An early morning single-vehicle accident claimed the life of a Star City man.
Continue readingJon Frain Named Next Pulaski County Coroner
Jon Frain has officially been selected as the next Pulaski County coroner. He was the only candidate in a Republican Party caucus Monday.
Continue readingOnly One Candidate on File to Replace Behny as Pulaski County Coroner
Pulaski County Republicans will likely have an easy decision, when it comes to choosing the next coroner. As of Friday, Jon Maxwell Frain was the only candidate on file at the County Clerk’s Office. He currently serves as chief deputy coroner.
Continue readingPulaski County Coroner’s Office to Transfer Funds to Cover Chief Deputy’s Raise
Now that Pulaski County Chief Deputy Coroner Jon Frain has finally gotten his pay raise, county officials now have to figure out where the money is going to come from. Last month, the county council voted to pay the chief deputy 82 percent of the coroner’s salary, which more than quadrupled Frain’s pay rate to almost $8,100 a year. While the Coroner’s Office had about $8,000 budgeted for that purpose in previous years, that figure had been cut to match Frain’s previous pay rate.
Continue readingPulaski County Council Finalizes Pay Raise for Chief Deputy Coroner
The Pulaski County Council has finalized a significant pay raise for Chief Deputy Coroner Jon Frain, but not without some opposition. Council members approved a pair of wage revisions Monday.
Continue readingPulaski County Council Votes to Give Chief Deputy Coroner a Pay Raise
After months of discussions, the Pulaski County Council has finally agreed to give the chief deputy coroner a pay raise. Council members voted six-to-one Monday to pay the chief deputy coroner 82 percent of what the coroner makes. That will amount to almost $8,100 a year, which is more than four times the current pay level. Mike Tiede cast the lone opposing vote.
Continue readingProposed Raise for Pulaski County Chief Deputy Coroner Dies for Lack of Second in Council Meeting
The Pulaski County Council still isn’t ready to give the county’s chief deputy coroner a pay raise. Jon Frain has apparently been getting less than $150 per month for the job, even though more than four times that amount has been available in the coroner’s budget.
Pulaski County Officials Update NIPSCO Contact Information to Prevent Gas Shutoff at West Annex
Pulaski County officials had to resolve some confusion over the county’s NIPSCO billing. Coroner John Behny told the county commissioners last week that he recently got a call from a NIPSCO representative with an order to disconnect gas service to the former Winamac Masonic Lodge, now called the West Annex.
Pulaski County Commissioners Approve New Name for Former Winamac Masonic Lodge
The former Winamac Masonic Lodge officially has a new name. The Pulaski County Commissioners voted Monday to name the building the “West Annex.” The county bought the building back in June. It will house the Coroner’s Office and Emergency Management Agency.
Pulaski County Commissioners Recommend Pay Raise for Recently-Rehired Chief Deputy Coroner
Pulaski County Chief Deputy Coroner Jon Frain is apparently back on the job, after resigning amid a wage dispute. Coroner John Behny told the county commissioners Monday he rehired Frain, when the Coroner’s Office found itself short-staffed a couple weeks ago. “I was away for an autopsy, had to leave the county,” Behny explained. “We got another call. Fulton County assisted Mr. Frain. So we were grateful that he was there and was able to respond in a very timely manner. That helped EMS and first responders and our sheriff’s deputies.”
Chief Deputy Coroner Position to be Discussed during Pulaski County Commissioners Meeting
The Pulaski County Commissioners will meet tonight in the County Highway Garage. They had planned to move back to the courthouse, but an unexpected delay in the elevator project has led to a change in location.
Pulaski County Chief Deputy Coroner’s Resignation Leads to Heated Wage Discussion
The Pulaski County Coroner’s Office is facing a staffing shortage, following the resignation of the chief deputy. Coroner John Behny told the county council last week that his lone deputy Jon Frain had “had enough.” “I not only lost my chief deputy,” he said. “I also lost a facility for which to check the bodies over and do our autopsies and so forth. I’ve lost all of that. I’ve lost storage of our files. I’ve actually gone backwards. I’ve gone from having an office. I got displaced. I have nothing. Our building isn’t going to be ready for some time.”
Person of Interest in Medaryville House Fire Detained in Louisiana
A person of interest in a fatal fire incident in Medaryville on Monday, Aug. 13 is being questioned in Louisiana.
Death in Rural Medaryville House Fire Ruled a Homicide
Pulaski County Chief Deputy Coroner Jon Frain has ruled the death of a person in last week’s fatal house fire in rural Medaryville as a homicide.
Pulaski Commissioners to Discuss Proposed Wind Turbine Ban, Coroner’s Fees Tonight
A potential ban on wind turbines will be considered by the Pulaski County Commissioners tonight. The county’s advisory plan commission recently recommended banning wind energy convergence systems, over concerns about the safety and welfare of the community, flicker issues, and local fire departments’ ability to provide fire protection to the structures.
Pulaski County Officials Continue Working on Masonic Lodge Purchase
The Pulaski County Coroner’s Office is pushing the county council and commissioners to finalize the purchase of the former Winamac Masonic Lodge as close to the original deadline as possible. Last month, the council and commissioners approved a joint ordinance to purchase the building for $50,000 from the Royal Center Masonic Lodge. The plan is to convert it into a dedicated morgue and coroner’s office, which the county has lacked until now.
Coroner’s Office Fees Considered by Pulaski County Council, Commissioners
The Pulaski County Coroner’s Office continues to explore the possibility of charging for copies of certain reports. Coroner John Behny and Chief Deputy Jon Frain presented a few fee collection options to the county council and commissioners last week. “We’re talking about the autopsy report, the toxicology report, the coroner’s summary, or the coroner’s verdict,” Frain explained. Continue reading
Pulaski County Coroner’s Office to Move into Former Winamac Masonic Lodge
The Pulaski County coroner will soon have a dedicated morgue and office. The county council and commissioners voted Monday to purchase the former Winamac Masonic Lodge at 108 North Franklin Street for $50,000.
Coroner Pay Structure Debated During Pulaski County Council Meeting
Pulaski County Coroner’s staff say they aren’t getting paid what they’re owed by the county. Under the county’s pay structure, Coroner John Behny and Chief Deputy Jon Frain each receive an annual salary, plus additional money for each call they respond to. But how much they’re supposed to get per call was a topic of debate during Monday’s county council meeting.
Pulaski Commissioners to Consider Contracts for Coroner’s Office
The Pulaski County Coroner’s Office may have to wait a bit longer before it gets to move into a new space, so some formal arrangements are being made for temporary offices. The coroner’s office plans to move into the Winamac Municipal Utility Complex, once the town’s police department moves into its new station downtown. However, Chief Deputy Coroner Jon Frain told the Pulaski County Council and Commissioners last week the new space may not be ready until next year.
