Posted on August 15, 2016
Author Mary Perren, WKVI
The Starke County Council is preparing for budget season. Tonight’s meeting agenda includes a review of the levy limits and circuit breakers for county taxing entities. The levy is the cap on the amount of property taxes each is allowed to collect. The circuit breaker limits the amount of property taxes an individual pays.
Their meeting starts at 6 p.m. instead of 5:30 due to a joint executive session of the council and commissioners, presumably to finalize details of a new lease between the county and Starke Hospital. The commissioners are expected to announce tonight the dates and times for a series of public meetings to share details before executing the deal later this month.
Other items on tonight’s Starke County Commissioners agenda include discussion of saleable scrap items from the old jail and the parking of construction trailers at the north side of the Moose during the upcoming courthouse renovation project and restrictions on the parking of other vehicles there while that work is going on.
Sheriff Bill Dulin will present an agreement for the counseling of local inmates grant, and Bicentennial Committee member Melba Shilling will talk to the commissioners about the bicentennial flag. Tonight’s commissioners meeting starts at 6:30 p.m. at the annex building.
Monday, August 15, 2016
Friday, August 12, 2016
North Judson Railroad Lease Discussed
Posted on August 12, 2016
Author Michael Gallenberger, WKVI
More details have been revealed in the planned lease of North Judson’s short line railroad. Last month, the town council selected Lake State Railway to lease and operate the line.
The company currently operates about 300 miles of track in Michigan with headquarters in Saginaw. Lake State representatives were in North Judson Thursday to explain some future plans and answer questions from local residents.
For one thing, the line will now be known as the Chicago and North Judson Railroad, according to Lake State representative Janet Gilbert. It will technically be a separate company based in Indiana, while still under Lake State’s control. Gilbert says the new entity will hire local employees, while Lake State will offer marketing and operating expertise.
As part of the transition, employees of the current operator, the Chesapeake and Indiana Railroad, will not automatically be retained. Instead, they would have to apply for positions within the new company. Gilbert noted that the Chicago and North Judson Railroad will not technically be able to take control of the line until the current operator is legally removed by the Surface Transportation Board. However, the hope is the Chesapeake and Indiana will give up control voluntarily, to speed up the process.
Several local residents and Hoosier Valley Railroad Museum volunteers raised concerns during Thursday’s public hearing. Museum officials wanted to know when the museum would be allowed to resume its excursion trains beyond English Lake and into LaCrosse. Others in the audience complained about the railroad’s current condition.
A few potential safety issues were brought up, such as the cleanup of hazardous materials following the storage of oil barrels along the line. Someone also pointed out that recent track repairs in LaCrosse appear to have led to dangerous gaps in the pavement at a sidewalk crossing frequently used by schoolchildren.
One LaCrosse resident described the stretch of track in that community as a kind of junkyard for locomotives and various equipment. Gilbert said this sort of use of the line is not in the company’s future plans. Instead, the new operator hopes to increase freight traffic, something that was requested by the Town of North Judson.
In recent months, the Chesapeake and Indiana Railroad has renounced its responsibility for the section of track between English Lake and North Judson. That’s left it up to the Town of North Judson and the Hoosier Valley Railroad Museum to operate. There are currently no freight customers on that section. But Gilbert said the Chicago and North Judson Railroad does plan to maintain it and make it available for potential freight traffic. She also discussed the possibility of upgrading the track to allow higher speeds, if and when traffic warrants it.
However, Gilbert and town officials were unable to answer many of the questions at this point. Instead, they promised to address the issues during a private meeting set for today. It will involve representatives from the town, the museum, Lake State Railway, Co-Alliance, and any other interested customers. North Judson Town Council President Wendy Hoppe said the proposed lease hasn’t been signed yet, and no rental fee has been determined.
Author Michael Gallenberger, WKVI
More details have been revealed in the planned lease of North Judson’s short line railroad. Last month, the town council selected Lake State Railway to lease and operate the line.
The company currently operates about 300 miles of track in Michigan with headquarters in Saginaw. Lake State representatives were in North Judson Thursday to explain some future plans and answer questions from local residents.
For one thing, the line will now be known as the Chicago and North Judson Railroad, according to Lake State representative Janet Gilbert. It will technically be a separate company based in Indiana, while still under Lake State’s control. Gilbert says the new entity will hire local employees, while Lake State will offer marketing and operating expertise.
