Pulaski County has been able to recover some of the money owed to its revolving loan program. During last week’s joint session with the county council, the county commissioners accepted a $50,000 settlement from Jerry Howe, following a lawsuit.
All posts by Michael Gallenberger
Pulaski County Council Takes Action to Correct Oversights in Salary Matrix, Address CDC Pay Issues
Changes are coming to Pulaski County’s salary matrix next year. The 2019 matrix approved by the county council last week seeks to correct a couple of oversights in the current version by adding the jail commander and certain employees in the Health Department. It also appears that EMS employees will remain on the matrix next year. The EMS Department was added to the system last month, despite opposition from EMS Director Bryan Corn and some of his employees.
Matthys Replaces Pletcher as Oregon-Davis High School Principal
Oregon-Davis Junior/Senior High School has a new principal. The school board formally accepted the resignation of Tim Pletcher Monday and appointed Assistant Principal and Athletic Director Chris Matthys to take his place, according to Superintendent Dr. Don Harman. “So Mr. Matthys will now become our new junior/senior high school principal,” Harman explains. “We are in the process of interviewing for a new junior/senior high school assistant principal and athletic director.”
Pulaski County to Add Language on Vaping to Tobacco Policy
Vaping will no longer be allowed in Pulaski County’s government buildings. The county commissioners voted Monday to add language on vaping into the county’s tobacco policy.
Culver School Board Adopts 2019 Budget
The Culver Community Schools Corporation’s 2019 budget was officially adopted by the school board Monday. The corporation is asking for a budget of just under $12.2 million, according to Treasurer Casey Howard.
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.”
Culver School Board Finalizes Metal Detector Policy
The Culver School Board finalized a policy for the use of metal detectors Monday. Superintendent Karen Shuman says the three handheld metal detectors the school corporation received from the state will simply be another tool for administrators to use for a potential search.
Absentee Voting Begins in Starke, Pulaski Counties
The November General Election is three weeks away, but hundreds of local voters have already cast their ballots. Pulaski County has had 143 early ballots cast, as of Monday afternoon. Officials in the Clerk’s Office say that’s a higher number than average. Meanwhile, the Starke County Clerk’s Office says 250 people have voted in-person, along with 232 mail-in ballots.
Pulaski County Commissioners Hire Fiscal Planning Consultant
The Pulaski County Commissioners are moving ahead with a fiscal plan. They voted two-to-one Monday to hire Peters Municipal Consultants to put the plan together, with Jerry Locke voting in opposition. Of the two proposals the county received, Peters’ was apparently cheaper, with a maximum cost of $24,000, compared to Umbaugh and Associates’ cap of $35,000.
Tax Abatement Request for Former Anvil & Saw Property Remains on Hold
The business moving into the old Anvil & Saw property on Pulaski County Road 200 South still isn’t ready to officially request a tax abatement. The county council began the process back in August by adopting a preliminary resolution designating the site an economic revitalization area.
Knox Crosswalk Work to Take Place This Week
Long-awaited crosswalk work in the City of Knox may finally get done this week. Mayor Dennis Estok told the city council last week that the installer would try to be in Knox this week, but the work depends on the weather. “A 50-degree day at daytime is fine,” he explained, “and then as long as it doesn’t get below freezing or something too many days in a row.”
Eastern Pulaski School Board to Consider Strategic Plan Proposal
The Eastern Pulaski Community School Corporation could have a strategic plan in place within the next couple months. Superintendent Dan Foster says the strategic planning committee has been making progress.
Pulaski County Commissioners to Discuss Vaping, Hear Department Reports
The Pulaski County Commissioners will hear updates from EMS Director Bryan Corn and Highway Superintendent Terry Ruff during this morning’s meeting. According to the advance agenda, County Attorney Kevin Tankersley will discuss vaping, Recorder Sue Fox will discuss two bids, and Building Inspector Doug Hoover will ask the commissioners to approve an invoice.
Culver School Board to Consider Metal Detector Policy, 2019 Budget Tonight
The Culver School Board is expected to finalize a policy on the use of metal detectors tonight. The school corporation received three handheld metal detectors, as part of the state’s program to provide them free of charge to Indiana’s schools. The proposed policy stipulates that the devices may only be used by school administrators in cases where there is reasonable suspicion, according to Superintendent Karen Shuman.
Pulaski County Council Approves Changes to Sheriff’s Deputies’ Retirement Plan
Pulaski County Sheriff’s Deputies will have a new retirement plan, starting January 1. The county council voted Monday to change the system to a 32-year plan. Currently, the number of years of service that count toward deputies’ retirement benefits is limited to 20.
Hamlet Town Council Considers Possible Lighting Projects
More streetlights may soon be coming to Starke Street in Hamlet. Two years ago, the town installed decorative streetlights on the east side of the street, across from the town hall, as the first part of a four-phase project. But the town council has held off on doing additional phases to focus on other projects, such as the recent Community Crossings project farther north on Starke Street.
Eastern Pulaski Elementary Students Give Chromebook Demonstration to School Board
Back in April, the Eastern Pulaski School Board approved the purchase of Chromebooks for the elementary school. On Monday, members had the chance to see how they’re being used.
Knox Looking for Peppermint Parade Entries
The City of Knox is gearing up for this year’s Peppermint Parade. Mayor Dennis Estok told the city council Tuesday that organizations planning to enter the parade would be able to start applying by the end of this week. This year’s Peppermint Parade will be held December 1.
Culver Utilities Department Flushing Water System, Following Repairs
Culver residents may notice rust-colored water. Clerk-Treasurer Karen Heim says the town experienced a water main break earlier this week that has since been fixed. She says the town’s utilities department is now flushing part of the system to clean it out. Continue reading
Pulaski County Council Not Ready to Make Building Department Assistant Full-Time
Pulaski County Building Department Assistant Karla Kreamer will apparently remain at part-time status for now. After multiple lengthy discussions Monday, the county council decided not to take any action to change her employment to full-time, despite a favorable recommendation from the county commissioners.
