North Judson Intersection to Become Four-Way Stop

Posted on July 31, 2019Author Anita Goodan

Two stop signs will be added to a North Judson intersection to make it a four-way stop.

A complaint about safety at the intersection of 700 South and 250 West in rural North Judson was raised during a Starke County Commissioners meeting where it was noted that stop signs do not exist on 700 South.  Joe Peverelle asked that stop signs be added to make it a safer intersection.

At that time, Starke County Highway Superintendent Rik Ritzler said that a study will be done by officials from Purdue University’s Local Technical Assistance Program.

The study recently conducted by LTAP found that vegetation, trees and a fence hindered sight.  Additionally, a hill on 700 South limits the approach sight distance of the stop sign and intersection.

Traffic counts performed by the highway department indicate that 550 vehicles utilize 700 South per day while 200 vehicles travel each day on 250 West.  The speed limit is 55 mph.

With this information, plus evidence of “near miss” accidents at that intersection, the Starke County Highway Department will be adding two stop signs to make 700 South and 250 West a four-way stop.  The traffic change will begin on Monday, Aug. 5.  Signs that warn of the new traffic pattern several feet before the intersection will be posted. 

2018 Community Crossings Matching Grant Recipients Announced

Posted on November 9, 2018
Author Jacque Ryan, WKVI

A few local municipalities will be receiving funding assistance to complete some needed roadwork thanks to the Community Crossings Matching Grant Program. The City of Knox received $346,138.07, the Town of Francesville received $131,854.29 and North Judson will be getting $93,010.50.

Starke County also applied for Community Crossings funds and received a total of $454,002.

According to Starke County Highway Supervisor Rik Ritzler, in the county’s application, officials requested funding for the realignment of the intersection of County Road 210 and 600 South/old State Road 10 at Bass Lake.

Money for the application of hot mix asphalt and preventative maintenance on County Road 25 North from 600 East to State Road 23 was also included as a request in the application.

The number of people who live in each of these places determines how much the local match will be. Since Knox, Francesville and North Judson all have populations of less than 10,000 and Starke County has less than 50,000 residents, only a 25 percent match is required.

Now that officials are aware of how much they’ve received, they have to secure contractors for the various projects. One of the requirements for this grant is that the projects must be bid out and contracts have to be awarded before the end of the year.

However, that doesn’t mean the work needs to be done right away. Due to the impending inclement weather, a lot of the work will have to wait until the spring.

Click the following link to download a full list of the 2018 Community Crossings Grant awardees.

Mobile Health Unit to Offer Free Screenings in Knox, North Judson in January

Posted on December 26, 2017
Author Michael Gallenberger, WKVI

LaPorte Hospital’s Mobile Health Unit will be making stops in North Judson and Knox during the month of January. Residents will be able to get free body mass index and blood pressure screenings. Information will also be available on cervical cancer and winter weather preparedness.

The Mobile Health Unit will be at Bailey’s Discount Center in North Judson on Friday, January 19 from 1:30 to 3:00 p.m. and at Starke Hospital in Knox on Monday, January 22 from 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The Mobile Health Unit will also make several stops in LaPorte and Michigan City next month.


January 19th - 1:30 – 3:00 p.m. at Bailey’s Discount Center, 5900 S. Range Rd., North Judson

January 22nd - 11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. at Starke Hospital, 102 E Culver Rd., Knox

Three Facing Charges in North Judson Theft Investigation, Another Pending

Posted on October 31, 2017
Author Anita Goodan, WKVI

An investigation into numerous thefts in North Judson has resulted in several arrests.

Sean Wilson, 18, and Anthony Morales, 18, were arrested for their alleged involvement in several burglaries, unauthorized entry into motor vehicles, and theft. They are suspected of these acts over the past few months in the North Judson area. Many of the reported incidents occurred in the overnight hours.

Wilson was arrested on Sunday, Oct. 29 and is being held in the Starke County Jail. Morales was booked into the Starke County Jail on Friday, Oct. 27 and faces a preliminary felony charge of burglary and a misdemeanor charge of theft.

Starke County Sheriff Bill Dulin said one juvenile faces charges in this case and one more arrest is expected.

Investigators Looking into Counterfeit Bills

Posted on August 30, 2017
Author Anita Goodan, WKVI

Several counterfeit $100 bills are being analyzed after they were used to pay for items at different businesses in North Judson.

North Judson Town Marshal Kelly Fisher was called to a bank in town where several businesses reportedly deposited the counterfeit money from daily transactions. According to police, the bills were tested with markers no sign of deception. Police say they were still found to be counterfeit.

Federal investigators are now taking part in the investigation.

8/20/2017 Free Pre-WoodStarke Concert

FREE CONCERT to show off some talent of WoodStarke. PS-150, June Bros., and one other band will be preforming. 1

2-4pm on Sunday August 20 in the Norwayne Field amphitheater in Downtown North Judson.

6/25/2017 NeuterScooter in North Judson

The NeuterScooter will be in North Judson on Sunday, June 25, 2017

There is a charge of $50 per cat neutered, cash or money order to be paid at check-in. No more than 5 cats may be registered per person.

You can register at the NeuterScooter web site.

Monthly Brush Pick Up in North Judson

5/21 & 22/2017 Hydrant Flushing in North Judson

5/8/2017 Leaf Pick Up in North Judson

North Judson Property Tax Bills Return to Normal Levels, Following Accidental Tax Break

Posted on April 27, 2017
Author Michael Gallenberger, WKVI

North Judson taxpayers may see a larger-than-usual jump in their property tax bill this year, but Clerk-Treasurer Alicia Collins says it’s not due to a big tax hike.

