Skip to main content

Government & School Board

Huntington BOW approves revolving loan for Future Manufacturing

Future Manufacturing, formerly known as Fogwell Manufacturing, received approval from the Huntington Board of Public Works and Safety on Monday Jan. 17, to receive a revolving loan that will help the company add new equipment.

The city is loaning the company a quarter of the total cost of the four new pieces of machinery - $82,500 of about $330,000 - and the money will be paid back over seven years at a low interest rate, explained Ruth Marsh, city operations manager, after the meeting.

The new equipment will provide Huntington with more jobs, the board was told.

Roanoke council hears plans about winery possibly coming to area

A winery may soon be located near Roanoke, and the project's owners are seeking permission to link to the town's water supply.

Complete details about the project have not been released as it is still in planning stages, but the proposed water hookup was discussed at the Roanoke Town Council meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 18.

Should the project come to fruition, the winery and eventual vineyard will be located about 2,000 feet outside the current Roanoke water supply near the Arlington Heights subdivision.

Ebersole first to officially file for mayor's race

Erv Ebersole (left) becomes the first candidate to file for the mayor's race this morning, Wednesday, Jan. 19, as Voter Registration Deputy Pam Fowler handles the paperwork.
Photo by Cindy Klepper.

Erv Ebersole won the first race.

Ebersole, a 16-year veteran of the Huntington Common Council, announced in November that he planned to become a candidate for mayor in 2011. A handful of others have made similar announcements over the past several months, but Ebersole was the first to make it official.

He filed documents declaring his candidacy for the Republican nomination as mayor as soon as the Huntington County Clerk's office opened on Wednesday, Jan. 19, the first day members of major political parties could file their candidacies.

Banks having productive first session as rookie state senator

Sen. Jim Banks (R-Columbia City) files his 21st and final bill at the Indiana Statehouse in Indianapolis on Tuesday, Jan. 11. Banks is working on a variety of issues for the 2011 session, which began Jan. 4.
Photo by Matt Murphy.

Sen. Jim Banks, (R-Columbia City) filed his 21st and final piece of legislation on Tuesday, Jan. 11, marking a productive first session for the senator.

Since the Indiana General Assembly opened its session on Jan. 4, Banks has filed bills on topics ranging from the elimination of the death tax to changing how school board elections are conducted. The deadline for senators to file bills was Thursday, Jan. 13, and the 2011 session must be adjourned by April 30.

Governor outlines goals for 2011 in State of State address

Gov. Mitch Daniels (R) delivers his annual State of the State address to a joint session of the Indiana legislature at the Indiana Statehouse on Tuesday, Jan. 11. Daniels outlined his legislative priorities for 2011.
Photo by Matt Murphy.

Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels outlined his goals for the 2011 legislative session during his seventh annual State of the State address at the Indiana Statehouse on Tuesday, Jan. 11.

Daniels tossed out ideas for boosting the state's struggling education system, urged a restructuring of local government and commented on the state's positive economic climate in 2010 and his proposed 2011 budget, which includes no tax increases.

Most of the ideas weren't surprising, as reports before the speech indicated the issues at hand.

Local GOP will hold caucus for new coroner

The Huntington County Republican Party will hold a caucus on Tuesday, Jan. 25, to select a new county coroner.

The post was left vacant by the resignation of Leon Hurlburt, who left the job at the end of the year in order to serve as a Huntington County commissioner.

Hurlburt served two years of a four-year term as coroner before being elected as commissioner. The newly-appointed coroner will serve the two years remaining in Hurlburt's term.

Plow-damaged boxes must follow policy to be eligible for replacement

The Huntington County Highway Department has clarified its policy on repairing and replacing mailboxes and paper boxes damaged during snow plowing.

Any boxes located too close to the road will be replaced if they are hit by a plow, Highway Superintendent Troy Hostetler says, but will be placed in the proper location.

Boxes damaged by snow will not be replaced, he says.

"The highway department uses caution to avoid mailbox damage; however, it is possible that mailboxes could be damaged during the snow removal process," reads a release issued by the department.

Hoosiers can share views on legislative matters by completing survey

Hoosiers in Senate District 17 can share their views on various legislative matters by completing a survey from State Sen. Jim Banks (R-Columbia City).

Banks says input from constituents helps him better represent citizens and make important decisions on budget, education, economic development, job creation, local government reform and social issues.

SWCD to meet Jan. 18 at office

The Huntington County Soil and Water Conservation District will hold its monthly meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 18 at the District Office beginning at 7 p.m.

The District Office is located at 2040 Riverfolk Drive, Huntington. The meeting is open to the public.

For additional information, contact the SWCD office at 356-6816, ext. 3.

 

BMV branches no longer stock plates, says central distribution will cut costs

Drivers in Indiana will no longer be able to obtain renewal stickers, registration cards or license plates the same day by a visit to local license branches.

The Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles no longer allows Indiana drivers to obtain those materials at license branches due to a new centralized distribution system that is expected to cut costs.

The new policy became effective Jan. 1.

Landfill scales to be replaced in entirety, council decides

Steve McIntyre was elected president of the Huntington Common Council at its meeting Tuesday, Jan. 11.
Photo by Cindy Klepper.

Scales at the Huntington Landfill should be replaced in their entirety, even though repairs could be accomplished at less than half the price, members of the Huntington Common Council decided during their meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 11.

Replacing the scales at a cost of $50,962 would include replacing the concrete deck which, Landfill Director Ann Tompkins told the council, is dotted with large potholes from heavy use and lack of maintenance.

HCCSC board approves firing, adds library board member

The Huntington County Community School Corporation Board of Trustees approved the firing of a classified staff member, appointed a library board member and discussed the possibility of issuing a Qualified School Construction Bond application during its first meeting of the new year on Monday, Jan. 10.

Mary Caley was unanimously released from her duties as cashier at Crestview Middle School. Superintendent of Schools Tracey Shafer cited general employment duties as the reason for her release.

Commissioners OK private firm to handle sheriff’s sales

The Huntington County Commissioners voted to allow a private company to manage Huntington County's sheriff's sales at its meeting on Monday, Jan. 10.

Although some revenue the county receives from the sales through fees will be lost, the sheriff will be freed to be more active in other duties, and will be able to find other sources of revenue.

The new system will not take effect until approved by Huntington County Council. Sheriff's sales are sales of foreclosed properties. Indiana law requires the sheriff preside over foreclosure sales.

Andrews council approves new park rules

The 2011 Andrews Town Council opened its first meeting of the new year on Monday, Jan. 10, at the Andrews Municipal Building. Pictured (from left) are Council President Karl Shockome, Councilman Mike Rohler and Councilman Ray Tackett.
Photo by Matt Murphy.

The Andrews Town Council unanimously approved new rules for the town park on first reading during the council's meeting on Monday, Jan. 10.

The ordinance establishes park hours from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m. and makes vandalism in the park a punishable offense. Violators would be subject to a $25 fine for the first offense, a $50 fine for the second offense and a $100 fine for subsequent offenses.