Man Arrested Following Pulaski County Burglary

Posted on Author WKVI

One suspect was arrested Thursday, June 7 after a burglary incident in Pulaski County.

Police were called to 7102 W. 100 N. in response to a burglary in progress. Thomas Parker was caught inside the home, but he told police that he was at his uncle’s house and he was there to check on the mail. He said he had just taken his uncle to Indianapolis. Police contacted Parker’s uncle, who said that Parker was to check on the mail but he didn’t give Parker permission to be in the residence and he wanted to press charges.

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Pulaski County Human Services Offers Summer Cool Program

Posted on Author WKVI

The Summer Cool Program is being offered through Pulaski County Human Services, Inc. and the North Central Community Action Agencies.

The program provides an additional $65 toward an electric utility for those who signed up for the winter energy assistance program. New applications will be taken by appointment starting July 2. Air conditioners will be available on a first come, first served basis to current and new residents who are eligible. In order to receive this benefit, you must be financially eligible based on the income guidelines of the program, have a person living in your home who is elderly or disabled, or have a child under the age of six.

For more information, call (574) 946-6500 or toll-free at (877) 946-4211 and schedule an appointment. The Summer Cool Program ends Aug. 31.

Pulaski County Maintenance Director To Seek More Bids For Courthouse Repair

Posted on Author WKVI
Pulaski County Commissioners Tracey Shorter, Kenneth Boswell, Michael Tiede

Pulaski County Maintenance Director Morry Demarco approached the commissioners this week with two bids on necessary repairs for the courthouse clock tower. Demarco says he has used Alpha Omega Company before for work on the justice center and other buildings, and both companies that submitted bids have experience in this type of repair.

He says it’s very important that the work be done right. Because of the age of the structure, the mortar must be replaced with a similar mix to prevent any damage to the delicate bricks. According to Demarco, the tower is in need of being re-tuckpointed to reapply mortar between the bricks with an estimated repair time of up to four weeks.

The commissioners requested that Demarco contact other companies capable of doing the work to see if he can get more than two bids for the repair, and he can make his recommendation, hopefully, at the next meeting.

Starke County Commissioners Discuss Jail Population

Posted on Author WKVI

The Starke County Commissioners this week held a lengthy discussion on the jail population. Pulaski County has been housing some Starke County prisoners to keep the population at 62.

Pulaski County has a 130-bed jail, and has been housing the overflow in the Starke County Jail under an informal agreement. The commissioners would like to enter into a long-term agreement with Pulaski County until a new or rehabilitated jail is available to house Starke County’s burgeoning prisoner population.

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Pulaski County Commissioners Approve Construction Inspection Agreement

Posted on Author WKVI
Pulaski County Commissioners Tracey Shorter, Kenneth Boswell, Michael Tiede

The Pulaski County Commissioners this week received another update on the Bridge 291 project, in which Jeff Larrison of United Consulting informed them that the next step in the process is to approve the construction inspection agreement. He says the agreement will go to the Indiana Department of Transportation, which will then review the rates for inspection and approve them if acceptable.

As with the rest of the project, 80 percent of this expense would be covered by INDOT, while the county would cover the other 20 percent. The cost of $194,800 for the inspection makes up 12.5 percent of the total construction cost as allotted by INDOT.

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Outraged Pulaski County Farmers Beat Out Irrigation Ordinance

Posted on Author WKVI
Pulaski County Commissioners Tracey Shorter, Kenneth Boswell, Michael Tiede

Farmers in Pulaski County once again voiced their outrage to a previously-drafted ordinance prohibiting the spray of water from irrigation system end-guns onto roads. The concerned residents filled the county commissioners’ meeting room in the courthouse on Monday to express their opposition to the ordinance, which they claim is detrimental to their livelihood and singles out farmers.

The ordinance was originally drafted by the commissioners because of complaints from irritated taxpayers who had driven beneath a stream of water from irrigation systems. More than one person complained that they had been driving a motorcycle or convertible and had gotten drenched from the water spraying onto the road, and the commissioners felt that the ordinance was necessary to prevent an accident in the future.

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Volunteers Host JA Our Nation Program For Fifth Graders

Posted on Author WKVI
Nancy Griffeth instructs children during the Junior Achievement Our Nation program.

In an effort to introduce students to business operations and economic issues in the United States, volunteers from the community hosted the Junior Achievement’s Our Nation program for fifth grade students at Eastern Pulaski Elementary School on May 18.

