West Central School Board Discusses Energy
“This is the company that will do the maintenance on our [wind] turbine. They’re out of Sandusky, Ohio,” said Mellon.
Pulaski County Public Library Now Offers MP3 and Magazine Downloads
Pulaski County Public Library resident cardholders are eligible for three MP3 downloads per week, available online at http://www.pulaskicounty.lib.in.us. Library officials expect Freegal will appeal to patrons of all ages and musical tastes, and librarians will be happy to assist users with the new service.
Pulaski County Commissioners OK Hotel Feasibility Study Expenditure
Pulaski County Community Foundation Announces 2013 Lilly Endowment Scholar
The Pulaski County Community Foundation has announced the recipient of their full-tuition, four-year Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship for 2013. David Putt, a Pulaski County student, will receive full tuition to his choice of Indiana college as well as a $900 yearly stipend for required books and equipment.
The son of Michael and Donna Putt from Francesville, Putt will graduate from West Central High School in June. Putt has been very involved in school activities such as Fellowship of Christian Athletes, FFA, Student Council, Business Professionals of America, Band, and Drama, and has enjoyed working as a farmhand assistant and volunteering at church, park clean-ups, landscaping projects, food pantries, and singing at the local nursing home. He has also received several honors and awards including the George Eastman Young Leaders award, the Mathematics Outstanding Achievement for Excellence award, and three Highest Class GPA awards.
Pulaski County Commissioners Change Highway Department Hours Again
“Working our 4 to 10 work schedule, we only came in an hour early, which works out to $422 in overtime that was paid out that morning. If we were working 8 to 4 like our current schedule is, it would have been $1,265 in overtime that morning. By working four 10’s just in one morning we saved $843,” Fox explained.
Winamac Resident Seeks Support for Chicken Ordinance
IDEM OK’s Use of Surplus Concrete As Road Fill Material
The pile of surplus concrete behind the Pulaski County Highway Department does not pose an environmental hazard, according to an official with the Indiana Department of Environmental Management. That was one of the claims disgruntled employees made against former highway superintendent Kenny Becker. New superintendent Mark Fox presented a letter from IDEM to the commissioners during their Monday meeting.
“This material is excluded from IDEM’s solid waste rules because it is all material that is found in roads, with the exception of possibly some of the material that is painted in there. If we run into a large quantity of painted material, it cannot be used,” said Fox.
Pulaski County Commissioners Hire New Maintenance Supervisor
Pulaski County has a new maintenance supervisor. The commissioners voted unanimously last night to hire Winamac native Jeff Johnston, contingent on his passing a pre-employment drug screening. He will oversee maintenance and upkeep of all of the county’s buildings. Commissioner Larry Brady noted that a number of qualified individuals applied for the job and says their resumes will remain on file with the county. Johnston replaces longtime maintenance supervisor Morry DeMarco, who was fired last month by the commissioners.
Celebrating the Arts Event this Saturday!
The event, sponsored by the Winamac Psi Iota Xi Sorority, Iota Xi, will be held Saturday, April 6 at the Church of the Heartland at 890 E. Highway 14, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. ET. Admission is free, but a $1 suggested donation will support the event.
Food Finders Mobile Pantry to Give Away Food April 5
Items to be distributed include frozen meat, beverages, snacks, cereal, vegetables, and baked goods, and the program is available to those who meet 185 percent of the federal poverty guidelines. For a household of one, monthly income cannot exceed $1723 and annual income cannot exceed $20,665; for a household of two, monthly income cannot exceed $2333 or $27,991 annually; households of three, $2944 monthly or $35,317 annually. For larger households, add $611 per month for each additional household member.
Unemployment Report Released for February
Meanwhile, Pulaski County’s unemployment rate dropped 0.3 percent to 8.1 percent, ranking them the 76th highest county for unemployment; Marshall County dropped by 0.6 percent to 9.7 percent, ranking them 43rd; LaPorte County’s rate remained at 12 percent for a rank of eighth highest; Fulton County’s rate dropped by 0.2 percent to 10.3 percent, ranking them 33rd; St. Joseph County also dropped by 0.2 percent to 10.6 percent for 28th place; and Porter County dropped by 0.3 percent to 9 percent, making them the 57th highest county for unemployment.
