The Town of Hamlet plans to extend the Starke Street sidewalk, but not everyone likes the idea. In a letter to the town council, residents Fred and Charlene Jensen said the town should focus on fixing streets, and they feel the curbs and sidewalk would be a waste of money.
Timber Sale Planned for Starke County Forest
Starke County Commissioners Provide Support for Starke County Park Board Project
Starke County Park Board representative Carolla Heilstedt appeared before the Starke County Commissioners last week requesting support for the proposed Yellow River Access Site project.
The project involves the construction of an access site including a gravel lane and parking area, an EZ dock kayak launch and dock. The site would be constructed on North Range Road, northwest of Knox. According to Heilstedt, the parcel is owned by Starke County and deeded exclusively for river access.
Starke County Projects Ready for Community Crossings Application
Starke County Highway Superintendent Rik Ritzler submitted projects to the commissioners for the county’s request for the state’s Community Crossings grant program.
The county is eligible for a 75/25 split for grant funding. Ritzler submitted five projects totaling just under $1.4 million. At a meeting hosted by INDOT addressing Community Crossing grant funds earlier this year, officials suggested that government entities include project plans in the $1.3 to $1.4 million range in order to capture that full $1 million.
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
Starke County Highway Superintendent Elaborates on Road Funding
Starke County will be able to implement plans to pave 123 miles of local roads with asphalt over the next decade without raising taxes, according to Highway Superintendent Rik Ritzler. He presented options to the county council Monday. They include using money from the Local Roads and Streets and County Economic Development Income Tax (CEDIT) funds to draw down a maximum three-to-one funding match from the state. Continue reading
Five Year Infrastructure Plan Includes Knox Industrial Park Improvements
Updates to the roads through the Knox Industrial Park are included in the Starke County Highway Department’s five-year infrastructure plan. Continue reading
Mowing Season Gets Underway for Starke County Highway Department
Mowing crews from the Starke County Highway Department are making their first pass of the year. Highway Superintendent Rik Ritzler told the county commissioners Monday six mowing tractors and two brush choppers are actively clearing rights of way. Continue reading
Late Winter Storm Kept County Highway Crews Busy
Winter operations picked up for the Starke County Highway Department last month. Superintendent Rik Ritzler told the county commissioners they had five snow events in March. The most significant occurred on March 15th, with up to 11 inches of snow recorded in a few areas of the county. Continue reading
Starke County Officials Present Five-Year Strategic Infrastructure Plan
Updating routes into the Knox Industrial Park and improving access to potential growth areas in Hamlet are among the priorities outlined in Starke County’s five-year strategic infrastructure plan. It serves as a blueprint for the use of County Economic Development Income Tax (CEDIT) funds, along with money from the state. Continue reading
Starke County Commissioners Seek Answers to Radio Woes
The Starke County Commissioners want another vendor to evaluate their radio system and determine what needs to be fixed to make it operational county-wide. Continue reading
Lack of Snow Saves Starke County Money
Starke County had no snow events in February. Highway Superintendent Rik Ritzler says the little bit of snow that fell recently didn’t linger long enough to send plows out. He told the commissioners Monday that translates into big savings for the fuel budget. The Starke County Highway Department used about 6,000 gallons of diesel fuel last month, compared to 12,000 in February of 2016 and 14,000 the previous year. Continue reading
Hamlet Lions Club Adopts County Road
A Starke County civic organization has adopted a section of roadway. Continue reading
Starke County Fares Well in State Road Safety Rankings
Starke County’s roads are among the safest in the state based on crash data. Highway Superintendent Rik Ritzler told the county commissioners Monday the statistics are based on the number of miles driven. Continue reading
Season’s First Winter Storm Packs a Whallop
The first winter storm of the season cut into the weekend for snow plow drivers. Starke County Highway Department crews hit the roads at 4 a.m. Sunday and spent the better part of the day plowing as snow continued to fall. Continue reading
Starke County Commissioners Award Bridge Replacement Bids
The Starke County Highway Department continues to make progress with bridge replacements and upgrades. The new bridge on 250 West over Bogus Run, just south of Toto Road, should be finished this week, according to county highway superintendent Rik Ritzler. Continue reading
Starke County Highway Department Prepared for Seasonal Transition
The Starke County Highway Department is ready for winter weather. Superintendent Rik Ritzler told the county commissioners Monday all material, personnel and planning requirements are in place. Continue reading
Appropriation Clears Way for Highway Department Purchases
The Starke County Highway Department plans to make some facility updates and an equipment purchase with funds received throughout the year.
The county council Monday approved Highway Superintendent Rik Ritzler’s additional appropriation request, which will clear the way for the expenditures. It’s a procedural step to move the money into the necessary account. Continue reading
Starke County Highway Department Stocks Up for Winter
The Starke County Highway Department is getting ready for winter weather. Superintendent Rik Ritzler told the county commissioners last week they’ve committed to 1,250 tons of salt at $56.16 per ton. He says that represents a savings of between $8 and $9,000 over last year. Continue reading
Hamlet Council Considers Salt Spreader Purchase, Approves Street Paving Payment
The Town of Hamlet is getting ready for winter weather. Water and Street Superintendent Fred Rowe told the town council Wednesday that the town’s salt spreader is getting worn out, after years of use. Continue reading
