Pulaski County’s judges are worried that resistance from the auditor and county attorney is putting court programs in jeopardy.
In a lengthy and heated discussion during Monday’s county commissioners meeting, Circuit Court Judge Mary Welker said the county’s seen great success with its Juvenile Detention Alternatives Initiative, but when coordinator Dr. Natalie Daily Federer tried to renew its funding, Auditor Laura Wheeler prevented it.
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The Pulaski County Council finalized more than $70,000 in additional appropriations this week. A large chunk of that was pension and vehicle funding for the Sheriff’s Department, according to Auditor Laura Wheeler.
Continue readingBefore the Pulaski County Council finalized one request for additional funds for Superior Court Pauper Counsel, Judge Crystal Brucker Kocher was already asking for more money.
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The future of the Pulaski County Courthouse will be discussed during a special joint county council and commissioners meeting tonight. The meeting notice says officials will discuss options to address needed repairs to the courthouse, potential renovations to the existing buildings, the relocation of county offices, and the various plans to address the concerns with the courthouse.
Continue readingPulaski County’s new veterans court has gotten its official certification. That brings the number of problem-solving courts in Indiana up to 100 and the number of Indiana counties served by a problem-solving court to 50, according to an Indiana Supreme Court press release.
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The Pulaski County Commissioners will continue making arrangements for summer paving work tonight. Highway Superintendent Terry Ruff is expected to discuss the county’s Community Crossings projects.
Continue readingPulaski County is getting some new computer equipment from the state, as part of its switch in court software. Circuit Court Judge Mary Welker told the county commissioners last week that Superior Court Judge Crystal Brucker Kocher has been working hard on the transition to the Odyssey system, and Circuit Court will benefit, as well.
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Pulaski County’s pretrial release program is seeking funding for another year. During last week’s joint county council and commissioners meeting, the commissioners agreed to let program officials apply for a renewal of the program’s 1006 grant from the Indiana Department of Correction.
Continue readingJust a few weeks into 2019, Pulaski Superior Court has already used up its annual budget for examination of prisoners and witness fees. Judge Crystal Brucker Kocher told the county council and commissioners Monday that the two line items had a combined $3,000 budgeted for this year. That money is used to hire doctors for the process of determining whether defendants are competent to stand trial.
Continue readingThe Pulaski County Commissioners have decided to hold off on upgrades to the county’s email system, until office holders have a chance to learn more about the proposed changes. IT Director Matt Voltz told the commissioners last week that the new system would make it easier for the courts, jail, and prosecutor’s office to communicate when scheduling cases.
Continue readingPulaski County is moving ahead with funding requests for its new veterans court and jail treatment programs. Last week, the county commissioners agreed to let Dr. Natalie Daily-Federer and Superior Court Judge Crystal Brucker Kocher apply for a 1006 grant through the Indiana Department of Correction.
Continue readingThe Pulaski County Commissioners have approved a switch in court software. Last week, the commissioners approved a memorandum of understanding, allowing the county to switch from CSI to Odyssey.
Pulaski County’s General Election ended with some incumbents unseated in tight races. Democrat Linda Powers lost her District 3 County Council seat to Republican Brian Young by a margin of 56-to-44 percent. Winamac Town Council Member Dan Vanaman lost his at-large seat by just five votes, coming behind fellow Republican Alvin Parish and Democratic challenger Dave Schambers.
Pulaski Superior Court is seeking funding for security cameras, after a defendant apparently left a knife in the courtroom, within easy reach of jail inmates.
The Pulaski County Commissioners will meet tonight in the County Highway Garage. They had planned to move back to the courthouse, but an unexpected delay in the elevator project has led to a change in location.
Pulaski County may finally be switching its court software, to bring it in line with much of the rest of the state. Superior Court Judge Crystal Brucker Kocher, Prosecutor Dan Murphy, and Circuit Court Judge Candidate Mary Welker met with the county council and commissioners earlier this month, urging them to make the switch from CSI to Odyssey.
Pulaski County is gearing up for the launch of its new veterans court. The county recently got a grant for almost $45,000 for that purpose, according to Superior Court Judge Crystal Brucker Kocher. “There’s a push by the Supreme Court to help us establish these veterans courts to provide services to veterans in our communities who have criminal charges,” she told the county commissioners Monday, “and generally speaking, it’s things like substance use or maybe domestic violence, things like that.”
The Pulaski County Commissioners will get updates from several department heads this morning. Coroner John Behny is looking to wrap up the purchase of the former Winamac Masonic Lodge, so it can be converted into a morgue and office space. The county council and commissioners took action to approve the purchase last month, but the commissioners still have to authorize the actual $50,000 payment.
Pulaski Superior Court Judge Crystal Brucker Kocher is asking the county for another $40,000 for pauper counsel costs. She told the county council last week that the $20,000 budgeted for this year and an additional appropriation of $40,000 have already been used up.
A tight race for circuit court judge was one of the big attractions in Pulaski County’s Primary Election Tuesday. Mary Welker narrowly beat Tim Murray for the Republican Party nomination, with 50.6 percent of the vote over Murray’s 49.4 percent. That was a margin of just 22 votes.
