Clean-Up Continues In Wythogan Park

Posted on Author WKVI
This is just an example of the devastation at Wythogan Park.

Knox Park Board President Kurt Snearly says Wythogan Park is still closed to the general public, but loggers and tree service professionals will soon be hired to help clean up the hundreds of trees, branches and limbs that littered the park after a huge storm rolled through Knox on July 24.

Snearly says the park employees are doing their best to clean up as much as possible and progress has been made. Loose branches are still hanging from atop many mangled trees and until those are taken care of, the park will remain closed.

Knox Mayor Rick Chambers is working on getting quotes for clean-up and removal of debris.

Knox Business Looking to Mount Antenna On Water Tower

Posted on Author WKVI
NITLine's tower was bent nearly to the ground from the force of the storm.

A Knox business has hit a bit of a setback in the wake of the July 24 storms. NITLine CEO Jerry Shepherd approached the city council this week seeking “immediate approval” to establish a wireless internet tower on the city’s water tower. He said this is an emergency case because his tower near the NITLine building on Main Street had been critically damaged in the storms, and he needs to get his internet service up and running as soon as possible for his customers.

Shepherd requested approval to mount an antenna on the East Street water tower because of its central location. Several antennas have already been mounted on the water tower, including the Knox Community Schools communication equipment and a number of antennas for DC Technologies. Shepherd said his antenna would have no conflicts with the current equipment, and he says the liability would be covered.

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Knox Skate Park Committee To Be Established

Posted on Author WKVI
Knox City Council

Knox Mayor Rick Chambers announced this week that he and Chris McLaughlin of Werks BMX in Knox will be forming a committee to discuss ideas for improving the skate park – this after McLaughlin informed the city council that they need to find a way to raise funds to maintain the skate park.

Chambers said that the skate park had only been designed with a five-to-eight year life expectancy before it would need some heavy maintenance, and that deadline is quickly approaching. It was pointed out that there are grants available that the city can look into to have the skate park redone, but the price of such a project is pretty steep.

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Knox Fireworks Ordinance Prevents Fireworks Before 5 P.M.

Posted on Author WKVI

A fireworks ordinance is in effect in the City of Knox.

According to the ordinance, fireworks may only be discharged between 5 p.m. and two hours after sunset from June 29 to July 3, and July 5 through July 9. On the Fourth of July, you may ignite fireworks between the hours of 10 a.m. and midnight. This includes all consumer fireworks with the exception of sparklers, cone fountains, ground spinners, snakes or glow worms, and smoke devices. Anyone in violation of the ordinance shall be subject to a $100 fine for the first offense, $250 for the second offense, and $500 for a third offense and every subsequent offense.

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Random Act of Kindness Event Postponed Until September

Posted on Author WKVI
Knox Mayor Rick Chambers

Mayor Rick Chamber’s office has announced that the Random Act of Kindness event has been delayed from June to September this year. Dixie Lockridge will again be in charge of the awards celebration, which will be held on Sept. 16.

Be thinking of who might be a good nominee for this award. Last year’s recipient of the award was a group of Knox High School students who held a car wash. Bruce Klimek, a teacher of the moderately mentally handicapped class at the high school, nominated the students after they raised $200 and gave it to the class for a party and supplies.

Other winners included Jose Marquez in 2010, Jeff Messer, Sr., and the late Eric Corey in 2009.

CADA Grant Contract Approved For Phoenix House

Posted on Author WKVI
Back Row: Greg Matt, Mayor Rick Chambers, Clerk-Treasurer Jeff Houston, Donald Kring, City Attorney David Matsey. Front Row: Linda Berndt, Jeff Berg and Ron Parker

The Knox City Council gave Mayor Rick Chambers the authority to sign the Coalition Against Domestic Abuse grant contract last week. The Office of Community and Rural Affairs grant was for $424,000, with a 10 percent match from CADA, making the total $471,000. The money is to be used to extend the garage at the Phoenix House, an abuse shelter in Knox.

