Knox Harvest Festival Karaoke Contest

Interested in the Karaoke Contest at the Knox Harvest Festival?  Here's a copy of the entrance form.  

Hotels That No Longer Exist in North Judson

Since the early days North Judson has had at least one hotel in town, at the most there were two.  These were the earliest hotels hotels that existed in town.  The Bluebird Inn, being so close to the train depot, was favored by railroad travelers during its hay day. 

(Photographic History of Starke County compiled by Marv Allen)

IDHS Gauging Hoosiers’ Preparedness

Published: September 3, 2015 By: Michael Gallenberger, WKVI 

The Indiana Department of Homeland Security is conducting a survey to figure out how prepared citizens are for emergencies and disasters.

From now until September 15, residents can take a 10-minute survey on the IDHS website. It’s one of the ways emergency officials are stressing the need for preparedness during September, which is National Preparedness Month. The IDHS says the results will help them understand residents’ needs and how to help them to be more prepared.

The last time time the survey was done was 2013. Then, nearly half of the respondents said they didn’t have the recommended three days’ worth of supplies on hand, and more than half thought emergency personnel would be able to arrive within six hours of a widespread disaster, which officials say is unrealistic.

The IDHS says getting ready for emergencies can be easy and inexpensive, but can make a big difference if a disaster strikes.

The survey can be found at www.in.gov/dhs under “Featured Topics.”

Learning Links for Kids

Did you know…

That the North Judson-Wayne Township Library has a special section on their webpage called “Learning Links for Kids”?

Each of the links listed takes your child to websites that will help them improve their reading skills, help with math, do cool science experiments, learn to type, practice phonics, learn about amazing animals, and so much more.

Current sites listed are:

• ABC Mouse
• Dance Mat Typing
• Fun Brain
• Highlights Kids
• Into the Book
• Jumpstart
• National Geographic for Kids
• PBS Kids
• Seussville
• Star Fall
• Storyline on line
• Switcheroo Zoo

9/4/2015 Coloring Contest Deadline

Just a reminder, Friday is the deadline for our Coloring Contest.

You have until 6 p.m. on September 4th to return your work of art to the North Judson-Wayne Township Library for judging.

9/11/2015 Bella Vita Port-A-Chicken Fundraiser

Bella Vita Port-A-Pit Chicken Fundraiser, September 11, 2015, from 3 to 7 p.m.  You can pick up your chicken at Mark Bailey’s old parking lot on Rt. 10 before the NJSP/Knox game. 

Tickets available at Bella Vita (772-2877), Key Bank in Knox, Connie’s Salon in North Judson, or on-site. 

½ chicken = $7, Pit-tatoes $3.  Pop and sides will be available.  

9/6/2015 Bass Lake Lions Club Breakfast

Bass Lake Lions Club Biscuits and Gravy To Go Breakfast on Sunday, September 6^th.  Breakfast is at the Bass Lake Firehouse on St. Road 35 from 7 to 11 a.m.  Tickets = $5. 

9/4/2015 Bluejay Booster Club Ribeye Steak Sandwiches

The Bluejay Booster Club will be selling Ribeye Steak Sandwiches at the Rensselaer game on 9/4/2015.  Sandwiches are $6 each and they will be located behind the ticket booth. 

Gates will open at 6 p.m. and the game starts at 7 p.m.

Election Board Finalizes Names, Debates Logistics of Voting Day

Published: September 1, 2015 By: Tyler Maffitt

The Starke County Election Board has finalized the ballots for November’s General Election.

During their Monday morning meeting, the names slated to appear on the ballots were reviewed for Knox, North Judson, and Hamlet. Correct spelling was the primary concern, but the way in which the names appeared was also a concern for the board.

The Board expressed concerns, however, with the organization of getting voters through properly on Election Day. Starke County Clerk Vicki Cooley says it shouldn’t be a concern for most voters.

“Most of the people that are voting for the referendum are going to be voting at their original precinct,” says Cooley.

One name on the ballot saw the middle initial removed.

The lone referendum on the ballot, a measure asking qualified voters attending the North Judson-San Pierre School Corporation to increase the property tax levy for a period of seven years, was also compared and approved.

Election Board member Peg Britton says the state online voting system should be able to handle proper identification for voters, and place them with the proper ballot.

“Only those who are in the precinct would vote on the referendum,” says Britton. “And those who are in town would be able to vote on the entire election candidates.”

The Election Board also debated the number of voting machines to be used in the Town of North Judson on Election Day. Board members are anticipating a strong turnout, but pondered whether to contact the school corporation for an official estimate.

The set-up for the voting machines was also discussed. The matter was tabled, however, after it was deemed necessary for further research. Another meeting will be scheduled in the near future to finalize a decision.

Walorski Looks at North Judson-San Pierre to Learn How to Help Students Graduate

Published: September 1, 2015 By: Michael Gallenberger, WKVI 

U.S. Rep. Jackie Walorski is taking a look at local schools in her district, to see what steps they are taking to increase graduation. One of her stops Monday was at North Judson-San Pierre High School. That school district has been challenged by budget issues, but school officials are working to keep programs in place to help struggling students graduate.

For instance, students who fail a class have the chance to take it again online, but Susie Matzat, one of the program’s teachers, says that system helps other students, too, “Our credit recovery we do use for students who fail courses, but occasionally we use it for that student who’s in band, choir, honors English, calculus, their schedule won’t work. So they sometimes take an online class through that as well. I administer that program, and I can make the class more difficult or easier, depending on the needs of the student.”

There is also a similar system letting students take classes online that are not offered at the school. For example, due to budget cuts, there’s no longer a German teacher at the school, but students can keep taking German classes online.

Walorski is focusing on education because she says the biggest issue among manufacturers in her district has shifted from uncertainty in the market to a gap in the labor pool, “Schools are the bridge to employment, and we can do all kinds of things at this level, but when we have a shortage of workers like we do right now sitting on such an expansion of jobs, this is the place that the attention has to be paid.”

She also praised the school for its efforts to teach students skills they can use in the manufacturing and agriculture industries.