Week in Review for July 18th-22nd, 2011

Here is just some of the news that made the news in the Kankakee Valley this week:

Starke County Prosecutor Nicholas Bourff said that the death of a three-year-old Knox boy is still under investigation. Bourff has not yet received the autopsy results from the St. Joseph County Coroner’s office.

The Starke County Courthouse elevator is still out of order. A few more things need to be done to make the required ADA upgrades and the elevator will be operational after a state inspector gives the notice to proceed with operation.

Paul Mathewson

The Starke County Commissioners approved the recommendation to hire Paul Mathewson as the EMS Director. Mathewson has been challenged to have the Starke County EMS up and running as Advanced life Service by the first of the year.

The Pulaski County Commissioners approved a request by the Pulaski County EMS to convert an ambulance engine in order to create a properly working vehicle to its fleet. The estimated cost is between $20-$32,000.

Kenneth Nuest, 47, of Francesville, was injured after he was involved in a single-car roll-over on 500 South in Francesville on Sunday. OVWI charges are pending.

The Knox Community School Board members approved the appointment of Josh Pugh as the Middle School Assistant Principal at their meeting Monday night.

Bob Smith (L) and Joe Short

Joe Short has been appointed the new I.T. Director for Starke County. He was recommended to the Commissioners by a committee who selected the replacement for outgoing I.T. Director Bob Smith.

Jerry Gurrado has been hired and is on the job as the new Director of the SCILL Center in Knox.

Henry F. Schricker Library

The Starke County Council refused to approve an addition-renovation bond issue plan proposed by the Starke County Library Board. The Council will form a committee to dissect the project and the funding.

The Oregon-Davis School Corporation is ranked #1 in the State of Indiana for overall improvement on the I-STEP Test. Eastern Pulaski Schools ranked 10th. I-STEP results were released this week.

Knox City Police Chief Clint Norem removed 358 marijuana plants from a vacant lot by the alley between New York and Delaware Streets just west of US 35 in Knox.

After extensive discussion, the Starke County Planning Commission decided to send the dog kennel ordinance back to the tech committee for further revision.

The Koontz Lake Sewer Project is moving ahead of schedule. The plant is being constructed and the road restoration began this week.

The Knox Community School Board and the Teacher’s Union have agreed to shorten the class day on Fridays during the school year to gather time for professional development for Middle and High School teachers and parent/teacher conferences at the Elementary school.

Jack Haut

Jack Haut was found guilty of Reckless Homicide, a Class C Felony, after 12 member jury deliberated for just over an hour, Thursday. The trial lasted two days in Starke Circuit Court. Haut will be sentenced on August 17th at 11:00 a.m.

Zackary Schacht, who escaped home detention from his residence in Greenwood, Indiana, was arrested Sunday after police found him at a residence in Starke County.

Kankakee Valley REMC and NIPSCO customers are being asked to conserve electricity as much as possible in this high heat. Customers are being asked to set thermostats at the highest comfortable temperature setting.

And that is just some of the news that made the news in the Kankakee Valley this week.