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American Flags Will Soon Proudly Wave Over U.S. 35

Posted on Author WKVI

Knox Mayor Rick Chambers says his efforts to get American flags flying along U.S. 35 are going well, but he’s not sure if he’ll be able to get them up by Memorial Day.

Chambers says the American Legion donated a $400 check on Friday to get the project started, and he has already contacted the local VFW, who has informed him they are willing to help and are looking into what they can do to assist the cause. The Tri-Kappa organization has also said they would like to help the effort.

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Bank Account Approved for Harvest Days Expenditures

Posted on Author WKVI
Knox Mayor Rick Chambers

The City of Knox has voted money for a bank account for Harvest Days expenditures. The city council voted to approve $500 at the request of Michelle Bechtel, as Mayor Rick Chambers explained.

“Michelle Bechtel has taken over the chairmanship of the Harvest Fest. She has filed a Certificate of Incorporation and obtained an Employee Identification number from the I.R.S. She has also set up a bank account, and needs funds for postage, and miscellaneous bills she has right off the bat. I’ve explained to her at the end of the year a complete financial report of all expenditures and receipts is expected,” Chambers said.

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Corey Drive Residents Requesting Street Lights

Posted on Author WKVI
Knox Mayor Rick Chambers

Residents of Corey Drive in Knox are requesting street lights, according to Mayor Rick Chambers.

“One of the NIPSCO guys stopped up the other day. He said a couple of people in that area had stopped and talked to him about getting two lights in that subdivision. There are no street lights on Corey Drive at 500 East. The ordinance that the planning commission is working on would require new subdivisions to put in their own lights. Now there is a light at the intersection of 500 east and Corey Drive. They are asking for two lights. If you have been in that area there is a hump, and the NIPSCO guy thinks a couple of lights on either side would be nice,” said Chambers.

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City of Knox Announces 50-50 Sidewalk Replacement

Posted on Author WKVI
Knox Mayor Rick Chambers

Mayor Rick Chambers is announcing the 50-50 sidewalk replacement program is back. The City of Knox will pay 50 percent of the cost of material and labor for the sidewalk replacement, and all available funds are used on a first come, first served basis and until monies to support the program run out.

The work will be approved or disapproved after the Street Superintendent measures and inspects the requested sidewalk.

Property owners must pay their share within 14 days of notification for the project to continue. If not, the project will be placed on the bottom of the work schedule. All applications must be dated and received by 4 p.m. on April 23.

Asbestos Removal Required Before Marsh Manor Destruction

Posted on Author WKVI
Marsh Manor

The process of getting the old Marsh Manor on Main Street in Knox demolished is moving along. City Attorney David Matsey told the city council members recently whats next in the demolition process.

“We’re getting ready for the bidding process for the demolition of Marsh Manor. We’re putting together the bid specs.” Matsey said.

The home, that was turned into an apartment building, was built in a bygone time when asbestos was used for many things including insulation. Mayor Rick Chambers said that he has been in touch with a company that can come in and remove the asbestos before the demolition begins.

Asbestos was used primarily in 19th century buildings because it was resistant to fire, heat, and chemicals, but in the early 20th century it was noticed that workers in asbestos plants were getting sick– some even dying. Lung diseases, including cancer, have been attributed to asbestos inhalation.

After the removal of the asbestos the wrecking ball can be brought in to take the building down.

Knox City Council Discusses Pennsylvania Central Bridge

Posted on Author WKVI
Pennsylvania Central Bridge

The old Pennsylvania Central Bridge that spans the Yellow River at the east end of Wythogan Park was the topic of discussion during the recent Knox City Council meeting.

The Council has discussed taking the bridge out and possibly having the removal paid for by the scrap iron in the structure. Mayor Rick Chambers put a stop to that when he said the scrap wouldn’t pay for the demolition.

