Bid Opening for Starke County Courthouse Elevator Project Moved to Next Week

Posted on July 13, 2018
Author Jacque Ryan, WKVI

The bid opening for the Starke County Courthouse elevator project has been moved to Wednesday, July 18th, according to County Commissioner Kathy Norem.

One of the timeline requirements associated with the $500,000 OCRA grant awarded to the county was that a bid opening be scheduled for May 31st. Commissioners fulfilled that requirement by holding the special session but no bids were presented at that time.

After no bids came in during that the first session, another bid opening was set for Thursday, July 12th. Auditor Kay Chaffins, Attorney Marty Lucas and Commissioner Charlie Chesak as well as Maintenance Director Jim Coad and Court House maintenance man Mike Gerhart were present in the Annex Building meeting room at 2 p.m. when the special session was scheduled to start.

The officials waited for approximately 15 to 20 minutes before deciding to end the session since no bidders were at the meeting and nothing was submitted ahead of time.

Commissioner Norem said there was a small miscommunication. She reported that after one of the interested contractors asked for additional time to complete their bid, revised specs were sent out that rescheduled the opening for 2 p.m. on July 18th.

Norem said she didn’t see the modified specifications so she was unable to notify Auditor Chaffins or the other commissioners of the date change prior to yesterday’s meeting.

The matter will likely be discussed further when the Starke County Commissioners hold their regularly scheduled meeting on Monday, July 16th.

Starke County Courthouse Elevator Project to Begin Soon

Posted on May 14, 2018
Author Anita Goodan, WKVI

The Starke County Courthouse elevator project will get underway this summer.

Maintenance Director Jim Coad and Commissioner Kathy Norem met with John Kirk from DLZ two weeks ago and noted that the advertisement for bids has been given. A special meeting will be held later this month to open the bids in order to meet K-IRPC grant requirement deadline of May 31.

A start date is expected in mid-July. The substantial completion date is Dec. 1.

A general contractor will bid on the exterior part of the elevator project while the interior cart is expected to be bid by another company.

The elevator will be constructed to be more handicapped accessible. Special arrangements may need to be made to work around the construction during the November General Election.

The county received a $500,000 grant for the project with a 10 percent match. The commissioners did agree to approve the appropriation of the grant match during their meeting last week.

Register For May Primary Election By April 9th

If you want to vote in the May primary election you need to be registered by APRIL 9th at the County Clerk's Office at the Starke County Courthouse.

Register to vote online by visiting http://www.indianavoters.com/. Indiana residents with a valid Indiana driver’s license or Indiana state-issued identification card will be able to use this tool to submit a new voter registration application or to update an existing voter registration record.

In addition to registering to vote online, http://www.indianavoters.com/ provides Hoosiers with the ability to validate their voter registration status, find their polling place location, look into their provisional ballot status information, find county contact information, and determine “Who's on My Ballot?” for an upcoming election.

Two Local Communities Receive Grant Funds for Projects

Posted on October 16, 2017
Author Anita Goodan, WKVI

Lt. Governor Suzanne Crouch and the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs recently announced $15 million in Community Development Block Grants.

Thirty-one rural communities received funds in an effort to ensure health and safety, and to improve the quality of life of citizens.

Starke County was the recipient of a $500,000 Public Facilities Program Grant. The county will use the grant funds to replace the elevator at the Starke County Courthouse. The project will help the county meet requirements put forth by the Americans with Disabilities Act. The new elevator will assist all residents in utilizing the offices on all levels of the courthouse.

The Town of Winamac is the recipient of a $500,000 Stormwater Improvement Program Grant for stormwater improvements to include new inlets and sewers, rehabilitation of existing storm sewers and installation of new drywells.

Starke County Commissioners Approve Courthouse Elevator Grant Application

Posted on August 24, 2017
Author Michael Gallenberger, WKVI

Upgrades to the Starke County Courthouse elevator are a step closer to moving ahead. The county commissioners voted Monday to submit a grant application to the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs, after they sent in a letter of intent last month.

As part of the upgrades, new automatic sliding doors will be installed on both the elevator cab and each floor level, according to engineering firm DLZ. The existing manual doors are considered too heavy for many users to open, which has led to accessibility concerns.

Engineers say the elevator will also be outfitted with modern fire alarm controls, emergency communication devices, and audible floor indicators. Two feet will have to be added to the top of the elevator shaft, as part of the work.

To help pay for the upgrades, Starke County is applying for a $500,000 Public Facilities Program Grant. The county’s share of the cost would be $55,560, which would come out of the County Economic Development Income Tax Fund. The local funding arrangements were also approved by the commissioners Monday.

An announcement on whether the county will receive those funds is expected in October. While the grant is considered very competitive, Commissioner Kathy Norem said OCRA officials are optimistic about the county’s chances.