Court Filing Seeks Release of Names of Kenny Becker’s Accusers
The legal battle over longtime Pulaski County Highway Superintendent Kenny Becker’s firing continues. He was reappointed by the county commissioners on January 7th, suspended with pay on January 22nd so allegations raised by a current and a former employee could be looked into and reinstated as highway manager on February 4th following an investigation by an outside consultant. Commissioner Larry Brady served as interim superintendent, and Becker was subsequently fired by the commissioners on March 4th. He’s since hired an attorney and filed a $500,000 notice of tort claim against the county commissioners for slander and defamation of character.
Pulaski County attorney Kevin Tankersley reluctantly released a copy of the consultant’s investigation report after being ordered to do so by the state Public Access Counselor’s office but redacted the names of Becker’s accusers. The new filing seeks to force the release of that information, noting “the Commissioners have failed to comply fully with the requirements of the Open Door Law.” It also states the names are necessary for possible legal action by Becker for slander and defamation of character.
Government Places Closed on Good Friday
The United States Postal Service will deliver mail this Good Friday, but several governmental offices will be closed in observance of the legal holiday.
The Starke and Pulaski County Courthouses and government buildings, Knox City Hall and the Winamac Town Hall will be closed. The Starke County Public Library in Knox and the Pulaski County Public Library in Winamac will only be open from 9 a.m. to noon.
Tax Payments Being Mailed Out Soon; Pay Taxes on Time!
The House of Representatives this week passed legislation that seeks to lessen the tax payment burden on Hoosier homeowners, allowing them the option to pay their property taxes in installments as opposed to a lump sum. The legislation passed the House by a 93-0 vote, bringing it one step closer to becoming law, but several counties in Indiana have already offered this option to residents.
The bill now goes to the desk of Gov. Mike Pence for approval. In the meantime, every county in Indiana is gearing up to send out property tax bills, and it’s keeping the treasurers in Starke and Pulaski counties pretty busy.
Firearm Permitting Process Not Sitting Well with Indiana Sheriff’s Association
In an effort to go paperless, beginning in May the Indiana State Police is requiring fingerprinting to be done at a specific location that has a live scan machine to electronically scan fingerprints. These locations are set up throughout the state where a sheriff’s department is not involved in that part of the process. When complete, the fingerprints will electronically be sent to the state via the internet.
Snow Keeps State Troopers Busy
State troopers from the Indiana State Police Lowell Post are staying busy as a result of the snow that fell overnight into the early morning hours. They responded to 26 property damage crashes, 7 personal injury crashes, 30 slide off’s and 10 calls to assist motorists. The Lowell district includes Starke, Pulaski, LaPorte, Porter, Lake, Newton and Jasper Counties. Motorists are reminded to travel cautiously, as roads remain wet, snow-covered and slushy. Slow down and allow plenty of stopping distance.
March Madness Snowstorm Socks Kankakee Valley
It’s a whole different kind of March Madness across the Kankakee Valley this morning. Roads are slick and snow-covered after a late season overnight snowstorm. This is making for hazardous travel. If you do have to be out, allow yourself plenty of time to reach your destination, and remember, ice and snow, take it slow. Maintain a safe distance from other vehicles, brake early and accelerate slowly. If you see a snow plow, stay back and give it plenty of room to operate. Don’t tailgate or try to pass a plow truck, as the roadway will be clearer behind the plow than in front of it.
You can check road conditions anywhere in the state by visiting www.trafficwise.in.gov or by dialing toll-free 1-800-261-ROAD (7623) for updated Indiana travel information, including road conditions, road closures, construction information and other traffic alerts.
Snow should taper off into flurries by midday, but additional snowfall is expected tonight and into tomorrow before temperatures warm up into the 40s by the middle of the week. Fortunately the snow will not be a factor for schools today, as most school systems within the WKVI listening area are on spring break this week. However, if we receive word of any other weather-related closings or delays we will pass it along on the closings and delays page at www.wkvi.com as well as on the air and on our Facebook page.
Pulaski County Commissioners Discuss Defibrillator Purchases
“We’re looking at automatic external defibrillators – they get your heart going again,” Commissioner Larry Brady said. “We’d station these throughout the county buildings to use until the EMS system arrives. Most buildings have them laying around, and they are a wonderful asset when minutes count.”
Starke/Pulaski Habitat for Humanity Still Accepting Applications
