The Knox-Center Township Volunteer Fire Department was called to a home on County Road 300 East near Binkley Drive early this morning for a house fire. Dispatchers with the Starke County Sheriff’s Office advise that call came in just before 1 this morning. Firefighters were still on the scene as of 4 a.m. No injuries were reported. Check this site later today for updates as more information becomes available.
The Knox Clerk-Treasurer’s Office may soon adopt a new work order module as an add-on to their existing Keystone accounting program. The program would be used to keep track of the history of utility customers, allowing the office to more easily generate and keep track of work orders. Currently, the office has forms that are used for work orders, filled out on paper, but are burdensome and problematic.
The new accounting module and software would allow the office to automatically populate the utility customer’s information on the work order form to be passed to the utility crew, saving quite a bit of time. It would also keep track of the history of utility clients and addresses, allowing them to better track any problem histories.
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Superintendent A.J. Gappa said there had been no questions asked about the proposed 2014 budget.
“At the previous meeting, we held the public hearing for the 2014 budget and there really weren’t any questions asked at that time. The board moved ahead and adopted the budget for the 2014 year,” stated Gappa.
The attorney for the city of Knox presented an update on the water line issue regarding the construction of the new county jail facility at the meeting of the city council this week. Attorney David Matsey told the council that the project is making progress, and he recently reviewed the final draft of the memorandum of understanding with County Attorney Martin Lucas. In addition, the owners of the property to be used by the county to build the jail are reviewing the documents related to the easement.
Superintendent A.J. Gappa commented that this was the first time reviewing this contract under the new state law. The old contract had expired June 30 but came to an agreement by the deadline of Sept. 30.
The Knox City Council at their meeting last night discussed the possibility of modifying their schedule of ordinance violation fines after City Police Chief Clint Norem advised them that some of the fees, particularly those associated with parking, are very low. He said the cost involved doesn’t come close to the expense of filing the fine, sending notices and sending an officer out to write the fine up.
Superintendent A.J. Gappa said Shidaker highlighted where the students needed work and where the scores stood at the elementary and middle schools.
Eight judges adjudicated the 14 bands that took part in the event.
Invitational events such as these get the bands prepared for ISSMA state competitions to be held later this month.
Knox’s 2013 show features various Hitchcock themes including “Psycho,” “The Birds,” “North by Northwest,” and “Alfred Hitchcock Presents.”
The board will also go over ISTEP+ and NWEA results, receive an update on the ISBA Conference, go over NEOLA policies, hear a presentation from the Health Savings Account Administrator, and review the Teacher Document of Agreement.
The meeting begins at 6:30 p.m. CT in the Administrative Office in the Palmer Wing of the Knox Elementary School.
For those who enjoy eating cupcakes, a fun and delicious event is coming up this weekend offering cupcake enthusiasts the chance to not only learn more about a local cupcake chef but also try their hand at decorating cupcakes after learning some tips and tricks. Sherri Bartoli, chairperson for the Legacy of Women through the Starke County Community Foundation, told WKVI that the “Crazy Cupcake Challenge” event on Sunday includes a variety of attractions.
The WIC office in Knox is still open despite the government shutdown.
WIC officials encourage you to call your lawmakers and tell them how important WIC services are to you and your family. Call Senators Dan Coats and Joe Donnelly at 1-866-456-8824. Enter the zip code and you will be directed to your representative’s office.
Wayne Emigh of Knox served a little over a year in Japan during World War II.
“I was in Occupation Forces. Occupation Japan. I was with the Signal Service Battalion keeping communications going for our troops,” recalled Emigh.
“The demolition has been going very well. We’re pleased with the progress that has been made; we’re pleased that the outside wall, specifically the north wall, was taken down without any damage to the adjoining remaining structure. The sidewalks have been protected during demolition; the little ornamental trees have been protected during the demolition, so we’re very pleased with what’s going on so far,” Weaver explained.
The Knox Board of Public Works members received an update on three properties in town that are inhabitable.
Building Administrator Bruce Williams told the board that he inspected three rental properties and found them to be in complete disrepair and unsuitable for living. Two renters have agreed to move out immediately and the other is waiting to leave. In one case, the renter’s children were taken away as the dwelling in which they were living was not safe.
The property owners had 30 days to fix the extreme problems and Williams stated that deadline is soon approaching with no progress cited.
The board may meet in special session to take official action to address these issues.
He said workers are doing roadside tree trimming and crack sealing while the weather is still good. Only 30 dump truck loads of brush were collected this month compared to 54 last month. He added that fall leaf pickup will be starting soon.
Cook County Court records indicate that William Blankenship III was arrested on Aug. 23 on two counts of Residential Burglary, Theft of a Coin Operated Machine and Possession of a Controlled Substance. He is in the Cook County Jail on $100,000 bond.
He allegedly entered into two different homes in Lyons, Ill. which happens to be the town in which he lists as his current address.
The Knox Board of Public Works addressed a permit question that came up in an expansion project at the government building at 1406 S. Heaton St. in Knox.
Donald Carlson is expanding the government building across the street from McDonald’s and was wondering if a storm sewer permit was needed. Since it’s an existing building and the addition is not going to require more than an acre of space, a new permit is not needed. The water already runs off the property and does not affect any surrounding properties.
The planning commission recently approved the project and as long as the current storm water flow is in compliance with the ordinance, a permit should not be needed.
The Knox City Council this week adopted the resolution for the 2014 budget, having held the public hearing at the end of last month. Clerk-Treasurer Jeff Houston explained to the board that the city expects to see an increase in the overall budget of just under 3 percent; however, he said the city will likely have to make some cuts in order to capture the maximum amount of taxes the city has coming to it, but overall, the budget is in pretty good shape.
Knox Mayor Rick Chambers opened seven bids for the proposed Starke County Jail water project. The members of the the Board of Public Works heard all of the bids as they were presented Wednesday morning.
Several representatives from a number of the bidding companies were present when the bids were presented as well as Starke County Auditor Kay Chaffins and Starke County Commission President Kathy Norem.
