Hmm, What To Do This Weekend?

Well, NJ-SP Cross Country and Volleyball teams have out-of-town events Saturday if you’re a sports fan and like to travel.  The JV, 7th Grade, and 8th Grade football teams will all be playing at home this Saturday.  https://www.njwtpl.org/nj-school-events  There are also several family activities you might consider if you’re not sports minded. 

You’ll have several chances to dine out this weekend and support local groups.  We’ll start with the San Pierre VFD Fish Fry on Saturday.  Then on Sunday you have a choice of THREE pancake breakfasts - two in Knox (Center Twp. FD or the Knights of Columbus), one in North Judson (NJ-SP Knights of Columbus).  The old question of which came first, the chicken or the egg, will be answered if you also attend the NJ United Methodist Church Henny Penny Chicken Dinner later in the day. 

SATURDAY, October 5th

7-11 am (Central Time) – Pulaski Memorial 1st Annual Color Run = Pulaski Memorial Hospital, Winamac.  Registration begins at 8:15am (ET) / Race starts at 9am (ET) for the 3K Run or Walk.  Registration is $25 on race day - race day registration is cash or check only.  Be sure to visit the Health Fair after the race for some healthy snacks and information about hospital services.

9am-1pm – F.A.R.M. Sale = Starke County F.A.R.M., 5435 E. State Road 8, Knox, Indiana.  They will have potatoes, bell peppers, green beans, banana peppers, radishes, jalapeño peppers, a small assortment of tomatoes and some seasonal crafts.

10am / 12:30pm / 2:30pm – Pumpkin Trains = Hoosier Valley Railroad Museum, North Judson.  The train will take passengers on a scenic countryside excursion across the Kankakee River at English Lake before returning to North Judson and our pumpkin patch. Kids of all ages enjoy the ride!  Tickets are available online at:  http://www.hoosiervalley.org/shop/tickets/
4pm-?? – San Pierre VFD Fish Fry = San Pierre Fire Station, San Pierre.  Tickets:  Adults = $10 / Children = $5 / Carry outs will be available.

SUNDAY, October 6th

7am-12noon – NJ-SP Knights of Columbus Pancake Breakfast = St. Cyril & Methodius Catholic Church, 303 Keller Avenue, North Judson.  Service eggs, pancakes, sausages, and beverages.  Price:  Free will donation.
 7:30-11:30am – Knox Center Twp. Pancake Breakfast = Knox Center Twp. Fire Department, Station 2, Knox.  Serving pancakes, sausage, coffee, and orange drink.  Tickets:  Adults = $6 / Children 8 & under = $3
 8-10am – Knox Knights of Columbus Pancake Breakfast = Knights of Columbus Hall, 503 E. Lake Street, Knox.  Ticket price is $6.
 11am-1pm – Henny Penny Chicken Dinner = North Judson UMC Fellowship Hall, North Judson.  All you can eat chicken, potatoes, coleslaw, bread, dessert, & drink.  Tickets:  Adults = $9 / Children 12 & under = $4.50 / Preschool = Free.  Proceeds support missionaries in Africa.
 11am-4pm – BaboonFest 2019 = Peaceable Primate Sanctuary, 6415 N 800 W, Winamac.  Come and meet all of the baboons and their crazy macaque neighbor. We will have live music, food, kid’s events, face painting and our wonderful staff and volunteers will be giving guided tours of the sanctuary.  We ask for a $10 donation for adults and children are free, your donation helps us provide this safe haven for our retirees. Again, this year we are collecting school supplies that will benefit local elementary students.

Deadline to Register to Vote in Municipal Elections Is Monday

Posted on October 4, 2019
Author Michael Gallenberger, WKVI

Those who want to vote in next month’s municipal elections but are not registered have just a few days left to get that done. The voter registration deadline is Monday, October 7.

Residents have until the close of business Monday to register at their county clerk’s office. You can also register with the Indiana Voters app or at IndianaVoters.com until Monday night at midnight.

The Indiana Secretary of State’s Office says the app and website also let voters find their polling place, see who’s on their ballot, and track their absentee ballot application. To be eligible to register to vote, you must be a citizen of the United States and at least 18 years old by Election Day, among other requirements.

