The Starke County Commissioners have set a date for the annual surplus auction. It will take place Wednesday, July 29, but a time and location have yet to be determined. The commissioners asked James Coad in the county maintenance department to gather quotes from licensed local auctioneers interested in conducting the sale.
Another academic year is in the books at Ancilla College. President Ken Zirkle took over leadership of the two-year, private, Catholic school last fall and has accomplished quite a bit in a short amount of time. During his tenure, school officials broke ground on Ancilla’s first residence hall. It’s on schedule to be finished Aug. 1 and will provide housing for about 100 first-year students. Continue reading
Starke County’s emergency management agency director can apply for some reimbursable state grants without waiting for formal approval from the county commissioners. Ted Bombagetti told them Monday the state frequently advertises reimbursable grants with short application deadlines. The commissioners agreed he can apply for grants of up to $25,000 without formal action in a meeting. Continue reading
The deadline to pay the spring installment of property taxes is looming.
The Starke County Treasurer’s office will be open until 4 p.m. CT today to accommodate taxpayers in making that payment on time. The last day that tax bills can be paid without a penalty is Monday, May 11 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. CT. Fall installments may also be paid at the same time, if desired.
Payments may be left in the drop box outside the treasurer’s office in Starke County Annex Building in Knox. If the staff receives the payment in the drop box before 8 a.m. on Tuesday, no penalty will be assessed.
It will cost you a little bit more to enter an Indiana state park or state forest this season.
Operating costs have increased which has caused the increase in gate fees. The entrance to most state parks and three state forest recreation areas will increase from $5.00 per in-state vehicle to $7.00. Many activities offered are free after paying the gate fee.
Mail carriers in Starke County are taking part in a national initiative to collect food for local families in need. The 23rd annual National Association of of Letter Carriers’ Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive takes place tomorrow. Postal patrons are asked to place a box of non-perishable items near their mail boxes before their scheduled delivery time. Carriers will pick items up when they deliver mail. All donations will go to the Community Services of Starke County Food Pantry.
Mowing season is under way for the Starke County Highway Department. Superintendent Rik Ritzler says a mower has been out since April 27, and the other four tractor mowers will being cutting tight-of-ways on Monday. Last year county highway crews mowed more than 8,000 lane miles of county roadways. This year Ritzler says they plan to complete at least five complete circuits of the county, for a total of 7,500 miles. Continue reading
Screenings and highly interactive health events will be the focus of the 4th annual Starke County Community Health Fair on Wednesday, May 13 from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. CT at the Nancy J. Dembowski Community Center in Knox.
The health information presented by physicians will range from preventative care for men and women to the importance of a good night’s sleep.
Free screenings and tests will be offered including body fat percentage, blood sugar for diabetes, strength and balance assessments, blood pressure, and a heel bone density test for osteoporosis. Those attending the event can sign up for a Heart Cart screening for $25.
North Judson-San Pierre Middle School students participating in the Social Studies Academic Team has a seventh state championship.
The eight-member team recently competed in the Indiana Academic Super Bowl Junior Competition at LaPorte High School on May 2 and answered 21 out of 25 questions correctly. The topic was “The Grandeur that was Rome” which included questions in the areas in Math, Science, Social Studies, and English.
The Leadership Starke County class of 2014-2015 has graduated. The 15 participants spent the past nine months honing community leadership skills, building self-confidence and interacting with community leaders. The class included a student from each of the county’s three high schools. Members met one day per month at sites throughout the county and learned about local history, geography and culture, the local economy, government, education and social services. Strategic planning and service on boards were also covered. Continue reading
Time is running out for Knox residents who are planning to host yard sales next weekend to get their events on the free map. Call Danna at 574-772-2098 by Friday, May 8 with your information. Sales start Thursday, May 14 and continue through Sunday, May 17. Participants can host sales on any or all of the days without having to pay for a permit. Only signs purchased from the mayor’s office for a nominal fee will be allowed.
Maps will be available each day starting at 7 a.m. CDT at the Knox Moose Family Center on Main Street across from the courthouse. Breakfast and lunch will also be offered at the facility.
It took more forty minutes after polls closed for the ballots to arrive at the Starke County Courthouse on Tuesday evening.
The Knox Primary Municipal Election was taking place and saw a few races contested, largely among Democratic candidates. Eligible voters had ample opportunity to cast an early or absentee ballot leading up to the Primary Municipal Election, but the city’s four precincts all voted at the Nancy J. Dembowski Community Center on Tuesday.
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Organizers of events like this weekend’s high school rodeo in Grovertown can pay the county to have a dedicated ambulance at their event the entire time. The Starke County Commissioners Monday approved a $500 charge to cover the cost of the truck and personnel to staff it. That same option is available to any event or organization that would like to ensure medical personnel are on site at all times. Continue reading
Members of the Knox School Board reviewed bids for some new equipment, Monday night.
Knox Elementary School is considered to be in desperate need of upgrades to its kitchen area. Keeping costs for the equipment low required the board to seek bids.
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Churches, business and civic leaders and Starke County residents will join in prayer and fellowship tomorrow to celebrate the National Day of Prayer. Chuck Bachelder from the First Christian Church of Knox will keynote the City of Knox National Day of Prayer Breakfast. It starts at 7 a.m. at the Nancy J. Dembowski Community Center. Bachelder is also the president of the Ministerial Alliance of Starke County. Continue reading
Are you ready to rock? If you answered yes, bring your bowling ball to Bowlaway Lanes in Knox this evening to support a great cause, the Junior Achievement Rock ‘n Bowl Bowl-A-Thon. Proceeds from the annual event will help fund financial literacy programs at all three Starke County school corporations. President Bridget Markin says there are still slots available for bowlers and lane sponsors. Give her a call at 574-806-1799 or drop by the bowling alley around 5:45 p.m. The event gets under way at 6. Markin says this year’s fundraising goal is $3,000. You can also contact her to pledge funds for the cause.
The Starke County Highway Department still has plenty of money to keep up with planned road maintenance this year. Superintendent Rik Ritzler told the county commissioners last night that includes nearly 30 miles of paving this summer and crack sealing an additional 10 miles roads. Some chip sealing work will also be done. Continue reading
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
Area schools are recognizing the work of their teachers over the next several days.
National Teacher Appreciation Week is being celebrated across the country, and the Indiana State Teachers Association says the recognition will remind teachers their efforts are being noticed.
