Community Mourns the Loss of Retired Starke Circuit Court Judge

Marvin McLaughlin Passing the Indiana Bicentennial Torch in 2016

This week, the Starke County community learned of the passing of long-time Starke Circuit Court Judge Marvin D. McLaughlin. Though he was retired at the time of his death, community members remember his years of service to the county. The 87-year-old North Judson resident was at Pulaski Memorial Hospital when he passed away on Saturday, October 7th.

Marvin McLaughlin attended Butler University and obtained his law degree from Indianapolis University. In 1957, he moved to North Judson to start a law practice. He served as Starke County Prosecutor for four years. McLaughlin went on to serve as a Starke Circuit Court Judge for nearly three decades, from 1963 until his retirement in 1992.  Continue reading

Recount Commission Reaffirms Vote Totals

Starke County IT Director Joe Short, Democrat James A. Henriott and Republican Marilyn Folkers review vote totals in the two races in which challenges were filed.
Starke County IT Director Joe Short, Democrat James A. Henriott and Republican Marilyn Folkers review vote totals in the two races in which challenges were filed.

The three-member commission charged with reviewing vote totals in two close Starke County races found no discrepancies in either contest. The certificate they will file with the Starke County Clerk’s office finds Democrat Pamela Stalbaum beat Republican Don White by two votes in the fourth district county council race. By the numbers, Stalbaum got 707 votes to White’s 705 for the seat currently held by Marvin McLaughlin. Continue reading

Recount Commission Members to Meet Today

  
 

The three-member recount commission appointed last week by Starke Circuit Judge Kim Hall to review the votes cast in two recent General Election contests will meet this morning at the courthouse. They’re looking into the outcome of the fourth district county council race between Democrat Pam Stalbaum and Republican Don White. The Republican Party filed a recount petition on White’s behalf after Stalbaum eked out a two-vote victory in the race to succeed Democrat Marvin McLaughlin. Incumbent Railroad Township Trustee Roger Chaffins, Sr. also filed a petition for a recount after losing to Republican Mandy Thompson by three votes. Continue reading

Voting Machines and Ballots Impounded, Judge Considering Recount Commission Members

  
 

The voting machines and ballots from the four Wayne and lone Railroad Township Precincts in the Nov. 4 General Election have been impounded to facilitate recounts in two very close races. Republican Party officials sought a recount on behalf of 4th District Council candidate Don White. He lost to Democrat Pamela Stalbaum by two votes in the race to succeed Marvin McLaughlin. That seat represents Wayne and Railroad Townships.

Incumbent Democrat Railroad Township Trustee Roger Chaffins Sr. has also filed a recount petition in his race. He lost to Republican Mandy Thompson by three votes. Continue reading

Knox Council Once Again Tables Museum Relocation Discussion

Knox City Council
Knox City Council

The Starke County Historical Society has hit another roadblock as they seek to relocate their museum. The Knox City Council this week refused to give the Historical Society permission to lease the city’s railroad right-of-way on U.S. 35, across from the visitor’s center, but Marvin McLaughlin with the Historical Society said this won’t necessarily stop them from establishing the new building.

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Possible Relocation in the Future for the Starke County Museum

Knox City Council
Knox City Council

The Starke County Historical Society is looking to relocate their museum to the area across from the visitor’s center in Knox on U.S. 35, but they’ll need the city’s cooperation in order to do so. Marvin McLaughlin with the Historical Society approached the city council at their meeting Tuesday night with a proposal for a new building to house the museum, but he wasn’t asking for money; rather, McLaughlin said the Historical Society would like to lease the railroad right-of-way.

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Mediation Session Resolves Issue between Starke County Sheriff, Merit Board

Starke County Sheriff Oscar Cowen

The issue between Sheriff Oscar Cowen and Starke County Merit Board President Ken Arnett seems to have been resolved, they were using mediation in court last Friday. Former Starke County Circuit Court Judge Marvin McLaughlin conducted the session and reported back to the county council Monday night.

“All the parties showed up and brought their common sense,” McLaughlin said. “We got an agreement that took care of the whole lawsuit. We also established a procedure for settling all the disputes and the council and courts should not be bothered again.”

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Henry F. Schricker Award Winner Selected

Henry Schricker

The Henry F. Schricker Award winner has been selected. Debbie Mix, the Executive Director of the Starke County Chamber of Commerce, said the name will not be released at this time, but the choice was difficult this year.

