The Starke County Highway Department got through the summer without any accidents or injuries. Highway Superintendent Rik Ritzler says the last one occurred in February of this year. Each employee received a letter of commendation for helping to ensure a safe summer. Ritzler told the commissioners the drivers recently attended the Indiana Public Employer’s Plan safety training in Valparaiso. Covered topics include truck safety, meth lab awareness and basics of winter plowing. An in-depth winter operations training is scheduled Tuesday, Nov. 25 at the Starke County Highway Garage. Ritzler also conducts weekly safety meetings to reenforce the lessons learned at the more formal trainings.
