A special judge in Marshall County has ruled in favor of Pulaski County officials in the case of an employee terminated in 2013. Continue reading
Pulaski County Hopes to Convince Winamac to Keep Paying for Dispatch
Pulaski County is working to convince the Town of Winamac to continue paying for emergency dispatch services. Continue reading
Pulaski County Attorney Responds to Lawsuits
A couple lawsuits against Pulaski County were briefly addressed by the county attorney, during Tuesday’s commissioners’ meeting. One of them is a federal class action lawsuit alleging a lack of accessibility in the county courthouse for people with disabilities and mobility issues. Continue reading
Pulaski County Officials Thank Constituents, County Employees, Before Leaving Office
Last week’s Pulaski County Commissioners meeting was the final one for several elected officials. The terms of commissioners Terry Young and Larry Brady and Auditor Shelia Garling all expire at the end of the week. Continue reading
Pulaski Council Agrees to Fund Courthouse Restroom Repairs
The Pulaski County Council has agreed to begin essential updates to the courthouse in an effort to comply with the federal Americans with Disabilities Act. Maintenance supervisor Jeff Johnston says at a minimum the entry doors to the restrooms in the basement need to be widened and wheelchair accessible stalls need to be added. Those are among the numerous, costly repairs the courthouse will require to address both ADA and structural issues. Continue reading
Pulaski ATV Ordinance Nearly Ready for Vote
Pulaski County’s proposed ATV ordinance is not yet ready for a vote.
The ordinance is designed to allow off-road vehicles on county roadways, largely for the purpose of agriculture. Licensing would be required for the ATV’s through the Bureau of Motor Vehicles under the current ordinance language.
Former Sportsman’s Demolition Remains at Standstill
Little progress has been seen on the expected demolition of the former Sportsman’s Bar and Grill in Monterey.
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Pulaski County Officials Increase Fine Against Sportsman’s Owner
The Pulaski County Commissioners have agreed to apply more pressure to the owner of a building that collapsed earlier this year in Monterey. A special meeting on Thursday allowed the commissioners to discuss potential solutions for the site of the former Sportsman’s Bar and Grill. The building collapsed in April, leaving debris and asbestos behind. Continue reading
Pulaski County Commissioners Still Waiting for Ambulance Answers
An inspection of the Pulaski County EMS truck damaged in a Feb. 7 fire near Star City found numerous electrical problems with the rig. The county’s insurance claim for damage to the vehicle isn’t finalized yet. EMS Director Nikki Lowry says the $4,000 reimbursement for the contents is nowhere near adequate to cover the losses, as the 800 MHz radio alone will cost $4,300 to replace. Lowry has since done a complete inventory of supplies that were on the truck that are no longer usable and told the county commissioners she is tallying that now. The ambulance was parked at Wagner Performance Diesel Repair near Star City on Feb. 7 when another vehicle in the shop caught fire. Lowry said the county’s agent with Francesville-based Novotony Insurance told her to proceed with getting the truck fixed and they would deal with the building owner’s insurance company after the repairs were made. County attorney Kevin Tankersley says she needs to continue forwarding information to the agent as it becomes available and hold him accountable for resolving the matter. Continue reading
Former County Home Superintendent Sues Pulaski County Officials
The former superintendent of Pleasant View Rest Home in Pulaski County is suing the commissioners, auditor and county attorney for defamation, slander, libel and invasion of privacy. Sandra Hurd’s lawsuit stems from the circumstances that led to her suspension with pay and subsequent termination last August. Her lawsuit claims she found a possible clerical error in reports filed with a state agency last July, notified them and asked how to fix it. Hurd contends the commissioners convened an executive session July 29th and accused her of committing Medicaid fraud. She filed the necessary paperwork the following day to correct the error, according to the suit, and the county was notified in writing on Aug. 22 that no fraud was committed. The commissioners fired Hurd during an emergency public meeting on Aug. 27th.
“She can be fired for screwing up these reports, which she admits she did, and she resulted in the county paying a fine,” county attorney Kevin Tankersley tells WKVI news. “These are all hard facts that nobody can dispute. The wrongful discharge has got no chance of winning, no chance. The defamation is equally bad, because it doesn’t say anything we said.” Continue reading
