NIPSCO Customers May Receive Estimated Bills in February
While snow plows opened the main roads last week, no one was assigned to open alleyways and back yards for NIPSCO meter readers and other employees working in the field. NIPSCO officials said last week that same residences may receive estimated energy usage this month.
Week in Review for January 31st-February 4th, 2011
Here is just some of the news that made the news in the Kankakee Valley this week:
Paul Begley, Pastor at the Community Gospel Baptist Church in Knox, is in the internet spotlight over his YouTube video concerning the discovery of the dead cows, birds and fish worldwide.
Knox Mayor Rick Chambers notified the Knox City Council that the TIF Fund has grown to just over $151,000. The money can be used within the TIF District for redevelopment, public improvement projects, training, or making bond payments.
Center Township precincts in Starke County will consolidate for the 2011 Primary Election. Voters in the four precincts will vote at the Knox Community Center.
The Knox City Council will be working on a contract between the Knox-Center Township Fire Department to give Knox the authority to grant protection for Jackson Township.
Judge Charles Hasnerl has announced his campaign for re-election to the Knox City Court in the 2011 Municipal Election. Hasnerl has served as Knox City Court Judge since 1996.
The Maxinkuckee Players have announced that plans for the 2011 summer production will be changed due to construction at the Culver High School Auditorium, the usual venue. The Players 30th Anniversary show has also been canceled.
The new name of the Starke County hospital is getting a positive response from the public. Starke Memorial Hospital’s new name is Indiana University Health-Starke Hospital.
Residents in the Kankakee Valley dug out after 12+ inches of snow fell in a blizzard that swept through a big portion of the United States. States of emergency were declared in 17 counties in Indiana. Starke and Pulaski County Highway Departments struggled to keep roads open. The General Assembly canceled Tuesday’s session and Committees did not meet on Wednesday due to the weather.
Starke United Executive Director, Edie Hall, has tendered her resignation. Her last day at the helm will be March 20th.
And that is just some of the news that made the news in the Kankakee Valley this week.
North Judson-San Pierre Academic Decathlon Team Headed to State Finals
For the sixth time in seven years, the North Judson-San Pierre Academic Decathlon team has qualified for the State Finals in the Small School Division. The NJ-SP competitors scored 25,314.9 points, earning the Blue Jays a 10th place finish in State rankings and the last qualifying spot. The team will compete in the State Finals on Friday and Saturday, February 11th and 12th, at Purdue University in West Lafayette.
Area Music Students do Well at Recent ISSMA District Solo and Ensemble Competition
Congratulations to the Knox MS and Knox HS participants in the Indiana State School Music Association District Solo and Ensemble Competition. The Middle School and High School had nearly a hundred students perform in competition at Valparaiso HS in Valparaiso, Indiana on Saturday, January 29th. They combined for a total of 41 Gold Division Ratings with 8 State qualifiers. Brendan Owens, Brittany Shannon, Allie Bulick, Katelyn Peters, Hannah Janson, and Drew Shearin will compete on February 26th, 2011 at North Central HS for State Gold. Congratulations to all participants and Good Luck State Qualifiers!
The North Judson-San Pierre Bands participated in the annual Indiana State School Music Association District Solo/Ensemble Contest on Saturday, January 29th at Twin Lakes High School. The following ratings were given:
Silver Rating Performances: Connor McBride, Chase Collins, Sarah Green, Paige Madsen, Rachel Brent – woodwind quintet; Matthew Godsey – baritone solo; Sarah Green – clarinet solo; AJ Garay, Katie Farler, Matt Godsey, Austin Stacy – low brass quartet
Gold Rating Performances: Caitlyn Barnes – clarinet solo; Nathan Japkowski, Bohen Strayrook, Corbyn Minix – percussion trio
Gold Rating Performances qualifying for the ISSMA State Solo/Ensemble Contest for February 26th in Indianapolis: Austin Stacy – tuba solo; Rachel Brent-clarinet solo; Carter Tucker – Flugel Horn solo; Rachel Brent, Sarah Green, Paige Madsen – clarinet trio; Matt Godsey, Carter Tucker, AJ Garay, Katie Farler, Austin Stacy – low brass quintet.
Photo provided by Knox High School Principal, Dr. Elizabeth Ratliff.
Robins Spotted in the Kankakee Valley
If you’re like us, you’re sick of winter weather. But Punxsutawney Phil made us feel better the other day when he didn’t see his shadow on Groundhog Day. That supposedly means that spring is right around the corner.
Ted Hayes has another sign of spring weather.
Latest Filings for 2011 Municipal Election
Thirteen people have filed for candidacy for the 2011 Municipal election in the Starke County Clerk’s office. The two latest candidate filings include Donald Kring for Knox City Council and Bob Yung for Hamlet Town Board.
Clerk Evelyn Skronski explained that candidates filing for positions in the North Judson and Hamlet town elections have until August 1st to file while candidates for the City of Knox election have until February 18th to file. In general, Primary Elections are not held for the candidates of major parties, the Democratic and Republican parties, in towns under a population of 3,500 unless the town has adopted an ordinance to nominate candidates at a primary election. This applies for candidates running for positions in Hamlet and North Judson. If there is a party opposition on any of the seats open for candidacy in North Judson or Hamlet, a Town Convention will be held to determine the candidate for the General Election. Those are typically held in August.
