Upgrading the historic Pulaski County Courthouse could cost between $4.5 and $6 million. Residents and government leaders filled the Circuit Courtroom Tuesday to hear the preliminary findings of Rowland Design’s facilities study.
Continue readingUpdate on Pulaski County Courthouse Study to Be Presented Tonight
Pulaski County residents will get the chance to hear some updated recommendations for the future of the Courthouse and Justice Center tonight. A public presentation will take place at 6:00 p.m. EDT at the Courthouse.
Continue readingUpdate on Pulaski County Courthouse Study to Be Presented Aug. 13
An update on a possible Pulaski County Courthouse or Justice Center project will be given to the public in a couple of weeks. The presentation will take place Tuesday, August 13 at 6:00 p.m. EDT at the courthouse in the circuit courtroom. Residents are expected to hear from Rowland Design, Indiana Landmarks, and the courthouse taskforce.
Continue readingPulaski County Council Working to Budget Technology Costs, Following IT Department’s Elimination
After the Pulaski County Commissioners disbanded the county’s IT Department, the county council continues trying to figure out how to cover technology costs going forward.
Continue readingPulaski County Looking to Problem-Solving Courts to Cut Recidivism Rate
Pulaski County has fewer and fewer people, but the county’s courts and probation office are only getting busier. Chief Probation Officer Chris Allen told the county council Monday that the number of people on probation has gone up over the past three years.
Continue readingJudges Discuss Potential Cost-Saving Opportunities with Pulaski County Council
As the Pulaski County Council continues exploring potential budget cuts, the county’s judges and chief probation officer had the chance to share their cost-saving ideas Monday. Circuit Court Judge Mary Welker told council members that there’s $50,000 in the commissioners’ budget for detention of children that she doesn’t think will be needed.
Continue readingPulaski County Council to Explore Potential Budget Cuts with Courts, Probation Office Tonight
The Pulaski County Council will continue looking for ways to cut expenses tonight. For the past month, the council has been meeting with department heads for preliminary discussions on their 2020 budgets. The goal is to avoid a $2.7 million deficit that’s projected to develop over the coming years. Meeting with the council tonight will be the two courts and Probation Office, according to the Auditor’s Office.
Continue readingPulaski County Council Approves Funding to Continue Part-Time Maintenance Position
As the Pulaski County Maintenance Department prepares to take over lawn care at county properties, the county council has approved a funding measure that would allow the department to keep its new part-time employee.
Continue readingJudges Spar with County Attorney over Pulaski County Court Program Grants
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.
Continue readingRowland Design Gets to Work on Pulaski County Courthouse Study
A study on the possible preservation of the Pulaski County Courthouse has begun. Last week, representatives from architectural firm Rowland Design and Indiana Landmarks joined county officials for a tour and discussion of the building.
Continue readingPulaski County Commissioner Renews Calls to Move Circuit Court to Justice Center
If Pulaski County keeps its current courthouse, there’s a chance that it might not actually house any court facilities in the future.
Continue readingPulaski County Seeks $126,000 in Grants for Veterans Court, Potential Family Reunification Court
A new court program designed specifically to support families may soon be coming to Pulaski County. Pulaski Circuit Court is looking into what it would take to launch a family reunification court, according to Judge Mary Welker.
Continue readingNew Pulaski County Facilities Plan Proposes Demolishing Courthouse, Expanding Justice Center
Pulaski County’s 123-year-old courthouse would be torn down and replaced by a parking lot and memorial park, under the county’s latest facilities proposal. During Monday’s joint county council and commissioners meeting, Maintenance Director Jeff Johnston publicly unveiled a four-phase plan designed to address security, ADA compliance, and a number of other concerns with the county’s government buildings.
Pulaski County Commissioners Finalize Paperwork for CASA Grant
The Pulaski County Commissioners have signed off on funding arrangements for the county’s Court Appointed Special Advocates program. During last week’s meeting, it was explained that the county council has allocated $40,000 to the CASA program, and the state would provide more than $8,400 in grant funding.
Court Hearings Set for Two Pulaski County Murder Suspects
A man accused of killing his father and his father’s girlfriend at a home in Winamac in March will appear for a final Pre-Trial hearing in Pulaski Circuit Court on Tuesday, Jan. 29.
Pulaski County Courthouse Elevator Tentatively Scheduled to Be Ready for Monday, Despite Delays
Pulaski County officials are hopeful that the courthouse’s new elevator will be ready in time for Monday’s county commissioners meeting, in spite of a last-minute hiccup. Maintenance Director Jeff Johnston says a fire alarm issue means the elevator probably won’t be in service by tomorrow, as previously announced. But the contractor says it should still be ready for Monday, according to Johnston. He adds that crews are working diligently to get it done.
Suspect Charged in Medaryville Fatal House Fire
The man suspected of his involvement in a fatal house fire in Medaryville in the afternoon on Monday, Aug. 13 has been charged in the incident.
Pulaski Commissioners to Discuss Proposed Wind Turbine Ban, Coroner’s Fees Tonight
A potential ban on wind turbines will be considered by the Pulaski County Commissioners tonight. The county’s advisory plan commission recently recommended banning wind energy convergence systems, over concerns about the safety and welfare of the community, flicker issues, and local fire departments’ ability to provide fire protection to the structures.
Four Accused of Failure to Report Child Abuse Have Charges Dismissed, Due to ‘Administrative Problem’
Four defendants in a 2016 Pulaski County child abuse case have had their charges dismissed, due to what prosecutors are calling an administrative problem. On December 14, 2016, sheriff’s deputies reportedly found a three-year-old girl locked inside a plywood box in the living room of a home near Denham. Several adults in and around the home were taken into custody.
Pulaski County Council Approves Budget Transfer to Help Cover Circuit Court Overtime Costs
Overtime costs continue to add up for Pulaski Circuit Court. The Pulaski County Council voted Monday to transfer $5,000 into the court’s overtime budget from the law books line item, at the request of Judge Michael Shurn. “Last week, a two-day jury trial morphed into a four-day one,” he explained. “And I was working 16-hour days, and my staff was real close to that.”