A longtime Winamac businessman who is well-known for his generosity has been announced as the recipient of the 2013 Pulaski County Chamber of Commerce H.J. Halleck Award. Former chamber of commerce president David W. Barr owned and operated Winamac Cleaners and Laundry for many years. The business was Winamac’s first laundromat. While at the Chamber, Barr oversaw the groundbreaking for Control Company’s local plant, worked to recruit additional businesses and helped with Santa’s annual arrival and the sidewalk day sales for Winamac businesses. Barr also reactivated the city hostess program and helped to pay off the note on the swimming pool.
Food Finders Mobile Pantry to be in Winamac Friday
The Food Finders Mobile Pantry Truck will be in Winamac tomorrow morning at the Pulaski County Human Services Building at 11 a.m. ET.
If you meet eligibility requirements, you will be able to pick up free frozen meat, beverages, snacks, baked goods, vegetables and cereal on a first come, first served basis. You have to meet 185 percent of the federal poverty guidelines to participate.
If you need more information, call Pulaski County Human Services at (574) 946-6500 or the Food Finders Food Bank, Inc. at (765) 471-0062.
Pulaski Council, Commissioners Discuss Salary Ordinance
The Pulaski County Council met with the commissioners in a joint session Monday night to discuss the salary ordinance, which sparked some discussion regarding a pay increase for the sheriff’s department that had once been on the proposed ordinance, but was stricken from the latest draft.
Frain to Serve on NFDA’s Member Resources Advisory Group
A local funeral director has committed to serve as a member of the National Funeral Directors Association Member Resources Advisory Group.
Samuel Frain of Winamac will be working to fulfill the NFDA’s mission of supporting funeral directors as they provide families with meaningful end-of-life services.
The advisory group will also assist in evaluating existing member benefits; recommending new programs, products and services; review and provide feedback on new resources; and assist with the recruitment and retention of members from around the world.
Pulaski Highway Supt. Reinstated; Commissioners Meet Strong Public Opposition
The Pulaski County Commissioners met some serious hostility last night during their regular meeting when several dozen people packed into the commissioners’ meeting room in support of Highway Superintendent Kenny Becker, who had been suspended with pay following an investigation by the commissioners into the highway department. The crowd was so boisterous that the commissioners were forced to adjourn their meeting early, having covered only one item on the agenda.
Cause Given in Dillman Tire and Auto Fire Case
A cause has been determined in the fire incident at Dillman Tire and Auto in Winamac.
Winamac Fire Chief Bill Weaver said the cause is accidental, but the Indiana State Fire Marshal could not rule out the oil furnace as the cause as it started in that area of the building.
Pulaski Memorial Hospital Welcomes New CEO
Pulaski Memorial Hospital welcomes new CEO Tom Barry.
Barry was most recently the President and CEO of a hospital in Eldorado, Ill. and was the COO at Home Hospital in Lafayette and Johnson Memorial Hospital in Franklin for nearly 20 years.
Pulaski County Commissioners, Council Change Venue for Tonight’s Meeting
The Pulaski County Commissioners will meet tonight at 6 p.m. ET for their regularly scheduled meeting, but there has been a change of venue because officials expect a large crowd due to a controversial agenda item. Both the commissioners meeting and the meeting of the county council at 5 p.m. ET have been moved to the circuit courtroom, located on the second floor of the Pulaski County Courthouse.
Free Tax Help is Available for Those in Starke and Pulaski Counties
The Northwest A$$et Building Campaign is offering free tax preparation to those needing assistance in Starke and Pulaski Counties.
IRS trained and certified community volunteers will be giving free assistance to those who have a household income less than $50,000. Call for an appointment at the Starke County Public Library, Henry F. Schricker Branch, at 772-7323 or at the Pulaski County Human Services building at 946-6500. The volunteers will also offer assistance on Saturday.
You will need proof of identification, birth dates for all being claimed on a tax return, social security cards, Individual Taxpayer Identification Number, wage and earning statements, interest and dividend forms, record of rent payment and a copy of last year’s federal and state returns.
Pulaski County Attorney Says Employee Suspension Will Be Resolved Monday
The Pulaski County Commissioners met in an executive session Wednesday afternoon to discuss a personnel matter, and County Attorney Kevin Tankersley said the meeting was called to discuss information in regards to two county employees who had been suspended with pay. Officials have not released any information as to why Highway Superintendent Kenny Becker and secretary Lin Morrison were suspended, but said a decision as to the employees’ fate will be made at the next regular meeting on Feb. 4.