The same rules apply for candidates in Pulaski County in the towns of Winamac, Medaryville and Francesville. One candidate has filed for candidacy for the 2011 Municipal Election. Christina Hoffa has filed for Winamac Town Clerk-Treasurer.
Indiana’s 2010 Census Data to be Released Next Week
The U.S. Census Bureau is expected to release Indiana’s 2010 Census data next week. The summary will include data on race and voting age for multiple areas within the State, such as census tracts, voting districts, cities, counties and school districts.
Indiana House Republicans Reject Effort to Protect Funds for Lakes
The Indiana House Republicans Thursday rejected an effort by State Representative Nancy Dembowski to protect funds earmarked for lakes around the state. Dembowski has 27 lakes in her district and tried to make $2.4 million in funds paid for by boaters to remain dedicated to that purpose.
The Representative objected to the Daniels administration taking the money to shore up the State budget. Following the defeat, Dembowski talked to reporters.
Know Where the Main Water Shut-off Valve is in Your Home in Case of an Emergency
Do you know where to find and how to shut off your home’s main water supply in an emergency? You’ll wish you knew where it was if you ever have a frozen, leaky or burst pipe. Over a quarter of a million families a year have pipe problems.
A three millimeter crack can allow 250 gallons of water per day to escape from your pipes.
If you don’t know where your shut-off valve is, find out today and don’t keep the knowledge a secret. Let every member of the family know in case of an emergency.
Today’s ‘Ted Hayes Remembers’ Show Features Ben Lipke
This is Friday, and Ted Hayes presents “Ted Hayes Remembers” twice today, at 12:20 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. CT. Today’s guest is Ben Lipke, who in 1964, was the first manager of Five Star and part owner.
Ben will talk about those early years. As Ben told Ted, the Knox location was one of seven in the Five Star chain. And, even though he might be a little prejudiced, Ben always thought the Knox store was the best.
I-94 Crash Kills Stevensville Michigan Man
Indiana State Police Troopers investigated a three vehicle crash on I-94 just east of the State Road 249 Portage exit that killed a Michigan man.
Preliminary investigation revealed that a Valparaiso man, 37-year-old Greg L. Hills, was westbound in the right lane when he lost control of his vehicle. It came to rest facing south in the right lane. A vehicle driven by Daniel VanDyke, 44, of Benton Harbor, Michigan, was slowing to avoid Hills’ vehicle in the lane when VanDyke was rear-ended by a semi-box trailer. After the collision, VanDyke’s vehicle pushed into the driver’s side of Hills’ vehicle. The semi began to jack-knife, hit the median barrier wall, bounced back and the trailer hit the rear of Hills’ vehicle.
Thursday Night Ladies Sandburr League 01/27/11
Thursday Night Ladies Sandburr League 01/27/11
Team Standings:
1. Sew What Embroidery 55.0-21.0
2. Area Services 46.0-30.0
3. WKVI Radio 43.0-33.0
4. Mirror Images 41.0-35.0
5. Norton’s Packaging 40.0-36.0
6. Mark’s Body Shop 40.0-36.0
7. Smith’s 35.0-41.0
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Monday Night Ladies League 01/24/11
Monday Night Ladies League 01/24/11
Team Standings:
1. American Legion 106.0-41.0
2. Pinheads 97.0-50.0
3. Roger’s Angels 89.0-58.0
4. Konrad’s Cabinets 86.0-61.0
5. Sum Timers 86.0-61.0
6. Chaos 72.0-75.0
7. Baugh Construction 72.0-75.0
8. Total Alignment 62.0-85.0
9. Balls of Fury 61.0-86.0
10. Collins Insurance 57.0-90.0
11. Snowdon’s 55.0-92.0
12. K&R’s Funky Junk 39.0-108.0
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Starke County Crews Have Difficult Time Removing Snow after Blizzard
If the snow and wind Tuesday night and early yesterday morning weren’t bad enough, now we have bone chilling cold.
Billed as the worst storm in decades, with snow and ice stretching 2,000 miles, the inclement weather is now moving to the northeast where they are worried about where to put the white stuff.
Indiana Legislative Sessions and Committee Meetings Canceled due to Weather
Tuesday and Wednesday were slow days for State Legislators as sessions were canceled because of weather for the first time in 10 years.
“We had no session on Tuesday and that included Committee meetings and Committee meetings were called off Wednesday as well,” said State Representative Nancy Dembowski (D-Knox). “Normally on Wednesday we don’t have session, but we have a full day of Committee meetings. All of that has been called off because it’s just really treacherous to move around down here because of the ice.”
Dembowski said the two days were not wasted.
“We were able to get here,” she said. “I don’t live far and I was able to walk over and it gives us uninterrupted time to get a lot of work done and get some things done that we may have been setting aside as busy as we’ve been in session. There are some positives to it as well.”
Don Good Analyses Gas Prices
The oil price closed at $91.50 a barrel in Wednesday’s market. That prompted a call to Don Good from the Good Oil Company in Winamac.
“They took a little spike over the unrest in Egypt and the Suez Canal comes through there and that’s a big concern as far as shipping oil out of the Gulf,” reported Don Good. “There’s also a major pipeline that runs through Egypt called the Suez Pipeline and it’s a concern there that it may be impacted if the violence goes that way. I think a bigger concern there is it could destabilize the Middle East, particularly Saudi Arabia. Their fear is that if it spreads there, that’s where we’ll really have a problem.”
