West Central School Superintendent Charles Mellon gave the School Board an update on the wind turbine project during the Board’s meeting on Thursday night.
Wind Turbine Constructed at West Central School Corporation
Knox Schools, Vocational Directors Discuss Welding Classes
Knox Community School Superintendent A.J. Gappa has been meeting with representatives from the Starke County Economic Development Foundation, Jerry Hollenbaugh, North Central Area Vocational Director, and Jerry Gurrado, Director of the SCILL Center in Knox. Superintendent Gappa told the Knox Community School Board that the group has been meeting to coordinate welding classes to be conducted at the Knox Middle School.
“With just a little bit of work, our former wood shop in the Middle School could be converted to a welding class area,” said Superintendent Gappa. “What I was asking the Board was permission to continue those talks and the Board seemed pretty excited about the idea themselves. This could be a win-win, not only for the school, but for community and the businesses in the area because people learn how to weld, they would become employable and they could improve their skills in the places they do work. This is just our opportunity to work with the business community and the Economic Development Foundation.”
North Judson-San Pierre School Board Discusses J.E.S.S.E. Reorganization
The J.E.S.S.E. Cooperative is reorganizing to where all schools in the Cooperative will house their own services and classes for Special Education students. The North Judson-San Pierre School Board discussed that issue during their meeting and Superintendent Lynn Johnson relays that information.
“We are moving more services into our school district then we’ll have a service district comprised of Starke County – Knox, Oregon-Davis and North Judson-San Pierre,” said Mrs. Johnson. “This year is a transitional year and beginning July 1st most of our special education employees will become North Judson-San Pierre employees. Right now this is a transitional year. We are in the process of reorganizing and it’s an ongoing process this year.”
Pulaski County Sheriff’s Department Offers 911 Public Education Classes
The staff at the Pulaski County Sheriff’s Department is offering 911 public education classes to groups who are interested.
911 public education informs children how and when to call 911 and what to do when the 911 operator answers. The classes also teach adults about the questions 911 operators must ask in order to dispatch the appropriate assistance.
Officials can talk to school groups, pre-school groups, church groups or any other group who is interested in gathering as much information as possible on the 911 procedures.
Knox City Police Department Statistics for 2011
The Knox City Police Department had 4,931 calls in 2011.
98 accident reports and 345 incident reports were completed. 39 people were arrested on Public Intoxication charges, 179 people were arrested on 226 traffic charges, 401 people were arrested on 698 criminal charges and 8 people were found to be in violation of ordinances.
CASA Training Scheduled for March 6th
The Starke County Court Appointed Special Advocate program, or CASA, will soon have a training class for volunteers.
Volunteers in the program are appointed by the court to express the wishes of a child in court and advocate the best interest of the child for the duration of their court case. You should have a passion for serving abused or neglected children, have good communication skills and dependable transportation.
Oregon-Davis to Induct Six into Sports Hall of Fame
Six athletes will be inducted into the Oregon-Davis Sports Hall of Fame on Saturday, February 4th.
2001 graduate Tara Kensinger and 1974 graduate Ralph Pearish will be inducted, along with the Howard brothers, Rex, Jim and Jerome, who played sports in the 1950s for the Grovertown Rams. Al Haro, a 1960 graduate from Hamlet High School, will also be inducted.
Funeral for Eric Corey of Knox to be Held Sunday
He hunted from Canada to Africa, and he started an event called Turkey Trax so other hunters (young and old) with physical disabilities like himself could enjoy the sport that he loved– and because of the seriousness of his disease, he made his parents promise that they would carry on the event if and when he passed away.
Eric Corey died on Wednesday afternoon in his home in Washington Township. Because of the number of people he became friends with and inspired, his funeral will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday at the Knox Community Center.
M.C. Smith Funeral Home is in charge of the services.
Week in Review for January 16th-20th, 2012
Here is just some of the news that made the news in the Kankakee Valley this week:
A funeral service for Spc. Robert Tauteris, Jr. was held Sunday at the Braman and Bailey Funeral Home in North Judson. Hundreds of people attended the service, including Governor Mitch Daniels, Congressman Joe Donnelly and State Representative Nancy Dembowski.
The Starke County Commissioners learned that the Bass Lake Campground has year-round residents and they stated that they would like it to stay a campground and not a trailer park. Continue reading
Knox Man Arrested on Battery Charges
A Knox man was arrested Tuesday after allegedly battering his wife and firing a gun at her.
Starke County police received a call from the victim who said that she and James Daniel were arguing and he reportedly shoved her while she was on the phone with her father and she shoved him back. He then allegedly hit her in the face with his fist. He told her to exit the residence and her father came to get her.
