The Starke County Highway Department has reduced the allowable weight on a bridge northeast of Knox. Effective immediately, the bridge on County Road 25 north immediately west of 600 East has a posted limit of five tons. Highway department officials say the change is due to the recent bridge inspection.
NJ-SP School Board Reviewing Revenue Figures, Improving Policies
The North Judson-San Pierre School Board will be setting the table for future budget discussions.
At their meeting tonight, Board members will learn more about how the latest decisions in the state legislature will affect their fiscal year budget. Superintendent Lynn Johnson says she hopes to explain the new revenue figures to the board.
Furlong Sentenced to Five Years on Home Detention
A Knox man received a sentence of five years on home detention after pleading guilty to charges in two different cases in Starke Circuit Court.
Nathaniel Furlong admitted to a probation violation and was sentenced to four years in the Indiana Department of Corrections with no part of the sentence suspended. He was permitted to serve his sentence on home detention with electronic monitoring with Starke County Community Corrections.
Repeat Offender Sentenced in Starke Circuit Court
A 27-year-old Knox man with a history of drug use was sentenced to 30 months in the Department of Correction for maintaining a common nuisance and another 12 months for violating his probation during a hearing in Starke Circuit Court. The sentences are to be served consecutively, for a total of 42 months. Continue reading
Fundraisers Become Inmates Through Relay For Life
The facility is not being fully used, presenting an opportunity to fundraise for a good cause.
Starke County Relay for Life will be hosting an event on May 21st that mimics being jailed. Individuals can surrender themselves at the new Starke County Jail on that date, or issue a “warrant” for someone’s “arrest.”
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Courthouse Repairs on Starke County Commissioners Agenda
The Starke County Commissioners should have a better idea how much repairs to the courthouse will cost after their meeting tonight. They’ve asked for quotes on tuckpointing the brick in order to set a budget for the work. Fixing the masonry is one of several repairs that need to be made to the historic structure. Wiring needs to be upgraded, and the roof needs to be fixed as well. Continue reading
Farmers Reminded of Conservation Certification Filing Deadline
Specialty crop producers who applied for enhanced crop insurance this year have a deadline approaching to turn in necessary paperwork. Conservation compliance forms must be filed with the U.S. Department of Agriculture by June 1. Farmers who do not complete the form will not be eligible for federal crop insurance payments. The 2014 farm bill gave specialty crop producers the option to apply for enhanced crop coverage through the federal Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program, commonly known as NAP. In order to receive payments, farmers must certify they will not plant crops on erodible land unless previously approved by the Natural Resources Conservation Service. Applicants must also agree not to drain, dredge, level or fill any wetlands on their property. Continue reading
Knox Board of Public Works Advertises Road Repairs
The City of Knox will be accepting bids for a bit of street repair work in the coming months.
The Board of Public Works says it take the sealed bids for construction until June 8th. The bids will be reviewed by the board at a later date.
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Oregon-Davis School Board to Discuss Vocational Programs
The Oregon-Davis School Board will consider vocational programs when they meet tonight.
The approval of programs is contingent on the number of students enrolled in the classes for the next school year. Those classes include Auto Tech 2, Cosmetology II, Criminal Justice 4, Early Childhood Ed 1, Graphic Imaging 3, Health Science I, Precision Machining 2, and Welding I and II.
The board will also consider awarding scholarships and Academic Honors Diplomas and the use of TMS-Engineering through Five-Star Technology Solutions. Changes in the handbook will also be reviewed.
Ivy Tech’s Society of Innovators Launches Expedition Innovation 2015: “A Call for Nominations”
An effort is under way to find the “hidden innovators” of Northwest Indiana. The Ivy Tech Community College Society of Innovators recently announced its seven-county “Expedition Innovation 2015 – ‘A Call for Nominations.’ Between June 2nd and 17th officials with the society will visit each of the seven counties in the region to explain their goals in greater detail. They will be at Kemin Industries in rural North Judson on June 10th and at the Pulaski County CDC/Economic Development office in Winamac the following day.
NIPSCO Director of Economic Development Don Babcock serves on the Society of Innovators board. He says innovation is the foundation of our economy. He adds there are innovators out there who are below the radar that are making important contributions to our region, state and world. He says the Society of Innovators wants to find them. Continue reading
Indiana Hosts Second Free Fishing Day
The state of Indiana will be allowing those without a fishing license the opportunity to cast into public waterways.
Normally, anglers would need a license or a trout/salmon stamp in order to fish in Indiana. The state’s Free Fishing Day, however, will take place on Saturday. Indiana residents do not need a fishing license or a trout/salmon stamp to fish for the day.
Kids to Parks Day Celebrated Saturday
An initiative designed to get youth to visit state, local, and national parks has received the backing of Governor Mike Pence.
Students to Continue Serenity Garden Work Today
Knox High School students will continue work on the Serenity Garden project today. The downtown Knox beautification project is on the north side of the intersection of Main Street and Lake Street.
Benches were installed last Saturday, and the concrete was poured to serve as the base of a gazebo. The gazebo will be constructed using split block, concrete, and wood rafters. It nearly mimics the structure at the Eagle Creek Community Church. A red metal roof will top the gazebo. The labor was donated for the concrete work. Additional labor is donated for other aspects of this specific project.
IRS Scams Increasingly Common According to Indiana AG
The Indiana Attorney General’s Office says IRS phone scams are leading their list of complaints in 2015.
Hoosiers may be familiar with the scam if they receive a call from the IRS demanding payment for past-due taxes. According to the Attorney General’s office, scammers might threaten arrest and jail time if payment is not received. Investigators largely say victims take drastic steps, fearing possible IRS action.
Indiana State Police Host Various Summer Youth Camps
Indiana middle and high school students with an interest in law enforcement can learn more about it during one of several Indiana State Police summer youth camps. The co-ed “Respect for Law” offering for 5th and 6th grade students includes demonstrations by emergency response team members, bomb squads, underwater search and rescue teams and police dogs.
Law Camps give students entering the 7th and 8th grades a behind the scenes look at the criminal justice system. During the four-day camp participants take field trips and learn more about the law enforcement field. Continue reading
Friday Morning Incident Brings Response at Knox Schools
Starke County Prosecutor Considering Charges Against Horse Owner
Criminal charges could be filed against the owner of several horses found loose on Wednesday. Continue reading
State Appeals Court Upholds Starke County Conviction and Sentence
A state appellate court weighs in on a conviction and sentence in Starke Circuit Court. A jury found Donald Frazier guilty of a felony offense of operating while intoxicated with a prior conviction and misdemeanor possession of paraphernalia. The charges stem from an Oct. 31, 2013 traffic stop and arrest in Hamlet. Continue reading
Hamlet Town Council Discusses Downtown Revitalization
Downtown revitalization plans were discussed at Wednesday’s meeting of the Hamlet Town Board. After reviewing a proposal for work required before installing new street lights the Board took it under advisement.
Written reports of the Street Department and the Police Department were submitted. The replacement costs of body armor for police officers discussed. A citizen appeared to review the cost of water and sewer bills. It was discovered that there had not been a credit issued for an earlier adjustment to the bills. The credit was approved.
Prior to the Board meeting, the Zoning Board met to approve several building permits.
Quarterly HIV Screenings Scheduled Monday
Individuals afflicted with sexually transmitted diseases will have an opportunity to be screened for symptoms of the disease, Monday.
The Starke County Health Department will be hosting AIDS Ministries/AIDS Assist. The group is based out of South Bend through the Methodist Church and works to educate the public about HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases.
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