With less than a week left in its crowdfunding campaign, the Starke County Veterans Memorial is on track to meet its goal. If the effort raises $50,000 by next Tuesday, that amount will be matched by the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority.
Continue readingGet Brick Pavers Ordered to be Placed at Starke County Veterans War Memorial Plaza
Work is continuing on the Starke County Veterans War Memorial Plaza in Knox and now is the chance to purchase a brick paver for the project.
Continue readingVeterans Memorial Crowdfunding Campaign Almost Halfway to Goal
The new Starke County Veterans Memorial is almost halfway to its crowdfunding goal. If the effort raises $50,000 by July 21, that amount will be doubled by the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority. Almost $22,000 has been raised so far.
Continue readingStarke County Park Board Welcomes New Member
For the second month in a row, the Starke County Park Board has a new member. Mark Simpkins was introduced during Tuesday’s meeting.
Continue readingMore Than $120,000 Raised So Far for New Starke County Veteran’s Memorial
Starke County Veteran’s Memorial project organizers are reporting a successful first month of fundraising. Committee member Kathy Norem told the Starke County Park Board Tuesday that more than $120,000 has been received or pledged since fundraising began February 1.
Continue readingBass Lake Beach and Campground Insurance Concerns Raised by Starke County Park Board
The operator of the Bass Lake Beach and Campground has reportedly allowed the site’s liability insurance to expire. Starke County Park Board Member Kathy Norem told the rest of the board last week that she had asked the Auditor’s Office for an update on the insurance policy Callahan Development, LLC is required to have.
Continue readingStarke County Park Board Approves Documents for Veteran’s Memorial Project
Several preliminary steps for the new Starke County Veteran’s Memorial were approved by the county park board Tuesday. The memorial will be placed on the southeast corner of the courthouse square. It will include the names of those killed in action in wars and conflicts dating back to the Civil War, etched in a black granite stone.
Continue readingStarke County Park Board Denies Rent Credit for Bass Lake Campground Electrical Upgrades
Starke County will not help the operator of the Bass Lake Campground with the cost of electrical upgrades. After six months of discussion, the county park board voted Tuesday to deny a request to deduct the $7,800 cost from the operator’s rent payment. The project would have increased the electrical capacity in the back half of the campground, to accommodate newer RVs.
Continue readingStarke County Commissioners Consider Resolution for New Veteran’s Memorial Project
The Starke County Commissioners reviewed a proposed resolution Monday night for the upcoming Veteran’s Memorial project.
Continue readingStarke County Commissioners Reorganize, Make Appointments
The Starke County Commissioners reorganized during their first meeting of the year. Charlie Chesak was appointed as commission president, Kathy Norem was appointed Vice President while newly-elected Commissioner Bryan Cavendar was appointed secretary. County Attorney Marty Lucas was retained as counsel.
Continue readingStarke County Commissioners to Meet Tonight
The Starke County Commissioners will meet tonight where newly elected Commissioner Bryan Cavendar will attend his first meeting alongside Kathy Norem and Charlie Chesak. They will reorganize and make 2019 appointments as the first order of business.
Continue readingState Senator and Representative Meet with County Officials About Flooding
On Sunday afternoon, Starke County officials met with State Representative Jim Pressel (District 20) and State Senator Mike Bohacek (District 8) to discuss the recent devastation caused by flooding and what steps to take next.
Local officials who were present included Starke County EMA Director J. Nier, Surveyor Bill Crase and Highway Superintendent Rik Ritzler as well as Engineer Lee Nagai and County Commissioners Kathy Norem, Donnie Binkley and Charles Chesak. Continue reading
Starke Commissioners to Reorganize, Make Appointments Tonight
The Starke County Commissioners will reorganize for the year when they meet this evening. Republican Kathy Norem returns for another term, alongside Democrat Don Binkley. He was elected two years ago. Republican Charles Chesak will take over the third seat on the county’s executive body. He replaces fellow Republican Kent Danford, who did not seek reelection. Continue reading
Starke County Council Defers Ambulance Purchase Funding Request
The Starke County Council this week balked at a request from the county EMS department to allocate money they’ve received for services rendered to purchase a new ambulance. Business manager Mary Lynn Richie says they’ve collected a significant sum from federal Medicaid reimbursements that were not paid in prior years. Continue reading
Starke County Park Board Gets Strategic Plan Seed Money
The Starke County Park Board will soon be able to move forward with the development of a strategic plan following action this week by the county commissioners. Continue reading
Starke County Races Draw Considerable Interest
A couple of competitive primary races have taken shape in Starke County. As of Friday afternoon, four Democrats and one Republican have filed for the Commissioner District 3 seat. It’s currently held by Republican Kent Danford. Continue reading
Starke County Commissioners Reaffirm Support for EMS Policies
Pre-hospital emergency care remains the first priority for Starke County EMS, but it is not their only charge. The Starke County Commissioners reaffirmed that mission statement during their meeting Monday night. A recent Facebook posting about a lack of available county ambulance service due to transfers between facilities prompted the discussion. Continue reading
Embattled Veterans Service Officer Files Grievance Against County Commissioners
A Starke County employee who was relieved of his duties during Monday’s commissioners meeting has filed a grievance seeking to be reinstated. The commissioners voted 2-0 to replace Veterans Service Officer Terry Turner with Mark Gourley. Commissioner Don Binkley made the motion to terminate Turner, and President of the Commissioners Kent Danford seconded it. Commissioner Kathy Norem did not vote.
After the meeting Danford said he has received several complaints about Turner. Continue reading
Starke County Commissioners Replace Veterans Service Officer
Starke County has a new veterans service officer after action last night by the county commissioners. They voted to terminate Terry Turner from the position and replace him with Mark Gourley. President of the Commissioners Kent Danford says he’s a veteran with experience filing claims for servicemembers in LaPorte County. After the meeting, Danford said he’s received several complaints about Turner.
Starke County Commissioners Hit Brakes on Road Improvements
A request for funds to further improve Klockner Drive through the Knox Industrial Park hit a speed bump in Monday’s Starke County Commissioners meeting. Starke County Economic Development Foundation Executive Director Charlie Weaver asked for a significant appropriation from the county economic development income tax fund to rebuild the intersection with Division Road. The project carries an estimated cost of $343,000. Continue reading