Starke County Community Foundation Presents $1,500 Grant for Bass Lake Kayak Rental

Starke County Park Board President Richard Ballard, County Attorney Marty Lucas, and board members Kathy Norem, Rik Ritzler, and Karl Swihart accept a $1,500 grant from Starke County Community Foundation Director of Development Jacque Ryan.

Funding for a Bass Lake Beach kayak rental was recently presented to the Starke County Park Board. Starke County Community Foundation Director of Development Jacque Ryan presented a giant check during last month’s park board meeting. “This grant specifically is for $1,500 for the kayaks and paddle boards for Bass Lake,” she said.

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Starke Park Board Looks to Hire Park Superintendent, Amid Growing Frustration with Bass Lake Beach and Campground Manager

Mounting concerns at the Bass Lake Beach and Campground have the Starke County Park Board ready to hire a park superintendent for all of its properties. Board Member Kathy Norem told the rest of the park board Tuesday that beach and campground manager Larry Clarich isn’t doing the job she’d hoped he’d do.

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County’s Share of Bass Lake Beach and Campground Revenues $42,000 Short of Actual Collections

Merging the Bass Lake Beach and Campground’s finances into Starke County’s is proving to be tricky. During a special park board meeting Wednesday, Board Member Kathy Norem said that one batch of receipts shows the facility has brought in more than $58,000 this season, but only about $16,000 ever made it to Starke County.

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Starke County Park Board Works to Reassure Bass Lake Campers but Won’t Rule Out Future Rent Increase

The Starke County Park Board continued to reassure Bass Lake Beach and Campground users Tuesday that operations will stay the same for this year. But members won’t rule out a campsite rent increase in the future. The board approved a contract with Larry Clarich, allowing him to continue to manage the county-owned park facility as an independent contractor.

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Starke County ‘Space Tree’ Marker to Be Unveiled Tomorrow

Efforts to recognize Starke County’s “Space Tree” have gotten the approval of the county commissioners. The seed orbited the Earth on the Space Shuttle Atlantis in 1988 and was planted on the northwest corner of the courthouse square in 1990. But Kathy Norem with Knox Main Street United told the commissioners Monday that there was never a marker until now.

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Starke County Park Board Members, Lessee to Discuss Operation Plans

The Starke County Park Board is considering the future of the Bass Lake Beach and Campground’s operations. “I don’t know if everyone knows, but we were informed earlier this month, maybe last month, I don’t know, that Mr. Callahan is deceased now, is my understanding,” Board President Richard Ballard told the rest of the board Tuesday.

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Starke County Park Board to Discuss Bass Lake Operations, Project Tonight

The Bass Lake Beach will be discussed during tonight’s Starke County Park Board meeting. Board members are expected to discuss the operation of the beach, while Kathy Norem will give an update on a beach project. The park board will also consider hiring a paid secretary, who’d be responsible for meeting agendas and minutes, as well as updating the new website.

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Starke County Veterans Memorial Plaza Construction Nearing Completion

A community effort to honor Starke County’s veterans is now “in the final stretch.” Kathy Norem is a member of the Starke County Veterans Memorial project committee. She told WKVI’s Charlie Adams last week that the stones had been set, the flagpoles had been raised, the sidewalk was being poured, and the commemorative pavers were being installed.

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