Kemin Industries Ribbon-Cutting Draws A Crowd

Posted on Author WKVI
R.W. and Mary Nelson were presented with a plaque from the Starke County Economic Development Foundation.

The ribbon-cutting ceremony for the newly-established Kemin Industries facility in North Judson drew an unexpectedly large crowd as more than 50 people turned up to celebrate the new industry brought to the town.

Kemin is an innovative bioscience company dedicated to manufacturing ingredients that provide nutrition and health benefits for humans and animals alike. Through their commitment to feed and food safety, the company manufactures more than 500 specialty ingredients for the global feed and food industries as well as the health, nutrition, and beauty markets.

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Civil War Reenactment To Take Place Near Hoosier Valley RR Museum

Posted on Author WKVI

Go back in time at the Hoosier Valley Railroad Museum in North Judson this weekend and experience the huge impact railroading had on the Civil War.

On Saturday, Aug. 18, residents are encouraged to wander through the Civil War encampment and experience the life of early soldiers. Among the reenactors will be the Indiana 20th Volunteers Division, including their leader, Col. John Wheeler – a soldier from Crown Point who was killed near Devil’s Den during the Battle of Gettysburg.

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NJSP Students Participate in INPact Indiana

Posted on Author WKVI
Band Director Matthew Hibbets was one of the instructors while Robert Miller, percussion and Caitlyn Barnes, clarinet participated.

Approximately 200 eighth, ninth, and tenth grade band students participated in the INPact Indiana’s Future All-Star Band for the Drum Corps International championships this weekend.

The event, which took place at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis on Aug. 10 and 11, featured musicians from the West Point Academy, speakers by the Blue Man Group, and entertainment from Sean Cannon from American Idol Season 7 – and when they weren’t being entertained, the students spent their time rehearsing.

On Aug. 11, the INPact Band performed to begin the DCI Parade near the war memorial, and then finished out the evening with a performance with Sean Cannon in front of 10,000 fans in Lucas Oil Stadium to begin the evening’s DCI Championships. North Judson-San Pierre Band Director Matthew Hibbets was one of the instructors while percussionist Robert Miller and Caitlyn Barnes on clarinet participated.

North Judson Considering Golf Cart Ordinance

Posted on Author WKVI

The town of North Judson is considering the idea of joining several counties, cities, and towns throughout Indiana that have adopted ordinances regulating where golf carts can and cannot be driven. According to Clerk-Treasurer Donna Henry, the town board is reviewing a sample ordinance governing golf carts to determine whether or not they want to draft an ordinance based around those recommendations.

Henry says the council is unsure as to whether or not an ordinance is currently in effect regulating golf carts, but she says it’s more likely that the board has mentioned something in the meeting minutes prohibiting golf carts from operating on town roads. However, if that is the case, the board would like to have something more concrete on record specifying requirements for golf cart operation – such as an operator’s license, insurance on the vehicle, registration, or other necessities.

The board also discussed their no-tobacco ordinance, and have sent it to be publicized. Henry says once it has been advertised in the paper, the board can move forward with the first reading of the ordinance and proceed with its enactment.

Global Bioscience Company to Move to North Judson

Posted on Author WKVI

The town of North Judson will be home to another new business.

Kemin, a global bioscience company, will process a variety of spearmint with both flavoring and preservation properties for use in the health, food, companion animal and personal care industries.

Robert Stomp, Kemin’s Director of Operations, said they chose to house this facility in North Judson as farmers in the area have the most knowledge of mint farming. Kemin will be working with the Lambert family to grow and harvest Kemin spearmint on the Lambert family farm.

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North Judson Town Council Discusses “Urban Chicken” Issue

Posted on Author WKVI

The North Judson Town Council this week discussed what some council members are referring to as the “urban chicken” issue. Clerk-Treasurer Donna Henry explained that because the town does not have an ordinance regulating farm animals within town limits, the council will be reviewing information concerning domestic and farm animals in the town. The town currently has an ordinance for domestic animals, and Henry said they may revise the ordinance to regulate urban farm animals as well.

