Two bills are being pushed by the AARP in Indiana during this session of the General Assembly and they look to help two different issues.
About half of Americans aged 50-years and older have less than 25-thousand dollars in retirement savings. To help solve this problem, the AARP is proposing the Hoosier Employee Retirement Option, otherwise known as the “HERO Plan.”
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U.S. Senator Joe Donnelly reintroduced legislation yesterday that could redefine a section of the Affordable Care Act.
Donnelly, along with Senators Susan Collins of Maine and Lisa Murkowski of Arkansas, introduced language that would change the current definition of full-time employee to a 40-hour work week.
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The combination of temperatures below freezing and sub-zero wind chills means an increased likelihood of frozen pipes unless precautions are taken. These include leaving cabinet doors under kitchen and bathroom sinks open so warm air can circulate around pipes and insulating them with foam rubber or fiberglass insulation sleeves or wrapping. Both can be purchased at a hardware store, or a plumber can do it for you. Cracks in outside walls or foundations should also be caulked to keep cold air away from pipes. Also skirting around mobile homes that is missing or has fallen off should be replaced to keep cold air from circulating under the dwelling. Continue reading
Legislators are now in Indianapolis for the long-session of the General Assembly.
5th District State Senator Ed Charbonneau offered comment on the issue of reversion reform which could result from projected revenue increases over the next two years. Reversions allow the Governor to withhold spending in the instance of an economic downturn or other revenue shortfall.
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The Town of North Judson will be able to leverage grant money for sidewalk and ramp replacement as part of their ADA improvement plan. Town board members approved a contract with consulting firm Fleis and Vandenbrink to assist with that project. The town’s plan calls for sidewalks to be replaced in 2015 and 2016 as funds allow. However, the 80-20 matching grant will allow the town to stretch its resources. The process is in the very early planning stages, and there’s no timeline yet for when work will be done. Continue reading
North Judson police are looking for a suspect who made entry into the CVS store on Talmer Avenue on Saturday.
Officers responded to an alarm at the store in the early morning hours. When they arrived on scene within a minute of the notification, they found that entry had been made by way of the back storage area. The suspect(s) fled the area prior to the arrival of police. The building was cleared. No items were reported missing.
New laws for mopeds and scooters will take effect on January 1st in Indiana.
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The Community Services of Starke County North Judson Senior Center site has new cabinets, thanks to the generosity of the Gleaners Ober Arbor Club. Members recently donated $1,249 to the agency to buy new upper cabinets. That’s in addition to a donation of $1,250 earlier this year for lower cabinets. Gleaners members Arlene Sellers and Ellen Stevenson presented the check to site manager Laura Mihalich, Community Services of Starke County Executive Director Joan Haugh and treasurer Frank Skronski.
The Starke County Election Board looked ahead to the 2015 Municipal Election when they met for the last time this year.
Since the population is below 3,500 residents, North Judson voters will participate in a town convention and will elect a clerk-treasurer and town board members in Ward 1, Ward 2 and Ward 3. Hamlet residents will also participate in a town convention and will elect a clerk-treasurer and town board members. Hamlet has only one Ward.
The Northwest Indiana Workforce Board hosted this year’s Workforce Summit in Merrillville. The most pressing piece of information to surface from this year’s summit was the state of Starke County’s unemployment rate. Continue reading
The North Judson-San Pierre Academic Team was given the Blue Jay Way award at the school board meeting this week for winning the annual spell bowl competition last month. The school hosted the elementary competition for 11 schools in five different classes competing against each other. Continue reading
Students at North Judson-San Pierre High School staged a sit-in today to protest the school’s decision to move the band to the auditorium and turn the music suite into a weight room. Superintendent Lynn Johnson says in a letter to choral and band parents “the intention is not to devalue music.” She says the existing second floor weight room behind the bleachers is no longer structurally sound and must be located on the ground level. Johnson adds major renovations are not possible at this time due to financial concerns.
Her letter explains physical education is a required course of study for high school students, and the curriculum includes physical conditioning. Johnson says “this means all high school students use the weight room, not just athletes”.
The North Judson-San Pierre School board approved board policies this week. Among the many policies in place, the school’s wellness policy was updated to be compliant with federal law. It incorporates guidelines into the school’s cafeteria food, vending machines and physical activity practices.
The North Judson Town Council received an update on the new location of the town offices this week. The First Farmers Bank and Trust building on Lane Street was donated to the town back in August where it has been under reconstruction. The building will house the water department, clerk treasurer’s office and serve as meeting space for the town council. Continue reading
The North Judson-San Pierre School Board unanimously approved tax anticipation warrants in the amount of $662,000, with an interest rate of .95 percent. Continue reading
The North Judson-San Pierre School Board will vote on bids for the approval of tax anticipation warrants tonight. This is done every year to get the school through the end of December in terms of finances. Continue reading
The North Judson Town Council is considering options for the former fire station located at the corner of Main Street and Keller Avenue. The 1950s-era building is currently used as a community center. Continue reading
The two North Judson residents who lost their lives in a house fire last Friday morning will be laid to rest today. A joint funeral services for Lucas Finn Fisher, 2, and his grandmother, Linda Manns, will be held at 1 p.m. CST at Braman & Son Memorial Chapel in Knox, with visitation there from 11 a.m. until the time of the service. Continue reading
A combination of steady declines in enrollment, changes in public education funding and additional unfunded mandates are taking a toll on the North Judson-San Pierre School Corporation. Business manager Guy Richie says the state changed the way public schools are funded in 2008. Instead of basing funds on local property taxes, money now follows the child.
That means when children move away, so does the tuition support. Richie says it’s never in such a way though that the corporation can eliminate one staff member and make up the difference. Instead the enrollment declines are scattered, which makes cutting expenses more challenging. Continue reading
