Whether the awning in front of Winamac High School should be torn down or refurbished was a topic of debate during Monday’s Eastern Pulaski School Board meeting.
Eastern Pulaski School Board Considers Removal or Renovation of High School Awning
All posts by Michael Gallenberger
Oregon-Davis Superintendent Discusses Upcoming Referendum with Hamlet Town Council
Oregon-Davis School Superintendent Dr. Don Harman went to the Hamlet Town Council Wednesday to spread the word about the upcoming school referendum. If approved, the measure would add a property tax of up to 29 cents per $100 of assessed valuation for an eight-year period. It would replace a 19-cent tax that’s set to expire in 2019.
Starke County Economic Development Foundation Appoints Larry Wickert As Executive Director
The Starke County Economic Development Foundation has decided to keep Larry Wickert as its executive director. Wickert has been serving as interim executive director since the beginning of the year. Now, the foundation’s board of directors has decided to make his appointment permenant, according to a press release issued Wednesday.
Pulaski County Council Approves Salary Ordinance Revisions
The Pulaski County Council has finalized some corrections to the county’s salary ordinance. That will mean raises for Sheriff Jeff Richwine, as well as the two full-time employees in the Community Development Commission.
Starke County Park Board Gets Two More Proposals for Bass Lake Beach Operations
The Starke County Park Board continues to hear from people interested in operating the Bass Lake Beach. The entire beach and campground is currently run by Callahan Development, LLC, which leases it from Starke County. But the company said it may be willing to give up control of the beach itself, to allow it to focus on the profitable campground and pier slots.
Eastern Pulaski School Board Approves Purchase of Phase Loss Protection System
The Eastern Pulaski Community School Corporation is taking steps to protect its equipment from electrical problems. On Monday, the school board approved the installation of a phase loss protection system. “Last year, if you recall, we had a problem with storms and power, and when you knock out one phase on a three-phase system, you can basically have some damage, which we did – $14,000, $15,000 worth, I think, something like that,” explained Superintendent Dan Foster. “We did go to insurance and we got a lot of that back, but this is a way to protect that.”
Pulaski County Moving Ahead with Plans to Reestablish Security Committee
Pulaski County is a step closer to getting its security committee back up and running. The county council Monday appointed council member Ken Boswell as its representative. The county commissioners appointed Jerry Locke last week.
Eastern Pulaski School Board Adopts Policies on Suicide Prevention, Religious Liberty
A suicide awareness and prevention policy was adopted by the Eastern Pulaski School Board Monday. Among other things, it requires all school employees to undergo training on how recognize the risk factors and how to respond. For students, educational materials are to be integrated into their health classes. “That’s something that we’ll be talking about in pretty good detail in coming months,” Superintendent Dan Foster said, “with Rachel’s Challenge and some things coming down the pipe, plus some training that we have to do through the state legislature.”
Starke County Community Foundation Presents $20,000 in Grants to Starke County Park Board
The Starke County Forest will get $15,000 worth of improvements this spring, thanks to a grant from the Hardesty Memorial Endowment Fund. The funding was formally presented to the Starke County Park Board Tuesday by Starke County Community Foundation Director of Development Sarah Origer and Northern Indiana Community Foundation Executive Director Jay Albright.
Unemployment Rates Up from December, Down from Last Year
Unemployment rates are starting to head back up from their low point in December, but they’re still lower than the same period last year. Starke County saw 5.1-percent unemployment in January, according to the latest report from the Indiana Department of Workforce Development, down from 6.3 percent the year before. Continue reading
Double Homicide Investigation Part of ‘Crazy Weekend’ for Pulaski County Sheriff’s Office
A double homicide, a stabbing, and a pursuit through a cornfield made for a busy weekend for the Pulaski County Sheriff’s Office.
School Safety Update Given to Eastern Pulaski School Board
Local school officials continue reevaluating their safety procedures, following last month’s school shooting in Florida. The Eastern Pulaski School Board got an update Monday from the corporation’s school safety specialists, Middle School Principal Ryan Dickinson and High School Principal Rick DeFries, along with Chris Schramm from the Pulaski County Sheriff’s Office.
Starke County Park Board to Get Updates on Grant Applications
The Starke County Park Board will get updates on some grant applications tonight. The park board has already been awarded $5,000 from the Starke County Community Foundation to help prevent and repair erosion at the Bass Lake Beach. Starke County is also seeking funding from Arrowhead Country Resource Conservation and Development and Kankakee Valley REMC’s Operation Round Up program.
Pulaski County Sheriff’s Office to Get Over $20,000 for Wrecked Pickup Truck
A wrecked police vehicle has led to an insurance payout of over $20,000 for Pulaski County. “The pickup truck that was involved in the accident – it’s probably been three or four months ago now – that thing was totaled,” Sheriff Jeff Richwine told the county commissioners last week. Continue reading
Pulaski County Council to Consider Security Plans, Funding for Snow Removal, Lawn Care
How to increase security in Pulaski Circuit Court and other county offices will continue to be discussed during tonight’s Pulaski County Council meeting. Judge Michael Shurn is expected to ask council members to appoint a representative to the county’s newly-reestablished security committee.
Eastern Pulaski School Board to Get Update on School Safety, Consider Suicide Prevention Policy
A school safety update is expected during this evening’s Eastern Pulaski School Board meeting. Board members are also expected to consider options for the awning at Winamac High School. Continue reading
Pulaski County Commissioners Approve Copier Lease
Pulaski County is hoping to save money on copier leases by switching to a new provider. The county commissioners Monday approved a five-year lease with Advanced Imaging Solutions for copiers for the sheriff’s office, extension office, and surveyor’s office.
Eastern Pulaski Schools to Host Rachel’s Challenge Tuesday
Rachel’s Challenge is coming to Eastern Pulaski Schools Tuesday. The program aims to reduce school bullying and violence, and encourage acts of kindness.
Pulaski County Officials Consider Upgrading Backup Power System at Justice Center
Recent power outages have revealed problems with the Pulaski County Justice Center’s battery backup system.
Pulaski Commissioners Approve Joint Prosecution Agreement for Opioid Litigation
Pulaski County continues to work with other government entities on a class action lawsuit against opioid manufacturers and distributors. Indianapolis law firm Cohen and Malad is leading the effort, on behalf of several counties and cities around the state.
