Highland Cemetery Concern Brought Before North Judson Town Council

Posted on Author Jacque Ryan

Some concerns about the Highland Cemetery were brought to the attention of the North Judson Town Council Members when they met Monday night.

Resident Vicki Richey informed members that she was speaking on behalf of everyone who has a loved one buried in the cemetery.

She stated that she used to own a tree-service company and recently looked over the land at Highland and found about 45 tree stumps. She added that there is also split tree that should be taken care of because if it falls it runs the risk of damaging some headstones. Continue reading →

North Judson Police Officer Rico Simpson and His K9 Partner Complete Week 2 of Training

Posted on Author Jacque Ryan
Photo Courtesy of NJPD Facebook Page

North Judson Police Officer Rico Simpson is at the tail end of week two of K9 training at Vohne-Liche Kennels and according to Town Marshal Kelly Fisher, things are going really well.

At Monday’s North Judson Town Council meeting, Marshal Fisher told members that Officer Simpson and his K9 Partner Jimy already have a phenomenal bond. Continue reading →

Starke County Economic Development Foundation to Hold Community Retreat

Posted on Author Jacque Ryan

The Starke County Economic Development Foundation will be holding a community retreat at their office in Knox on Tuesday, March 20th from 7:30 a.m. until noon CT.

Interim Executive Director Larry Wickert spoke to the North Judson Town Council members about the session during their meeting Monday night. He cleared up some confusion about the focus, stating that the event will be open to all municipalities in the area and will not solely be about development in North Judson. Continue reading →

North Judson Town Council Approves Amended Salary Ordinance

Posted on Author Jacque Ryan

An amended salary ordinance passed on second reading and was adopted during Monday night’s North Judson Town Council meeting.

At the last meeting, Town Attorney Justin Schramm explained that the initial salary ordinance, which included a 3 percent raise for various department heads and the town council members, was adopted on January 2nd of 2018.

He said the State Board of Accounts could potentially have a problem with council members receiving raises in the same year they’re approved, so to be on the safe side, the salary ordinance was rewritten to remove the council members from the list of individuals who received a 3 percent raise in 2018. Continue reading →

NJ Town Council Members to Discuss Cemetery Mowing Ad and Amended Salary Ordinance Tonight

Posted on Author Jacque Ryan

North Judson Town Council members will discuss the cemetery mowing advertisement when they meeting tonight.

Members will also hold the second reading over an amended salary ordinance. At the final meeting in February, members held the first reading over a salary ordinance that would not include a 3 percent raise for the town council members.

At the beginning of the year, members signed off on a salary ordinance that essentially gave a 3 percent raise across the board. However, Town Attorney Justin Schramm explained that since the salary ordinance was approved in January of 2018, the members couldn’t approve a raise for themselves since it wouldn’t look good to the State Board of Accounts to approve a raise in the same year it is given. Continue reading →

North Judson Town Council Decides on Potential Dates for SCEDF Workday

Posted on Author Jacque Ryan

North Judson Town Council members decided on a few potential dates to recommend for a SCEDF workday when they met Monday night.

Starke County Economic Development Foundation liaison James Young reminded council members that Executive Director Larry Wickert is attempting to set up a session of some kind so members can brainstorm some ideas for potential development. Continue reading →

Amended Salary Ordinance Fails to Pass on First Reading at NJ Town Council Meeting

Posted on Author Jacque Ryan

An ordinance amending the approved 2018 salary ordinance was considered on first reading during Monday night’s North Judson Town Council meeting.

When the town council members passed the salary ordinance back in January, it included a 3 percent raise across the board, except for Town Marshal Kelly Fisher who forfeited her raise to supplement the raises of her officers.

In the initial ordinance, town council members were included in the individuals who would receive the raise. However, Town Attorney Justin Schramm said that due to when the ordinance was passed, that raise could potentially be seen as questionable by state officials. Continue reading →

North Judson Police Department Welcomes K9 Jimy to the Force

Posted on Author Jacque Ryan
NJPD K9 Jimy

The highly anticipated addition to the North Judson Police Department is finally here.

Yesterday, Officer Rico Simpson picked his K9 partner out of more than 300 dogs at Vohne Liche Kennels. The dual-purpose K9 that he chose is named Jimy.

As a dual-purpose dog, Jimy will be able to assist with patrol work such as narcotics detection and apprehension, as well as tracking. Town Marshall Kelly Fisher previously reported that the tracking capabilities could not only help with finding criminals, but they could also come in handy for missing persons cases. Continue reading →

North Judson Town Council Members Discuss Advertisement for Cemetery Mowing and Additional Duties

Posted on Author Jacque Ryan
Pioneer Cemetery  in North Judson. Photo courtesy of findagrave.com.

North Judson Town Council members considered the advertisement for cemetery mowing when they met Monday night.

