Three long-time employees at the Pulaski County Sheriff’s Department will be honored today in recognition of their retirement.
Detective David Walters and dispatchers Susie Hemphill and Connie Haschel are retiring after serving the Pulaski County community for many years.
The staff will be holding an appreciation gathering today from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. ET at the sheriff’s department in the training room. A baked potato bar will be featured and cake will be served.
U.S. Rep. Jackie Walorski will visit Pulaski, Starke, Marshall, St. Joseph and LaPorte Counties next week as part of a district-wide education tour. 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
Flash flood warnings are in effect this morning for parts of the WKVI listening area. The National Weather Service has issued warnings for Starke, Pulaski, Fulton and LaPorte Counties. Additional rain is expected until about 8 a.m. Central and could cause problems in low-lying areas. Excessive runoff from heavy rainfall may also lead to flooding of small creeks, streams, highways and overpasses. Should water start to rise, move to higher ground immediately.
The executive director of the Pulaski County Community Development Commission updated the county commissioners this week on plans to revamp the zoning ordinances.
Nathan Origer explained that the county council approved the transfer of funds from the CDC land acquisition account for the project and plans are progressing.
“Once I have the CDC’s formal approval and the plan commission’s formal recommendation to the commissioners, I will bring it to you. I will get a copy to you in advance as soon as we tweak any details. I sent a list of minor concerns to the company that has submitted the proposal. They don’t anticipate starting the project until mid-November and finishing in early spring. We are still negotiating with Francesville and Winamac to see if either of them want to adopt that same ordinance so that even though they’ll retain their same jurisdictions the rules will be the same across the county,” said Origer.
The Pulaski County Commissioners approved a quote for a new ambulance during their meeting on Monday night.
EMS officials announced last week that the ambulance damaged from a February fire and subsequently repaired did not pass state inspection so it was totaled by the insurance company.
During this week’s meeting, EMS Director Nikki Lowry presented the commissioners with four quotes for a new ambulance. They approved a quote from Arrow in the amount of $130,700. Since the insurance company totaled the truck, an $82,000 settlement will go toward the purchase of a new ambulance.
Learn what it’s like to live from paycheck to paycheck on a limited income during an upcoming poverty simulation hosted by Purdue Extension Pulaski County. An estimated 13-percent of the population there live at the poverty level. Statewide an estimated 1 in 5 children go hungry on a daily basis. Pulaski County Extension Director Natalie Federer says the program helps people understand the “complexities and frustrations” of living in poverty day to day.” She hopes raising awareness will help to more effectively address poverty issues in the community. The poverty simulation will take place Wednesday, Sept. 30 at 5 p.m. EDT at the Winamac Knights of Columbus. Continue reading
The Pulaski County commissioners and the county council met in joint session last night where one of the topics was the future of the county home.
In previous meetings this year, Maintenance Director Jeff Johnston presented the county boards with a preliminary structural condition assessment of the county home conducted by American Structurepoint, Inc. The repairs needed are extensive and are estimated between $500,000 to $1 million. With that, the government entities are wondering what should be done.
The West Central School Corporation is ready to welcome students back to school tomorrow.
Superintendent Don Street said several projects are finishing up before the school year starts.
The West Central School Board members approved the final reading of the firearms policy at their board meeting this week.
Superintendent Don Street explained in an earlier report that the policy includes language that doesn’t allow a firearm inside the school building. A firearm will not be allowed on school property unless it is inside a locked vehicle and out of sight of the public, as outlined in the state statute.
Doors will open to students next week at our area school corporations.
Oregon-Davis School Superintendent Greg Briles explained that some teachers have been training with Apple representatives to better understand how they can provide a more effective use of the technology that is available in the buildings. Briles said a back to school event is set for Monday.
“On Monday evening from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. CT, we are having what we are going to start calling a traditional cookout,” said Briles. “We’ll have hot dogs, hamburgers, chips, iced tea, lemonade, and water for everybody if they’d like to come out and join us. They can go through the buildings. If any of the children want to bring their supplies in prior to the start of school on Wednesday, this would give them an opportunity to meet their teacher and get their supplies in there so they’re not having to carry everything on the school buses the first day.”
The West Central School Board will meet tonight for their regular monthly meeting and to discuss how things around going before the start of school next week.
The board members will have the second reading of the firearms policy. Superintendent Don Street explained in an earlier report that the policy includes language that doesn’t allow a firearm inside the school building. A firearm will not be allowed on school property unless it is inside a locked vehicle and out of sight of the public, as outlined in the state statute.
The Pulaski County EMS staff members are looking for a new ambulance as the refurbished ambulance can not be certified.
The ambulance was damaged in a fire at Wagner Performance Diesel Repair near Star City on Feb. 7. In the last meeting of the Pulaski County Commissioners, it was reported by the county’s insurance agency that Wagner’s insurance company has accepted responsibility for the fire.
Indiana students overall showed improvement on their ISTEP scores in both math and language arts. Scores released yesterday by the Indiana Department of Education indicate 80.7 percent of students passed English, compared to 79.5 percent in 2013. Math scores went up from 83 to 83.5 percent statewide. Continue reading
Since 1980 grain bins across the U.S have been responsible for more than 180 deaths and 675 injuries. Just last year, a Hoosier farmer in La Porte county was killed in a grain bin accident. This month a 9-year-old Wisconsin boy was killed after falling into a grain bin. With harvest time approaching the Indiana Department of Labor wants to remind everyone of the hazardous nature of working with grain bins and offer some tips to assure safety.
Unfortunately those struggling financially can be the most vulnerable to scams. The federal government as well as Indiana general attorney,Greg Zoeller, took action against schemers who have taken more than $14,000 from unsuspecting homeowners. On Thursday, Zoeller filed lawsuits against seven companies running fraudulent mortgage rescue or relief schemes.
A Winamac Eagle Scout candidate is taking community service to the extreme. The 18-year-old Eastern Pulaski School Senior said he was inspired to build a skate park for the community as his Eagle Scout project.
Clark Gudas of Boy Scout Troop 229 said the idea first developed a few years back.
The Pulaski County commissioners and county council will meet in a public joint session tonight to discuss the airport operations a little further.
When the Pulaski County council members met last week, several questions were brought up concerning a part-time or full-time position for the airport manager and other issues such as fuel.
Are your children up to date on their immunizations? Before school starts, you must be sure they are. Continue reading
The West Central School Corporation will be opening doors to students soon.
Students can register for classes on Monday, Aug. 4 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. or Tuesday, Aug. 5 from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. ET. Textbook rental fees will be due. A $15 technology fee will be added for students receiving a technical device. The rental fee for sixth through twelfth grade will be based on courses taken and will be calculated at the time of registration.
The West Central School Board approved the hire of a new high school assistant principal who will also claim the position of athletic director.
Superintendent Don Street said the new employee is returning to the corporation as a former student.
