November Election to Offer Only Contested Races on Ballot

The November General Election is now less than one month away. Voters will be selecting a Clerk-Treasurer, Town Council members and Mayors, in some cases in this Municipal Election.

For the City of Knox, only one race is contested and that is the City Council District One race with candidates Don Kring, a Democrat and Republican Thom Morin. That will be the only race that will appear on the ballot. This year’s legislature approved the printing of only contested races on this year’s ballot. Starke County Clerk, Evelyn Skronski, said that may cause some confusion for voters.

Continue reading

Starke County Health Nurse Schedules Flu Shot Clinics

Starke County Health Nurse, Frank Lynch, has released information about upcoming flu shot clinics.

Adult flu shots will be given on Thursday, October 13th from 4:30-7:00 p.m. CT at the Health Department in the Starke County Courthouse. A children’s flu shot clinic will be held on Thursday, October 20th from 4:30-7:00 p.m. CT. Some nasal mists will be available for children.

Continue reading

WKVI Takes the Morning Show Outdoors

Jayme Goetz, Nathan Welter, Anita Goodan, Tom Berg, and Ed Hasnerl enjoy taking part in the first "Fresh Air Friday"

WKVI morning man, Tom Berg, plus Anita Goodan, Nathan Welter and Ed Hasnerl greeted people driving by the radio station this morning as the morning show went outside for the day. The staff enjoyed a beautiful sunrise and continue to enjoy the traffic driving by the station. Stop by and enjoy donuts from Fingerhut Bakery (Anita is in a sharing mood today) and look at an electric car from the Cambe dealership in Knox. Thank you to Five Star and Schwan’s for food today!  A bouncy house is set up so you can take advantage of some stress release, thanks to Jumps “R” Us.  Thanks to Lenny Dessauer for helping to set up everything today! Continue reading

Starke County Mint Farmer Sentenced in U.S. District Court

Starke County Mint Farmer, Mike Materna, was sentenced in U.S. District Court yesterday. The judge sentenced Materna to two years of probation, eight months in home detention and he was fined $20,000.

He avoided a 10-month jail sentence.

He plead guilty to one count of Discharge of Pollutants without a Permit in violation of the Clean Air Act. He reportedly admitted in court that he discharged hot water into a ditch without the proper permit.

Starke County Officials: Jailers or Road Officers?

Starke County officials are being faced with a philosophical dilemma. They are being asked to either reduce the sheriff’s road officers or keep the jail understaffed.

“I’m here to let you know that I’ll do whatever the Commissioners and Council ask me to do, but I do want them to understand is that in order for me to eliminate two road officers, I would have to lay them off,” said Sheriff Cowen. “I can’t just place them down in the jail and subtract their pay to jailer’s pay. I can put them in the jail, but I would have to pay them officer’s pay.”

Continue reading

IU Health Starke Hospital to Give up Hospital Fund if Sale is Complete

IU Health Starke Hospital

Starke County officials were approached about the sale of IU Health Starke Hospital to IU Health LaPorte Hospital this week.

One point that hospital spokesman, David Hiatt, pointed out to the commissioners and council members was that IU Health LaPorte Hospital, if successful in purchasing the local hospital, would have no interest in receiving the Save the Hospital Fund that has grown over the years to almost $5 million. The fund, that captures lease payments, was originally set up when Principal leased then-Starke Memorial.

Continue reading

Starke County Commissioners Approve Dog Kennel Ordinance

Starke County Commissioners: Kathy Norem, Dan Bridegroom and Jennifer Davis

After several months of discussion, and a rejection of at least one draft ordinance, the Starke County Commissioners passed the Dog Kennel Ordinance with a unanimous vote.

A simplified explanation of the ordinance is that it will regulate dog kennels in the county and provides the language for creating and operating a kennel.

The ordinance was written after much work by Plan Commission President Butch Richie, Director Bruce Williams and a committee of dog enthusiasts. Commissioner Kathy Norem, who with her background of breeding show dogs, was also helpful in comments made from her position as a Commissioner.

