City of Knox Receives a $20,000 Planning Grant

Mayor Dennis Estok told Knox City Council members last week that the city is the recipient of a grant worth $20,000.

The city received the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and according to the Office of Community and Rural Affairs, the planning grant is funded with money from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. OCRA says the goal of the program is to encourage communities to plan for long-term community development.

Mayor Estok said that CDBG funds will be spent to cover the cost of services being provided by the Troyer Group, the architecture and planning firm assisting city officials with the construction of the Knox Parks 5-Year Master Plan. Continue reading

Property Owner Brings Request to Section Off a Portion of Franklin Street Before Winamac Town Council

Property owner Jason Potthoff approached Winamac Town Council members last week, seeking permission to section off a portion of Franklin Street that carries onto his property.

Potthoff first stated that the section in question is much more like an alley than a street.. He explained that he currently owns the old Co-Op property at the end of Franklin Street. He told council members that he recently obtained the last building in the area that he didn’t own and clean-up crews have started some work on the structure.

He said now that the entire property is being utilized, safety concerns are what brought him to the council to propose a potential solution. Continue reading

North Judson-San Pierre School Board Scheduled to Meet Tonight

The North Judson-San Pierre School Board members will hold the first reading over board policies when they meet tonight.

Members are also anticipated to act on the approval of tax anticipation warrant bids and a resolution that will authorize Treasurer Guy Richie to pay claims and make transfers. Elementary Principal Julie Berndt and Junior-Senior High School principal Jim Polite will present building reports to the school board members.

Continue reading

Culver Town Council Opens Bids for Equipment, Ambulance

The Culver Town Council members opened bids for surplus equipment at the street department and the ambulance during their meeting last week.

The highest bids were approved which included $2,900 for a 1999 leaf vac machine, $2,500 for the 1964 grader, $150 for the 1993 Patchman trailer, $1,500 for the 2000 Ford F-150, and $1,500 a 2000 Leeboy 300 roller. Utility Superintendent Bob Porter was pleased with the bids as they came in higher than he expected.

Continue reading

Starke County Council, Commissioners to Meet Tonight

The Starke County Council will be reviewing several transfers and budgets during their monthly meeting tonight.

Starke County EMS, IT Director Mark Gourley and Surveyor Bill Crase will discuss transfer requests, and Sheriff Bill Dulin will discuss his budget status and present transfer requests. Starke County Economic Development Foundation Executive Director Charlie Weaver will have his monthly report and initiate discussion on the appropriation of Fund 112.

Continue reading

Pulaski County Commissioners to Consider Changes to Unified Development Ordinance

Pulaski County Commissioners: Mike McClure, Jerry Locke, Kenny Becker

Changes to Pulaski County’s Unified Development Ordinance will be considered by the county commissioners this morning. The updates would provide guidelines for the development of breweries, distilleries, and wineries – things that aren’t addressed in the county’s current ordinance. Similarly, specifications would be put in place for short term-rentals, such as AirBnb.

Continue reading

Winamac Town Council Opens Bids for Cemetery Mowing Contract

Winamac town council members opened mowing bids for the town cemetery when they met last Monday.

Council President Tom Murray opened two bids for the mowing contracts. The first came from Councilman Dan Vanaman for $1,950. President Murray mentioned that an insurance certificate came with the bid and that it indicated that the price for mow and trim for each time.

The second bid came Compton Lawn Care for $2,875 per mowing. President Murray said he believed they couldn’t meet the terms of the bid since it indicated that payment terms due five business days after invoice and the invoice would be submitted immediately after the mowing job. Continue reading

Mayor Estok Announces Plans to Purchase More LED Lights for the City of Knox

You may have noticed a bit of a change in downtown Knox. Other than the Christmas decorations brightening things up a bit, 10 new LED bulbs are now lining Main Street.

Last Tuesday, Mayor Estok explained that the new lights that were able to be installed without any additional steps. Previously, there was a concern that the existing ballasts would need to be bypassed, but after communicating with the company, it was found that they could be installed as is. Continue reading

North Judson Town Council Meets Tonight at 6:30 p.m.

North Judson Town Council members will hold a discussion over railroad committee bylaws when they meet tonight.

Additionally, members will appoint a member to the Public Library Board and consider a resolution to transfer funds.

Department heads will also provide reports to the council members. Town Marshal Kelly Fisher will deliver an update about the fundraisers that have been put in place since she presented a proposal about bringing on a dual-purpose K9 to the North Judson Police Department at the last town council meeting Continue reading

New Winamac Police Department On Main Street is Open to the Public

During their Monday night meeting, Winamac Town Council members were notified that renovations to the new Police Station are nearing completion.

Employees from the water, sewage, street and electric departments have assisted with the project for the last several months. Town Manager Brad Zellers previously stated that approximately $70,000 was saved just by utilizing town employees for certain aspects of the project. Continue reading

Culver-Union Township Fire Department to Upgrade Lighting

New lighting will be installed at the Culver-Union Township Fire Department.

Fire Chief Terry Wakefield told Culver Town Council members this week that he’s been working for a long time to update the lighting to include LED lights. He said the cost for the 51 lights needed for the project is $7,896.30. NIPSCO will review the work and reimburse the town $80 per light. He said it works with the lighting package they have through NIPSCO.

Continue reading