Winamac Town Council Agrees to Attend Joint Meeting With Umbaugh and Other Local Officials

Posted on Author Jacque Ryan

Officials in the town of Winamac agreed to attend a joint meeting with Umbaugh and other local officials to discuss issues with the local income tax (LIT).

When town council members met in a special session on Monday, Clerk-Treasurer Melanie Berger informed them that Pulaski County Public Library representatives recently met with Umbaugh Executive Partner Todd Samuelson to discuss the problem.

Berger said they expressed an interest in holding a meeting where town and county officials, as well as any other agencies impacted by LIT levy freeze, could receive additional information from Umbaugh. Continue reading →

Winamac Town Council Asked to Consider Amending Golf Cart Ordinance

Posted on Author Jacque Ryan

A Winamac resident came before the Town Council Monday night, to request an amendment to the Town’s golf cart ordinance.

Tony Calabrese mentioned that Pulaski County’s ordinance allows utility vehicles on the roads for business use. He asked the council members if they would consider making a change to the Town’s existing ordinance to allow for the use of UTVs. Continue reading →

Missing Father and Son Found Alive, According to Pulaski County Sheriff

Posted on Author Jacque Ryan

Shortly after 12:30 a.m. EST on Saturday, Pulaski County Sheriff Jeff Richwine shared that both Spencer Allen and his 2-year-old son were found alive.

At the time of his post, they were being checked over by Pulaski County EMS. Sheriff Richwine expressed his gratitude to the Jasper County Sheriff’s Office for the use of their drone and thanked everyone who assisted in the search. Continue reading →

Starke and Pulaski County Unemployment Statistics From May

Posted on Author Jacque Ryan

The most recent Indiana Department of Workforce Development unemployment report reveals a growing labor forces in Starke and Pulaski counties and fairly consistent unemployment rates.

From April to May, the labor force in Pulaski gained 338 additional workers and 321 more people were described as employed. Conversely, there were 19 more people determined to be unemployed and the rate rose slightly from 2.9 to 3.0 percent.

Starke County’s rate remains higher than that of their neighbors to the south and west. However, the county did see a slight decrease from April to May, going from 3.9 to 3.8 percent unemployment. Continue reading →

FEMA Officials Provide Additional Guidelines in Public Notice

Posted on Author Jacque Ryan

FEMA recently issued a public notice in regards to the major flooding that occurred earlier this year and the subsequent public and individual funding assistance being offered to several counties including Starke, Pulaski, Marshall and La Porte.

The notice, provided by Starke County EMA Director J. Nier, reportedly concerns activities that may affect historic properties, ones that are located in or affecting wetland areas or the 100-year floodplain and critical actions within the 500-year flood plain. FEMA officials report that such incidents may adversely affect the historical property, floodplain, or wetland or could result in continuing vulnerability to flood damage. Continue reading →

Individual FEMA Assistance Now Available to Pulaski and Starke County Residents Impacted by the Flooding

Posted on Author Jacque Ryan

According to the Indiana Department of Homeland Security, Individual Assistance from FEMA is now available to 13 more counties, including Starke and Pulaski.

Now that Starke and Pulaski counties are eligible for Individual Assistance, homeowners and renters whose primary residence was damaged by the flooding that occurred between February 14th and March 4th can apply for federal disaster assistance.

The funds are intended to cover uninsured losses for flood damages. Individuals are encouraged to register with FEMA before the deadline of Thursday, July 5th. Continue reading →

2018 H.J. Halleck Community Service Award Recipient Announced

Posted on Author Jacque Ryan

Pulaski County Chamber of Commerce President Aaron Paulsen recently announced that Mr. Charles “Charlie” McKinley has been named the recipient of the 2018 H. J Halleck Community Service Award.

The award is presented annually to recognize an individual who has been active outside of their employment to improve the quality of life in Pulaski County through volunteerism, civic commitment and involvement in various organizations. Continue reading →

Medaryville Town Council Passes Ordinances Pertaining to Election Procedures

Posted on Author Jacque Ryan

Medaryville Town Council members held the final reading over two ordinances related to election procedures when they met last week.

Clerk-Treasurer Judy Harwood explained that town council members were considering these ordinances in order to adjust term lengths. She said the switch will have a positive impact on the cost of running an election.

She stated, “What they’re trying to do is get on the presidential elections and then there’s no cost to the town if they do that.” Continue reading →

Indiana State Police Assist with Double Homicide Investigation in Pulaski County

Posted on Author Jacque Ryan
Ross Stacy – Mug Shot Provided by ISP

On Friday, Indiana State Police were called to Pulaski County to investigate a suspected double homicide.

According to ISP representatives, evidence from the investigation lead to the arrest of 32-year-old Ross Stacy, of Winamac, the morning of Saturday, March 10th. Ross Stacy is being held in the Pulaski County Jail and has been formally charged with Murder. Continue reading →

Emergency Management Officials Coordinate Response Efforts For Residents Affected by the Floods

Posted on Author Jacque Ryan

As the flood waters start receding, emergency management officials are beginning to plan out ways to assist those most severely impacted by the recent floods.