Some of the communities holding elections next month are Plymouth, Culver, Bourbon, LaPaz, North Judson, and Medaryville. Election Day is Tuesday, November 5.

The FASFA Application for 2020-2021 School Year is Now Available

Posted on October 4, 2019
Author Jacque Ryan, WKVI

All college-bound individuals, regardless of age and income level, are encouraged to file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), which is now open for the 2020-2021 school year.

With more than $350 million in state financial aid available, as well as billions of dollars in federal aid, the Indiana Commission for Higher Education reminds Hoosiers it’s more important than ever to file the FAFSA by April 15, 2020.

Officials note that in addition to determining eligibility for state and federal financial aid, many colleges require a completed FAFSA to award merit and need-based scholarships.

Filing the FAFSA is also critical for Indiana’s 21st Century Scholars, who are required to file on time in order to earn the state scholarship that pays for up to four years of college tuition.

Students can either file the document online at FAFSA.gov or they can utilize the myStudentAid app.

The app was designed to make the process easier for the nearly 19 million students who file the FAFSA each year. Officials note that it also benefits students who do not have access to a computer or high-speed internet at home.

The first step for students who have not filed the FAFSA in the past is to create a Federal Student Aid (FSA) ID.

Once that is in place, each student will need their social security number, or “alien registration number” for non-U.S. citizens, federal income tax returns, W-2s and other records of money earned.

If individuals can, they should also have bank statements and records of investments as well as records of untaxed income on hand for the process.

The U.S. Department of Education provides email and live chat assistance for FAFSA filers as well as a helpline at 800-4FED-AID.

Hoosier families can also find FAFSA help through INvestEd Indiana at www.investedindiana.org.

For questions about state financial aid, students can contact the Indiana Commission for Higher Education by phone at 888-528-4719 or via email at awards@che.in.gov.

10/20 & 21 Hydrant Flushing in NJ

SCEDF to Host Manufacturers Day Event & Job Fair Next Week

Posted on October 3, 2019
Author Jacque Ryan, WKVI

Local students will have a chance to ‘Tune into their Futures’ when the Starke County Economic Development Foundation hosts their annual Manufacturers Day next week.

On Thursday, October 10th the Foundation will host approximately 350 seventh grade students from the Knox, Oregon-Davis, North Judson-San Pierre, and Culver School Corporations.

Seventh grade was chosen as the best age group to present the program to since what they learn can be utilized the following year when they start preparing their high school graduation pathways.

With knowledge of what is at stake, officials hope that students will properly prepare for their future, whether that includes college, a vocational program or going straight into the workforce.  The goal of this program is to equip kids with the knowledge they need to start making that decision.

Many area industries will take part in the event including ACPI Corporation, Callisons, Knox Fertilizer Company, Kruz Inc, MPI, Norton Packaging, Outstanding Tradeshow Exhibit Services, Traffic Control Specialists, Toll Integrated Systems, and others, as well as the Starke County Initiative for Life Long Learning (SCILL).

Students will have the chance to learn what each company manufactures, who they sell their products to and for what use, what types of jobs are available in the company, and most importantly, what job skills and education are required to secure employment.

At the conclusion of the tour, students will receive a “goodie bag” that includes items for them to take home that are based on the theme in addition to a brochure highlighting SCILL and each of the industries they visited and a crossword puzzle for the students to complete related to their visit.

According to officials, this event is now in its seventh year and has proven to be well-received by all who have participated.

The Foundation uses this, in part, as a way to answer the industry’s cries for help in finding workers with proper job skills while at the same time showing students the opportunities that are available to them in their home community if they have the skills employers need. 

In addition to providing an opportunity for students, the SCEDF will be co-hosting a job fair with WorkOne on Wednesday, October 9th.

The event will be held in the Knox Middle School auxiliary gymnasium and will run from 4:30 p.m. until 6:30 p.m. All job seekers are encouraged to attend.

If you have any questions, contact the SCEDF at 574-772-5627.

Starke County Council Adopts 2020 Budgets

Posted on October 2, 2019
Author Anita Goodan, WKVI

The Starke County Council members took action Monday night to adopt several budgets for 2020.

