Water Bond Refinancing on Hold until 2015

Posted on Author WKVI
 
 

Umbaugh and Associates will be working on refinancing the water bonds after the first of the year.

Clerk-Treasurer Jeff Houston informed the Knox City Council members that John Julian said the markets should be better after the new year starts to ensure the city gets the best rate possible. Julian approached the council earlier this month to move forward with the process. The city has $1.5 million outstanding on bonds from 1988 and from 2006. Julian suggested that refinancing now could save the city up to $10,000 a year throughout the remainder of the life of the bond.

The council previously approved an ordinance to jump start the movement on the refinancing action. Houston said he should know more about the bond refinancing during the council’s second meeting in January.

Starke County Election Board Looking Toward 2015 Municipal Election

Posted on Author WKVI
 
 

The Starke County Election Board looked ahead to the 2015 Municipal Election when they met for the last time this year.

Since the population is below 3,500 residents, North Judson voters will participate in a town convention and will elect a clerk-treasurer and town board members in Ward 1, Ward 2 and Ward 3. Hamlet residents will also participate in a town convention and will elect a clerk-treasurer and town board members. Hamlet has only one Ward.

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Knox Officials Discuss Heaton Street Railroad Crossing

Posted on Author WKVI
 
 

The Knox City Council discussed the rather rough railroad crossing on Heaton Street during their meeting last week.

Councilman Jeff Berg said that he was in contact with a representative of INDOT’s Railroad Safety Coordinator to discuss the crossing. He said INDOT will be making an effort to come to a solution for that crossing. Norfolk Southern representatives have also been notified of the issues that drivers are having when they advance through the crossing.

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Historical Society Buys Knox Family Practice Building

Posted on Author WKVI
Seated: Dr. and Mrs. Walter Fritz; standing, Ron Vendl, president of the Starke County Historical Society.
Seated: Dr. and Mrs. Walter Fritz; standing, Ron Vendl, president of the Starke County Historical Society.

Dr. and Mrs. Walter Fritz transferred ownership of the former Knox Family Practice building and parking lot at 1520 South Heaton Street in Knox to the Starke County Historical Society  yesterday in a signing ceremony at the 1st Source Bank in Plymouth.

The property is to be developed as additional display and storage space for the Starke County Museum now located at 401 South Main Street in Knox. The Main Street building, the home of former Indiana Governor Henry F. Schricker, will continue to be a major area attraction. Continue reading →

Quotes Approved for New Street Department Truck

Posted on Author WKVI
 
 

The Knox Board of Public Works met Monday morning where quotes were opened for a cab and chassis plus equipment for a truck for the street department.

The board members approved the lowest quote for the cab and chassis for a 2016 International from Wiers International for $64,143.75 and an equipment quote from Lindco Equipment for $54,665 that includes hydraulics, salt spreader, plow, electrical, dump body, and hoist system. The quotes will be reviewed by Street Superintendent Jeff Borg and City Attorney David Matsey.

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Knox City Council to Meet Tonight

Posted on Author WKVI
Knox City Council
Knox City Council

The Knox City Council members are looking to discuss a dumpster ordinance in which they could possibly approve on second reading when they meet tonight.

The ordinance set limits on the duration a dumpster may be placed on a property and also requires registration of the receptacle. The council members previously commented that the use of dumpsters at homes as trash bins become storage bins for garbage and attract animals. That issue may be addressed by the plan commission.

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Longtime Knox School Board Attorney Retires

Posted on Author WKVI

Knox-School-Board-2014The Knox School Board’s attorney for the past decade, William Satterlee, of Valparaiso, Monday night attended his last meeting in that role.  In an emotion filled statement, Satterlee expressed his gratitude for the opportunity of working with the Knox School Board. Each of the board members and the administrators responded with complimentary remarks about the  legal work done for them. Continue reading →

Starke County Park Board to Discuss Bass Lake Camper Storage

Posted on Author WKVI

Bass Lake CampgroundThe Starke County Park Board will discuss a process for removal of campers from the Bass Lake Campground at the end of the season when they meet tonight. Board President Marcia Bedrock sought clarification from the county commissioners as to their stance on the practice and was told all campers and other equipment need to be removed from the campground when it closes for the year due to zoning restrictions. Continue reading →

Knox Council Passes on Parkview Lot Purchase

Posted on Author WKVI
Knox City Council
Knox City Council

The Knox City Council is passing for now on the purchase of a property in Parkview Heights. The owner of 406 W. Giles Court, Lot 41 offered the lot and trailer and shed that sit on it to the city for $3,500. That’s $1,000 less than her last offer.

Mayor Rick Chambers says funds from the Blight Elimination Grant the city received to buy and tear down dilapidated structures cannot be used to buy or demolish mobile homes. He also notes the city only paid $1,500 for eight vacant lots in Parkview. Continue reading →

Funeral Services Today for Knox Fire Victims

Posted on Author WKVI
A neighbor took this photo at 7:50 a.m. Friday.
A neighbor took this photo at 7:50 a.m. Friday.

The two North Judson residents who lost their lives in a house fire last Friday morning will be laid to rest today. A joint funeral services for Lucas Finn Fisher, 2, and his grandmother, Linda Manns, will be held at 1 p.m. CST at Braman & Son Memorial Chapel in Knox, with visitation there from 11 a.m. until the time of the service. Continue reading →