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Storm Water Project in Knox Ahead of Schedule

Posted on Author WKVI

Construction work on the storm water project in Knox is ahead of schedule, according to Mayor Rick Chambers. The $837,000 project is taking place at three locations: John Street and Roosevelt Rd., John Street from McGill, and Prettyman Street to John Street. The work is to install storm water sewer lines and the work is being done by H & G Construction out of LaPorte.

The Mayor told the Knox City Council last week that he has received some complaints about noise in the construction area.

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City of Knox and CADA Receive Grant

Posted on Author WKVI

A $424,620 grant was recently presented to the City of Knox by Lieutenant Governor Becky Skillman. Knox Mayor Rick Chambers accompanied a number of members from the Coalition Against Domestic Abuse, or CADA, to the Indianapolis presentation last Friday for the award ceremony.

The City of Knox applied for a Community Focus Fund Grant, in partnership with CADA. In previous meetings of the Knox City Council, Ruth Matsey explained the need for an addition to the Phoenix House building. Water ruined a portion of the building that was used for storage. The money from the grant will be used for the construction of the addition.

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Public Hearing Held on Klockner Road Project

Posted on Author WKVI

Thirteen citizens turned out last night at the public hearing presentation by engineers for the $2.4 million dollar Klockner Road Project on Knox’s west side.  Most of those in attendance were interested how the project was going to impact their property.

The engineers from Lawson-Fisher Associates of South Bend explained the process for acquisition of property that will total 3.7 acres.

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Knox City Council Discusses Risner Lawsuit

Posted on Author WKVI

The Knox City Council met this week with newly elected councilman Donald Kring taking the seat of 16-year council veteran Ed Blue.

One of the matters brought before the council at the meeting was a pending lawsuit from Edward Risner, who claims that the city breached a verbal contract when they refused to burn down his house as part of a training exercise. Mayor Rick Chambers told WKVI that Risner believes he had a verbal contract with the fire department to burn his house down, and use the opportunity as a training session.

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City of Knox Sells Scrap Metal

Posted on Author WKVI
Knox City Council (L to R) Linda Berndt, Jeff Berg, Ron Parker, Clerk-Treasurer Jeff Houston, Mayor Rick Chambers, Attorney David Matsey, Ed Blue and Greg Matt

The city of Knox brought in over $500 by selling scrap metal that had been laying around. Mayor Rick Chambers explained that sheets of corrugated metal had been purchased when the city was installing new sidewalks downtown because the engineers were under the impression that there were tunnels beneath the sidewalks, but after the sidewalks were dug up, they quickly realized that was not the case.

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Applications for Housing Rehabilitation Grant are Due Today

Posted on Author WKVI

Today is the deadline to submit applications for the Indiana Department of Housing and Community Development Authority grant for an owner-occupied rehabilitation grant. The grant is open to Knox residents.

Knox Mayor Rick Chambers said that he hopes to partner with the Housing and Community Development Authority to help six to ten low-income or elderly homeowners in this project with home repairs. These repairs may include energy efficiency, accessibility and safety. If you are interested and believe you may qualify, call the Mayor’s Office at 772-4553.

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Uniforms for City of Knox Employees Could be Taxed

Posted on Author WKVI
Knox City Council #2
Back Row: Mayor Rick Chambers, Ed Blue, Clerk-Treasurer Jeff Houston, Greg Matt and Attorney David Matsey. Front Row: Linda Berndt, Jeff Berg and Ron Parker

Workers for the City of Knox are being forewarned that their uniforms that they wear at work might be taxed as a fringe benefit in the near future.

Clerk-Treasurer Jeff Houston told Mayor Rick Chambers and City Council members of the possibility at the most recent City Council meeting.

“That looks like the way that the Department of Revenue says that we may be going,” said Houston. “There may be a way around that. We might have to pass an ordinance saying that that’s required for the city employees and they may have to take those uniforms off at work.”

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