North Judson Police In Need Of Two Part-Time Officers

Posted on Author WKVI
North Judson Town Board

The North Judson Town Board this week heard a report from Town Marshall Doug Vessely, who informed them that he will need to replace one part-time officer. He says the officer is retiring from the force, and he will need to hire at least one part-time employee – though he would like to hire two. Vessely says another employee has requested some time off, and he will need to hire an additional officer to take their place.

Vessely also provided the board with a map depicting barricade locations for the Mint Fest.

Clerk-Treasurer Donna Henry says the town has received the spring distribution of property taxes from the Starke County auditor in the amount of $268,406. She says these funds will be distributed to individual departments that are budgeted to receive funds from property taxes.

North Judson Town Board Passes Salary Ordinance

Posted on Author WKVI
North Judson Town Board

The North Judson Town Board held a second public hearing this week – this time regarding their new salary ordinance. The third reading of the ordinance was conducted at the recent meeting of the board and no public comment was made, allowing the board to pass the ordinance as written. The ordinance allows a $.50 raise per hour for employees of the town that receive a license for the application of pesticide, and Clerk-Treasurer Donna Henry said that only one employee currently qualifies for the raise.

The board also discussed the town’s anti-tobacco policy which prohibits the use of tobacco in public buildings. Henry says the town’s policy is more stringent than the statewide policy which will take effect July 1 and only covers smoking, while she says the town’s policy covers tobacco use as a whole. The board plans to draft an ordinance regulating fines for violations of the policy.

The upcoming Mint Fest has been taking precedence over many town projects, including the replacement of street signs with newer, more reflective signs. Town Superintendent Marshall Horstman says they have gotten the new signs but the replacement has been delayed until after the festival.

North Judson Town Board Holds Public Hearing For Grant Modification

Posted on Author WKVI
North Judson Town Board

The North Judson Town Board this week held a public hearing regarding the modification of a grant for the State Road 39 sewer project. Shawn Cain from the Kankakee-Iroquois Regional Planning Commission was present and explained the issue.

According to Cain, the original grant application included two additional extensions on the sewer project. The grant was approved, but the council, town superintendent, and the engineering company expected the bids to come in higher than they could afford, so they removed the two extensions from the bid. Surprisingly, the bids came in far lower than they had been expecting. The town council then contacted KIRPC and received approval to add them back into the bid. The work was later completed, including the two extensions.

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NJSP Senior Receives Ed Hasnerl-WKVI Scholarship

Posted on Author WKVI
Cody Hendershott

North Judson-San Pierre High School senior Cody Hendershott is the recipient of the 2012 Ed Hasnerl-WKVI Scholarship. He lives with his grandparents Darroll and Susan Clavier in rural San Pierre.

Ed Hasnerl made the presentation Wednesday at the Senior Awards night program in North Judson.

Hendershott, who received half-a-dozen scholarship awards, says he has a passion for history and plans to study journalism and writing at Anderson University this fall.

North Judson Seniors, Staff Prepare For Graduation Ceremonies

Posted on Author WKVI
North Judson-San Pierre Superintendent Lynn Johnson

Seniors from the North Judson-San Pierre High School participated in their final events for their high school careers this week. Superintendent Lynn Johnson said a banquet was held Wednesday night for the students.

“We had our Senior Night and we did recognize many of our Senior students with scholarships from different community organizations,” said Johnson. “We did honor our Valedictorian, who is John Eckert, and the Salutatorian Christopher Lippelt. Both boys have done a wonderful job in their school careers academically, athletically, and in community service.”

A staff breakfast has also been scheduled for today at 8 a.m., something that Johnson says is done every year.

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Betty, Allen Chesak Named As Mint Festival Parade Grand Marshals

Posted on Author WKVI
The Boy Scouts led last year's Mint Festival Parade.

Betty and Allen Chesak will serve as Grand Marshals for the 2012 Mint Festival Parade. The North Judson Mint Festival Committee named the two at their recent meeting.

Betty has been involved with the Mint Festival since its beginning 35 years ago. Many of those years she was the Mint Festival President before retiring from the committee in 2010.

