During its meeting Tuesday night, the Knox City Council approved the final payment to close out the rehabilitation project at the Wastewater Treatment Facility. Even with the change orders presented, the total project came in $9,991 under budget. Mike Strang, from Bonar and Associates, said he and Wastewater Superintendent, Kelly Clemons, were happy with the work done by the contracting company, R. E. Crosby.
The Knox City Police are investigating damage done to the Knox Community Center after a Saturday event at the facility. During Tuesday night’s Knox City Council meeting, Clerk-Treasurer, Jeff Houston, told the Council that 112 chairs were damaged, the dance floor was ruined and 25 of the 32 tables were damaged. The carpets were stained and the walls had marks on them.
The Knox City Council learned that the budget order came back from the State and the Council will need to cut $71,932 from the 2011 budget. During the Council meeting Tuesday night, Clerk-Treasurer, Jeff Houston, recommended that the Council cut the purchase of a new backhoe that was put in the budget for 2011. That budgeted item was approximately $72,000 and the Council unanimously approved Houston’s recommendation. Houston added that the budget is at the “bare bones” and spending will be tight in 2011. Election costs had to be added to the 2011 budget as well.
The North Judson Town Board approved the first reading of an ordinance that prohibits the sale of synthetic marijuana within the incorporated town of North Judson. The ordinance mirrors the same guidelines as passed by the Starke County Commissioners. The Knox City Council has approved a similar ordinance on second reading and the final reading will be discussed at its meeting on Tuesday, December 14th.
K9 Officer Chad Keen and K9 Marco appeared at the recent Knox City Council meeting. Officer Keen recently finished training with K9 Marco at the Von Liche Kennels in Denver, Indiana. Marco detects all types of narcotics and can trackpeople as well. Marco is a two-year-old Belgian Tervuren and met the Knox City Council for the first time at the Council’s meeting on November 23rd. This is the third K9 to be part of the Knox City Police Department.
The final walk-through was done at the Wastewater Treatment Facility to close out the City’s grant for that rehabilitation project. A curb needs to be replaced and then the project will be complete.
The Council also got a tonnage report on the refuse and recycling service from the garbage contractors. In July, 137 tons was the highest amount of refuse collected in 2010. The lowest amount of refuse collected was in January at 83.6 tons. 27.2 tons of recyclable material was collected in July, the most collected in 2010.
The employees of the City of Knox are planning a special fundraiser for the holiday season this year.
“For Christmas, the employees of the City of Knox have decided to forgo the usual gift exchange and to participate in a food drive for the Starke County Food Bank,” said Knox Mayor, Rick Chambers. “All of the employees will make cash donations or will bring food items to the Clerk’s Office for collection. Anyone wanting to assist the Knox City employees in this food drive are asked to drop off your donations or food items at City Hall, in the Clerk’s Office. If you want to make a donation and are unable to make it to City Hall, call Mayor Rick Chambers or any member of the Knox Common Council to schedule a pick up.”
The deadline date to donate food items is Wednesday, December 17th.
A Lake Station store owner is suing the City over an ordinance banning the selling of synthetic marijuana products. The store owner says under the new ordinance, over the half the items in his store could be considered synthetic marijuana.
The U.S. Government is considering a ban on products that mix herbs and synthetic chemicals that mimic marijuana. Government officials say it appears the products are dangerous.
The Knox City Council and the Starke County Commissioners are in the process of banning these products.
Here is just some of the news that made the news in the Kankakee Valley this week:
The WKVI Food Drive at the Knox Mall was a success last Saturday $2,167.73 was collected and over 2,500 pounds of food was collected.
It was announced that the Starke United Radio Auction is scheduled for Friday, December 3rd, and it will be broadcast live beginning at 10:00 a.m. on WKVI AM 1520.
Dr. Walter Fritz will be stepping down as the Starke County Health Officer at the end of the year. He will be replaced by Dr. Teresa Alexander.
Christina D. Orange of North Judson and Stephen Adrian Braasch of Argos were arrested Saturday, November 20th by the North Judson Police Department. They were arrested on methamphetamine related charges.
The Starke County Traffic Safety Partnership and the Pulaski County Sheriff’s Office were honored at the recent Annual Operation Pull Over Awards Banquet. Both entities received Equipment Awards to purchase law enforcement equipment of their choice.
The Knox City Council approved the second reading of an ordinance to prohibit the sale and possession of synthetic marijuana in the city limits. Several questions were raised by Knox Mayor Rick Chambers about the enforceability of the ordinance.
Starke County Development Director, Charles Weaver, appeared before the County Commissioners at its most recent meeting. He asked the Board to sign an application to be submitted to the Indiana Department of Transportation to classify County Road 300 East between Culver Road south and State Road 8 on the north as a rural major collector.
Anthony Ferris attempted to escape from the LaPorte County Security Complex, Wednesday morning. He was quickly apprehended by the LaPorte County K9 unit.
And that is just some of the news that made the news in the Kankakee Valley this week.
The Knox City Council approved the second reading of an ordinance to prohibit the sale and possession of synthetic marijuana in the city limits.
Knox Mayor, Rick Chambers, told the Council that he had some questions for City Attorney, David Matsey, about the enforceability of this ordinance. Matsey was not present at the meeting but Mayor Chambers voiced his concerns to the Council members. Mayor Chambers questioned whether specific tests are available to test the product to ensure it contains the ingredients that classify it as synthetic marijuana. If there is a test available, who is authorized to conduct the test? Do Indiana State Police labs have equipment available to test the product? Jennie Carter from Drug and Tobacco Free Starke County informed the City Council that she will get answers for those questions and have them available by the next City Council meeting. The third and final reading of this ordinance is expected to be made at the Council’s December 14th meeting.
