Knox Parks Department to Benefit from Gator Purchase Approved by City Council

The Knox City Council approved the purchase of a John Deere Gator when they met last Tuesday.

Mayor Dennis Estok explained that the City has been considering purchasing a Gator to assist the individual who mows the lots around town. He currently pushes his mower from place to place because he doesn’t have anything to cart it around in. Estok added that it could also be utilized to supervise events down at the park.

Additionally, the Parks Department has been looking into options for a Gator with four seats to replace the one they have which only has two. Continue reading

Residents Urged to Take Advantage of Today’s Environmental Day Collection Event at the Starke County Highway Garage

At this week’s Knox City Council meeting, Mayor Dennis Estok urged residents to take advantage of an opportunity to rid their homes and yards of hazardous waste and clutter during the annual Starke County Environmental Day.

According to information provided in a promotional flier, all Starke County residential property owners are welcome to swing by the County Highway Garage from 8:30 a.m. until 1 p.m. today to properly dispose of various unwanted items and household hazardous waste in a safe, drive-thru environment. Continue reading

Mayor of Knox Signs Proclamation Establishing Society of Saint Vincent DePaul Week

Rose Vonbampus, Beverly Casey, Georgiana Kipp, Mary Kleinfehn, Joan Stepien and Theresa Minix pictured with Mayor Dennis Estok

When Knox City Council members met this week, Mayor Dennis Estok informed them about a proclamation he signed on Tuesday.

He told members, “I signed a proclamation proclaiming the week of September 29th as the Society of Saint Vincent DePaul Week.” Continue reading

Digital Message Board for the City of Knox to be Installed Soon

As motorists pass through the gates of Knox today they may notice a minor addition. However, over the next week or so they can expect to see a major one.

Mayor Dennis Estok told council members last night that work has begun at the site where the new message board will be installed. The footer has been poured and the pole has been placed. The remainder of the sign anticipated to be erected by Friday. Continue reading

Street Print Project Delay Addressed at Knox City Council Meeting

A portion of the street print project in Knox will be done this year, but officials will have to wait a bit longer before the city’s emblem is added.

Back in June, city council members cast a unanimous vote to move forward with a project that would allow the company Ennis-Flint to install a street print of the city’s logo and designed crosswalks at the intersection of Lake and Main streets.

At last Tuesday’s Knox City Council meeting, Councilwoman Bertha Blue asked when the project would commence. Continue reading

More Renovation Work Needed Before the Knox Redevelopment Pilot Program Can Start

Some more work still needs to be done to the building at 10 South Main Street before the Knox Redevelopment Pilot Program can get off the ground.

Mayor Dennis Estok announced at last week’s city council meeting that things are getting close but they’re not quite there yet. Estok told members, “There’s a possibility that it will be in good enough shape in probably about a month to start advertising that pilot program.” Continue reading

The City of Knox is Cracking Down on Vehicles Zooming through School Zones

Knox City officials have noticed an excessive amount of drivers ignoring the speed limits posted around the schools and they’re preparing to crack down on the problem.

 

In his report during Tuesday’s city council meeting, Mayor Dennis Estok addressed the issue. He explained that students aren’t the only offenders. Apparently, some bus drivers, parents and other adult motorists are also guilty of traveling too fast in the area. Continue reading

Knox City Council to Hold Work Session Over Budget Prior to Regular Meeting

Knox City Council members will hold a work study session to discuss the 2019 Budget before their regularly scheduled meeting tonight.

The work session will start at 6:15 p.m. At their last meeting, members decided to hold this session in order to get more familiar with all the details surrounding the proposed budget prior to the public hearing over it which is scheduled for Tuesday, September 11th.

The council’s regular meeting will start at 7 p.m. Continue reading

Problematic Properties Discussed at Knox Board of Works Meeting

Knox Code Enforcement Officer Kenny Pfost discussed several problematic properties with members of the Board of Works last Wednesday.

Pfost provided the members with an update about the rental properties belonging to Melvin Zeiters. At the Board of Works meeting in June, members were informed that Zeiters had brought at least one of his homes located at 407 W. Lewis Drive into compliance.

However, during their most recent meeting, members learned that little has been done to address the violations on several other properties. Continue reading

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

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