Despite an increase in education funding, the state’s teacher compensation targets could still pose some challenges for Oregon-Davis Schools. State Representative Jim Pressel touted Indiana’s $1.9 billion school funding increase during last month’s school board meeting. “That’s huge, so 50 percent of the whole state’s budget of $37 billion,” Pressel says. “It’s about $9 billion a year, and if I did my math right, Oregon-Davis should receive about $700 per child more in the ADM count.”
Continue readingOregon Township Trustee Asks Starke County Commissioners for Funding Assistance for new Koontz Lake Community Building
Oregon Township Trustee Mark Allen asked the Starke County Commissioners Monday night for help in funding a new Koontz Lake Association/Oregon Township Fire Station/Community Center.
Continue readingGovernor Monitoring Wind, Solar Legislation Moving through General Assembly
A bill that would shift control of wind and solar farm development from counties to the state continues to move forward in the Indiana General Assembly. House Bill 1381 passed out of the House Wednesday by a vote of 58-to-38. It now goes to the Indiana Senate for further consideration.
Continue readingStarke County Commissioners to Start Contract Negotiations with SCEDF
The Starke County Commissioners will begin negotiating a contract with the Starke County Economic Development Foundation next week.
Continue readingStarke County Commissioners Discuss Treasurer Bond
The Starke County Commissioners held a special meeting Thursday afternoon to discuss an issue with Treasurer-elect Lauri Venckus’ bond.
Continue readingStarke County Meet the Candidates Event to Be Held Tonight
Starke County voters have a chance to hear from a number of the candidates on November’s ballot tonight. WKVI is teaming up with the Starke County Chamber of Commerce and the Starke County Leader for a Meet the Candidates night.
Continue readingPublic Hearing to Be Held Today for Knox COVID-19 Response Grant
The selection of the City of Knox as one of the first grant recipients in the state’s COVID-19 Response Program came as a surprise to Mayor Dennis Estok. The city was one of only 13 communities selected for the first round out of 108 who’d expressed interest and one of just four to be awarded the maximum $250,000.
Continue readingRep. Pressel to Host Legislative Update Meeting in Knox Tomorrow
State Representative Jim Pressel will be in Knox tomorrow to give residents an update on this year’s legislative session. The public meeting will be held from 11:00 a.m. to noon at the Henry F. Schricker Public Library in Knox.
Continue readingBill Outlining Rights of Full-Time Firefighters Heads to Indiana Senate
A bill that aims to strengthen the rights of professional firefighters was advanced Monday by the Indiana House of Representatives. House Bill 1015 would extend to full-time firefighters the same protections that the General Assembly put in place for police officers last year, according to the bill’s author, Representative Jim Pressel.
Continue readingState Lawmakers Discuss School Funding, Time Zone with Oregon-Davis School Board
Two state lawmakers addressed some of the challenges facing local schools during Monday’s Oregon-Davis School Board meeting. Senator Mike Bohacek and Representative Jim Pressel had a good discussion with board members, according to O-D Superintendent Dr. Don Harman.
Continue readingIndiana Court of Appeals Hears Oral Argument in Starke County
What is a police officer’s responsibility when offering a suspected intoxicated driver a chemical test was at the center of an Indiana Court of Appeals hearing held in Knox Monday. The three-judge panel heard an oral argument in the case of Jacob T. Kingma v. State of Indiana, as part of the “Appeals on Wheels” program.
Continue readingState Rep., Economic Development Foundation Director to Meet with O-D School Board
The Oregon-Davis School Board will soon be meeting with State Representative Jim Pressel and Starke County Economic Development Foundation Executive Director Larry Wickert.
Continue readingPreschool Transportation Issues Have Knox School Officials Calling for Changes in State Law
Knox school officials hope action from state lawmakers will allow them to resume offering preschool transportation.
Continue readingCircle of Corydon Award Presented to Starke County Sheriff Bill Dulin
Senator Mike Bohacek and State Representative Jim Pressel visited the Starke County Justice Center Monday afternoon to recognize Sheriff Bill Dulin for the incredible impact he’s made on the community.
Sheriff Dulin was presented with the Circle of Corydon Award. According to the Governor’s Office, this award is provided to Hoosiers who have made remarkable contributions to the betterment of Indiana and its people. Continue reading
Starke County Economic Development Foundation Discusses Projected Population Loss
State Senator and Representative Meet with County Officials About Flooding
On Sunday afternoon, Starke County officials met with State Representative Jim Pressel (District 20) and State Senator Mike Bohacek (District 8) to discuss the recent devastation caused by flooding and what steps to take next.
Local officials who were present included Starke County EMA Director J. Nier, Surveyor Bill Crase and Highway Superintendent Rik Ritzler as well as Engineer Lee Nagai and County Commissioners Kathy Norem, Donnie Binkley and Charles Chesak. Continue reading