Posted on July 20, 2016
Author Michael Gallenberger, WKVI
Some additional grant funding may be available to help build a community center in North Judson. Clerk-Treasurer Alicia Collins told the town council Monday that the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs has increased the maximum amount of grant funding to $500,000 from $400,000 for the fall application round.
However, that would mean a greater commitment from North Judson and Wayne Township. “We’re working with KIRPC to just continue to use our amount that we are purchasing the land for, as well as the appraisal amount, to make our grant match because that would be $50,000 instead of $40,000 if we choose to use the extra amount,” Collins said. “We could always go lower, but you don’t really want to.”
In total, the proposed community center is expected to cost over $800,000. Organizers had originally planned to apply for the grant during the spring round, but the application was delayed as town council members reconsidered the proposed location.
With the site now finalized, Collins says the project continues moving ahead. “Letters of why we need a community center have been coming in,” she says. “We’ve gotten about three of them, and the donations have started again. And within the last few weeks, I have been able to meet with the North Judson Kiwanis and Starke County Community Services. Both discussions were very positive. We got feedback from the community and Community Services, and they’re very excited and willing to get more involved.”
She adds that over 60 percent of the required income surveys have been completed and returned. Now the town’s looking for volunteers to go door-to-door to help gather the rest.
Additionally, a request for qualifications has been published for engineers interested in working on the project, with responses due Monday, August 15. A letter of intent for the grant funding is due August 19, with the grant application itself due October 14.
Wednesday, July 20, 2016
Starke County Community Foundation Plans Over $100,000 in Grant Funding for Ancilla College
Posted on July 20, 2016
Author Michael Gallenberger, WKVI
Ancilla College is getting a boost with its efforts to provide on-campus student housing. The Starke County Community Foundation has announced plans to provide a total of $105,000 in grant funding from its Hardesty Memorial Endowment Fund over the next five years. That includes an initial grant of $25,000 for the college’s new dorm building.
The Hardesty Memorial Endowment Fund was begun by James Hardesty in 2005. He was an Ancilla College trustee, as well as a founder of the Starke County Community Foundation.
The grant announcement comes just after the college officially named its first residence hall after Hardesty. His family members joined college officials for the unveiling of the new name Monday, during a blessing event for the college’s new dining hall and second dorm. In a statement, family members and Community Foundation officials say they feel Hardesty would have been pleased with the college’s efforts to provide student housing on campus.
Author Michael Gallenberger, WKVI
Ancilla College is getting a boost with its efforts to provide on-campus student housing. The Starke County Community Foundation has announced plans to provide a total of $105,000 in grant funding from its Hardesty Memorial Endowment Fund over the next five years. That includes an initial grant of $25,000 for the college’s new dorm building.
The Hardesty Memorial Endowment Fund was begun by James Hardesty in 2005. He was an Ancilla College trustee, as well as a founder of the Starke County Community Foundation.
The grant announcement comes just after the college officially named its first residence hall after Hardesty. His family members joined college officials for the unveiling of the new name Monday, during a blessing event for the college’s new dining hall and second dorm. In a statement, family members and Community Foundation officials say they feel Hardesty would have been pleased with the college’s efforts to provide student housing on campus.
NIPSCO Rate Hike Approved
Posted on July 20, 2016
Author Michael Gallenberger, WKVI
Electric rates will be going up for NIPSCO customers this October. The Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission has approved the rate hike, following an agreement reached in February involving NIPSCO, the Indiana Office of Utility Consumer Counselor, and other groups.
In a press release, NIPSCO says typical residential customers will see their monthly bill go up by about $5.70, or roughly six percent. Rates for most commercial and smaller industrial customers will increase by about five to six percent, but will vary depending on usage patterns.
NIPSCO says the rate increase is about half of what it originally requested. The company believes it’s needed, in order to cover increased maintenance and operating costs, as well as infrastructure upgrades.
The last time base electric rates were changed was in 2011, according to NIPSCO. The company says it’s made several upgrades since then, including reducing the amount of time customers spend without power by 40 percent and upgrading customers’ meters to allow for more accurate billing.
For more information, visit NIPSCO.com/rates.
Author Michael Gallenberger, WKVI
Electric rates will be going up for NIPSCO customers this October. The Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission has approved the rate hike, following an agreement reached in February involving NIPSCO, the Indiana Office of Utility Consumer Counselor, and other groups.
In a press release, NIPSCO says typical residential customers will see their monthly bill go up by about $5.70, or roughly six percent. Rates for most commercial and smaller industrial customers will increase by about five to six percent, but will vary depending on usage patterns.
NIPSCO says the rate increase is about half of what it originally requested. The company believes it’s needed, in order to cover increased maintenance and operating costs, as well as infrastructure upgrades.