Individuals applying for this job would be bidding on lawn care, leaf clean up and debris removal for both Highland and Pioneer Cemeteries. They would be expected to provide all labor, equipment and fuel.

Members noted that the proposed advertisement was the same as last year’s. However, since they experienced some problems with last year’s service, they wanted to avoid any potential confusion by clearly stating what is expected of the bidder. Continue reading →

North Judson Police Department Plans Future Events

Posted on Author Jacque Ryan

The North Judson Town Council members heard some future event suggestions from Town Marshal Kelly Fisher during their meeting last week.

Fisher said they’re considering a “Canine Mud Run” as a potential summertime fundraiser. She said it would be like any other mud run but they would invite individuals to bring their dogs along.

She said the police department plans to team up with the park board to have community-centered events every month. Continue reading →

NJ Town Marshal Updates Town Council on Department Renovations

Posted on Author Jacque Ryan

Renovations to the North Judson Police Department are underway. The town council members recently approved Town Marshall Kelly Fisher’s request to convert the conference room into a training area.

At Monday night’s town council meeting, Marshal Fisher informed members that two old radiators were recently removed with the help of the utility department.  Continue reading →

Benefit Breakfast for North Judson Fire Chaplain Scheduled for Tomorrow

Posted on Author Jacque Ryan

The North Judson-Wayne Township Fire Department is holding a benefit breakfast for Chaplain Paul Newcomer at 7 a.m. on Saturday.

At Monday night’s town council meeting Fire Chief Joe Leszek explained that Newcomer was diagnosed with prostate cancer and recently underwent a successful surgery. They are holding this at-will donation benefit as a way to raise funds to help cover his medical expenses. Continue reading →

Public Hearing Over OCRA Grant Application Held During NJ Town Council Meeting

Posted on Author Jacque Ryan

A public hearing over a proposed grant application was held during the North Judson Town Council meeting earlier this week.

On Monday, KIRPC Executive Director Edwin Buswell explained that the grant application requesting a $550,000 wastewater/drinking water grant is due to the Office of Community and Rural Affairs on Friday. Buswell said the local match is for $1,268,000 which will come in the form of an SRF Loan. Continue reading →

Norwayne Field Amphitheater Was Delivered and is Being Stored Temporarily

Posted on Author Jacque Ryan

The amphitheater for Norwayne Field in North Judson has been delivered and its size called for alternative storage options to be utilized.

Initially, the plan was to temporarily store it in the park garage, but at Monday’s town council meeting, Clerk-Treasurer Andrew Rowe stated that it was a bit too big for that. Town Superintendent Marshall Horstmann said they were able to store part of it where they originally planned and another portion is being stored in a building out on Railroad Street. Continue reading →

North Judson Residents Wish Officer Beishuizen and K9 Gunner a Happy Retirement

Posted on Author Jacque Ryan
Scott Beishuizen and Gunner
Photo Credit: NJ Town Photographer Peggy Bohac

At Monday night’s North Judson Town Council meeting, members of the community and the council wished Reserve Officer Scott Beishuizen and his K-9 Gunner farewell.

Town Marshal Kelly Fisher presented the team with a plaque and thanked them both for their service with the department and their commitment to the community. The town council shook hands with Officer Beishuizen and he issued a statement expressing his gratitude. Continue reading →

North Judson Town Council to Hold Public Hearing Tonight

Posted on Author Jacque Ryan

North Judson Town Council members will hold a public hearing regarding the KIRPC water project during their regularly scheduled meeting tonight at 6:30 p.m.

In a past meeting, Town Superintendent Marshal Horstmann stated that needed improvements include rehabilitating four wells and bringing both water towers back up to OSHA standards with internal and external painting, repairs and sandblasting. Continue reading →

NJ Town Council Members Invited to Attend K9 Pick-Up at Vohne Liche Kennels

Posted on Author Jacque Ryan

On Monday night, North Judson Town Marshal Kelly Fisher invited council members to tag along with NPJD as they venture to Vohne Liche Kennels in Denver, Indiana on Tuesday, February 20th.

Marshal Fisher mentioned that Officer Rico Simpson will have over 300 dogs to choose from. The chosen animal will then go home with Officer Simpson for a week in order for them to bond and get familiarized.

After the week is complete, Simpson will attend six weeks worth of training, five days a week at the Vohne Liche facility. Continue reading →

House Bill That Would Affect Bidding Process Faces Opposition from NJ Town Council

Posted on Author Jacque Ryan

A proposed House Bill was brought to the attention of North Judson Town Council members during a special meeting Monday night.

Council President Wendy Hoppe informed council members that House Bill 1313 is currently being considered by the House of Representatives. She explained that if enacted, it would affect the bidding process.

Hoppe said, “What the state is trying to say is the bidder can bid it and we have no way that we can check their background; who they are, what they are, what their work is. Where now we do have that [capability] and that in a nutshell is what that bill is about.” Continue reading →