Posted on October 3, 2018
Author Jacque Ryan, WKVI
Local individuals driven to help in the event of an emergency recently attended a Red Cross volunteer training session held at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in Knox.
The church’s parish nurse Sharon Krick organized the session in conjunction with the Starke County Community Organizations Active in Disaster (COAD). Krick reported that it was a pretty successful event. There were 24 individuals who indicated that they were interested and the majority showed up. About 20 people attended the training course on Sunday, September 23rd.
Disaster Program Manager of Northern Indiana Abe Rivas ran the session and provided a number of different scenarios in which a team of local volunteers would be useful.
From shelter work during major crises to providing assistance to a family after a house fire, there are a variety of ways that volunteers are needed right here in our community. Rivas also explained that in order to become a certified Red Cross volunteer, individuals have to sign up via the organization’s website.
Though Tuesday night’s COAD meeting was sparsely attended, members kicked around the idea of potentially hosting a future training session in the library so that computers would be accessible immediately following the informative presentation. This could potentially increase the number of people who follow up with the additional steps to become a certified Red Cross volunteer.
Though the procedure isn’t overly complicated, it does require interested volunteers to create a Red Cross ID and fill out a form with some questions about the types of opportunities they’d be interested in. If the training group was to go through this process together, it could create more of an incentive to carry through with it right away.
Wednesday, October 3, 2018
Nominations for Henry F. Schricker Award Due this Month
Posted on October 3, 2018
Author Jacque Ryan, WKVI
Do you know someone who goes above and beyond to serve the community and help others? If so, you should consider nominating them for the Henry F. Schricker “Service before Self” Award.
For more than three decades, a local community member has been awarded this honor for exemplifying the giving spirit and showing major motivation in a way that mirrors the philosophy of Indiana’s former governor.
During his lifetime, Schricker wore many hats. According the Starke County Historical Society, aside from his work at the legislative level, he studied law, worked as a banker, a fire chief and a newspaper publisher and editor. He was also reported to be a very powerful public speaker as well as a dedicated proponent for the Boy Scouts.
The Starke County Chamber of Commerce provides this award each year. Chamber representatives say that it’s meant to recognize an individual’s tremendous contribution to the betterment of the county and their overall involvement in the community.
The deadline to submit nominations is Sunday, October 21st. The chosen winner will be recognized at the Starke County Chamber of Commerce annual dinner. Nomination forms can be emailed to info@starkecountychamber.com or they can be sent to the Chamber of Commerce office at 400 N. Heaton Street in Knox.
If you have any questions, contact the Chamber at 574-772-5548. Click the following link to download the Henry F. Schricker Award Nomination Form.
Author Jacque Ryan, WKVI
Do you know someone who goes above and beyond to serve the community and help others? If so, you should consider nominating them for the Henry F. Schricker “Service before Self” Award.
For more than three decades, a local community member has been awarded this honor for exemplifying the giving spirit and showing major motivation in a way that mirrors the philosophy of Indiana’s former governor.
During his lifetime, Schricker wore many hats. According the Starke County Historical Society, aside from his work at the legislative level, he studied law, worked as a banker, a fire chief and a newspaper publisher and editor. He was also reported to be a very powerful public speaker as well as a dedicated proponent for the Boy Scouts.
The Starke County Chamber of Commerce provides this award each year. Chamber representatives say that it’s meant to recognize an individual’s tremendous contribution to the betterment of the county and their overall involvement in the community.
The deadline to submit nominations is Sunday, October 21st. The chosen winner will be recognized at the Starke County Chamber of Commerce annual dinner. Nomination forms can be emailed to info@starkecountychamber.com or they can be sent to the Chamber of Commerce office at 400 N. Heaton Street in Knox.
If you have any questions, contact the Chamber at 574-772-5548. Click the following link to download the Henry F. Schricker Award Nomination Form.
