The Starke County Park Board may be looking at replacing one of the structures at the Bass Lake Beach, after it was seriously damaged in an accident last month. Park board member Roger Chaffins explains that a pickup truck apparently backed itself into the gatehouse, “The guy was deer hunting over there, had a new vehicle, didn’t realize that he didn’t have it fully in park, and the vehicle ran over him and then ran into the building.”
Starke County Commissioners Consider First Reading on UTV Ordinance
Starke County Attorney Marty Lucas presented the commissioners with a proposed ordinance that would authorize and regulate the use of Recreational Utility Task Vehicles (UTVs or side-by-sides) and Off-Road Vehicles (ORVs) on certain county roads and highways.
The Starke County highway superintendent has the authority to restrict the passage of these vehicles on certain roads at his discretion for safety purposes. Proper signage will be displayed. Continue reading
Starke County Council’s Concerns with Coroner Brought to County Commissioners
Salary increases for the Starke County Coroner’s Office were again discussed during Monday’s county commissioners meeting. Coroner Dannie Hoffer has been looking for a raise for himself and possibly his deputies in next year’s budget. While the final decision would be up to the county council, council members weren’t ready to approve the raise until Hoffer worked out a few concerns with the commissioners.
LaPorte Construction Chosen to Replace Two Starke County Bridges
The Starke County Commissioners have chosen a contractor to replace two of the county’s bridges, but not before some concerns were raised about the county’s responsible bidding ordinance. LaPorte Construction was selected Monday to replace a bridge on County Road 25 North over Eagle Creek for just over $325,000. The company will also replace the bridge on 800 South over Bogus Run for just under $297,000.
Starke Commissioners Form Committee to Research Allowing Off-Road Vehicles on County Roads
The Starke County Commissioners are willing to explore the possibility of allowing certain off-road vehicles on county roads. After researching the issue, County Attorney Marty Lucas told the commissioners Monday that they have the authority to authorize their use, but there are some limitations. Continue reading
Bass Lake Beach Operator Considers Giving Part of Beach Back to County, As Lease Renewal Proceeds
The Bass Lake Beach and Campground will continue to be operated by Callahan Development, LLC for another 10 years, but the company may be willing to turn some of the property back over to Starke County. The county owns the facility, but has leased it to Callahan since 2008. Now, Callahan has given the county written notice that it will exercise its option to renew the lease through April of 2028.
Starke County Park Board May Consider Taking Ownership of Koontz Lake Lions Club Park
Koontz Lake Lions Club Memorial Park could soon be under county ownership. The Lions Club bought the site in the 1970s and has been running it as a park ever since. But with declining membership, club member Van Janovic approached the Starke County Park Board Tuesday to discuss the possibility of gradually handing the park over to the county. Continue reading
Bass Lake Beach Operator Agrees to Concrete Repairs, Asks County to Install Glacial Stone
The operators of the Bass Lake Beach have agreed to make some repairs to the property’s seawall, but they’re asking for the county’s help with some related work. The Starke County Park Board has asked the operator of the facility, Callahan Development, LLC, to stabilize the seawall surrounding the beach house patio.
Bridge Bids Opened for Two Projects
Starke County Attorney Marty Lucas opened bids for two bridge projects during the commissioners meeting on Monday night.
Northern Indiana Construction Company, Inc. submitted the lowest bids for Bridge No. 36 on County Road 25 N. over Eagle Creek and Bridge No. 58 on County Road 800 S. over Bogus Run. Highway Superintendent Rik Ritzler asked the commissioners to conditionally approve the bids as they will need to satisfy the ordinance checklist before they are formally awarded. If the lowest bidder does not conform to the ordinance requirements, then the next lowest bid will go through the same process.
Starke County Sheriff’s Department Asks to Use Hamlet Gun Range for Firearms Training
Hamlet officials want some more information before agreeing to let the Starke County Sheriff’s Department use the indoor firing range at the town’s sewer plant. In a letter to town officials, Sheriff Bill Dulin offered to have his firearms instructors qualify the town’s police officers free of charge, in exchange for letting them use the range to qualify officers from other departments.
Starke County Park Board Considers Forming Bass Lake Beach and Campground Work Group
The Starke County Park Board is thinking about putting together a work group to help set goals for the future of the Bass Lake Beach and Campground. But how much good that would do was a topic of debate during Tuesday’s park board meeting.
Starke County Officials to Discuss Bass Lake Beach House Patio Improvements with Lessee’s Attorney
Discussions on proposed upgrades to the Bass Lake Beach are expected to continue later this month. The Starke County Park Board is calling on the operator of the facility, Callahan Development, LLC, to stabilize the seawall surrounding the beach house patio.
Inmate Health Care Costs Create Challenges for Starke County Sheriff’s Department
Health care for jail inmates has led to some budgetary concerns for the Starke County Sheriff’s Department. Sheriff Bill Dulin told the county commissioners last week that what inmates pay for medical services isn’t covering the cost of providing them. Continue reading
Starke County Coroner Asked to Formalize Procedures Amid Legal Concerns
Starke County Coroner Dannie Hoffer says he’s taking steps to save the county money, but other county officials are worried that could lead to some legal troubles. Hoffer addressed several concerns during last week’s county council and county commissioners meetings.
Out-of-County Autopsy Costs a Concern for Starke County Coroner
Starke County’s coroner says out-of-county autopsies are causing a big strain on his budget. Now, county officials may be looking to state lawmakers to help ease that burden.
Starke County Park Board Requests Repairs to Bass Lake Beach House Patio
The operator of the Bass Lake Beach is being asked to make some improvements to the beach house patio. A group of local residents and Starke County Park Board members has been working on a plan to stabilize the seawall surrounding the site. To help find a solution, they’ve obtained the original drawings from the seawall’s installation in 1988.
Starke County Park Board to Pursue Quality of Place Grant for Yellow River Access Site Upgrades
The Starke County Park Board hopes to bring more visitors to the Yellow River with state grant funding. Carolla Heilstedt plans to coordinate efforts to improve the county’s Yellow River access site at Range Road.
Bass Lake Beach and Campground Operator Plans Repairs, Amid Questions from Park Board
The operators of the Bass Lake Beach and Campground say they’re making some updates to the facility, after several repairs were suggested during a recent inspection. Lessee Richard Callahan, his attorney Dave Wallsmith, and assistant manager Larry Clarich met with the Starke County Park Board Tuesday to address those concerns. Continue reading
Bass Lake Beach and Campground Lessee Credited 2017’s Rent Payment, Following Well Upgrades
The Bass Lake Beach and Campground’s operator won’t have to pay rent to Starke County in 2017, and it’s 2018 payment will be nearly cut in half. The Starke County Park Board decided Tuesday that upgrades to the facility’s well system made by Callahan Development, LLC were capital improvements, meaning the cost could be subtracted from the company’s rent payment. Continue reading
Starke Park Board to Request Repairs to Bass Lake Beach and Campground, Following Inspection
The Bass Lake Beach and Campground has several issues that need to be addressed, according to an independent inspection completed at the request of the Starke County Park Board. Continue reading
