The second budget workshop held by the North Judson Town Board to review their 2014 budget brought out no members of the public, despite being an open workshop. Clerk-Treasurer Donna Henry said the meeting lasted about a half hour and included a few minor changes, including the division of two appropriation accounts.
An hour-long standoff between police and a wanted man outside a home in Born’s Trailer Park east of North Judson ended peacefully this afternoon. Detective Kenny Pfost with the Starke County Sheriff’s Office says officers tried to serve warrants on Shannon Watts for probation and parole violations. Pfost adds officers were told there were weapons inside the residence. Watts refused to come out of the trailer, so the officer who initially responded requested assistance from the SWAT team. Pfost says six officers surrounded the trailer while other members staged at the rest park on State Road 10 at county road 250 West. Continue reading
It was after she walked outside that 48-year-old Hanley Warren Chapman fired three gunshots into his living room floor. Chapman’s brother-in-law was still in the home at the time the shots were fired. He reportedly told police that Chapman fired the gun right next to him and he left the home. The police were then notified of the situation.
The North Judson Town Board this week held a public hearing before their regularly scheduled meeting; the public hearing was held to conduct a budget workshop, as the board viewed their proposed budget, breaking it down line item by line item. This way, the board could determine if any adjustments were necessary for the 2014 budget before finally approving it.
While there were a few members of the public present for the meeting, no negative comments were made, according to Clerk-Treasurer Donna Henry. She said there were no real adjustments made, but she did recommend to the board that the amounts for utilities or fuel be changed after comparing them to what was required the previous year.
“We’re looking for children in need. So, basically, if your children are on free or reduced lunch, then they should qualify for a free backpack and school supplies. You just need to show up on Aug. 7 or 8, Wednesday and Thursday, 5 to 7 p.m. at the Fellowship Hall at the North Judson United Methodist Church and we will have paperwork for you to fill out – a registration form for the children. The children have to be present with the parent or guardian,” Lewandowski explained.
The North Judson-San Pierre School Board met in a special session this week to approve the hires of two teachers and several aides to fill in vacant positions at the corporation. Superintendent Lynn Johnson said the special meeting was held because school begins soon and the board wanted to get this process out of the way before opening the doors for the coming school year.
Clerk-Treasurer Donna Henry indicated this change has been advertised to the public since April by a variety of means and no late fees will be reversed.