Warm Weather Helping to Speed Up Fall Harvest
Posted on October 3, 2018
Author Michael Gallenberger, WKVI
Warm weather is helping to push this year’s harvest season along, according to Purdue Extension Agriculture & Natural Resources Educator Phil Woolery. “Things are picking up pretty fast now,” he says. “We’ve had some kind of warm and dry weather that’s helped dry crops down, which has helped speed up harvest on corn and soybeans, helping things mature faster. We had some real warm weather that helped with crops growing faster, as well, so earlier than average harvest start time.”
Woolery says one of the biggest weather challenges this year was a dry spell back in July. “That affected some of the corn, depending on if the farmers had irrigation,” he explains. “But August, September is key time for soybeans, and we got some nice rains in there that helped finish off the soybean crop in our area.” But he says there were some more localized issues, like strong winds that blew down some corn in certain places.
When it comes to household plants, Woolery encourages homeowners to keep an eye on the weather as cooler temperatures approach. He says that when frost approaches, sensitive outdoor plants may be covered, while any tropical house plants should be brought indoors.
Author Michael Gallenberger, WKVI
Warm weather is helping to push this year’s harvest season along, according to Purdue Extension Agriculture & Natural Resources Educator Phil Woolery. “Things are picking up pretty fast now,” he says. “We’ve had some kind of warm and dry weather that’s helped dry crops down, which has helped speed up harvest on corn and soybeans, helping things mature faster. We had some real warm weather that helped with crops growing faster, as well, so earlier than average harvest start time.”
Woolery says one of the biggest weather challenges this year was a dry spell back in July. “That affected some of the corn, depending on if the farmers had irrigation,” he explains. “But August, September is key time for soybeans, and we got some nice rains in there that helped finish off the soybean crop in our area.” But he says there were some more localized issues, like strong winds that blew down some corn in certain places.
When it comes to household plants, Woolery encourages homeowners to keep an eye on the weather as cooler temperatures approach. He says that when frost approaches, sensitive outdoor plants may be covered, while any tropical house plants should be brought indoors.
Tuesday, October 2, 2018
Full-Time Starke County EMS Positions to be Filled Soon
Posted on October 2, 2018
Author Anita Goodan, WKVI
About 20 people have applied for the full-time positions available in the Starke County EMS Department.
EMS Director Travis Clary told the Starke County Commissioners Monday night that many of those applicants are internal and it will be a difficult choice as all of them are qualified for the positions. He anticipates filling the full-time positions next week.
Clerk Mary Lynn Ritchie said the run volume is increasing again which is helping their revenue numbers. Starke County EMS is the first responder unit called if a transfer is needed from Starke Hospital.
Ritchie also noted that a Memorandum of Understanding between the county and the hospital regarding a county transfer unit has not been returned by the hospital. They are anticipating communication with the hospital soon.
Commissioner Kathy Norem stressed that the staff should be trained on the ambulance BiPAP and ventilator equipment as soon as possible so all employees are trained before the transfer unit is put into service as their use is required by the hospital. Clary said he would check into that today.
Author Anita Goodan, WKVI
About 20 people have applied for the full-time positions available in the Starke County EMS Department.
EMS Director Travis Clary told the Starke County Commissioners Monday night that many of those applicants are internal and it will be a difficult choice as all of them are qualified for the positions. He anticipates filling the full-time positions next week.
Clerk Mary Lynn Ritchie said the run volume is increasing again which is helping their revenue numbers. Starke County EMS is the first responder unit called if a transfer is needed from Starke Hospital.
Ritchie also noted that a Memorandum of Understanding between the county and the hospital regarding a county transfer unit has not been returned by the hospital. They are anticipating communication with the hospital soon.
Commissioner Kathy Norem stressed that the staff should be trained on the ambulance BiPAP and ventilator equipment as soon as possible so all employees are trained before the transfer unit is put into service as their use is required by the hospital. Clary said he would check into that today.
North Judson Town Council Addresses Speeding Issue on Arlington Avenue
Posted on October 2, 2018
Author Jacque Ryan, WKVI
A speeding problem brought to the attention of the North Judson Clerk-Treasurer was addressed during the Town Council’s Monday night meeting.
