The Knox Board of Public Works will meet today where they will receive updates on renovation efforts at 6 N. Pearl Street and 1 and 3 N. Main Street. The owners of the properties have certain timelines to meet so fines aren’t imposed. The structures have been deemed unsafe and need rehabilitation.
Knox Park Board Approves Dates for Movies in the Park
Knox Park Board members considered setting the dates for the Movies in the Park events that they’re planning to bring back this summer.
Park Board President Autumn Ferch explained that in order to start coordinating with the movie provider about what films would be available, she needed to have a set schedule of dates. Continue reading
Starke, Pulaski, Marshall Counties Included in Governor’s Disaster Emergency Declaration
Pulaski County was added to the state’s disaster emergency declaration Tuesday, in response to recent flooding. So far, Governor Eric Holcomb has declared a disaster emergency in 22 Indiana counties, including Starke, Marshall, St. Joseph, Fulton, and Jasper, as well as Pulaski.
Emergency Management Officials Coordinate Response Efforts For Residents Affected by the Floods
As the flood waters start receding, emergency management officials are beginning to plan out ways to assist those most severely impacted by the recent floods.
The Salvation Army recently delivered a few clean-up kits to emergency management officials in both Starke and Pulaski County. Starke County EMA Director J. Nier and Pulaski County EMA Director Sheri Gaillard said they will be handing those out to the citizens who need them in the near future.
They also said they’ll be conducting more thorough damage assessments once the water recedes more. However, residents are still reminded to fill out damage assessment reports through the Indiana Department of Homeland Security to assist with relief efforts. Only uninsured property damage should be reported. Continue reading
Starke County Surveyor Warns Residents to Be Aware of Scams
Starke County Surveyor Bill Crase is warning residents to be aware of potential scammers looking to take advantage of people during flood recovery.
Last Friday, the surveyor’s office received a call from an individual reporting that two men in a U-Haul truck drove up to his residence and told him they were from the county surveyor’s office.
They reportedly said they were replacing a culvert nearby and told the resident he needed to write them a check since it was on his property. Continue reading
Eastern Pulaski School Board Awards Paving Project Bid
Knox School Board Donates Unused Woodworking Equipment to Oregon-Davis
Pulaski County Commissioners Open Lawn Care and Snow Removal Bids
Pulaski County officials continue to consider whether to hire an outside company to mow the lawn and remove snow at various county properties. The idea was raised several months ago, as a cheaper alternative to upgrading the county’s equipment. Last week, the county commissioners opened bids from six companies interested in the lawn care work, but few of them submitted a price for snow removal.
Medaryville Council Approves Engineering Contract for Upcoming Community Crossings Project
The Town of Medaryville is getting ready for its summer street paving project. Last week, the town council approved a contract with McMahon Associates for engineering work, according to Clerk-Treasurer Judy Harwood. She says the project will include the reconstruction of Main Street and a couple other roads in town.
One Seat was Filled and Another Opened Up at Last Night’s Knox Park Board Meeting
During Monday night’s Knox Park Board meeting, it was announced that Mayor Dennis Estok has appointed Glenn Barnes to fill Dave Comb’s seat.
Barnes is the Principal of Knox Elementary School. His perspective as someone who has hands-on, daily experience with the youth of our community will be a helpful addition to the board. Continue reading
Starke County Park Board to Discuss Bass Lake Beach Grant
Potential upgrades to the Bass Lake Beach will be discussed during tonight’s Starke County Park Board meeting. According to the advance agenda, board members will discuss a grant received for the beach project. The park board has been working on plans to restore the sand, and install glacial stone to prevent future erosion, as well as damage to the seawall.
Knox City Council to Consider ADA Coordinator and Procedures Ordinance Tonight
Knox City Council members are scheduled to discuss an ordinance pertaining to an ADA coordinator and procedures when they meet tonight.
Reports will be delivered from Mayor Dennis Estok and Clerk-Treasurer Jeff Houston and council members can comment on any additional business they deem necessary. Continue reading
Culver Town Council to Meet Tonight
The Culver Town Council will consider awarding a bid for the proposed Damore Amphitheater when they meet tonight. The council members opened four bids for the amphitheater during their last meeting where the lowest base bid was $131,450 and the highest base bid was $189,355.
Judge Rejects Jason Cooke’s Second Plea Agreement
Another plea agreement from Jason Cooke has been rejected in Starke Circuit Court. He’s charged with the October 2015 robbery of Sescoe Wireman. Cooke is accused of hitting Wireman in the head, and taking money, prescription medication, an Indiana ID card, and multiple credit cards from him. Wireman died a few days later, but a murder count against Cooke was dropped last February.
Residents Urged to Disinfect Flood-Impacted Wells
State Senator and Representative Meet with County Officials About Flooding
On Sunday afternoon, Starke County officials met with State Representative Jim Pressel (District 20) and State Senator Mike Bohacek (District 8) to discuss the recent devastation caused by flooding and what steps to take next.
Local officials who were present included Starke County EMA Director J. Nier, Surveyor Bill Crase and Highway Superintendent Rik Ritzler as well as Engineer Lee Nagai and County Commissioners Kathy Norem, Donnie Binkley and Charles Chesak. Continue reading
Starke County Budget Approved
Starke County Auditor Kay Chaffins recently received the budget order for 2018. Starke County was the 82nd county out of the 92 counties in the state to receive this year’s budget.
Chaffins stated last week that that there were no cuts expected in this year’s budget.
Pulaski County Commissioners Approve Updated EMS Policies, at Request of Billing Company
Pulaski County Emergency Medical Services continues to see success with an outside billing company, according to EMS Director Bryan Corn. “Last month, they deposited $31,509.50, and that’s still them kind of working on some of our older reports,” he told the county commissioners last week. They haven’t even kind of hit a lot of our new stuff yet.”
Knox School Board Approves Resolutions to Finance Facility Improvements
Medaryville Council Considers Water Tower Options
The Medaryville Town Council continues planning for a new water tower. Last week, representatives from Commonwealth Engineers reviewed the different types of water towers with council members, and made some recommendations for replacing the town’s current one, according to Clerk-Treasurer Judy Harwood.