Dollar General Project to Move Forward

Posted on January 9, 2018
Author Anita Goodan, WKVI

The Starke County Commissioners gathered public comment Monday night on the proposed construction of a Dollar General store at the corner of 200 South and U.S. 35 south of Knox.

Commission President Donnie Binkley noted that he wanted to gather public opinion on the project as the intersection poses a safety concern. Highway Superintendent Rik Ritzler said INDOT expedited a traffic study at that intersection and found that it does not warrant the installation of a stop light. About 8,000 northbound and southbound vehicles pass that intersection on U.S. 35 each day. Less than 30 cars turn east on 200 South which is the location of the driveway.

Once the business is up and running, INDOT may conduct an additional traffic study to see if a stop light needs to be installed at the intersection.

Questions were asked about why the driveway to the store is off of 200 South and not U.S. 35. The attorney representing Developer Joe Leonard explained that if a proposed commercial project is planned on a corner lot the driveway must be located on the lesser traveled road. In this case, the lesser traveled road is 200 South. He added that several improvements to the design were made to accommodate safety concerns raised by Ritzler by moving the driveway further away from U.S. 35 to ease possible traffic congestion. That change met with Ritzler’s approval. To accommodate semi traffic to the store, a wider lane will be constructed with hot mix asphalt for easier maneuverability.

Commissioner Kathy Norem stated that she’d like to see a stop light at that intersection. To help accomplish that goal, she encouraged residents to write letters to their state representatives and INDOT and urge them to install a traffic light there. She added that the state and the City of Knox should look at future plans to widen that portion of U.S. 35 into four lanes for economic growth.

Public comments also included grading the hill in that area for better vision and lowering the speed limit for safety.

After hearing comments, the commissioners voted to allow the developer to move forward with the project. This Dollar General store will be an additional retail business. The Dollar General store on Main Street in downtown Knox will remain at its current location.

Starke County Commissioners to Meet Tonight

Posted on January 8, 2018
Author Anita Goodan, WKVI

The Starke County Commissioners will meet tonight after last week’s regular meeting was postponed. The commissioners still plan to hold public discussion tonight on the proposed move of the Dollar General Store to the eastern corner of 200 South and U.S. 35 just south of Knox.

During their December 18th meeting, the commissioners discussed the amended plans for the driveway into the store off of 200 South which presents potential safety concerns, according to Highway Superintendent Rik Ritzler. He told the board that it’s a heavily traveled area and he’d like to see a stop light or some safety enhancement at that intersection. The commissioners agreed to gather public comment on the matter during tonight’s regular session meeting.

In addition to that discussion, the three commissioners will reorganize the board and make appointments for 2018. Starke County EMS Clerk Mary Lynn Ritchie and EMS Director Travis Clary will have their monthly report as well as Highway Superintendent Rik Ritzler. KIRPC representative Shawn Cain and DLZ representative John Kirk will discuss a grant agreement and a heating system, respectively. Clerk Vicki Cooley is anticipated to request the purchase of a recycle container and paving of the Koontz Lake election site. The commissioners are also expected to consider a six month raise in pay for IT Director Mark Gourley.

The board of finance meeting will convene shortly before the commissioners’ regular meeting at 6 p.m. CT.

The Starke County Commissioners will meet in the meeting room in the Starke County Annex Building No. 1 on 53 E. Mound Street in Knox.

Public Input Sought on Proposed Dollar General Store Project in Knox

Posted on January 2, 2018
Author Anita Goodan, WKVI

The Starke County Commissioners will hold public discussion tonight on the proposed move of the Dollar General Store to the eastern corner of 200 South and U.S. 35 just south of Knox.

During their December 18th meeting, the commissioners discussed the amended plans for the driveway into the store off of 200 South which presents potential safety concerns, according to Highway Superintendent Rik Ritzler. He told the board that it’s a heavily traveled area and he’d like to see a stop light or some safety enhancement at that intersection. The commissioners agreed to gather public comment on the matter during tonight’s regular session meeting.