Clerk-Treasurer Andrew Rowe informed the council members that a handicapped resident who lives on East Arlington Avenue asked him if anything could be done to keep motorists from speeding on that street.
Rowe said that Town Marshal Kelly Fisher has patrolled the vicinity and hasn’t had much luck catching anyone. However, they still continuously receive calls about people rushing down the road. Clerk-Treasurer Rowe asked the council members if signage could be installed that would alert drivers to be cautious since a handicapped resident lives in the area.
Town Superintendent Marshall Horstmann informed the board that specific INDOT approved signs that are retro-reflective have to be utilized for those types of signs. He mentioned that he would need to purchase three signs and that they cost about $45 to $50 each.
He explained that some would need to be installed on Mulberry Street, the road that intersects with Arlington Avenue and then one would be placed near where the resident lives. Horstmann also noted that the town has some extra poles that they’ll be able to utilize for these installations.
As this is a safety concern, the council members provided unanimous approval for Horstmann to purchase and install the signs.
Author Jacque Ryan, WKVI
A speeding problem brought to the attention of the North Judson Clerk-Treasurer was addressed during the Town Council’s Monday night meeting.
Clerk-Treasurer Andrew Rowe informed the council members that a handicapped resident who lives on East Arlington Avenue asked him if anything could be done to keep motorists from speeding on that street.
Rowe said that Town Marshal Kelly Fisher has patrolled the vicinity and hasn’t had much luck catching anyone. However, they still continuously receive calls about people rushing down the road. Clerk-Treasurer Rowe asked the council members if signage could be installed that would alert drivers to be cautious since a handicapped resident lives in the area.
Town Superintendent Marshall Horstmann informed the board that specific INDOT approved signs that are retro-reflective have to be utilized for those types of signs. He mentioned that he would need to purchase three signs and that they cost about $45 to $50 each.
He explained that some would need to be installed on Mulberry Street, the road that intersects with Arlington Avenue and then one would be placed near where the resident lives. Horstmann also noted that the town has some extra poles that they’ll be able to utilize for these installations.
As this is a safety concern, the council members provided unanimous approval for Horstmann to purchase and install the signs.
Voter Registration Deadline (October 9th) Approaching for General Election
Posted on October 2, 2018
Author Michael Gallenberger, WKVI
Those who’d like to vote in next month’s General Election but are not registered have one more week to get that done. The voter registration deadline is Tuesday, October 9. Residents have until the close of business that day to register at their county clerk’s office, or until midnight to register online at IndianaVoters.com. On that website, you can also check and see whether you’re already registered.
The absentee voting period runs from Wednesday, October 10 through Monday, November 5. In-person early voting will take place in the first floor of the county courthouse in Knox for Starke County voters, while Pulaski County voters may cast ballots early at the County Justice Center in Winamac or the Francesville Fire Station.
Starke County Clerk Vicki Cooley says her office is currently processing and receiving mail-in ballots. She adds that eligible voters who are home-bound or disabled may vote by travel board. To request a travel board visit in Starke County or for more information on absentee voting in general, call the county’s election office at 574-772-9160. The Pulaski County Clerk’s Office may be reached at 574-946-3313.
Polls will be open for Election Day voting on Tuesday, November 6 from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. local time. Cooley also reminds voters that if they vote a straight ticket, there will still be some at-large offices and questions they’ll have to select separately.
Additionally, Starke County will hold a public test of its voting machines and equipment tomorrow afternoon at 2:00 in the second floor meeting room in the Starke County Courthouse.
Author Michael Gallenberger, WKVI
Those who’d like to vote in next month’s General Election but are not registered have one more week to get that done. The voter registration deadline is Tuesday, October 9. Residents have until the close of business that day to register at their county clerk’s office, or until midnight to register online at IndianaVoters.com. On that website, you can also check and see whether you’re already registered.
