Starke County high school students wishing to pursue a career in either welding or automotive technology can get a head start on doing so without leaving home. The Starke County Initiative for Lifelong Learning offers courses in both fields of study to high school juniors and seniors. Continue reading
County Officials Considering Uses for Existing Jail Building
The current Starke County Jail in downtown Knox will still be owned by the county and used for correctional programs once the new Starke County Sheriff’s Office and Detention Center east of Knox on State Road 8 opens next year. Commissioner Kathy Norem says the building is part of the collateral for the loan to build the new structure, so it cannot be sold or torn down and must be used in the justice arena. She says the county set aside money to renovate the building. Continue reading
Starke County Sheriff Warns about Scam
Several local residents have been getting phone calls that their grandson or granddaughter is in jail and they need bail money but Starke County Sheriff Oscar Cowen said this is a scam.
The caller will tell the victim that the person is in jail and explains ways to send money to get them out of jail. Cowen warns that this is a way to scam you out of money and to not give out any personal information.
Starke County Sheriff’s Office and Detention Center Takes Shape
The new Starke County Sheriff’s Office and Detention Center east of Knox on State Road 8 is still on schedule for a spring 2015 completion. The project is also on budget and features a number of state-of-the-art amenities like video visitation. Commissioner and Starke County Building Corporation President Kathy Norem says it will be much safer and will cut down on the import of contraband into the jail. Continue reading
Starke County Association of Firefighters to Assist with Fallen Firefighters Funeral
Members of the Starke County Association of Firefighters will be active in the visitation and funeral for New Carlisle Assistant Fire Chief Jamie Middlebrook.
Middlebrook died Tuesday while fighting a fire at a LaPorte County business, K-Fex, near the intersection of U.S. 20 and 800 East. Visitation is Sunday from 2 until 7 p.m. ET at the Everest-Rohrer Auditorium at Bethel College while the funeral service will be on Monday, Aug. 11 at 11 a.m. at the college.
Commissioners Vote To Reestablish Dormant Funds
The Starke County Commissioners voted unanimously this week to reestablish two funds that were somehow discontinued by the state. Monday’s action on the cumulative capital development and cumulative bridge funds will allow the county to keep more of the property tax money it collects and spend money that is currently set aside.
Emergency Bridge Repairs On Schedule
Emergency repairs to the bridge on Starke County Road 700 East over the Yellow River are on schedule to wrap up next week. Continue reading
Public Hearing Set for Fire Station Project in Davis Township
A public hearing is set for Monday, Aug. 18 at 6 p.m. CT to hear comments on a proposed lease between the Davis Township Building Corporation and Davis Township for a new fire station.
The project includes the construction of a fire station that will house eight fire trucks and an adjacent space for a community center. The new fire station will be located just east of the Starke County Fairgrounds in Hamlet off of Indiana Street.
Back-to-School Shots and More Available at HealthLinc Event
Uninsured youngsters who still need back-to-school physicals and shots can get both at HealthLinc in Knox. The facility is celebrating National Health Center Week today with an open house from 3 until 6 p.m. Appointments are necessary to get physicals and shots, but a number of other services are available to walk-in customers. Continue reading
Blood Supplies Dwindling, Donations Needed
Area Schools Prepping for First Day of School
Doors will open to students next week at our area school corporations.
Oregon-Davis School Superintendent Greg Briles explained that some teachers have been training with Apple representatives to better understand how they can provide a more effective use of the technology that is available in the buildings. Briles said a back to school event is set for Monday.
“On Monday evening from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. CT, we are having what we are going to start calling a traditional cookout,” said Briles. “We’ll have hot dogs, hamburgers, chips, iced tea, lemonade, and water for everybody if they’d like to come out and join us. They can go through the buildings. If any of the children want to bring their supplies in prior to the start of school on Wednesday, this would give them an opportunity to meet their teacher and get their supplies in there so they’re not having to carry everything on the school buses the first day.”
Starke County Commissioners Approve Ambulance Service Expansion
The Starke County EMS base in North Judson will soon have a paramedic on duty around the clock. The county commissioners approved the expansion of Advanced Life Support, or ALS, service to that base immediately and to Grovertown starting Jan. 1. Knox already has 24-hour ALS coverage. Continue reading
ISTEP Scores Mixed for Area School Corporations
Indiana students overall showed improvement on their ISTEP scores in both math and language arts. Scores released yesterday by the Indiana Department of Education indicate 80.7 percent of students passed English, compared to 79.5 percent in 2013. Math scores went up from 83 to 83.5 percent statewide. Continue reading
Starke County Commissioners to Discuss EMS Director Salary
The Starke County Commissioners will discuss the salary for the new county EMS director when they meet this morning. They’re still searching for a replacement for Paul Matthewson, who resigned from the director’s position July 1. Keith Eimgh is serving as director in an interim position until a permanent replacement is hired. First though the commissioners want to review the salary for the job. Continue reading
Kid’s Closet Ministry Schedules Pack-a-Backpack Event
It is back to school season and if you’re struggling to acquire some supplies for your child there’s no need to worry. The Kid’s Closet ministry Pack-a-Backpack event can supply you with a back pack chock full of all the supplies your child needs.
Yellowstone Trail Fest Planned Later this Month
The Yellowstone Trail Festival and Hamlet Rendezvous are set for the weekend of Aug. 15.
The festival opens Friday, Aug. 15 at 3 p.m. CT with town-wide yard sales and the tour of Jensen’s Museum of Firearms Cartridges. The opening ceremonies will be at 6:30 p.m. followed by music by Nightshift on the stage at the Starke County Fairgrounds.
Miss Yellowstone Pageant Set for Aug. 16
The Yellowstone Trail Festival is coming up and a pageant to determine the festival’s queen is set for Saturday, Aug. 16 during the festival.
Four age divisions will be crowned: Tiny Miss for girls ages 5 to 8, Little Miss for girls ages 9 to 12, Jr. Miss for ages 13 to 16 and Miss from 17 to 21. The Miss Yellowstone winner will advance to the Indiana State Festival Pageant.
The pageant is set to begin at 11 a.m. CT on the stage at the Starke County Fairgrounds in Hamlet.
Property Tax Reassessment Under Way in Starke County
Representatives from the Starke County Assessor’s Office are visiting homes throughout the county to conduct the state-mandated cyclical reassessment process. They are required to physically inspect 25 percent of the properties in the county each year to ensure property records contain accurate information. County Assessor Rhonda Milner says this is done to make sure taxpayers receive accurate assessments. Continue reading
Free Cervical and Breast Cancer Screenings Available
The IU Health La Porte and Starke hospitals’ mobile health clinic is offering free cervical and breast cancer screenings in the area. Screenings are held inside the mobile health unit, which has two private exam rooms.
Screenings will take place in Knox from 8 a.m. until noon, on Aug. 1, in North Judson from 9 a.m. until noon on Aug. 6 and in La Porte from 9 a.m. until Noon on Aug. 17.
Continue reading
Are You Ready for WoodStarke?
Wythogan Park in Knox is set to be the location for a community gathering featuring continuous music, family fun and healthy food on September 13th. Planning is still underway for this function which has been cleverly named ‘Woodstarke’. Continue reading
