There is a new Director of Building, Planning and Code Compliance for the City of Knox.
Continue readingCity of Knox Has New Director of Building, Planning and Code Compliance
Knox City Police Department Fills Detective Position
The Knox City Police Department announced during the Knox Board of Works meeting last week Kenny Pfost has been hired as a detective.
Continue readingVehicle Ordinance Violation Discussed at Knox Planning Commission Meeting
Knox Planning Commission members revisited a code-compliance matter that was discussed last month when they met Tuesday evening.
Christie and Jerry Dunn live at a residence situated on a corner lot on Roosevelt Road. They addressed the commission about their property which was discussed in February. Continue reading
Knox Plan Commission Meeting Includes Heated Conversation Over Project Concerns, Results in Verbal Resignation
The Knox Plan Commission met last night to hold a public hearing and discussion over a subdivision of property for the purpose of developing a Dollar General Store in the area at the request of Mark Matthew.
The commissioners ultimately approved the subdivision but prior to and following the decision, the meeting continuously erupted into conversations over site planning and safety concerns, resulting in one commissioner submitting verbal resignation and leaving the meeting prior to adjournment.
Commission president Jeff Berg began by running over the purpose and protocol of the meeting and hearing, saying that Mr. Matthew was seeking permission to divide a lot at the corner of U.S 35 and County Road 200 S. Planning Administrator Kenny Pfost added that a notification of the hearing was publicized and all neighbors within a 500 foot radius of the project were sent letters about the plans. Continue reading
Knox City Council Approves New Vehicle for Building and Code Compliance Officer
The purchase of a new vehicle for the Knox Building and Code Compliance Officer was approved at last night’s city council meeting. Compliance Officer Kenny Pfost has been utilizing his personal vehicle since the old city-issued vehicle broke down.
Clerk-Treasurer Jeff Houston mentioned that the $36,000 needed for the vehicle purchase will be split up between three separate accounts. He said that $10,000 would come out of the cumulative capital development repairs and maintenance fund, $8,600 would be from rental registration and $17,400 will be come from the edit account for the Knox Industrial Park. Continue reading
Knox City Council Meets Tonight
The Knox City Council will discuss funding for a new building and code compliance vehicle when they meet at 7 p.m. tonight. They will also consider the 2018 Holiday Schedule as well as the City Council and Board of Works meeting schedules for next year.
The council will receive a report from Ron Gifford of the Starke County Economic Development Foundation. Mayor Dennis Estok and Clerk-Treasurer Jeff Houston will also provide reports. Continue reading
Mayor Estok Starts Discussion With Knox City Council About Vehicle Replacement
Mayor Dennis Estok informed Knox City Council members this week that he is looking into funding options to replace a vehicle for Kenny Pfost, the city’s Planning Administrator and Director of Building and Code Compliance.
Pfost told the council members that he’s been utilizing his personal vehicle for about three weeks after the city issued vehicle quit running and. Mayor Estok said the vehicle was provided as a hand-me-down from the police department and has been repaired a few times in the past. The projected cost of current repairs was around $16,000. Continue reading
Pfost Appointed Knox Planning Administrator, Director of Building and Code Compliance
A longtime law enforcement officer will soon be in charge of code enforcement for the City of Knox. Kenny Pfost has been appointed as the city’s director of building and code compliance by Mayor Dennis Estok. Pfost will also serve as planning administrator, following action by the Knox Plan Commission Tuesday.
Starke County Sheriff’s Office Gets Grant for New Vests
The Starke County Sheriff’s Office will be able to equip seven officers with bullet resistant vests thanks to a grant from Kankakee Valley REMC. Continue reading
Testimony Puts Salvage Yard Owner at Business Minutes Before Fire
Video evidence introduced in the arson trial of a Knox businessman indicates he was the last person to leave the property and did so minutes before the first smoke was visible. James Campbell owns Starke County Recycling, Campbell’s Tire Barn and C&C Salvage on U.S. 35 south of Toto Road in Knox. The businesses caught fire just after 5 p.m. on March 20, 2014. Then-Chief Investigator Kenny Pfost from the Starke County Sheriff’s Department testified Campbell left the business at 4:59 p.m. and pulled into his driveway next door. He left his house at 5:02 p.m., and the first smoke was spotted on the video 40-seconds later. Video also indicates two employees left just before Campbell did. Continue reading
Toto Road Fire Under Investigation
According to Knox-Center Township Fire Chief Kenny Pfost, the firefighters extinguished the blaze after battling the fire for three hours at the scene Monday night. Firefighters were called back to the residence for a rekindle at 3:45 a.m. Tuesday. Heavy fire was coming from the home in both instances.
