FEMA Officials Provide Additional Guidelines in Public Notice

Posted on Author Jacque Ryan

FEMA recently issued a public notice in regards to the major flooding that occurred earlier this year and the subsequent public and individual funding assistance being offered to several counties including Starke, Pulaski, Marshall and La Porte.

The notice, provided by Starke County EMA Director J. Nier, reportedly concerns activities that may affect historic properties, ones that are located in or affecting wetland areas or the 100-year floodplain and critical actions within the 500-year flood plain. FEMA officials report that such incidents may adversely affect the historical property, floodplain, or wetland or could result in continuing vulnerability to flood damage. Continue reading →

Starke County Wants to be Designated a Regional Stellar Community and Officials Are Taking Steps to Get There

Posted on Author Jacque Ryan

What will it take for Starke County to be designated a Regional Stellar Community?

That is the question that was answered Thursday night when various county, city and town officials met at the Starke County Economic Development Foundation Office to find out what steps they can start taking in order to submit a competitive application in the future. Continue reading →

Individual FEMA Assistance Now Available to Pulaski and Starke County Residents Impacted by the Flooding

Posted on Author Jacque Ryan

According to the Indiana Department of Homeland Security, Individual Assistance from FEMA is now available to 13 more counties, including Starke and Pulaski.

Now that Starke and Pulaski counties are eligible for Individual Assistance, homeowners and renters whose primary residence was damaged by the flooding that occurred between February 14th and March 4th can apply for federal disaster assistance.

The funds are intended to cover uninsured losses for flood damages. Individuals are encouraged to register with FEMA before the deadline of Thursday, July 5th. Continue reading →

Kankakee River Basin Commission Votes to Fund Preliminary Repair Costs

Posted on Author Jacque Ryan

When Kankakee River Basin Commission members met Thursday morning, they permitted a total of $254,000 to be paid to three counties in order to assist with immediate repair needs resulting from the recent flooding.

Initially, members considered having all funding requests submitted at a meeting that would be held within the next 30 days but a few members said there were some issues with that idea. Continue reading →

Emergency Management Officials Coordinate Response Efforts For Residents Affected by the Floods

Posted on Author Jacque Ryan

As the flood waters start receding, emergency management officials are beginning to plan out ways to assist those most severely impacted by the recent floods.

The Salvation Army recently delivered a few clean-up kits to emergency management officials in both Starke and Pulaski County. Starke County EMA Director J. Nier and Pulaski County EMA Director Sheri Gaillard said they will be handing those out to the citizens who need them in the near future.

They also said they’ll be conducting more thorough damage assessments once the water recedes more. However, residents are still reminded to fill out damage assessment reports through the Indiana Department of Homeland Security to assist with relief efforts. Only uninsured property damage should be reported. Continue reading →

Wednesday Travel Alerts and Road Closures in Pulaski and Starke Counties

Posted on Author Jacque Ryan

Though the rain has stopped for now, there are still several roads in Starke and Pulaski Counties that are closed due to flooding and high water.

Starke County High Way Superintendent Rik Ritzler warns drivers that it is imperative to refrain from driving down the flooded area of a roadway. He said those roads are closed for a reason, and if you get stuck your rescue could divert resources that may be needed elsewhere.

He added that Starke County is on an orange “Watch” level travel alert due to flooding. He explained that a “Watch” means that conditions are threatening to the safety of the public. Continue reading →

Senior Petroleum Analyst Expects High Gas Prices to Continue in 2018

Posted on Author Jacque Ryan

For the last 10 weeks, the United States has consecutively seen a steady decline in crude oil inventories, according to Gasbuddy.com Senior Petroleum Analyst Dan McTeague.

In January of 2017, the cost of a barrel of oil was around $52. McTeague shared that right now, we’re seeing prices closer to $66. That is a $14 difference and he said it may increase as the year goes on with high demand at the national and international level, increased exports and stalled production continuing to impact costs. Continue reading →

Final Unemployment Rates of 2017 for Starke and Pulaski Counties

Posted on Author Jacque Ryan

The Indiana Department of Workforce Development released the final unemployment rates for 2017 and Indiana’s rate stayed steady at 3.4 percent, still coming in lower than the national average of 4.1 percent.

In Starke County, the unemployment rate stayed consistent with the national average, and November’s figure by staying at 4.1 percent. However, Starke County’s unemployment rate for December 2017 is down from the same month in 2016, when was 5.3 percent.

