State's top warden to retire badge in fall

The man who has led the state's conservation warden service for more than a decade says he will retire his badge this fall, capping nearly 30 years of public service with the Department of Natural Resources' Bureau of Law Enforcement.

Chief Conservation Warden Randy Stark says he will leave his position around October when he reaches retirement age. Stark joined the warden service in 1984 and became chief in 2002.

DNR Secretary Cathy Stepp says Stark has led the warden service through challenging times -- including two economic downturns, constant technology changes and the arrival of ...