Starke County Highway Department Stocks Up for Winter

 The Starke County Highway Department is getting ready for winter weather. Superintendent Rik Ritzler told the county commissioners last week they’ve committed to 1,250 tons of salt at $56.16 per ton. He says that represents a savings of between $8 and $9,000 over last year.

Ritzler adds the county is also experimenting with a small amount of treated salt this year. Untreated salt is effective to about 15 degrees. Ritzler says treated salt can work to about 5 below zero. He says the highway department will use it mainly on intersections this winter to see if it is something worth considering in the future. The highway department purchased 100 tons of treated salt for $72.84 per ton.