The paving portion of Hamlet’s Starke Street project is essentially complete. Walsh & Kelly rebuilt the road from Plymouth Street to U.S. 30, making drainage improvements in the process. During Wednesday’s town council meeting, Council President Dave Kesvormas said the street looks really good. It was also mentioned that no drainage issues were noticed the last time it rained.
All posts by Michael Gallenberger
Pulaski County Commissioners Approve Vehicle Purchase for Sheriff’s Department
The Pulaski County Sheriff’s Department is getting a new vehicle. The county commissioners voted Monday to let Sheriff Jeff Richwine buy a Dodge Durango from Braun.
Local Schools See Success with Recruitment Efforts at Starke County Fair
Last week’s Starke County Fair turned out to be a successful recruitment event for local schools. Area school corporations set up booths, to try to attract some out-of-district students.
Culver School Board Updated on Middle/High School Construction Project
Work on Culver Community Middle/High School’s secure entrance is moving along. As part of the project, a new main entrance is being built where the library was, while other areas are being reconfigured.
Knox School Board Approves Revised Classified Staff Handbooks
The Knox Community School Corporation is overhauling the handbook for classified staff. The updated handbooks were approved by the school board Tuesday, at the recommendation of Superintendent Dr. William Reichhart.
LaPorte County Sheriff’s Office Seeks Public’s Help with Burglary Investigation
LaPorte County Police are looking for multiple people who they believe vandalized and stole several items from the home of a 72-year-old Vietnam War veteran. Officers say that over the past week, guns, prescription drugs, and a large amount of scrap metal have been taken from the property along 3rd Line Road in the Kingsbury Industrial Park. On top of that, several vehicles reportedly had their windows shattered and one vehicle was flipped over.
Hamlet Council Joins Starke County’s Stellar Communities Application
The Town of Hamlet is joining Starke County’s effort to become a Stellar Community. The county government plans to team up with the county’s three incorporated municipalities to apply for a regional Stellar designation in 2019. The Hamlet Town Council voted Wednesday to move forward with the process, along with the rest of the county.
Pulaski County Finalizing Preparations for Veterans Court
Pulaski County is gearing up for the launch of its new veterans court. The county recently got a grant for almost $45,000 for that purpose, according to Superior Court Judge Crystal Brucker Kocher. “There’s a push by the Supreme Court to help us establish these veterans courts to provide services to veterans in our communities who have criminal charges,” she told the county commissioners Monday, “and generally speaking, it’s things like substance use or maybe domestic violence, things like that.”
Porter-Starke Services to Provide Expanded Behavioral Health Care to Knox Schools
Knox Elementary and Middle School students will soon be able to get increased mental health care, thanks to a new agreement with Porter-Starke Services. Porter-Starke President and CEO Matthew Burden discussed the new program with the Knox School Board Tuesday.
Two Oregon-Davis Teachers Take Retirement Incentive
Two Oregon-Davis teachers are accepting the school corporation’s retirement incentive, according to Superintendent Dr. Don Harman. “We had in our master teacher agreement that if a teacher retired and was qualified for this incentive, then the corporation would pay their single insurance until they turn 65,” he explains. “We had two teachers who retired and have qualified for the retirement incentive.”
Culver School Board Approves Middle/High School Book Rental Fees
The Culver School Board has finalized book rental fees and meal prices for the upcoming school year.
O-D School Board Hires Assistant Principal/Athletic Director for Junior/Senior High School
Oregon-Davis High School has a new administrator. Chris Matthys has officially been hired as the junior/senior high school’s athletic director and assistant principal, according to Superintendent Dr. Don Harman.
Pulaski County EMS Transfer Numbers Rebound during Month of June
The number of ambulance transfers provided by Pulaski County Emergency Medical Services increased significantly during the month of June. For the past several months, a shortage of paramedics had been causing the department to deny more transfer requests than it accepted. But EMS Director Bryan Corn says the numbers finally appear to be trending in the right direction, following the addition of two new paramedics.
Changes May Be Coming to Pulaski County Sheriff’s Deputies’ Retirement Plan
Pulaski County Sheriff Jeff Richwine is looking to overhaul deputies’ retirement plan. He told the county council last week the current system lets deputies retire after 20 years and offers little incentive for them to work beyond that. “Several of the last hires have all been under 25,” Richwine said, “so if we want to keep those folks, I guess, past 20 years – I just started looking at their retirement. It’s pretty poor. After 20 years, they keep paying into it, and it doesn’t go up for them.”
Knox School Board Approves Administrator Contracts
The Knox School Board approved several administrators’ contracts Tuesday. “The administrators who are not changing positions will be on, like, status quo contracts until we figure out if we’re going to be able to give salary increases for this year,” Superintendent Dr. William Reichhart explained. “So for those, they will make the same salary as what they made previously, until we settle the teachers’ contract, and then we’ll be able to go back and look at other administrators.”
Culver School Registration to Take Place Next Week, Online Pre-Registration Open
Culver Community Schools will be holding registration next Monday and Tuesday. It will take place from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Monday and 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Tuesday at the Culver Schools Administration Office. Online pre-registration is already open.
Culver School Board Decides to Move Ahead with Property Tax Referendum
The Culver School Board has decided to proceed with a property tax referendum. Board members approved a resolution Monday to place an operating referendum on the November 6 ballot.
Pulaski County Commissioners Finalize Paperwork for Masonic Lodge Purchase
The Pulaski County Commissioners took action Monday to finalize the purchase of the former Winamac Masonic Lodge. Last month, the council and commissioners approved a joint ordinance to buy 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, something the county has lacked until now.
Speeding Drivers Continue to be Observed on Pulaski County Road 250 North
The Pulaski County Sheriff’s Department continues to keep an eye on County Road 250 North. Deputies have been monitoring traffic, after a complaint of speeding vehicles was brought to the county council and commissioners.
State Law Changes Prompt Policy Adjustments at Eastern Pulaski Schools
Policies at the Eastern Pulaski Community School Corporation are getting some adjustments, due to recent changes in state law. The corporation’s medication policy saw the biggest update. School personnel will now be allowed to administer “low THC hemp extract” to students, as long as they have a prescription and written permission from a parent or guardian, and the product meets various state and federal requirements.
