The Hamlet Town Council has signed onto an agreement outlining how the communities of the Constellation of Starke region will work together going forward, but not without some questions about the legality of some of its provisions. The inter-local agreement covers the relationship of the region’s member units during the application phase. If the region is designated a Stellar Community, it would also cover the construction and initial implementation phase lasting from 2020 to 2025.
Continue readingMotorcycle Ride Raises Funds for Memorial Path in Hamlet Town Park
Efforts to add a memorial walking path to the Hamlet Town Park got a major boost, thanks to a recent fundraiser. On September 21, the Hamlet American Legion held a motorcycle ride in memory of Robert J. Tauteris Jr., who died while serving in Afghanistan in 2012. Proceeds will go toward the effort of building a trail in his honor.
Continue readingFundraising Underway for Memorial Path in Hamlet Town Park
A walking path honoring a fallen soldier may soon be coming to the Hamlet Town Park. The town’s American Legion post has officially begun raising funds for a Robert J. Tauteris Jr. Memorial Walking Path.
Continue readingPlans Continue for State Road 10 Sidewalk Project in Culver
A preliminary design is ready for the State Road 10 sidewalk project in Culver.
Continue readingPlanning Continues for Walking Trail, Other Improvements at Hamlet Town Park
The Hamlet Park Board may soon get cost estimates for the addition of a walking trail in the Town Park. A few ideas for how to pay for the proposed trail were brought to the board Wednesday.
Continue readingEfforts Continue to Add Kayak, Canoe Access Points to Yellow River
Starke County officials are confident that kayak and canoe access points will soon be coming to the Yellow River. During a recent Starke County Park Board meeting, board member Rik Ritzler said river access would likely be one of the first projects, if the Constellation of Starke region is designated a Stellar Community, according to County Attorney Marty Lucas.
Continue readingStellar Designation Could Mean Park Upgrades, Downtown Revitalization for North Judson
The Town of North Judson may see some park upgrades and downtown beautification projects, if the Constellation of Starke region is designated a Stellar Community. Clerk-Treasurer Andrew Rowe says he gave an update on the group’s efforts during Monday’s town council meeting.
Continue readingHamlet Council President Aiming for Construction of 22 New Homes by 2022
Hamlet’s town council president has a new housing goal. “I think that an ‘unrealistic’ goal – I kind of thought of this and just to kind of throw it out at you guys to see what you thought – is ’22 by ’22,’ and what I mean, 22 houses by 2022,” Dave Kesvormas told the rest of the council Wednesday.
Continue readingConstellation of Starke Sets up at Mint Fest to Hear from the Community
Constellation of Starke representatives were out gathering community input at the North Judson Mint Festival this weekend.
A variety of individuals from all ages provided some feedback about what they love about Starke County and what they’d love to see happen in the future.
Continue readingRiver Access Improvements, Koontz Lake Dam Area Mowing Discussed by Starke County Park Board
While a Stellar Community designation could bring upgrades to the Bass Lake Beach area, there might also be major improvements to recreational facilities throughout Starke County.
Continue readingStellar Planning Process Could Address Submerged Lifeguard Tower in Bass Lake
A longtime hazard in Bass Lake could finally be resolved as part of the planning process for Constellation of Starke’s Stellar efforts. A structure, believed to be an old lifeguard tower, that’s now submerged in the lake has repeatedly been discussed by the Starke County Park Board over the past few years. So far, they haven’t been able to find a way to remove it, and there have been doubts as to whether it’s the park board’s responsibility, anyway.
Continue readingStarke County Park Board to Discuss Potential Stellar Projects with Bass Lake Lessee
Big upgrades could be coming to the Bass Lake Beach, if Constellation of Starke gets its Stellar Community designation. During Tuesday’s Starke County Park Board Meeting, Board Member Rik Ritzler said several ideas have been thrown around.
Continue readingLieutenant Governor Looking Forward to Stellar Finalists’ Final Proposals
Lieutenant Governor Suzanne Crouch is looking forward to seeing the final proposals from this year’s four Stellar Communities finalists. Marshall County Crossroads – made up of Argos, Bourbon, Bremen, Culver, Plymouth, and Marshall County itself – as well as Constellation of Starke – consisting of Hamlet, Knox, North Judson, and Starke County – are both in the running for the regional designation.
Continue readingConstellation of Starke Selects DLZ as Consultant
Though Constellation of Starke officials were able to personally complete and submit a Letter of Intent that granted them access to the finalist round of the Stellar Communities Designation Program, they’ve recently sought out a consultant to provide additional guidance.
Continue readingConstellation of Starke Executive Team Discusses Community Outreach
When the Constellation of Starke Executive Team met Thursday afternoon, they addressed the success of recent community outreach efforts.
Continue readingConstellation of Starke Public Engagement Meeting Draws a Stellar Turnout
About 100 people from all across the county turned up to the Nancy J. Dembowski Community Center Thursday afternoon to show their support for Constellation of Starke.
Continue readingStarke County Park Board to Meet Tonight
The Starke County Park Board is scheduled to meet tonight. Recently, board members have continued discussing the Bass Lake Beach and Campground, including repairs and upgrades at the Beach House patio and whether long-term rentals at the campground fit the lease’s definition of “camping.”
Continue readingConstellation of Starke Establishes Pass-Through Fund with NICF
The Constellation of Starke Stellar Executive Team is receiving some assistance from the Northern Indiana Community Foundation.
Continue readingOCRA Announces Switch to One Stellar Designee, Remaining Finalists to Split $1M
Only one region will be selected as a designee for this year’s Stellar Communities Program.
Continue readingHamlet Officials Meet with HWC Representatives to Start Comprehensive Planning Process
Hamlet’s comprehensive planning process is getting underway. On Wednesday, town officials met with representatives from HWC Engineering to discuss the process, according to Town Council Member Brian Earnest.
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