A lack of action on concrete repairs at the Bass Lake Beach is drawing concerns from some Starke County Park Board members. Back in August, board members asked the operator of the facility, Callahan Development, LLC, to repair the seawall surrounding the beach house patio and install glacial stone to help protect it from incoming waves.
Pulaski County Board of Finance Wants to Work with Financial Advisor to Boost Investment Returns
Pulaski County may be looking to adjust its investment strategy. During the annual board of finance meeting this month, Treasurer Teresa Bryant reported that the county’s investments did well in 2017. “Our interest has really been coming up on our CDs, which we are still currently doing the $4,250,000 in CDs,” she explained. “We made a little over $31,102.50 on interest for those CDs. And then our checking account is actually doing really well as far as interest, a lot better than it has in the past. We earned $145,262.20.”
Knox Street Department Uses 70 Ton of Road Salt
The Knox Street Department has gone through a lot of its salt supply to help clear roads this winter.
According Street Superintendent Jeff Borg, the city has experienced 12 snow events that have amounted to 26 inches of snow. That statistic is from Dec. 9, 2017 to today. As a result, 70 tons of the 100 tons of road salt was used to help clear roads as contracted from the State of Indiana cooperative. The city can purchase up to 120 tons as part of the agreement.
Senior Petroleum Analyst Expects High Gas Prices to Continue in 2018
For the last 10 weeks, the United States has consecutively seen a steady decline in crude oil inventories, according to Gasbuddy.com Senior Petroleum Analyst Dan McTeague.
In January of 2017, the cost of a barrel of oil was around $52. McTeague shared that right now, we’re seeing prices closer to $66. That is a $14 difference and he said it may increase as the year goes on with high demand at the national and international level, increased exports and stalled production continuing to impact costs. Continue reading
Culver Emergency Services Working to Fill Open Positions
The Culver EMS, Fire Department and Police Departments are still looking to fill positions.
Culver Police Chief Wayne Bean told the Culver Town Council last week that he received five applications for an open officer position. He will be reviewing those with a recommendation soon.
NJ Town Council to Hold Special Meeting to Consider K9 Vehicle Purchase Tonight
A special meeting to consider the purchase of a K9 vehicle will be held by the North Judson Town Council tonight at 6:30 p.m.
Town Marshal Kelly Fisher initially proposed the purchase when town council members met on Monday, January 15th.Fisher explained that the department has $10,000 worth of funds available that was initially intended to buy a mode of transportation for the town’s code enforcement officer.
However, rather than purchasing a new vehicle for that purpose, she suggested handing down Officer Rico Simpson’s current car so they can utilize the money for something that could be equipped with the K9 travel kennel. Continue reading
Next Public Hearing Over Knox Parks 5-Year Master Plan to be Held in February
Last week, Mayor Dennis Estok established a date and time to hold the next public hearing over the Knox Parks 5-year Master Plan.
Estok explained that this second hearing will be held in order to go over the draft master plan that was submitted to the DNR earlier this month. The results of the online survey, which garnered more than 250 responses, will also be covered. Continue reading
Damage to Wythogan Fence Included in Park Superintendent’s Report
Knox Park Superintendent George Byer informed Park Board members about damage caused to about 40-feet of a fence in Wythogan Park.
During his report Thursday night, Byer explained that a few weeks ago, the fence around baseball diamond three sustained damage from an automobile.
“We had a hit-and-run about two weeks ago, during the last snow storm.” He said, “I happened to be there around 11 and everything was fine but I made another pass through around 12:30 and the damage was done.” Continue reading
Knox HS Counselor Receives $12,000 Creativity Fellowship to Hep Recreate College Study-Abroad Trip
Knox Community High School Counselor Terri Schmidt will soon be embarking on a journey with her college classmate thanks to the 2018 Teacher Creativity Fellowship Program.
Director of Curriculum Peggy Shidaker shared that Schmidt, who has 21 years of experience at KHS, was one of 100 educators in the state to receive a $12,000 grant awarded by the Lilly Endowment.