The last time base electric rates were changed was in 2011, according to NIPSCO. The company says it’s made several upgrades since then, including reducing the amount of time customers spend without power by 40 percent and upgrading customers’ meters to allow for more accurate billing.
For more information, visit NIPSCO.com/rates.
Tuesday, July 19, 2016
Changes are coming to the NJWTPL
Regardless of what Woodrow Wilson said, we’re hoping that the change we have coming in September will be so patron friendly that it will put a smile on your face.
Starke County Dedicates Therapeutic Community Program
Posted on July 19, 2016
Author Tyler Maffitt, WKVI
Regional, state, and local officials gathered at the Starke County Justice Center on Monday for the dedication of Indiana’s first Therapeutic Community Center.
The program – sought after learning that Starke County reports a high level of drug use and production – is designed to offer inmates addicted to drugs an opportunity to receive treatment and programming with increased levels of responsibility in a non-prison environment.
Starke County Sheriff Bill Dulin says everyone deserves a second chance.
“As individuals, we undoubtedly will make mistakes,” says Dulin. “It’s how we learn from those mistakes and move forward that determine our resolve and shape the remainder of our lives. Yet for individuals attempting to re-enter society after a stint of being incarcerated, those second chances are fraught with countless pitfalls, complex obstacles, and troubling temptations.”
The dedication offered tours and examples of just how the Therapeutic Community will work in Starke County and how it is being used to treat offenders in Indiana.
Opening the treatment center has garnered the attention of other counties in the Hoosier state looking to implement similar programs in their communities. According to information provided during Monday’s dedication, offenders selected to participate in the program will live in a residence at the justice center, but will complete different levels of training before being reintroduced into society.
Starke County Circuit Court Judge Kim Hall was a primary advocate for the project. Pointing to the participants in attendance, he says it works through cooperation and self-help.
“They’re in our Therapeutic Community and they will spend this day working together, kind of like a large family, a community,” says Hall.
Therapy, anger management, communication, moral judgment, and relapse prevention are all included in the Therapeutic Community curriculum. The model has been around for more than 40 years.
Those already enrolled in the program spoke to its efficacy. Among them is Chris Swihart, who made the point of saying he wants to prove to his family that he’s capable of positive change.
“My goals for my future are pretty simple, and they all depend on one thing in particular: that is to remain clean and sober,” says Swihart. “By doing so, I will start to live as a productive, positive, and effective member of society. I want to be someone others can look up to and admire and say if he can change his life, why can’t I?”
The Therapeutic Community offers 48 beds. Tours of the facilities allowed those in attendance to observe the residences and the community garden that participants have been actively managing this year.
Judge Hall says he hopes the program redirects inmates back into society.
Author Tyler Maffitt, WKVI
Regional, state, and local officials gathered at the Starke County Justice Center on Monday for the dedication of Indiana’s first Therapeutic Community Center.
The program – sought after learning that Starke County reports a high level of drug use and production – is designed to offer inmates addicted to drugs an opportunity to receive treatment and programming with increased levels of responsibility in a non-prison environment.
Starke County Sheriff Bill Dulin says everyone deserves a second chance.
“As individuals, we undoubtedly will make mistakes,” says Dulin. “It’s how we learn from those mistakes and move forward that determine our resolve and shape the remainder of our lives. Yet for individuals attempting to re-enter society after a stint of being incarcerated, those second chances are fraught with countless pitfalls, complex obstacles, and troubling temptations.”
The dedication offered tours and examples of just how the Therapeutic Community will work in Starke County and how it is being used to treat offenders in Indiana.
Opening the treatment center has garnered the attention of other counties in the Hoosier state looking to implement similar programs in their communities. According to information provided during Monday’s dedication, offenders selected to participate in the program will live in a residence at the justice center, but will complete different levels of training before being reintroduced into society.
Starke County Circuit Court Judge Kim Hall was a primary advocate for the project. Pointing to the participants in attendance, he says it works through cooperation and self-help.
“They’re in our Therapeutic Community and they will spend this day working together, kind of like a large family, a community,” says Hall.
Therapy, anger management, communication, moral judgment, and relapse prevention are all included in the Therapeutic Community curriculum. The model has been around for more than 40 years.
Those already enrolled in the program spoke to its efficacy. Among them is Chris Swihart, who made the point of saying he wants to prove to his family that he’s capable of positive change.
“My goals for my future are pretty simple, and they all depend on one thing in particular: that is to remain clean and sober,” says Swihart. “By doing so, I will start to live as a productive, positive, and effective member of society. I want to be someone others can look up to and admire and say if he can change his life, why can’t I?”
