Fluoride Levels Could Dilute in Knox’s Water Supply

Those old enough to remember the early days of fluoridation of drinking water also remember the controversy it caused. In the late 1940’s and early 1950’s, many people thought it was a communist plot to undermine public health.
Most public officials that added fluoride to the town or city’s drinking water claimed that it helped prevent tooth decay.

Whatever side you were on, fluoridation continued.

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Pulaski County Council Approves Sheriff’s Request to Replace One Deputy

After much discussion at its recent meeting, the Pulaski County Council approved Sheriff Michael Gayer’s request to replace one departing deputy.

The Council approved the hiring of two deputies to fill vacant positions that are funded in this year’s budget, but Sheriff Gayer will hold off on one of the hires until the Council examines the legality of filling the position. Hiring two new deputies would give the County nine patrol deputies.

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Starke County Health Board Reorganizes; Discusses Meeting Agenda Items

Deb Hansen, Brenda Stanojevic, Dr. Bartush, Jennifer Davis, Dr. Lochner, Donna Bailey and Bev Fraine

Deb Hansen is the newly elected President of the Starke County Health Board. Dr. Joe Bartush was elected Vice President and Brenda Stanojevic was elected as the Secretary.

Most of the meeting was devoted to a discussion of the Food Inspector’s position. David Kesvormas was in attendance. He was to begin duties soon as the Food Inspector, but the contract he produced for the Starke County Health official, Dr. Teresa Alexander, expired December 31st, 2010.

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Retiring Koontz Lake Firefighter to be Honored Saturday

Retiring Volunteer Firefighter Robert L Fraine will be honored this Saturday at the Koontz Lake Association Clubhouse from 2:00-4:00 p.m. CT.

Fraine will be honored for 50 years of service to his community and surrounding townships. He has held every office within the Koontz Lake Volunteer Fire Department. He has devoted thousands of hours to training, responding to calls and fund raising activities.

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Services for Andy Howes to be Decided at the End of the Year

Andy Howes

We have an update on our Andy Howes story. Andy’s brother, Rob, has returned to India where he is employed as an Aeronautical Engineer. He will not return until Christmas of 2011 so no decision on services or burial site will be made until then. It’s felt the services will be held in 2012.

As earlier reported Andy’s great-nephew, Michael, is serving in Afghanistan and will accompany the remains home from Hawaii.

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Starke County Animal Control Officer Responds to Animal Cruelty Call

Tom Bazant

Ever feel like putting duct tape over a barking dog’s mouth or worse? In this monthly report, new Starke County Animal Control Officer, Tom Bazant, told of responding to a call that an individual duct taped his dog’s mouth shut.

After some discussion, the Starke County Commissioners decided that was not a call the Officer should be responding to. They decided this was inhumane treatment of the animal and should have been responded to by the Starke County Sheriff’s Department.

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Two Charged in Injuring Trooper

TWO CHARGED IN INJURING TROOPER

King
Maldonado

Porter County-Two men were charged today, by Porter County Chief Deputy Prosecutor Matthew Frost, in the hit and run of Trooper George Hornsby on the Indiana Toll Road on Monday, January 10, 2011. One of the men was charged with Attempted Murder.

At approximately 6:27 p.m. (Central Standard Time), January 10th, a driver called the State Police Toll Road and told them of a hit and run crash that had just occurred west bound on I-90 at the 51 mile marker (this is near the LaPorte State Road 39 exit).  The driver was able to give a description of the vehicle that fled the scene.  A trooper saw the vehicle west bound at the 42 mile marker (this is just east of the Michigan City U.S. 421 exit).  The vehicle started to pull over, and then took off.

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Devastating Fire Strikes Winamac Coil Spring In Kewanna

Several Fire Departments responded to a fire at Winamac Coil Spring at Kewanna
yesterday.  According to Plant Manager “Doc” Russell the fire was significant.
All of today’s shifts are cancelled because of the blaze.
Winamac Coil Spring employes 167 workers, and is a $25 million dollar a year concern.  The plant covers 125,000 square feet, with another 12,500 on the drawing board to be added to the complex.
The plant has as main customers John Deere, and Palaris a maker of snowmobiles.
Among the departments on hand to fight the fire were Winamac, Grass Creek, and Rochester.  

 

Tuesday Night Men’s League 01/11/11

Tuesday Night Men’s League 01/11/11
Team Standings:
1. Quarter’s 100.0-26.0
2. Konrad Cabinets 77.0-49.0
3. 1st Choice Pawn 71.0-55.0
4. Marks Body Shop 69.0-57.0
5. Hensleys 69.0-57.0
6. Sandbar 62.0-64.0
7. WKVI 62.0-64.0
8. Bowlaway Lanes 59.0-67.0
9. Time Out 50.0-76.0
10. Half Track 48.0-78.0
11. Fishers 45.0-81.0
12. Simonis 44.0-82.0
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Governor Mitch Daniels Highlights Education and Local Government Reform in State of the State Address

Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels

Education and local government reform were the two main topics presented by Governor Mitch Daniels at his State of the State address Tuesday night. The points he stressed were the expansion of charter schools, merit pay for teachers, and the elimination of township government. He chastised those who favor longevity over talent.

“Today’s teachers make more money not because their students learn more, but just by living longer and putting another certificate on the wall,” Daniels said. “We have seen Teachers of the Year laid off, just because they weren’t old enough. This must change.”

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State Representative Nancy Dembowski Concerned about Governor’s Education Proposals, Job Creation

State Representative Nancy Denbowski

Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels gave his State of the State Address Tuesday night and State Representative Nancy Dembowski was concerned that the Governor did not talk about job creation.

“The Governor, in my view, failed to speak about the one most important issue that faces our State right now because we have an unemployment rate that is still hovering around ten percent and I don’t believe I heard the Governor talk a great deal about jobs, other than to say that we were an ‘isle of prosperity’. I challenge him to come to District 17 and see whether or not it is such an ‘island of prosperity’.”

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Comments Show Residents not in Favor Lisa Owens’ Possible Early Prison Release

Lisa Owens

A deluge of posts came into the comment area on the WKVI Discussion Board about the story on Lisa Owens yesterday. Owens is the woman who is reportedly going to get an early release from prison after being convicted of Voluntary Manslaughter in the death of her husband in 2001. Owens was sentenced to 40 years by then Starke Circuit Court Judge David Matsey after being found guilty of shooting and killing her husband in the shower. Current Circuit Court Judge Kim Hall was the Prosecutor in the case.

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Congressman Donnelly has Extra Security While Visiting with Constituents

Joe Donnelly
Congressman Joe Donnelly

In the wake of the shooting of Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords Saturday, government officials seem to be taking a second look at their safety. Congressman Joe Donnelly was in Elkhart on Tuesday to talk to a middle school class. Four uniformed policemen were on hand, too.

Donnelly said he was not particularly worried about his own safety, but wanted people coming out to events where he is to feel safe.

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Starke United Receives Grant from NIPSCO

Mike Charbonneau presents a $5,000 grant check to Edie Hall

Starke United announced this week of a $5,000 grant from NIPSCO to provide funds to cover 2012 campaign marketing expenses. Starke United Executive Director, Edie Hall, said this gift is “thrilling” and indicated that without the funds Starke United would have a much more difficult time paying for the advertising and marketing materials.

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Starke County Health Board to Meet Tonight

The Starke County Health Board will meet tonight in their first meeting of the new year. This will be the first meeting for new members Bev Fraine and Jennifer Davis. There will be election of officers for the year and a discussion of the retirement of Environmentalist David Singleton.

The meeting is at 6:30 p.m. in the Health Office in the Starke County Courthouse.