Firework Safety Tips
WKVI to Sponsor Blood Drive
Mechanical Issues Plague Knox City PD Squad Car
Chief Clint Norem told the Knox Board of Public Works that the car had been in repair status for a while and when Norem was off-duty, his patrol car was being used during evening rotation. The Charger was returned to the department on Thursday and is back in rotation.
Utility Bill Corrected for Reageant Chemical
The Knox Board of Public Works approved a utility bill credit for Reagent Chemical.
Knox City Clerk-Treasurer Jeff Houston explained that a coding error occurred and the industry was billed $397.74 more than necessary. A decimal point in the wrong spot was reportedly to blame and was picked up by the staff.
Knox Fire Chief Offers Fire Safety Tips
With the many house fires that have been fought in the area recently, fire safety is one thing to keep in mind.
Fifty-three fire fatalities have been reported so far this year, compared to 46 total last year. Knox-Center Township Fire Chief Kenny Pfost notes that these deaths could have been prevented if a working smoke alarm was present.
“Most home fire casualties occur at night when people are sleeping,” said Pfost. “The smoke and toxic gases generated by a fire induce a deep sleep and decreases a person’s chance of survival. It’s important that every sleeping room has a smoke detector and one placed outside of every sleeping room. You also need a smoke detector for every level of the home.”
Knox Street Superintendent Gives Update to Board of Works
Knox Street Superintendent Jeff Borg reported to the Board of Public Works that they are active in eradicating mosquitoes but conditions have to be right to do so.
Borg explained that calm winds and clear nights are just right for spraying for mosquitoes. Regular spraying times have been hampered due to the weather this season, but crews are making efforts to rid the city of the pesky bugs. They are also applying larvicide to standing ponds, swamps and marsh areas as often as possible.
Knox City Council Discusses Building Permit Fee
The Knox City Council this week discussed building permit fees after a resident left paperwork with Clerk-Treasurer Jeff Houston explaining he felt he was overcharged when he bought a permit to add an addition to a pole barn. The resident explained he was issued a building permit for a 24-foot-by-40-foot addition to an existing pole barn and was charged $192, though he thought the accessory building permit should have only been $75.
Melody Drive-In Theater Screen One Replaced
The Melody Drive-In Theater will be back to normal operations this weekend, weather permitting, after running with only one screen in operation following the destruction of the first screen by strong winds that toppled the screen and caused extensive damage to the ticket booth. The first screen was destroyed earlier this month and owner Fred Heise said the replacement was a huge expense to the business.
Knox City Council Passes Salary Ordinance on Second Reading
The new salary ordinance for the city of Knox is one step closer to being adopted, as the city council this week approved the ordinance on its seconded reading. The salary ordinance includes raises for all elected officials and salaried employees. Mayor Rick Chambers explained that a few corrections needed to be reflected in the ordinance before it was passed on its second reading, and those changes were reflected in the reading passed unanimously by the council last night.
Demolition Bids to be Opened Today for Downtown Knox Buildings
The Knox Board of Public Works will be meeting this morning at 9:30 a.m. at Knox City Hall.
The board members will be awarding the bid for the demolition of the old Knox theater and the building that previously housed the Starke County Economic Development Foundation.
MPI Employees to Vote for Union or Monomoy on Friday
Spotlight Falls on Spring Stampede
Instructor Jenny Fletcher explained that the severe and profound special needs students participated in a Spring Stampede near the end of the school year and all instructors and students had a great time. There were over 80 special needs students from Argos, Plymouth, LaVille, John Glenn and Knox and 30 high school volunteers helped with activities.
30 Students Approved for KCES Preschool Program
The Knox Community School Board members received an update on the Title 1 preschool screening process at their meeting this week.
Instructor Jana Hazelton explains the process.
“We did a two-day screening for preschool where families brought in their little one in. The screening consisted of language, math concepts and gross and fine motor concepts. We had a testing team consisting of three teachers and we did the evaluation of the results based on readiness for our program,” explained Hazelton.
NWICA to Offer Food Voucher for Older Residents
Knox City Police Investigate Incidents at Two Nursing Homes
The Knox City Police Department is investigating one burglary and one attempted burglary at two nursing homes.
On Monday, June 17, officers were called to the Wintersong Village Nursing Home on Edgewood Drive for a burglary. Police discovered that the suspect(s) entered the business office and took cash.
Knox High School Pool Open Tuesdays
Knox High School Principal Dr. Elizabeth Ratliff told the school board this week that the lifeguarding classes conducted at the high school pool went well.
Twenty-five residents have been certified as lifeguards in the classes that were offered earlier this month. Amy Nimetz said the five day classes that were held June 3–7 and June 10–14 were a success and they may be offered again.
Summer School in Progress at Knox Community Schools
The Knox Community School Board members received an update on summer school Monday night.
The three building principals reported that summer school is going well in each school. The second summer school session at the high school will begin in July. The middle school is not in charge of summer school as the Starke County Youth Club is working to aide children with activities and academics this summer. Principal Dave Miller said it is going very smoothly.
High School Principal Dr. Elizabeth Ratliff informed the board that the USDA Summer Food program is going well with many families and students taking the opportunity to eat free meals at the high school. Many athletes participating in summer scrimmages are finding the meals handy as they end activities. Breakfast and lunch are served for free Monday through Friday.
Test Scores Show Growth in Knox Elementary, Middle Schools
The NWEA scores showed gains at the Knox Community Elementary School and at the Knox Middle School.
Elementary Principal Glenn Barnes showed the board the statistics from the reading and math tests from the beginning of the year through the May test. Students in 4th grade showed the slowest scores in growth and Barnes assured the Knox Community School Board that the staff will target areas to help students improve the scores.
ISBH Inspector to Visit Bass Lake Campground
An inspector from the Indiana State Board of Health will soon be visiting the Bass Lake Beach and Campground, according to Starke County Sanitarian Chris Dalton. Dalton told the county commissioners this week that he had inspected the beach not too long ago and noticed a few minor problems, such as weeds growing near the beach, bathrooms suffering from structural issues, rusty water, and other issues. He said he had been out to the business in the past to deal with complaints of garbage laying around and unsanitary bathrooms, but the owners have been good at fixing up what Dalton points out.
