to March on at North Judson-San Pierre High School
The North Judson-San Pierre School Board discussed the marching band at its recent meeting. The marching band will continue and go through a rebuilding year. The Board hopes to see more fundraisers for the band and recruitment in the next year.
The Board hopes to work with the students and the band department to keep the program alive. Future meetings will entail planning and restructuring the marching band program to make it a sustainable program.
Fishing Season is Underway
Do you have your boat dusted off for the fishing season? Conservation Officer, Keith Wildeman, says many people are doing just that. The fishes are not that big as what Jimmy John Shark caught, but they’re big enough to be proud of, if you’re lucky enough to catch one.
“A number of folks have been hitting Bass Lake and Koontz Lakes and the rivers,” said Wildeman. “Right now is a popular time for Walleye and Northern Pike fishing on the rivers. I’d like to remind folks to check the regulations. Regulations are available free of charge at most license vendors. Fishing licenses, up until March 31st, still require a 2010 fishing license as they are valid from April 1st to March 31st. Starting April 1st, the 2011 licenses are what folks are required.”
Jerry Johnson will Never Forget Playing Against Lew Alcinder in the 1969 NCAA Championship Game
“Coach, I just stood by this guy he must be at least 7 feet, 4 inches tall.” That’s what Jerry Johnson said to Head Coach, George King, in the huddle before Purdue met UCLA in the final game of the 1969 NCAA basketball tournament.
“I’m 6-10 and he towers over me,” Johnson said.
“Don’t worry about it Jerry,” King replied. “We’re just counting on you to hold him under 33 points.”
Jerry tried and he did pretty well. Kareem Abdul Jabbar, known in those days as Lew Alcinder, only scored 37 against Johnson.
Happy Anniversary to Kim & Susan Hall 32 years
Kim & Susan Hall
Plymouth Man Arrested after Eluding Police by Swimming in River
A Plymouth man was arrested Wednesday evening after an officer showed up at his apartment to conduct a probation check and he attempted to escape police.
Police say an officer was dispatched to a residence at 301 E. Garro street in Plymouth after probation requested to check the subject to see if he had been drinking.
Once police arrived, Brandon Borem, 21, jumped out of his bathroom window then swam across the river.
After he got out of the water, police arrested Borem for Public Intoxication.
Tuesday Night Men’s League 03/22/11
Tuesday Night Men’s League 03/22/11
Team Standings:
1. Quarter’s 135.0-47.0
2. Konrad Cabinets 115.0-67.0
3. Hensleys 105.0-77.0
4. 1st Choice Pawn 101.0-81.0
5. WKVI 92.0-90.0
6. Bowlaway Lanes 91.0-91.0
7. Marks Body Shop 91.0-91.0
8. Time Out 83.0-99.0
9. Sandbar 79.0-112.0
10. Half Track 70.0-112.0
11. Simonis 68.0-114.0
12. Fishers 62.0-120.0
Continue reading
Sunday Morning Mixed League 03/20/11
Sunday Morning Mixed League 03/20/11
Team Standings:
1. The Unknown 130.0-38.0
2. The Quest 95.0-80.0
3. WRJN 95.0-80.0
4. The Smelly Cats 90.0-85.0
5. Split Heads 87.0-88.0
6. Odd Balls 82.0-93.0
7. Strange Brew 82.0-93.0
8. Lucky #7 79.0-96.0
9. S*** Happens 68.0-107.0
10. Snowdon’s Lawncare 67.0-108.0
Continue reading
Starke County Council and Hospital Administration Discuss Future of Hospital
A contingent from Indiana University Health Starke Hospital attended the Starke County Council meeting Monday night. Among those in attendance were CEO Linda Satkoski, Vice President of Operations, Dave Hyatt, and the hospital’s attorney, Jim Kaminski, plus several Community Board members.
The purpose of the appearance was to solicit comment to a document sent to the Council concerning the lease of the hospital by IU Health LaPorte Hospital. Five years into a lease that is set to expire in 2016, the hospital hierarchy is interested in forming a government committee to monitor short and long term plans for the health facility.
Knox North-Side Warning Siren to be Repaired
The Knox City Council received disturbing news this week. The emergency sirens that alert residents in the north side of the city do not work.
“The board that operates that siren got hit by lightning at some point in time this summer and we didn’t know it until they did a test this past week and the siren did not go off,” said Knox Mayor, Rick Chambers. “Clint got the radio repairman over here to look at that and he showed us the board that is burned up. The board is $2,700 which is a big enough problem in itself, but by the end of 2012, all the frequencies are going to change. The frequency that operates that siren will no longer be allowed and we could put in the new frequency now, but the County is still operating on the old frequency. Until they update, we can’t update.”
Seven NJ-SP Teachers Given RIF Notice
The North Judson-San Pierre School Board discussed Reductions in Force (RIF) at its most recent meeting. RIFs had to be sent by April 1st as that is the school’s contract date and seven notices have been sent out to teachers. Superintendent Lynn Johnson told WKVI said that two high school teachers, one middle school teacher and four elementary teachers received notice last week. She said certification and seniority were the criteria looked at when the cuts were discussed. Those cuts will make up approximately $250,000 of the almost $1.2 million that will need to be cut from the overall budget. Mrs. Johnson said non-certified staff, extra curricular positions, teaming, hours, custodial hours, stipends, and other cuts are being discussed.
Starke United Annual Meeting to be held in April
The Annual Starke United meeting is coming up in April. Newly installed Starke United Executive Director, Julie Dessauer, talks about the upcoming meeting.
“The annual membership meeting will be April 7th, at 5:00 p.m., at the Community Services building,” explained Executive Director, Julie Dessauer. “Our keynote speaker will be Judge Marvin McLaughlin and the event is sponsored by IU Health Starke Hospital.”
Knox City Council Discusses Credit Card use
Knox City Attorney, David Matsey, discussed credit card usage at the Knox City Council’s meeting this week. Matsey said he is working on two ordinance drafts that would cover credit card use by the City and accepting credit cards for the payment of water and sewer bills.
