The Bass Lake Beach and Campground will be inspected by an independent contractor. Continue reading
Beaver Relocation Planned to Solve Drainage Issues Near Starke County Forest
Beavers in the Starke County Forest may soon be relocated, in an effort to solve drainage issues in the area. For the past several months, a neighboring landowner has been blaming beaver dams in the forest for flooding, but Forester Bruce Wakeland has disputed those claims. Continue reading
Starke County Commissioners Award Bridge Design Bids
The number of structurally deficient bridges in Starke County is dwindling. Highway Superintendent Rik Ritzler told the county commissioners last night five of the seven bridges are scheduled for repair and completion this year. Continue reading
Starke County Park Board to Inspect County Forest
The Starke County Forest will get an inspection by members of the County Park Board, in an effort to resolve drainage issues in the area. Continue reading
Starke County Park Board Still Waiting for Bass Lake Beach and Campground Inspection Report
The Starke County Park Board continues to demand documentation of the Bass Lake Beach and Campground’s condition. County Building Inspector Terry Stephenson visited the property in December, but hasn’t provided a formal inspection report, as requested by Park Board President Debbie Mix. Continue reading
Railroad Township Fire Department Gets Permission to Use Radio Frequency
The recently established Railroad Township Fire Department can now communicate with the Starke County Dispatch Center and other emergency agencies. Chief Andy Tilleraas approached the county commissioners last night for formal permission to receive and transmit off of their radio frequency. Continue reading
Bass Lake Beach Operator Plans Lease Renewal Amid Ongoing Discussions with County Park Board
The Starke County Park Board received an update Tuesday on various issues surrounding the Bass Lake Beach and Campground. The facilities are owned by Starke County and leased to operator Richard Callahan. Continue reading
Commissioners Pull Plug on Hospital Lease Negotiations with CHS
The fate of Starke Hospital is in question following action last night by the county commissioners. They voted unanimously to cease all negotiations with Tennessee-based Community Health Systems on a new lease for the building and land on which it sits. Continue reading
Felty Leaves Starke Hospital, Lease Negotiations with County Continuing
Starke Hospital has a new interim chief executive officer. Hospital spokeswoman Stacey Kellogg released a statement to WKVI saying “We confirm that Craig Felty has left the organization, and wish him the best in his new endeavors. G. Thor Thordarson, CEO of La Porte Hospital, will serve as interim CEO at Starke Hospital until this position can be filled. We also have an interim Chief Nursing Officer in place to ensure there is no disruption in patient care or operations. Patients, safety and quality always come first, and this will not change.” Continue reading
Starke County Park Board Reevaluating Five-Year Plan
Efforts to create a five-year plan for Starke County park facilities have hit a bit of an obstacle. The Starke County Park Board had been discussing the possibility of getting a grant from the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs to help pay for the planning process. But to qualify for the grant, the county would have to prove that residents’ incomes fall beneath a certain threshold. Continue reading
Starke County Park Board Discusses Bass Lake Beach Improvements Amid Calls for Lessee’s Removal
The Starke County Park Board continues to monitor improvements at the Bass Lake Beach and Campground. Assistant Manager Larry Clarich told the park board Tuesday that improvements to the facility’s well have been completed. Continue reading
Starke County Park Board to Discuss Bass Lake Beach Upgrades, Five-Year Plan
Ongoing improvements at the Bass Lake Beach and Campground will be discussed during this evening’s Starke County Park Board meeting. Lessee Richard Callahan and his attorney Dave Wallsmith are expected to give board members an update on the site’s progress. Continue reading
Starke County to Seek Grant Funds for Park Plan
The Starke County Park Board is moving ahead with efforts to complete a five-year plan for the county’s park facilities. Before the county is able to get most types of grant funding for park projects, it’s required to have a comprehensive plan in place. Continue reading
Safety Upgrades Underway at Bass Lake Beach and Campground
The Bass Lake Beach and Campground is getting some upgrades, after an inspection from the Indiana Department of Environmental Management turned up a few violations. The property is owned by Starke County and leased to operator Richard Callahan. Continue reading
Starke County Commissioners Approve Overtime Policy for Sheriff’s Employees
The Starke County Sheriff’s Office can keep a better budgetary handle on overtime for sheriff’s deputies, investigators and correctional officers thanks to action this week by the county commissioners. They adopted an ordinance to modify their pay periods for the purpose of overtime to 48 hours instead of 40. County attorney Marty Lucas says federal law provides a partial overtime exemption for uniformed, plainclothes and corrections officers because of the way their hours are typically structured. Continue reading
Commissioners Debunk Hospital Rumors
The Starke County Commissioners last week reaffirmed their commitment to building a new hospital in Knox. County officials are still negotiating with Tennessee-based Community Health Systems, which recently acquired 80-percent ownership of IU Health Starke and LaPorte Hospitals. The county owns the current hospital building and land on which it sits. Commissioner Kathy Norem quoted an email received by the commissioners stating they are “ignorant, clueless and intentionally blocking the building of a new facility.” She says they want to ensure adequate services are provided. Continue reading
Starke Commissioners Approve Hospital Lease Transfer
The soon-to-be new operators of IU Health Starke Hospital now have a signed lease in effect with the county for the facility. Continue reading
Starke County Commissioners Review Proposed Nuisance Ordinance
The Starke County Commissioners want the planning commission to take another crack at a proposed nuisance and unsafe building ordinance. It aims to regulate what is and is not allowed in unincorporated areas of Starke County in the interest of health, safety and welfare. Continue reading
Commissioners Approve Inmate Cost of Incarceration Ordinance
Starke County will soon be able to charge inmates convicted of crimes and sentenced to the county jail a daily cost of incarceration fee. Continue reading
Sheriff Looks for Funds to Cover Drug Counseling Costs
Starke County Sheriff Bill Dulin wants to charge inmates a fee to cover the cost of drug counseling services at the jail. He presented his idea to the county commissioners Monday evening. Continue reading