Allen is a Starke County farmer. Working with his father Charles, he was involved with mint farming in the early years. The mint farming blended in well with the corn and soybeans also grown on the property.

The Chesaks will ride in the parade on Sunday, June 17.

North Judson To Hold Two Public Hearings June 4

Posted on Author WKVI
Doug Vessely
North Judson Town Marshal Doug Vessely

North Judson Town Marshall Doug Vessely presented an estimate to the North Judson Town Board this week for a new squad car. Clerk-Treasurer Donna Henry says that no contracts have been signed, but Vessely wanted to give the board an idea on how much a new squad car would cost because of some repairs that are needed on a 2005 squad car. Henry says the board will likely have the squad car repaired for now, and may set aside money in their 2013 budget for a new squad car after Vessely returns with quotes from dealerships.

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Mint Festival To Begin June 15

Posted on Author WKVI

The North Judson Mint Festival is slated to begin its three-day run on Friday, June 15. The court has been crowned for the event, and this year’s queen is Alyshia Wireman. Elexuss Miller is the Mint Festival Princess, Caden Peretti is the Prince, Peyton Frazier was crowned Little Miss Mint and Jayce Stoll is Little Mister Mint.

Allen and Betty Chesak will served as this year’s Mint Fest Parade Co-Grand Marshals. Betty was involved with the festival since its inception and stepped down from responsibilities two years ago. Both are graduates of North Judson-San Pierre High School.

Plenty of activities will be held during this year’s festival. One highlight is the Mint Idol Contest on Friday, June 15 at 6 p.m. The deadline to enter this contest is June 10. Call (574) 249-3072 for more information. Entries for Father and Grandfather of the Year and the Mint Festival Parade are now being accepted. Mail entries to P.O. Box 33 in North Judson.

North Judson Town Board Member Increase To Be Presented To Voters

Posted on Author WKVI
North Judson Town Board

The decision regarding the transition of the North Judson Town Board from a three-member board to a five-member board will go to the voters in November. According to Clerk-Treasurer Donna Henry, a resolution was approved at their previous meeting to place the question on the ballot, and that resolution was recently certified by Starke County Clerk Evelyn Skronski. The question will appear on the ballot in November.

The board also had further discussion regarding Highland Cemetery. The newest and largest of plot sections in the cemetery, Section 13, was never surveyed and properly plotted. As a result, several grave plots are not square and do not match up with other plots. Every other section in the cemetery was surveyed and carefully plotted, squaring up the graves evenly.

The board discussed the possibility of having the Starke County surveyor give his recommendation on what to do regarding the uneven plots.

North Judson Town Board Discusses Industrial Park

Posted on Author WKVI
North Judson Town Board

The North Judson Town Board heard a public presentation by Starke County Economic Development Foundation Representative Larry Wickert regarding the industrial park located on Oak Wood Street. Wickert explained that there has not been much activity in the way of looking for industry in the area, and he says that could be attributed to one primary issue.

Wickert says that from the beginning of the industrial park, there has always been a problem regarding street access because of a lack of direct access to State Roads 10 and 39. He also said that there may be an issue regarding water pressure, and told the board that he just wanted to touch base and find out whether or not the board had any suggestions or ideas to bring industry into the area.

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Memorial Day Services To Be Held Sunday and Monday

Posted on Author WKVI

Memorial Day Services will be held Sunday and Monday in North Judson, San Pierre, and La Crosse. The services will be conducted by the Harry Keller Post #92 American Legion, Harry Keller Unit #92 American Legion Auxiliary, and Sons of American Legion Squad #92. The services will begin Sunday at 11:30 a.m. at Round Lake.

On Monday, May 28, services will begin with an 8:45 a.m. parade, followed by services at Pioneer Cemetery at 9 a.m. and the San Pierre Cemetery at 10 a.m. A wreath will be deposited in the river on State Road 421 at 11 a.m., and services will be held at Velmar Memorial Park in La Crosse at 11:15 a.m.

Taking part in the services will be the North Judson-San Pierre Band.

Weekend Events Planned In Starke County

Posted on Author WKVI

A new Mint Festival Queen will be crowned Sunday evening at 6 p.m. at the North Judson-San Pierre Cafetorium.

