Eastern Pulaski is the latest school corporation to agree to take part in the Cheryl Lyn Welter Family Charitable Foundation. Its goal is to help underprivileged students with the cost of field trips, school supplies, and other minor expenses that may otherwise be out of their families’ reach. On Monday, the school board agreed to allow Eastern Pulaski’s three principals to work with the foundation to help direct grant money to students in need.
Winter Weather Preparedness Week Vehicle Tips
Today is the final day of Winter Weather Preparedness Week.
Readiness extends beyond being safe in your own home so the Indiana Department of Homeland Security has a few helpful vehicle tips to keep in mind as road conditions become more dangerous with incoming inclement weather.
First, be sure to have your vehicles looked over by a mechanic before the cold weather hits. The mechanic should check the brakes, heater, defroster, tires, windshield wipers and any other parts they may be susceptible to issues in the winter-time. You may also take this time to review your car insurance coverage or even compare bear river insurance products to get the best deal for you. Continue reading
Semi Trailer Rolls onto Unoccupied Truck
A semi trailer containing grain rolled onto an unoccupied service truck Thursday afternoon.
According to the Starke County Sheriff’s Department, a semi driver pulled over to the side of the road with mechanical issues at the intersection of State Road 8 and State Road 39 around 4 p.m. CT. Police say the driver attempted to unhook the semi from the trailer to reconnect with a different semi when the trailer became unstable and rolled over. The trailer rolled onto a pickup truck parked near the rear of the trailer. The pickup truck was owned by the repair company that was at the scene to assist the semi driver with the mechanical issues. No one was inside the pickup truck at the time of the incident and no other injuries were reported.
Pulaski Circuit Court to Make CASA Program Full-Time
City of Knox Blight Elimination Program Resumed
When the Knox City Council met earlier this week, Mayor Dennis Estok alerted members that the blight elimination program is back on track.
He said he recently completed the appropriate paperwork to resume the program. Two houses were included in the approved structures in the last grant that was received by the city.
Mayor Estok said contractors first started working on an eyesore at 420 Maple Street. According to the mayor, the structure previously had a fire and had been up for about a year and half. Continue reading
Pay Raises Included in Eastern Pulaski Employee Compensation Plan
Starke County Emergency Planning Committee Kick-Off Meeting Scheduled for January
Starke County Emergency Management Agency Director J. Nier {Nigh-er} officially assumed her position back in early October. Currently, she’s working on organizing a meeting for the Starke County Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC) for January of next year.
Director Nier stated the responsibilities of the EMA include promoting preparedness and acting a logistical support for first responders. The LEPC specifically deals with tracking where hazardous materials are within the community and coming up with plans to take action on potential spills if they occur. Continue reading
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.
Winamac Town Council Holds First Reading Over Water Rate Adjustment Ordinance
The Winamac Town Council held the first reading over a proposed Water Rate Adjustment Ordinance when they met Monday night. Town Attorney Justin Schramm mentioned that Eric Walsh with Umbaugh and Associates put the ordinance together.
The proposed changes are being considered to help cover costs of the Town’s water project which is anticipated to cost approximately $1.5 million. Some additional funds for the project will come from a grant recently received from the Office of Community and Rural Affairs.
A public hearing is scheduled for December 11th, prior to the regularly scheduled meeting. During the regular meeting, members will hold the adoption proceedings over the ordinance. Continue reading
Culver Town Council to Address Semi Truck Parking
Culver Town Council members will soon tackle an issue surrounding semi truck parking in residential areas.
A citizen brought forth issues during the council’s regular meeting on Tuesday night stating that it’s difficult to maneuver around the semis parked in residential areas. He’s fearful for the safety of the residents and children, in addition to it being an eyesore. Some trucks are parking on narrow streets like Ohio Street and Mill Street. Continue reading
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.
La Porte Emergency Responders Investigate Fatal Crash
A single vehicle crash claimed the life of a 20-year-old man Wednesday afternoon.
La Porte County police say a car driven by Cody Strauch was traveling west on U.S. 20 and went off the north side of the road and stuck a tree in the 7400 E. block of U.S. 20 near New Prairie High School. After the impact, the vehicle spun off into the yard for approximately 30 feet, according to the report. Continue reading
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.”
Culver Community Schools’ Band Program Receives Generous Monetary Donation
The Culver Community Schools’ Band program will receive four years of financial assistance thanks to a generous donation from a local family who wishes to remain anonymous. The family agreed to provide $10,000 to the band this year and an additional $5,000 annually for the next three years.
Culver Community School Band Director Jason Crittendon explained that the money will be utilized for various things that will assist the students significantly such as instrument repairs that have been needed for some time but funds haven’t been available until now and new instruments that the school doesn’t currently own. Continue reading
Winamac Town Council Establishes Community Crossings Grant Fund
Winamac Town Council members established an account for Community Crossings Grant funds when they met earlier this week.
Town Attorney Justin Schramm mentioned that the account would hold the $90,000 awarded through the grant as well as the $30,000 of match money. Providing match money was a stipulation of receiving the grant and the amount would be transferred from the transportation fund. Continue reading
Relocation of Culver and Lake Maxinkuckee Visitor’s Center Discussed
The Culver Town Council members revisited a request this week from Becca Pazin with the Culver and Lake Maxinkuckee Visitor’s Center to move her office from the bank building downtown to the Culver Beach Lodge.
She explained that the change in location would create better visibility of the office for tourists. Her office would be located on the third floor of the beach lodge. The move also allows more space for her especially in terms of meeting space. She could have more private conversations with visitors to the visitor’s center or clients to discuss business. There would be more space to display brochures available to attractions in Culver and Marshall County. Continue reading
2018 Holiday and Meeting Schedules Unanimously Approved by Knox City Council
Knox City Council members unanimously approved all proposed 2018 schedules when then met Tuesday evening.
Mayor Dennis Estok said the schedules are essentially the same except for a couple of adjustments. For instance, on the proposed holiday schedule, rather than having Christmas and the day after Christmas off, in 2018 city employees will get Christmas Eve and Christmas Day off and return to work on December 26th. Continue reading
Winamac-based Business Welcomes New CEO
BraunAbility CEO Nick Gutwein has announced his retirement and revealed that his successor will be Staci Kroon, the former Executive Vice President of Eaton Business Systems.
Gutwein, who has led BraunAbility since 2008, recently alerted the company’s Board of Directors of his plans to retire. The Board selected Staci Kroon to fill his position. According to a BraunAbility media advisory released earlier this week, Kroon will officially assume the role of President and CEO of the Winamac-based business on Nov. 27th. Additionally, Kroon will serve as a director. Continue reading
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.
