The replacement of the Pulaski County Courthouse elevator is on track to be complete by its October deadline. Maintenance Supervisor Jeff Johnston told the county commissioners Monday the work had been running far ahead of schedule but then hit a couple snags. “We had to cut part of the brick away from one of the columns, and we had to wait for the structural engineer to get with us to tell us exactly how that had to be done,” Johnston explained. Continue reading
All posts by Michael Gallenberger
Sidewalk Installation Underway, As Hamlet’s Starke Street Project Continues
Hamlet’s Starke Street improvement project continues. Now that the paving work is done, a sidewalk is being installed along the west side of Starke Street from Plymouth Street north to the gas station.
Francesville Getting New Street Signs
New street signs will soon be going up in Francesville. Clerk-Treasurer Linda Bennett says it’s to comply with state standards that call for both capital and lower-case letters on street signs. She says the town has been buying the signs over the past couple years, and now the Street Department is getting ready to put them up.
Coroner’s Office Fees Approved by Pulaski County Commissioners
Cremation will soon require a $25 disposition permit in Pulaski County. The county commissioners Monday adopted a pair of fee-related ordinances recommended by the Coroner’s Office. One of them creates a formal system of releasing bodies for cremation, according to Coroner John Behny. “Any time someone would be cremated, they would contact us and we would authorize, and they would send the money to the Auditor’s Office,” he explained.
Francesville Employees to Get 3.5-Percent Pay Raise
Some Francesville town employees will be getting a raise. The town council approved a 3.5-percent salary increase Monday, according to Clerk-Treasurer Linda Bennett. But she says the clerk-treasurer and sewer superintendent aren’t included.
Pulaski County Commissioners Table Proposed Wind Turbine Ban
A recommendation to ban wind turbines has been tabled by the Pulaski County Commissioners, to give county officials a chance to refine the proposed language. Building Inspector and Plan Administrator Doug Hoover formally presented the advisory plan commission’s recommendation during Monday’s commissioners meeting.
Winamac Park Board to Explore Fence Improvements at Town Park Ball Fields
The fencing surrounding some of the Winamac Town Park’s athletic fields may soon be getting an upgrade. “I love what they’ve done to the girls’ softball field, with what Francesville Drain Tile did on the top of that fence,” Park Board President Courtney Poor said during last week’s meeting. “I would like to try and I will take this upon myself as a project, to get in touch with some of the folks over there and see how much it would cost us to do the little league diamond and the other girls’ softball diamond in the same manner.”
Knox Schools Superintendent Asks for State Help with Designing Graduation Pathways
Smaller schools could use some more state help when it comes to designing local graduation pathways. That’s what Knox Schools Superintendent Dr. William Reichhart told Indiana Secretary for Career Connections and Talent Blair Milo last week.
Volunteers Recognized During Winamac Park Board Meeting
Another busy festival season is in the books for the Winamac Town Park. Park Manager Dave DeLorenzo reviewed this summer’s Pulaski County 4-H Fair and Northern Indiana Power from the Past show, during last week’s park board meeting.
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.
Secretary of Career Connections and Talent Highlights State’s Job Training Initiatives
Indiana’s Secretary of Career Connections and Talent is touting the state’s workforce training initiatives. During a visit to Knox Wednesday, Secretary Blair Milo discussed the Workforce Ready Grant that’s part of the Next Level Jobs program. “For anybody that’s over the age of 18, you can go and get a hundred-percent-tuition-free career certificate at Ivy Tech or Vincennes or the other providers through Next Level Jobs,” she explained. “The only thing that would disqualify someone from being able to utilize that is if you have a degree already, so it’s not means-tested or anything else.”
Winamac Park Board Continues Researching Potential Lighting Feature for Swinging Bridge
Winamac Park Board members recently met with a theatrical lighting designer, to discuss a potential feature at the Town Park’s “swinging bridge.”
Local Police to Take Part in Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over Campaign
Local law enforcement will be stepping up patrols between now and Labor Day. It’s part of the annual nationwide Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign.
LaPorte County Councilman Faces Felony Charge, Following Three-Month Investigation
A LaPorte County Councilman has been charged with the Level 6 felony of Residential Entry. Indiana State Police say John Sullivan, 57, of Wanatah “was seen entering a residence that was not his own in the town of Wanatah.”
Four Arrested in Connection with Kingsbury Industrial Park Home Burglary
LaPorte County Police have arrested four people in connection with last month’s burglary of a home in the Kingsbury Industrial Park. It was initially reported on July 18. At the time, officers said a group of people had apparently vandalized the home and stole several items while the resident, a 72-year-old Vietnam War veteran, was away visiting family.
Local Officials Share Wage Concerns with Secretary of Career Connections and Talent
Making sure Starke County’s wages keep up with the rest of the state is one of the challenges local officials shared with Indiana Secretary of Career Connections and Talent Blair Milo. During her visit to Knox Wednesday, Milo highlighted the thousands of new, higher-paying jobs that Indiana businesses have added in recent years.
Winamac Park Board to Clarify Park Maintenance Responsibilities in Work Session
The Winamac Park Board is looking to clarify who’s responsible for what, when it comes to the maintenance of the Town Park. Board member Jon Chapman raised the issue during Thursday’s meeting, noting that there are a lot of moving parts, when it comes to running the park, “Some of which are handled by Power from the Past, some of which are handled by [Park Manager] Dave [DeLorenzo], some of which are handled by Dave with help from the town, some of which are handled by other parties. Dave asked from the time we became a board for kind of a list of what the priority things are, and we really haven’t ever done that,” Chapman said.
More than $4 Billion in Federal Loans Available for Rural Water Infrastructure Upgrades
The U.S. Department of Agriculture says it’s stepping up its efforts to modernize rural America’s water infrastructure. USDA Rural Development says it has more than $4 billion in loans available for rural communities with up to 10,000 residents. That’s a significant funding increase from last year.
Secretary for Career Connections and Talent Outlines Efforts to Address Workforce Needs
How to fill the thousands of job vacancies that currently exist in Indiana while preparing Hoosiers for the jobs of tomorrow is the goal of Indiana’s secretary for career connections and talent. Secretary Blair Milo discussed some of her department’s objectives during a visit to Knox Wednesday. “When we think about career connections, I look at that as some of the challenge in the current landscape around us,” she explained. “We see across the State of Indiana that there are around 85,000 or so postings of jobs, where employers are seeking people to be able to fill those positions.”
Winamac Park Board to Discuss Maintenance Schedule Tonight
The Winamac Park Board will discuss a maintenance schedule when it meets tonight. Other than the regular report from Park Manager Dave DeLorenzo, no other specific items are listed on the advance agenda.