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San Pierre Woman Arrested after an Alleged Battery Incident

Posted on Author WKVI

An alleged battery incident occurred yesterday in the North Judson area.

Angela Schwei and another woman were reportedly engaged in a verbal argument in the Burger King restaurant on Talmer Avenue and were told to leave. They went out in the parking lot and the argument escalated. Schwei allegedly got out a sharp object and slashed the victim on the leg, causing a gash.

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North Judson Man Arrested On Charges Including Strangulation

Posted on Author WKVI

A North Judson man was arrested Tuesday on an arrest warrant after he reportedly failed to appear in Starke Circuit Court for a court date.

Bradley White’s charges stem from a battery incident involving his live-in girlfriend and a person who had visited his home on February 27.

During the course of the investigation, police learned that he might be harboring stolen property. A search warrant was obtained by North Judson police and White’s Franklin Street apartment was searched and stolen property was reportedly recovered.

White faces charges of Strangulation, Theft, Possession of Stolen Property, and two counts of Battery.

Chester, Inc. Agricultural Division To Relocate To North Judson

Posted on Author WKVI

The Agricultural Systems Division of Chester, Inc. will be locating to the North Judson area.

Chester has added an additional structure in North Judson which is housing a growing inventory of parts needed because of the large number of irrigation systems serviced by Chester.

The Agricultural Systems Division of Chester was established in 1970 when Chester first added center-pivot irrigation systems to their line of products and services. This division now services over 1500 irrigation systems, mostly center-pivot systems, and they also service grain dryers and drying bins.

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Voucher Program Informational Meeting Planned for North Judson Parents

Posted on Author WKVI

School Choice Indiana representatives will be hosting an information session to inform North Judson parents and families of educational options for their children through the state’s school voucher program, tax credit scholarships, tax deductions, and other forms of school choice. The session will be held at St. Peter Lutheran School on Thursday at 6 p.m. CT.

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North Judson-San Pierre Schools To Endure Hefty Budget Cuts

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

The North Judson-San Pierre School Board discussed the budget outlook for the next two years and Superintendent Lynn Johnson said the school will take a major budget hit in 2012 and 2013.

“Close to one million dollars,” said Johnson. “One of the things we lost was the restoration grant and the small schools grant. Those two losses did come up to about a million dollars. Of course, it depends on enrollment. If we have an increase in enrollment, of course that will help us. There’s a lot of variables we have to look at, but right now we are looking at decreased revenue and I’m sure we’re not the only school corporation.”

On top of the budget cut, Johnson says they are also suffering from a decrease in enrollment.

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North Judson Household Causes Sewer Clog Over The Weekend

Posted on Author WKVI
North Judson Town Board

One North Judson resident had to deal with a smelly situation Sunday night after a lift station pump plugged up, causing sewage to seep up into their home. North Judson Town Council President Wendy Hoppe commended Town Superintendent Marshall Horstmann and his three-man crew for their quick response and diligent effort in rectifying the situation, which was reportedly caused by a North Judson resident who had flushed an item down the toilet that had clogged up the sewer system.

The lift station pump was permanently damaged from the clog, and Clerk-Treasurer Donna Henry emphasized the fact that nothing should be flushed down the toilet except for human waste and toilet paper. She says that while an item may be labeled as “flushable,” that’s not always the case. The item may flush down the toilet, but it’s not unlikely that it will get stuck in the sewer system and cause further problems down the line.

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The Final Countdown!