In addition to that discussion, the three commissioners will reorganize the board and make appointments for 2018. Starke County EMS Clerk Mary Lynn Ritchie and EMS Director Travis Clary will have their monthly report as well as Highway Superintendent Rik Ritzler. Clerk Vicki Cooley is anticipated to request the purchase of a recycle container. The commissioners are also expected to consider a six month raise in pay for IT Director Mark Gourley.

The board of finance meeting will convene shortly before the commissioners’ regular meeting at 6 p.m. CT.

The Starke County Commissioners will meet in the meeting room in the Starke County Annex Building No. 1 on 53 E. Mound Street in Knox.

7/9/2016 Kid’s Closet Ministry Hosts Starke County School Supply Drive

Posted on July 8, 2016
Author Mary Perren, WKVI 

Volunteers will be collecting school supplies for Starke County children at locations in Knox and North Judson tomorrow. Donated items will be distributed as part of the annual Pack a Backpack event sponsored by Kid’s Closet Ministry at North Judson United Methodist Church. Director Linda Lewandowski says the goal is to help local youngsters start the school year with confidence.

“We supply all the school supplies and backpacks needed for kids in Starke County. So if you attend a Starke County school, you are eligible for this event.”

Students who qualify for free and reduced lunches can get their supplies from Kid’s Closet later this month. Last year they served 350 kids.Donation drives are taking place tomorrow from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m. at the Dollar General stores in Knox and North Judson. Lewandowski says all types of school supplies are needed. Lists will be available, but popular items include backpacks, pencils, crayons, scissors, glue and glue sticks. Lewandowski adds they never have enough black dry erase markers, facial tissues, baggies and baby wipes.

Monetary donations are also welcome, as they can be used to purchase any additional supplies prior to the event. It’s scheduled July 25 and 26 at North Judson United Methodist Church.

Kids Closet Receives a Plethora of Supplies for Upcoming Back-to-School Event

Published: July 25, 2015 By: Jacque Ryan, WKVI

Kids Closet Ministry annually provides school supplies to underprivileged children in Starke County with their Pack-a-Backpack event. Community members get the chance to contribute during their school supply drives. This year while Kids Closet was posted outside the Dollar General stores in North Judson and Knox they received an ample amount of supplies from weekend shoppers. However it was the donations from two other local foundations that helped provide the new backpacks for all the donated supplies.

Kankakee Valley REMC donated 100 backpacks along with enough supplies for 100 children. Kids Closet also received a generous monetary donation of $2,000 from Starke United which helped offset the cost of buying even more backpacks. With the collected supplies and bags Linda Lewandowski, founder and director believes they have enough resources available to help 100 more kids than last year.

She said, “We should have about 350 backpacks. We will also have a table set-up for those that might need school clothes for their children. Last year we had about 250 kids walk through our door, so this year I’m thinking, we’ll have more.”

In order to receive a backpack parents are required to fill out some paperwork, confirming that your child is enrolled at any Starke County School. This offer applies to any kids attending local pre-schools as well as any students going to North Judson-San Pierre, Oregon-Davis or Knox Community schools this fall.

This event is meant to assist students on free or reduced lunch. Since Kids Closet operates on an honesty policy no information is required proving that you are in need of assistance. However, if you can afford school supplies you shouldn’t abuse the organizations’ trust and potentially take a backpack away from a family that cannot afford it. Kids Closet Ministry will be in fellowship hall at the North Judson United Methodist Church on Monday, July 27th and Tuesday, July 28th from 5 o’clock until 7pm.

7/11/2015 School Supplies Drive

Kid’s Closet Ministry Receives Grants to Help Starke County Youngsters

Published: July 6, 2015

By: Jacque Ryan, WKVI

A foundation that focuses on providing for the community has recently received quite a substantial amount of money for their dedication to the well being of the children of Starke County. Kid’s Closet Ministry was not only gifted a $2,000 grant through the Starke United Fund but recently was approved to receive $3,000 thanks to the kind submission of a community member who realized the importance of the foundation.

