The Starke County Clerk’s Office is getting its new early voting location ready for the May primary. In-person absentee voting will still take place in the Starke County Courthouse, but it will move from the Clerk’s Office on the second floor to a meeting room on the first floor.
Starke County Commissioners Approve Proposal for Elevator Project
The Starke County Commissioners reviewed a proposal from the Skillman Corporation for plans for a new elevator at the courthouse.
The construction manager’s fee was set at $12,750 while another $32,250 was approved for other construction manager and general condition fees.
The construction of the elevator is expected to begin in spring 2018 and take three or four months to complete.
Starke County Commissioners Approve Courthouse Elevator Grant Application
Starke County Commissioners Sign Paperwork for Elevator Grant
The Starke County Commissioners signed grant paperwork to obtain monetary assistance for a new elevator in the Starke County Courthouse.
The commissioners will be applying for a $500,000 grant from the state through the Kankakee-Iroquois Regional Planning Commission (K-IRPC). The county’s match is $55,560. In a previous meeting, K-IPRC representative Edwin Buswell said the grant is very competitive.
The grant proposal was submitted and the final application will be submitted in September.
Starke Commissioners Discuss Courthouse Elevator Grant Application
The Starke County Commissioners are a step closer to formally seeking a grant to replace the courthouse elevator. They conducted a public hearing as part of that process during their meeting last night. Continue reading
Starke Commissioners Eyeing Courthouse Elevator Upgrades
The Starke County Commissioners are moving forward with a grant application to improve the courthouse elevator. Continue reading
Starke County Election Board Looks to Improve Early Voting Site
Courthouse Elevator Discussion on Starke Commissioners Agenda
The Starke County Commissioners will consider additional updates to the courthouse when they meet this evening. Their agenda includes discussion of an ADA-compliant elevator, which would be paid for with a grant from the Kankakee-Iroquois Regional Planning Commission. Continue reading
Meeting to Address Starke County Emergency Communications Issues Postponed
The Starke County Emergency Management Agency wants to get stakeholders in the county’s radio communications system together in an attempt to solve problems with both VHF and 800 mHz systems. Continue reading
Open House Showcases Starke County Building Renovations
Visitors to the Starke County Courthouse will notice some major changes thanks to recent building renovations. Public access is now limited to the west entrance, which faces the Knox Moose Lodge. It is fully handicap accessible. All visitors will be greeted by a uniformed security officer and asked to pass through a metal detector. Anyone in possession of a weapon will be asked to return it to their vehicle before entering the building. Continue reading
Renovated Courthouse, Former Jail to Be Dedicated Today
Starke County residents will have a chance to get a behind-the-scenes look at the recently renovated former jail and courthouse during a program today. The facilities will be dedicated during an 11 a.m. ceremony on the courthouse lawn. Afterward tours of both buildings will be offered. Continue reading
Carrying Our Community’s Cross Returns to Starke County Tomorrow
An Easter weekend event seeks to raise awareness of the positive resources available to Starke County residents. Continue reading
Courthouse and Old Jail Renovations Wrapping Up
The renovations to the Starke County Courthouse and former jail building in downtown Knox are on schedule and under budget. Continue reading
Starke County Council Establishes Courthouse Security Officer Position
The Starke County Sheriff’s Office will be in charge of security at the courthouse once renovations are finished. Sheriff Bill Dulin told the county council last week he will need more part-time officers to handle the responsibility. Continue reading
Today, Monday Last Chance to Vote Early
Election Day is Tuesday, but voters still have a couple chances to cast their ballots early. Continue reading
Local Officials Raise Starke County Flag
Starke County’s new flag is now flying proudly over the courthouse. It was unveiled during Friday’s bicentennial torch relay celebration and officially raised for the first time Monday morning. Starke Circuit Judge Kim Hall presided over the brief ceremony after accepting the flag from Melba and Brad Shilling. Her late husband, Jim, was a well-known historian, community activist and a past winner of the Henry F. Schricker Award. It’s presented annually to a resident who embodies the former governor’s credo of “service before self.” Continue reading
Starke County Flag Unveiled During Bicentennial Celebration
Starke County’s new flag will be raised for the first time today. It was unveiled during Friday evening’s bicentennial torch relay celebration. Melba Shilling and her late husband, Jim, were inspired by a visit a few years ago to Starke County’s “sister courthouse” in Ottawa County, Ohio. Shilling says the county had its own flag flying. Continue reading
Additional Security Anticipated at Starke County Courthouse
The Starke County Council has tasked Sheriff Bill Dulin with crafting a budget for courthouse security. Renovations currently underway include restricting access to the building and adding a metal detector to ensure the safety of employees and patrons. Continue reading
Starke Council to Consider Ambulance, Courthouse Security Recommendations
The Starke County Council will conduct a couple of budget hearings and consider several requests for funds when they meet this evening. The Starke County, North Judson-San Pierre School Corporation and Solid Waste budgets are all on the agenda for the 5:30 p.m. session. So is discussion of a possible payroll increase of between 1 and 2 percent in the Starke County budget. Continue reading
Courthouse and Jail Renovations to Restrict Downtown Knox Parking
The Starke County Commissioners took action this week to prepare for the renovation of the old jail and courthouse. Work will be starting soon, and the contractors will need a place to park their construction trailers and equipment. Continue reading