The Salvation Army recently delivered a few clean-up kits to emergency management officials in both Starke and Pulaski County. Starke County EMA Director J. Nier and Pulaski County EMA Director Sheri Gaillard said they will be handing those out to the citizens who need them in the near future.

They also said they’ll be conducting more thorough damage assessments once the water recedes more. However, residents are still reminded to fill out damage assessment reports through the Indiana Department of Homeland Security to assist with relief efforts. Only uninsured property damage should be reported. Continue reading →

Saturday Flood Updates for Pulaski County

Posted on Author Jacque Ryan

Much of Pulaski County is still experiencing flooded conditions. Motorists are advised to use caution while driving and to respond accordingly to all posted signage regarding high water and closed roads.

The Pulaski County Highway Department shared yesterday that sandbags can be picked up at the Pulaski County EMA Office (112 E Main St #110 in Winamac) and sand to fill the bags is available at the intersection of 200 W and 50 North in Pulaski County. Continue reading →

Wednesday Travel Alerts and Road Closures in Pulaski and Starke Counties

Posted on Author Jacque Ryan

Though the rain has stopped for now, there are still several roads in Starke and Pulaski Counties that are closed due to flooding and high water.

Starke County High Way Superintendent Rik Ritzler warns drivers that it is imperative to refrain from driving down the flooded area of a roadway. He said those roads are closed for a reason, and if you get stuck your rescue could divert resources that may be needed elsewhere.

He added that Starke County is on an orange “Watch” level travel alert due to flooding. He explained that a “Watch” means that conditions are threatening to the safety of the public. Continue reading →

Winamac Clerk-Treasurer’s Report Includes Budget Update and Request Pertaining to Un-Cashed Checks

Posted on Author Jacque Ryan

Winamac Clerk-Treasurer Melanie Berger informed town council members last week that the Department of Local Government Finance approved the budget submitted for 2018.

Berger stated that aside from the budget being approved, she also learned that the maximum tax levy was received. She added that Eric Walsh from Umbaugh and Associates collected some information from her and said they will be meeting with Pulaski County officials to discuss the LIT levy freeze issue.

Additionally, Berger asked members for permission to enter all checks that are unaccounted for back into the system. Continue reading →

Winamac Town Council Seeking Member for Planning Commission

Posted on Author Jacque Ryan

Winamac Town Council members voted unanimously to appoint JoLynn Johnston to the open Winamac Economic Development Committee seat when they met Monday night.

Additionally, members discussed the open democratic seat that’s still available on the Winamac Planning Commission.

Clerk-Treasurer Melanie Berger mentioned that the position is not limited to those who live within the town limits, all Pulaski County residents are eligible to apply. Continue reading →

Senior Petroleum Analyst Expects High Gas Prices to Continue in 2018

Posted on Author Jacque Ryan

For the last 10 weeks, the United States has consecutively seen a steady decline in crude oil inventories, according to Gasbuddy.com Senior Petroleum Analyst Dan McTeague.

In January of 2017, the cost of a barrel of oil was around $52. McTeague shared that right now, we’re seeing prices closer to $66. That is a $14 difference and he said it may increase as the year goes on with high demand at the national and international level, increased exports and stalled production continuing to impact costs. Continue reading →

Final Unemployment Rates of 2017 for Starke and Pulaski Counties

Posted on Author Jacque Ryan

The Indiana Department of Workforce Development released the final unemployment rates for 2017 and Indiana’s rate stayed steady at 3.4 percent, still coming in lower than the national average of 4.1 percent.

In Starke County, the unemployment rate stayed consistent with the national average, and November’s figure by staying at 4.1 percent. However, Starke County’s unemployment rate for December 2017 is down from the same month in 2016, when was 5.3 percent.

In Pulaski County, December’s unemployment rate dropped slightly from November, moving from 3.3 to 3.1 percent. That’s down almost a point and half from the same time in 2016, when Pulaski’s unemployment rate was 4.5 percent. Continue reading →

Winamac Town Council Members Approve Economic Development Income Tax Plan With a Vote of 4-1

Posted on Author Jacque Ryan

Winamac Town Council members reviewed an ordinance detailing the EDIT Plan for 2018 and 2019 when they met this week.

Clerk-Treasurer Melanie Berger explained that the EDIT Plan outlines proposed projects that will utilize county economic development income tax funds for the next two years.

Town Attorney Justin Schramm added that State Code requires towns to spend 75% of what they receive. He said the figures provided for 2019 were estimated since they do not currently know how much Winamac will receive that year. Schramm said for the 2019 amount, he reduced next year’s amount by 20 percent to present conservative figures just in case they receive less. Continue reading →