The absentee voting period runs from Wednesday, October 10 through Monday, November 5. In-person early voting will take place in the first floor of the county courthouse in Knox for Starke County voters, while Pulaski County voters may cast ballots early at the County Justice Center in Winamac or the Francesville Fire Station.
Starke County Clerk Vicki Cooley says her office is currently processing and receiving mail-in ballots. She adds that eligible voters who are home-bound or disabled may vote by travel board. To request a travel board visit in Starke County or for more information on absentee voting in general, call the county’s election office at 574-772-9160. The Pulaski County Clerk’s Office may be reached at 574-946-3313.
Polls will be open for Election Day voting on Tuesday, November 6 from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. local time. Cooley also reminds voters that if they vote a straight ticket, there will still be some at-large offices and questions they’ll have to select separately.
Additionally, Starke County will hold a public test of its voting machines and equipment tomorrow afternoon at 2:00 in the second floor meeting room in the Starke County Courthouse.
10/2/2018 Starke County COAD Meets Tonight
Posted on October 2, 2018
Author Jacque Ryan, WKVI
The Starke County Community Organizations Active in Disaster will meet tonight at 6 p.m. where members will review a recent Red Cross Volunteer training session that was held at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church at the end of September.
Members will also discuss efforts that have been made to get food for the Local Emergency Planning Committee’s Hazardous Response Exercise on the COAD’s behalf and plans for providing food to first responders in the future.
As it is now National Fire Prevention Month, members will also consider any potential projects or community initiatives. The group will also attempt to form a board this evening.
The meeting is open to all members of the public, especially any interested representatives of community organizations. It will be held in the meeting room at the Purdue Extension Offices, located on the lower level of Starke County Annex Building #2 (the old jail building).
Author Jacque Ryan, WKVI
The Starke County Community Organizations Active in Disaster will meet tonight at 6 p.m. where members will review a recent Red Cross Volunteer training session that was held at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church at the end of September.
Members will also discuss efforts that have been made to get food for the Local Emergency Planning Committee’s Hazardous Response Exercise on the COAD’s behalf and plans for providing food to first responders in the future.
As it is now National Fire Prevention Month, members will also consider any potential projects or community initiatives. The group will also attempt to form a board this evening.
The meeting is open to all members of the public, especially any interested representatives of community organizations. It will be held in the meeting room at the Purdue Extension Offices, located on the lower level of Starke County Annex Building #2 (the old jail building).
Monday, October 1, 2018
Kelsie Purcell Named Director @ North Judson-Wayne Township Library
In July our library director, Michael Booth, submitted his
resignation and the North Judson-Wayne Township Library Board began their
search for a new director.
After interviewing several candidates the Library Board
decided to offer the position to Kelsie Purcell, currently our children’s
librarian. Kelsie accepted the offer and
will begin her duties as director of the North Judson-Wayne Township Library on
October 15th.
So the next time you see Kelsie take a few minutes to
congratulate her on the new position.
Porter-Starke Services Gets $200,000 Grant to Develop Opioid Response Plan for Starke County
Posted on October 1, 2018
Author Michael Gallenberger, WKVI
Efforts to fight opioid abuse in Starke County have gotten a major boost. Porter-Starke Services says it’s gotten a $200,000 grant from the Health Resources and Services Administration to put together a comprehensive plan to address opiate misuse.
That will involve setting up a Starke County Opioid Consortium, made up of representatives from the fields of education, government, law enforcement, health care, and substance abuse treatment. It’s scheduled to hold its first meeting on October 9 to review goals, activities, and timelines. Public forums will also be held, as part of the process.
Porter-Starke President and CEO Matthew Burden says the grant is an important step in figuring out how best to help those in need access treatment and other resources. The organization also points out that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has identified Starke County as one of 220 in the nation considered to be at a high risk of HIV and Hepatitis C increases due to injection drug use.
Author Michael Gallenberger, WKVI
Efforts to fight opioid abuse in Starke County have gotten a major boost. Porter-Starke Services says it’s gotten a $200,000 grant from the Health Resources and Services Administration to put together a comprehensive plan to address opiate misuse.
