Starke County Farm Bureau Awards Funds to N.J.-S.P. FFA

Published: September 17, 2015 By: Mary Perren, WKVI

North Judson-San Pierre Future Farmers of America members will be headed to Louisville, Ky. next month for the organization’s national convention. Their trip is made possible in part by the Starke County Farm Bureau. Representative Tiffany Naigi presented a $700 check to program during Tuesday’s school board meeting. FFA officers also told the school board about last year’s convention. It featured a career and trade show, motivational speakers and leadership development workshops.

North Judson-San Pierre has 90 FFA members. That number includes 8th graders. Students take part in career development and extracurricular activities throughout the school year, including a livestock skill-a-thon this weekend. The nine students attending will be quizzed on all aspects of farm life, including types of animals, meat and hay judging and various types of feed and its uses.

The school board praised the efforts of FFA sponsor Emily DuVall and presented her a certificate of appreciation for doing things the “Bluejay Way.” A separate award was also given to the FFA officers.

Farmers Urged to Apply for Loans to Cover Losses

Published: September 17, 2015 By: Mary Perren, WKVI

Farmers are urged to get their applications in as soon as possible for loans to cover losses caused by flooding that started in May of this year.

Starke, Pulaski, Jasper and LaPorte Counties have been designated primary disaster counties by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Applications are due by April 12, 2016. Farmers who lost at least 30 percent of production due to excessive rain and who are unable to get financing from conventional lenders may qualify for an emergency loan. Visit http://offices.sc.egov.usda.gov/locator/app?state=in&agency=fsa for county contact information.

N.J.-S.P. Board Approves Budget, Teacher Contracts

Published: September 16, 2015 By: Mary Perren, WKVI

The North Judson-San Pierre School Board last night approved a bare-bones budget for 2016. The $8 million general fund spending plan is down about $2.5 million from just a few years ago due to declining enrollment and changes in the way the state funds schools. General fund dollars are mainly used to pay teacher salaries and cover the cost of programs.

The corporation is asking voters who live within the N.J.-S.P. school district to support a general fund referendum in November to make up the shortfall. Without it they say additional, painful cuts to programs and services will be necessary.

School board members also approved capital projects and bus replacement plans as part of the overall budget. Business manager and treasurer Guy Richie says the capital projects plan is very similar to what has been done in the past two to three years. The corporation is scheduled to replace two buses in 2016.

The board also approved a teacher contract through June 30, 2017. Salaries are frozen, and professional development will only be offered if grant funds are available to cover the cost. Superintendent Lynn Johnson notes the contract can be reopened for language and salary negotiations if both sides agree to do so.

Starke County Business of the Year Nominations Open

Published: September 16, 2015 By: Michael Gallenberger, WKVI 

The Starke County Chamber of Commerce is seeking nominations for 2016 Business of the Year.

They’re looking for businesses that provide consistent products or services, promote community events and encourage employees to be involved. To qualify, nominees must have been in business for at least three years and be a member of the Starke County Chamber of Commerce. Chamber director Debbie Mix says there are plenty of businesses fitting those criteria, but they need people to nominate them. She also says people can nominate their own businesses.

You can nominate a business by downloading this form, or you can pick it up at the Starke County Chamber of Commerce and Visitor’s Center Office in Knox.

Mix says it’s a good opportunity for businesses, “The winning business will receive recognition at the annual Starke County Chamber Dinner, which will be in November, and we just ask that you nominate the business you feel best meets the criteria and express your reason why you think they should be named the 2016 Starke County Business of the Year.”

The deadline to submit nominations is this coming Monday, September 21.

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Budget Adoption, Teacher Contracts on N.J.-S.P. Agenda

Published: September 15, 2015 By: Mary Perren, WKVI

The North Judson-San Pierre School Board is poised to adopt an $8 million budget when they meet this evening. That’s down nearly $2.5 million over the past couple of years, according to corporation officials. They say declining enrollment and changes to state funding are to blame. The corporation is asking voters who live within the N.J.-S.P. school district to support a general fund referendum in November to make up the shortfall. Without it they say additional, painful cuts to programs and services will be necessary.

In addition to the budget the board will approve the 2016 bus replacement plan. Money for buses comes from the corporation’s transportation fund. The general fund is mainly used to pay for salaries and programs.

