Hamlet Town Council President Dave Kesvormas hopes a Stellar Community designation for Starke County could help make the town more welcoming of future development. During last week’s council meeting, Kesvormas said he’s not 100-percent sold on the Stellar Communities Program, but he thinks it would help put certain things in a more favorable light.
Winamac Town Council Considers New Insurance Agency
Winamac Town Council members considered a change to the town’s insurance agent when members met in a special meeting Monday night.
The town’s current provider is Budd Insurance Agency. They offer the town liability and property insurance for $57,291 and workers’ compensation for $16,271 for a total charge of $73,562. The town received a counteroffer from ONI Risk Partners. Representative Alex Dickman noted that they could broaden the services for the town while simultaneously providing them at a lower cost. Continue reading
Chip Seal Work Planned on State Road 119 in Pulaski County
State Road 119 in Pulaski County between U.S. 35 and State Road 16 will be closed Tuesday for a chip seal project.
Tree Stump Removal Discussed by North Judson Town Superintendent
North Judson Town Superintendent Marshall Horstmann provided Town Council members with a few different quotes for stump removal when members met last week.
Horstmann said that Practical Tree Service offered to remove all four tree stumps by Highland Cemetery for $1100. He added that the company C&J provided a quote $200 a piece for the three smaller stumps. A representative for that company said they would be unable to do the largest stump at the corner of Central Avenue since their machinery would not be able to access it. Continue reading
Knox City Council to Hold Work Session Over Budget Prior to Regular Meeting
Knox City Council members will hold a work study session to discuss the 2019 Budget before their regularly scheduled meeting tonight.
The work session will start at 6:15 p.m. At their last meeting, members decided to hold this session in order to get more familiar with all the details surrounding the proposed budget prior to the public hearing over it which is scheduled for Tuesday, September 11th.
The council’s regular meeting will start at 7 p.m. Continue reading
Culver Town Council to Meet Tonight
The Culver Town Council members will meet tonight.
Moving Starke County Forward Recognizes Progress of Walking Challenge Participants with Drawing for Prize
To recognize all the progress that participants have made in the Moving Starke County Forward “Moon Walkers” initiative so far this year, a drawing for a Fitbit was recently held.
North Judson resident Peggy Bohac was randomly selected and MSCF representatives were pleased to award her with the prize. Another prize will be presented at the end of October when the campaign wraps up for the year. Continue reading
Person of Interest in Medaryville House Fire Detained in Louisiana
A person of interest in a fatal fire incident in Medaryville on Monday, Aug. 13 is being questioned in Louisiana.
Pulaski County Commissioners Hire Consultant to Seek Fuel Tax Reimbursements
The Pulaski County Commissioners have decided to check and see if the county is eligible for fuel tax reimbursements. Last week, the commissioners conditionally agreed to hire consulting firm Malcon to help with the process.
Starke County Commissioners Consider Additional EMS Staff
The Starke County Commissioners discussed the addition of EMS staff last week.
The Next Stellar Step for North Judson is to Create a Comprehensive Plan
Coordination between North Judson officials and representatives at the Kankakee Iroquois Regional Planning Committee (KIRPC) is happening as the town prepares to have a comprehensive plan created.
When North Judson town council members met on Monday, Clerk-Treasurer Andrew Rowe shared a bit about the recent meeting held at Starke County Economic Development Foundation offices about local Regional Stellar efforts.
He said the next step for North Judson is to start putting together a comprehensive plan. Continue reading
North Judson-San Pierre Receives Metal Detectors, Policy Development and Staff Training to Follow
Back in July, Governor Eric Holcomb announced that handheld metal detectors would be provided to public, private and charter schools at no cost as one element of the state’s comprehensive approach to bolster school safety efforts. North Judson-San Pierre was one of more nearly 370 Hoosier schools that requested metal detectors, based on a metal detectors UK report.
At last Tuesday’s NJSP school board meeting, Superintendent Dr. Annette Zupin reported they recently received the four detectors that were requested. She said now that they have these devices, a few more steps will have to happen before they can be utilized. Continue reading
Hamlet’s Proposed Railroad Street Project Drawing Interest from Contractors
The Town of Hamlet’s plan to upgrade Railroad Street is starting to draw interest from paving contractors. Engineer Lee Nagai told the town council last week that four companies have expressed interest.
“Three of them have come and looked at it,” he said. “I sent plans and sent the specs and bid documents to a fourth. They have not called me yet to come visit the site, but I have a feeling they might be working with somebody else. So I think we’ll get at least three bids. I’m guardedly optimistic that this is going to draw some attention.” Bids will be opened during a special town council meeting on Friday, September 7 at 4:00 p.m.
Among other things, the project would restore Railroad Street back to an appropriate width. Some pieces of sidewalk may also be replaced, but Nagai says some trees would have to be removed in order for that to happen. Town officials plan to get input from homeowners before deciding how to proceed.
The Town of Hamlet plans to apply for a Community Crossings grant to help fund the proposed Railroad Street improvements.
Ongoing Code Violations at Ostrander Court Residence Addressed by Knox Board of Works
Knox Board of Works members held a public hearing on Wednesday morning to go over a handful of rental properties that have been a topic of discussion for months.
Building Administrator Kenny Pfost has issued several orders against Melvin Zeiters for properties with code violations, starting back in March. He also informed members in the past that none of the properties have been registered for 2018.
The property owner was present at the hearing. When addressed about the registration and inspection fees not being turned in for the year, Zeiters told the members that he did fill out and mail in the paperwork and it must have been lost somehow. Continue reading
Redskin Academy Up and Running
Pulaski County Election Board to Discuss Early Voting, General Election
Plans for November’s General Election will be discussed when the Pulaski County Election Board meets tonight. Clerk Christi Hoffa says board members will work on plans for early voting, as well as the election itself.
Culver FFA Students Give School Board a Preview of Fall Activities
Winamac Town Council to Hold Public Hearing Over Additional Appropriations
A public hearing over additional appropriations will by held the Winamac Town Council tonight. Continue reading
Death in Rural Medaryville House Fire Ruled a Homicide
Pulaski County Chief Deputy Coroner Jon Frain has ruled the death of a person in last week’s fatal house fire in rural Medaryville as a homicide.
School Board Candidates File for General Election
Friday was the deadline to file for those seeking an open school board seat in the local Clerk’s Office to be included on the November General Election ballot.
