The San Pierre Volunteer Fire Department is the recipient of a Hardesty Memorial Endowment Fund grant through the Starke County Community Foundation.
Continue readingSan Pierre Volunteer Fire Department Receives Grant
Arrest Made in Fatal Crash Investigation in San Pierre
An arrest has been made following an investigation by the Starke County Sheriff’s Department into a fatal hit-and-run accident in San Pierre.
Continue readingRailroad Township Volunteer Fire Department Back in Service
Railroad Township Volunteer Firefighters are apparently back on the job. At about 7:30 Thursday evening, Fire Chief Trask Darabaris told WKVI News that the department was back in service, after questions about insurance coverage were resolved. He said the reason his department had temporarily stopped responding to calls was that firefighters did not know which members were covered by the township’s insurance and which were not, if someone were to be injured while on a call.
Railroad Township Firefighters Stop Responding to Calls, Amid Ongoing Dispute
A group of Railroad Township Volunteer Firefighters has apparently walked off the job. In a letter to Township Trustee Mandy Thomason, the firefighters say they’re “unable to respond to any calls for service,” due to what they say is her unwillingness to provide insurance for each member of the department.
Railroad Township Board Approves $60,000 Additional Appropriation for Legal Fees
The battle over fire protection in Railroad Township has led to some significant legal costs. Last week, the township board approved an additional appropriation of $60,000 to cover attorney’s fees.
Railroad Township Volunteer Fire Department Off to a Good Start, According to Fire Chief
The Railroad Township Volunteer Fire Department has now been around for roughly two-and-a half months. Fire Chief Andy Tilleraas says the process of getting the department up and running has been going well. Continue reading
Change in Railroad Township Fire Protection Leads to Confusion over Equipment Ownership
Now that the San Pierre Volunteer Fire Department is no longer providing fire protection to Railroad Township, the process is now underway to sort out what property and equipment belongs to whom. Continue reading
Railroad Township Volunteer Fire Department Up and Running
Railroad Township officially has a new fire protection provider. The Railroad Township Volunteer Fire Department took over from the San Pierre Volunteer Fire Department Monday afternoon, according to Railroad Township Fire Chief Andy Tilleraas. Continue reading
Court Decision Paves Way for Change in Railroad Township Fire Protection
The restructuring of Railroad Township’s fire protection will be able to proceed, following a decision in Starke Circuit Court Monday. Continue reading
Railroad Township Trustee to Continue Fire Protection Negotiations, Following Court Hearing
The Railroad Township Trustee says she’s willing to make another attempt at negotiating a 2017 contract with the San Pierre Volunteer Fire Department. In a press release, Trustee Mandy Thomason called Friday’s court hearing a “positive step forward.” Continue reading
Railroad Township Fire Protection Contract Gets Temporary Extension, Following Court Hearing
The San Pierre Volunteer Fire Department will continue providing fire protection to Railroad Township for another month, following an emergency hearing in Starke Circuit Court Friday. It ended with both parties reaching an agreement to continue fire protection under the terms of the township’s current contract with the fire department until January 30. However, Fire Chief Joe Kryzyzanowski will temporarily step down during that time, with Assistant Chief Mike Korous taking over in an interim capacity. Continue reading
Starke Circuit Court Schedules Emergency Hearing on Railroad Township Fire Protection Contract
The controversy surrounding the planned restructuring of the San Pierre Volunteer Fire Department has led to an emergency hearing in Starke Circuit Court. A complaint filed on behalf of Fire Chief Joe Kryzyzanowski and Railroad Township Board members Clarence Gehrke and Gus Eckert requests an emergency order allowing the department to continue providing fire protection under a temporary contract. Continue reading
Railroad Township Board Calls for Stop to Fire Department Restructuring
The Railroad Township Board is calling for a stop to the restructuring of the township’s fire protection services. Board members Gus Eckert and Clarence Gehrke gathered in special session Wednesday to pass a resolution rejecting a plan to sever ties with the San Pierre Volunteer Fire Department. Continue reading
Railroad Township Board Calls Special Meeting, Following Fire Department Restructuring Plan
San Pierre firefighters and local residents are weighing their options, when it comes to the future of the San Pierre Volunteer Fire Department. Railroad Township Trustee Mandy Thomason announced plans last week not to renew the township’s contract with the San Pierre Volunteer Fire Department at the end of the year. In its place, the township would establish its own fire department, which it would operate directly. Continue reading
Railroad Township Trustee Proceeds with Fire Department Restructuring
Railroad Township plans to take direct control of its fire protection services, following allegations of various breaches of contract with the San Pierre Volunteer Fire Department. Township Trustee Mandy Thomason has announced that the current form of the fire department will be disbanded at the end of the month. Continue reading
Overnight Fire Destroys San Pierre Grain Elevator
Firefighters from four departments in three counties spent the night fighting a blaze at the grain elevator in San Pierre. Dispatchers got a call about the fire just after 9 last night and notified the San Pierre Volunteer Fire Department. They were assisted by North Judson, Medaryville and Wheatfield. No injuries were reported, and the firefighters cleared the scene at 1:12 this morning. There’s no word yet on the origin of the blaze.
