The Knox City Council voted Tuesday to hire a Warsaw-based company to repair the roof on the Nancy J. Dembowski Community Center. According to a source, there was a plan of getting Roof Lanterns installed, but as it was a community centre, the idea was scarped, and the council decided to go with the damage restoration rather than a change. Clerk-Treasurer Jeff Houston says multiple local contractors have tried unsuccessfully to patch the leaky rubber roof. The building’s ceilings, carpets and electrical system have sustained extensive water damage as a result of the problems.
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Knox Council Discusses Proposed Golf Cart Ordinance
The Knox City Council will consider a revised golf cart ordinance on first reading at their next meeting due to a minor correction. The policy as proposed needs to state one and not two operating headlights and taillights are required on each side for nighttime operation. Continue reading
Knox Council Approves Band Stage Funding
The City of Knox did not receive a grant to build a band stage at Wythogan Park, but that doesn’t mean the project will be scrapped. Mayor Dennis Estok told the city council last night the city has received a $10,000 anonymous donation for the project. The Knox Redevelopment Commission has also set aside $40,000 for it. Continue reading
Golf Cart Ordinance, Public Hearing on Knox Council Agenda
The Knox City Council will consider a revised golf cart ordinance when they meet this evening. The proposed city policy mirrors the county golf cart ordinance. It requires owners to register their vehicles. They would be subject to inspections, and an annual fee would be charged. Continue reading
Knox Considering Recycling Container Change
Knox residents can weigh in on their choice of recycling container by either contacting city hall or returning the insert included with their water bills. The city council is contemplating a switch from the open totes that are picked up weekly to a 65-gallon wheeled container with a lid. Waste Management would supply them for free and collect recycling every other week. Residents would not incur an additional cost. Continue reading
Knox Council to Consider Additional Golf Cart Regulations
The Knox City Council will consider an overhaul of the local golf cart ordinance at their next meeting. Review copies of the proposal were handed out to city council members Tuesday for review. Mayor Dennis Estok says there are quite a few proposed changes. The biggest is a requirement that golf cart owners register the vehicles. They would be subject to inspections, and an annual fee would be charged. Continue reading
City Officials Clash Over Truck Route Fines
The Knox City Council voted 3-2 to raise the fine for truck route violations from $50 to $150 after a spirited discussion. Mayor Dennis Estok contends the fine needs to be raised in order to deter local drivers from playing the odds and using Culver Road to get from U.S. 35 to the Knox Industrial Park instead of taking State Road 8. Councilman Tim Manns renewed his call for additional signs to alert truck drivers of the route.
Knox Council to Consider Ordinance Changes Tonight
The Knox City Council will consider a few ordinance amendments when they meet this evening. The first proposal would increase the fee for truck route violations from $50 per occurrence to $150. Continue reading
Knox Council Ponders Recycling Pickup Change
Knox residents may soon have larger recycling containers and less frequent pickup. The city council is considering a change from the open containers currently used for weekly curbside pickup to larger, wheeled containers with flappable lids. If they choose that option, pickup will take place every other week. Continue reading
Knox Council Discusses Truck Route GPS Updates
Making necessary updates to GPS systems to reflect truck routes is a more involved process than City of Knox and Starke County officials initially realized. Last month Knox started enforcing its truck route ordinance, which prohibits through traffic weighing more than 10 tons with more than three axles from using Culver Road and other surface streets to get from U.S. 35 to the Knox Industrial Park on 300 East/Klockner Drive. Continue reading
Knox to Consider Golf Cart Registration Requirement
Those driving golf carts within the City of Knox may soon have to register them with the city. Continue reading
Knox to Stiffen Penalties on Truck Route Violators
The City of Knox continues to crack down on truckers who ignore the city’s truck routes. Now, Mayor Dennis Estok is looking to raise the penalties. Continue reading
Knox Readies Funding for Splash Pad
The City of Knox is making sure it has funds ready for the city’s splash pad project. The City Council had approved spending up to $150,000 for the project back in January. Continue reading
Knox City Hall to Close for Funeral
Knox City Hall will be closed for a few hours tomorrow so employees can attend the funeral of a longtime public servant.
Ed Blue, 74, of Knox, died Saturday. He served 16 years as a Knox City Councilman and was president for two of those years. Ed was a member of the Board of Public Works at the time of his death, having served as a member of that body for 15 years. He also served on the Starke County Environmental Management Solid Waste Board. Ed owned E&B Plumbing in Knox. Continue reading
Knox Moves Forward With Blight Elimination Plans
The City of Knox is preparing to bid the demolition of four blighted houses. Mayor Dennis Estok says bid packets will be ready the first week of March with a goal of having the houses down in April. Continue reading
Knox Set to Enforce Truck Route Ordinance
Knox officials are prepared to enforce truck routes in an effort to keep traffic to and from the industrial park off of city streets. Mayor Dennis Estok told the city council last night the enforcement will start March 1st so manufacturers have time to let their suppliers know. Continue reading
Estok Updates Knox Council on Plans
Knox Mayor Dennis Estok’s recent town hall meeting is the first of many. He told the city council last night the turnout exceeded his expectations. An estimated 65 people showed up for the informal gathering. Estok says he’s already gotten requests for more. No dates have been set yet. He says they will either take place every other month or quarterly. Continue reading
Knox Blight Elimination Program Moves Ahead
The City of Knox is planning to move ahead with its blight elimination efforts. Knox was awarded grant funding from the state in 2014 to buy and demolish homes that were in poor condition, but since then, the project has seen little progress, due in part to trouble the city’s had with filing the required documents required by the grant program. Continue reading
Knox Utility Rate Hikes Approved
Water and sewer rate increases received the final approval of the Knox City Council Tuesday. That was in spite of the continued opposition of council member Tim Manns. Continue reading
Knox Council to Decide on Utility Rate Increases
The Knox City Council will decide tonight whether to give its final approval to ordinances raising water and sewer rates. The proposed rates are based on a study conducted for the city by accounting firm Umbaugh and Associates. It took into account infrastructure needs for maintaining both services at appropriate levels. Continue reading