Many of the 3700 rural post offices targeted for closure last year might get a reprieve. The United States Postal Service has come up with a new plan that could keep rural post offices open throughout the country.

The plan now is for the post offices to stay open with reduced hours. A post office typically open for eight hours a day could be reduced to only six, four, or even two hours a day. This announcement comes after a public outcry that overwhelmingly insisted the rural offices stay open. Some areas that are reduced to four- or two-hour days may still be considered village post offices where postal services are set up inside another business.

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Dr. Robert Klitzman

The Eastern Pulaski School Board members approved a Memorandum of Understanding with the Eastern Pulaski Teacher’s Association during their meeting Monday night. Superintendent Dr. Robert Klitzman says the agreement would affect new employees coming to the corporation.

“We would not pay more than five years at the Master’s level,” explained Klitzman. “As I told the Board, this would have an impact and give people a choice. I think it would greatly expand our pool of candidates because teachers know full well that once they reach a certain portion on a salary schedule, it’s going to be harder for them to change jobs just because of that price tag. If the teacher has a job someplace else, and this would be my assumption, and they say, ‘You know what? I’d rather be at Eastern Pulaski Schools because it’s closer or because I want a change in assignment and I’m willing to take less money to do that.’ Then, it’s a win-win situation. If they’re not, then they stay in the job they have.”

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Winamac Town Hall

The members of the Winamac Town Board heard a report from Police Chief Mike Buchanan Monday night that they are working on a few burglary calls within the town limits. The Police Department is working with the Indiana State Police Crime Lab officers in gathering evidence in the cases.

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The Knox and Oregon-Davis Schools have announced that they will be participating in the USDA Summer Food Program, and now Culver Community Schools will also offer free breakfast and lunch to any child age 18 and younger.

This is the third year that the school will be offering this program and six sites will be offering free food. For a list of the locations, click here. Culver High School will be offering breakfast from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. ET from June 4 through the 29 and from July 9 to July 16 on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Breakfast and lunch will be served at the Culver Elementary School from June 4 to August 10. Breakfast is from 7:45-8:30 a.m. and lunch is from noon to 12:30 p.m. ET.

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Nominations are being accepted for the 2012 Golden Hoosier Award. The award was established by Indiana Lt. Governor Becky Skillman in collaboration and partnership with the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration to acknowledge and recognize outstanding seniors for their lifetime of service to their communities.

The highest honor bestowed upon a senior in Indiana, the ideal Golden Hoosier is considered an “unsung hero,” who has not received previous recognition for the impact they have made in the lives of others and their community.

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With Pomp and Circumstance heard as the Francesville graduating class of 1935 climbed the stairs to the school’s stage, few in the audience could have imagined that one of the pupils would go on to be the governor of Indiana, and a President Ronald Reagan cabinet member. On this date in 1935, the man who went on to answer to the nickname “Doc” graduated from Francesville High School.
Otis R. “Doc” Bowen served two terms as governor, from 1972 to 1980, making him the first man to serve two consecutive terms since 1851.

He was the Secretary of Health and Human Services under President Ronald Reagan from 1985-1989.

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IU Health Starke Hospital

The public hearing regarding the possibility of selling IU Health Starke Hospital to IU Health La Porte was held yesterday evening, and a number of questions were answered regarding the sale. Several concerned citizens, including some hospital board members, were present at the meeting with questions.

The county officials discussed a possible amendment of the county ordinance restricting the use of the proceeds from the lease of Starke Memorial Hospital dated October 1, 1996. The amendment would authorize the use of up to $50,000 in Save the Hospital Funds to be used to hire a consultant to evaluate the hospital’s real and personal property.

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A Knox man was arrested Friday after an alleged battery incident.

When police arrived on scene, a woman came running out of the house stating that Wesley Swindle had a gun and her child was inside the house. When additional officers arrived on scene, the woman went inside to get her son and police asked Swindle to come out of the residence. The boy came out of the residence and Swindle followed. He was taken into custody.

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A juvenile was questioned after a vandalism incident in the Francesville area.

On May 7, Pulaski County deputies were contacted about graffiti on several businesses in Francesville. The word “DOSOS” was written on several buildings in the area and deputies spoke to several business owners and citizens regarding the vandalism.

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The North Judson Town Council last week discussed the possibility of putting up signage prohibiting smoking near shelters in the town park. Clerk-Treasurer Donna Henry says that matter was tabled because, as of July 1, House Bill 1149 would take effect– a bill preventing smoking in many public areas. The council will investigate whether or not parks are included in that bill.

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The Food Bank of Northern Indiana has released the Mobile Pantry on the road and one of its stops will be at the First Pentecostal Church of Knox.

Fresh perishable items and dry goods will be distributed for free on Thursday, May 24 from 10 a.m. to noon CT. You can get produce, grains, dairy and meat for free on a first-come, first-served basis. You will need to bring bags or boxes to carry items home.

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Yellow River Festival Committee members

The Yellow River Festival in Plymouth is scheduled for Saturday, June 2 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET in the River Park Square on LaPorte Street.

This festival celebrates the first 30 years of Marshall County from 1834 to 1864, as well as the significance of the Yellow River in the community. Johnny Appleseed will be present during the festival, as well as more re-enacters who dress in 1800s-style clothing and will explain artifacts. Non-profit food vendors will prepare treats during the event and many will be prepared over an open fire.

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If you hear gunfire near Wythogan Park in Knox on June 9 and 10, don’t be alarmed– it’s merely World War Two happening all over again.

A WWII reenactment is being hosted by the US 1st Infantry Division, known as the “Big Red One,” a part of the World War Two Historical Re-Enactment Society. The sounds of battle will be heard coming from Wythogan Park, where the re-enactors will try to offer visitors a feel of what this exciting period of history must have been like. The re-enactors are collectors and serious students of history, representing several different nationalities who will try to dress, equip, and conduct themselves in proper 1944 manner.

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IU Health Starke Hospital

Starke County Council President Dave Pearman encourages the public to attend the public hearing of the County Council and Commissioners on Monday, May 14, at the Starke County Annex Building.

The county officials will discuss the possible amendment of the county ordinance restricting the use of the proceeds from the lease of Starke Memorial Hospital dated October 1st, 1996. The amendment would authorize the use of up to $50,000 in Save the Hospital Funds to be used to hire a consultant to evaluate the hospital’s real and personal property. Starke County Council President, Dave Pearman, said you are encouraged to attend this public hearing to ask questions and voice concerns.

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