A local vocational training cooperative’s efforts to get state grant funding have come up short.
Winamac High School Science Students to Visit Nuclear Plant, Fermi National Accelerator
Some Winamac High School students will soon get some firsthand science lessons with a pair of upcoming field trips. Chemistry II and Environmental Science students will be visiting the Cook Nuclear Plant in Stevensville, Michigan.
Pulaski Council, Commissioners, Sheriff Discuss Moving Circuit Court to Justice Center
Eastern Pulaski School Board Approves Policy Updates
The Eastern Pulaski School Board approved amendments to a couple school policies this week. Superintendent Dan Foster says the policy regarding the use of seclusion and restraints got a minor update. “What that was is mostly for special education students, who sometimes pose a threat to themselves and/or others, if they become violent,” he explains. Continue reading
Wind Turbine Proposals Draw Concerns from Pulaski County Residents
The potential construction of wind turbines in Pulaski County is drawing concerns from area residents. In the past several months, a number of filings have been made with the Federal Aviation Administration for possible wind turbines in the Francesville and Star City areas. A complaint about the proposal was brought to the Pulaski County Commissioners last week.
Pulaski County Highway Department Gets Approval to Buy Used Tractor
The Pulaski County Commissioners have approved the purchase of a used tractor for the County Highway Department. During Monday’s joint session with the county council, the commissioners voted to let Highway Superintendent Terry Ruff buy the tractor from GreenMark Equipment for $34,750, after trade-in.
Pulaski Superior Court Faces Budget Shortfall for Pauper Counsel, Following Uptick in Cases
An increasing number of court cases in Pulaski County has led to some challenges when it comes to providing legal representation for those who can’t afford it. Superior Court Judge Crystal Brucker Kocher told the county council and commissioners Monday that the number of criminal filings increased from 715 in 2015 to 1,295 in 2017. During that same period, the number of felony and misdemeanor cases rose from 351 to 672.
Eastern Pulaski School Board Approves Bus Purchases
The Eastern Pulaski Community School Corporation is getting a couple new school buses. The school board voted Monday to buy the two buses through Midwest Transit. “We had approval for a 78-passenger bus and then a 48-passenger bus,” explains Superintendent Dan Foster, “and that replaces one of our smaller buses that we use right now. It goes daily to Logansport. Actually, surprisingly, the prices weren’t much different for a 48-passenger to a 78-passenger.”
Pulaski County Commissioners Meet New CEO of Four County Counseling Center
Local community mental health centers have seen changes in leadership in the past few months. Last month, Four County Counseling Center officially named Carrie Cadwell as its new CEO. The non-profit group serves Pulaski, Fulton, Cass, and Miami counties, with its corporate office and inpatient unit in Logansport.
Pulaski Council Considers Raises for Sheriff’s Office, CDC, As Salary Matrix Confusion Continues
Employees in the Pulaski County Sheriff’s Office and Community Development Commission may soon be getting raises, as the county council tries to resolve issues with the county’s salary matrix. One problem has to do with Sheriff Jeff Richwine’s salary. He told council members Monday that state statute requires his salary to be at least half that of the county prosecutor, but it’s now below that threshold since the prosecutor got a raise last year.
Pulaski County Commissioners Seeking Members for Community Corrections Advisory Board
Cass-Pulaski Community Corrections needs some Pulaski County residents to serve on its advisory board. Pulaski Circuit Court Judge Michael Shurn told the county commissioners last week there are several openings to be filled, in order to reach equal representation from both counties.
Oregon-Davis Schedules Snow Makeup Days
Pulaski Memorial Hospital Group Opens Doctor’s Office in North Judson
North Judson residents have a new health care option. Pulaski Memorial Hospital Medical and Surgical Group has opened a new physician office at 414 Lane Street. The move marks the return of Dr. Curtis Bejes to North Judson as the facility’s medical director. He’ll be joined by nurse practitioners Beth Ruff and Chantel Anderson. According to a press release, the office will initially focus on family medicine, offering medical care to patients of all ages.
Pulaski County EMS Considers Paying for Paramedic Training for Current Department Employees
Pulaski County officials are looking at ways to boost the number of paramedics at the county’s EMS department. During Monday’s joint county council and commissioners meeting, council member Mike Tiede said he felt it’s ridiculous that there aren’t certified paramedics staffing both sides of the county at all times. “Well, I think that if you don’t have paramedic service in Pulaski County, you might as well just throw Pulaski County to the wolves,” he said.
Hamlet Budget Approved with Only One Cut
The Town of Hamlet’s 2018 budget has finally been approved by the Department of Local Government Finance. Clerk-Treasurer Kristina Pitts told the town council last week that the town got most of what it requested. “The only one that they cut us was Park, which was by $1,045,” she explained. Continue reading
Pulaski County Launches Government Facebook Page
Pulaski County residents can now keep up with county government on Facebook. Last week, the county commissioners agreed to let Community Development Commission Executive Director Nathan Origer set up a Pulaski County Government Facebook page. “That way, agendas, everything can be shared as soon as they go live on the website, that sort of thing,” Origer explained. “It’s just another way, for no cost other than the two minutes it might take to post something on there, to be more transparent and to communicate with the public better.”
Races Set for May Primary
The races are set for May’s primary elections. In Starke County, one hotly-contested office is county clerk. Current auditor Kay Chaffins is challenging incumbent Vicki Cooley for the Democratic party nomination. The winner would presumably face Republican Bernadette Welter-Manuel in November’s general election.
Pulaski County Commissioner Calls for Moving Circuit Court to Justice Center
A Pulaski County commissioner is calling for Circuit Court to be moved out of the County Courthouse. During last week’s meeting, Commissioner Mike McClure said he wants move forward with a proposal to consolidate the county’s court system at the Pulaski County Justice Center. Continue reading