Search Lands Knox Woman in Jail on Drug Charges
Knox Community School Board Discusses Bus Inspection
The Knox Community School Board got an update on the recent bus inspection conducted by the Indiana State Police.
On April 12, 36 buses were inspected with 31 passing. One bus needed seat covers repaired, one needed a muffler replaced while another bus had low tire tread. Other minor issues were cited and fixed within the same day. All buses eventually passed inspection.
The troopers were quick to tell the maintenance staff that this is the second year where they have seen the buses needing very little repair and noted that Knox had one of the best bus inspections.
The board commended the staff of a job well done.
Spring Stampede Held at Knox Elementary School
It was a beautiful day to be outside and the students from the JESSE Corporation and severe and profound special needs classes enjoyed participating in outdoor activities in a great event at the Knox Elementary School yesterday.
Knox teacher Jenny Fletcher said over 80 students from Argos, Plymouth, LaVille, John Glenn and Knox, plus two preschool classes that have students with special needs participated in the Spring Stampede.
School Referendum Voted Down in Special Election
Motorcyclist Struck on State Road 10, Airlifted to South Bend
A motorcyclist from Plymouth was airlifted to Memorial Hospital on Sunday after his bike was struck by a car as he was slowing down to turn onto County Road 300 East off of State Road 10 in Starke County – a grim reminder that since the weather is nice, motorcyclists are out, so be careful and pay attention to the road. Shawn Duhnovsky of Plymouth was traveling west on State Road 10 east of County Road 300 East when a witness said he began slowing down to turn, but the driver behind him failed to notice that he had slowed and struck his motorcycle.
Knox Community School Board Hires Summer School Staff
Most of the staff hired will be at the elementary school level while others were hired for English, Algebra, World Literature/Spanish, Social Studies, P.E., Graphics, and Economics at the middle and high school levels. Superintendent A.J. Gappa said some of the teachers will not be needed as it depends on training and enrollment for certain classes.
Voters Say No to School Referendum
The results for the Knox Community School Corporation Special Election have been tallied and the voters in the school district have said no to a construction and rehabilitation project at the Palmer Wing of the Knox Elementary School.
There were 1,014 votes cast and of those, 556 votes were for against the referendum and 458 votes were for the referendum.
Voters Head to the Polls Today to Vote on Palmer Wing Project
Vote yes or vote no? The Knox Elementary School Palmer Wing project is now in the hands of the voters as taxpayers in the Knox school district head to the polls today. Voters will decide whether or not to finance through property taxes the construction of a new wing and the demolition of the old Palmer Wing, which Superintendent A.J. Gappa said is antiquated, dilapidated, and overall unfit for education.
Gappa said the wing was originally built nearly 60 years ago – a different time, he said, when electricity wasn’t as advanced, heating and cooling was much less effective, and fewer kids ate in the cafeteria. He said 20 years ago when the west wing of the school was added, California and Washington township schools were closed, bringing more students to the Knox school and putting more strain on the old cafeteria.
Absentee Voting Comes to a Close; Polls Open Today for Special Election
Absentee voting wrapped up yesterday in Starke County, but the totals aren’t all in yet. Clerk Evelyn Skronski told WKVI that 283 in-office ballots have been cast and 15 travel board votes have been collected. However, she said they do not yet have the total on mail-in ballots because they sent out 44 ballots and not all of them have been returned yet.
Voters in California, Center and Washington townships are eligible to vote in this special election, voicing their opinions on a public questions offered by the Knox Community School Board concerning a construction and remodeling project in the Palmer Wing at the elementary school.
The polls open today, giving the rest of the voters in the qualifying townships the opportunity to have their say in the matter. The polls will open at 6 a.m. and close at 6 p.m., and Skronski said they’ll have the final results around 7 p.m.
Knox Community School Board Approves K-6 Reading Textbooks
The Knox Community School Board heard a presentation on reading textbooks from the Director of Curriculum and Instruction Peggy Shidaker, and Lori White, a third grade teacher last night.
They explained that every six years, a new textbook is needed for Kindergarten through the sixth grade level. Administrators, teachers and reading coaches on the textbook committee dissected five different companies for the right curriculum for the needs of the students.
Bella Vita Pregnancy Resource Center to Hold Third Annual Reception
IU Health Starke Hospital Employees to Participate in Day of Community Service
Volunteers will be at Wythogan Park in Knox on Friday, May 17 to expand and enhance trails and green spaces. Those participating will be meeting at Pavilion #2 and will assist in the project from noon to 4 p.m. CT.
School Referendum Supporters and Foes Make Final Push
Voters who reside in the Knox Community School Corporation have until noon to cast absentee ballots at the courthouse in advance of tomorrow’s referendum. The outcome will determine whether a new wing will be added to the elementary school to replace the 50-year-old Palmer wing. Whatever It Takes Committee Chairman David Bullock says the school isn’t asking for very much money.
Ride to Remember to Honor Fallen Knox Soldier
The Patriot Guard Riders are encouraging everyone to join them and the families in honoring the fallen of the area who died in the line of duty, serving the United States military during the Iraq and Afghanistan conflict. The riders and other participants visit the grave sites of those who were lost, where possible, and conduct a short memorial service in their honor. This year, the Patriot Guard Riders are honoring 16 men and women.
Starke County Prayer Breakfast Held This Morning
The Nancy J. Dembowski Community Center in Knox was filled with eager community members to help pray for our nation during today’s National Day of Prayer.
This year’s theme is “Pray for America”. It’s about coming together as a nation to better ourselves and make America the best place to be. Eagle Creek Community Church Pastor Ed Hasnerl gave a message of hope and urged neighbors to lift each other up in prayer.
“Of course we need to pray for America, but before our prayers can be effective as they can be we need to examine ourselves, our lives, repent, and then God will hear our prayers and He will heal our nation,” stated Hasnerl.
Knox PD Still Down One Squad Car; Grant Still in the Works
While the Knox City Police Department is still short one police cruiser, Clerk-Treasurer Jeff Houston said he’s still working on a possible grant to help cover the rest of the cost of a new squad car. Houston said that because of the per-capita income for the city, they may be eligible for a larger grant than what he had originally anticipated.
ISP Touts Success of Drug Take Back Event
Cumulative Capital Fund Ordinance to Undergo Third Reading
Following their failure to reach a quorum at their regularly-scheduled meeting on April 23, the Knox City Council last night met in a special meeting to conduct the business they were unable to conduct the week prior – particularly the re-establishment of the cumulative capital development fund for the city. Clerk-Treasurer Jeff Houston explained that because the fund is rate-driven rather than levy-driven, the percentage of funds going toward the cumulative capital fund decreases over time.
Knox BOW Approves Water Refund for JW Hicks
The Knox Board of Public Works discussed a billing issue with JW Hicks during their meeting last week.
Clerk-Treasurer Jeff Houston explained that a computer glitch created a problem in recognizing the correct water usage at the factory in the Industrial Park. The company had expanded its business a few months ago and an estimated usage was calculated as it wasn’t known how many gallons would be used. It was later learned that the average amount used was around 27,000 gallons.
