New Full Time Officer in North Judson

Posted on Author WKVI
Nicholas Vanni
Nicholas Vanni

A new police officer is on the job in North Judson.

Porter County resident Nicholas Vanni is the latest full time officer at the North Judson Police Department. He had been working part-time for the department since the summer of 2013. He attended the police academy in early August and graduated from the Northwest Indiana Law Enforcement Academy in Hobart in November.

Town Marshal Doug Vessely stated that Vanni is looking forward to moving to the North Judson area in the near future. He’s familiar with the area with having visited family members who live in the Starke County town.

North Judson Town Board to Meet Today

Posted on Author WKVI

 
 
The emergency storm situated caused a number of meetings in the area to be rescheduled, including the regular meeting of the North Judson Town Board. Clerk-Treasurer Donna Henry yesterday released a notice indicating that the meeting will be rescheduled for today at 6:30 p.m. at the North Judson Community Center, with items to be discussed including a review of the contractor’s permit ordinance.

In addition, Henry said the meeting will include a review of the process regarding the reading of ordinances, with the possibility of a reading to be held regarding the proposed ordinances. She said the board will also elect the new board president, and appoint the town marshal, town superintendent, town attorney, and board member positions as necessary.

Posted on Author WKVI

North Judson Police Department
North Judson Police Department
The North Judson Police Department had a busy year in 2013.

Officers responded to 77 accident calls, 128 animal calls, 786 citizen/business/house checks, 35 assault and battery calls, 95 drug and alcohol activity calls, 109 family and juvenile disturbance calls, 69 mischief and vandalism calls, 99 theft/conversion calls, conducted 673 traffic stops and responded to hundreds of various situations. In all, 3,499 calls were handled by the North Judson Police Department.

In other statistics from 2013, 232 total reports were written, 146 ordinance tickets were given to residents, 452 traffic warnings were given to motorists and 110 adults arrests were made.

For weekly information, visit the police reports section on www.wkvi.com.

Recent North Judson Fire Ruled Accidental

Posted on Author WKVI
 
 

A North Judson family lost their home the day after Christmas due to an accidental fire. The North Judson-Wayne Township Volunteer Fire Department was dispatched to the home on Wesley Street around 2:45 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 26 and remained on the scene for about two hours. Nobody was injured, but the family’s dog died in the blaze. Fire Chief Joe Leszek tells WKVI News the trailer fire was started by the homeowner trying to unthaw pipes.

Town of North Judson Fall Tax Distribution Less Than Expected

Posted on Author WKVI

 
 
The town of North Judson last week received some financial distributions, but Clerk-Treasurer Donna Henry said the funds received were a bit less than what they expected. Henry said the town received their fall property tax distributions and their financial institution tax funds, giving the town $116,452.82 – more than $50,000 less than what they received in the spring and almost $100,000 less than what they received last fall.

Henry said that as a result, the town may have to tighten their belts a little more than what they anticipated.

The town also received funds from the Starke County auditor for sewer liens in the amount of $10,957.70.

Tree Lighting Ceremonies in Winamac, North Judson Today

Posted on Author WKVI

 
 
The trees will soon be gloriously lit in Winamac and North Judson with tree lighting ceremonies scheduled in both towns on Friday, Dec. 6 at 6 p.m. local time. In North Judson, a small parade will take place at 5:45 p.m. The lighting of the trees will then be performed by a child from the crowd who will pull the switch to turn on the lights. Following that, Reimbold said there will be hot cocoa, cookies and refreshments at the old firehouse with an appearance from Santa Claus himself.

Continue reading →

HVRM Hosts Santa Trains on Dec. 7, 14

Posted on Author WKVI

HVRM Tourist Train
HVRM Tourist Train
The Hoosier Valley Railroad Museum is ringing in the holidays with their third annual Santa Trains, featuring Santa Claus himself aboard as passengers take a round-trip train ride from North Judson to the Kankakee River and back. Marketing Specialist Loretta Kosloske said Santa Claus also has a gift bag for the passengers as well.