The Therapeutic Community offers 48 beds. Tours of the facilities allowed those in attendance to observe the residences and the community garden that participants have been actively managing this year.
Judge Hall says he hopes the program redirects inmates back into society.
Starke County Council Approves Tax Abatement Requests
Posted on July 19, 2016
Author Mary Perren, WKVI
A Chicagoland-area business will soon be able to relocate to North Judson following action last night by the Starke County Council. They unanimously agreed to a seven-year, $360,000 tax abatement on equipment and an additional 10-year, $665,000 phase in of taxes on real estate improvements for Outstanding Tradeshow Exhibit Services. OTES President Nan Wellman plans to purchase and renovate the Thermo Products building on State Road 10 just west of North Judson.
As a result, Starke County Economic Development Foundation Executive Director Charlie Weaver says Thermo Products will continue its operations in North Judson as a result. The company was considering a move to a new lab in North Carolina, but now plans to sign a three-year lease in North Judson, according to Weaver.
Kemin Industries rents the back half of the building. They process a specialized variety of mint that’s grown locally and plan to expand their operations to include rosemary that’s grown in Texas.
Weaver says the term “tax abatement” is somewhat misleading.
“I prefer calling it tax phase in, because the taxes that now exist will remain,” he told the council. “Those taxes that go to the schools, the county, to the township and everybody else will stay right there. What we’re talking about is the new investment for improvements to the real estate, and the new equipment. That will be phased in over a period of time that you select. So nothing is really stopped.”
Weaver adds granting tax abatements like the one for OTES does not take away money from existing county expenses like the Starke County Jail.
“You’re only going to get X number of dollars here for property taxes, regardless of what you do. What you are doing though is by bringing in new companies, you’re adding to the tax base. How does that help you? Because of the ceilings, the tax caps. The only way to fight the tax cap is to increase the assessed value, and how do we increase the assessed value, by increasing the valuation of our properties, just like they’re going to be doing here.”
Weaver says the addition of more jobs will also mean more income tax collections for the county.
Author Mary Perren, WKVI
A Chicagoland-area business will soon be able to relocate to North Judson following action last night by the Starke County Council. They unanimously agreed to a seven-year, $360,000 tax abatement on equipment and an additional 10-year, $665,000 phase in of taxes on real estate improvements for Outstanding Tradeshow Exhibit Services. OTES President Nan Wellman plans to purchase and renovate the Thermo Products building on State Road 10 just west of North Judson.
As a result, Starke County Economic Development Foundation Executive Director Charlie Weaver says Thermo Products will continue its operations in North Judson as a result. The company was considering a move to a new lab in North Carolina, but now plans to sign a three-year lease in North Judson, according to Weaver.
Kemin Industries rents the back half of the building. They process a specialized variety of mint that’s grown locally and plan to expand their operations to include rosemary that’s grown in Texas.
Weaver says the term “tax abatement” is somewhat misleading.
“I prefer calling it tax phase in, because the taxes that now exist will remain,” he told the council. “Those taxes that go to the schools, the county, to the township and everybody else will stay right there. What we’re talking about is the new investment for improvements to the real estate, and the new equipment. That will be phased in over a period of time that you select. So nothing is really stopped.”
Weaver adds granting tax abatements like the one for OTES does not take away money from existing county expenses like the Starke County Jail.
“You’re only going to get X number of dollars here for property taxes, regardless of what you do. What you are doing though is by bringing in new companies, you’re adding to the tax base. How does that help you? Because of the ceilings, the tax caps. The only way to fight the tax cap is to increase the assessed value, and how do we increase the assessed value, by increasing the valuation of our properties, just like they’re going to be doing here.”
Weaver says the addition of more jobs will also mean more income tax collections for the county.
New North Judson Town Marshal Introduced, Officer Reinstated
Posted on July 19, 2016
Author Michael Gallenberger, WKVI
North Judson officially has a new town marshal. John Ramos was formally introduced to the public during Monday’s town council meeting. “I am deeply honored that I was actually chosen to take over your police department in your community,” he said. “I look forward to serving you guys and to making this place – you can’t make it much safer, but keep the peace and make this place is the safest community that you could possibly ask for.”
Ramos told North Judson residents Monday he’s currently a staff instructor at the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy, “I teach handgun, shotgun, rifle, preventive patrol, building searches, report writing. And before that, I was an East Chicago Police officer. I was an East Chicago Police officer for approximately 26 years. And before that, I was a Cedar Lake Police officer for approximately a year-and-a-half.” Ramos adds that he’s written articles for various publications and also authored “The Book of Room Domination and Assault Techniques.”
He’s expected to take over as North Judson town marshal next Monday, filling the vacancy created by the death of former marshal Doug Vessely in April. Since then, officer Frank Thomas has been serving in an interim capacity.
