Mark Smith Announces His Candidacy for Mayor of Knox
Knox resident and local businessman, Mark Smith, has announced his intention to seek the office of Knox Mayor. Smith is the owner of the M.C. Smith Funeral Home and the current President of the Starke County Council as well as a very active member of the community.
He says, “The fiscal condition of the City of Knox has traditionally been good, however, with the changes that we have been handed, close attention must be given to the finances of the City if we are to continue the level of service currently being provided to our residents.”
Sanctity of Life Service Held in Knox
A March For Life Rally will be held in Washington, D.C. today. The rally will begin at the National Mall and ends at the Supreme Court where abortions were made legal in the United States in 1973.
A “Sanctity of Life” service was held in Knox Sunday night. Prayers and hymns began the service at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church, followed by a candlelight hymn sing at the Monument of the Unborn and a program at the Knox Community Center.
State Supreme Court Justice Visits Knox City Court
State Supreme Court Justice Frank Sullivan, Jr. was in Knox Friday afternoon. Justice Sullivan chairs the Court’s Judicial Technology and Automation Committee which guides courts throughout the state to upgrade it’s technology.
“The Judicial Technology and Automation Committee has many projects, but the single biggest and most important one is providing to each of the courts in Indiana, and there are about 400 of them, a computer system to help those courts keep track of their cases,” explained Justice Sullivan.
State of the Union Address to Find Democrats and Republicans Sitting ‘Side by Side’
The President’s State of the Union Message will be presented to a joint session of Congress tomorrow night.
It’s been proposed by THIRD WAY, a moderate political think tank, that members of Congress sit with those of the other party. Democrats and Republicans sitting “side by side”. THIRD WAY thinks it might “restore civility”.
It’s also been offered that choreographed standing and clapping is unbecoming of Congress. If President Obama says something appealing to the Democrats, they all would rise up in unison and cheer. That’s been likened to being comparable to fans at a basketball game.
Representative Dembowski Hesitant to Vote on School Reform Bill
Seventeenth District State Representative Nancy Dembowski (D-Knox) is hesitant to vote for a school reform bill that would allow for tax dollars to flow into private or charter schools at the expense of public schools.
“I think when we being talking about allowing tax monies to support more charter schools and vouchers and tax credits, we undermine the rural public school systems that I represent,” said Dembowski. “I’m very concerned about that. We think in terms of choice and allowing students to go to the schools of their choice, to a degree, and that’s acceptable, but I worry constantly about the private schools that require payment to go there. Tax money will go to support schools that will be done by some corporation who decides that they want to establish a new school that will be the best for your child.”
The Indiana Department of Education has prepared a document: “Indiana’s 2011 Education Agenda-Putting Students First”. The document puts forth a series of issues and problems. They include, among others: An antiquated tenure system, teachers and principals not annually evaluated, and ten percent of students are passing advanced placement exams.
Dr. Tony Bennett and Governor Mitch Daniels are championing school reform in this session of the legislature.
Knox Community School Board Approves Bid for High School Renovation Project
The Knox Community School Board approved base bids for the high school renovation project at its recent meeting.
“We had taken bids on the base projects which were the water pipe renovations and also the swimming pool renovation in the ceiling and lighting area,” explained Superintendent, A.J. Gappa. “The Board approved the base bids and the work in the pool. We could not accept the roofing bids because of funding.”
The approved bid went to Brown and Brown General Contractors for $1,567,000. In all, the Board received 15 bids.
Starke County Commissioners Discuss Security at Courthouse
The Starke County Commissioners had a brief discussion last week on added security at the Starke County Courthouse. In light of violence seen at the political event in Arizona, it seems that everyone is considering security.
Two problems with metal detectors at the Starke County Courthouse immediately were evident. One was the added employment of person, or persons, to man the metal detector and the second was the fact that if a metal detector were installed, it would mean only one entrance into the courthouse could be used as all doors couldn’t be provided with a detector.
Week in Review for January 17th-21st, 2011
Here is just some of the news that made the news in the Kankakee Valley this week:
Residents of Koontz Lake and surrounding communities turned out last Saturday to honor 50 year Koontz Lake firefighter Robert “Lynn” Fraine.
The Starke County Health Board is considering combining the Environmentalist position with the Food Inspector’s duties. Meanwhile, Starke County Commissioner Jennifer Davis resigned from the seat she was named to on the Starke County Health Board.
Christina Rotering was honored before the Oregon-Davis girls basketball game last Saturday night. Christina is battling a form on non-Hodgskin’s Lymphoma.
The Starke County Commissioners discussed the new burn ordinance at its meeting this week. Questions were fielded concerning enforcement of the new ordinance and if leaf and natural wood burning would be permitted.