Posted on Author WKVI
WKVI's Tom Berg with the Backstage Studio of Dance flash mob

Tom Berg is entering into the final hours before he sets a Guiness World Record! Tom was surprised by a flash mob yesterday. Several students from the Backstage Studio of Dance performed an impromptu routine as part of Tom’s show to help keep the spirit alive during this world record attempt. Continue reading →

Special Meeting Held Regarding North Judson Industrial Park

Posted on Author WKVI
Charles Weaver
Charles Weaver

A special meeting was held at the North Judson Community Center last week regarding the industrial park, and while nothing definite was decided, the meeting brought together members of the community to share ideas and gather information.

The industrial park has been dormant for quite some time, and the Starke County Economic Development Foundation wanted to work with the North Judson Town Council to put their heads together and come up with some potential possibilities for the development of the park. The meeting also reviewed any current issues with the park.

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North Judson Man Arrested For Theft Of Air Compressor

Posted on Author WKVI

A North Judson man was arrested Wednesday after a theft investigation.

On Monday, July 9, Rebecca Brown told Starke County police that an air compressor was stolen from a pole barn on her property at 1417 W. 400 S. in North Judson. She went to the pawn shop on Tuesday, July 10 and found the air compressor. After an investigation, police found that the air compressor was pawned by Michael Tolson well before she discovered it was missing. Stealing someone’s air compressor is a surprising thing especially today when there are a lot of affordable yet great options on https://occupythefarm.org/how-to-refill-co2-tank-with-air-compressor or with any local hardware stores.

Tolson, 22, was arrested on a preliminary charge of Theft. He is in the Starke County jail with no bond.

NJSP Schools Pleased With ISTEP Scores

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

The ISTEP scores at the North Judson-San Pierre School Corporation improved overall this year, according to Superintendent Lynn Johnson.

“This year’s results were very good,” said Johnson. “Our three-year trend has shown some significant gains. Our fourth graders scored 86 percent in math and the fifth graders had 91 percent.”

Johnson said the results show in the corporation’s analysis of the three-year trend.

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Firefighters Called to House Fire in North Judson

Posted on Author WKVI

The North Judson-Wayne Township Fire Department was called to a house fire at 112 Lane Street Friday evening. Fire Chief Joe Leszek said the fire occurred at a multiple family dwelling and the structure sustained damage.

No preliminary cause of the fire has been given and it remains under investigation with the State Fire Marshal’s Office. More information on the fire will be released as the investigation unfolds.

Town of North Judson To Draft No-Tobacco Ordinance

Posted on Author WKVI
North Judson Town Board

The Town of North Judson has announced that it is in compliance with the new smoke-free air law as required by the state, but the town board has announced plans to draft their own, more stringent no-tobacco policy.

Clerk-Treasurer Donna Henry says that the ordinance would not only prevent smoking, but all use of tobacco where smoking is prohibited. She says the ordinance would include park shelters because they are currently not covered by the state law, which only applies to enclosed structures. The board is interested in including these shelters in the no-tobacco policy because they feel the shelters are there for people to enjoy, and the board feels they have the right to enjoy them without having to tolerate tobacco smoke close to them.

The board will soon have the ordinance drafted and then read for approval at an upcoming meeting.

Henry says the board also commended the town’s street department on the good job they did over the weekend in cleaning up brush and debris from last weekend’s storms.

North Judson Residents Receive Sprinkling Water Discount

Posted on Author WKVI
North Judson Town Board

In an effort to reduce the cost of watering lawns with sprinklers, the Town of North Judson has applied nearly $6000 in sprinkling rate credits. Clerk-Treasurer Donna Henry says this last billing gave $5991.28 in credits to their water customers who have been using sprinklers to keep their lawns watered.

Henry explained that because the water that is used to sprinkle lawns doesn’t go through the sewer system, the sewage charges are reduced. She says the discounted sprinkling rate is applied to customers that have used more than their average amount of water, and the credit is applied automatically.

With this hot, dry summer, it’s the perfect incentive for residents to sprinkle their lawns and bring some green back to their grass. Henry says this reduced rate is a big service to the community because it encourages them to water their yards and keep grass and plants from becoming too dry from the arid heat.