The Pulaski County Council got a closer look earlier this month at proposed changes to the sheriff’s deputies’ retirement plan. Actuary Stan Brown with OneAmerica explained that the Pulaski County Sheriff’s Department is one of about a dozen in the state that still use a 20-year maximum service plan. “So what that means is only 20 years count for any deputy’s benefit,” he explained. “If you have someone work beyond 20 years, those years don’t count in determining the monthly retirement benefit.”
Pulaski County Sheriff’s Department Making Arrangements to Apply for Work Release Grant
The Pulaski County Sheriff’s Department is pursuing funding to launch a work release center. Sheriff Jeff Richwine told the county council this week that Natalie Federer, who serves as coordinator of the county’s Juvenile Detention Alternatives Initiative, is willing to help with grant applications.
Pulaski County Commissioners to Meet this Morning
The Pulaski County Commissioners will discuss a WorkOne/INDOT contract with Highway Superintendent Terry Ruff during this morning’s meeting. They’ll also discuss insurance policies with Gene Timm. EMS Director Bryan Corn and Sheriff Jeff Richwine will give their regular updates.
West Central School Board Finalizes Metal Detector Policy
New metal detectors have arrived at the West Central School Corporation. Last week, the school board finalized a policy update when it comes to how they’ll be used, according to Superintendent Don Street. “I think it’s important to note that the handheld metal detectors are designed for individual searches based on reasonable suspicion,” he says.
Pulaski Commissioners Amend Ordinance, to Pay for EMA Radio Equipment Move
The Pulaski County Commissioners have agreed to a funding arrangement for the relocation of the Emergency Management Agency’s radio equipment. The EMA is moving from the courthouse to the former Winamac Masonic Lodge. Moving the radio antennas is expected to cost $10,000.
Pulaski County Sheriff’s Deputy Recognized for Lifesaving Actions
A Pulaski County Sheriff’s deputy is being credited with saving the life of a Bass Lake man over the Labor Day weekend. Deputy Branson Eber was eating dinner at Poblanos in Winamac when it happened, according to Sheriff Jeff Richwine. “Some person in there starts choking, falls over, and he does the Heimlich maneuver and gets him recovered,” Richwine told the county commissioners Tuesday. “And so when I get to work this morning, I’ve got a message from a lady from Bass Lake saying, ‘Hey, I wanted to thank you for having such a good deputy. He just saved my husband’s life at Pablanos, and we’re forever grateful.’”
Pulaski County Commissioners to Revisit EMA Radio Equipment Move, Justice Center Fire Alarm
The Pulaski County Commissioners will continue discussing plans to move the Emergency Management Agency’s radio equipment to the former Winamac Masonic Lodge. Last month, Maintenance Supervisor Jeff Johnston suggested looking into whether the county’s DRMO funds could be used. That money comes from the sale of former military equipment owned by the county.
Person of Interest in Medaryville House Fire Detained in Louisiana
A person of interest in a fatal fire incident in Medaryville on Monday, Aug. 13 is being questioned in Louisiana.
Pulaski County Officials Working to Move Equipment into Former Masonic Lodge
Pulaski County crews continue preparing the former Winamac Masonic Lodge for use as a county morgue and office building. The county commissioners got an update Monday from Maintenance Supervisor Jeff Johnston.
Pulaski County Sheriff’s Department Looking to Buy New Body Cameras
The Pulaski County Sheriff’s Department may be stepping up its use of body cameras and upgrading its technology in the process. Sheriff Jeff Richwine told the county commissioners Monday that up until now, he’s left it up to his deputies to decide when to turn on their cameras, rather than requiring their use at all times.
Pulaski County Commissioners to Meet This Morning
The Pulaski County Commissioners will get updates from Sheriff Jeff Richwine and EMS Director Bryan Corn this morning. Highway Superintendent Terry Ruff is scheduled to discuss additional spending, while Charles Malinowski will talk about fuel tax reporting.
Pulaski County Council Approves Budget Transfers for Sheriff’s Department Overtime
Making up shortfalls in the Pulaski County Sheriff’s Department’s overtime budget was the goal of a couple budget transfers approved by the county council Monday.
More than $18,000 was moved from various line items, at the request of Sheriff Jeff Richwine. “These are all to cover overtime. Well, the part-time clerical’s not, but the other is overtime for deputies,” he explained. “And then one’s overtime for dispatchers.”
Pulaski County Maintenance Crews Working on Former Winamac Masonic Lodge
Work continues to turn the former Winamac Masonic Lodge into a county morgue and office building. Maintenance Supervisor Jeff Johnston told the Pulaski County Commissioners Monday that his department has completed quite a bit of work, but there’s still a lot more to go.
Pulaski County Sheriff Wants to Add Work Release Facility to Justice Center
The Pulaski County Justice Center may get a dedicated work release facility, under a proposal from Sheriff Jeff Richwine. He discussed the idea with the county commissioners last week.
Pulaski County Commissioners Approve Vehicle Purchase for Sheriff’s Department
The Pulaski County Sheriff’s Department is getting a new vehicle. The county commissioners voted Monday to let Sheriff Jeff Richwine buy a Dodge Durango from Braun.
Changes May Be Coming to Pulaski County Sheriff’s Deputies’ Retirement Plan
Pulaski County Sheriff Jeff Richwine is looking to overhaul deputies’ retirement plan. He told the county council last week the current system lets deputies retire after 20 years and offers little incentive for them to work beyond that. “Several of the last hires have all been under 25,” Richwine said, “so if we want to keep those folks, I guess, past 20 years – I just started looking at their retirement. It’s pretty poor. After 20 years, they keep paying into it, and it doesn’t go up for them.”
Speeding Drivers Continue to be Observed on Pulaski County Road 250 North
The Pulaski County Sheriff’s Department continues to keep an eye on County Road 250 North. Deputies have been monitoring traffic, after a complaint of speeding vehicles was brought to the county council and commissioners.
Pulaski County Commissioners to Get Updates from Coroner, Building Inspector, Sheriff
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 County Council Considers Part-Time Pay Issues
A part-time employee in the Pulaski County Maintenance Department will continue to make $15 an hour and won’t have to pay back a $2-per-hour raise. That was the consensus reached by the county council Monday, although no formal action was taken.
Pulaski Council Makes Funds Available to Pay Five Sheriff’s Department Staff Members
Making sure money is available to pay Pulaski County Sheriff’s Department employees was the goal of a couple budget items approved by the county council this month. To help balance the county’s General Fund budget, council members had previously moved several staff members’ salaries into other parts of the budget. But that’s led to some new issues.