The Starke County Airport Authority 2020 budget was adopted in the total amount of $1,473,693; the Koontz Lake Conservancy District budget was adopted in the total amount of $210,205; the Starke County Solid Waste Management District budget was adopted in the amount of $234,998; and the North Judson-San Pierre School Corporation budget was adopted in the total amount of $12,689,622.

The council members also voted unanimously to approve the Starke County budget at a total amount of $17,211,939.  A breakdown of all funds can be found below:

County General

• 0001 Clerk: $199,391
• 0002 Auditor: $186,421
• 0003 Treasurer: $102,512
• 0004 Recorder: $80,332
• 0005 Sheriff: $723,269
• 0006 Surveyor: $81,381
• 0007 Coroner: $43,612
• 0008 Prosecutor: $84,200
• 0017 Old Jail Building: $11,870
• 0018 EMA: $41,647
• 0019 Election: $98,415
• 0020 EMS: $1,407,810
• 0021 Purdue Extension: $119,986
• 0022 Planning Commission: $121,170
• 0023 Drainage Board: $11,100
• 0024 Veteran Service Officer: $16,581
• 0025 Commissioners: $2,526,583
• 0026 Courthouse: $82,627
• 0027 Jail: $180,591
• 0028 Annex Building: $76,324
• 0029 Circuit Court: $521,798
• 0030 BZA: $19,938
• 0031 Soil & Water: $35,023
• 0032 Prosecutor: $118,361
• 0033 County Council: $37,768
• 0035 IT: $306,782

Other County Funds

• 1112 CEDIT: $1,219,500
• 1114 Jail CEDIT $2,174,886
• 1122 SCCC $569,542
• 1135 Cumulative Bridge: $285,465
• 1138 Cumulative Capital Development: $200,000
• 1140 Enhanced Access: $8,000
• 1156 Firearms Training: $30,000
• 1159 Health Dept: $175,316
• 1168 Local Health Maintenance: $33,139
• 1169 Local Road & Street: 398,000
• 1176 Highway Dept.: $3,117,940
• 1188 2015 Reassessment: $377,968
• 1217 Elected Officials Training Fund: $3,500
• 1222 911 Budget: $479,340
• 2100 Supplemental Adult: $100,331
• 2105 Supplemental Juvenile: $40,512
• 4006 Buy Drug Money: $5,000
• 4101 EMS Donations: $40,000
• 4110 Farm Fund: $10,000
• 4902 Auditor Transfer Fee: $7,500
• 4907 Pre-Trial Diversion: $123,671
• 4919 Therapeutic Community Program: $404,186
• 8101 Emergency Management Grant: $3,000
• 9117 IN Crim Just Victims: $35,400
• 9133 LHMF/Tobacco Settlement: $18,484
• 9500 WIC: $118,469
• 9505 WIC Breastfeeding: $7,252

NJ-SP Jr./Sr. High Principal Presents School Improvement Plan to School Board

Posted on October 2, 2019
Author Jacque Ryan, WKVI

When the North Judson-San Pierre School Board met for their September meeting, they received a presentation from Jr./Sr. High School Principal Jim Polite about the schools’ improvement plan.

Principal Polite informed board members that officials have comprised a 3-year ‘plan for continuous improvement’ based on various types of data.

He said throughout the process, they’ve assessed state and federal report cards and discipline and attendance data in addition to curriculum and assessment audits and an instructional investigation.

Polite added that they also obtained information from inquiry forms from educators and parents as well as focus groups with teachers, administrators, and students.

There were four main focus areas that Polite noted were the key elements to the improvement plan. Those focus areas included increasing graduation and attendance rates to ensure post-secondary readiness, increasing student proficiency levels, increasing student growth rates, and specifically increasing proficiency levels and growth rates of students with disabilities.

Polite also addressed four different ‘Smart Goals’ that laid out the strategies that would be utilized to address the specific focus areas and how progress will be measured.

After the presentation, Board Vice President Sandy Kersting Rudd asked why the percentage that’s listed in the graduate rate goal seems so low.

Polite explained that it may seem low but that’s because typically, the graduation rate has been above the state average and any growth would be building on a rate that’s already pretty high. 

