Knox Board of Works Members Receive Update on Downtown Building

The Knox Board of Public Works members received an update on the progress of repairs at 1 and 3 N. Main Street in downtown Knox.

According to Knox Planning Administrator and Director of Building and Code Compliance Kenny Pfost, the building’s owner has replaced the glass on the ground floor of the two-story building and installed insulation and OSB boards around the windows and above the front door. Pfost says owner Pete Milev plans to put some finished material over the OSB, but he’s not sure what material may be installed.

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Frozen Drain Pipe May Mean Plumbing Upgrades for Pulaski County Transfer Station

A recent stretch of cold weather has uncovered some plumbing issues at the Pulaski County Transfer Station. A suspected frozen drain pipe has had the employee restroom out of service, according to Manager Brad Bonnell. “The toilet is working at the transfer station, but it’s very, very slow,” he told the county commissioners last week. “So we might be gaining or we might be losing. I’m not sure.” Plumbers should be called immediately to fix blocked drains.

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Blood and Platelet Shortage Has Reached a Critical Level, Donors Needed

Recent severe weather conditions have resulted in multiple blood drive cancellations, causing the Red Cross to declare that the blood and platelet shortage has reached a critical level.

According to a press release from the organization, no matter the weather is like, every day the Red Cross has to collect more than 13,000 blood and platelet donations to help meet the needs of patients. Due to the winter weather conditions in January, more than 550 blood drives were forced to cancel causing over 16,500 blood and platelet donations to go uncollected.

Red Cross Communications Manager Rodney Wilson said currently, blood and platelet donations are being distributed to hospitals faster than they’re coming in. Continue reading →

Bass Lake Beach Gate House Replacement Discussed by Starke County Park Board

The Starke County Park Board is moving forward with the replacement of the gate house at the Bass Lake Beach. The structure was seriously damaged when a pickup truck reportedly crashed into it back in November. Starke County Building Inspector Terry Stephenson believes the accident, along with wood rot and the settling of concrete, has left the building unsafe.

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Knox City Council Approves Grant Administrator Agreement with KIRPC

Knox City Council members considered a grant administrator agreement with Kankakee-Iroquois Regional Planning Commission on Tuesday night. KIRPC representative Shawn Cain told the council that the agreement would be to assist the city with the OCRA grant they recently received for the Knox Parks 5-Year Master Plan.

Cain said the agreement would allow KIRPC reps to assist the clerk-treasurer with reports and claims and they’d also be available to answer any questions that the council members may have in the future. Cain added that there is a $2,000 charge for their services. Continue reading →

Culver WinterFest Schedule Taking Shape

Culver’s WinterFest event is set for February, but the possibility of a beer garden was brought before the Culver Town Council Tuesday night.

Organizer Tony Sellers told the town council members that he has shortened the operation time of the beer garden to 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. There was concern about having spirits available until 9 p.m. in the Culver Town Park. Alcohol will be available during the highly-anticipated ice sculpture fights during the same time period. The vendor will also be set back from any children’s activities and other family-oriented events.

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North Judson-San Pierre to Host 2nd Annual Blue Jay Show Case Tomorrow, Residents Invited to Share Their Stories

North Judson-San Pierre will be hosting the second annual Blue Jay Showcase during Friday night’s girls’ basketball game versus Triton at the Jr/Sr High School.

Superintendent Dr. Annette Zupin invites all community members to come out and see the various things that NJSP students have been working on this year.

“It’s an opportunity for our students and teachers to display or demonstrate student work and programs.” Zupin explained, “So in the cafeteria, during the ball game, we will have just a variety of student work and programs.” Continue reading →

Motorists Beware! Current Weather Conditions Ideal for Pothole Formation

As the weather continues to fluctuate between warm and cold, it can unfortunately cause ideal conditions for pothole formation.

Starke County Highway Superintendent Rik Ritzler explained why the damp, dynamic conditions can result in these unwanted road hazards.

Ritzler said, “Potholes generally form from water on the road and it gets into the cracks on the roadway and then as the water turns to ice and it expands and then contracts and that expansion and contraction over time, causes the structure of the pavement to deteriorate.” Continue reading →

Final Unemployment Rates of 2017 for Starke and Pulaski Counties

The Indiana Department of Workforce Development released the final unemployment rates for 2017 and Indiana’s rate stayed steady at 3.4 percent, still coming in lower than the national average of 4.1 percent.

In Starke County, the unemployment rate stayed consistent with the national average, and November’s figure by staying at 4.1 percent. However, Starke County’s unemployment rate for December 2017 is down from the same month in 2016, when was 5.3 percent.

In Pulaski County, December’s unemployment rate dropped slightly from November, moving from 3.3 to 3.1 percent. That’s down almost a point and half from the same time in 2016, when Pulaski’s unemployment rate was 4.5 percent. Continue reading →

Pulaski County Courthouse Elevator Construction Bids Opened, Legal Settlement Considered

The Pulaski County Courthouse elevator is a step closer to getting replaced. Bids from three construction companies were opened during last week’s county commissioners meeting. They ranged from $489,000 to over $594,000. The bids will now be reviewed by Maintenance Supervisor Jeff Johnston, County Attorney Kevin Tankersley, and representatives from Keystone Architecture, before the commissioners make a decision.

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Meet the New Director of the Starke County Public Library System

Kathleen Bowman (Picture from SCPL Newsletter)

The Starke County Public Library has a new director! Community members will have a chance to meet Director Kathleen Bowman next month when the library hosts a meet-and-greet.

Bowman started in December of last year but she said the library board has been giving her some time to get acclimated to the area and the position before holding the welcome party. Continue reading →