The Starke County Commissioners are looking for money to run fiber optic cable to the jail. It’s the recommended solution to fix communication problems with telephones and radios in the 911 dispatch center. Sheriff Bill Dulin says they’re experiencing dropped calls, which presents a potential safety hazard for officers and the public. Continue reading
Starke Commissioners to Talk Travel Expenses
The Starke County Commissioners will review the mileage reimbursement portion of the county’s travel policy when they meet this evening. Continue reading
Starke Commissioners Seeking Health Board Appointment
The Starke County Commissioners are looking for a very specific candidate to fill a recently vacated position. The death of Dr. Joseph Bartush created an opening on the health board. Membership criteria are defined in Indiana Code and include various members of the medical profession. Balance between political parties is also necessary. 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 Commissioners Poised to Approve Hospital Lease Assignment
The Starke County Commissioners will clear the way for the sale of IU Health Starke Hospital during a special meeting later today. They will formally approve the assignment of the hospital lease to Knox Hospital, LLC during the special-called 4:30 p.m. session. That’s the limited liability company set up by IU Health and Community Health Systems. The Tennessee-based company is in the process of buying IU Health LaPorte and Starke Hospitals. 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
Economic Development Director to Outline Plans Tonight
Starke County Economic Development Foundation Executive Director Charlie Weaver will present his long-term vision for funds from the county economic development income tax to the county council when they meet this evening. In previous meetings Weaver has expressed a desire to invest in road improvements in the Knox Industrial Park to make it more attractive to businesses looking to relocate or expand. He’s also made mention of improvements in the Hamlet area. Continue reading
Starke County Highway Garage Upgrades Fuel Pumps
The new fuel pumps are in use at the Starke County Highway Garage. That’s where other county departments are able to fill their vehicles with either gasoline or diesel. The new system requires access codes, which in turn helps the highway department and auditor’s office to track fuel usage and bill departments accordingly. Continue reading
Starke County Commissioners Considering Additional Budget Cuts
The Starke County Commissioners have taken a number of cost saving measures under advisement. The county has already cut more $566,000 in expenditures from the 2016 budget per orders from the state. One concern raised during the budget review process was a lack of money in the county’s cash balance. Auditor Kay Chaffins presented a list of possible cuts to the commissioners Monday evening aimed at shoring those funds up. Continue reading
Commissioners Approve Purchase to Address Beaver Problem
The Starke County Park Board has come up with a possible solution to the beaver problem in the Starke County Forest. Continue reading
Coroner Space Scrapped from Old Jail Renovatoins
The extensive renovations of the old Starke County Jail in downtown Knox will not include space for the coroner. The county council and commissioners made that decision Monday night when they formally agreed to proceed with reconfiguring that building for the probation department and Starke County Community Corrections. Continue reading
Starke County Council Approves Budget Cuts
Starke County’s 2016 budget is in balance after action by the council during a special-called Monday afternoon meeting. They found out last week the state slashed their submitted budget by more than half a million dollars. Continue reading
Deep Starke County Budget Cuts Anticipated Today
The Starke County Council and Commissioners have less than two weeks to slash half a million dollars from the 2016 budget. They’re meeting jointly today at 3 p.m. to begin that task. Continue reading
Starke County Officials Prepare For Building Renovations
The Starke County Council and Commissioners are almost ready to proceed with renovations to the courthouse and old jail building across the street. They’ve got money left from the construction of the new jail east of Knox to make upgrades to both buildings for continued correctional use.
The old jail will become office space for Starke County Community Corrections and the probation department. Community Corrections Director Bob Hinojosa told the county council and commissioners Monday his board has committed $100,000 toward the renovations on the condition that the former sally port can be turned into a conference room. Continue reading
Starke County Officials Slash Proposed Expenditures
Budget constraints have forced the Starke County Council and Commissioners to cut back on proposed big ticket expenditures in the coming year. They met jointly Monday to look at items that can be purchased with money in the cumulative capital development fund. That list included a new ambulance for Starke County EMS, two new patrol cars for the sheriff’s office and three new server computers for the IT department. Continue reading
Starke County Officials Brace for Budget Cuts
Starke County officials need to slash half a million dollars from the county’s 2016 budget after receiving their final report from the state. Continue reading
Starke County Officials to Discuss Spending Priorities
The Starke County Council and Commissioners will crunch numbers and set priorities during a special joint meeting this evening. Specifically they are looking at projects that can be funded from the County Economic Development Income Tax, or CEDIT, fund. 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
Improvements Underway at Starke County Highway Department
Phase one of the Starke County Highway Department’s five-year facilities upgrade plan is underway. Continue reading
NIPSCO Officials Update Commissioners on Transmission Line Project
Site clearing work is under way for construction of NIPSCO’s 100-mile, $270 million above-ground electrical transmission line. It will connect the power company’s three major transmission substations in Reynolds, Burr Oak and Topeka as required by the grid operator for the Midwest region. NIPSCO officials say the new transmission line will enhance system reliability, offer environmental benefits by increasing access to wind and solar energy and allow for greater access to supplies of electricity including improved access to lower cost electricity for customers. Continue reading