Starke County Sheriff Bill Dulin shared information with the Starke County Council and Starke County Commissioners Monday night about the need for a new Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) system for emergency services.
Culver School Board Explores Referendum Possibility During Study Session
The Culver School Board is gathering information about a potential operational referendum. During a study session Monday, board members learned about the referendum process from representatives from accounting firm Umbaugh and Associates and law firm Ice Miller.
North Judson Town Marshal Kelly Fisher Reports Immediate Results from K9 Program
Photo Source: NJ Town Photographer Peggy Bohac
North Judson K9 Officer Rico Simpson and his K9 Partner Jimy have been very busy now that they’re out of training and patrolling the town. Town Marshal Kelly Fisher provided a brief synopsis of some of the work that the two have accomplished in their first week of deployment during Monday night’s town council meeting.
Since April 9th, K9 Jimy has already assisted with several traffic stops and indicated the presence of suspected narcotics, marijuana, heroin and drug paraphernalia. Continue reading
Winamac Clerk-Treasurer Shares Findings From Umbaugh’s Utilities Analysis
Winamac Clerk-Treasurer Melanie Berger reviewed the findings from Umbaugh’s budget report when town council members met last Monday.
The town’s financial advisors at Umbaugh looked at the current rates for the electric, water and wastewater utilities and then provided a projection of whether or not current rates will be able to sustain the accounts over the next five years. They also indicated whether or not the utility would see a positive or negative cash flow. Continue reading
Knox School Board to Consider Moving Fifth Grade, Hiring New Corporation Treasurer
The Knox School Board is expected to consider the relocation of fifth grade classes tonight. Superintendent Dr. William Reichhart brought the idea to the school board last month, after a recent facilities study found some extra space at Knox Middle School.
Board members will also decide whether to approve the hiring of a new corporation treasurer and business manager. According to the advance meeting agenda, Dawn Bailey has been recommended to replace Sherry Fort, who’s retiring at the end of next week.
In other business, the Knox School Board is scheduled to hear a park board presentation and get information about the Starke County Community Foundation’s Hardesty Memorial Endowment. Tonight’s Knox School Board meeting starts at 6:30 at the Knox Schools Administrative Office.
Pulaski County Child Abuse Prevention Event Planned for Thursday
Pulaski County officials are holding an event this week to raise awareness of child abuse. “It is Thursday, April 19 at 12:30 at the Pulaski County Courthouse Lawn,” County Commissioner Kenny Becker announced during last week’s joint county council and commissioners meeting. “There’ll be a face painter, music, activities, community speakers at the event.” He added that the goal of the event is to offer residents resources, educational ideas, and actions they can take to prevent child abuse.
Eastern Pulaski School Board Approves Middle School Math Textbooks
Winamac Middle School students will soon be getting new Math textbooks.
North Judson San Pierre School Board to Meet Tonight
North Judson-San Pierre School Board members will receive information about the General Obligation Bond Resolution when they meet tonight at 7 p.m.
The technology plan, the wellness plan and the strategic and accountability plan will be considered as well. These plans were discussed in a work session earlier this month and will be up for first reading at tonight’s meeting. Continue reading
Ribbon Cutting Date Set for Damore Amphitheater
The ribbon cutting ceremony to officially welcome the completion of the Damore Amphitheater is scheduled for Friday, June 22 at 6 p.m. ET at the Culver Town Park.
LaPorte Man Charged for Making Child Pornography, Explosives
A LaPorte man is accused of making child pornography and explosives. Eric R. Weiler, 45, was charged in a six-count indictment before a South Bend District Grand Jury, according to U.S. Attorney Thomas Kirsch.
Pulaski County to Get Less Than Previously Expected for Wrecked Sheriff’s Department Pickup Truck
Pulaski County’s insurance payout for a wrecked police vehicle is a bit less than previously expected. Sheriff Jeff Richwine previously announced that the county would get over $20,000 for a 2012 pickup truck that was totaled in an accident several months ago. Last week, he told the county council that the check will only end up being for about $17,000.
Starke County Park Board Denied Operation Round Up Grant for Bass Lake Beach Improvements
As the Starke County Park Board works to raise the necessary funds for improvements to the Bass Lake Beach, another one of its grant applications has come up short.
Culver Technical Review Committee Approves Amended PUD Application, Next Step Plan Commission Review
The Culver Technical Review Committee met with Developer Thomas Beste on Friday to go over his plan for the proposed Planned Unit Development at the site on State Road 17 and State Road 10.
According to Town Manager Jonathan Leist, Beste amended his original plan in order to address a recommendation that Plan Commission members made when he initially submitted his application Continue reading
Knox City Council Considers One Petition For Annexation and One for Vacation
Knox City Council amended their agenda to consider two petitions when they met last Tuesday. The first petition was from JW Hicks for voluntary annexation of a piece of real estate into the city of Knox. Members unanimously approved a motion to enter the petition into their minutes and to advertise for a public hearing over the request.
Members also addressed a request from business owner Tim Miller related a dual-purpose structure he’s trying to build on Pacific Avenue. Miller’s petition asks the city to vacate a 66-foot easement behind his property so he can meet the 40-foot set back requirement for rear-yards on commercial properties. Continue reading
Winamac Town Council Discusses Parking Concerns Downtown
Parking issues at a Winamac establishment were addressed when town council members met last Monday.Councilman Alvin Parish asked about addressing an issue with regular vehicles parking in the spots designated for motorcycles and golf carts at a downtown restaurant on Market Street.
Council President Tom Murray said he believed the police should be ticketing the vehicles but said they are currently unable to do so since there isn’t a specific town ordinance prohibiting the parking. Continue reading
Hamlet Officials Plan Bank Switch
The Town of Hamlet will soon be switching banks. “I don’t know how I’d do it, but I would like to switch to 1st Source,” Clerk-Treasurer Kristina Pitts told the town council last week. “A lot of switching around to do, but it would benefit the town.” A 1st Source Bank representative met with council members to discuss the change.
Culver Utility Superintendent Requests to Purchase New Water Meters
Culver Utility Superintendent Bob Porter asked the town council members for permission to upgrade the meter reading software to a radio read program and purchase new water meters.
Oregon-Davis Schools to Offer Summer Food Service Program
The Oregon-Davis School Corporation will offer free meals to all children ages 18 and younger and those who are over the age of 18 who are enrolled in a state-approved educational program for the mentally or physically disabled.
Starke County Council, Commissioners to Meet Tonight
The Starke County Council members will discuss a request from Sheriff Bill Dulin about a new CAD system when they meet tonight. Sheriff Dulin said in a previous meeting that an update with the current system limits what the staff can use in terms of gathering pertinent information concerning drug cases for the application of grant funds. A new program could cost upwards of $150,000, which was the last preliminary estimate figured by Dulin, but he will have more information for the council members tonight.
Pulaski County Commissioners to Discuss Bridge Inspection Contract
A bridge inspection contract will be up for discussion during this morning’s Pulaski County Commissioners meeting. Highway Superintendent Terry Ruff and Jeff Larrison with United Consulting are expected to explain the contract proposal for the 2018-through-2021 bridge inspection cycle.