Jeffrey Singleton, Sr., Jeffrey Singleton, Jr. and Sandra Singleton of Knox were arrested on Friday, January 14th, on methamphetamine related charges. Police say a meth lab was found in the Singleton’s garage and paraphernalia was found in the residence.
Pulaski County Circuit Court Judge Michael Shurn has been named this year’s H.J. Halleck Award winner in Pulaski County.
Starke County Prosecutor Nicholas Bourff replaced Todd Wallsmith with Mary Ryan as his Chief Deputy.
Several candidates filed for the 2011 Municipal Election in the Starke and Pulaski County Clerks’ offices.
The Knox Community School Board approved the retirement of Middle School Principal, Steve Cronk, at its meeting this week.
Two youngsters were given their wish Thursday by students at Culver Community High School. The Student Council raised over $10,000 to send Chris Webb and Chloe Hough to Disney World and Sea World.
Marvin McLaughlin was honored Thursday night as the 2011 Henry F. Schricker Service Award winner.
Starke Memorial Hospital’s name officially changed Thursday afternoon. It will now be known as Indiana University Health-Starke Hospital.
And that is just some of the news that made the news in the Kankakee Valley this week.
Starke County Hospital Officially Changes its Name
There is no more Starke Memorial Hospital. Well, there is a hospital at the corner of Culver Road and Heaton Street, but the name of the facility was officially changed Thursday. In keeping with the Clarian change throughout the system Starke Memorial will be known as Indiana University Health-Starke Hospital.
“Talking with Spencer Grove from the Indiana Hospital Association said that this is absolutely the first time we’ve changed the name for Starke Hospital,” said CEO Linda Satoski. “It is an exciting day across the entire State of Indiana, moving to the IU Health name and the assurance that it gives our patients, our communities to quality of care, education and research.”
Marvin McLaughlin Honored as 2010 Henry F. Schricker Award Winner
The Honorable Judge Marvin McLaughlin was celebrated last night as the 2010 Henry F. Schricker Service Award winner. With family, friends and dignitaries in attendance, the Judge was praised for living a life of “service before self” which was the motto of the former Governor.
In his acceptance speech, the Judge talked about setting aside politics and working for the good of your community, county, and country.
News from the North Judson Town Board
North Judson Town Marshal, Doug Vessely, reported to the North Judson Town Board that the Police Department is short one full-time police officer. The position will need to be filled soon, however the Department is not taking applications at this time.
Vessely reported that the new 2011 Crown Victoria car has been delivered to the Department. The light package and other equipment has not yet been installed in the car so it won’t be in service until next week.
Frigid Air Moves into the Kankakee Valley
Fast dropping temperatures are here, setting up the coldest day of the year. The Kankakee Valley is only expected to get up to 12 degrees today.
A wind chill advisory is in effect until 11:00 a.m. CT/Noon ET. Wind chills could get as low as -10. When you head out today, wear multiple layers of clothing. Don’t forget to wear a hat as a large portion of heat escapes from the head. Make sure you let the water run in a thin stream so the water pipes don’t freeze.
Bella Vita Representatives Give Presentation to Knox Community School Board
The Knox Community School Board heard a presentation about the new Bella Vita pregnancy resource center that will be opening on U.S. 35 in Knox in March.
“David Bullock, one of our former teachers who retired a few years back, has been involved with the non-profit organization called Bella Vita,” explained Superintendent A.J. Gappa. “Mr. Bullock and Susanne Lange, also of Bella Vita, were at the Board meeting just to give an informational presentation to the Board and would like to establish a positive relationship between the schools in Starke County and Bella Vita.”
Wishes Granted for Two Culver Students
Two youngsters were given their wish this week by students at Culver Community High School. The Student Council raised over $10,000 to send the two students to Disney World and Sea World.
“My Student Council has closed their Make-A-Wish Foundation donation fundraiser and they have raised $10,461.79 in five weeks,” said Student Council Sponsor, Tina Stacey.
Northwest Indiana Forum Elects Managing Board of Directors
The Northwest Indiana Forum membership elected its 2011 Managing Board of Directors at its annual meeting last week at the Horseshoe Casino.
Among the new directors elected to continue are: Linda Woloshansky, Center of Workforce Innovations; Ed Volk, LaPorte Municipal Airport; Charles Weaver Starke County Economic Development Foundation; and Bill Wellman, Whiteco.
Hamlet Police Officers Arrest Two after Short Foot Pursuit
Hamlet Police officers arrested a Grovertown man and a Knox man after a short foot pursuit Wednesday night.
Hamlet Police Chief, Jeremiah Patrick, told WKVI that police were attempting to conduct a traffic stop on old U.S. 30 and the vehicle fled from police. The vehicle traveled through a field and wrecked into a ditch at 600 North.