During Monday’s meeting, Thomas congratulated Ramos on his hiring. “That’s a lot of stuff he’s got under his belt that he’s going to bring to town, so I know as a department, we’re pretty excited about that,” he said. “As a community, you should be pretty excited about that. We’re going to be picking his brains pretty good for the foreseeable future.”
Also during the meeting, the North Judson Town Council voted unanimously to rescind the suspension of police officer Joe Budner, and reinstate him with the police department as of next Monday. However, council members said it will be up to Ramos to decide if Budner will return to his previous position of chief deputy. The reason for the suspension has not been released publicly.
Author Michael Gallenberger, WKVI
North Judson officially has a new town marshal. John Ramos was formally introduced to the public during Monday’s town council meeting. “I am deeply honored that I was actually chosen to take over your police department in your community,” he said. “I look forward to serving you guys and to making this place – you can’t make it much safer, but keep the peace and make this place is the safest community that you could possibly ask for.”
Ramos told North Judson residents Monday he’s currently a staff instructor at the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy, “I teach handgun, shotgun, rifle, preventive patrol, building searches, report writing. And before that, I was an East Chicago Police officer. I was an East Chicago Police officer for approximately 26 years. And before that, I was a Cedar Lake Police officer for approximately a year-and-a-half.” Ramos adds that he’s written articles for various publications and also authored “The Book of Room Domination and Assault Techniques.”
He’s expected to take over as North Judson town marshal next Monday, filling the vacancy created by the death of former marshal Doug Vessely in April. Since then, officer Frank Thomas has been serving in an interim capacity.
During Monday’s meeting, Thomas congratulated Ramos on his hiring. “That’s a lot of stuff he’s got under his belt that he’s going to bring to town, so I know as a department, we’re pretty excited about that,” he said. “As a community, you should be pretty excited about that. We’re going to be picking his brains pretty good for the foreseeable future.”
Also during the meeting, the North Judson Town Council voted unanimously to rescind the suspension of police officer Joe Budner, and reinstate him with the police department as of next Monday. However, council members said it will be up to Ramos to decide if Budner will return to his previous position of chief deputy. The reason for the suspension has not been released publicly.
North Judson Town Marshal John Ramos and Officer Frank Thomas
N.J.-S.P. Officials Discuss School Board Transition
Posted on July 19, 2016
Author Mary Perren, WKVI
The North Judson-San Pierre School Board will announce at their Aug. 16th meeting what process they might favor in terms of transitioning from an appointed to an elected board. Members held a work session last week with members of the Bluejay Nation Pride group and their attorney to discuss the process.
Elected school board advocate Matt Bailey says his group will move forward with a petition to bring the question to the voters if the school board does not take action. However, Bailey’s attorney Todd Wallsmith says such a petition must contain the specific plan to structure and elect a school board.
Several questions remain, including whether the board would have three, five or seven members and how districts would be drawn to ensure fair representation based on population.
Should the school board agree to the transition, they could have a greater say in answering those questions.
The current board members want time to discuss the issue, and may schedule some public forums to gather input. None have been set at this time. Residents can also email board@njsp.k12.in.us with their input. Members ask that they include addresses and telephone numbers with any correspondence should follow-up be warranted.
As such the discussion of an elected versus appointed board is not on the agenda for tonight’s N.J.-S.P. School Board meeting. Items for discussion during the 7 p.m. session include final approval of a state-mandated criminal gangs and gang activity policy, discussion of the technology coordinator position and salary and a secondary crossing agreement.
Author Mary Perren, WKVI
The North Judson-San Pierre School Board will announce at their Aug. 16th meeting what process they might favor in terms of transitioning from an appointed to an elected board. Members held a work session last week with members of the Bluejay Nation Pride group and their attorney to discuss the process.
Elected school board advocate Matt Bailey says his group will move forward with a petition to bring the question to the voters if the school board does not take action. However, Bailey’s attorney Todd Wallsmith says such a petition must contain the specific plan to structure and elect a school board.
Several questions remain, including whether the board would have three, five or seven members and how districts would be drawn to ensure fair representation based on population.
Should the school board agree to the transition, they could have a greater say in answering those questions.
The current board members want time to discuss the issue, and may schedule some public forums to gather input. None have been set at this time. Residents can also email board@njsp.k12.in.us with their input. Members ask that they include addresses and telephone numbers with any correspondence should follow-up be warranted.
As such the discussion of an elected versus appointed board is not on the agenda for tonight’s N.J.-S.P. School Board meeting. Items for discussion during the 7 p.m. session include final approval of a state-mandated criminal gangs and gang activity policy, discussion of the technology coordinator position and salary and a secondary crossing agreement.
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