New pumps have been ordered to replace the two that failed earlier this month at the east Highway 8 lift station. Knox Wastewater Superintendent Kelly Clemons blames commissary trash from the jail that inmates flush down the toilets for the problems they’ve been having since the facility opened last summer. Continue reading
Knox Opts Out of OCRA Funds for Wastewater Treatment Updates
The City of Knox is not pursuing a matching grant from the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs to pay for wastewater treatment plant upgrades. Mayor Dennis Estok told the city council Tuesday night he made that executive decision prior to last week’s deadline. Continue reading
Knox Plan Commission to Consider Tattoo Parlor Permits
The City of Knox ordinance with regard to downtown tattoo parlors will not be amended at this time. Instead the city council, at the recommendation of Mayor Dennis Estok, has opted to refer the matter to the plan commission. He says they can develop a special use permit to allow tattoo parlors, which are essentially prohibited by the restrictive ordinance language currently on the books. Continue reading
Band Stage Construction Begins
Work has started on the latest amenity at Wythogan Park in Knox. Mayor Dennis Estok told the city council Tuesday construction of the band stage is under way. It’s at the southeastern end of the park between the main entrance and U.S. 35. Continue reading
Community Crossings Grant Accelerates Knox Street Repairs, Projects
Paving work is underway on several downtown Knox streets thanks to a matching grant the city received from the Indiana Department of Transportation. Mayor Dennis Estok told the city council Tuesday night several streets have already been paved with Community Crossings money. Continue reading
Knox City Council Tables Tattoo Parlor Discussion
Knox City Council members want more information before deciding whether to relax regulations on where tattoo parlors can be located. The current city ordinance, which was adopted in 2009, requires tattoo parlor operators to receive a permit from the city. It further states, “The location shall be at least 500 feet from any property used for school purposes, licensed day care center, church, public park, or a place licensed for the sale of alcoholic beverages.” Continue reading
Knox Plan Administrator, Code Enforcement and Building Inspector Terminated
The City of Knox will soon have a new planning administrator, building inspector and code enforcement officer. The Plan Commission voted Tuesday night to terminate Bruce Williams, at the recommendation of Mayor Dennis Estok. He’s expressed frustrations on several occasions with the slow progress of code enforcement efforts and says he decided to go in another direction. Continue reading
Knox Receives Reimbursement from Blight Elimination Program
The City of Knox should be able to successfully tear down 10 houses with funds from a blight elimination grant. So far four houses have been removed with funds from the Indiana Housing & Community Development Authority, and another four are under contract for demolition. Clerk-Treasurer Jeff Houston says the city should know any day whether two more houses are accepted into the program. He adds the city has received a reimbursement of $20,600 from the state through the program. Continue reading
Knox City Council Approves Fund Transfers
The Knox City Council Tuesday approved a series of transfers within departmental budgets in order to balance the books. The biggest cost overrun is in the sanitation department, with a total of $6,520.17 moved from other line items into the garbage contract, according to Clerk-Treasurer Jeff Houston. Continue reading
Knox Officials Still Researching Relaxed Tattoo Parlor Regulations
Knox officials are still gathering information from other communities about how they regulate tattoo parlors before formally acting to relax their restrictions on such businesses in the downtown area. Councilman Tim Manns raised the issue last month and asked last night when it will be considered. Continue reading
Knox Schedules Meeting for Peppermint Parade Planning
The City of Knox is bringing back the Peppermint Parade, but it’s looking for help from local residents to do so. The city’s holding a meeting for potential volunteers tomorrow evening at 6:00 at the Nancy J. Dembowski Community Center. Continue reading
Knox Mayor Encourages More Support for City Fireworks Display
Knox Mayor Dennis Estok says the city got tremendous bang for its buck from July’s Fun Day in the Park and downtown fireworks display.
“It was a lot cleaner, a lot more organized, and we just drew a lot more people into townI ,” Estok said during Monday’s town hall meeting with residents. “I met a couple guys from Rensselaer that were playing cornhole. Not in the tournament, but they were there, and they loved every bit of it. So they’re going to tell their friends you can go to Knox and have a good time.” Continue reading
Knox May Scrap Harvest Festival
Knox will not be hosting a Harvest Festival this year. That question was raised during Mayor Dennis Estok’s Monday town hall meeting. He says a lot of work goes into the event, and a lot of volunteers are needed to pull it off. Continue reading
Knox Demolition Efforts Continue
Knox Mayor Dennis Estok reports that progress continues on the demolition of the blighted house at 108 Allen Drive that the city recently acquired. The Knox Street Department has been working since Monday to tear down the structure on the property. The city hopes to have the work completed within the next week. Photos provided.
Knox Council Shifts Funds for K-9 Vehicle
The Knox City Police Department has funds lined up to buy a patrol vehicle for their K-9 officer. Mayor Dennis Estok says the Chevrolet Tahoe to accommodate the dog and equipment carries a price tag of about $40,000. Last week the Knox Redevelopment Commission pledged $20,000 from the Tax Increment Financing account toward the purchase. The council’s share of the money will come from the city’s share of riverboat gambling proceeds and the Economic Development Income Tax fund. Continue reading
Knox Looks to Revive Peppermint Parade
Knox Mayor Dennis Estok hopes to revive a longstanding holiday tradition. He’s bringing back the Peppermint Parade and says he will soon make a formal call-out for volunteers. Continue reading
Knox Mayor Seeks to Improve Code Enforcement Efforts
Knox Mayor Dennis Estok says the city can do a better job with code enforcement. Efforts have been stepped up recently to address unsafe buildings. During Monday evening’s town hall meeting, Estok said structures that can’t be rehabilitated are ordered to be torn down.
So far four houses have been razed with money from a blight elimination grant. Another four are under contract for demolition, and the city is seeking approval for two more. Continue reading
Knox Mayor Elaborates on Performance Stage Plans
Knox Mayor Dennis Estok is turning his focus to building an ampitheatre at Wythogan Park now that the splash pad is complete. During last night’s town hall meeting, Estok said the new amenity has been an unparalleled success. Continue reading
Knox Residents Invited to Mayor’s Town Hall Meeting
Knox residents are encouraged to attend a Monday night town hall meeting with Mayor Dennis Estok in order to voice their concerns and ask questions in an informal setting. It will take place at 6 p.m. at the Nancy J. Dembowski Community Center. Continue reading
Four Down, Four to Go — Mayor Provides Blight Elimination Update
The City of Knox is making progress in the quest to clean up dilapidated houses. Mayor Dennis Estok told the board of works last week the first four houses acquired from willing sellers with blight elimination grant funds have been torn down. After the contractor cleans up debris from each site, the lots will be seeded. Continue reading
