Join the staff of Kankakee Valley Broadcasting for today’s ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate the launch of WYMR-FM, MAX 98.3. The 6,000 watt radio station is licensed in Culver and Plymouth and is a sister station to K99.3 WKVI FM and Kountry KVI 1520 AM, both of which are licensed in Knox. The stations share an air staff and news department and play a similar mix of hit music from the 1970s through present day. Continue reading
Starke County Health Department Recommends Vaccinations To Combat Measles
A recent measles outbreak has the Starke County Health Department reminding area residents to have up-to-date vaccinations.
According to the Centers for Disease Control, 102 cases of the disease were reported in the U.S. in January. Measles is considered highly contagious.
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Today is Final Day to File for Knox Election
Today is the last day to file for the City of Knox Municipal Election.
Knox City Council Districts 1-4 are up for election including an at-large seat. Knox voters will also select a city clerk-treasurer and the judge of the city court. The primary election will be held on May 5.
There is no primary election for the seats for the North Judson or Hamlet Town Council in Starke County as the towns have a population under 3,500. Town conventions will be held if there are opposing party candidates in the seats up for election. Otherwise, the candidates will be featured on the ballot in the General Election in November. The same goes for the towns of Winamac, Francesville, Medaryville and Monterey in Pulaski County.
Empty Bowl Project Continues Education and Volunteerism
MoonTree Studios near Plymouth is asking the public to raise its awareness of hunger in local communities.
The art studio, along with several other local organizations, is hosting their Empty Bowl Project again this year. The event highlights food insecurity by helping to raise money for organizations that provide food to those in need.
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Charbonneau Focuses on Indiana’s Water Resources
State Senator Ed Charbonneau is touting two bills that received unanimous approval in the Indiana Senate.
Both bills attempt to analyze and secure the Hoosier State’s water resources. Senate Bill 473 requires the Indiana Department of Natural Resources to monitor water resources and provides an avenue for volunteers to conduct the work. It would focus on areas where water withdrawals could exceed the natural replenishing rate.
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Hoosiers Encouraged to Go Red for Women
Hoosiers are encouraged to wear red tomorrow to raise awareness of the number one killer of women in America. National Wear Red Day is part of the American Heart Association’s Go Red for Women Movement, which is a month-long effort to raise awareness of heart disease. Continue reading
Schools Making Decisions on Snow Day Make-ups
Plenty of snow accumulation cancelled school yet again in the Kankakee Valley on Monday.
Due to the number of snow days taken, some school corporations now have some decisions to make on just how they plan to make up even more days of class days. In Indiana, no fewer than 180 instructional days can be held.
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North Judson Fills Vacancies, Makes Police Department Moves
The North Judson Town Council has filled the vacant positions on each of their boards and commissions.
During a meeting last night, the Board said those positions include spots on the Plan Commission and Board of Zoning Appeals. The Council asks for recommendations from current board members for individuals interested in serving on one of the boards.
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Study Recommends Limiting TIF Uses
A new study says TIF District’s may not be as good for economic growth as initially thought.
The paper from Ball State University’s Center for Business and Economic Research says Tax Increment Financing Districts are often associated with less employment, less taxable income, and slightly higher tax rates.
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Knox Harvest Days Festival Meeting Set for Next Week
The Knox Harvest Days Festival Committee will be meeting on Wednesday, Feb. 11 to discuss the upcoming community event.
The Harvest Days Festival was not held the last two years. In a previous Knox City Council meeting, it was announced that an individual would like to take over the festival and offer the same type of activities as events before. She said many church organizations are willing to step in and help put it together. It would be held Aug. 21 through Aug. 23.
Second Meeting Held for Knox Comprehensive Plan Development
The City of Knox held a second public meeting Thursday night that continues collecting information in the development of the City’s comprehensive plan.
The process is being undertaken after a grant was received to fund the development of the plan. Once completed, the City hopes targeted areas for development, infrastructure, and connectivity can be identified.
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Knox City Council Meets New Officer, Approves Use of Community Center
The new officer at the Knox City Police Department introduced himself to the Knox City Council members Tuesday night. Eric Vanderhoff said he will be headed to the police academy on March 31 for 15 weeks of training. He’s been on the road for six months and getting to know the area. He will return to the Knox City Police Department when his training is complete. Vanderhoff was hired last spring.
The city council also approved the use of the Nancy J. Dembowski Community Center on April 25 for an event hosted by Women Anchored in Hope. The council approved the use of half of the great room, but if there are more people than anticipated then they could use the entire room.
A contract was approved to have Anne Mannix complete all of the paperwork with the Blight Elimination Program grant. The contract is for $50 an hour, not to exceed $10,000. The city attorney will review the contract.
The city council members also recognized that George Byer was reappointed as the park superintendent. That action was completed this month.
Knox Police Chief Notes Building Issues
Knox City Police Chief Clint Norem told the Board of Public Works members this week that some maintenance needs to be conducted at the building housing the police department.
Norem stated that fans are on in the garage to help evaporate the water from the floor in the garage. The drainage issue has been ongoing for some time, according to Norem. He hopes that the issues can be corrected in the spring.
Indiana Dem Leader Criticizes State Budget Process
Indiana Democrats are speaking out against the current state budget process.
House Democratic Leader Scott Pelath out of Michigan City held a news availability to answer questions about what he says are over exuberant elected representatives and the continued murkiness of Indiana’s budget process.
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Local Teacher Named Coach of the Month
Donnelly Votes In Favor of Keystone XL, Supports Iran Sanctions
Indiana State Senator Joe Donnelly has voted to approve legislation that authorizes the Keystone XL Pipeline.
In a 62-36 vote, Donnelly says he’s pleased with the result. The move brings the legislation one step closer to the White House. The Senate bill will either need to be approved by the House of Representatives, or merged with a similar bill previously voted on.
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Knox Street Department Ready for Next Snow Event
Street Superintendent Jeff Borg told the Knox Board of Public Works this week that operations in the city are going well this winter.
There has been some cost savings in getting sand from Area Excavating. The cost is two dollars cheaper than their previous supplier. They don’t have to go as far to pick up the material. Borg said he has been able to see a difference in the cost and wear and tear of vehicles. He coordinates a pick up time with the company and brings back up to ten tons of sand as needed. Borg said the sand is mixed with salt, and the combination works well during a snow event. Porter County and LaPorte County department use the same company for their road product as well.
Secretary of State Stresses Importance of Financial Cybersecurity
The Indiana Secretary of State’s office is reminding residents of the importance of understanding how to protect their personal financial information.
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Budget Approved for City of Knox
Knox Clerk-Treasurer Jeff Houston told the city council this week that the budget order came back, and the city is $45 shy of the maximum levy. The maximum levy is the maximum amount of money the city can collect from taxes. Houston said they couldn’t have gotten any closer, which is good.
Houston noted that he spoke to Matt Parkinson from the Department of Local Government Finance who said that the city will know in April about how much the tax caps will affect the city’s budget. When Houston gets that information, he will let the department heads know how much they will need to cut from their department. Last year, the city was cut over $200,000.
Chamber Minimum Wage Survey A Mixed Bag
In response to a proposed increase in the minimum wage in Indiana, the Starke County Chamber of Commerce has decided to survey its membership.
The survey, sent out earlier this week, asked member businesses their thoughts on Indiana’s current minimum wage rate of $7.25 per hour. While there are multiple proposals filed in Indianapolis, the latest proposes to raise the minimum wage to $10.10 per hour.
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