MOUNT VERNON — Several local groups stepped up to provide safe transport for dogs on their way to the Knox County Dog Shelter.

The Friends of the Knox County Dog Shelter used donations from the sale of its annual shelter dog calendar to purchase two large dog crates.

Leadership Knox and Peoples Bank donated intermediate-size dog kennels for the dog wardens’ vehicles. The total cost of the donated crates is $2,600.

Dog Warden Brian Biggerstaff said the existing crates are old and cracked, and the doors will not open.

As of Thursday, the shelter had 17 dogs; 15 are available for adoption. One dog is on a three-day stray hold, and the other dog was seized for evidence on a vicious dog attack case.

One dog on the adoption floor has been at the shelter for over 60 days.

August stats show 49 dogs came into the shelter, and 48 dogs left the shelter. Of those leaving, three went to transfer/rescue, and 21 were adopted.

Of the incoming dogs, 15 were owner surrender, and 33 were strays. One was a returned adoption dog.

Biggerstaff said the four dog wardens issued 29 citations in August and reported that the shelter remodeling project should start soon.

Litter & Recycling

Knox County Recycling and Litter Prevention manager Matt Baugher said last week’s river cleanup went well.

“The water level was low, which speeds up cleanup in town where the people don’t overly rely on the water,” he said. “However, it does slow down the Paddle for Heroes team.

“We had about 140 volunteers in the river at some point,” he added.

Another 20 to 30 volunteers helped with trash and tire removal and providing watercraft and food. Friends of the Kokosing drew 20 volunteers from throughout the state via social media and advertising in similar groups.

“We were able to welcome many first-time participants,” Baugher said.

Baugher said he will be teaching classes at the Knox County Career Center. He would like to get into Mount Vernon schools and needs to reconnect with Danville.

Recycling bins are doing well throughout the county except for Liberty Township, which has a lot of contamination.

The hazardous waste collections are nearing their end; Baugher said the program was widely popular and the best one in the four-county district for residents.

DKMM is considering municipal tire collection and latex paint events for 2024. The string lights recycling program will return this year.

Regarding the Knox County Fair, Baugher said there was a lot of contamination in the recycling containers. Small festivals do great with recycling.

Baugher and DKMM staff are talking with Price Farms Organics to potentially receive food-grade compost at the compost facility. The compost would be free to residents.

He will let the folks organizing the Arch Park community garden know about the potential availability of food-grade compost.

Baugher said he reached out to Knox County EMA to see how he can help with the high number of visitors anticipated for the April 2024 solar eclipse.

Water & Wastewater

Superintendent Jeff Pickrell said the roof is being installed on the new plant building this week. Workers will start the framework for the drop ceiling next week. HVAC equipment and windows are installed, and the drywall is finished.

The cabinets and countertops are ready for installation. The goal is to have it done by the end of the year.

The start date has been moved to October for the Pleasant View Acres sanitary system. Pickrell will send a notice to residents about the work, excavating, and construction traffic.

The project will not disrupt service. The county is using ARPA (American Rescue Plan Act) money to fund the project.

Miscellaneous

The commissioners took the following actions the week of Sept. 18:

•Authorized an additional $43,036.60 to Small’s Asphalt & Paving for additional work, including asphalt level course and chip seal on Hoss and Colopy roads

•Approved an application from Small’s for 2023 surfacing for $639,709.36

•Approved Memorandums of Understanding between Knox County Job & Family Services and Family Life Counseling and Psychiatric Services, Riverside Recovery Services, The Freedom Center, and Knox County Family & Children First Council

•Authorized a grant agreement between JFS and Knox County Head Start

•Approved an agreement between the Knox County Sheriff’s Office and Premier Healthcare Services for third-party administration of medical care for the Knox County Jail. The agreement is effective Oct. 1 through Sept. 30, 2024 and costs $495,000. Monthly payments are $41,250.

•Designated the Knox County Land Bank as the lead agency for demolition, site revitalization, and brownfield renovation

•Approved the purchase of body cams and tasers from Axon for the KCSO

•Approved an additional $4,206.66 to Kokosing Construction for Lock Road asphalt resurfacing; final total $$620,208.44