First Choice Insurance employee Carrie Block contacted the founder of of Kid’s Closet Ministry, Linda Lewandowski to ask her permission to apply for a grant through Safeco’s “Make More Happen” program. Lewandowski provided all the necessary information and Block applied for the grant, which was approved. The organization receives an initial $3,000 however it doesn’t end there.

Lewandowski explained that citizens have a unique opportunity to help the foundation receive more grant money just by voting for Kid’s Closet Ministry online, “It will be done through the Safeco website, where people can go in and vote for an additional three to ten thousand dollars once they get that up and running which is going to be pretty soon, I think by the end of July.”

The $3,000 from Safeco is going to be spent on purchasing shoes, socks, underwear and other various clothes items that aren’t currently in stock. The $2,000 from the Starke United Fund will be spent to purchase supplies and school bags for the Kid’s Closet Ministry annual ‘Pack-a-Backpack’ Event.

However, the grant can only provide so much. Lewandowski reported that last year about 250 children came through the doors of the fellowship hall at the North Judson Methodist Church during the event. This year they expect even more kids and families to attend. For this reason Kid’s Closet will be posted in front of the Dollar General stores in Knox and North Judson collecting additional school supplies on Saturday, July 11 from 8 am until 2 pm.

You have a chance to contribute to this event that helps children of the community go back to school prepared. Lewandowski stressed the importance of such an event, “I think it’s very important for children to go to school with all the right supplies that they need to learn and to grow in school. It give them self confidence, self esteem just to have all the right things that they need.”

You meet the criteria for this event if you qualify for free or reduced lunch or any other kind of financial aid. The Kid’s Closet Ministry Pack-a-Backpack event is scheduled to take place July 27th and 28th in the North Judson United Methodist Church fellowship hall. If you’re unsure about whether or not you can qualify or have any questions about Kid’s Closet Ministry contact Director Linda Lewandowski at 574-896-2611.

12/13/2014 Starke County Humane Society Donation Drive

Donation Drive for the Animal Shelter at Dollar General ( North Judson store ) Saturday, December 13th.

We need donations of:

Monetary Donations to pay bills
Fabuloso and Pine Sol
Unscented Bleach
Paper Towel
Copy Paper
Garbage Bags ( 33 gal. or larger )
Kitty Litter ( non-clumping preferred )
Dog food, Puppy food and & cat food

7/19/2014 School Supplies Drive @ Dollar General

There will be a school supplies drive at the Dollar General Stores in Knox and North Judson from 8am-2pm.

Kid's Closet Ministry, an outreach ministry at the North Judson United Methodist Church will be collecting school supplies for our annual Pack-a-Backpack Event for kids in need in STARKE COUNTY!

School Supplies List:

Binders – 1 inch
Backpacks
Clipboards
Colored pencils – 12 & 24
Compass
Composition Book – wide ruled
Crayons – 8 and 24 count
Elmer’s Glue and Glue Sticks
Erasers – pencil top
Erasers – pink bar
Expo Black Dry Erase Markers
Highlighters
Index cards – 3x5 inch
Kinder-Mat (Rest Mat)
Kleenex
Loose leaf paper – wide ruled
Markers – Crayola classic conical tip
Pens
Pencil bags
Pencil sharpeners – handheld
Pencils - #2
Pocket Folders (with & without prongs)
Protractor
Scientific Calculators
Scissors – blunt and pointed tip
Spiral Notebook – wide ruled
Sticky notes - square
Supply boxes
USB Flash drive
Vinyl Pocket Folders without prongs
Wipes – Baby or hand sanitizer
Ziploc Bags – Quart and Gallon

Girl & Boy Scouts Collecting Goods November 17, 2012

The North Judson Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts will be collecting for the Starke County Food Pantry on November 17th.  You can drop off food and toiletries at:

• Dollar General from 9 a.m. to 12 noon  
• St. Peter’s Lutheran Church Parking Lot from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Their goal is to fill a trailer with goods for the community.