Approval of a contract between the school board and North Judson-San Pierre Classroom Teachers Association is also on tonight’s agenda. Superintendent Lynn Johnson told the board last month negotiations went very well and there are minimal changes. One reflects the change in the payroll schedule due to the switch to the balanced calendar, and another addresses a change in insurance premiums. Salaries are frozen, and professional development will be offered if grant money is available to cover the cost.

Tonight’s school board meeting starts at 7 p.m. at the North Judson-San Pierre School Corporation central office.

Starke Dems to Caucus September 23rd

Published: September 14, 2015 By: Tyler Maffitt, WKVI

The Starke County Democratic Party will caucus to find a new Coroner a little later this month.

A vacancy was created when former Coroner Adam Gray stepped down, citing professional and family reasons for the decision. Starke County has partnered with Jasper County in the interim to continue providing the Coroner service.

Members of the Democratic Party in Starke County had previous planned to caucus on September 10th. It was found the party was four hours short of a 10-day requirement to allow candidates to develop a declaration of candidacy.

According to Democratic Party Chairman Kenny Wallace, the caucus will now take place on September 23rd at 7:00 p.m. at the VFW. While Starke County has 21 precincts, 18 precinct committee members will vote on the list of candidates.

Jasper County Coroner Dr. Andrew Boersma has said they would be happy to assist with the transition.

Any Coroner appointed in Starke County would be required to take a class as well as complete an externship with a pathologist to better operate the office in the future.

Best Friend of Cancer Patient Advocates for Awareness

Published: September 14, 2015 By: Mary Perren, WKVI

September is Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month. A North Judson woman is advocating for awareness on behalf of her best friend of more than four decades, who was diagnosed with Stage 4 ovarian cancer five years ago. Jill Rhoda says Debbie Johnston was getting her kindergarten classroom in Fort Wayne ready for another school year and wasn’t feeling well.

“She noticed things like shortness of breath and feeling full after eating a little amount of food. She said she would feel full like she’d just eaten a Thanksgiving dinner. Fatigue, different things that can be attributed to so many other illnesses.”

Rhoda says Debbie was misdiagnosed for the first year and a half.

“She went on to get a second opinion, and that’s when they discovered that not only did she have ovarian cancer, it was already Stage 4. She had tumors which need to be removed. Her one ovary had already burst, and the cancer had spread through the lymph nodes. She also had a tumor on her diaphragm, which is what controls your breathing, moving your chest up and down, the size of a Kleenex box. So she has come through quite a lot.”

Ovarian cancer will not show up on a pap smear, as it is a test to detect cervical cancer. Rhoda urges women who experience symptoms like a swollen or bloated abdomen, difficulty eating or feeling full after a few bites, unexplained bleeding, pelvic or abdominal pain, or just a feeling of general fatigue to go to the doctor if they last longer than two weeks. She adds women are their own best advocates when it comes to their bodies and encourages them to speak up if they feel something isn’t right.

Ovarian cancer risk factors include a family history of the disease or other types of cancer. Also women who have never had a baby or are unable to become pregnant and who have used hormone therapy for menopause symptoms are at a higher risk of developing ovarian cancer. Visit http://www.ovariancancerawareness.org/ for more information.

Election Day Poll Workers Needed in Starke County

Published: September 14, 2015 By: Mary Perren, WKVI

Poll workers are needed to handle Election Day duties at several precincts in Starke County. Voters who reside within the North Judson-San Pierre School Corporation will decide whether or not property taxes should be increased to cover a significant general fund shortfall.

The district includes Wayne, Jackson and Railroad Township and California Township Precinct 2 in Starke County. Officials with the clerk’s office say they’ve got workers to cover precincts for the Knox and Hamlet municipal elections and absentee voting at the courthouse. Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 3. Anyone who resides within the other areas who would like to help can contact either Democratic Party Chairman Kenny Wallace at 574-772-4900 or Republican Party Chair Brenda Stanojevic at 574-806-7310.

North Judson Takes Steps to Demolish Fire Station and Remove Trees

Published: September 11, 2015 By: Michael Gallenberger, WKVI

The town of North Judson is moving ahead with the demolition of the old fire station and community center.

After reviewing quotes at its meeting Tuesday, the town council chose Dietrich Building and Excavating to tear down the structure. Additionally, Downtown Electric was awarded a contract to move the building’s siren to the water building. They plan to start the project within the next few weeks.

The council is also taking steps to remove dead trees in the town.

Additionally, the council approved a purchase order with The Tree Doctor for the removal of trees at the George Street park. They also chose C and J Affordable Tree Service to get rid of dead trees in Pioneer Cemetery.