Meanwhile, the Starke County Council took steps of its own, to help provide financing for elevator maintenance and repair. They finalized a resolution creating a Courthouse Elevator Sustainability Fund authorized the deposit of $5,000, as a starting amount.

Open House Showcases Starke County Building Renovations

Posted on April 19, 2017
Author Mary Perren, WKVI

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.

The first floor of the courthouse now features restrooms that comply with the federal Americans with Disabilities Act. The basement restrooms are no longer in use. The Starke County Prosecutor’s Office now occupies the first floor. Prior to the building renovations they were housed in the basement of the former jail.

That building has been turned into office space for the health and probation departments, Starke County Community Corrections and Purdue Extension. All of their telephone numbers are the same.

The probation department and Starke County Community Corrections both have conference rooms available for meetings and other programs. Access to the offices and non-public spaces is only gained via swipe card, and cameras are installed throughout the space to monitor and record interaction between staff and program participants. The county’s IT staff spent considerable time installing the technology infrastructure in both buildings.

Starke County officials formally dedicated both buildings yesterday. The renovations were made possible with funds from the special income tax levied to pay for construction of the new jail east of Knox. The former jail was put up as security for the bond financing. As a result, the building had to be used for corrections programs.

Courthouse and Old Jail Renovations Wrapping Up

Posted on April 4, 2017
Author Mary Perren, WKVI

The renovations to the Starke County Courthouse and former jail building in downtown Knox are on schedule and under budget.

Contractors will clean the exterior of both buildings this week with an organic solution to brighten the brick and stone. However the clock tower on the courthouse will be done later this year because a heavy boom lift will be required.

Interior work at both buildings is wrapping up, and various departments are in the process of moving into their new space. The probation department moved into the former jail last week, and the prosecutor’s office will move into the courthouse soon.

A public open house is scheduled Tuesday, April 18 from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. Starke Circuit Judge Kim Hall will offer remarks during a program on the courthouse lawn, and tours of both buildings will be offered.

Commissioner Kathy Norem wants taxpayers to see how the county is spending money and says the open house will be the only opportunity to see areas that will eventually have restricted access.

The courthouse will have one point of entry once the renovations are finished. Metal detectors will be installed, and uniformed officers will be stationed there as well.

Absentee Voting Days & Hours At Starke County Courthouse

Absentee voting hours at:

Starke County Courthouse
53 E. Washington Street
Knox, Indiana
2nd floor

Please bring proper Indiana identification with you.

October 12:  8 a.m. to 12 noon /1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
October 13:  8 a.m. to 12 noon /1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
October 14:  8 a.m. to 12 noon /1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

October 17:  8 a.m. to 12 noon /1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
October 18:  8 a.m. to 12 noon /1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
October 19:  8 a.m. to 12 noon /1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
October 20:  8 a.m. to 12 noon /1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
October 21:  8 a.m. to 12 noon /1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

October 24:  8 a.m. to 12 noon /1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
October 25:  8 a.m. to 12 noon /1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
October 26:  8 a.m. to 12 noon /1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
October 27:  8 a.m. to 12 noon /1 p.m. to 7 p.m.
October 28:  8 a.m. to 12 noon /1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
October 29:  8 a.m. to 12 noon /1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

October 31:  8 a.m. to 12 noon /1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
November 1:  8 a.m. to 12 noon /1 p.m. to 7 p.m.
November 2:  8 a.m. to 12 noon /1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
November 3:  8 a.m. to 12 noon /1 p.m. to 7 p.m.
November 4:  8 a.m. to 12 noon /1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
November 5:  8 a.m. to 12 noon /1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

November 7:  8 a.m. to 12 noon (Absentee Voting is over!)

Starke Commissioners Authorize Renovation Bid Process

Posted on August 3, 2016
Author Mary Perren, WKVI 

The contractor in charge of the Starke County Courthouse and old jail renovation project is ready to issue construction documents for bid in hopes of wrapping that process up within the month. The commissioners Monday night authorized DLZ to proceed with that process after reviewing the proposed scope of work.

It includes electrical and HVAC upgrades at the courthouse, a streamlined entry, tuckpointing, weather stripping and window maintenance, in addition to reconfiguring the building’s interior. The prosecutor’s office will be relocated from the basement of the old jail to the first floor, and the clerk’s office space on the second floor will be reconfigured.

The old jail will be updated to house Starke County Community Corrections, the probation department and Purdue Extension. Commissioner Kathy Norem says these plans were discussed during the planning process for the current jail east of Knox. At that time county officials made clear their intention to use money from the special county economic development income tax, known as the Jail CEDIT, to reconfigure the old jail.

That money can be used to pay for justice-related renovations and upgrades. Norem says money from the regular county economic development income tax fund will also be used. Additionally Starke County Community Corrections has pledged $100,000 toward the project. The county gave architectural firm Skillman Corporation a $3.5 million budget. Norem says that reflects at least a 15 percent discount over what the county has available to pay for the work and notes the county council unanimously appropriated the money last July.