Continue reading →

Local Store Benefits from Energy Rebate

Posted on Author WKVI

Darrell Marks, energy advisor for Kankakee Valley REMC, presents a check to Mark Bailey, owner of Bailey’s Discount Center.
Darrell Marks, energy advisor for Kankakee Valley REMC, presents a check to Mark Bailey, owner of Bailey’s Discount Center.
“America’s Bargain Capital” is quite a bit brighter thanks to an energy efficiency incentive offered by Kankakee Valley REMC. Mark Bailey of Bailey’s Discount Center opted to replace all of the old fluorescent and metal halide fixtures in the warehouse with modern, higher-efficiency fluorescents after talking to REMC officials about the Power Moves incentive program. Wabash Valley Power, the organization that supplies wholesale electricity to Kankakee Valley REMC, pays cash incentives to commercial and industrial facilities that replace older, less-efficient lighting and other equipment with higher-efficiency devices. As an REMC member, Bailey’s was eligible for the program. Kankakee Valley REMC Energy Advisor Darrell Marks recently presented Bailey a rebate check for $7,600.

Continue reading →

After-School Program Offers Art Activities for Students

Posted on Author WKVI
 
 

Students in the eighth grade all the way through college are invited to take part in a community event every Tuesday in North Judson.

If you enjoy art, this will be the ticket for you. Starting today, a free after-school program will feature art, literature, music, poetry and some other skill building event from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. CT every Tuesday at The Studio, 424 Lane Street in North Judson.

Hannah Minix told WKVI that this is an opportunity for students to develop a skill in some aspect of art, whether it be drawing, writing musical lyrics or discussing literature. She noted that it’s a safe place to go after school and get away from the stresses of school.

A nutritional snack will also be offered. If you need more information, contact Hannah Minix at (219) 205-2608.

Norwayne Field Tree Lighting Ceremony Friday

Posted on Author WKVI

 
 
The trees at Norwayne Field are undergoing some decorating by community members in a holiday tradition that brings the spirit of Christmas to the North Judson community and serves to commemorate those who have been lost.

Last year, Park board member Kay Reimbold said roughly 30 people decorated trees. The trees that were not decorated by members of the community are strung with lights by the park board, giving each tree the look and feel of the holidays.

Continue reading →

NJ-SP School Board Honors Two Teachers

Posted on Author WKVI

Superintendent Lynn Johnson
Superintendent Lynn Johnson
The North Judson-San Pierre School Board recognized the efforts of two teachers who have gone above and beyond the call of duty. Superintendent Lynn Johnson said Leslie Hampton and Chrystal Ingram received the Bluejay Way awards in light of their dedication to the success of the corporation.

Johnson said Leslie not only teaches the course for Family Consumer Science but she has also been managing the PowerSchool system for the corporation.

Continue reading →

NJ-SP to Purchase Two New 72-Passenger Buses

Posted on Author WKVI

Superintendent Lynn Johnson
Superintendent Lynn Johnson
The North Judson-San Pierre School Corporation will soon be toting kids around in style, after the approval for the purchase of two new 72-passenger buses. Superintendent Lynn Johnson told WKVI that the school board approved the bus bids to purchase the new buses after they received three bids, but only two of the bids came back with trade-ins.

Johnson said allowing the trade-ins was vital, as two buses were ready to be cycled out and the extra money would go a long way financially – especially since the buses will cost a total of $157,000.

Midwest Transit submitted the lowest bid, which the board accepted.

Construction of North Judson Salt Shed to Begin Dec. 3

Posted on Author WKVI

 
 
The new salt shed in the town of North Judson is still under construction, but Clerk-Treasurer Donna Henry said they’re making progress and the concrete floor has been finished. Next up are the cement blocks to be placed on the concrete floor, and following that, ClearSpan will be constructing the structure for the shed.

Materials for the building are expected to be delivered on Nov. 27 with construction expected to begin on Dec. 3.

Henry also said the board held the first reading of the 2014 salary ordinance, and they will move on to the second and third readings on Dec. 2. Following that, the board will advertise the ordinance and put it into effect on Jan. 1.

NJ-SP Schools to Undergo Technology Upgrade This Weekend

Posted on Author WKVI

Superintendent Lynn Johnson
Superintendent Lynn Johnson
The North Judson-San Pierre School Corporation is moving toward the future as they plan to undergo upgrades to their network infrastructure this weekend. Superintendent Lynn Johnson said that because of the increase in technology being used by students, teachers, administrators and everyone else on a daily basis, the networking infrastructure in place throughout the corporation is no longer able to suit their needs. Because of that, the corporation must undergo the upgrade in order to keep up with the demands of technology.

Continue reading →