Open enrollment is leading students out of some smaller school districts. Ron Gifford with the Starke County Economic Development Foundation told the Hamlet Town Council Wednesday that the state is now giving more detail about where exactly students are attending school.
All posts by Michael Gallenberger
Pulaski County Election Board Finalizes Fines for Late Campaign Finance Reports
Some Pulaski County candidates who failed to turn in pre-election campaign finance reports by October 19 will not be fined. The Democrat Central Committee, Coroner John Behny, former Circuit Court judge candidate Tim Murray, and former county council candidate Doug Roth all failed to turn in their reports by the noon deadline.
Pulaski County Commissioners Want More Time to Consider Ambulance Rental, Lease Options
Pulaski County Council Approves Salary Ordinance Revisions
A list of salary adjustments was approved by the Pulaski County Council Tuesday. It reflects previously-approved changes to the Community Development Commission project coordinator salary, as well as a few personnel changes to fill various vacancies. “It’s the change that you made last meeting on Krysten Hinkle,” Auditor Laura Wheeler explained, “and we have Marie Roth that was promoted to the 911 director and David Kain then went to part-time, and then we have Heather Rogers who is in Soil and Water, and she went from part-time to full-time, taking over from Quentin Blount.”
Knox High School, Oregon-Davis Elementary Earn A’s in Latest School Accountability Grades
Three local schools saw their letter grades decline in the latest round of School Accountability Grades. Knox Middle School and West Central Elementary School both got a D for the 2017-2018 school year, down from a C the year before. North Judson-San Pierre Elementary dropped from a B to a C.
Pulaski County EMS Director to Resign
Pulaski County is looking for a new EMS director. Bryan Corn is resigning to accept employment elsewhere, according to Auditor Laura Wheeler. Corn has served as EMS director since January. Applications for the position are being taken through December 7. The county hopes to have a new EMS director in place by January 2.
Pay Raise, Sick Day Buyout Included in 2018-2019 Knox Teacher Contracts
Knox teachers will get a pay raise and a sick day buyout, under the master teacher contract ratified by the school board Tuesday. “Each of our teachers in Knox Community Schools will receive a base increase on their salary of $1,168,” Superintendent Dr. William Reichhart explains.
Pulaski County Council Approves Budget Transfer to Cover Shortfall in Jailer Overtime Funds
Housing and transporting federal inmates continues to cause budget challenges for the Pulaski County Sheriff’s Department. Sheriff Jeff Richwine told the county council Tuesday that while the effort is making money for the county overall, the associated income and expenses are in two different parts of the county’s budget.
Pulaski County Election Outcomes Stand, Following Acceptance of Provisional Ballots
The acceptance of provisional ballots did not change the outcome of any of last week’s races in Pulaski County. Lynn Wilder with the Clerk’s Office says that of the 16 provisional votes cast, seven were found to be valid by the county election board Tuesday.
Pulaski County EMS Seeks Construction Quotes for Winamac Ambulance Garage Expansion
Pulaski County Emergency Medical Services is seeking quotes for an addition to its Winamac ambulance garage. After having had a chance to review updated expansion plans from EMS Director Bryan Corn, the commissioners had no questions or issues with the proposal during last week’s meeting. They gave Corn the go-ahead to start seeking cost estimates. Continue reading
Hamlet Officials Consider Brush Disposal Options
Disposing of brush and yard waste is becoming a challenge for the Town of Hamlet. Street Superintendent Fred Rowe told the town council Wednesday that since the town is no longer allowed to burn the brush it collects from residents, he’ll eventually run out of places to put it.
Oregon-Davis Officials to Discuss New Intruder Response Strategy with Community Members Tonight
A new strategy for responding to armed intruders will be discussed with parents of Oregon-Davis students tonight. School officials will give a presentation and answer questions about the ALICE procedure, which stands for Alert, Lockdown, Inform, Counter, and Evacuate.
Proposed 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 Commissioners Finalize Paperwork for CASA Grant
The Pulaski County Commissioners have signed off on funding arrangements for the county’s Court Appointed Special Advocates program. During last week’s meeting, it was explained that the county council has allocated $40,000 to the CASA program, and the state would provide more than $8,400 in grant funding.
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.
Culver School Board Issues Request for Qualifications for Potential Energy Savings Project
The Culver School Board has decided to move ahead with requesting formal proposals for energy-savings upgrades. Board members have heard presentations from a few companies. Last week, they decided to take the next step by advertising a request for qualifications from guaranteed energy savings providers.
Pulaski Council to Consider Wage and Salary Revisions, Budget Transfers, Additional Appropriations
A shortfall in the Pulaski County Sheriff’s Department’s overtime budget has the sheriff asking to move some money around. Sheriff Jeff Richwine told the county commissioners last week that he plans to transfer a total of $17,600 into his overtime budget. “Some of this is due to people not getting moved in the matrix in time, so we have to go back and do back pay, so that’s some of it,” he explained. “Some of it’s overtime.” Richwine said that money will come out of the Dispatch Salary, Equipment Repair, and Part-Time Cooks line items.
Food, Crafts, Entertainment to be Featured at Culver Park Department’s Thanksgiving Celebration
Celebrate Thanksgiving with the Culver Park Department this Friday evening. The Thanksgiving Celebration will run from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. EST at the Beach Lodge.
Pulaski Commissioners Approve Court Software Switch, State Agrees to Fund Computer Upgrades
The Pulaski County Commissioners have approved a switch in court software. Last week, the commissioners approved a memorandum of understanding, allowing the county to switch from CSI to Odyssey.
Culver School Board Approves Sale of Surplus Property at West Central School Auction
Some surplus school equipment will be up for auction Saturday. The auction will take place at West Central High School in Francesville, starting at 10:00 a.m. EST.