The project carries an estimated cost of just under $3.4 million.

Bid packets will be finalized by the end of the week. The commissioners expressed a desire to use local contractors wherever possible to complete the work.

Local Vendor Chosen for Courthouse Air Conditioning Repair

Posted on June 25, 2016
Author Mary Perren, WKVI 

A local vendor will make the necessary repairs to the third floor air conditioning unit at the Starke County Courthouse. County officials contacted eight vendors, and four looked at the job. Of those four, three submitted quotes. North Judson-based Jackson Refrigeration Heating and Air Conditioning had the lowest price at $11,737.36. It was significantly less than the $33,839 price offered by Herman & Goetz, Inc. from South Bend. The third bid from DA Dodd of Mishawaka was $43,850.

The part needs to be ordered and will be here in about three weeks. The repair cost will come from the special County Economic Development Income Tax dedicated to the jail and related expenses. The commissioners noted the air conditioning repair was included in the scope of work for the courthouse renovation project scheduled later this year.

Starke Commissioners Weigh Courthouse Cooling Options

May 3, 2016AuthorMary Perren, WKVI 

The Starke County Commissioners may opt for quality over quantity when it comes to the comfort of courthouse staff in the proposed renovation plans. They’re in the midst of finalizing the bid packets for updates to the courthouse and renovations of the former jail across the street.

One option under consideration is the addition of a state-of-the-art, energy efficient heating and cooling system at the courthouse. It would allow the entire building to be heated and cooled with one system and would provide what is described as “excellent zone control” for the three floors.

The estimated $356,000 price tag is the downside, although the county could recoup that money within five to seven years via energy cost savings. Funding the heating and cooling system would eliminate money for other bid alternatives such as a security desk, sidewalks and a small courtroom at the courthouse. Starke Circuit Judge Kim Hall stressed the need to prioritize and says basic infrastructure needs top that list. He did ask the commissioners to look into whether a system like the one they are considering is in use at any other courthouses, and if so what kind of feedback has been given with regard to noise levels.

The commissioners agreed to do so before committing to the installation. Commissioner Kathy Norem says the county may not get another opportunity to take care of so-called “big ticket” upgrades like HVAC. She adds grant funds may be available from the state later in the year for less costly courthouse improvements.

County officials will also look into available energy efficiency updates from NIPSCO if they opt for the HVAC upgrade.

The third floor of the courthouse is already air conditioned. The initial design proposal would have added air conditioning to the first floor. However cooling the second floor is problematic due to the building’s age.

Starke County Absentee Voting Hours

April 5, 2016AuthorMary Perren, WKVI 

 

This is the first day to vote absentee in advance of the May 3rdprimary election. Polls will be open at the Starke County Courthouse each Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. until noon and from 1 until 4 p.m. through Friday, April 29th. Voters must bring a photo identification with them to cast ballots in the second floor meeting room.

Extended absentee voting will be offered on Thursdays April 21st and 28th, when polls will be open until 7 p.m. Saturday absentee voting will also be offered on April 23rd and 30th from 8 a.m. until noon and 1 until 4 p.m. The final day to vote absentee is Monday, May 2nd, when polls will be open from 8 a.m. until noon.

Starke County Officials Prepare For Building Renovations

December 18, 2015AuthorMary Perren, WKVI 

The Starke County Council and Commissioners are almost ready to proceed with renovations to the courthouse and old jail building across the street. They’ve got money left from the construction of the new jail east of Knox to make upgrades to both buildings for continued correctional use.

The old jail will become office space for Starke County Community Corrections and the probation department. Community Corrections Director Bob Hinojosa told the county council and commissioners Monday his board has committed $100,000 toward the renovations on the condition that the former sally port can be turned into a conference room.

That space was being eyed as a spot for the coroner, as the county does not have a permanent area for body storage and viewing. Now the county is looking into the feasibility of enclosing the outdoor recreation area and adding utilities to turn it into a morgue. They’ve asked the architects for a price to reconfigure the yard.

Another option is to add space for the coroner to a new EMS base which will eventually need to be constructed in Knox. The current Medic 3 base on Main Street between Culver Road and Redskin Trail sits on land that’s included in the plans for the new hospital, according to IU Health Starke Hospital President Craig Felty. There’s also been confusion as to whether those plans include morgue space for the county. Felty tells WKVI news that was discussed early on in the process but never promised. It has since been eliminated from the design.

The council and commissioners were waiting on word about the coroner space before giving final approval to the renovation proposal. They could make a final decision during Monday’s joint meeting.

