Starke County Public Health Nurse Provides Tips for Flu Season

Posted on Author Jacque Ryan

Flu season is officially upon us and getting a flu shot is the best way to protect yourself from coming down with the most common strains of the disease.

Each year, influenza viruses are spread around through coughing, sneezing, and close contact. The sickness can strike suddenly and last for several days. Symptoms vary by age but typically include a runny or stuffy nose, head and muscle aches, fatigue, fever or chills, a sore throat and coughing.

Starke County Health Department Public Health Nurse Frank Lynch has a few helpful tips to ensure citizens stay healthy this time of year. Continue reading →

Starke County Health Department Holding Flu Shot Clinic Today

Posted on Author WKVI
Starke County Health Nurse Frank Lynch

The Starke County Health Department will hold a flu shot clinic today from 1:30–3:30 p.m. The clinic will be conducted in the health department office on the first floor of the courthouse.

Starke County Health Nurse Frank Lynch said flu vaccinations for adults and children will be administered at a cost of $20. Children who are covered under Medicaid, have no insurance or insurance that doesn’t cover vaccines, can be vaccinated at the Health Department. If a flu shot is covered under insurance, that child will need to go to his/her physician’s office to get a flu shot.

If you have questions, call the Health Department at (574) 772-9137.

Starke County Health Board Introduces New Fee Schedule

Posted on Author WKVI
Frank Lynch

Starke County Health Nurse, Frank Lynch, presented a new fee schedule for the Commissioners’ final approval.

The fees to obtain copies of birth and death records have been slightly increased to a flat-fee of $10 each. Previously, the fee to obtain birth certificates was $8 for the first copy and $7 for each additional copy, while the fee for death records was $10 for the first and $9 for any additional copy.

A fine of $250 for food establishments operating without a permit has also been approved. This is a very important step in cracking down on food-related infractions, as David Kesvormas, the Starke County Contract Food Inspector, is conducting inspections and will now be able to issue these fines.

On the other end of the spectrum, fees for septic permits have been decreased significantly from $200 for a new install and $40 for repair to a flat rate of $60. This change is due to the retirement of the previous Environmentalist, David Singleton, who was certified and able to perform borings and soil samplings. Because he will no longer be doing so, contractors and home owners will need to hire a soil scientist to perform these procedures, which can get pricey.

Starke County Food Inspector Reports Several Infractions after Inspections

Posted on Author WKVI
Dave Kesvormas

David Kesvormas, the Starke County Contract Food Inspector, issued a report covering the first few weeks of his job. As of March 17th, Kesvormas had completed 26 inspections.

Infractions found included: Refrigeration doors not closing properly or not sealing due to defective seals, labeling and dating, cross contamination (meaning raw meat stored over items that are ready to eat), missing thermometers, inaccurate chemical sanitizer test equipment, and general cleaning and sanitizing.

Continue reading →