The Pulaski County Commissioners learned from the director of the recycling and transfer station that he hopes to retire at the end of the year.
Ed Clark told the commissioners that he will be retiring Dec. 31 and asked them to advertise for the opening. He said he’d stay on as long as the new person would need to be trained. They approved the request.
The 49th Annual Francesville Fall Festival is this weekend. Festivities get under way this afternoon with the American Legion Fish Dinner starting at 4:30 p.m. EDT and ending at 8 p.m. Continue reading
The new generator for the Pulaski County Health Department was to be delivered this week.
Maintenance Director Jeff Johnston told the commissioners Monday night that it will be stored until a company can properly install it. The Pulaski County council members approved the money for the generator at their meeting last week.
The commissioners previously approved the purchase of a similar self-starting generator for the county home in the amount of $3,500, but the council members did not bring the purchase request to a motion last week. Commissioner Terry Young expressed his frustration in that lack of action by the council.
September is hunger action month. It’s a time to help fellow community members who are hungry.
One in five children go hungry everyday and more older adults are utilizing food pantries for their needs. Volunteers at area food pantries are doing what they can to assist families in times of need and the best way you can help is to donate.
Both food pantries in Starke County and in Pulaski County are in need of canned soups, canned fruits and vegetables, boxed cereals, pancake mixes, syrup, peanut butter and jelly, macaroni and cheese, and pasta and sauces. Other items needed include toilet paper, shampoo, toothpaste, diapers, feminine products, dish soap, laundry soap, and body soap.
The Pulaski County council members held a public hearing for comments on the 2015 budget.
The council members worked in budget sessions in July to cut over $2 million in the budget for next year. The county is asking for a 2.7 percent increase over last year.
The Pulaski County Council has had several questions concerning the operations at the county’s airport, Arens Field, and manager Bud Widner was at the council’s Monday meeting to answer questions by the council members.
At the last meeting, the council members voiced concerns about the payment for fuel. There was a dispute over how much money the county should be receiving for the fuel that has been used and how much was in the fuel tank when the full-time employment began. That part has been ironed out and accounted for but the method of payment for fuel by customers was discussed briefly.
The Eastern Pulaski School Board members are looking to dive into a large-scale project soon. Gibraltar, a design and architectural engineering firm, talked to the school board Monday evening about the project that is anticipated in the next year.
Superintendent Dan Foster explained some of the things that are expected to be part of the project.
The Pulaski County Council discussed a salary ordinance change request with the sheriff’s matron, Carrie Avery, Monday night.
The situation is unique in that a dispatcher and his wife work at the department and officials want to move one into the chief dispatcher role. That would create a nepotism law violation. To get around that, Avery went before the county council to request that they approve the creation of co-assistant chief deputy positions and put the pair into those roles.
The ADM, or Average Daily Membership, count for all schools in Indiana is Friday, Sept. 12 and administrators are urging all students to be in school on that day.
It’s imperative that students show up for school as an official enrollment will be taken which will be given to the state. It’s that enrollment count that will determine how much money the state will give each school per student for operating costs.
The Pulaski County Council approved an additional appropriation for the EMS for the purchase of an ambulance and new cardiac monitors.
EMS Director Nikki Lowry requested $88,000 in an additional appropriation in order to pay for the new ambulance. The insurance company will be paying $82,000 to the county after totaling the ambulance that was damaged in a fire on Feb. 7 at Wagner’s Towing. The cost of a new ambulance is approximately $150,000.
The West Central School Board held the hearing for the 2015 budget during their recent meeting.
The board opened the floor for comments on the budget, capital projects plan, transportation plan and bus replacement plan. Superintendent Don Street went over the line items and said there are no significant changes in the budget for 2015.
The 49th Annual Francesville Fall Festival is back next weekend. Festivities get under way Friday, Sept. 19 with the American Legion Fish Dinner starting at 4:30 p.m. EDT and ending at 8. The Master Cracker Jack and Miss Candy Korn pageant starts at 6:30. Later learn to dance with the Tri County Kickers at 7. Continue reading
West Central School Superintendent Don Street and administrators shared information with the school board members about the new academic standards.
Street said a new I-STEP+ test will be administered in the spring based on the new academic standards.
The West Central School Board heard from the building principals concerning the school improvement plans for the elementary, middle and high schools.
Superintendent Don Street explained that this is all required as part of Public Law 221 as a way to gauge needs of the students and how to improve those areas.
Officials at the Pulaski County Health Department are warning residents that they are not soliciting donations for cancer research awareness.
Administrator Terri Hansen told WKVI News that some residents have gotten calls from scammers who are announcing that they are from the health department and looking for donations when the department is not making these calls. Hansen said they would not call anyone for such a cause.
Pulaski County Maintenance Director Jeff Johnston told the commissioners this week that repairs to the roof on the justice center will begin this weekend.
Commission President Larry Brady told WKVI News that the long-awaited repairs will begin this weekend and will be done by Monday. The slate tiles on top of the courthouse that were damaged in last year’s hail storm will be replaced next weekend so the courthouse will be cordoned off for those repairs to be done.
The West Central School Board will meet tonight with several items of discussion on the agenda.
The public hearing concerning the 2015 budget, capital projects plan and the bus replacement plan will be held during the meeting that begins at 7:30 p.m. ET. The board members will also discuss P.L. 221 and the A-F grading system that the state gives every school corporation.
U.S. Rep. Jackie Walorski’s education tour will make several stops in the area today and tomorrow. She wants to hear from education officials, community leaders and students about ways to improve opportunities and prepare students for a globally competitive workforce. Continue reading
The 29 students enrolled at Starke County’s newest school are thriving in the non-traditional learning environment. The Crossing alternative school opened recently and offers a second chance to students who have been expelled from or dropped out of public schools. Principal Quentin Bishop says the school is an extension of the students’ sending schools.
“This is like a classroom just down the road from their sending school. We have that type of relationship, that type of partnership to say we’re not only just The Crossing Education Center working as an independent school. We’re actually in partnership with our public schools,” Bishop said. Continue reading