However, Polite did mention that the State of Indiana has been in a time of transition when it comes to the graduation rate and noted that last year’s rate may be surprisingly low due to a change to requirements.

He explained, “Last year, if you look at our data, you may see a plummet, ‘like oh my lord we went from 93 percent all the way down to 60-something percent’ that was because last year and last year only we were not permitted to count a general diploma as a graduate, which was really unfair to kids in my opinion.”

He noted that they will be allowed to include general diplomas this year so the graduation rate should be more in line with previous years.

 He noted, “We hope to be back up in the 92-93 percent range, which is well above the stage average so if we hope to increase by 1 percent per year we think it’s a lofty goal because we’re already at a high level but that’s why it may seem a little bit low.”

The board members provided unanimous approval for the plan to be submitted to state officials by the October deadline.

The information provided above is just a summary of the information that was presented during the school board meeting.

INDOT Offering Scholarships, Paid Jobs to Civil Engineering Students

Posted on October 2, 2019
Author Michael Gallenberger, WKVI

Civil engineering students can get help paying for college, as well as a paid job, from the Indiana Department of Transportation. INDOT’s scholarship program gives students $3,125 per semester for up to five years for educational costs, fees, and books. In return, they’ll be expected to work for INDOT full-time during summer breaks and for a certain amount of time after graduation. Funding for the program comes from the federal government.

To qualify, INDOT says students must be accepted or enrolled full-time in one of the state’s certified engineering schools, such as Purdue University, Valparaiso University, or the University of Notre Dame. Applications for the 2020-2021 school year are due by December 31.

Information about how to apply can be found at INDOTScholarship.IN.gov.

4-H Grows Here!

October 1st means...4-H enrollment is open for the 2019-2020 4-H year! Enrollment is available online at in.4honline.com

More information including enrollment how-to is available on our website at: extension.purdue.edu/starke

Possible New NJ-SP Lessee Could Bring an Additional Pre-School Option into the County

Posted on October 1, 2019
Author Jacque Ryan, WKVI

The North Judson-San Pierre School Board was recently informed about the possibility of leasing space at the Middle School building to a new tenant who would help bring an additional pre-school option into the County.

Earlier this year, the owner of Max’s Playhouse in Culver, Brandy Pohl, applied for and received an education capacity-building grant.

The grant award totaled approximately $54,646 and the required 5 percent match was provided by the Starke County Economic Development Foundation. The funding opportunity was offered through the Indiana Family and Social Service Administration’s Office of Early Childhood and Out-of-School Learning.

During the September NJ-SP School Board meeting, Superintendent Dr. Annette Zupin told members that Pohl has been talking with school officials about the possibility of utilizing space on the school’s campus to do bring a new pre-school program into Starke County.

Zupin noted, “She wants to start SEEDs at North Judson and that’s Schools Engaging Early Development and she would like to lease a classroom for a mixed-aged preschool group here at North Judson-San Pierre Middle School. We already have Adventure Island Preschool, this would be in addition to that.”

Adventure Island Preschool has been assisting local families for years and has occupied a space in the NJ-SP Middle School building since 2016.

Dr. Zupin told school board members to expect to address the potential new tenant in a future meeting and expressed her excitement about the possibility of having a specific area dedicated to early childhood learning.

Zupin shared, “This may be something within the next month or so where I would have a lease agreement ready to go.”

She continued, “I think it would be great to have a pre-school wing in our Middle School.”

Neither preschool is specifically endorsed by the school corporation or will be offered any type of preferential treatment. NJ-SP is simply providing the businesses with a facility to call home.

To understand the stark need for additional childcare facilities in the region, consider some of the following statistics: 

The Data Center for Early Learning in Indiana notes that 72 percent of rural families in the state live in an area without a licensed childcare provider and in some portions of Starke County more than 80 percent of the households with young children have all parents in the labor force.

According to the Center for American Progress, most of Starke County is considered a “Child Care Desert”, meaning that more than 50 children under the age of 5 live in an area that contains either no child care provider or so few options that there are more than three times as many children as there are licensed child care slots.

For additional information, click the links provided above.