The Starke County Commissioners plan to add language to an existing ordinance that regulates burning in the unincorporated areas of the county.
Continue readingStarke County Commissioners to Add Language to Burn Ordinance
Knox’s No-Burn Ordinance Still In Effect
A no-burn ordinance remains in effect in the city of Knox.
Mayor Rick Chambers is urging residents to follow this ordinance and not burn leaves or other brush and debris within the city limits.
If you need to be rid of leaves in your yard, the street department will be picking up leaves each day beginning tomorrow. You can rake the leaves to the street along the side for pick up. Do not pile the leaves in the alley. Do not bag the leaves, and remove all trash and other debris from the pile.
You are also welcome to take grass clippings or leaves to the compost drop-off behind City Hall.
Knox Mayor Reminds Residents of No-Burn Ordinance
Knox Mayor Rick Chambers encourages residents to follow the city’s no-burn ordinance this fall.
Some leaves are falling and, while it’s tempting to burn leaves, there is an ordinance within city limits that prohibits that activity. Residents can discard any unwanted brush in the compost pile behind Knox City Hall.
Employees with the Knox Street Department will be picking up leaves beginning Tuesday, Oct. 9. Place leaves along the side of the street for pickup and do not bag them, as the garbage contractors will not pick up bagged leaves.
Starke County Burn Ban To Be Reevaluated Today
The Starke County Commissioners will discuss the burn ban during their regular meeting this morning at 9 a.m. The current ban expires today.
Despite the ban, the county’s fireworks celebration will proceed as scheduled. Starke County Commissioner Kathy Norem confirmed that the event will be held at the Starke County Airport on Wednesday, July 4, regardless of the status of the ban.
Starke County Commissioners Discuss Proposed Burn Ordinance
Approximately 20 people turned out Monday night to question the Starke County Commissioners about the proposed new burn ordinance. Numerous questions were asked about the ordinance which has been written to mirror the State’s ordinance on burning.
Many questions pertained to the enforcement of the new ordinance. The Sheriff’s Department, the Environmental Department and possibly even the Health Department will enforce the ordinance. If fire departments determine that a fire was set illegally or illegal materials were being burned, a report would be sent to the various departments mentioned for further action.
Starke County Commissioners Discuss Burn Ordinance at Recent Meeting
When is a burn ban, not a burn ban? According to the Starke County Commissioners, it’s when a local ordinance is updated that would spell out the penalties for violations. Commission President, Dan Bridegroom, said this week that when the burn ordinance was discussed it came out as meaning a “burn-ban” and that is not what the commission wanted to convey to the public.
“I think the biggest misconception right away was the word ‘ban’ was in everything they read,” said Commission President, Dan Bridegroom. “As soon as I would explain to the people that called me and talked to me and stopped me, it’s not a ban, then they were ok. They were ok almost immediately to know that they can still burn their leaves and burn their brush. I guess that part of the blame should fall back on us in that we didn’t get it out, specifically, what we were looking at.”