As part of the transition, employees of the current operator, the Chesapeake and Indiana Railroad, will not automatically be retained. Instead, they would have to apply for positions within the new company. Gilbert noted that the Chicago and North Judson Railroad will not technically be able to take control of the line until the current operator is legally removed by the Surface Transportation Board. However, the hope is the Chesapeake and Indiana will give up control voluntarily, to speed up the process.
Several local residents and Hoosier Valley Railroad Museum volunteers raised concerns during Thursday’s public hearing. Museum officials wanted to know when the museum would be allowed to resume its excursion trains beyond English Lake and into LaCrosse. Others in the audience complained about the railroad’s current condition.
A few potential safety issues were brought up, such as the cleanup of hazardous materials following the storage of oil barrels along the line. Someone also pointed out that recent track repairs in LaCrosse appear to have led to dangerous gaps in the pavement at a sidewalk crossing frequently used by schoolchildren.
One LaCrosse resident described the stretch of track in that community as a kind of junkyard for locomotives and various equipment. Gilbert said this sort of use of the line is not in the company’s future plans. Instead, the new operator hopes to increase freight traffic, something that was requested by the Town of North Judson.
In recent months, the Chesapeake and Indiana Railroad has renounced its responsibility for the section of track between English Lake and North Judson. That’s left it up to the Town of North Judson and the Hoosier Valley Railroad Museum to operate. There are currently no freight customers on that section. But Gilbert said the Chicago and North Judson Railroad does plan to maintain it and make it available for potential freight traffic. She also discussed the possibility of upgrading the track to allow higher speeds, if and when traffic warrants it.
However, Gilbert and town officials were unable to answer many of the questions at this point. Instead, they promised to address the issues during a private meeting set for today. It will involve representatives from the town, the museum, Lake State Railway, Co-Alliance, and any other interested customers. North Judson Town Council President Wendy Hoppe said the proposed lease hasn’t been signed yet, and no rental fee has been determined.
Knox City Council Approves Additional Stop Signs
Posted on August 12, 2016
Author Mary Perren, WKVI
Additional stop signs will soon be added within the Knox city limits. The council Tuesday night approved the recommendation to place signs at several intersections but deferred a decision to place more signs on Main Street.
For now stop signs will be added at Bridge and Mound and Bridge and Water Streets, as well as on Council Street at Airway Drive, South Fisher Street at Bender Drive, Lambert Street at North Fisher Street, Lambert Street at Portland Street, Bridge Street at Water Street and Bridge Street at Mound Street.
The city council agrees at least two signs are needed on Main Street to slow traffic through the residential area between the downtown business district at Knox Middle School. Members want recommendations from Knox City Police Chief Harold Smith as to the best locations to accomplish that goal.
The council has agreed to revisit that issue at a future meeting.
Author Mary Perren, WKVI
Additional stop signs will soon be added within the Knox city limits. The council Tuesday night approved the recommendation to place signs at several intersections but deferred a decision to place more signs on Main Street.
For now stop signs will be added at Bridge and Mound and Bridge and Water Streets, as well as on Council Street at Airway Drive, South Fisher Street at Bender Drive, Lambert Street at North Fisher Street, Lambert Street at Portland Street, Bridge Street at Water Street and Bridge Street at Mound Street.
The city council agrees at least two signs are needed on Main Street to slow traffic through the residential area between the downtown business district at Knox Middle School. Members want recommendations from Knox City Police Chief Harold Smith as to the best locations to accomplish that goal.
The council has agreed to revisit that issue at a future meeting.
Wednesday, August 10, 2016
Threshing At Surma Brothers Farm for the NJ Centennial
Part of the North Judson Centennial celebration was a practical demonstration of harvesting and threshing done on the Surma Brothers Farm. You can see a larger copy of the photos athttps://sites.google.com/…/…/41-threshingatsurmabrothersfarm.
Monday, August 8, 2016
Starke Hospital CEO Discusses New Building
Posted on August 8, 2016
Author Mary Perren, WKVI
Starke Hospital officials are putting the final touches on an agreement with the county for a new lease of the existing building at the intersection of Culver Road and South Heaton Street in Knox. A joint meeting between the Starke County Council and Commissioners, hospital board and Starke Hospital officials is scheduled Aug. 29th. Starke Hospital CEO Craig Felty says it clears the way for construction of a new hospital on the site.
“I still have a faint sense of optimism that we might break ground this year, but being a realist it tells me probably more like the end of first quarter ’17. I’m thinking once the weather breaks.”
