Starke County officials are looking for members to serve on the long-dormant county redevelopment commission by appointing new members. It was established in 2006 to oversee a tax increment financing district set up by the county as part of the effort to bring Sysco to Hamlet. Continue reading
Starke County Commissioners Accept Roofing, Mowing Bids
The Starke County Commissioners have hired a Knox contractor to fix what is described as a “serious leaky roof” at the county’s storage warehouse. Continue reading
Turner Files Age Discrimination Claim Against County Commissioners
Former Starke County Veterans Service Officer Terry Turner has filed an age discrimination claim against the county commissioners over his recent termination. He was fired during the June 15th county commissioners meeting. Turner, 67, advises WKVI News he filed a claim on Friday, July 10th with the state civil rights commission office in South Bend, and it has been forwarded to Indianapolis for review. Continue reading
State Senator to Brief County Officials on Legislative Developments
State Sen. Jim Arnold will discuss new state laws with the Starke County Council and Commissioners when they meet this evening. He’s first on the agenda for the 5:30 p.m. council meeting. Continue reading
Starke County Commissioners Gathering Landfill Mowing Quotes
The Starke County Commissioners are gathering quotes for mowing at the old county landfill. Some trees also need to be cut at the site on 750 East north of State Road 10, and vegetation needs to be removed from the clay cap. Continue reading
Starke County Commissioners Reaffirm Support for Redevelopment Commission
The Starke County Commissioners hope to revive the long-dormant county redevelopment commission by appointing new members. It was established in 2006 to oversee a tax increment financing district set up by the county as part of the effort to bring Sysco to Hamlet. Continue reading
Starke County Commissioners Adopt Purchasing Policy
Starke County government now has a purchasing policy in place aimed at supporting local businesses and ensuring greater oversight into expenditures. The policy adopted by the commissioners Monday night prohibits departments and officials from opening any retail accounts without authorization by the commissioners granted in a regular board meeting. If any accounts are approved, they will be in the name of Starke County Government. Continue reading
Commissioners Uphold Termination, Service Officer Threatens Lawsuit
The Starke County Commissioners last night upheld the June 15th termination of veterans service officer Terry Turner following an executive session grievance hearing. Continue reading
Starke County Commissioners to Discuss Employee Grievance Tonight
The Starke County Commissioners will discuss a grievance filed by an employee they fired at their last meeting when they meet tonight. Terry Turner was relieved of his duties as county veterans service officer on June 15. After the meeting, president of the commissioners Kent Danford said he has received several complaints about Turner’s job performance. Continue reading
Government Offices Closed So Employees Can Pay Respects
Starke County government office will be closed for a few hours today so employees can pay their respects to a colleague. The commissioners have authorized the closure from 10:30 a.m. until 1 p.m. so staff members can attend county sanitarian Chris Dalton’s funeral. He died last Thursday of a sudden heart attack. Visitation for Dalton is this morning from 9 until 11 a.m. at Braman & Son Memorial Chapel in Knox, followed by the funeral at 11. The courthouse and annex will reopen at 1 p.m.
Embattled Veterans Service Officer Files Grievance Against County Commissioners
A Starke County employee who was relieved of his duties during Monday’s commissioners meeting has filed a grievance seeking to be reinstated. The commissioners voted 2-0 to replace Veterans Service Officer Terry Turner with Mark Gourley. Commissioner Don Binkley made the motion to terminate Turner, and President of the Commissioners Kent Danford seconded it. Commissioner Kathy Norem did not vote.
After the meeting Danford said he has received several complaints about Turner. Continue reading
Starke County Commissioners Approve Use of Force Policy for Community Corrections
Starke County Community Corrections officers who choose to undergo initial and continuing education training can carry firearms on duty after action Monday by the Starke County Commissioners. Program Coordinator Shawn Mattraw says the community corrections board approved a use of force policy, which was also reviewed by county attorney Marty Lucas.
EMA Director Worries About Effect of Rain on Crops
The continued rains have left many area farmers up a creek, so to speak. Starke County Emergency Management Agency Director Ted Bombagetti told the county commissioners last night many have sustained significant losses as a result of standing water. He adds it will be too late for them to replant by the time their fields dry out. Bombagetti has made a formal request for “saturated soil” assistance to the Indiana Department of Homeland Security and is waiting for a response. Continue reading
Starke County Commissioners Replace Veterans Service Officer
Starke County has a new veterans service officer after action last night by the county commissioners. They voted to terminate Terry Turner from the position and replace him with Mark Gourley. President of the Commissioners Kent Danford says he’s a veteran with experience filing claims for servicemembers in LaPorte County. After the meeting, Danford said he’s received several complaints about Turner.
Starke County Council to Consider Jail Commander Pay
The Starke County Council will decide tonight whether to increase the salary for the jail commander. Sheriff Bill Dulin’s request to boost the pay for the position to reflect the additional responsibilities at the new jail got a favorable recommendation from the county commissioners. Dulin told them he can transfer money from within his budget to cover the extra expense. Continue reading
Starke County Commissioners Hire Auctioneer
North Judson auctioneer Ben Osinski will conduct the Starke County surplus property auction on Wednesday, June 29. The county commissioners voted Monday to offer him the opportunity to run the sale. D and N Auctions in Hamlet also expressed an interest in doing the sale. The commissioners noted both have done work for the county in the past and suggested they use them on a rotating basis. The auction time and location have not been announced.
Longtime Starke County Courthouse Custodian Retires
An employee of Starke County for more than four decades retired yesterday from what was supposed to have been a temporary job. Gerald Ford was in the White House and gas was 55-cents a gallon when Carl Goodrich took over as courthouse custodian on Nov. 26, 1974. Continue reading
Starke County Commissioners Set Building Emergency Sealing Policy
Starke County now requires the emergency sealing of structures destroyed or damaged by fires. The county commissioners passed a Monday at the recommendation of building commissioner Terry Stephenson. He says sealing a building preserves the integrity of the fire scene for an insurance company investigation. If a structure is no longer standing, Stephenson says safety tape should be used to cordon off the area. Continue reading
Starke County Receives Favorable Bridge Inspection Report
Starke County’s bridges are in good shape overall, according to a recently completed inspection. Highway Superintendent Rik Ritzler says no new bridges were deemed structurally deficient. Repairs are continuing on the bridges identified three years ago. Continue reading
Starke County Sheriff Posts Jail Commander Position
Starke County Sheriff Bill Dulin is looking for a new jail commander to run the new $15 million facility. Continue reading