In Pulaski County, December’s unemployment rate dropped slightly from November, moving from 3.3 to 3.1 percent. That’s down almost a point and half from the same time in 2016, when Pulaski’s unemployment rate was 4.5 percent. Continue reading →

Open Seats in Starke County for 2018 Elections

Posted on Author Jacque Ryan

According to Starke County Election Deputy Clerk Crystal McCarty-Taylor, people can file for a declaration of candidacy starting today anytime between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. and they have until February 9th at noon to file.

Interested individuals must come into the Starke County Clerk’s Office to file. She added that no exceptions will be made if the February deadline is missed.

Officials up for election in Starke County include the County Sheriff, Assessor, Coroner, Recorder and Auditor as well as the Prosecuting Attorney and Circuit Court Clerk. Elections will also be held for the County Commissioners in District 2 which includes California, Center and Davis Townships. Continue reading →

Salvation Army Bell Ringers Needed!

Posted on Author Jacque Ryan

Salvation Army Bell Ringers are still needed in Starke County! Starke County Bell Ringer coordinator Joe Lopez stressed the fact that funds collected at the local collection centers remain in the area.

Lopez explained, “The money does not go out of the county, all the money collected is spent here in Starke County and it helps a lot of people that need help during the holiday so we really appreciate any help we can get.”

The two Starke County Bell Ringer locations are Bailey’s Discount Center in North Judson and Five Star in Knox. Lopez mentioned that there is a special perk to working these spots.

“I know that a lot of people watch the Salvation Army Bell Ringers out in the cold,” he said, “we’re fortunate to have Bailey’s indoors and Five Star also indoors so you’re not standing out in the weather freezing.” Continue reading →

Washington Township Fire Results in Countywide Cooperative Effort

Posted on Author Jacque Ryan

The Washington Township Volunteer Fire Department responded to a call about a structure fire in the 8,000 block of 50 South shortly after 11 a.m. on Friday.

Washington Township Fire Chief Dave Pearman reported that all seven of the county’s volunteer departments assisted with the incident. Knox-Center Township, Hamlet, Bass Lake and Koontz Lake departments helped on the scene while North Judson Wayne-Township and Rail-Road Township departments helped cover neighboring districts to ensure that no areas were without assistance.

Chief Pearman said that crews utilized positive pressure ventilation to blow smoke out of the house and reported it took approximately one hour to take control of the fire. Continue reading →

WorkOne Kids’ Coat Drive Distribution Scheduled to Start Today

Posted on Author Jacque Ryan

WorkOne is working hard this holiday season to show their continuous commitment to our communities.

Aside from the educational and occupational assistance they provide year round, during the month of November, the Knox and Winamac locations have been hosting kids’ coat drives to collect winter apparel to help local children in need this time of year.

Continue reading →

Trial Scheduled for North Judson Man Charged with Stalking

Posted on Author Jacque Ryan

A trial for 45-year-old Clayton Conley, of North Judson, is scheduled in Starke Circuit Court today. Conley is reportedly charged with stalking, a level 6 felony.

According to the provided police report, Conley was arrested twice on March 29th for separate incidents involving his sister. Detective Sergeant Adam Gray with the Starke County Sheriff’s Department reports that Conley was first escorted off his sister’s property around 7:53 a.m. when he refused to leave after an argument. Continue reading →

Locations of Pulaski County Community Crossings Projects Remain Unclear

Posted on Author Michael Gallenberger

Pulaski County is expected to complete over $1 million in road projects with money from the second round of Community Crossings grants. But Highway Superintendent Terry Ruff still hasn’t revealed which roads will be getting an upgrade. He says the work won’t be able to start until the spring, and he wants to wait until closer to that time before releasing details.

Continue reading →

Starke County Economic Development Foundation Hosts U.S. 30 Upgrade Committee Meeting

Posted on Author Jacque Ryan

The Starke County Economic Development Foundation hosted a meeting last night with various members of the Starke County community who would be impacted by the proposed U.S. 30 Freeway Project.

SCEDF Executive Director Charles Weaver began the meeting and introduced representatives from Appian , a consulting firm that is working with the foundation. President of the organization, Dennis Faulkenberg started by saying that though the project is still very far down the line, they wanted to hear some of the ideas that were circulating within the community.

Faulkenberg advised everyone present that it is imperative to collect data and come up with a concrete plan prior to approaching INDOT. He said that’s the best way to avoid being pressured into doing the most cost effective option at the expense of what is best for the community. Continue reading →