Felty adds negotiations with the county have gone smoothly. Both sides just signed another extension of the current lease so they can finalize the new contract. Once that’s done, Felty says they will be able to go ahead with final design and engineering for the new hospital. It will be built on the existing site between the current hospital and medical office building.
The Starke County Council and commissioners plan to conduct a series of public meetings the week of Aug. 22 to share details of the new arrangement. Dates and locations will be announced at the Monday, Aug. 15 council and commissioners meeting.
Author Mary Perren, WKVI
Starke Hospital officials are putting the final touches on an agreement with the county for a new lease of the existing building at the intersection of Culver Road and South Heaton Street in Knox. A joint meeting between the Starke County Council and Commissioners, hospital board and Starke Hospital officials is scheduled Aug. 29th. Starke Hospital CEO Craig Felty says it clears the way for construction of a new hospital on the site.
“I still have a faint sense of optimism that we might break ground this year, but being a realist it tells me probably more like the end of first quarter ’17. I’m thinking once the weather breaks.”
Felty adds negotiations with the county have gone smoothly. Both sides just signed another extension of the current lease so they can finalize the new contract. Once that’s done, Felty says they will be able to go ahead with final design and engineering for the new hospital. It will be built on the existing site between the current hospital and medical office building.
The Starke County Council and commissioners plan to conduct a series of public meetings the week of Aug. 22 to share details of the new arrangement. Dates and locations will be announced at the Monday, Aug. 15 council and commissioners meeting.
IRS Reports Spike in ‘Robo-Call’ Scams
Posted on August 6, 2016
Author Michael Gallenberger, WKVI
Scammers are increasingly turning to “robo-calls,” in an effort to get fake tax payments. The Internal Revenue Service is reporting an increase in the number of scams taking the form of automated phone calls.
The scammers generally demand payment in the form of iTunes cards or gift cards. The IRS reminds taxpayers that’s a clear warning sign of a scam.
The way the scam generally works, according to the IRS, is that taxpayers will get an automated call demanding that they call back to settle a tax bill. When victims call back, the scammer usually issues more threats, telling them they’ll be arrested, deported, or have their driver’s license revoked if they don’t pay.
The IRS says it will never demand payment without having first mailed a bill. It also won’t threaten to bring in local police to have people arrested for not paying, or require them to use a specific payment method, like a gift card or prepaid debit card.
IRS officials ask those who receive these scam telephone calls to report them to the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration and the Federal Trade Commission.
Author Michael Gallenberger, WKVI
Scammers are increasingly turning to “robo-calls,” in an effort to get fake tax payments. The Internal Revenue Service is reporting an increase in the number of scams taking the form of automated phone calls.
The scammers generally demand payment in the form of iTunes cards or gift cards. The IRS reminds taxpayers that’s a clear warning sign of a scam.
The way the scam generally works, according to the IRS, is that taxpayers will get an automated call demanding that they call back to settle a tax bill. When victims call back, the scammer usually issues more threats, telling them they’ll be arrested, deported, or have their driver’s license revoked if they don’t pay.
The IRS says it will never demand payment without having first mailed a bill. It also won’t threaten to bring in local police to have people arrested for not paying, or require them to use a specific payment method, like a gift card or prepaid debit card.
IRS officials ask those who receive these scam telephone calls to report them to the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration and the Federal Trade Commission.
Friday, August 5, 2016
ISDH Confirms Two Mosquito Batches Test Positive for West Nile in Starke County
Posted on August 5, 2016
Author Tyler Maffitt, WKVI
The Indiana State Department of Health says Starke County recently tested positive for West Nile Virus.
Two mosquito batches tested for virus in the local area returned positive results, but Starke County has not reported a human case of West Nile in 2016. West Nile is largely transmitted through mosquito bites and can cause flu-like symptoms and even death in extreme cases.
Starke County Health Nurse Frank Lynch says there are a few steps residents can take to protect themselves.
“You just want to try to keep any standing water out of areas,” says Lynch. “Tires, they usually accumulate water, if you have tires, try to keep the water out of them, try and get them to some place where they’re not going to accumulate water when it does rain or anything of that nature.”
Moderate rainfalls earlier this year may have produced standing water in local yards, allowing mosquitoes to lay larva at the sites. Lynch says there are larvicides that that can be purchased to limit their presence.
