Knox City Council Approves Golf Cart Exemption Request

Knox City Council members considered a golf-cart exemption request when they met Tuesday night.

The city’s golf-cart ordinance requires operators to hold a valid driver’s license. However, there is a provision that states individuals can appeal to the city council for an exception to the rule. A mother and her adult son came before council members this week to explain why they felt an exemption should be made. Continue reading

Serenity Gardens Mural Project in Knox Could Possibly Start as Soon as This Week

Preliminary Sketch of Serenity Gardens Mural

As long as the weather cooperates and the necessary equipment can be accessed, the mural project at Serenity Gardens in Knox could get started as soon as this week.

Mayor Dennis Estok met with artist Joe Eskridge last Wednesday to go over details related to the project at the corner of Main and Lake Streets. When discussing the strategy of how he plans to tackle the wall mural, Eskridge said he is going to utilize a grid pattern to help break up the work. Continue reading

In Need of Volunteers, Director of Kid’s Closet Ministry Discusses Program with Local Officials

The Kid’s Closet Ministry provides helpful resources such as clothing, hygiene products and school supplies to children across Starke County and it takes a lot of kind, dedicated people to make this possible.

Director Linda Lewandowski recently provided presentations to both the Knox City Council and the North Judson Town Council, explaining the specifics of the program as well as highlighting the need for more volunteers. Continue reading

Knox City Council Holds Hearing Over Wastewater Treatment Plant Improvement Project

Knox City Council members held a public hearing and considered two resolutions related to the proposed improvement project at the Wastewater Treatment Plant when they met this week.

At the start of Tuesday’s hearing, KIRPC Community Development Planner Emily Albaugh reminded those in attendance that the City of Knox is applying for OCRA’s Wastewater Drinking Water grant. Continue reading

Knox City Council to Hold Public Hearing Over Wastewater Treatment Plant Project Tonight

The Knox City Council members will hold a public hearing over a project at the Wastewater Treatment Plant when they meet tonight.

Members are also expected to consider three resolutions. One resolution has to deal with wastewater system improvement bonds and another would authorize application submission and local match commitment in regards to a WDW application. Continue reading

Knox City Council Considers Economic Revitalization Area Request from JW Hicks

Knox City Council members held a public hearing and considered a resolution related to the designation of an Economic Revitalization Area in the Industrial Park when they met last Tuesday.

The request came from JW Hicks, Inc, as an expansion project unfolds at their Knox location. Founder James W. Hicks discussed the anticipated cost for the project. Continue reading

Knox Mayor Reports Pearl Street Paving Has to Wait Until Aging Pipes Are Replaced

Paving on Pearl Street that was originally listed as one of the Community Crossings Grant projects for the City of Knox will have to wait.

Mayor Dennis Estok told city council members last Tuesday that the brick road on Pearl Street that was originally supposed to be paved cannot be included in this year’s grant application due to some older pipes that are underneath the road. Continue reading

Budget Update Presented at Knox City Council Meeting

A reminder about the importance of staying on schedule when it comes to budget matters was provided at Tuesday night’s Knox City Council meeting.

Clerk-Treasurer Jeff Houston alerted members that the budget process is currently in underway. He noted that the first step is to balance out the month of June and then come mid-July, he will meet with a field representative from the Indiana Department of Local Government Finance. Continue reading

Knox City Council Extends Waste Management Contract

Knox City Council members considered extending the City’s garbage services contract with Waste Management when they met on Tuesday.

Public Sector Solutions Representative Melinda Antell came before the council to go over the proposed contract extension. She noted that initially she presented a five-year contract to Mayor Dennis Estok but he requested the shorter, three-year contract extension. Continue reading

District 4 Knox City Council Member to be Determined at Tonight’s Caucus, Council Meeting to Follow

The caucus to find a replacement for the open District 4 Knox City Council seat will be held tonight at 6:30 p.m.

Starke County Democrat Chairman Kenny Wallace shared that the three individuals submitted a letter of interest before the deadline. Those candidates will be considered and whoever is selected will be sworn in immediately following the caucus. They will be able to attend their first meeting as a member tonight.

The regularly scheduled city council meeting will commence at 7 p.m. Continue reading

Letters of Interest for the Open Knox City Council Seat Must be Submitted by Tomorrow

Time is running out to apply for the open seat on the Knox City Council. Individuals who reside in District 4 and are registered Democrats have until Friday to submit their letter of interest for consideration. Any letters that come in after the deadline will not be eligible

Letters must be delivered to Starke County Democrat Chairman Kenny Wallace. They can be sent by mail to his Knox residence located at 5175 East 200 South. Continue reading