“It was a very difficult choice this year because anyone to has ever been nominated is still a nominee and we had several more this year and it was a difficult choice. I’m very excited for who is going to get this award,” said Mix.

The award dinner will be held January 19th at Bass Lake.

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Annual Starke United Meeting Held Thursday Night

Marilyn Zabinski, Julie Dessauer and Megan Hamand

The annual Starke United meeting was held last night at the Community Services of Starke County Building in Knox. The emcee for the evening, Megan Hamand, introduced the speaker of the evening, Marvin McLaughlin, of North Judson, who blended humor with an appeal to support the organization. Mr. McLaughlin set the stage for the rest of the evening which included the announcement of the Volunteer of the Year, Marilyn Zabinski.

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Marvin McLaughlin Honored as 2010 Henry F. Schricker Award Winner

Marvin's family Front row: Nancy Leonard, Chuck Leonard, Lynette Altman, Barbara McLaughlin (wife), Marvin McLaughlin, Sarah Altman, Evan Altman. Back row: David Altman, Barbara McLaughlin, Alan McLaughlin

The Honorable Judge Marvin McLaughlin was celebrated last night as the 2010 Henry F. Schricker Service Award winner. With family, friends and dignitaries in attendance, the Judge was praised for living a life of “service before self” which was the motto of the former Governor.

In his acceptance speech, the Judge talked about setting aside politics and working for the good of your community, county, and country.

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Henry F. Schricker Awards Banquet to be held Tonight

Marvin McLaughlin

The 2010 Henry F. Schricker Awards Banquet will be held tonight at the Knox Community Center. Honored will be former Starke County Circuit Court Judge and current County Councilman, Marvin McLaughlin, of North Judson.

When interviewed recently by Ted Hayes, Judge McLaughlin remembered the man of whom the award is named, the late governor Henry F. Schricker.

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Starke County Democrats are Sworn into Office

Marvin McLaughlin and Kenny Wallace

The Starke County Democrat swearing in ceremony was held Thursday night at the Knox Community Center. Former Starke County Circuit Court Judge Marvin McLaughlin swore in the various county and township elected officials. Following the event, friends and family of the candidates enjoyed refreshments.

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Henry F. Schricker Died on this Day in 1966

Henry Schricker

Starke County’s most famous citizen passed away on this date in 1966. Henry Schricker died on December 28th, a Wednesday afternoon after being a hospital patient at Starke Memorial Hospital for almost a month. He died of a heart attack at the age of 83.

He served two terms as Governor of the State of Indiana. He was born in North Judson on August 30th, 1883, when the area was still part of the Great Kankakee Swamp.

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The 2010 Henry F. Schricker Award Winner is Marvin McLaughlin

Marvin McLaughlin takes a moment to chat with Starke County Commissioner Jennifer Davis

The Starke County Chamber of Commerce announces that this year’s Henry F. Schricker “Service before Self” Award winner is Marvin D. McLaughlin. McLaughlin is well-known to all citizens in Starke County.

Marvin McLaughlin is known to most of us in the County as the “Honorable Judge Marvin McLaughlin” for his many years of service on the Starke County Circuit Court bench.

When Marvin McLaughlin was sworn in as judge, then-retired Governor Schricker said a few words. McLaughlin said this about Henry Schricker.

“Back in the 1950s when he ran for Congress, I worked as a volunteer on his campaign at the Statehouse,” said McLaughlin. “He was a very interesting person and he was very interested in you as an individual and he was a very appreciative person.”

He is a winner of the Sagamore of the Wabash, having been presented the award at his retirement recognition event from the bench in 1992.

Among his proud achievements is having been a 4-H leader.

“For 15 years I was a 4-H leader,” said McLaughlin. “When we first came to the County, that’s when Purdue had changed, saying that the agriculture teachers could no longer be 4-H leaders. In North Judson, we didn’t have a 4-H club. The kids had to go somewhere else. I started the club from scratch.”

Congratulations to Marvin McLaughlin of North Judson who is this year’s Henry F. Schricker Award winner for 2010. He will be feted at a banquet in January at the Knox Community Center.

Newly Elected Starke County Officials to go through Orientation

Starke County Courthouse

Orientation for newly elected officials in Starke County will be held Tuesday, December 21st, from 9:00-11:00 a.m. A tentative agenda will be emailed to all existing department heads who are invited to attend.

New Council members are David Pearman, Mitchell Semans, Anthony Radkiewicz, and Marvin McLaughlin.  They will be going into office after January 1st.  Also invited to attend is newly elected Prosecutor, Nicholas Bourff.