West Nile virus can cause fever, upset stomach, body aches, muscle weakness, and other symptoms. To prevent contracting the virus, the health department recommends wearing long-sleeve shirts and pants during the hours mosquitoes are most active in the morning and the evening.
If you have the flu at an odd time of year, summer for instance, Lynch says blood testing for West Nile is the only way to confirm it.
“The hearing is that we have two batches in the county for this year,” says Lynch. “That does not seem out of line at all compared to previous years.”
None of the surrounding counties have experienced batches testing positive for West Nile Virus. Marion County has reported 10 mosquito batches and one human case this year.
The ISDH continually tracks West Nile Virus movements throughout the year – the map for which can be found on their website.
Author Tyler Maffitt, WKVI
The Indiana State Department of Health says Starke County recently tested positive for West Nile Virus.
Two mosquito batches tested for virus in the local area returned positive results, but Starke County has not reported a human case of West Nile in 2016. West Nile is largely transmitted through mosquito bites and can cause flu-like symptoms and even death in extreme cases.
Starke County Health Nurse Frank Lynch says there are a few steps residents can take to protect themselves.
“You just want to try to keep any standing water out of areas,” says Lynch. “Tires, they usually accumulate water, if you have tires, try to keep the water out of them, try and get them to some place where they’re not going to accumulate water when it does rain or anything of that nature.”
Moderate rainfalls earlier this year may have produced standing water in local yards, allowing mosquitoes to lay larva at the sites. Lynch says there are larvicides that that can be purchased to limit their presence.
West Nile virus can cause fever, upset stomach, body aches, muscle weakness, and other symptoms. To prevent contracting the virus, the health department recommends wearing long-sleeve shirts and pants during the hours mosquitoes are most active in the morning and the evening.
If you have the flu at an odd time of year, summer for instance, Lynch says blood testing for West Nile is the only way to confirm it.
“The hearing is that we have two batches in the county for this year,” says Lynch. “That does not seem out of line at all compared to previous years.”
None of the surrounding counties have experienced batches testing positive for West Nile Virus. Marion County has reported 10 mosquito batches and one human case this year.
The ISDH continually tracks West Nile Virus movements throughout the year – the map for which can be found on their website.
Starke County Highway Department Paving Operations Continue
Posted on August 5, 2016
Author Mary Perren, WKVI
The Starke County Highway Department is preparing to pave and wedge another 10 miles of roads this month. Superintendent Rik Ritzler told the county commissioners Monday crews have already paved and wedged more than 10 miles of roadway.
They will also chip seal about 20 miles of county roads this month and will start making asphalt for a third round of paving by the last weekend in August. He says paving may be limited this year due to time and weather instead of available funds.
“We’ve never done round three, and we’re going to be doing that,” Ritzler said. “We’re going to be paving some of these subdivisions in the resort areas because they don’t like us paving in the summer. So we’ve never really had an opportunity to do that. It’s a good and bad thing that we’re running out of time this summer. We’ve been so busy we just don’t have any more time to do it. That’s a positive thing. We’re doing more miles.”
Ritzler says that’s due in part to lower oil materials costs, which have allowed them to stretch their paving.
Additionally Ritzler says the highway department knows exactly when and where each pound of asphalt was made and where it goes. He says this provides greater accountability for taxpayers as to where their money is going.
Information is also shared on the Starke County Highway Department Facebook page.
Author Mary Perren, WKVI
The Starke County Highway Department is preparing to pave and wedge another 10 miles of roads this month. Superintendent Rik Ritzler told the county commissioners Monday crews have already paved and wedged more than 10 miles of roadway.
They will also chip seal about 20 miles of county roads this month and will start making asphalt for a third round of paving by the last weekend in August. He says paving may be limited this year due to time and weather instead of available funds.
“We’ve never done round three, and we’re going to be doing that,” Ritzler said. “We’re going to be paving some of these subdivisions in the resort areas because they don’t like us paving in the summer. So we’ve never really had an opportunity to do that. It’s a good and bad thing that we’re running out of time this summer. We’ve been so busy we just don’t have any more time to do it. That’s a positive thing. We’re doing more miles.”
Ritzler says that’s due in part to lower oil materials costs, which have allowed them to stretch their paving.
Additionally Ritzler says the highway department knows exactly when and where each pound of asphalt was made and where it goes. He says this provides greater accountability for taxpayers as to where their money is going.
Information is also shared on the Starke County Highway Department Facebook page.
Thursday, August 4, 2016
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