Starke County officials have settled the lawsuit filed by a former elected official. Linda Belork was exonerated of wrongdoing in 2012 after the Starke County Commissioners removed her from office in August of 2011. Continue reading
Final Park Board Appointments Pending
The Starke County Park Board is two members away from being populated. Starke Circuit Judge Kim Hall is responsible for appointing a Democrat and a Republican to the five-member board. He advised WKVI News he is still reviewing the qualifications of potential members and expects to make a decision soon. Continue reading
Starke County Council, Commissioners Make Park Board Appointments
The recently formed Starke County Park Board is two members away from being populated. The county council appointed Democrat Rosemary Rose and Republican Debbie Mix to the five-member panel. The commissioners named Marsha Bedrock as their appointee. Starke Circuit Judge Kim Hall has the remaining two appointments to the board. State law requires him to appoint one Democrat and one Republican. All five initial terms will be staggered. The council appointees will serve for two and four years, the commissioners appointee for two and the judge’s appointees for one and three years. Continue reading
Starke County Park Board Appointments Expected Tonight
The Starke County Council and Commissioners are expected to make their appointments to the county park and recreation board at their respective meetings this evening. The council gets two appointments, one Democrat and one Republican. The commissioners get one appointment, and it is not restricted by political party affiliation. Continue reading
Starke County Sees Spike in Workers’ Compensation Premiums
Workers’ compensation insurance premiums for Starke County employees have spiked for the coming year. The annual increase of nearly $60,000 is blamed on the county’s prior claims history. Premiums are determined based on three years worth of data. Continue reading
Starke County Highway Department Preparing for Winter Weather
Starke County Highway Superintendent Rik Ritzler is shopping for less expensive road salt to use this winter. He told the county commissioners he’s already got one contract in place through the state bid process but is attempting to negotiate better prices with other suppliers who lost out on the state bid. Continue reading
Starke County Commissioners Set EMS Interview Date
The Starke County Commissioners plan to interview six applicants for the EMS director position on Tuesday, Sept. 23. All six either live in Starke County or work for Starke County EMS. Other applicants will be considered as part of a secondary list. Continue reading
Starke County Commissioners to Revisit Employee Work Restrictions
The Starke County Commissioners have asked the county attorney to look into work restrictions for county employees who have been cleared to return to work by their physicians but are still under restrictions. Interim EMS Director Keith Emigh asked about the county’s policy during the most recent regular commissioners meeting and was told employees cannot return to work unless they can perform all of their required job duties. The commissioners last week asked county attorney Marty Lucas to further research the issue and placed the matter on the agenda for their meeting this morning. 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
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
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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
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
Commissioners Approve Landfill Purchase Pending Title Work
The Starke County Commissioners may soon own the site of the former county landfill again. They approved a claim for $25,473.55 from the County Economic Development Income Tax, or CEDIT, fund to buy the 22-acre property, subject to satisfactory title work. Continue reading
Commissioners Vote To Reestablish Dormant Funds
The Starke County Commissioners voted unanimously this week to reestablish two funds that were somehow discontinued by the state. Monday’s action on the cumulative capital development and cumulative bridge funds will allow the county to keep more of the property tax money it collects and spend money that is currently set aside.
Commissioners Approve Internet Agreement for Grovertown EMS Base
The Starke County EMS base in Grovertown will soon have Internet service again.
The county commissioners this week approved a contract with Mediacom for Internet, telephone and basic cable television service there at a cost of $89.95 per month. County information technology director Joe Short says Mediacom had a better price than CenturyLink, who quoted $105 per month for just Internet and telephone service. The $89.95 price is based on a three-year contract.
Emergency Bridge Repairs On Schedule
Emergency repairs to the bridge on Starke County Road 700 East over the Yellow River are on schedule to wrap up next week. Continue reading
Starke County Commissioners Approve Change Order for 300 East Project
The Starke County Commissioners Monday approved a $70,000 change order to add a right turn lane to the rebuilt intersection of State Road 8 and County Road 300 East. Starke County Economic Development Foundation Executive Director Charlie Weaver said it was omitted from the original project specifications in order to keep costs in order. Continue reading
Starke County Commissioners Accept Bridge Bids
Work on two replacement bridges in Starke County will begin as soon as possible. The county commissioners Monday accepted bids from LaPorte Construction Company for the bridge on County Road 800 East over Eagle Creek and the bridge on County Road 900 South over Bogus Run. They submitted the lowest of the two bids for both projects. Continue reading
