Efforts to create a five-year plan for Starke County park facilities have hit a bit of an obstacle. The Starke County Park Board had been discussing the possibility of getting a grant from the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs to help pay for the planning process. But to qualify for the grant, the county would have to prove that residents’ incomes fall beneath a certain threshold. Continue reading
Starke County Park Board Discusses Bass Lake Beach Improvements Amid Calls for Lessee’s Removal
The Starke County Park Board continues to monitor improvements at the Bass Lake Beach and Campground. Assistant Manager Larry Clarich told the park board Tuesday that improvements to the facility’s well have been completed. Continue reading
Starke County Park Board to Discuss Bass Lake Beach Upgrades, Five-Year Plan
Ongoing improvements at the Bass Lake Beach and Campground will be discussed during this evening’s Starke County Park Board meeting. Lessee Richard Callahan and his attorney Dave Wallsmith are expected to give board members an update on the site’s progress. Continue reading
Starke County to Seek Grant Funds for Park Plan
The Starke County Park Board is moving ahead with efforts to complete a five-year plan for the county’s park facilities. Before the county is able to get most types of grant funding for park projects, it’s required to have a comprehensive plan in place. Continue reading
Safety Upgrades Underway at Bass Lake Beach and Campground
The Bass Lake Beach and Campground is getting some upgrades, after an inspection from the Indiana Department of Environmental Management turned up a few violations. The property is owned by Starke County and leased to operator Richard Callahan. Continue reading
Starke County Council to Consider Tax Abatement Request
The Starke County Commissioners tonight will formally consider a tax abatement request from an Illinois-based company that’s looking to move to North Judson.
Outstanding Tradeshow Exhibit Services, OTES for short, wants to buy the Thermo Products building on State Road 10 west of town and set up shop in there. The company creates tradeshow exhibits for businesses. Continue reading
Park Board Officials Question Beach and Campground Improvements
The Starke County Park Board’s frustrations with Bass Lake Beach and Campground manager Richard Callahan are growing. They’ve asked county attorney Marty Lucas to attend their meeting this evening to answer questions about the difference between capital improvements and maintenance. Callahan’s lease with the county allows him to deduct capital improvements from his rent payments. However Park Board President Roger Chaffins recently told the county commissioners none of the work has been permitted or inspected and questioned whether it is safe for the public. Continue reading
Commissioners Approve Purchase to Address Beaver Problem
The Starke County Park Board has come up with a possible solution to the beaver problem in the Starke County Forest. Continue reading
Starke County to Review Bass Lake Beach Lease
Starke County’s lease-contract with Rich Callahan for operation of the Bass Lake Beach is expected to be fully reviewed soon for the County Park Board by the county’s attorney Martin Lucas and David Wallsmith, attorney for Mr. Callahan.Starke County Park Board Discusses Beach and Campground Improvements
The Starke County Park Board and Rich Callahan, lessor and operator of Starke County’s Bass Lake Beach and Campground, when they met Tuesday night, addressed all the issues before them. They reached agreement on progress, so far, on repair and replacement of certain equipment and/or facilities. Callahan is expected to issue another progress report before the next meeting of the Board on July 21st. Continue reading
Park Board Wants Plan for Bass Lake Beach and Campground Improvements
The Starke County Park Board last night voted to draft a letter to the current lessee of the Beach and Campground at Bass Lake setting forth certain repairs and maintenance to safety and health hazards that must be completed within 30 days. The letter will also set forth that a plan of repair and replacement be developed and established for other equipment and buildings. Continue reading
Starke County Park Board Developing Property List
The Starke County Park Board is continuing its efforts to develop a list of county properties that have been, or can be, designated as parks to be placed under the authority of the board. The Bass Lake Beach has already been designated as such a property by the county commissioners. The five-member park board has planned an inspection visit to the beach property sometime next month. Continue reading
Starke County Park Board Reorganizes, Sets Meetings
The Starke County Park Board will meet every other month in 2015. Members decided there’s not enough business to necessitate a monthly meeting and agreed one can be called with adequate notice should anything come up. The board is charged with oversight of the Bass Lake Beach and Campground, Starke County Forest and other non-municipal public lands. Continue reading
Starke County Park Board to Consider Camping at Bass Lake
The recently-formed Starke County Park Board will consider whether to allow seasonal camping at Bass Lake Campground when they meet this evening. The five-member board has been tasked with oversight of the beach and campground, Starke County Forest and other non-municipal recreational areas in the county. Continue reading
DNR Official Corrects Statements About Camping at Bass Lake
A telephone call from WKVI News to the Indiana Department of Natural Resources has brought more clarity to the question of whether seasonal campsite leases are allowed at Bass Lake Beach and Campground. Bob Bronson is the section chief for the DNR Division of Outdoor Recreation. He originally told us camping is limited to two weeks at a time at properties like Bass Lake, which get funds from the federal Land and Water Conservation Act. Bronson has since spoken to officials with the National Park Service and learned otherwise.
“There is no policy on the length of how long you can camp. The state has policies and recommendations, but the funding source and Land and Water Conservation Act does not direct how long somebody can stay at a campground,” Bronson told WKVI News late Thursday. Continue reading
Season Wrapping Up at Bass Lake Beach and Campground
Bass Lake Beach and Campground will soon close for the season. Manager Richard Callahan and his attorney Dave Wallsmith advised the Starke County Commissioners last night the group piers have been removed from the beach area and all but a few boats are out of the water. Wallsmith also told the commissioners he has not gotten any complaints about the amenities of late and has received complements about how nice and well maintained the facilities are. Continue reading
Starke County Council Sets Budget Adoptions
The Starke County Council will adopt budgets for several taxing units when they meet this evening. Their advance meeting agenda includes adoption of the county budget for the upcoming year as well as those for the Starke County Airport, Starke County Solid Waste and North Judson-San Pierre School Corporation. Continue reading
Commissioners Prepare Packets for Park Board Members
The five members of the Starke County Park Board will have plenty of reading material prior to their first meeting. The Starke County Commissioners are sending them welcome packets, which will include copies of the state statute under which the board was formed and the state law pertaining to camping on public properties. One of their first challenges will be to decide whether to allow year-round camping at Bass Lake Beach and Campground. The park board members will also get a copy of the management lease between the county and Richard Callahan. The board is charged with oversight and management of the Starke County Forest and other county-owned public lands.
Final Members Named to Starke County Park Board
Starke County’s Park Board is now fully populated. Judge Kim Hall named Mike Meadows and Skyler Ellinger to the five-member panel. They join Starke County Council appointees Debbie Mix and Rosemary Rose and Starke County Commissioners appointee Marsha Bedrock. Continue reading
Final Park Board Appointments Pending
The Starke County Park Board is two members away from being populated. Starke Circuit Judge Kim Hall is responsible for appointing a Democrat and a Republican to the five-member board. He advised WKVI News he is still reviewing the qualifications of potential members and expects to make a decision soon. Continue reading
