The Knox Community Schools are participating in the U.S.D.A. Summer Feeding Program this year. This is an opportunity for members of the community to receive meals Monday through Thursday throughout the summer. Breakfast will be served at the Knox High School at 7:15 a.m. until 8:15 a.m. and lunch will be served from 11 a.m. until 12 p.m. The program lasts from June 9 until July 3. Any questions may be directed to Knox Community Schools Director of Food Services Sandra Landry at 574-772-1632.
Knox Board of Public Works Open Street Paving Bids
The Knox Board of Public Works members opened bids for street paving this week. The lowest bid came from E&B Paving with $91,992.27 as their bid. The highest bid was from Central Paving for $120,000. The board members agreed to accept the lowest conforming bid pending approval from Street Department Superintendent Jeff Borg and City Attorney David Matsey.
Knox City Council Reviews Tax Abatement Paperwork for Hoosier Custom Plastics
The Knox City Council reviewed Hoosier Custom Plastics’ compliance papers for tax abatement purposes.
Starke County Economic Development Executive Director Charlie Weaver spoke on behalf of the company since the owners were busy at a trade show to promote the business.
Ordinance Concerning Frozen Water Line Calls to be Adjusted
The ordinance pertaining to procedure and fees concerning calls to free frozen water lines will be reviewed by Knox Water Superintendent Todd Gardner with recommendations to be considered by the Knox Board of Public Works. Continue reading
Starke County Environmental Management District Collection Event Planned for June
The Starke County Environmental Management District will hold its two-day collection event in June.
The purpose of this event is to help residents get rid of unwanted and recyclable material from their households.
On Friday, June 13 from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. CT, Starke County residents may discard tires, appliances, computers and televisions. Five tires will be accepted for free. One of those tires may be a farm-type tire.
Knox City Council Tables Mutual Aid Agreement
The Knox City Council tabled a discussion on a mutual aid agreement between the city and the Bass Lake Fire Department.
Knox-Center Township Fire Chief Kenny Pfost told the council members that he doesn’t approve of the agreement presented and will talk with Bass Lake Fire Chief Les Jensen about an agreement that would be acceptable between both parties.
Chief Pfost stated that the departments are operating under a mutual aid agreement provided by the state, but he would like to see it tailored to fit the needs of both departments.
IU Health Starke Hospital Associates Plan Day of Service
IU Health Starke Hospital associates will be getting out of the medical setting tomorrow to spruce up the community. President Craig Felty says all hospitals in the IU Health system take part in a community day of service. This year the local staff is installing fitness equipment and painting the pavilion at Sandy Acres Park on South Heaton Street in Knox. ”
“We want to be good neighbors. We want to engage the community, and we want to do what is best in order to help achieve our mission, which is to improve the health of our patients and our communities we are in,” Felty says.
Last year IU Health Starke Hospital associates did work at Wythogen Park in downtown Knox. Felty encourages community members to stop by and visit the IU Health Starke Hospital administrators and staff members at the park tomorrow.
Knox Fireworks Committee to Hold Fundraiser for County Event
The Knox fireworks committee will hold a fundraiser on June 21 to help gather funds for this year’s extravaganza.
The Saturday, July 5 celebration event will be at the Starke County Airport. The gates will open around 6 p.m. CT with the fireworks show at dusk. Several vendors will be available so you can go early and get a snack and listen to some music before the show begins.
Starke County Youth Club Receives Operation Round Up Grant
The Starke County Youth Club is benefiting from Kankakee Valley REMC members who choose to round their monthly bills up to the nearest dollar. The organization received a $3,000 Operation Round Up grant from the electrical cooperative. SCYC Executive Director Irene Szakonyi says the money will provide supplies for the many science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) projects the club offers at sites across Starke County. She says the activities the club offers in an after-school setting help youngsters develop critical thinking, collaboration and problem-solving skills and build confidence. Visit www.thescyc.org for more information. Kankakee Valley REMC is a member-owned rural electric cooperative serving approximately 18,000 members throughout portions of Starke, Pulaski, Porter, Lake, Marshall, St. Joseph and LaPorte Counties. Members who take part in Operation Round Up donate an average of $6 per year, which is then distributed to local nonprofit organizations throughout the service territory.
Job Fair and Butterfly Garden Planned at Library
The Henry F. Shricker Public Library in Knox is offering programs for everyone this weekend. Elwood Staffing is sponsoring a job fair tomorrow from 10 a.m until 2 p.m. This program is open to all local adults and will take place in the meeting room of the library.
On Saturday, local man Jack O’Malley will be hosting a program and planting flowers that attract monarch butterflies. This opportunity is aimed at young adults but open to everyone. This special gardening event happening at 10 a.m Saturday, but it will run all weekend. This is the first of several summer programs in the butterfly garden at the library. For more information regarding library programs you can contact Andrea Brown at abrown@starkecountylibrary.org or call her at 574-772-7323.
Knox City Council Takes Final Action on Outdoor Storage Ordinance
The two-year long discussion on the outdoor storage ordinance in the city of Knox could come to a close soon.
The Knox City Council voted last night to reject the plan commission’s outdoor storage ordinance as it doesn’t have wording to allow for special use.
