The Starke County Youth Club’s annual radiothon is less than a month a way. It’s a chance for residents to help the organization continue to provide its after-school, summer, and recreational programs across the county. “We’re usually there after school for three hours, making sure kids have a safe place to be, making sure they get help with their homework and their academic needs,” says Executive Director Irene Szakonyi, “and then expanding on that, so kids get exposure to other cultures. They learn about technology and robotics, and maybe they’re even learning to cook and having a workforce readiness or life skill.” Continue reading
North Judson Town Council to Open Cemetery Mowing Bids at Tonight’s Meeting
North Judson Town Council members will open bids for the cemetery mowing contract when they meet tonight at 6:30 p.m.
Members are also expected to consider an amended owner-engineer contract with Common Wealth Engineers. Continue reading
Oregon-Davis Extends Agreement with Starke County Youth Club
The Oregon-Davis School Corporation plans to continue its partnership with the Starke County Youth Club over the coming years. m says the two groups recently signed a memorandum of understanding, allowing them to keep working together through May of 2022. Continue reading
Starke County Youth Club Seeks Funds to Expand Programs
The Starke County Youth Club is able to provide after-school programs to students K-12 across the county thanks to grant funding.
One grant the club utilizes is the 21st Century Community Learning Centers grant. SC Youth Club Executive Director Irene Szakonyi said they’re reapplying for that grant this year and the deadline for it is coming up soon.
Szakonyi explained that and a part of the grant process, Youth Club representatives are working with their partners to determine particular needs. She said their partners include all the county schools, the public library system, the Starke County Economic Development Foundation and Purdue Cooperative Extension Services.
“We really do work together to make sure that there are high quality programs for kids in this community that address academic outputs, and personal success for kids.”Szakonyi continued, “Things like homework help and tutoring, science, technology engineering, and math, life skills, college and career readiness. All of those things that make sure that a kid is prepared to be successful in school and in work and in life.” Continue reading
Knox Parks 5-Year Master Plan Public Hearing Tonight
Knox Mayor Dennis Estok will be holding several meetings today as a part of the process for amending and renewing the 5-year Parks Master Plan.
The purpose of today’s meetings is to gather community input about the various concerns and any recommendations that people have about the parks in Knox.
The first meetings will be conducted with stakeholders. Mayor Estok said that at 1:30 p.m. he will meet with Starke County Youth Club representatives. Then starting around 4:30 p.m. representatives from Moving Starke County Forward, the Starke County Chamber of Commerce and the Young Professionals Group will meet with the mayor to discuss individual group concerns.
At 6 p.m. a public hearing will be held at City Hall, where community members can weigh in on what they’d like to see at Wythogan Park, Sandy Acres and Heritage Park. Everyone is encouraged to attend to have their voice heard and their suggestions considered. Continue reading
Starke County Career and College Success Coalition Members Discuss Fall Activities
Several local organizations are working together to help Starke County residents build successful careers.
Yellowstone Trail Fest This Weekend
Hamlet’s annual celebration of classic transportation returns this weekend. The Yellowstone Trail Fest takes place Saturday and Sunday at the Starke County Fairgrounds.
Colorful Fundraiser Planned for Sunday
A Rainbow Splash Fun Run and Walk is set for Sunday, Aug. 20 at 8 a.m. CT at the Hamlet Fire Station and all of the proceeds will benefit kids in Starke County. The event is part of this year’s Yellowstone Trail Festival.
This is an opportunity to meet with your friends for a morning of fun. Run or walk this event and get splashed with color at points along the route. Proceeds from this fundraiser will benefit the Starke County Youth Club
Irene Szakonyi from the Starke County Youth Club said sign up is easy.
Oregon-Davis School Board Approves Leo Club, Summer Program Facilities Use
A new club at Oregon-Davis Junior/Senior High School will mean more community service opportunities for students. Superintendent Don Harman says the school board this week approved the addition of a Leo Club. Continue reading
Starke County Youth Club Radiothon to Raise Money, Awareness of After School Programs
Residents can invest in the future of Starke County by making a contribution to the Starke County Youth Club. They’re taking over the WKVI airwaves today for their annual radiothon fundraiser. Executive Director Irene Szakonyi says tax-deductible contributions to the local nonprofit can help make changes happen in our community by helping youngsters to find success. Continue reading
Starke County Youth Club Programs Prepare Students for Workforce
The Starke County Youth Club’s after school and summer programs are helping to prepare youngsters in all grade levels for life after graduation. Program Director Melissa Smith-Watkins oversees all six sites. Ultimately she says they want to help Starke County thrive by teaching skills like collaboration, problem solving and goal setting to students in kindergarten through 12th grade. Continue reading
Starke County Youth Club Prepares for Annual Radiothon
The Starke County Youth Club needs the public’s help to continue fulfilling their mission. Executive Director Irene Szakonyi says they meet a critical need in the community.
“The Starke County Youth Club is a youth development agency supporting children and families with after school, summer and recreational programs. We do that all across the county for kids in K through 12. We’re the only after-school provider in our county, and so we’re meeting some really critical needs.” Continue reading
Proposed Federal Budget Slashes Funds for The Starke County Youth Club
Officials with the Starke County Youth Club are preparing for Friday’s annual WKVI Radiothon amid overall funding uncertainty for the organization. The nonprofit youth development agency supports students and families with after school and summer enrichment programs at six local sites. Continue reading
Starke United Touts Accomplishments as 2016 Campaign Begins
The Starke United Fund is kicking off its 2016 campaign. Its goal is to raise money to help improve Starke County’s education, health, and income. Continue reading
Elected or appointed? N.J.-S.P. Board to Decide Tonight
The North Judson-San Pierre School Board is expected to announce tonight whether they favor a transition to an elected school board or would prefer to keep the current appointed process. Members have spent the past several weeks gathering public input on the topic via Google survey and a special meeting last week for that sole purpose. Most of the comments offered during that session favored an *elected board. Continue reading
Starke County Youth Club Plans Color Run as Part of Yellowstone Trail Fest
Local residents once again have a fun and colorful way to support after-school programs for Starke County children. The Starke County Youth Club is hosting Rainbow Splash 2016 during the Yellowstone Trail Fest in Hamlet. Continue reading
Starke County Career and College Success Coalition Awards Grants to Local Organizations
An organization with the goal of improving Starke County residents’ access to higher education is touting its efforts so far this year. The Starke County Career and College Success Coalition says it’s given over $5,000 in grants to help out some local organizations. Continue reading
Starke County Youth Club Prepares for Annual Radiothon
Starke County Youth Club volunteers, staff, students and alumni will take over the WKVI airwaves today for their annual radiothon fundraiser. All of the money stays in the community to pay for after school programs for students at Knox, North Judson-San Pierre and Oregon-Davis. Continue reading
Starke County Youth Club Embraces Opportunities
The Starke County Youth Club has been teaching life skills to local youngsters for the past 15 years, according to Executive Director Irene Szakonyi.
“Kids today deserve our respect and our time, but they have to be given the opportunity to learn the right choice for them and to learn the consequences if they don’t make the right choice. Having that network and that structure gives kids practice at being good people. Continue reading
Starke County Youth Club Provides Structure, Teaches Accountability
The after-school programs offered by the Starke County Youth Club at sites around the county provide homework help, hands-on learning and more to participants. Program director Melissa Smith says it keeps youngsters who would otherwise be home alone until a parent or other caregiver arrives a structured setting in which they can avoid getting into mischief. Continue reading
