Starke County’s 2016 budget is in balance after action by the council during a special-called Monday afternoon meeting. They found out last week the state slashed their submitted budget by more than half a million dollars. Continue reading
Knox BZA Clears Way for Tractor Supply
Tractor Supply Company was granted a special use variance by the City of Knox Board of Zoning Appeals Monday night. The company plans to occupy the portion of the building in the Knox Mall that formerly housed Alco. On a unanimous vote the board granted the variance so Tractor Supply Company could use outdoor storage and sales displays beyond what the current ordinance allows. Continue reading
Knox Council to Act on Proposed Utility Rate Increase
The Knox City Council will take the first steps toward raising water and sewer rates when they meet this evening. The agenda for their 7 p.m. session includes first reading of water and sewer rate ordinances. Continue reading
Knox School Board Tours New Elementary Cafeteria
The newly completed Knox Elementary School cafeteria and cooking kitchen were a focus of last night’s meeting of the School Board. The board meeting was held in the cafeteria itself. Tours of the cooking kitchen were given by Superintendent A.J. Gappa. He reported the elementary building project is near completion. The new lunch facility has a seating capacity of about 150 students. The school’s enrollment of 450 eat there daily in three shifts. Continue reading
Gas Prices Battle Refinery Issues Heading into Holiday Travel
Gas prices are expected to jump a bit prior to the major days for holiday travel.
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Deputy Finds Drugs During Traffic Stop
A Sunday afternoon traffic stop for speeding on U.S. 30 in Starke County ended with a trip to jail for a Huntington County man. Continue reading
Accused Hit and Run Driver Arrested Following Pursuit
A LaPorte man suspected of being involved in a Sunday hit-and-run crash faces several charges in Starke County. Officers from the Walkerton Police Department notified Starke County Dispatch a possibly intoxicated hit-and-run driver had struck a utility pole and kept going. Continue reading
Deep Starke County Budget Cuts Anticipated Today
The Starke County Council and Commissioners have less than two weeks to slash half a million dollars from the 2016 budget. They’re meeting jointly today at 3 p.m. to begin that task. Continue reading
Local Tobacco Group Comments on Proposed Cigarette Tax Increase
Drug and Tobacco Free Starke County discussed the state’s proposal to increase taxes on cigarettes in the Hoosier state.
The organization continues to wait for details. Additional information is expected to be released once the Indiana General Assembly begins the short session in January. State health advocacy groups are calling for as much as a $1 per cigarette pack increase to deter smoking.
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AAA Expects Increases in Number of Holiday Travelers
AAA is predicting a recording breaking year for holiday travelers.
The group is expecting nearly one in three Americans will make a trip of 50 miles or more this year. It represents a 1.4-percent increase over the same period one year ago. AAA says the number of travelers has increased each year over the last seven years.
Starke County to Take Over Maintenance of North Judson Road
The Starke County Highway Department will make improvements to Arlington Avenue in North Judson in the spring in anticipation of absorbing it into their inventory for tax purposes. The three-quarter mile street is just outside the town limits of North Judson and is the main artery to the industrial park. Continue reading
Utility Provider Now Offering Text Alerts During Power Outages
NIPSCO has developed a new way to report a power outage.
The utility service provider says that electric customers are now able to text the word “Out” to 444111. That will notify the company of a power outage at their place of residence. Businesses may also participate in the new service.
Kankakee Valley REMC Cuts Ribbon on Solar Park Project
Kankakee Valley REMC is officially using its solar park following a recent ribbon cutting.
The project has been ongoing for several months, installing 432 solar panels at the cooperative’s headquarters in Wanatah. According to a press release, the ribbon cutting was to celebrate the site being operational, but also for the energy now being put back onto the grid.
N.J.-S.P. Board Approves Special Education Agreement
The North Judson-San Pierre School Board this week approved a new agreement as part of its existing special education cooperative. The new JESSE agreement allows for easier separation should a member school decide to leave. Continue reading
Knox Police Make Two Drug Arrests in Parkview
A man and woman from Knox are jailed on drug charges following an investigation by the Knox Police Department. Continue reading
Starke County Receives OCRA Grant for Workforce Training
Local residents will soon have access to expanded adult workforce training programs, thanks to a grant from the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs. Continue reading
Starke County Officials Prepare For Building Renovations
The Starke County Council and Commissioners are almost ready to proceed with renovations to the courthouse and old jail building across the street. They’ve got money left from the construction of the new jail east of Knox to make upgrades to both buildings for continued correctional use.
The old jail will become office space for Starke County Community Corrections and the probation department. Community Corrections Director Bob Hinojosa told the county council and commissioners Monday his board has committed $100,000 toward the renovations on the condition that the former sally port can be turned into a conference room. Continue reading
N.J.-S.P. Officials Elaborate on School Funding
The North Judson-San Pierre School Corporation will have to borrow money in order to meet financial obligations over the next six months. Business manager Guy Richie says they managed to close the 2015 budget year in the black by continuing to scale back on expenses and relying heavily on their cash balance. Continue reading
Health Organizations Throwing Support Behind Proposed Cigarette Tax Increase
Starke County Humane Society Hosts Open House
The Starke County Humane Society is hosting its 25th Annual Open House tomorrow. Santa will be there to take photos with pets or kids for a five-dollar donation. If you’re looking for a pet, adoption fees will be reduced for all animals. Continue reading