Rather, she says a clerical error inadvertently caused property tax bills to drop last year. Collins says this year’s tax bills are more comparable to those from two years ago, which covered the year 2014.

She encourages residents with any questions to call the North Judson Town Hall at 574-896-3340

4/16/2017 NeuterScooter for Cats

The NeuterScooter will be in North Judson on April 16, 2017.  To make an appointment to have your cat neutered click on the link below.

http://neuterscooter.com/ns/index.cfm?fa=c.where2&clinicstate=IN

Mobile Health Unit to Visit Starke County for Colon Cancer, Sleep Apnea Awareness

Posted on March 14, 2017
Author Michael Gallenberger, WKVI

Colon cancer prevention will bring LaPorte Hospital’s Mobile Health Unit to local communities this month. March is National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, and LaPorte Hospital officials will be traveling around Starke and LaPorte counties to hand out take-home test kits. They’re designed to screen for blood in the stool, which could be a symptom of cancer.

However, hospital officials say the best way to prevent colorectal cancer is by getting regular colonoscopy screenings. Men and women age 50 and older should have a colonoscopy done once every ten years, or more, depending on family history and other risk factors.

The Mobile Health Unit will be at

Bailey’s Discount Center in North Judson this Friday from 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Starke Hospital in Knox on Thursday, March 23 from 10:00 to 11:30 a.m. 

Residents will also have the chance to fill out a sleep apnea survey, as part of National Sleep Awareness Month.

3/17/2017 NeuterScooter in North Judson

The NeuterScooter will be in North Judson on March 17, 2017. To make an appointment to have your cat neutered for $50 click on the link below.

http://neuterscooter.com/ns/index.cfm?fa=c.where2&clinicstate=IN

NJ Trash Pick Up

9/26/2016 Brush Pick-up in North Judson

Starke County Council to Consider Tax Abatement Request

Posted on July 18, 2016
Author Mary Perren, WKVI 

The Starke County Commissioners tonight will formally consider a tax abatement request from an Illinois-based company that’s looking to move to North Judson.

Outstanding Tradeshow Exhibit Services, OTES for short, wants to buy the Thermo Products building on State Road 10 west of town and set up shop in there. The company creates tradeshow exhibits for businesses.

President Nan Wellman plans to buy and renovate the building and lease space to existing tenants Thermo Product and Kemin Industries.

The company is seeking real estate and personal property tax abatements worth about $1 million total over the next 10 years from the county, as well as a designation of the property as an economic revitalization area. The Starke County Council granted non-binding preliminary approval of those request at their June meeting and set the matter for public hearing tonight.

Last month Wellman told the council Illinois is, quote, “killing me in taxes.”

Tonight’s Starke County Council meeting starts at 5:30 p.m. at the annex building. Other business on tonight’s agenda includes consideration of a resolution on encumberances for the coming year and the scheduling of budget workshops.

The Starke County Commissioners are also scheduled to meet this evening at the conclusion of the council meeting. They will open bids for a bridge replacement, review price quotes from CenturyLink and Mediacom for fiber optic cable and discuss a list of violations at Bass Lake Beach and Campground. Their meeting will begin at 6 p.m. or at the conclusion of the county council meeting.

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.

Planning, Fund Raising Continue for New North Judson Community Center

March 10, 2016AuthorMichael Gallenberger, WKVI 

Council Member Justin Davis, President Wendy J.Hoppe, Council Member Josh Brown, Council Member Jane Ellen Felchuk, Clerk-Treasurer Alicia Collins, Council Member Nathan Bradley, Town Superintendent Marshall Hortsmann, Town Attorney Rachel Arndt , Town Marshal Douglas Vessely, not pictured is Fire Chief Joe Leszek. Photo by North Judson Town Photographer Peggy Bohac

Plans for a community center in North Judson continue to move forward. Clerk-Treasurer Alicia Collins says drawings of some prospective designs are available for the public to view at the Town Hall.

Residents will also have the chance to share their input on the proposed facility during a public hearing. It will be held Monday, March 21 at 6 p.m., before the regular town council meeting.

During this week’s council meeting, town officials discussed ongoing fund-raising efforts for the new building. As part of those efforts, the North Judson-Wayne Township Fire Department will be hosting a Country Breakfast on Saturday, April 9 beginning at 7:30 a.m. Tickets will be eight dollars, with the proceeds going to the community center project. In addition to asking for donations, residents and town officials have also been working on getting grant funding for the new community center.

Also during Monday’s meeting, the town council approved updates to the town’s Fair Housing and Drug Policy ordinances. The updates were required as a condition of accepting grant funding from the state, to pay for rehabilitation work on the town’s two water towers.

Starke County Youth Club Basketball Program Sign-up

All Starke County students in grades K-4 are eligible to join. 

Registration is $25 for Starke County Youth Club members and $45 for non-Club members. Multi-student discounts are available. 

Students can register at the following dates and locations: 

Thursday, December 3rd at the Knox Elementary cafeteria from 5:00 – 7:00 PM  

Monday, December 7th, at the Oregon-Davis Elementary cafeteria from 5:00 – 7:00 PM 

Tuesday, December 8th, at the North Judson-San Pierre Elementary cafeteria from 5:00 – 7:00 PM.