Starke County Commissioners to Revisit Solar Rezoning Request Today

Starke County Commissioners Bryan Cavender, Charles Chesak, Mark Gourley

Days after ground was broken on the Mammoth Solar Project, the Starke County Commissioners will consider zoning permission for some affected parcels south of Bass Lake. Earlier this month, the commissioners agreed to rezone the Rentka property west of U.S. 35 to Agriculture, but tabled a decision on the nearby Redlin property. Among other things, Agricultural zoning allows for the installation of solar panels.

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Cross-Country Veterans Bike Expedition Reaches Finish Line

Trekker Paul Cook reaches the end of the cross-country bicycle ride on the Great American Rail-Trail in La Push, Washington on Aug. 7. (photo provided by Prairie Trails Club)

A cross-country bicycle ride that brought five combat veterans through Starke County is almost complete. Back in May, they set off from Washington, D.C. on the Great American Rail-Trail.

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Ball State Students Discuss Downtown Revitalization Opportunities with North Judson Leaders

Picture Source: Town of North Judson FB Page

Bringing new life to Downtown North Judson may involve capitalizing on nearby amenities but would also require some local leaders to step up. Graduate students from Ball State University held a virtual community engagement session with town officials and business owners Monday.

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North Judson Taking Steps to Finalize Railroad Sale, Discussions over LaCrosse Property Continue

The Town of North Judson is finalizing plans for the sale of its short-line railroad. Last month, the town’s redevelopment commission voted to sell the 33-mile railroad corridor to Midwest & Bluegrass Rail for $2,725,000. The deal cleared another procedural hurdle last week, when the commission passed a resolution confirming the corridor’s economic development area, which was initially created last summer.

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U.S. 30 and U.S. 31 Planning, Trail Funding Included in Governor’s 2021 Agenda

Gov. Holcomb outlines his 2021 Next Level Agenda in a video released last week.

Upgrades to U.S. 30 and U.S. 31 remain on the governor’s radar, as he sets his goals for the coming years. Governor Eric Holcomb presented his 2021 Next Level Agenda last week, and continuing with long-term planning for the two highways made it onto his list of infrastructure goals, “Making progress on an Indy-to-South Bend ‘cruise control’ U.S. 31 and major corridor improvements on U.S. 30.”

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