LaPorte Woman Charged after Hitting Pedestrian on Park Bench with Car
LaPorte City Police Department officers were called to an accident in the early morning hours Thursday after a woman hit a pedestrian sitting on a bench.
32-year-old Tonya Wollum, of LaPorte County, was driving on Michigan Avenue when she jumped the curb and struck 35-year-old Ameer Henderson who was sitting on a bench outside 615 Michigan Avenue. Wollum then continued north up the sidewalk for about 75 yards until the vehicle came to rest at 605 Michigan Avenue.
Starke County Plan Commission Grants Permit to Julia Ford
The Starke County Plan Commission was informed by Building Inspector Bruce Williams this week that he has granted Julia (Povilaitis) Ford a permit for a structure that is placed at 6690 East 250 North in rural Grovertown.
The original permit that he had granted was eventually revoked by the BZA board because it was issued as a Type One Manufactured Home. Williams acknowledged that the permit issued on January 11th of this year was a Commercial Unit, but said it was to be converted to a Single Family Dwelling.
Linda Belork Files for Starke County Treasurer
A race has developed in the Democrat Primary in Starke County. Current Treasurer, Linda Belork, and Interim Treasurer Kasey Clark have both filed for the May 8th election.
Judy Benninghoff filed this week for a Democrat Council at Large seat and Dan Bridegroom filed for District 3 Commissioner on the Democrat ticket. Continue reading
Starke County Jail Committee Holds Final Informational Meeting
The third in a series of informational meetings on the Starke County Jail was held at Oregon-Davis High School last night.
Those in attendance heard plans for a bill to be heard in the state legislature that would allow the Starke County Council to adopt an ordinance imposing an additional county economic development income tax rate for the purpose of financing, constructing, acquiring, and equipping a county jail and related buildings and parking facilities. Although this method of funding a project has not been agreed upon by the Jail Committee, if passed by the legislature it would be a funding tool to be used exclusively or in tandem with a property tax levy to fund a new jail.
Dorene Matzat Honored at Henry F. Schricker Dinner
Dorene Matzat was honored last night as this year’s Henry F. Schricker Award winner at the annual Starke County Chamber of Commerce dinner at the Bass Lake Property Owners Association building.
After hearing accolades given by several friends and her daughter before the award ceremony itself, those assembled heard the story of a woman who always put “service before self.” Whether it was taking an ill and lonely veteran to the VA for treatment, making a delicious meal for community events, singing in the Community Choir, or making a scared little girl feel comfortable on the first day of classes at the Lutheran School, Dorene was always there.
North Judson-San Pierre School Corporation Working Toward District Accreditation
The North Judson-San Pierre School Corporation is going through the process of District Accreditation. For years, the District has been accredited for each school individually, but this year, Superintendent Lynn Johnson says the corporation has been approved for candidacy for District Accreditation.
Police, Fire Department Commended by North Judson Town Board
The North Judson Town Board commended the officers with the Police Department and the firemen with the North Judson-Wayne Township Fire Department for their coordinated efforts in the events surrounding Spc. Robert Tauteris Jr.’s funeral at the Braman and Bailey Funeral Home in North Judson on Sunday.
Knox Community School Board Receives Facility Study Update
Knox Community School Superintendent, A.J. Gappa, gave the School Board an update on the Elementary School Facility study:
“I told them that we had taken most of the teachers, the certified staff, from the Elementary on a tour of the building. If we decide to proceed with any facility improvements, the staff will be aware of what’s going on and can answer questions on their own because they’ve seen everything,” stated Gappa.
Jerrold Minix Arrested on Active Warrants
Former Starke County resident, 31-year-old Jerrod L. Minix, was arrested on two active arrest warrants on Tuesday.
Police in LaPorte County received information on the whereabouts of Minix and officers from the Michigan City Police Department’s Street Crimes Unit, the LaPorte County Sheriff’s Department, LaPorte City Police Department and the United States Marshals Service set out to arrest Minix. They arrived at 115 Tall Timbers Court in Michigan City and surrounded the residence. Police then conducted a search of the residence after speaking with the female owner of the residence and Minix was found hiding underneath insulation in the attic. Minix was taken into custody without incident and transported to the Michigan City Police Department.
Southern Indiana Music Boosters Group to Hold Fundraiser for Drew Shearin Memorial Scholarship Fund
Drew Shearin’s legacy has lived on through his loved ones and his music during these past few months. The Knox High School student died in a car accident in Starke County in October.
The Silver Creek High School Band Booster program in Sellersburg, Indiana is hosting a benefit concert for the Drew Shearin Memorial Scholarship fund. Coordinator, Hannah Gibson, said the fundraiser includes performances by students participating in the Indiana State School Music Association Solo and Ensemble event.