Kersting’s Cycle Center Train Adventure Ride will take place at noon today, with the group ride leaving the center followed by a one-hour scenic country motorcycle ride, followed by lunch and a 45-minute train ride. The cost is $15 per rider, and that includes the motorcycle ride, lunch, and the train ride.

There will also be a Relay for Life of Starke County Fishing Tournament from 6 a.m. until 12 p.m. CT at Bass Lake. There is an entry fee and prizes will be awarded. All proceeds will go to the Starke County Relay for Life on June 8 and 9.

NJSP Graduation To Take Place In June

Posted on Author WKVI

The North Judson-San Pierre High School graduation will be in June this year and Superintendent Lynn Johnson said it will come down to the wire as to who will be named the Valedictorian and Salutatorian of the graduating class of 2012.

“It’s not been made official yet as far as those winners,” said Johnson. “Our graduation is Sunday, June 3 at 2 p.m. CT in the high school gymnasium and that is a change. We had it on a Friday night but we had some conflicts with some schedules with students, so we did move it to that Sunday.”

NJSP School Board Discusses Summer Enrichment Program

Posted on Author WKVI
North Judson-San Pierre Superintendent Lynn Johnson

The North Judson-San Pierre School Board met Tuesday night and Superintendent Lynn Johnson said the Board approved several items on the agenda.

“The school handbooks for the 2012-2012 school year were approved, the textbook adoption for next year for fine arts and technical arts, the Summer Enrichment Program which will run July 24 through August 2, and also the budget calendar for the 2013 budget,” said Johnson.

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North Judson Town Council Discusses No-Smoking Signage

Posted on Author WKVI

The North Judson Town Council last week discussed the possibility of putting up signage prohibiting smoking near shelters in the town park. Clerk-Treasurer Donna Henry says that matter was tabled because, as of July 1, House Bill 1149 would take effect– a bill preventing smoking in many public areas. The council will investigate whether or not parks are included in that bill.

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North Judson To Conduct Hydrant Flushing

Posted on Author WKVI
North Judson Town Board

North Judson Clerk-Treasurer Donna Henry wants to remind citizens of North Judson that the town will be flushing hydrants on the nights of May 13 and 14, so residents should keep in mind to run their water to ensure there is no rust in the line. Henry says if you’re doing a load of laundry, run an empty cycle first to avoid any rust in the wash.

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North Judson Salary Ordinance Passes First and Second Readings

Posted on Author WKVI
North Judson Town Board

An additional salary ordinance for the town of North Judson is in the works. The ordinance would qualify town employees that earn a pesticide applicator license for an additional $.50 raise per hour.

That license was previously not included in the set of three licenses that would qualify an employee for a raise, but a number of workers took the class and qualified for the test. One hourly-paid employee took the class, passed the test, and will soon receive his license– but if the town council wanted to consider increasing his hourly rate by $.50, they would need to pass this ordinance.

The first and second readings of the ordinance were passed on Monday night, and a notice will be sent out to local papers publishing the ordinance. A third reading is expected to take place at the first meeting of the council in June.

Voters To Be Presented With Question Regarding North Judson Town Board Member Increase

Posted on Author WKVI
North Judson Town Board

The North Judson Town Board’s plan to increase the size of the board from three members to five will be presented to the public for their approval in November on the general ballot. According to Clerk-Treasurer Donna Henry, voters will be asked if they support the referendum to increase the board’s size after the Starke County Election Board ensures it gets on the ballot.

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Jeff Allen Plans Return to North Judson

Posted on Author WKVI
Jeff Allen

After his last visit to Starke County, Christian comedian Jeff Allen was featured in the Chicago Tribune Arts and Entertainment section. He’s on his way back to the North Judson area this Saturday to present more hilarious stories to all in the area.

His “Happy Wife, Happy Life” anecdotes will be featured in a special program sponsored by Love in the Name of Christ on Saturday, May 12 at 7 p.m. CT at the North Judson-San Pierre High School Auditorium. Allen has been through a lot in his life, including alcoholism, atheism, and a failing marriage, and he will tell you about his comical comeback into a life worth living during Saturday’s presentation.

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