A lifelong Knox resident who has made a career of community service is the recipient of the 2016 Starke County Chamber of Commerce Henry F. Schricker Award. The honor is named after the former governor and is given annually to someone who embodies his credo of “service before self.” Continue reading
The Starke County Chamber of Commerce is accepting nominations for the annual Henry F. Schricker Community Service Award. It’s given to a local resident who embodies the former governor and North Judson native’s credo of “service before self.” Continue reading
The gazebo at the Bass Lake Beach may be getting a new lease on life. The Starke County Park Board called for its demolition this past July, due to concerns that the structure was becoming a safety hazard, as well as a lack of funding to make repairs. Since then, however, members of the community have begun fundraising efforts in order to save the gazebo, organizing a raffle earlier this month to help raise money. Continue reading
The Starke County Park Board received an update Tuesday on various issues surrounding the Bass Lake Beach and Campground. The facilities are owned by Starke County and leased to operator Richard Callahan. Continue reading
The Starke County Park Board hopes that drainage issues at the County Forest have been resolved. During Tuesday’s meeting, it was reported that a “beaver tube” that the board previously approved has now been purchased and installed. Continue reading
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
The Starke County Chamber of Commerce is seeking nominations for 2016 Business of the Year. Continue reading
The Leadership Starke County class of 2014-2015 has graduated. The 15 participants spent the past nine months honing community leadership skills, building self-confidence and interacting with community leaders. The class included a student from each of the county’s three high schools. Members met one day per month at sites throughout the county and learned about local history, geography and culture, the local economy, government, education and social services. Strategic planning and service on boards were also covered. Continue reading
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
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.
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
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
It’s time to submit your nominations for the prestigious Henry F. Schricker Community Service Award.
Henry F. Schricker was a Starke County native who lived by the attitude of “service before self”. This is the foundation for the Schricker Award and nominees should share that attitude.
“It’s a Business After Hours event because it allows different businesses to network with each other on a regional basis instead of just local. It will be including Starke County, Marshall County, Bremen and Culver chamber members, and they get the opportunity to meet each other and greet each other,” said Mix.
Twelve days after a devastating tornado hit Salyersville, Kentucky, construction crews are rebuilding roofs and stabilizing structures. County Judge Charles Hardin said the tornado destroyed more than 190 houses and about 80 buildings in the community with 1,900 residents.
Debbie Mix, the Executive Director-Coordinator of the Starke County Chamber of Commerce-Tourism Commission has announced that a Gospel Music Jam will be held on Saturday, March 24th at 3:00 p.m. at Grand Central Station in North Judson. This will be a fundraiser for the Tornado victims of Magoffin County, Kentucky. The event will feature local music groups and singers. If you plan on attending, bring a covered dish, if possible.
The recent revelation of misappropriated money from Drug and Tobacco Free Starke County and Starke County Tourism has caused embarrassment to members of several interlocking boards, and consternation on the part of county government officials. Those government officials expressed anger and frustration at this week’s Starke County Council meeting.
The Henry F. Schricker Award is being announced today by Starke County Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Debbie Mix.
“The winner is Dorene Matzat from North Judson,” said Mix. “We’re so excited and she’s so deserving. She has just done so much and so quietly. I’m just so happy that her efforts have been recognized and she’s been doing them for a lifetime.”
Dorene Matzat was born in North Judson, is an identical twin, and has been a lifelong resident of the town. In December of 1996, she received the “Just Say Thanks” award from Thrivent for her work with taking veterans back and forth to Hines VA Hospital in Chicago. She continues her service work today. She feeds the hungry and when she becomes aware of the need, she clothes the needy, visits the shut-ins and the lonely, and always brings comfort to all in a time of despair. In her 80’s she continues to mow the grass at her church. She is one of only a handful of people alive today in North Judson who actually knew Henry Schricker before he was governor.
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.
Candice Bernier from the Indiana Association of Cities and Towns made a presentation to the Knox City Council last week concerning the downtown area. She talked about creating a five year plan for the downtown portion of the city.
One person who was excited with the presentation, and looks forward to assisting in getting the project off the ground, is Debbie Mix, the Executive Director of the Greater Starke County Chamber of Commerce. Bernier talked about involving every segment of the population in the decision making for improving the downtown. Mix said she looks forward to bringing the business segment into the planning process.