Her program proposal “You Can Go Back” suggested a reunion trip to revisit places that she and her classmate once toured during a six-month study-abroad at the London Campus of Lawrence University. Just in time as they were planning to check out the best mba colleges in UK. Continue reading
Whereabouts of Missing Knox Woman Remain Unknown
Detectives and officers with the Knox City Police Department are still investigating the disappearance of 37-year-old Barbara McCurdy, of Knox.
Barb McCurdy was reportedly last seen Sunday, January 14th wearing a pink Carhartt-style jacket and blue jeans. Police believe she was driving a black 2006 Chevy Cobalt with an Indiana license plate number of CK3142.
Knox Police Chief Harold Smith she’s been missing for about two weeks and, as far as they know, no family or friends have had any contact with her. He reported that during their investigation, the Knox Police Department has been coordinating with the Pulaski County Sheriff’s Department as well as the Indiana State Police. Continue reading
Knox BOW Members Receive Update on Unsafe Structure
Another unsafe structure the Knox Board of Public Works would like to see progress on is at 6 N. Pearl Street.
The owner, Lucia Valladares, has gotten some work done, but the renovation effort has stalled. Knox Planning Administrator and Director of Building and Code Compliance Kenny Pfost told the board members Wednesday morning that she has a family member in California suffering from medical issues and she has been there. A lot of her funds are now going to help her family member. She will be able to do what she can.
Starke County Park Board Member Pushing for More Winter Recreation Activities at County Forest
The Starke County Forest may soon offer more winter recreation activities. That’s the hope of Starke County Park Board member Chris Lawrence.
Shidler-Dickey Appointed to Pulaski County Plan Commission, BZA
The Pulaski County Commissioners filled some remaining vacancies on a few boards and commissions, during last week’s meeting.
Culver Town Council Reorganizes, Appoints Members to Commissions
The Culver Town Council reorganized for the year when they met Tuesday night. They were unable to do this action during their first meeting of the year as President Ginny Bess Munroe was unable to attend that meeting.
Munroe was elected to serve another year as the council president and the council members voted to retain Sally Ricciardi as the vice president.
Mayor Provides Blight Elimination Update at Knox City Council Meeting
Knox Mayor Dennis Estok provided a brief update about the Blight Elimination Program when Knox City Council members met Tuesday night.
He stated that bids for work on the structure at 202 N Pearl Street will be opened during a special Board of Works meeting on February 5th at 9 a.m. Mayor Estok commented on the process of arranging to have the house taken down and stated that it went much quicker than past projects. Continue reading
Knox Park Board Members Vote to Continue Movies in the Park this Summer
This week, Knox Park Board members voted to continue holding Movies in the Park this summer.
When members met Thursday evening, Park Board President Autumn Ferch stated that they pay a licensing fee per movie. It was mentioned last year that the children’s movies were far more popular than those that were targeted toward adults. Continue reading
Indiana Department of Education Launches Teacher Recruitment Websites
Those thinking about becoming a teacher are now getting some extra encouragement from the Indiana Department of Education. This week, the department announced the launch of a teacher recruitment and retention campaign. At the heart of that are two new websites designed “to promote positive educational resources and leasing personnel,” according to department officials.
Starke County Election Board Approves Resolution for Oregon-Davis Referendum
The Oregon-Davis school referendum is moving ahead. The Starke County Election Board passed a resolution Wednesday allowing the question to be placed on the ballot, according to County Clerk Vicki Cooley. Continue reading
Industrial Development Opportunities Discussed with Hamlet Town Council
Work continues to bring new industries to the Hamlet area. During the Starke County Economic Development Foundation’s monthly report to the Hamlet Town Council Wednesday, Interim Executive Director Larry Wickert said it’s usually hard to find projects for which Starke County’s sites would be suitable.
Umbaugh Rep Presents Knox City Council with Financial Option for Fire Truck Purchase
At Tuesday night’s Knox City Council meeting, members heard a presentation about obtaining a bond to purchase a new fire truck. Fire Chief Kenny Pfost told council members that the vehicle they’re looking to replace is a pumper truck that is nearly 30 years old.
John Julien from Umbaugh provided the presentation and stated that the projected cost of the truck is approximately $600,000 and Umbaugh’s service charge would come in at about $50,000. Continue reading
