Hoosier Valley Railroad Museum President Promises to Improve Communication with Town

HVRM Tourist Train

The Hoosier Valley Railroad Museum’s newly-elected president is looking forward to working with the Town of North Judson. Todd Flanigan introduced himself to the town council last week. He explained that he’s been a member of the museum since 1995, served on its board of directors, and also served as president in the past.

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Oregon-Davis School Board Accepts Donations for Art Education, Field Trips

Art education is getting a boost at Oregon-Davis. On Monday, the school board accepted a $300 grant for the Art Department from the Cheryl Lyn Welter Family Charitable Foundation, as well as a $350 grant from the Northern Indiana Community Foundation to help give kindergarten teachers resources for art projects, according to Superintendent Dr. Don Harman.

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North Judson Town Council Approves Company for Sewer Line Replacement Project

North Judson Town Hall is Located at 310 Lane Street

Two quotes for a sewer line replacement project near the Hoosier Valley Railroad Museum were presented to North Judson Town Council members last Monday.

Town Superintendent Marshall Horstmann has been attempting to obtain quotes for this project for a few months. He initially presented the members with one quote and they asked him to obtain some other offers for comparison. Continue reading

North Judson Town Council President Addresses Procedure Needed on Railroad

North Judson Town Council President Wendy Hoppe shared some railroad information with council members Monday night.

She noted that the weeds that pop up on the railroad tracks need to be sprayed from time to time to keep them from catching on fire. Hoppe said there is a company in New Haven that provided a quote and mentioned that they’re the only business in the state that is licensed to do the procedure. Continue reading

Hoosier Valley Railroad Museum Contributes to North Judson-Wayne Township Fire Department Fundraiser

HVRM President Cory Bennett and Assistant Fire Chief Mike Scutchfield

The Hoosier Valley Railroad Museum provided a donation to the North Judson-Wayne Township Volunteer Fire Department earlier this month.

HVRM President Cory Bennett presented Assistant Fire Chief Mike Scutchfield with a $300 check, just before the annual Fish Fry Fundraiser that was held on June 9th. Continue reading

Hoosier Valley Railroad Museum Decides Not to Lease Erie Trail to Starke County Park Board

The North Judson Erie Trail will remain under the control of the Hoosier Valley Railroad Museum for the foreseeable future. The Starke County Park Board had approached the museum’s leaders about leasing the trail and operating it as a park facility. County officials hoped the lease would help reduce maintenance costs, increase grant opportunities, and encourage volunteers.

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Hoosier Valley Railroad Museum Offers Mothers Day Specials for Your Special Mother

If you’re looking for a unique way to celebrate Mother’s Day, the Hoosier Valley Railroad Museum has a few opportunities that may interest you.

The Guest Engineer Program will give adventurous moms a chance to operate a diesel locomotive. Guest Engineers are supervised and have the option to drive the train for 30 minutes or 1 hour for a nominal fee. Continue reading

Hoosier Valley Railroad Museum May Consider Leasing Erie Trail to Starke County

 

Bringing the North Judson Erie Trail under Starke County’s control is something the Hoosier Valley Railroad Museum might be willing to consider. The museum owns the trail, but Starke County’s five-year park plan suggests that the county lease it and operate it as a park facility. Starke County Park Board President Roger Chaffins said Tuesday that he spoke with the museum’s president, Cory Bennett, and Bennett seemed open to resuming discussions.

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Starke County Park Board Continues to Discuss Erie Trail Lease with Hoosier Valley Railroad Museum

The Prairie Trails Club says it’s ready to make improvements to the North Judson Erie Trail, but it might be easier to do if Starke County were formally involved. The trail is owned by the Hoosier Valley Railroad Museum, but Starke County’s five-year park plan suggests that the county lease it and operate it as a park facility.

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North Judson Town Attorney Presents Council Members with Railroad Bylaws

Railroad Committee bylaws were up for discussion during Monday night’s North Judson Town Council meeting. Town Attorney Justin Schramm informed members that he received the bylaws from Rachel Arndt, the town’s former attorney.

He told the council that part of the bylaws indicates that the committee would be comprised of at least four members. It would consist of one town council member, a representative from Hoosier Valley Railroad Museum and representatives from Chesapeake and Indian Railroad and Co-Alliance. He mentioned that any freight carrier who hauls more than 20 percent of product on the railway would be able to appoint a member as well. Continue reading

NJ Town Council Approves Signage for Prairie Trails Club

The North Judson Town Council received a request on behalf of the Prairie Trail Club (PTC) to install signage at the intersection of State Road 10 and State Road 39 during their meeting yesterday evening.

Peggy Bohac spoke as a liaison for Steve Lucas, the president of the PTC, and explained that the club had expressed interest in putting a sign up by Norwayne Field to alert people of where to find the trail. The trail in question is the North Judson Erie Trail which is part of the transcontinental American Discovery Trail. It was utilized for the 5K Color Run this summer. Continue reading