The Pulaski County Justice Center may get a dedicated work release facility, under a proposal from Sheriff Jeff Richwine. He discussed the idea with the county commissioners last week.
All posts by Michael Gallenberger
School Safety Programs Discussed During Oregon-Davis School Board Meeting
The Oregon-Davis School Corporation continues its efforts to step up school safety, with some help from the State of Indiana. Superintendent Dr. Don Harman says the corporation’s two schools will each be getting a handheld metal detector, as part of Governor Eric Holcomb’s program to provide them free of charge to schools around the state.
Hamlet Council Looks to Add Electronic Message Board to Town Entrance
Hamlet officials are exploring the possibility of installing an electronic message board near the intersection of U.S. 30 and Starke Street. During last week’s town council meeting, Council President Dave Kesvormas said they had looked into it before, but the cost was as high as $20,000. Now, he says he’s found a much cheaper option. “I’m looking at a 102-inch-by-36-inch full-color LED programmable sign,” he said. “$2,900.”
Pulaski County BZA Approves Special Exception for Mobile Home Near Medaryville
A Medaryville man will be able to keep his mobile home on his parents’ property, thanks to a special exception granted by the Pulaski County Board of Zoning Appeals Monday. Building Inspector Doug Hoover explained that Michael Wireman apparently moved the structure onto the property in the 4800 block of North County Road 1150 West without a permit. “They didn’t realize they had to have a permit,” Hoover explained. “They did get their 7878 [form] from the Treasurer’s [Office], and that’s how I found out about this.”
Culver Elementary School Finalizing Preparations for Pre-K Program
Culver Elementary School is getting ready to welcome its first preschool students. “We are full-fledged still going forward,” Superintendent Karen Shuman told the school board last week. “We have two sections of preschool in place. [Transportation Director] Paul [Widman] and I have worked out the transportation routes, so they’ll be attending the same number of hours as the regular students, and we’ll keep mapping that out as registration comes.”
Pulaski County Plan Commission Votes to Ban Wind Turbines
The Pulaski County Advisory Plan Commission has recommended banning wind turbines. The vote drew a standing ovation from a packed room of local residents and landowners at the Star City Community Building Monday. It came after a public hearing on proposed changes to the county’s Unified Development Ordinance that would have significantly restricted wind turbine development.
Starke County Economic Development Foundation Discusses Projected Population Loss
Starke County’s projected population decline continues to draw concerns from local officials.
Unemployment Up in Starke, Pulaski Counties
Unemployment rates moved higher during the month of June. Starke County’s unemployment rate stands at 4.3 percent, according to the latest report from the Indiana Department of Workforce Development. That’s half a percent higher than the previous month and four-tenths of a percent higher than the same period last year.
Oregon-Davis School Board Approves Lunch Price Increase, Updated Instructional Fees
Lunch prices are going up for Oregon-Davis students. Last week, the school board approved a state-recommended 10-cent increase, according to Superintendent Dr. Don Harman. “Our kindergarten to fifth grade will go from $2.35 to $2.45,” he says. “Six through eighth grade will go from $2.45 to $2.55, and our ninth grade through 12th grade will go from $2.55 to $2.65.”
Crossroads Church Helps with Landscaping Upgrades at Culver Elementary School
Culver Elementary School recently got some landscaping upgrades, thanks to one of its regular tenants. Earlier this month, volunteers from Crossroads Church pulled weeds and laid down 70 bags of mulch, among other improvements, according to Principal Erin Proskey.
Public Hearing on Pulaski County Wind Turbine Regulations Tonight
Pulaski County residents will have the chance to offer their opinions on the county’s wind turbine regulations tonight. The Pulaski County Advisory Plan Commission will hold a public hearing on proposed changes to the county’s Unified Development Ordinance.
EZ Blockchain Seeks Office Space, As Hamlet Data Center Nears Completion
EZ Blockchain is a step closer to setting up operations near Hamlet. Ron Gifford with the Starke County Economic Development Foundation gave an update on the new data center to the Hamlet Town Council last week. “I think they’ve laid the cement,” he said. “I think they have the units. If they’re not there yet, they’re going to be.” Continue reading
Knox School Corporation to Pay More Than $6,200 for Budget Help
Knox school officials will get some one-on-one training on how to put together next year’s budget. Last week, the school board approved a contract with a company called Administrator Assistance. They will work with Corporation Treasurer Dawn Bailey between now and October for just over $6,200.
Pulaski County Building Inspector Presents Mid-Year Report
More than $15 million worth of construction projects were permitted in Pulaski County in the first half of 2018. Building Inspector Doug Hoover gave his mid-year report to the county commissioners last week. “We had a total of 95 permits so far this year,” he said, “total fees of a little over $20,000 already for the year.”
Culver School Board Reviews Student Handbook Updates
Students at Culver Community Schools will see some updated discipline policies when they return to school next month. The 2018-2019 student handbooks were presented to the Culver School Board last week.
Knox School Board Updated on Facility Upgrades
The Knox Community School Corporation is making progress with its facility upgrades. Continue reading
Hamlet Plans to Seek Community Crossings Grant for Railroad Street Improvements
As the Town of Hamlet works to wrap up one Community Crossings project, town officials are now looking ahead to this year’s grant cycle. Hamlet is eligible for a 75-25 matching grant for road projects. During Wednesday’s town council meeting, members said that Railroad Street is next in line for improvements, not only because of its condition, but also the amount of traffic it handles.
Another Pulaski County Ambulance Hits Deer
Pulaski County’s ambulances have become something of a magnet for deer. EMS Director Bryan Corn told the county commissioners Monday that an ambulance hit a deer the night before. That’s the second time that’s happened in the span of a few weeks.
Oregon-Davis School Board Finalizes Plans for Jump Start Program, Accepts Donation
Culver School Board Renews Technology Director’s Contract, Approves Budget Transfer
The Culver Community Schools Corporation is keeping Daniel Medesi as its technology director. A contract renewal was approved by the school board Monday.