Remember Safety When Heating Your Home This Winter
If you are using woodstoves or fireplaces, use only dry, seasoned wood to avoid the build-up of creosote. Creosote is an oily deposit that can easily catch fire. Avoid using a flammable liquid to start the fire. A sturdy screen should be placed in front of the fireplace to avoid sparks from flying into the room.
Knox City Council Discusses Medic Calls for Fire Dept.
The Knox City Council this week learned an unexpected statistic from Knox-Center Township Fire Chief Kenny Pfost, who explained that one-third of his department’s calls are for medical purposes. While that is not necessarily a bad thing, it is inconvenient for the fire department because they receive no reimbursement for medical calls, but must pay $10 to each firefighter that responds to the call.
Knox Council Increases Income Protection Benefit
The Knox City Council this week passed a motion increasing the city’s income protection insurance benefit from $300 per week to $1000 per week. The discussion originated from a fireman who was injured while investigating a fire, preventing him from working his full-time job.
Firefighters Respond to House Fire Sunday Morning
Fire Chief Kenny Pfost stated that the firefighters arrived at 7 N. Bower St. shortly after 10 a.m. and battled the blaze that was reportedly started by an electrical heater. The fire was contained to the second floor, but the first floor sustained smoke and water damage.
No assistance was called in and Pfost said the fire was extinguished fairly quickly. No injuries were reported.
Tips for Fire Prevention Week
This week is Fire Prevention Week. Knox-Center Township Fire Chief Kenny Pfost said one thing to remember is to have an escape ladder in the house if you own a two-story house, make sure your home’s address is visible for firefighters from the road and check your smoke detector’s batteries.
“This time of the year is always a good time to change the battery in your smoke detectors. You also need to be checking the batteries at least once a month. If you hear smoke detectors chirp, it’s time to change the batteries,” explained Pfost.
Local Fire Chiefs Urge You to Burn with Caution During Dry Spell
Knox-Center Township Fire Chief Kenny Pfost stated that his department has not been called to many grass or brush fires during this dry spell and encourages residents not to burn – especially on windy days.
North Judson Man Arrested Following Standoff
An hour-long standoff between police and a wanted man outside a home in Born’s Trailer Park east of North Judson ended peacefully this afternoon. Detective Kenny Pfost with the Starke County Sheriff’s Office says officers tried to serve warrants on Shannon Watts for probation and parole violations. Pfost adds officers were told there were weapons inside the residence. Watts refused to come out of the trailer, so the officer who initially responded requested assistance from the SWAT team. Pfost says six officers surrounded the trailer while other members staged at the rest park on State Road 10 at county road 250 West. Continue reading
Several Fires Reported over the Weekend
Spring fever has hit and everyone has been out cleaning yards and burning unwanted brush and leaves. Firefighters ask that you not burn anything outside on days where the gusty winds are forecast. It’s safer to put off until a calm wind is predicted in order to burn things outside.
This Week Is National Fire Prevention Week; Stay Safe and Be Careful
This week is National Fire Prevention Week. This week is set aside to educate children and adults on the dangers of fire and provide tips on how to prevent fires.
Knox-Center Township Fire Chief Kenny Pfost said it’s important to have the house numbers visible so firefighters can find your home.
“Reflective ones are the best type of numbers to have,” suggested Pfost. “It’s very important to have the numbers on your home because there’s a lot of times at night, they’re extremely hard to find. We know the general area where the fire may be, but if there’s a lot of houses in one area and there are no flames showing, it’s very difficult to find at times.”
