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.”
Winamac Town Council Discusses Inconsistencies in Proposed Employee Handbook
The Winamac Town Council members postponed the first reading of their employee handbook ordinance due to some inconsistencies with grievance procedures.
According to Clerk-Treasurer Melanie Berger, the town pays the Indianapolis-based company New Focus a $125 annual maintenance fee to update the employee handbook as laws change. While reviewing the document prior to Monday’s meeting, Councilman Dan Vanaman brought some conflicting information to Berger’s attention. Continue reading
Knox City Council Approves Pacific Avenue Rezoning Request
Four plots on West Pacific Avenue in Knox were rezoned from residential to commercial at Tuesday night’s City Council meeting.
The owner of Royal Star Builders Timothy Miller came before the Planning Commission in February with a request to rezone a property he purchased at 409 West Pacific Avenue. Miller plans to build a structure there that would serve a dual purpose. Continue reading
Pulaski Memorial Hospital Provides Tips for Patient Safety Week
In recognition of Patient Safety Awareness Week which runs from March 11th through the 17th this year, Pulaski Memorial Hospital has issued a few tips to keep patients safe and to help them take an active role in their healthcare.
One tip they provide is to keep your hands clean. In order to effectively prevent the spread of infection, hand hygiene is imperative. Make sure you wash your hands regularly and that your providers are cleaning their hands before performing any procedures. Continue reading
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.
Amended Curfew Ordinance Approved by Knox City Council
An ordinance that remained unchanged for nearly 30 years was amended during last night’s Knox City Council meeting.
The Ordinance Establishing a Curfew for the City of Knox was initially adopted in 1989. Mayor Dennis Estok said he felt an update was necessary as the wording in the original ordinance wasn’t particularly clear. Continue reading
Winamac High School Students to Hold Memorial Service and School Safety Advocacy Event Today
Students and staff at Eastern Pulaski Community Schools have been engaging in discussions about student safety ever since February’s school shooting sparked some concerns within the community.
While school officials are working diligently to address safety, students are also getting involved. For instance, students with the Winamac High School Presidential Council have organized for an assembly to be held today, in memory of students lost in the Parkland, Florida shooting. Continue reading
Culver Town Council Considers Annexation, Rezoning of Proposed PUD Project
An hour-and-a-half of Tuesday’s Culver Town Council meeting was centered around the annexation and rezoning of 17664 State Road 17 and 19456 State Road 10. The annexation simply places the five contiguous parcels totaling 71 acres into the town’s limits. Utilities would be available for connection at the expense of the developer. After hearing questions concerning connectivity of utilities during a public hearing on annexation, the board unanimously voted in favor of the second reading of the ordinance allowing the process to continue. A resolution was also unanimously approved to accept the fiscal plan as part of the process.
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.
Winamac Fireworks Display Donations Must Be Made at Clerk-Treasurer’s Office After Donation Collector Resigns
Winamac Town Council members were alerted of a major change that will be taking place with the collection of fireworks display donations when they met Monday night.
Clerk-Treasurer Melanie Berger provided members with a letter from Scott Roudebush where he announced that he will no longer be soliciting donations for the town’s fireworks display. Continue reading
Looking for More Ways to Help Out Local Kids? Attend Starke County CASA’s Training Course This Spring
There is still time to register for the spring session of Starke County CASA training for anyone interested in being the voice for a local child in need.
A “CASA” or a Court Appointed Special Advocate works with local children who have had abuse or neglect reported to the authorities. Starke County CASA Director Rhonda Adcock has been a CASA volunteer for 10 years and has served as Starke County’s director for 8 years.
Adcock reported that since becoming the director, she’s seen the number of cases in the county triple. While they have seen in increase in the amount of volunteers over the last few years, Adcock said this next class will be very important in helping eliminate the CASA waiting list in Starke County. Continue reading
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
One Arrested in Stabbing Incident in Pulaski County
One man was arrested in an alleged stabbing incident that occurred at a Winamac home on Sunday evening.
According to Pulaski County Sheriff Jeff Richwine, Robert Rowe reportedly stabbed the male victim while the victim was laying down in a bedroom at a home in the 2500 block of N. 175 E. The pair was allegedly arguing prior to the incident. Police say the victim was stabbed with a kitchen knife and sustained lacerations to his chest and left side. He was taken to the hospital and later airlifted to another facility. The depth of the cuts is not known.
One Arrested after Vehicle Pursuit in Pulaski County
A Westville, Indiana man was arrested late Sunday night after leading Pulaski County sheriff’s deputies on a pursuit that ended in Fulton County.
Pulaski County Sheriff Jeff Richwine told WKVI News that 32-year-old Johnny Mullens was on a resident’s property when shots were heard. As Pulaski County officers responded, they found Mullens driving in the vehicle that was described as the one being at the residence on 400 East in Winamac.
Police Arrest Juveniles for Vandalism
The Knox City Police Department arrested five juveniles for their alleged involvement in a rash of vandalism on Saturday, Feb. 24.
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.
Knox Board of Works Members Approve Bid for Pearl Street Blight Elimination
The blighted structure at 202 N Pearl Street in Knox is one step closer to being eliminated. Knox Board of Works members approved a demolition bid from Jackson Trucking and Excavating when they met in special session Monday morning.
Initially, members opened bids in February, but due to some confusion over bid specifications, members voted to re-bid for the project with requirements more clearly specified. This time only one bid was received from Harvey Jackson with Jackson Trucking and Excavating for a total of $10,000 for demolition and asbestos testing. Continue reading
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.
Winamac Town Council Approves Firefighter Recommendations
The Winamac Volunteer Fire Department is now two members stronger after town council members approved recommendations submitted by Fire Chief Bill Weaver at their meeting Monday night.
Weaver explained that officials with the Fire Department have recently been interviewing prospective applicants. He said the two individuals they found who seemed like they’d be a good fit were Brittany Rotering and Blake Sowder. Continue reading
