County To Remain In Eastern Time Zone

The county commissioners don't intend to challenge or change their decision to remain in the Eastern time zone, according to board president Avis Gunter.

An informal public poll was taken in July and August that "leaned" toward Eastern time.

"We're not going to change anything," said Gunter Tuesday. "We didn't meet any of the criteria to petition for Central Time."

The U.S. Department of Transportation provided counties with several guidelines to determine their preferences. They are:

¥ The focus of business supplies and product destinations;

¥ The sources of radio and television broadcasts;

¥ The location of transportation hubs, including airports, bus and passenger service;

¥ The nature of the economy, whether it is declining or growing; and

¥ The existing time zone in nearby areas that draw people for education, health, recreation and worship.

The U.S. DOT is recommending St. Joseph and Starke counties switch to Central time, along with Lake, Porter, La Porte, Newton and Jasper counties.

St. Joseph's neighbors - citizens of Elkhart County - wish to remain in the Eastern time zone.

Marshall and Fulton counties have petitioned during U.S. DOT hearings to be included in the Central time zone with St. Joseph County.

Regardless of the outcome of hearings, Kosciusko County will follow the DOT recommendation that it remains in the Eastern time zone.