Summer temperatures continue to soar, and although it may seem like common sense to never keep your child in a parked car, over the past 16 years more than 600 children have died of heatstroke due to being left unattended in a vehicle. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, on a 60 degree day, temperatures inside a car can reach well above 110 degrees quickly.
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The Starke County Historical Society Museum celebrated their 40 year anniversary yesterday. On June 27, 1974 a group of citizens concerned about the preservation of history in the community joined together and began the Historical Society.
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The body of a missing former Knox High School graduate has been recovered.
Late last night, a boater and a member of the United States Coast Guard located 29-year-old Ron Wood, Jr.’s body approximately one mile off the shore of Lake Michigan near the far west border of Central Beach in Porter County, according to Indiana Conservation Officers. Continue reading
A recent survey of one-thousand parents revealed that only one in three read with their child every night and half admitted that their children spend more time with TV or video games than with books. As daunting as those statistics may be, the staff at Henry F. Shricker Library in Knox is doing their part to get kids excited about reading.
The head of the children’s department at the library Janine Tuttle-Gassere warns of the dangers of going a whole summer without reading.
Youngsters between the ages of 12 and 17 and their parents will have a chance to see firsthand the consequences of continued delinquent behavior as part of an upcoming program offered by the Starke County Sheriff’s Department. Participants in the two-hour “Think Before You Act” program will get a guided tour of Starke Circuit Judge Kim Hall’s courtroom and have a chance to talk to him about the problems they are experiencing.
Knox City Police Chief Clint Norem updated the Board of Public Works members on operations in his department on Wednesday morning.
He said that the new officer’s physical has been completed and that information will be sent to PERF. After that is approved, he can go through the necessary training and he continue as a patrolman on the force.
The fireworks celebration hosted by the city of Knox is scheduled for July 5 at the Starke County Airport.
A recent fundraiser at Downtown Depot raised $1,562 and business donations have totaled $1,976 so far. Another fundraiser is scheduled for this Friday, June 27 from 4:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. CT at the Knox Moose Family Center. The Starke County Commissioners personally donated money toward the event as well as the town of Hamlet and the town of North Judson.
A group of individuals from the Starke County Pride and Leadership Task Force and Moving Starke County Forward are in the early stages of planning a community family fun day. Right now they are still looking for volunteers willing to help out with the planning process. Some of the ideas that have been brainstormed so far are a scavenger hunt, various pre-approved, family-friendly musical acts and some other outside-the-box ideas that combine learning and fun. Continue reading
The recent rains aren’t causing widespread problems yet for local farmers, according to Purdue Extension Agriculture and Natural Resources Educator Chad Rushing.
The Knox City Council members were presented with changes to the ordinance pertaining to the removal of weeds and other rank vegetation.
One change would amend the administrator of the notices to the Knox Board of Public Works instead of the clerk-treasurer’s office. Another change amends the way the notices are delivered. The notices don’t have to be sent by certified mail anymore which would cut down on expenses. The letter may be sent by first class mail to the owner or an officer with the police department can deliver it.
Knox Mayor Rick Chambers updated the city council members last night about a water line project in front of the U.S. Post Office that is expected to that road for today only.
Street department crews, water department crews and sewer department crews will tackle the project on Washington Street between Shield Street and Portland Street. Mayor Chambers said Water Superintendent Todd Gardner believes this will help decrease the freezing pipe issues in that area.
The Knox Board of Public Works will be meeting this morning at 9:30 a.m.
The board members will hear an update from Street Department Superintendent Jeff Borg who will have an update on paving and other projects in his department. Water Superintendent Todd Gardner will have an update on water lines issues and fire hydrant replacement. Wastewater Superintendent Kelly Clemons will also discuss operations at the treatment plant.
A special piece from the Starke County Historical Society is on loan to a local library. Fred and Judy Parker of Boca Raton, Fla., formerly of Starke County, donated a 1920s antique carousel horse to the museum a few years ago. Until recently it’s been on display at the Starke County Museum. Space there is limited, so the historical society board wanted to find a special spot to display the piece for public enjoyment. Continue reading
Plans are coming along for The Crossing alternative school in Starke County.
According to Jena Bontrager from The Crossing’s corporate office, a local board has been formed with Mark Bailey as the president of that board.
A building for classes has been secured. The Starke County Crossing will be holding classes in the old Sears building in the Mint Leaf Plaza. Bontrager said there will be some remodeling inside the building to create walls and different areas that would help in the education process.
Knox Water Department crews will be working on a water line in front of the U.S. Post Office and that street will need to be closed in order to make the necessary repairs.
According to Mayor Rick Chambers, the work will begin on Wednesday on Washington Street at the intersection of Bower Street. The entire length of Washington Street from Shield Street to Portland Street will be closed throughout most of the day on Wednesday.
The Knox City Council will meet tonight where the members will have discussions on the tall grass ordinance and the 2015 salary ordinance.
Mayor Rick Chambers told the council at the last meeting that he has sent several letters to residents concerning rank vegetation and the ordinance will be reviewed tonight for changes.
Police are reminding children that curfew laws are in effect.
In Knox, children who 15, 16, and 17 years of age will be issued a curfew citation if they are in a public place between midnight and 6 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday; after 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and before 6 a.m. Monday through Friday.
Starke County’s annual Relay for Life fundraiser for the American Cancer Society gets under way today at noon at the Hamlet Fairgrounds. Organizers of the 18-hour event hope to raise $67,000 this year. Ericka Taylor-Joseph is in charge of fundraising. She says Starke County’s event consistently raises more money than those held in larger communities. Teams range in size from just a few members to 30 or more. Taylor-Joseph says while organizers would like each team to have a participant on the track at all times, it’s not a requirement. Continue reading
