The Bass Lake Beach and Campground will continue to be operated by Callahan Development, LLC for another 10 years, but the company may be willing to turn some of the property back over to Starke County. The county owns the facility, but has leased it to Callahan since 2008. Now, Callahan has given the county written notice that it will exercise its option to renew the lease through April of 2028.
Bass Lake Beach Operator Agrees to Concrete Repairs, Asks County to Install Glacial Stone
The operators of the Bass Lake Beach have agreed to make some repairs to the property’s seawall, but they’re asking for the county’s help with some related work. The Starke County Park Board has asked the operator of the facility, Callahan Development, LLC, to stabilize the seawall surrounding the beach house patio.
Asbestos Found in Partially Collapsed North Judson Building
The Town of North Judson continues making preparations for the demolition of 205 and 207 Lane Street, but a few steps remain, before the building can be removed. A structural report by engineering firm DLZ found the building to be in “critical condition” and unsafe for entry.
Structural Engineer to Evaluate North Judson Building Before Demolition
Demolition of a partially collapsed North Judson building is on hold until a structural engineer can be brought in to determine whether it’s safe for the owner to remove personal items from inside.
Part of the roof and upper floor of the structure at 205 and 207 Lane Street fell in last Thursday afternoon. The town sought an emergency demolition order to tear the structure down without having to go back through the bid process. Continue reading
Bass Lake Beach Operator Plans Lease Renewal Amid Ongoing Discussions with County Park Board
The Starke County Park Board received an update Tuesday on various issues surrounding the Bass Lake Beach and Campground. The facilities are owned by Starke County and leased to operator Richard Callahan. Continue reading
Starke County Park Board to Continue Discussions on Five-Year Plan, Bass Lake Beach
A five-year plan for Starke County’s parks will be discussed during tonight’s County Park Board meeting. Edwin Buswell with the Kankakee-Iroquios Regional Planning Commission is expected to provide some information on the process. Continue reading
N.J.-S.P. Officials Discuss School Board Transition
The North Judson-San Pierre School Board will announce at their Aug. 16th meeting what process they might favor in terms of transitioning from an appointed to an elected board. Members held a work session last week with members of the Bluejay Nation Pride group and their attorney to discuss the process. Continue reading
Starke Planning Commission To Revise Building Permit Fees
The Starke County Planning Commission at their regular October meeting heard a request to reduce a building permit fee from Attorney Todd Wallsmith on behalf of American Oak.
American Oak is looking to construct a new 100,000 square foot building, but with the current fee schedule, Wallsmith said they would be looking at a cost of $20,000 for the fee. This five-figure cost, Wallsmith explained, highlights the commission’s need to rework their fee schedule which is currently set at $0.20 per square foot.
Knox Kiwanis Club Still has Limited Function
There is technically not an active Knox Kiwanis Club. Even though the remaining members have not given up their charter, the club has for many months been an associate member of the North Judson Club.
What happened to this once proud club? According to Todd Wallsmith, who tried to keep the club together with membership drives, it was the “perfect storm” of calamities that doomed the club.
North Judson Town Board Rejects Trash Bids
The North Judson Town Board decided to reject all trash bids they received for the 2012 contract proposal and will rebid the contract.
Attorney Cassie Hine told the Board that financial statements, equipment lists, and a notice of general liability insurance of at least $3 million were not included in the two bids that were received. The bidding process will be re-advertised with a clarification of what paperwork will need to be completed in the complete bid packet. The bid deadline will be at Noon CT on Monday, February 6th.
Knox Kiwanis Baskets to be Delivered Today
Since the 1970’s, the Knox Kiwanis Club has helped those in need with Christmas food baskets and yesterday, members of the Knox National Honor Society and the Student Council, plus North Judson and Knox Kiwanis members, helped assemble those baskets at Community Services of Starke County.
Local Attorney Suspended for Violating Code
Knox Attorney, Todd Wallsmith, has received disciplinary notice from the Indiana Supreme Court for violating the Indiana Professional Conduct Code. In the notice, the court informed Wallsmith that he is suspended from the practice of law for 180 days. The term of the suspension begins September 30th, 2011, with 45 days actively served and the remainder stayed subject to completion of 24 months probation. Wallsmith will not be permitted to practice law from October 1st to November 15th.
Starke County Prosecutor Talks about Decision to Replace Chief Deputy Prosecutor
Starke County Prosecutor Nicholas Bourff, in an exclusive interview Wednesday with WKVI, talked about the need to replace his Chief Deputy, Todd Wallsmith, with former Chief Prosecutor Mary Ryan.
“There were several factors that led to a quick decision,” said Bourff. “I knew going into it that this was going to be an issue I’d have to face. About a month ago when I gave an interview here, I said ‘if I’m creative enough with how I handle this, I think I can work through it’. I really did think that and then I got into the office and I learned that in order to make it work, I was going to have to absorb not only the previous Prosecutor’s case load, but also the previous Chief Deputy’s case load.”
Starke County Prosecutor Replaces Chief Deputy Prosecutor Todd Wallsmith
WKVI has learned that new Starke County Prosecutor Nicholas Bourff has replaced his Chief Deputy Todd Wallsmith only two weeks into his term.
Both men had been employed by Wallsmith’s father, David, and had developed a friendship. But because Todd Wallsmith was a nephew of Starke Circuit Court Judge Kim Hall, it would have been impossible for him to present cases before the Judge in court. That would have been a conflict.
Starke County Prosecutor Faces Unique Situation
New Starke County Prosecutor Nicholas Bourff is facing a ticklish situation as he is getting his feet on the ground in the office. His Chief Deputy, Todd Wallsmith, cannot appear before Judge Kim Hall in Starke Circuit Court. That is because Judge Hall is Wallsmith’s uncle. So, how does the new Prosecutor plan to work around this obstacle?
“There are some issues there,” said Bourff. “It’s going to take some work and some creativity on my part to make that work, but there are a lot of cases that get handled in the City Court here in Knox and those are cases that are dealt with County-wide. Todd can handle any case that is dealt with there.”
New Starke County Prosecutor Talks about Upcoming Cases
Nicholas Bourff is the new Starke County Prosecutor, taking over from Julianne Havens. Ted Hayes sat down with Bourff last week and talked to him about a number of topics. In the interview, Bourff announced his staff including his First Deputy, Todd Wallsmith.
One of the questions Ted asked Bourff was what he will do with cases that are active, been filed by the former prosecutor, but have not been adjudicated.
Knox Kiwanis Food Basket Promotion a Huge Success
A big thank you goes out to many people from the Knox Kiwanis Club. President, Todd Wallsmith, was in Wednesday to thank Knox Community Schools, Knox High School teachers, Dean’s Food of Rochester, the Knox Center Township Fire Department Auxiliary, Community Services of Starke County, the SCILL Center, and members of the Kiwanis, among others.
