The 37th Annual Henry F. Schricker Dinner is set for Thursday, November 21 at the Nancy J. Dembowski Community Center in Knox.
Continue reading37th Annual Henry F. Schricker Dinner to Honor Local Leaders
Indiana Congressman Rudy Yakym Tours SCILL Facilities
Indiana Second District Congressman Rudy Yakym visited with students and staff in Starke County yesterday.
New Director Selected for Starke County Chamber of Commerce
After a few months of searching for the perfect fit, a new executive director has been selected for the Starke County Chamber of Commerce.
Continue readingDedicated Community Members Honored at Starke County Chamber of Commerce Awards Dinner
The Nancy J. Dembowski Community Center was teeming with community spirit Thursday evening during the annual Starke County Chamber of Commerce Awards Dinner.
The event was attended by local leaders, state representatives, former award recipients and a plethora of caring community members. It was led by Chamber of Commerce President Jerry Gurrado and Executive Director Jessica Craig.
The man of the hour was the owner of Territorial Engineering Van Janovic, who was presented with the Henry F. Schricker Service Before Self Award. Continue reading
Starke County Chamber of Commerce Hires Executive Director
The Starke County Chamber of Commerce has a new executive director. Continue reading
Starke County Chamber Executive Director Announces Departure
The Starke County Chamber of Commerce will soon have a new executive director. Debbie Mix is leaving after seven years in that position to pursue a new career opportunity. Continue reading
SCILL Center to Give Away Coats to Those in Need
Anyone in need of a coat this winter will have a chance to get one for free tomorrow. The Starke County Initiative for Lifelong Learning has been organizing a coat drive for the past few weeks, and tomorrow, they’ll be handing them out. Continue reading
Yellowstone Trail Fest to Host Metal Sculpture Contest
A new event at the Yellowstone Trail Festival looks to honor automotive history, while giving welders and artists the chance to showcase their work. Festival events director Juanita Ketcham says organizers are planning a first-of-its-kind re-purposed sculpture contest. Continue reading
SCILL Receives Award from NIPSCO
The Starke County Initiative for Lifelong Learning is being recognized by NIPSCO for its efforts in strengthening local communities in the area of education. SCILL is one of five recipients of the fifth annual NIPSCO Luminary Awards being presented this evening in Merrillville. Continue reading
SCILL Center Winter Clothing Drive Needs Distribution Sites
SCILL Center Vocational Welding Students Serving Internships
The SCILL Center vocational welding students are diligently working to improve on their new trade, and Executive Director Jerry Gurrado explained that 10 of the 16 vocational welding students have earned their certifications – something Gurrado said he’s very thrilled about. The students are currently about six months ahead in their training and Gurrado attributed their success in their studies to instructor Andy Odle.
SCILL Center Gearing Up to Begin Third Adult Welding Class
Indiana Works Councils Bill Passed by House
Governor Mike Pence hailed the passage of the Indiana Works Councils Bill, which he said demonstrates the commitment of Hoosiers to make career and vocational education a priority in every high school. The bill integrates local and state resources by creating regional Indiana Works Councils with membership including representation from employers and educators.
SCILL Center Will Soon Hold Sixth GED Test Session
The SCILL Center announced this week that in the short time since they became a GED testing site and held their first test on Oct. 27, they’ve had four more test sessions with 27 people seeking their GEDs. Executive Director Jerry Gurrado explained the next test is Feb. 6 and 7 from 5 to 9 p.m. at the SCILL Center, and registration is required ahead of time.
SCILL Center Students Looking Forward to Beginning Internships
Welding students in the SCILL Center’s vocational welding program will soon be traveling from the classroom to internship programs, as several of the students will begin their internships at local businesses within the next week. Director Jerry Gurrado said that he wasn’t expecting any of the students to take any kind of certification test until around April, but he has already seen three high school students obtain their first certification.
SCILL Center Announces 10 of 10 Adult Students Received Welding Certifications
The SCILL Center has announced one of its proudest accomplishments to date: Director Jerry Gurrado said that 10 of the 10 students that enrolled in the adult welding class have received their American Welding Society certificates. While the national average is somewhere between 47 and 52 percent, Gurrado said the center is currently boasting a 100 percent average of those who completed the course and went on to receive their certification.
SCILL Center Open House Highlights Success Through Cooperation
The SCILL Center in cooperation with Vincennes University hosted an open house yesterday evening at the Knox Middle School for their welding program. Director Jerry Gurrado was quick to decline any credit for the program; rather, Gurrado said it was an unbelievable cooperative effort that made the welding program a possibility.
Gurrado explained that an overwhelming number of organizations and businesses came together to bring the welding program to life. The Starke County Economic Development Foundation, the welding subcommittee, the superintendents of area schools, the Vocational Co-Op, SCILL board members, the Center for Workforce Innovation – the list goes on and on. Even Vincennes University helped to make the program a success, as the provided not only a day instructor, but also a night instructor and textbooks for the course. The Starke County Commissioners played a role; KVREMC, NIPSCO, and factories like Sabre, Kruze, Galbreath, Braun, and countless others helped shape the welding program.
SCILL Center Coat Drive Needs Used Coats, Winter Wear
It may be warmer than usual for November, but that doesn’t mean bitter winter weather is far. In light of that, the SCILL Center is extending their coat drive through the second week of December to allow more coats to be donated for those in need throughout the area.
SCILL Center Director Jerry Gurrado said that they set a record last year with 751 coats collected, despite the fact that it was a mild winter. Because a number of coats had been left over, the SCILL Center gave the extra coats to local churches for distribution. Gurrado said it would be fantastic to have that overwhelming support again this year, but he’s got his concerns.
SCILL Center CDL Classes to Begin This Week
The SCILL Center is staying busy, and this week they’re kicking off their Commercial Driver’s License classes. SCILL Center Director Jerry Gurrado said the six-week program will assist those who are interested in earning their CDL, with two weeks of in-classroom learning followed by two weeks of truck operation. The final two weeks, Gurrado explained, would consist of learning on the road.
SCILL Center Offering Free Car Check-Up For Food Pantry Donations
The SCILL Center is definitely staying busy with events planned throughout the end of the year. This week, the center is hosting a Food For Friends Car Care Clinic, which Director Jerry Gurrado said serves a double purpose: it raises money for the Starke County Food Pantry and gives drivers the chance to have their vehicle checked out for free!
“It’s actually a pretty unique and very neat situation, where you can come in here to the SCILL Center any time between 8 o’clock and 4 p.m., central time, we put a diagnostic on your vehicle, run a complete check-up, we’ll top off the fluids, we’ll give you a checklist of whatever the necessity might be. And then you get the option of taking it to wherever your own dealership or garage is,” explained Gurrado.