Continue reading

Benefit Held for Phil Banasiak

Banasiak receives a big kiss on the cheek from his friend David Lawandowski

“You never know how many friends you have until you really need them.” That was said by well known Starke County resident, Phil Banasiak, at a benefit.

Banasiak, who for many years fought fires as the Bass Lake Fire Chief, was hosted at the benefit at the Sandbar Saturday night. With almost 400 people in attendance, the popular figure was the center of attention, as many well wishers had fond memories that they shared with the honored guest.

Continue reading

Charles Weaver, Betty Chesak to Receive Awards at Ancilla College Recognition Dinner

In the African Lunyoro tribe, there is a proverb that whose translation is “A child does not grow up in a single home.”

More recently it has been used as “It takes a Village to Raise a Child”.

Charles Weaver has always lived by an African proverb and tonight, when he will be honored for his service to Ancilla College that proverb, will be on his mind as he steps to the podium. Since 1975, Weaver has worked tirelessly for Ancilla, a college he says is “near and dear to his heart.” Tonight, Charles Weaver will receive the Ancilla Award.

Continue reading

News from Starke Circuit Court

Accused of Battery, Confinement, and Domestic Violence, Richard Garrison, Jr. plead guilty to Battery as a Class C felony in Starke Circuit Court on Wednesday, Oct. 5. The state, as part of the accepted plea agreement, dismissed the charges of confinement and domestic violence. Garrison admitted that during an argument, he slammed a door closed on a woman’s arm.

Continue reading

Short Term Capital Needs to be Addressed by IU Health Starke Hospital, County Officials

IU Health Starke Hospital

There’s more today on the proposed sale of IU Health Starke Hospital to IU Health LaPorte Hospital. It was reported that the offer to purchase the hospital is for $1.00. Money-wise, there’s more to the offer.

Hospital spokesperson, David Hiatt, mentioned that Starke County is already on the hook for approximately $7.4 million that IU Health LaPorte Hospital inherited with the signing of the lease in 2006. If they decided to not renew the lease in 2016, the county would be responsible for that much money. If the hospital were to be sold to IU Health LaPorte Hospital, that money would be waived.

Continue reading

Starke County Bridge #156 to Open by End of October

County bridge #156 over the Robbins Ditch

Starke County Highway Superintendent, Steve Siddall, brought county officials up to date on the Range Road and 500 North bridge project this week.

“They weren’t going to remove the bridge on Saturday but they ended up taking it out on Friday,” said Siddall. “When I went up there Saturday, they were already starting to pour the caps and the beams are sitting on a trailer ready to come right now. They’re just waiting for the IDEM permit to come in. If INDOT is in a hurry, INDOT will give it to them. It should be up there Thursday by the latest.”

Continue reading

Starke County Commissioners Review County’s Assets

Starke County Commissioners: Kathy Norem, Dan Bridegroom and Jennifer Davis

How much would you think Starke County has in assets? If you guessed $41 million, you would be close.

That figure was revealed at this week’s Starke County Commissioner’s meeting. The county is required to do a capital assets report each year to update records. Bill Nielson of Government Fixed Asset Services, Inc. said that the assets are unbelievable.

Continue reading

Starke County Officials Endorse Jail Review, Selects Community Committee

Starke County Jail

Starke County government officials endorsed a comprehensive jail review last night that will end with a decision on what to do about the 33-year-old facility.

Commissioner Kathy Norem presented to the county officials in attendance findings from a recent jail conference attended by a five person committee from Starke County. Norem said this is a thorough review of all of the options available.

Continue reading

Starke County EMS Director Moving Forward with Service Upgrade

Paul Mathewson

Starke County EMS Director Paul Mathewson informed the Commissioners this week that he is getting everything ready to switch the county from Basic Life Support Service to Advanced Life Support Service as soon as possible.

Today he will be meeting with state regulators to get the ambulances licensed for Advanced Life Support service. Mathewson was asked why the change in licensing for the vehicles is necessary.

Continue reading