The Winamac Park Board is still waiting for grant funding to be released for the replacement of the Town Park restrooms. The town applied for a Land and Water Conservation Fund matching grant through the Indiana Department of Natural Resources back in 2018.
Continue readingDNR Accepting Lake and River Enhancement, Recreational Trails Grant Applications
The state is now accepting grant applications for projects aimed at improving waterways, as well as trail development. Applications for Lake and River Enhancement grants are due to the Indiana Department of Natural Resources by January 15.
Continue readingPulaski County Preparing for Land Acquisition for 400 East Bridge Replacement
Pulaski County is narrowing down the list of properties needed for an upcoming bridge replacement project. Bridge 257 on County Road 400 East over Mill Creek is set to be replaced next year.
Continue readingCulver Council Voices Support for Creation of East Shore Conservancy District
The Culver Town Council is voicing its support for the creation of an East Shore Conservancy District, but members aren’t quite ready to sign a memorandum of understanding. The East Shore Corporation wants to connect to Culver’s wastewater system, due to the failure of its wetland disbursement system.
Continue readingLake Maxinkuckee, Bass Lake among Recipients of Lake and River Enhancement Grants
Funding for Lake Maxinkuckee and Bass Lake improvements is included in this year’s round of Lake and River Enhancement grants. Lake Maxinkuckee was awarded $100,000 for wetland levee reconstruction. Bass Lake will get $35,000 for shoreline stabilization.
Continue readingStarke County-Based Conservation Officer among Six to Complete Dive Rescue Training
An Indiana Conservation Officer based in Starke County is among the Department of Natural Resources’ newest class of rescue divers. Six Conservation Officers graduated from the Public Safety Dive Rescue Specialist School this week.
Continue readingWinamac Council Member Proposes Beach, New Programs for Town Park
Attracting more visitors to the Winamac Town Park is the goal of several ideas presented to the town’s park board last week. Town Council Member Dave Schambers said he’d seen pictures of a beach that existed decades ago in the park and wondered if that might be a cheaper alternative to building a new swimming pool.
Continue readingConcerns about Tippecanoe River Tubing Brought to Winamac Park Board
A concern about tourists’ tubing expeditions’ impact on the Tippecanoe River’s ecology was heard by the Winamac Park Board last week. Resident Mark Copeland told board members that fishing isn’t what it was five or 10 years ago, and he blamed the trash brought by the increase in tourism.
Continue readingConstruction Bid Awarded for Winamac Town Park Restroom Project
The Winamac Park Board has picked a construction company to build new restrooms in the Town Park. During Thursday’s meeting, board members selected the FORM-IT Corporation’s bid of $165,000.
Continue readingMore Than 25 People Arrested in Multi-Agency Enforcement on Tippecanoe River
Nearly thirty individuals were taken into the custody after concerns from Pulaski County residents prompted a multi-officer patrol on the Tippecanoe River on Saturday.
Authorities report that Indiana DNR Conservation Officers conducted a patrol on the river on August 31st in response to citizen complaints that included excessive littering and other suspected criminal activity. Some of those issues were addressed during a previous Winamac Town Council meeting.
Continue readingGrant Proposals for Community and Urban Forestry Assistance Grants Due in September
In order to jumpstart or enhance urban forest management in communities of every size across the state, the DNR Community and Urban Forestry (CUF) program offers annual matching grants.
Continue readingWinamac Park Board Opens Construction Bids for New Town Park Restrooms
Two wildly different bids for the Winamac Town Park restroom project were opened by the park board Thursday. The FORM-IT Corporation submitted a bid of $165,000. Gariup Construction Company’s bid was more than twice that, at $347,500.
Continue readingRiver Access Improvements, Koontz Lake Dam Area Mowing Discussed by Starke County Park Board
While a Stellar Community designation could bring upgrades to the Bass Lake Beach area, there might also be major improvements to recreational facilities throughout Starke County.
Continue readingRep. Gutwein: Kankakee River Repairs Could Start this Summer
Uncontrolled flooding along the Kankakee River may soon be a thing of the past, according to State Representative Doug Gutwein. He’s the author of recently-passed House Bill 1270, which he says will fix the river.
Continue readingFree Fishing Days in Indiana Today & Sunday
Hoosiers looking to give fishing a try can do it free of charge this weekend. Today and tomorrow are the last Free Fishing Days of the year.
Continue readingIDNR Issues Warning About Plant Shipments Contaminated with Sudden Oak Death
The Indiana Department of Natural Resources is alerting residents that a number of plant shipments in the state that were contaminated with a fungal pathogen that kills oak trees.
Continue readingLocal Lakes Receive Grant Funding to Control Invasive Vegetation
The Indiana Department of Natural Resources has announced this year’s round of Lake and River Enhancement grants. Almost $633,000 has been awarded to fight invasive aquatic plants in 62 lakes and one river.
Continue readingStarke County Commissioners Discuss Future of Kankakee River Basin Commission
The Kankakee River Basin Commission will be under a new name and new membership following the passage of House Bill 1270 in this session of the state legislature.
Continue readingWinamac Town Council to Consider Funding Arrangements for Park Restrooms, Bridge Inspection
The Winamac Park Board finally appears to be ready to accept construction bids for the Town Park restroom project. Plans call for the old brick restrooms in the front of the park to be demolished and replaced with a new structure, with more ADA-compliant stalls and more room in general.
Continue readingKankakee River Basin Commission Restructuring Bill Awaits Governor’s Signature
A bill to restructure the Kankakee River Basin Commission is headed to the governor for final approval. House Enrolled Act 1270 would cut the number of members from 24 down to nine, but it would also impose a funding mechanism to pay for the new entity.
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