Frankfort

A new city ordinance allows the Frankfort Police Department to start enforcing traffic violations within residential complexes.  

A state law passed in 2016 empowers municipal governments to address moving traffic violations on this type of property. Police Chief Troy Bacon says action was taken in Frankfort after the issue was raised at multiple community meetings by both residents and owners.

Frankfort Mayor Chris McBarnes says he’s already working on replacement plans for three key city employees scheduled to depart in the first half of 2020. 

Police Chief Troy Bacon and Building and Zoning Inspector Sam Payne are retiring—Bacon after eight years in his role, and Payne after more than 12.  

Frankfort Human Resources Director Jack Dodd is leaving to run the city of Kokomo’s HR department—a role he previously held from 2003 to 2007.  

Frankfort property owners will be able to refurbish more than just the fronts of their buildings after a Redevelopment Commission vote Monday.

Façade grants typically fund improvements to elements such as entryways, windows, and tuckpointing, often in the downtown areas of cities who want to boost foot traffic by enhancing the look of local businesses. Redevelopment Commission member Joe Palmer says façade grant applicants may now include roof repairs, despite the fact that they’re a practical—rather than aesthetic—upgrade.

Investigators have ruled the cause of a fire that ravaged a Frankfort recycling plant in July as “undetermined.” That’s according to a press release issued by city officials Thursday.

The press release states that, though they could confirm the fire started on the northeast side of the Werner & Son recycling plant, they could not determine what caused the blaze.

Delphi officials have suspended curbside recycling pickup for residents. The decision is the result of a July fire that destroyed a Frankfort recycling plant.

Delphi Mayor Shane Evans says the curbside pickup is suspended until Werner & Son, the Frankfort recycling plant they previously used, is back on its feet. He says that’s projected to take between six months and a year.

Frankfort officials have decided not to pursue a contract with a new recycling plant after their previous partner’s facility burned down earlier this week. Trash crews will still resume curbside pickup of recyclable materials next week.

A fire at a Frankfort recycling plant continued to burn Monday afternoon as firefighters fought back the blaze.

Teams were dispatched to Werner and Son Recycling around 4:30 Monday morning after a passerby reported what they thought was a dumpster fire. Officials don’t know what caused the blaze, which tore down much of the east side of the building and left only the façade on the west.