Starke County Commissioners Approve Proposal for Elevator Project

The Starke County Commissioners reviewed a proposal from the Skillman Corporation for plans for a new elevator at the courthouse.

The construction manager’s fee was set at $12,750 while another $32,250 was approved for other construction manager and general condition fees.

The construction of the elevator is expected to begin in spring 2018 and take three or four months to complete.

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Starke County Commissioners Sign Paperwork for Elevator Grant

The Starke County Commissioners signed grant paperwork to obtain monetary assistance for a new elevator in the Starke County Courthouse.

The commissioners will be applying for a $500,000 grant from the state through the Kankakee-Iroquois Regional Planning Commission (K-IRPC). The county’s match is $55,560. In a previous meeting, K-IPRC representative Edwin Buswell said the grant is very competitive.

The grant proposal was submitted and the final application will be submitted in September.

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Open House Showcases Starke County Building Renovations

The only access to the Starke County Courthouse will be via the west entrance facing the Knox Moose Lodge and Main Street.

Visitors to the Starke County Courthouse will notice some major changes thanks to recent building renovations. Public access is now limited to the west entrance, which faces the Knox Moose Lodge. It is fully handicap accessible. All visitors will be greeted by a uniformed security officer and asked to pass through a metal detector. Anyone in possession of a weapon will be asked to return it to their vehicle before entering the building. Continue reading

Local Officials Raise Starke County Flag

flag-flyingStarke County’s new flag is now flying proudly over the courthouse. It was unveiled during Friday’s bicentennial torch relay celebration and officially raised for the first time Monday morning. Starke Circuit Judge Kim Hall presided over the brief ceremony after accepting the flag from Melba and Brad Shilling. Her late husband, Jim, was a well-known historian, community activist and a past winner of the Henry F. Schricker Award. It’s presented annually to a resident who embodies the former governor’s credo of “service before self.” Continue reading

Starke Council to Consider Ambulance, Courthouse Security Recommendations

starke-county-courthouseThe Starke County Council will conduct a couple of budget hearings and consider several requests for funds when they meet this evening. The Starke County, North Judson-San Pierre School Corporation and Solid Waste budgets are all on the agenda for the 5:30 p.m. session. So is discussion of a possible payroll increase of between 1 and 2 percent in the Starke County budget. Continue reading

Courthouse and Jail Renovations to Restrict Downtown Knox Parking

starke-county-jail-outside
The old jail in downtown Knox will soon be renovated into office space for Starke County Community Corrections, Purdue Extension and the Starke County Probation Department.

The Starke County Commissioners took action this week to prepare for the renovation of the old jail and courthouse. Work will be starting soon, and the contractors will need a place to park their construction trailers and equipment. Continue reading