Several Eastern Pulaski school employees will be getting a raise. The school board approved a compensation plan Monday for employees not covered under the collective bargaining agreement.
All posts by Michael Gallenberger
Medaryville Town Council Votes to Buy Land for Future Water Tower
The Town of Medaryville is moving ahead with the purchase of land for a new water tower. The town council voted Wednesday to buy the property across the street from the town hall for a cost of $7,500, according to Clerk-Treasurer Judy Harwood.
Rolling Prairie Man Sentenced in U.S. District Court for January Crime Spree
A Rolling Prairie man was sentenced to 15 years in prison, following a series of armed robberies in LaPorte and St. Joseph Counties. Timothy Bennitt, 27, was sentenced in U.S. District Court in South Bend, for robbery and brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence, according to U.S. Attorney Thomas L. Kirsch II.
Pulaski Circuit Court Granted Permission to Spend Another $10,000 on Employee Overtime
The Pulaski County Council has finalized an additional appropriation for circuit court overtime costs. Judge Michael Shurn was given permission Monday to spend another $10,000 on employee overtime.
Arrest Policy Approved by Eastern Pulaski School Board
How the Eastern Pulaski School Corporation deals with the arrests of its employees is outlined in a new policy approved by the school board Monday. Superintendent Dan Foster said it seeks to answer some of the questions about what’s supposed to happen if a school employee gets arrested. “Every situation’s going to be different, so it’s still not 100-percent cover-all, but it gives some direction to whoever is here and trying to make those very quick decisions,” he told board members. “And that was difficult to do, and it’s not fun, as you well know.”
Three Charged with Trafficking, Following LaPorte County Jail Contraband Investigation
A two-month investigation into contraband at the LaPorte County Jail has resulted in three arrests. Police with the LaPorte County Sheriff’s Office say they first got information about possible contraband in September. A search of the cell block housing inmate workers reportedly turned up tobacco, marijuana, and a cell phone.
Oregon-Davis School Board May Consider Referendum to Address Financial Challenges
Coroner Pay Structure Debated During Pulaski County Council Meeting
Pulaski County Coroner’s staff say they aren’t getting paid what they’re owed by the county. Under the county’s pay structure, Coroner John Behny and Chief Deputy Jon Frain each receive an annual salary, plus additional money for each call they respond to. But how much they’re supposed to get per call was a topic of debate during Monday’s county council meeting.
Petition Supporting Former Basketball Coach Presented to Eastern Pulaski School Board
Community members continue to voice their support for Winamac High School’s former boys basketball coach. Kyle Johnson was removed from the coaching job in a controversial decision by the Eastern Pulaski School Board last month.
Pulaski County Council Creates Preliminary Economic Revitalization Area for Metal Fab Engineering
A Pulaski County manufacturer may soon be seeking a tax abatement. The county council approved a resolution Monday creating a preliminary economic revitalization area for Metal Fab Engineering.
Eastern Pulaski Teachers to See Slight Raise, As Part of Master Contract
The Eastern Pulaski School Board approved the corporation’s master contract with the Eastern Pulaski Teachers Association Monday. As part of the deal, teachers will get a slight pay increase, according to Superintendent Dan Foster. Continue reading
Two Knox Men Arrested in Plymouth, Following Report of Shoplifting
Pulaski County Sheriff Granted Permission to Sell Automatic Firearms to Starke County
Ten automatic firearms owned by the Pulaski County Sheriff’s Office will soon be sold to the Starke County Sheriff’s Office. Last week, the Pulaski County Commissioners authorized Sheriff Jeff Richwine to sell the ten MP5s.
Teacher Contracts, Arrest Policy to Be Considered by Eastern Pulaski School Board Tonight
The Eastern Pulaski School Board is expected to consider teacher contracts during tonight’s meeting. A compensation plan for employees not covered under the collective bargaining agreement will also be up for approval. Meanwhile, a policy requiring school employees to report all arrests and criminal charges to the superintendent will be considered on second reading.
Pulaski County Council to Consider Additional Appropriations for Circuit Court, IT Department
The Pulaski County Council will consider extra funding to cover overtime costs for Circuit Court staff tonight. Judge Michael Shurn is asking for permission to spend another $10,000 for employee overtime. Several cases have been transferred to Circuit Court from Superior Court, following Crystal Brucker Kocher’s appointment as Superior Court judge this past summer. There are many cases she’s not allowed to hear because she worked on them when she was chief deputy prosecutor.
West Central High School Recognized During Department of Education’s Dual Credit Ceremony
West Central High School was recently recognized for the success of its dual credit courses. It was one of 130 schools honored by State Superintendent of Public Instruction Dr. Jennifer McCormick last Monday, during a Dual Credit Ceremony at the Indiana Statehouse.
Courthouse Elevator Plans Presented to Pulaski County Commissioners
Plans for a new elevator at the Pulaski County Courthouse were presented to the county commissioners this week. Cameron Chambers with Keystone Architecture explained that it will be in the same general location as the current one, but it will be a little bigger.”On the first floor, you’ll enter it coming in off that main hallway, with one door, and when you go upstairs, you’ll have the same door right above it,” he explained. “We’ll actually end up creating a storage closet there, so when you come up the stairs from the ground to the main floor, you’ll now be forced to go left because right will be enclosed by this elevator.”
Similarly, the new elevator will block the hallway on the top floor of the courthouse. To provide access to rooms on either side, the elevator will have two doors on that level. Continue reading
SCEDF Continues Working with Railroad to Improve Hamlet Railroad Crossing
A rough railroad crossing in Hamlet continues to draw the attention of economic development officials. The town council has been complaining about the Chicago, Fort Wayne & Eastern’s Starke Street crossing for years. Last month, Starke County Economic Development Foundation Executive Director Charlie Weaver offered to speak to railroad officials, but the town didn’t get an immediate response.
This week, Weaver told council members that he’s still working with the railroad’s parent company, but he needs to get all the details straight. “I’m in communication with the Genesee & Wyoming railroad. They like to know exactly who you had conversation with, so we can pin it down, and I need to verify the absolute nature of the complaint. It’s a rough crossing right?” Continue reading
Knox School Board Accepts Over $1,300 in Donations for Student Lunch Accounts
Winamac Pool Committee Vows to Continue Fundraising, Exploring Ways to Build Pool
Winamac’s pool rebuilding effort is not over yet. That’s what Judy Heater and members of the Winamac Pool Committee told local residents during an informational meeting Thursday. Continue reading
