The North Judson-Wayne Township Public Library Board will soon have a new member. Justin Miller was appointed last week by the North Judson-San Pierre School Board. His four-year term starts January 1.
Continue readingGroup of Starke County Justice Center Trustees to Begin Welding Program Today
Starting today, a handful of Starke County Justice Center trustees will be attending 12 weeks of commercial welding training, with the opportunity to receive certification.
Program officials who were interviewed about this opportunity indicated that the training is being offered to not only give offenders a chance to prove their commitment to recovery and rehabilitation, but to also benefit the community.
Continue readingNorth Judson Town Council Officially Joins Local Stellar Efforts
North Judson officials confirmed that they will be joining the Regional Stellar Communities effort during Monday night’s town council meeting. Continue reading
Starke County Wants to be Designated a Regional Stellar Community and Officials Are Taking Steps to Get There
What will it take for Starke County to be designated a Regional Stellar Community?
That is the question that was answered Thursday night when various county, city and town officials met at the Starke County Economic Development Foundation Office to find out what steps they can start taking in order to submit a competitive application in the future. Continue reading
North Judson Town Council Meets Tonight
The North Judson Town Council members will be considering reimbursement resolutions for water and sewer bonds when they meet at 6:30 p.m. tonight.
Members are also expected to go over service contracts with CommonWealth Engineers, the firm working with the town on the water and wastewater projects. Continue reading
Starke County Economic Development Foundation Appoints Larry Wickert As Executive Director
The Starke County Economic Development Foundation has decided to keep Larry Wickert as its executive director. Wickert has been serving as interim executive director since the beginning of the year. Now, the foundation’s board of directors has decided to make his appointment permenant, according to a press release issued Wednesday.
NJ Town Council Members to Discuss Cemetery Mowing Ad and Amended Salary Ordinance Tonight
North Judson Town Council members will discuss the cemetery mowing advertisement when they meeting tonight.
Members will also hold the second reading over an amended salary ordinance. At the final meeting in February, members held the first reading over a salary ordinance that would not include a 3 percent raise for the town council members.
At the beginning of the year, members signed off on a salary ordinance that essentially gave a 3 percent raise across the board. However, Town Attorney Justin Schramm explained that since the salary ordinance was approved in January of 2018, the members couldn’t approve a raise for themselves since it wouldn’t look good to the State Board of Accounts to approve a raise in the same year it is given. Continue reading
Gary Poppins Prepping for Business
Gary Poppins will be in production very soon.
Larry Wickert from the Starke County Economic Development Foundation told the Starke County Commissioners on Monday night that brand new popcorn popping machines are in the building along with some other new equipment. Wickert also said a few contractors were at the facility getting things ready to start production soon.
Starke County Council Discusses Funding for SCEDF
Funding for the Starke County Economic Development Foundation and the SCILL Center was discussed by the Starke County Council members Monday night.
Starke County Council Tables Payment to U.S. 30 Coalition
The Starke County Council members want more information about what will be offered to Starke County in the proposed U.S. 30 freeway project before they pay $10,000 toward consultation fees for coalition efforts.
Councilman Dave Pearman asked Larry Wickert from the Starke County Economic Development Foundation about the payment as it was requested. The funds would come out of the commissioner’s County Economic Development Income Tax Fund. Wickert explained that six out of the seven counties involved in the proposed U.S. 30 project pay into the coalition. La Porte County is the only county that doesn’t pay. Wickert believes that U.S. 30 would stay rural in La Porte County and not see an impact. The county has the toll road for a focus.
NJ Town Council Receives Report from Starke County Economic Development Foundation
North Judson Town Council members received a brief monthly report from Starke County Economic Development Foundation Interim Director Larry Wickert when they met last week.
Wickert handed out a report which described different highlights from January. Continue reading
Wickert Named Interim Executive Director of Starke County Economic Development Foundation
The Starke County Economic Development Foundation will soon be looking for a new leader. Charlie Weaver has retired, after serving as the foundation’s executive director since 2005.
Industrial Development Opportunities Discussed with Hamlet Town Council
Work continues to bring new industries to the Hamlet area. During the Starke County Economic Development Foundation’s monthly report to the Hamlet Town Council Wednesday, Interim Executive Director Larry Wickert said it’s usually hard to find projects for which Starke County’s sites would be suitable.
Production to Start Soon at Gary Poppins
Production should start soon at the Gary Poppins factory at the corner of U.S. 35 and 250 North, north of Knox.
Larry Wickert from the Starke County Economic Development Foundation updated the Starke County Council last week that the delivery of equipment was delayed. The initial date was Nov. 1, but that has since been postponed to Feb. 1. Wickert said the company has hired a manager who now lives in Starke County.
Starke County Council and Commissioners to Meet Tonight
The Starke County Council members will meet for the first time in 2018 tonight at 6 p.m. CT where the reorganization of the council is planned and 2018 appointments will be filled.
North Judson Town Council Meets Tonight
The North Judson Town Council will receive a presentation from Larry Wickert, Board President of the Starke County Economic Development Foundation, when they meet tonight.
The council members will revisit their discussion of town employee health insurance renewal.At their last meeting, their insurance broker John Howard presented them with a packet that they agreed to review and further discuss at tonight’s meeting.
West Side of North Judson Proposed as Ideal Spot for Future Industrial Development
Starke County Economic Development Foundation Board President Larry Wickert provided the North Judson Town Council with a report when they met earlier this week.
Wickert’s report began with an update about the SCEDF Ag-Initiative. He said as a part of the initiative to advance agriculture industry in the area, foundation representatives have been researching alternative crop options that would be more profitable for local producers. Continue reading