Two Pulaski County Officials Suspended With Pay; Commissioners Silent as to Why
Two Pulaski County officials have been suspended with pay, but neither the county commissioners nor their attorney have released any clue as to why. The county commissioners recently suspended Highway Superintendent Kenny Becker and secretary Lin Morrison with pay following an investigation, and have appointed Rex Cudworth as the interim superintendent.
The commissioners also ordered that the locks be changed at the county highway garage, but will not elaborate on what prompted the action. The investigation continues, however, as the pair is still suspended with pay. Personnel matters must be discussed in an executive session, but any vote to terminate an employee or suspend an employee without pay must be taken at a public meeting.
Fire Investigation Ongoing at Winamac Business
The fire at Dillman Tire and Auto in Winamac remains under investigation.
An investigator with the Indiana State Fire Marshal’s office is expected to return to the fire scene today. Winamac Fire Chief Bill Weaver said the representative was unable to get to Winamac earlier this week to conduct the investigation.
The late night fire destroyed the business at the corner of Logan and Pearl streets. It started late Friday night and four fire departments struggled to contain the blaze. Firefighters were able to leave the scene six hours later. Weaver has not given a preliminary cause of the fire. He hopes answers as to the cause of the blaze will be found soon.
Winamac Woman Arrested on a Possession Charge
A Winamac woman was arrested Tuesday after police found her in possession of controlled substances.
A Pulaski County deputy was following a car driven by Teresa McDaniel that was reportedly crossing the center line. She then turned into a driveway until the officer passed and then turned around. The officer did the same thing and followed her again. She was then pulled over for speeding in a 30 mph zone.
Fire Destroys Home of Winamac Family
An early Monday morning fire destroyed the home of a Winamac family and now they’re in need of help.
Winamac Fire Chief Bill Weaver explained that the fire department was called to the Kevin Taylor home at 411 W. Main Street at about 5:50 a.m. ET. Taylor, his wife and two children made it out of the house safely before the fire department arrived at the scene.
Pulaski Commissioners Approve Inspection Contract for Monterey Bridge
The Pulaski County Commissioners this week signed a revised contract for the inspection of the Monterey Bridge. Jeff Larrison of United Consulting told the commissioners this week that the original construction cost estimate came in at around $1.55 million, but the bids came in lower than expected, prompting a new revision to the inspection contract with a lower price.
Food Finders Mobile Pantry to Visit Winamac
The Food Finders Mobile Pantry Truck is planning a stop in Winamac.
If you meet eligibility requirements, you will be able to pick up free frozen meat, beverages, snacks, baked goods, vegetables and cereal. You have to meet 185 percent of the federal poverty guidelines to participate.
Pulaski Commissioners Approve Request for Bids for New Treasurer Computers
The Pulaski County Commissioners this week approved a request from Treasurer Lynn Wilder to advertise for bids to purchase new computers for her office. Wilder explained her office is in heavy need of some new computers, as their current equipment is more than six years old.
Pulaski Commissioners Accept Bid for Electrical Work at Courthouse
The days of outdated electrical wiring in the Pulaski County Courthouse will soon come to an end, as the commissioners this week approved a motion to accept a bid for the second stage of electrical upgrades to the courthouse. Maintenance Director Morry DeMarco presented to the commissioners last night four bids for the electrical work to be reviewed, and after a discussion, the commissioners accepted a bid from Roger’s Electric Company of Medaryville.
West Central School Board Holds Work Session
The West Central School Board took some time last week to review the corporation’s strategic plan. Superintendent Charles Mellon said the board took a look at their educational goals had all building principals comment on progress and improvement areas.
“As a school corporation, we need to know if the resources were available that they needed,” explained Mellon. “We wanted their input. We’re very much interested in the academic growth of the students, of course. Is there something that we need as far as in-servicing for the staff? There’s a lot of data collection going on – are we using that in the classroom to have data-driven instruction?”
New Equipment Expedites Sex Offender Registry Checks
While some law enforcement agencies are gearing up to purchase new equipment for their vehicles to allow them to update the sex offender registry while on the road, several agencies have reported that they have had that equipment in place for several years.
Marshall County Sheriff Tom Chamberlin approached the county council last week with a request to purchase three laptop computers for his department – computers which, Chamberlin said, would be used by detectives and officers while checking on individuals currently registered as sex offenders. The equipment, at a cost of $3000, would be paid for out of the fund into which sex offender fees are paid.
