The Starke County Commissioners will have a better idea of the scope of renovations to two county buildings after their meeting tonight. Representatives from architectural firm DLZ and contractor Skillman Corporation will share final design plans for the revamped courthouse and renovated former jail. They will also provide a breakdown of costs for the work. Continue reading
Local Vendor Chosen for Courthouse Air Conditioning Repair
A local vendor will make the necessary repairs to the third floor air conditioning unit at the Starke County Courthouse. Continue reading
Commissioners Decide on Courthouse HVAC Option
The Starke County Commissioners this week decided to go with a less expensive, four-furnace heating and cooling system for the courthouse as part of the upcoming building renovation project. Commissioner Kathy Norem says the proposed scope of work includes regulator replacement.
Starke Commissioners Weigh Courthouse Cooling Options
The Starke County Commissioners may opt for quality over quantity when it comes to the comfort of courthouse staff in the proposed renovation plans. They’re in the midst of finalizing the bid packets for updates to the courthouse and renovations of the former jail across the street. Continue reading
Architects Brief Historical Society on Courthouse Renovations
The Starke County Historical Society and the Starke County Historian met Friday with representatives from DLZ Architecture and Planning of South Bend to review the renovation plans for the County Courthouse. The group reviewed the projected work of each floor and the exterior of the historic 100+-year old courthouse. Continue reading
County Proceeding With Courthouse, Old Jail Renovations
Renovations to the Starke County Courthouse and former jail in downtown Knox are on track to start in July and conclude by the end of the year. The county commissioners last night approved design and development documents for the project. Plans call for the old jail to be renovated into office space for Starke County Community Corrections, the probation department and Purdue Extension.
The courthouse will be reconfigured to accommodate the prosecutor’s office on the first floor and give the clerk’s office additional space on the second level. Public access to the building would be restricted to one door, and metal detectors would be installed. 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 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 Outline Timeline for Facility Renovations
Proposed renovations to the Starke County Courthouse and old jail building across the street will start next spring and wrap up by the end of 2016 under a timeline adopted last night by the county commissioners. Plans call for the former jail building to be turned into office space for Starke County Community Corrections and the probation department. Purdue Extension will move from the courthouse into the basement, and space will be incorporated for a county morgue facility. Continue reading
Sewer Pipe Collapse Forces Emergency Work at Courthouse
A collapsed sewer pipe has forced some emergency repairs at the Starke County Courthouse. Continue reading
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 Offices Closed for Jail Grand Opening
Starke County government offices will be closed for awhile today so employees can attend the grand opening ceremony for the new jail. The program gets under way at noon at the site east of Knox on State Road 8 and 550 East. The Starke County Courthouse, annex and highway garage will be closed from 11:30 a.m. until 2 p.m.
The public is invited to the building dedication gala and memorial garden ceremony. Tours will be offered until at least 6 p.m. after the formal program concludes, and Sheriff Bill Dulin and his command staff will be on hand to answer questions. Food will also be served. Continue reading
Starke County Commissioners Hire Courthouse Custodian
The Starke County Courthouse will soon have a new custodian. The county commissioners Monday hired Mike Gerhart to fill the opening created by the retirement of longtime caretaker Carl Goodrich. His last day with the county is June 4, which was previously proclaimed “Carl Goodrich Day” by the commissioners in honor of his more than 40 years of service. Continue reading
Starke County Commissioners Want Formal Bid Process for Courthouse Repairs
The two quotes for tuckpointing at the Starke County courthouse are so widely varied in terms of price the commissioners have decided to go through a formal bid process for the work. They plan to ask the contractors who are completing the new jail to put together bid packets for the scope of the project. It includes masonry repair from the top of the clock tower to the basement, electrical and plumbing upgrades and the remodeling of space on the second floor to accommodate the prosecutor’s office. It’s currently in the basement of the existing jail across the street. That building will be remodeled after the inmates move out and will eventually be home to Starke County Community Corrections and the probation office. Continue reading
Courthouse Repairs on Starke County Commissioners Agenda
The Starke County Commissioners should have a better idea how much repairs to the courthouse will cost after their meeting tonight. They’ve asked for quotes on tuckpointing the brick in order to set a budget for the work. Fixing the masonry is one of several repairs that need to be made to the historic structure. Wiring needs to be upgraded, and the roof needs to be fixed as well. Continue reading
New Jail Nearly Finished
The new Starke County Sheriff’s Office and Detention Center will be finished in time for the May 22nd public dedication ceremony. Contractors are working through punch lists now for the new building east of Knox on State Road 8 and should have the final repairs done by the end of next week. Any lingering issues should be addressed before inmates move in on June 1st. Continue reading
Building Corporation, Commissioners Discuss Courthouse Renovations
Money to renovate the second floor of the Starke County Courthouse could come from the county economic development income tax funds used to pay for the new jail. At that time the existing jail across from the courthouse will be renovated to accommodate Starke County Community Corrections and the probation department. Plans call for the prosecutor’s office to move from the basement of the current jail into the courthouse and the current clerk’s office to be renovated. Continue reading
Starke County Commissioners to Discuss Space for Coroner, Plans for Current Jail
Starke County Coroner-elect Adam Gray will provide a report to the commissioners today on his quest to find suitable space for a county morgue. The commissioners previously told him to meet with the county building inspector to see if suitable space is available in any of the county-owned buildings. Gray will be the first non-funeral director in several years to serve as Starke County Coroner. In the past, the funeral directors have used their facilities for storage and viewing. Continue reading
Starke County Election Board to Meet Today
The Starke County Election Board will meet today to address some issues before Election Day.
The board members plan to discuss political sign disclaimers. That meeting is set for noon today. Continue reading
Voter Registration Open Now, Ends Oct. 6
Voter registration is open now until Monday, Oct. 6 at the end of the business day at the county courthouses.
If you need to register to vote or have questions about your current registration, call the Starke County clerk’s office at (574) 772-9160 or the Pulaski County clerk’s office at (574) 946-3313.
Absentee voting in Starke County and in Pulaski County begins Oct. 7.
