Adults who want to learn to weld or enhance their skills can take advantage of opportunities offered through the Starke County Initiative for Lifelong Learning. Classes offered through the SCILL Center’s Adult Welding Technology program meet two evenings per week for four hours at a time for 12 weeks. Continue reading
Starke County Commissioners Broaden EMS Director Search
The Starke County Commissioners have changed the job criteria for the EMS director in order to expand the potential pool of applicants. Previously the county was only considering paramedics for the position. That has now been expanded to allow EMT’s to also apply for the opening. The job will pay between $38,000 and $45,000 per year, depending on experience, and the EMS director will have use of a county vehicle. Continue reading
Starke County Sheriff’s Department Set to Hire Deputies
The Starke County Sheriff’s Department is set to make offers of employment to two deputies. The county commissioners reviewed the merit board’s prioritized recommendations of the five applicants during an executive session meeting. Continue reading
Turn in Steps for Another Step Forward
The Moving Starke County Forward organization’s Another Step Forward walking challenge is drawing to a close.
If you are taking part in the challenge, officials ask that you turn in your steps so they can be added to the grand total. Walking, biking, running and swimming all count toward the total. Send in your statistics to anotherstepforward2014@gmail.com.
Spotlight Breakfast Scheduled at The Crossing
Community members are invited to learn more about Starke County’s newest school during a spotlight breakfast. It’s scheduled at The Crossing campus on U.S. 35 next to Save A Lot on Thursday, Aug. 28 at 7:30 a.m. The faith-based alternative school opened recently and provides a combination of classroom and vocational training for students who have dropped out, been expelled or otherwise fallen through the cracks in the public school system. Continue reading
Murder Defendant Out of Hospital, Jailed Without Bond
The rural Knox man accused of beating his wife to death, kidnapping a man from a business parking lot, stealing a Jeep at gunpoint in English Lake and leading authorities on a high-speed chase through three counties before shooting himself is back in Starke County. Detective Rob Olejniczak from the Starke County Sheriff’s Department and Jailer Joshua Kazee picked Gary Chavez up from the Cook County, Ill. jail today. Continue reading
Starke County Council Approves Transfers
Starke County officials have funds available to shred government documents a committee has decided no longer need to be stored after action this week by the county council. They approved a transfer of up to $10,000 from the commissioners budget for that purpose. They stress that entire amount of money may not need to be spent for document disposal. Continue reading
Starke County Commissioners to Repair Vehicle for EMS Director
Interim Starke County EMS Director Keith Emigh will continue to drive a county-issued four-wheel-drive until a recently retired patrol car is road ready. The vehicle Emigh is currently using to travel between the EMS bases in North Judson, Knox and Grovertown will be transferred to plan commission director Terry Stephenson.
The patrol car was serviced locally by our talented auto mechanics in the area. Preventive maintenance on all types of vehicles is a huge responsibility for operators and drivers. A lot of information on this link: https://www.grandprixtimes.com/best-head-gasket-sealer
Continue reading
Flooding Possible This Morning Across Kankakee Valley
Flash flood warnings are in effect this morning for parts of the WKVI listening area. The National Weather Service has issued warnings for Starke, Pulaski, Fulton and LaPorte Counties. Additional rain is expected until about 8 a.m. Central and could cause problems in low-lying areas. Excessive runoff from heavy rainfall may also lead to flooding of small creeks, streams, highways and overpasses. Should water start to rise, move to higher ground immediately.
Nominations Open for Starke County Business of the Year
The Starke County Chamber of Commerce is accepting Business of the Year nominations through Sept. 1. In order to be considered, a business must be a chamber member that has been in businesses for at least three years. Continue reading
Starke County Council Working on 2015 Budget
The Starke County Council is in the process of crafting the 2015 budget. Once it’s finished, it will be published for taxpayer review. Council President Dave Pearman says that process is changing after this year. Continue reading
Nominations Sought for Starke County Park Board
Starke County officials are seeking nominations for volunteers to serve on the county park board. Starke Circuit Judge Kim Hall and the Starke County Council each have two nominations – one Democrat and one Republican. The Starke County Commissioners will select the fifth member. Political affiliation is not a consideration for the commissioners nominee. Continue reading
Starke County Tax Rates Unchanged for Upcoming Year
Starke County’s local option income tax rates are not going up. The county council Monday set the rates for the County Adjusted Gross Income Tax (CAGIT) and County Economic Development Income Tax (CEDIT) Funds and the Starke County Jail CEDIT. Continue reading
Michigan City Native Joins SCILL Center Welding Program Staff
A Michigan City native with extensive hands-on welding experience is set to join the staff of the SCILL Center welding technology program. Starting Monday, Elizabeth Tylisz will be teaching the morning vocational welding class and some of the adult welding classes. Continue reading
Preschool scholarships available at SCCF
Many local preschools still have openings for children to ensure your child is ready for kindergarten.
Full and partial scholarships are still available at several local preschools through the Starke County Community Foundation’s Preschool Scholarship Program. Preschools participating in the scholarship program that still have openings include Foundations Preschool and Little Lambs Preschool, both located in Knox plus adventure Island Preschool and St. Peter Lutheran Preschool in North Judson.
WoodStarke Organizers Meeting Today
The organizers of Starke County’s newest festival are meeting this afternoon to get ready for the upcoming event. The WoodStarke Committee will convene from 3 until 5 p.m. at the Starke County Chamber of Commerce and Visitor’s Center Office, which is located in the depot on U.S. 35 at the north edge of the city. Continue reading
Monthly Bass Lake Beach Report on Commissioners Agenda
The Starke County Commissioners will get their monthly management report for the Bass Lake Beach and Campground when they meet this evening. Manager Richard Callahan and his attorney Dave Wallsmith are first on the agenda for tonight’s 7 p.m. meeting at the Starke County Annex Building. The commissioners voted recently to limit camping to 15 days instead of allowing season-long leasing of campsites. Continue reading
Starke County Food Pantry in Need of Donations
The cupboards are bare at the Community Services of Starke County Food Pantry. They are in need of canned fruits and vegetables, macaroni and cheese dinners, pancake mix, spaghetti noodles and all varieties of breakfast cereals. Continue reading
SCILL Enrolling High School Students in Welding and Automotive Tech Programs
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
