Starke County Commissioners to Meet Tonight

Posted on March 4, 2019
Author Anita Goodan, WKVI

The Starke County Election Board members are expected to talk to the commissioners tonight about an early voting location for the May Primary Municipal Election.  Early voting is usually held on the second floor of the courthouse, but with the courthouse elevator replacement project underway, the room on the first floor of the courthouse that would be used to hold early voting in this case is said to be in use by the contractors for the storage of tools and other equipment.  The Election Board members believe the contractors can store their items in another location.  That discussion will continue tonight.

Starke County Economic Development Foundation Executive Director Larry Wickert will present a monthly report as well as the Millenium contract and rail spur contract.  A representative from K-RIPC and HWC will discuss contracts for the broadband plan and comprehensive plan.  Julia Miller from Purdue Extension Starke County will discuss the Memorandum of Understanding of Purdue Extension Contractual Services agreement, and Court Services Director Shawn Mattraw will ask for signatures on grant funding paperwork.

Starke County EMS Director Travis Clary and Clerk Mary Lynn Ritchie will have updates for the commissioners as well as Highway Superintendent Rik Ritzler.  The commissioners are also expected to discuss the cyber security contract.

The Starke County Commissioners will meet tonight at 6 p.m. CT in the first floor meeting room the Starke County Annex No. 1 building at 53 E. Mound Street in Knox.

1/29 Purdue Extensions-Starke Co and Starke Co Soil & Water Conservation Meeting Postponed

The Purdue Extensions – Starke County and Starke County Soil & Water Conservation District Annual Meeting scheduled for Tuesday, January 29, 2019 @ 6:00 is postponed and will be Tuesday, February 19, 2019 @ 6:00 pm at the Nancy Dembowski Community Center.

2/5 to 3/19 Strengthening Families Program

4-H Enrollment Underway

Posted on October 10, 2016
Author Michael Gallenberger, WKVI

Enrollment is now open for children interested in taking part in 4-H activities.

Purdue Extension 4-H Youth Development Educator Julia Miller says 4-H is the largest youth-serving organization in the country. “In Starke County last year, we had 586 members, and it’s an organization that’s volunteer-led,” she says. “We wouldn’t be able to survive without our volunteers, and we had 109 volunteers from Starke County last year.”

She adds that 4-H helps educate students by allowing them to take part in various projects, “4-H is to help teach life skills, just how to survive day-to-day, leadership skills, citizenship, even setting goals through 4-H.” Miller says that while animal projects remain a staple of 4-H, food projects are also very popular with local participants.

4-H registration is currently underway at in.4honline.com and continues through January 15. Students in grades three through 12 are eligible to join 4-H and take part in several projects during the year. Children in kindergarten through second grade may become members of Exploring 4-H and select one project to complete.

For more information, contact the Starke County Purdue Extension Office at 574-772-9141.

Temporary Office Moves Make Way for Renovations

Posted on September 21, 2016
Author Mary Perren, WKVI
 
The Starke County Health Department and Purdue Extension office have moved from the courthouse into a temporary location. They’re now located at 1006 Edgewood Drive in Knox. It’s next to Duneland Dialysis and across the street from Wintersong Village Nursing Home.

The Starke County Prosecutor’s Office Child Support Division is also based there.

The move was made to accommodate renovations at the courthouse and old jail building across the street. Telephone and fax numbers are unchanged.

How about leading a SPARK! club?

From Purdue Extension-Starke County: 

Do you have a passion for a certain subject matter, hobby, or interest and you'd love to pass it on to youth? How about leading a SPARK! club? See the following details on SPARK clubs and contact Julia if you're interested at jwickert@purdue.edu.

-Members focus on the same project or area of interest
-Interests that are more “out of the box” such as web design, music, drama, martial arts, sports, American Sign Language, Auto Mechanics, etc.
-Members pay the state 4-H program fee (only one time no matter how many clubs);
-Open to youth in grades 3-12;
-SPARK Clubs end their program with a culminating event or activity;
-Minimum of 6 hours of instructional time, broken down into increments of your choice;
-SPARK Club volunteers bring their subject matter mastery to the club

American Heart Month - Your Heart and Sodium

From Purdue Extension-Starke County:

This week for American Heart Month we're talking about sodium! Excess sodium can increase your blood pressure and your risk for heart disease and stroke. Together, heart disease and stroke kill more Americans each year than any other cause. Most of the sodium we consume is in the form of salt, and the vast majority of sodium we consume is in processed and restaurant foods. So, what are some ways to reduce your sodium intake?

You can:

■ Buy fresh, frozen (no sauce), or no-salt added canned vegetables.
■ Use fresh poultry, fish, pork, and lean meat, rather than canned or processed meats.
■ When available, buy low-sodium, lower sodium, reduced-sodium, or no-salt-added versions of products.
■ Limit sauces, mixes, and “instant” products, including flavored rice and ready-made pasta.
■ Compare Nutrition Facts labels on food packages for percent Daily Value or amount of sodium in milligrams.

For more information on sodium intake and heart health, check out http://www.cdc.gov/salt/ and http://www.cdc.gov/salt/pdfs/Sodium_Tip_Sheet.pdf. As always, please feel free to call the Extension office with any questions you may have. We're happy to help!

Starke County Native Returns Home for Purdue Extension Position

October 12, 2015AuthorMichael Gallenberger, WKVI 

Purdue Extension has a new 4-H youth development educator for Starke County.

Julia Miller started in the job October 1, but she says she’s already familiar with the program, “I did grow up in Starke County. I’m from here originally, so I am back to work with the program that I was a 10-year 4-H member of.”

For the past three years, she’d held the same position for Huntington County. She says she’s happy to be back where she grew up, “I’m just meeting people in the community, and I’m excited to be here to work with the volunteers and the 4-H families.”

One of the first things she has going on is enrollment for the next 4-H year. Families can sign up at in.4Honline.com. Enrollment continues through January 15.

Interested in Biotechnology?

Purdue Extension--Starke County has a great, new opportunity! We are looking for between 3-5 high school students and 1 adult to start a Biotechnology team!

This group would attend a three day Teens Teaching Biotechnology training and then have the opportunity to create and implement a "Science Behind Agriculture" program in our community.

If you think this opportunity might be for you or would like more information, please call Elisabeth at 574-772-9141 or email at smit1664@purdue.edu.