The council members were not settled on a certain setback of an outdoor display at a business. The 25-foot setback was what needed to be changed and the council members were trying to decide the best way to go about that change.
Starke County Election Board Accepts Resignation, Discusses Issues at the Polls
The Starke County Election Board met Tuesday morning to discuss some issues that arose during the Primary Election.
Pat Mitchell, who has been a member of the Starke County Election Board for many years, tendered his resignation. He cited declining health as his reason for resigning, but noted that he’s enjoyed serving the county in this capacity for many years.
Demotte State Bank Plans Relay for Life Golf Outing
Golfers can take to the links for a good cause Saturday. The Demotte State Bank Relay for Life team is hosting a golf outing at Chesapeake Run Golf Course. There’s still time to sign up or sponsor a hole. All proceeds go to Starke County Relay for Life. Candice Miller says golfers will also have a shot at a large prize. Cambe Chevrolet has donated a new car, and the first golfer to hit a hole-in-one will win it.
The Demotte State Bank team is one of several taking part in the Starke County Relay for Life on June 21 and 22nd at the Hamlet Fairgrounds. Miller says it’s a very family-oriented event that raises money for and awareness of cancer research. She adds it’s special to her for personal reasons because a lot of her family members have been affected by or lost their lives to cancer. Miller is also a cancer survivor. She calls Relay for Life a “really excellent organization” and says she tries to promote it in any way she can.
Stop by Demotte State Bank to sign up for Saturday’s Relay for Life Golf Tournament or to get more information about hole sponsorship opportunities.
Bass Lake Watercraft Accident Injures Two
A Memorial Day accident on Bass Lake sends two people to the hospital. A personal watercraft driven by Jeremy Hershman, 33, of Willets, Calif. hit a watercraft operated by Amanda Marsh, 26, of North Judson, at a right angle, according to a news release from the DNR. Both were thrown into the water. Marsh was able to right her craft and drive it back to the shore. A boater helped Hershman into a pontoon boat and took him to shore for treatment. Starke County EMS took both to IU Health Starke Hospital. Marsh was treated for minor injuries and released. Hershman suffered broken ribs, fractured vertebrae and fluid on the lungs. He was transferred to Memorial Hospital of South Bend for additional treatment. Both Marsh and Hershman were wearing life jackets when the crash occurred. It’s still under investigation.
Starke County Election Board to Tackle Complaints from Primary Election
The Starke County Election Board members will meet today at 9 a.m. to go over several complaints issued during the Primary Election.
The board members will discuss complaints from the poll workers, from candidates and supporter and about the food vendor. Remedies will be considered for the General Election.
A candidate has withdrawn and more information will be available during the meeting.
The Starke County Election Board will meet in the second floor meeting room in the Starke County Courthouse.
Knox City Council to Meet in Special Session
The Knox City Council will meet in regular session tonight where the council members will once again look at the outdoor storage ordinance that has come back from the plan commission.
Building Commissioner Bruce Williams told WKVI that the ordinance has not changed from what the council previously reviewed. Knox Mayor Rick Chambers told the council members at their last meeting that same thing and it just has to have final action.
Move “Another Step Forward” During This Summer’s Walking Challenge
Starke County residents are encouraged to take “another step forward” this summer. That’s the name of the second annual “Moving Starke County Forward” walking challenge. Last year 250 residents collectively walked 27,000 miles between Memorial Day and Labor Day. That’s enough to lap the globe three times. This year’s goal is a more ambitious 50,000 miles. Coordinator Ryan Greer hopes 500 people will sign up. He adds miles don’t have to be earned by walking. Other types of physical activity like swimming, bicycle riding and jogging can also be logged toward the total. A kickoff event will take place Saturday, May 31 at 10 a.m. at Wythogen Park in Knox. If you can’t make it, registration sheets are available at local libraries, city and town halls and can be picked up throughout the summer. More information about this year’s walking challenge and other initiatives is also available on the Moving Starke County Forward Facebook page.
Lego Club Available at Henry F. Schricker Public Library
If you’ve been looking for a creative outlet for your child who loves to build, look no further. The Henry F. Shricker Public Library in Knox offers a club the final Tuesday of every month that fits that description. It gives students the chance to show off their amateur architecture skills with Legos. Kids have the opportunity to build and name their own creation. This organization gives local children a chance to work with their hands and develop original work that will be featured in the library throughout the month. The next meeting will take place Tuesday, May 27 from 5:30 until 6:30 p.m.
Starke County Unemployment Rate Explained
The unemployment rate for the state and for individual counties was released this week.
The rate in Starke County dropped a point, according to the April statistics. The rate is 6.9 percent which is a 1.3 percent decrease. Starke County still ranks in the top ten in unemployment. All 92 counties reported a decrease in the unemployment rate.
Knox Man Arrested in an Alleged Sexual Assault
A Knox man was arrested on a warrant Wednesday, May 21 after an investigation into an alleged sexual assault incident.
On April 24, officers from the Knox City Police Department were notified of the alleged incident by officials with the Indiana Department of Child Services. It was alleged that the incident involved a female juvenile and an adult family member.
Officers located and arrested 85-year-old Donald L. Bottorff Wednesday morning. He was booked into the Starke County Jail on preliminary charges of Child Molesting and Vicarious Sexual Gratification, both Class C Felonies.