That will involve setting up a Starke County Opioid Consortium, made up of representatives from the fields of education, government, law enforcement, health care, and substance abuse treatment. It’s scheduled to hold its first meeting on October 9 to review goals, activities, and timelines. Public forums will also be held, as part of the process.
Porter-Starke President and CEO Matthew Burden says the grant is an important step in figuring out how best to help those in need access treatment and other resources. The organization also points out that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has identified Starke County as one of 220 in the nation considered to be at a high risk of HIV and Hepatitis C increases due to injection drug use.
Kid’s Closet Ministry to Get Larger Facility
Posted on October 1, 2018
Author Michael Gallenberger, WKVI
An organization aimed at making sure Starke County children have the tools the need to succeed at school is getting a much-needed facility upgrade. The Kid’s Closet Ministry provides school supplies, clothing, and other resources.
Over the next month, the organization will be moving to a 2,900-square foot building on State Road 10 on the west side of North Judson, according to Director Linda Lewandowski. “Well, we had been talking about a possible building project, but Mark and Debbie Bailey have stepped up and said hey, they had this building that they would offer to us at a very reasonable rate with the possibility of a future purchase,” Lewandowski says. “So 2,900 square feet, we couldn’t pass up on that.”
Lewandowski says Kid’s Closet is running out of space in its current location in the North Judson United Methodist Church. “Currently, we are in the church basement, which is probably about, maybe, not not even a thousand square feet, and it’s cramped,” she says. “It’s hard to get volunteers in there because there’s just no room to work. We need more volunteers, and yet we don’t have the space to house more volunteers.”
But she says there’s a lot of work to do, before the new facility is ready. “First of all, we have to do some modifying to the inside of the building,” she explains. “There’s lots of shelving that has to be built, for the Kid’s Closet Ministry, and we’re hoping to add in a laundry room, as well, so that we can do laundry on-site. That’s not something that we currently have. So it should be the biggest blessing that Kid’s Closet has ever had.”
Along with Kid’s Closet, the new space will also house the North Judson United Methodist Church’s food pantry, according to Lewandowski.
Anyone who would like to volunteer to help set up the new facility or help Kid’s Closet on a regular basis is asked to call 574-896-5927 ext. 4. Lewandowski says the organization is amazed by what the people in the local community do for the kids of Starke County.
Author Michael Gallenberger, WKVI
An organization aimed at making sure Starke County children have the tools the need to succeed at school is getting a much-needed facility upgrade. The Kid’s Closet Ministry provides school supplies, clothing, and other resources.
Over the next month, the organization will be moving to a 2,900-square foot building on State Road 10 on the west side of North Judson, according to Director Linda Lewandowski. “Well, we had been talking about a possible building project, but Mark and Debbie Bailey have stepped up and said hey, they had this building that they would offer to us at a very reasonable rate with the possibility of a future purchase,” Lewandowski says. “So 2,900 square feet, we couldn’t pass up on that.”
Lewandowski says Kid’s Closet is running out of space in its current location in the North Judson United Methodist Church. “Currently, we are in the church basement, which is probably about, maybe, not not even a thousand square feet, and it’s cramped,” she says. “It’s hard to get volunteers in there because there’s just no room to work. We need more volunteers, and yet we don’t have the space to house more volunteers.”
But she says there’s a lot of work to do, before the new facility is ready. “First of all, we have to do some modifying to the inside of the building,” she explains. “There’s lots of shelving that has to be built, for the Kid’s Closet Ministry, and we’re hoping to add in a laundry room, as well, so that we can do laundry on-site. That’s not something that we currently have. So it should be the biggest blessing that Kid’s Closet has ever had.”
Along with Kid’s Closet, the new space will also house the North Judson United Methodist Church’s food pantry, according to Lewandowski.
Anyone who would like to volunteer to help set up the new facility or help Kid’s Closet on a regular basis is asked to call 574-896-5927 ext. 4. Lewandowski says the organization is amazed by what the people in the local community do for the kids of Starke County.
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