Starke County EMS Director to Get Updated Vehicle

Posted on July 2, 2019
Author Anita Goodan, WKVI

A newer vehicle will be a part of the Starke County EMS fleet as a non-ALS transport vehicle.

EMS Director Travis Clary said the newer vehicle would be able to handle all of the equipment needed with more ease.

Clary presented the commissioners with a quote Monday night for a 2013 Ford Explorer with 80,000 miles and all-wheel drive at a purchase price of $11,000.  A $3,000 trade-in value was quoted for the current 2011 Dodge Charger used as the non-ALS transport vehicle.

The vehicle would come from Chicago Motors, a company that sells pre-owned government discounted vehicles and that has been used by other county officials to purchase vehicles.   

Clary said the best part of the deal is that enough grant money has been obtained for the purchase of the vehicle with no additional funding needed.  Grant funds were obtained through Starke United and the Starke County Community Foundation from the Hardesty Memorial for this purchase.

Auditor Rachel Oesterreich asked about the IT vehicle and Emergency Management Agency vehicle, both of which are in much more worse condition than Clary’s vehicle he’s trading in.  With the trade-in value, they could trade-in the IT vehicle or Emergency Management Agency vehicle and the commissioners would pay the difference.  The IT or Emergency Management Agency department would then use the 2011 Dodge Charger.

Commissioner Bryan Cavendar made a motion to approve the purchase of the EMS vehicle with the grant money and then pay the difference of the trade-in value of the IT or Emergency Management Agency vehicle out of the Cumulative Capital Development Fund.

7/21/2018 Back to School Health Fair

3/10/2018 Starke County Young Artists' Conference

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.

Starke United Awards $20,000 in Grants

Published: June 27, 2015

By: Jacque Ryan, WKVI

Several Starke County charities are benefiting from grant money from the Starke United Fund. These type of grants are made possible through a partnership with Starke United and the Starke County Community Foundation. There was $20,000 available that was split up among the various local organizations.

The organizations who received helpful funding from the grant include Kids Closet Ministry and Starke County A.B.A.T.E who each received $2,000 and Knox Community Elementary School which received $5,000 for their ‘Countdown to Kindergarten’ initiative and $1,000 additionally for the KCES saving project. The Starke County Youth Club also received $2,000 through the grant. Other organizations included WIC which received $350, Bella Vita, the Salvation Army and The Crossing Education Center were each given $500, Psi Lota Xi and Junior Achievement of Starke County each received $1,000, and the Center of Workforce Innovations was given $1,080. One of the most substantial donations of $3,070 went to the Community Services of Starke County.

Money for these grants is raised by individuals who make donations to the Starke United Fund through payroll deductions, direct giving, or through fund-raising events sponsored by the Starke United Fund Committee.

6/26/2015 Annual Starke United Golf Outing!

Annual Starke United Golf Outing!
Friday, June 26, 2015

Download the Registration Form https://www.nicf.org/starke/documents/2015_SU_Golf_outing.pdf

Support Starke United and all the great programs that they fund in Starke County.  All proceeds will be used to start the new Starke United Community Fund and will be matched dollar for dollar by a grant from the Lilly Endowment.

When: Friday June 26, 2015.

Where: Hamlet Golf Course, 100 E Short Street, Hamlet, IN 46532.

Event Highlights:

4 Person Scramble.
8:00 am CDT - Registration
9:00 am CDT -Shot Gun Start.
Lunch will be provided

The entry fee $70 Per Person or $250 Per Team.  Fee Includes:  Green fees and lunch.

Fabulous Prizes and Bragging Rights for:

Closest to the Pin,
Longest Putt,
Longest Drive. 

Need a little extra help? Team Games Package - $25 (will include Mulligans)

Questions? Contact Emily Waters at (574) 772-3665

10/11/2014 Kickin’ It Country with Starke United

Come on down to the Nancy Dembowski Community Center in Knox, Indiana on October 11, 2014 for a great time.  Visitin’ starts at 6 p.m.; Chuckwagon at 7 p.m.; and Hoedown will be from 8-11 p.m. (all times CST). 

Tickets are $20 per person; $150 for an 8 person table; and there will be a cash bar.

Send your check by October 3^rd to:

Starke United
c/o Barb McLaughlin
6755 S. St. Rd. 39North Judson, Indiana  46366Or call 574-896-2000

Together we can inspire hope and create opportunities for a better tomorrow.  We invite you to be a part of the change.


Starke United is Kickin It Country

Published: October 4, 2014
By: Mitch Columbe, WKVI

Starke United is Kickin’ It Country next weekend at the Nancy J. Dembowski Community Center in Knox. The Saturday evening event will help raise funds for Starke United. It will begin at 6 p.m. with country-themed food and music. Western outfits are encouraged for everyone to ‘Kick it Country’. Line dancing and prizes are planned throughout the evening.

Starke United raises money and awards grants to people and organizations throughout the County. Representative Barb McLaughlin says it is a helpful organization in the community.

“Starke United was formed a number of years ago in Starke County. Essentially we are to Starke County what United Way is across the country and it’s a means for our people to direct their charitable giving toward this organization and then the different entities in the county apply to Starke United for a grant,” said McLaughlin.

McLaughlin adds that this event will be a fun evening. It is $20 per person to attend and $150 for an eight person table. A cash bar will be available along with appetizers to start the evening. To reserve your spot and get more information call Barb McLaughlin at 574-896-2000.

Back to the Future with Starke United

Starke United will be hosting the “Back to the Future with Starke United” at the Nancy J. Dembowski Community Center, 55 E. Lake Street in Knox.

The event  will feature dancing, a cash bar, live music  provided by Category 5, food from a variety of decades – 50s, 60s, and 70s – will be provided, and attendees are encouraged to dress casually in the style of their favorite era.

Social hour begins at 6 p.m. on March 9, while dinner starts at 7 p.m. with dancing immediately afterward from 8 to 11 p.m.

For more information or to purchase tickets, call Janice at Integrity Trade Services at (574) 772-0200, or Barb McLaughlin at (574) 896-2000. Tickets are $20 per person or $150 for an eight-person table.