Knox Sidewalk Replacement Program Application Deadline April 16

 
 
The application deadline is just over a month away as the city of Knox gears up for their 50/50 sidewalk replacement program. Apply before Wednesday, April 16 for the program that offers a chance for residents to have their sidewalks repaired at half the cost. Any residents suffering from some problematic areas on their sidewalks would benefit from this program, and Mayor Rick Chambers is accepting replacement requests now from homeowners and business owners.

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City of Knox Accepting 50/50 Sidewalk Replacement Applications

 
 
The city of Knox is gearing up for their 50/50 sidewalk replacement program, offering residents a chance to have their sidewalks repaired at half the cost. Any residents suffering from some problematic areas on their sidewalks would benefit from this program, and Mayor Rick Chambers is accepting replacement requests now from homeowners and business owners. The application deadline is Wednesday, April 16.

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Families and Addiction Seminar Planned for Starke County Residents

  
 
Several community groups are teaming up to sponsor a family education and support program on a significant, but often taboo, topic in Starke County. IU Health Starke Hospital, Mayor Rick Chambers and the city of Knox, Moving Starke County Forward, the Starke County Community Corrections Advisory Board and Porter Starke Services present four Families and Addiction programs. They will take place each Tuesday in February from 6 until 7:30 p.m. CST at the Nancy J. Dembowski Community Center. Porter Starke Substance Abuse and Addiction Counselor Todd Willis says they wanted to present information in a non-threatening, educational setting.

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Volunteers Needed to Serve on City Committees

Knox Mayor Rick Chambers
Knox Mayor Rick Chambers
Knox Mayor Rick Chambers is looking for volunteers to help with several committees.

Volunteers are needed to help with the Knox Harvest Festival and the Knox Fireworks Committees. The city is looking to bring back the Harvest Festival after a one-year hiatus and needs dedicated people to help make the festival as successful as it has been the past several years.

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Workers’ Compensation Benefits Raised, But That Doesn’t Help Knox Fireman

Knox City Council
Knox City Council

A volunteer fireman for the city of Knox who was injured on the job is still out of luck regarding his workers’ compensation. Wayne Noah was injured while investigating a fire when a change in pressure forced him off of the house floor and onto the ground, twisting an ankle and preventing him from working his full-time job. The fireman is employed at a factory and was unable to work due to his injury.

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Knox City Council to Meet Tonight

Knox City Council
Knox City Council

The Knox City Council will meet for their regularly scheduled meeting this evening at the Knox City Hall to discuss a number of agenda items, including further discussion of the insurance compensation for an injured volunteer fireman.

The fireman, Wayne Noah, was injured while investigating a fire when a change in pressure forced him off of the house floor and onto the ground, twisting an ankle and preventing him from working his full-time job. The fireman is employed at a factory and has since been unable to work due to his injury. The problem is, the city’s insurance will only pay $300 a week to reimburse him for employment benefits, but Chambers said the employee makes significantly more than that at his full-time job, where he has been unable to work for several weeks.

The council will also elect their president for 2014 and appoint department heads, as well as discuss a fire contract for Center and Jackson townships.

Dispose of Christmas Trees During Brush Pick-Up Days in Knox

 
 
The holidays have come and gone and the city of Knox has announced they will soon be picking up Christmas trees on their regular “brush pick-up day.” The mayor’s office this week released a reminder that the city will pick-up disposed trees on Thursdays beginning Jan. 2.

Anyone who wishes to dispose of their natural Christmas tree may do so by putting it at the curb where they would normally put any brush in the summer months. Please be sure all ornaments and tinsel are removed.

You can also dispose of your tree in the city’s compost drop-off pile located behind City Hall. The garbage contractors will not pick up disposed natural Christmas trees.

Knox Council Discusses Ideas for Park

Wythogan Park
Wythogan Park

The Knox City Council this week discussed a number of options to bring more money into the park department. Ray Stephenson with the park board told the council that they are considering charging a fee for children to use the fields for practices or games, and said a $5 charge per child would go a long way in funding some of the park’s maintenance.

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Knox City Council Discusses Medic Calls for Fire Dept.

Knox City Council
Knox City Council

The Knox City Council this week learned an unexpected statistic from Knox-Center Township Fire Chief Kenny Pfost, who explained that one-third of his department’s calls are for medical purposes. While that is not necessarily a bad thing, it is inconvenient for the fire department because they receive no reimbursement for medical calls, but must pay $10 to each firefighter that responds to the call.

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Knox Council to Discuss Possible Increase in Insurance Coverage Tomorrow

With the approval of the city council, Mayor Rick Chambers signed the proclamation, declaring 2013 a "Year of Health" for Knox.
With the approval of the city council, Mayor Rick Chambers signed the proclamation, declaring 2013 a “Year of Health” for Knox.
The Knox City Council is expected to continue discussion regarding insurance benefits for an injured fireman after tabling the discussion at their previous meeting. Mayor Rick Chambers asked Fire Chief Kenny Pfost to figure out the average pay received by firefighters to allow the council to decide whether to increase the insurance benefits to $600, $800, or $1000 weekly at an additional expense.

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Knox Council Considering Increasing Insurance Coverage

Knox City Council
Knox City Council

The Knox City Council this week heard an update from Clerk-Treasurer Jeff Houston and Mayor Rick Chambers regarding insurance benefits for an injured fireman. Chambers said the fireman, Wayne Noah, was injured while investigating a fire when a change in pressure forced him off of the house floor and onto the ground, twisting an ankle and preventing him from working his full-time job.

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Knox City Council to Meet Tonight

Knox City Council
Knox City Council

The Knox City Council meets today for a regular meeting at 7 p.m. at Knox City Hall with a light agenda that includes only one item for discussion: insurance benefits for a fireman who was injured on the job. Mayor Rick Chambers said the fireman was injured while investigating a fire when he tripped and fell over some debris, twisting an ankle and preventing him from working his full-time job.

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Knox City Council Discusses Equipment Purchase

Knox City Council
Knox City Council

The Knox City Council received information on the possible purchase of a machine to help better clear the snow from the downtown area.

Mayor Rick Chambers explained to the council that it would be easier if a little John Deere tractor with a cab and heater be used to clear the snow on the sidewalks downtown. Chambers said the Knox Community School Corporation utilizes similar equipment and it works efficiently.

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City of Knox to Refund $200 BZA Fee

Knox City Council
Knox City Council

The city of Knox will be refunded a $200 fee from the Board of Zoning Appeals for Gary Dulin after the city council this week approved the refund due to a city ordinance that had been overlooked before the fee was charged. Mayor Rick Chambers told the council that Plan Commissioner Bruce Williams had been working with Dulin on Water Street regarding a request from Dulin to keep horses on his land, and charged a $200 BZA fee in order for the matter to be reviewed.

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