Knox City Police Car to be Repaired after Accident

 

A Knox City Police car is in the shop to get auto body repair after a small accident.

Knox City Police Chief Harold Smith told the Knox Board of Public Works last week that an officer parked the 2011 Dodge Charger in front of a business on Main Street and a business owner backed into the squad car. Smith said the estimated damage is at $1,550 and it will be repaired.

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Knox Street Department Uses 70 Ton of Road Salt

The Knox Street Department has gone through a lot of its salt supply to help clear roads this winter.

According Street Superintendent Jeff Borg, the city has experienced 12 snow events that have amounted to 26 inches of snow. That statistic is from Dec. 9, 2017 to today. As a result, 70 tons of the 100 tons of road salt was used to help clear roads as contracted from the State of Indiana cooperative. The city can purchase up to 120 tons as part of the agreement.

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Knox BOW Members Receive Update on Unsafe Structure

Another unsafe structure the Knox Board of Public Works would like to see progress on is at 6 N. Pearl Street.

The owner, Lucia Valladares, has gotten some work done, but the renovation effort has stalled. Knox Planning Administrator and Director of Building and Code Compliance Kenny Pfost told the board members Wednesday morning that she has a family member in California suffering from medical issues and she has been there. A lot of her funds are now going to help her family member. She will be able to do what she can.

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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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Knox Board of Public Works to Meet Today

The Knox Board of Public Works will meet this morning where the board members will get an update on two unsafe properties.

The owner of 1 and 3 N. Main Street, Pete Milev, is anticipated to give the board an update on repairs needed to that downtown building. Knox Planning Administrator and Director of Building and Code Compliance Kenny Pfost told the board members last month that a timeline was provided for repairs. Milev was given until May 2018 to complete extensive repairs to the exterior masonry and interior violations. There are smaller improvements that should have been done by Jan. 12.

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Knox City Council and Board of Public Works to Hold Join Work Session Tonight

The Knox City Council and the Board of Public Works will hold a joint work session to discuss the employee handbook tonight. It will be held at 6 p.m., prior to their regular session.

The regular session will commence at 7 p.m. where the approval of the new employee handbook will be up for consideration.

Additionally, members will consider a KIRPC Grant Administration Agreement and John Julien with Umbaugh will be discussing bonding for a fire truck. Continue reading

Knox City Police Department Hiring Police Officer

 

Knox City Police Chief Harold Smith is looking to hire a new full-time officer for the department.

Officer Chad Dulin reported to the Knox Board of Public Works on Wednesday that Detective Dave Combs submitted his resignation in November after serving 11 years with the department. He served the Starke County Sheriff’s Department for several years as well. He is now the Town Marshal for the Town of Medaryville.

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Knox Board of Public Works to Meet Today

 

The Knox Board of Public Works will meet today where a public hearing is scheduled for the property at 1 and 3 N. Main Street.

The board members took action in October to enforce unsafe building violations at that location. Mayor Dennis Estok said the Main Street property owner was previously told to replace glass in the storefront and respond to other violations within the building and it wasn’t done within the timeframe given.

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Brown Circle Project in Knox Complete

Knox Water Department cutting the road preparing to install new 6″ Ductile iron water line to replace the galvanized water line

The Knox Water Department completed the Brown Circle water line replacement project.

Water Superintendent Todd Gardner told the Knox Board of Public Works last week that the total cost of the project was just under $84,000. This included the installation of 1,440 feet of new six-inch ductile pipe to replace the much smaller galvanized water main that serviced the entire neighborhood. Three fire hydrants were also installed so the entire area is now able to receive adequate fire protection.

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Knox Board of Public Works Receives Updates on Unsafe Buildings

The Knox Board of Public Works learned that two property owners are working to update their unsafe structures with an attempt to eliminate demolition.

Lucia Valladares owns 6 N. Pearl Street and updated the board last week on her progress. She said she has hired a contractor to help her make the necessary upgrades as specified in the plans she gave the board a few months ago.

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Starke County Police Agencies to Participate in Operation Pull Over Campaign

All four police agencies in Starke County will participate in the upcoming Operation Pull Over Campaign.

Chad Dulin is the coordinator for the Starke County effort. He told the Knox Board of Public Works members Wednesday morning that Starke County is getting 100 hours from the St. Joseph County’s Sheriff’s Department’s enforcement effort to participate in the campaign. Dulin said the county hasn’t been a part of an Operation Pullover campaign for some time and this is a way to get back into the program. Continue reading

Concerns Surround Unsafe Building in Downtown Knox

 

The Knox Board of Public Works took action this week to enforce unsafe building violations on a downtown building.

The owner of 1 N. Main Street and 3 N. Main Street was previously told to replace glass from a broken window at the storefront at that location and it is currently boarded shut. Knox Mayor Dennis Estok said that the owner has had plenty of time to make the proper changes. He was given 45 days to make repairs on several violations within the buildings and Estok said nothing has been done with only a handful of days left on the time frame allowed for repairs. Owners of buildings or properties that were condemned by a government agency may seek legal assistance from a Private Property Condemnation Lawyer to learn their best course of action. Continue reading

Knox Board of Public Works to Meet Today

The Knox Board of Public Works will discuss enforcement actions on three pieces of property when they meet this morning.

Knox Director of Building, Planning and Code Compliance Kenny Pfost revoked a permit at 325 Carlson Drive and the board members will have information pertaining to the issue of the construction of a steel carport on the property this morning. Enforcement action at 1 N. Main Street and 3 N. Main Street will also be reviewed.

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Knox Board of Public Works Members Get Updates on Blighted Structures

 

The Knox Board of Public Works received updates on two blighted structures in the city limits.

Jack Fogarty owns the property at 301 S. Shield St. and has tried to refinance with no success and he explained that his financial situation doesn’t support the updates. He understands that the property needs a new roof, exterior work and interior work. He just asked the board for one thing.

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