Money from the jail bond can also be used for work at the courthouse that is directly connected to criminal justice, such as the relocation of the prosecutor’s office from the basement of the old jail. Prosecutor Nicholas Bourff has also committed $10,000 from his pretrial diversion fund to the project. He says an additional $15,000 may be available for the project if it can be used solely for expenditures that relate to child support enforcement and collection.

Longtime Starke County Courthouse Custodian Retires

Published: June 5, 2015

By: Mary Perren

An employee of Starke County for more than four decades retired yesterday from what was supposed to have been a temporary job. Gerald Ford was in the White House and gas was 55-cents a gallon when Carl Goodrich took over as courthouse custodian on Nov. 26, 1974.

He had just been laid off from a factory job in Plymouth when his in-laws suggested he apply for the position with the county. Goodrich says he didn’t expect to get the job when he went before the county commissioners.

“I was the wrong party, and they said ‘well, he looks pretty young.’ I’m only 22, and I”m the wrong party. That’s when (auditor) Jack Milner spoke up and said ‘give the kid a chance.’ They did. That’s where it started,” Goodrich said.

He figured he’d give the job a shot for a couple of weeks. Things fell into place, and he stayed. The job at the courthouse afforded a few other opportunities as well. One of his favorite memories is the time he was painting a room in the office of then-county clerk Rhonda Milner, who happened to mention nobody had signed up to run for the Hamlet Town Council seat in his district. It was a few hours before the qualifying deadline, so Goodrich signed up, figuring someone else would come in before noon. He went back to painting, checked his watch, saw that it was after noon and found out he was a town board member.

Goodrich served four years on the Hamlet Town Board and has been a member of the Starke County Airport Authority board since 2000. He’s seen a lot of faces come and go over the years and quite a few changes as well. One of the biggest was the conversion from electric typewriters to computers. He says that was a big adjustment for the courthouse staff.

h says his favorite part of the job was meeting the people and office holders, all of whom he says have been really nice. The current county commissioners proclaimed June 4, 2015 “Carl Goodrich Day” and hosted a retirement open house in his honor.

“Leaving is going to be sad-like, but it’s like leaving home. Actually it was my second home. I just won’t have as much to take care of. I enjoyed doing it. It was a lot of fun,” Goodrich said.

His retirement plans include working on his Model-T and catching up on some other projects at home.

11/24/2014 Walorski Staffer to Hold Local Office Hours

Walorski Staffer to Hold Local Office Hours

Published: November 22, 2014

By: Mitch Columbe, WKVI

A representative from U.S. Rep. Jackie Walorski’s office will be in Starke and Pulaski Counties next week to help local constituents who need to access federal government services. A member of her staff will be at the Starke County Courthouse in the commissioner’s office on the first floor of the courthouse on Monday, Nov. 24 from 8 until 11 a.m. CST. The member will then be in Pulaski County at the Winamac Municipal Utilities Building across from Plymouth Tube in the council chambers from 1 until 4 p.m. EST. Find more information about available services and resources by visiting http://walorski.house.gov/services/additional-services-and-resources.

4/7/2014 Public Testing of Voting Machines Set for April 7

By: Anita Goodan, WKVI

Published: April 1st, 2014

The public testing of voting machines will take place on Monday, April 7 at 10 a.m. CT on the second floor of the Starke County Courthouse.

Starke County Election Board officials encourage you to get acquainted with the electronic Microvote machines before you cast your important ballot in the May 6 Primary Election.

A machine will be set up for you to practice. It will be equipped with a sample ballot and an assistant will help you cast a vote. This will help you prepare for election day.

For a complete list of candidates in the May Primary, visit the Election Central page on http://www.wkvi.com/election-central.

11/22/2013 Celebrate National Adoption Day

There are more than 3,200 children in Indiana, living in foster care, who are freed for adoption and waiting for a forever family.  To raise awareness of these children, Starke Circuit Court will be hosting a National Adoption Day celebration from 1:00 to 1:30 pm on Friday, November 22, on the third floor of the courthouse in Knox.

Those whose lives have been affected by adoption and those interested in exploring that possibility are encouraged to attend.

Sit Back, Relax, And Enjoy a Wonderful Video Tour of the Starke County Courthouse

On Thursday, April 18th, from 1 - 2:30 p.m. , join Jim Shilling, President, & Ron Vendl, Vice President, of the Starke County Historical Society at the Henry F. Schricker Library for a video tour of the Starke County Courthouse narrated by Ed Hasnerl, State Appointed Starke County Historian.  Learn about the hub of our County in keeping with the library’s theme of how our community matters to us during the celebration of Library Week.

Do you know why the Court House has a “space tree” on its lawn? You will discover things in this video trip that you never heard about even in the physical tour you may have taken.  Come enjoy homemade chocolate chip cookies during the movie - our gift to you because you matter to us!

Please sign up by 4-16-13 at 574-772-7323 so we know how many goodies to plan on.