Nancy Griffeth, Lori Brumm, Jenny Keller, and Denise Hattinger graciously gave their time to mentor the youths during the Junior Achievement in a Day.

Medaryville Bank Robber Arrested

Posted on Author WKVI
Gavin Keith Wireman

A Medaryville man was arrested Saturday after robbing the Lake City Bank in Medaryville at gunpoint.

The Pulaski County Sheriff’s Department received a call from a teller at the bank at about 9:30 a.m. ET informing them that the bank had just been robbed at gunpoint. The responding officers gathered information from the tellers and a description of the suspect was given to police. Four additional off-duty county officers responded to the scene to help in the investigation.

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Memorial Service for Fallen Pulaski County Officers Held Yesterday

Posted on Author WKVI
Sheriff Michael Gayer talks of the fallen officers

A memorial service for the fallen officers from the Pulaski County Sheriff’s Department was held yesterday at noon ET in front of the Pulaski County Justice Center. The service was held to commemorate the lives of Sheriff Charles Oglesby, Sheriff Milo “Mike” Lewis and Deputy Shad Bassett who were killed in the line of duty. Sheriff Michael Gayer said it’s important to hold this service once a year. Continue reading →

Annual Health and Resource Fair Planned For Today

Posted on Author WKVI

Pulaski County Human Services, Inc., Northwest Indiana Community Action Agency, and Pulaski Memorial Hospital are sponsoring the Annual Health and Resource Fair today from 9 a.m. to noon ET. Following the fair, a senior citizen picnic in the park is scheduled from noon to 1 p.m.

During the Health and Resource Fair at the Winamac Town Park Community Building, participants can receive free health screenings, information on housing, nutrition, services, finances, volunteering, health education, and employment, as well as in-home and long-term care options. Those are just a few of the topics that will be covered. Over 25 entities have reserved booth space to help address quality of life issues and door prizes will be given.

Starke County Jail Population Nears Boiling Point

Posted on Author WKVI
Starke County Jail

Fifteen Starke County prisoners are being housed in the Pulaski County Jail after it was decided by county officials and Sheriff Oscar Cowen that the extreme overcrowding was just too dangerous to allow it to continue.

Commissioner Kathy Norem said yesterday that she feared the overcrowding might trigger an outbreak of violence against other prisoners or jail staff. The overcrowding puts extreme pressure on the staff, which may have contributed partially to the recent escape.

Recently, the population ran over 80 prisoners, and it’s hoped that the measure will keep the prison population at 62 or below.

The housing of prisoners in Pulaski County is being accomplished under a temporary agreement.

Steering Committee Formed For Winamac Community Parkway Project

Posted on Author WKVI

A steering committee has been formed to help with the Winamac Community Parkway concept recently approved by the town board.

The Winamac Community Parkway Project will consist of a 1.1-mile-long parkway and will provide an open space improvement opportunity, connecting the walking/biking Panhandle Pathway Trail via a downtown hub designed for relaxation and recreation for residents and visitors.

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Memorial Day Services Planned For Today Throughout Area

Posted on Author WKVI

Today, Memorial Day, is a day to reflect and remember those who made the supreme sacrifice for our freedom.

Several Memorial Day services are planned for Monday, May 28. In Knox, a ceremony will be held at the Starke County Courthouse at 9 a.m. followed by a parade to Oak Hill Cemetery where there will be another short ceremony. There will also be a brief ceremony in memory of Indiana National Guard Spc. Robert Tauteris, Jr. of Hamlet.

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Click It Or Ticket Blitz To Continue Through June 3

Posted on Author WKVI

Several police agencies in the state, including the Starke County Traffic Safety Partnership and the Pulaski County Sheriff’s Department, are participating in the Click It or Ticket seat belt enforcement blitz until June 3.

Pulaski County Sheriff Michael Gayer says his department will be out in full force.

“Traditionally, Memorial Day weekend is a busy weekend for motorists,” explained Gayer. “It is a law in Indiana to wear your seat belt. The officers get paid by the federal government on their days off to go out and try to enforce the seat belt law more rigorously than they would normally do during the normal course of their duties just because it is a busy holiday.”

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Braun Corporation To Sponsor Indianapolis 500 Entry

Posted on Author WKVI

The number 99 BraunAbility/Sam Schmidt Motorsports Dallara/Honda/Firestone car will be driven by Townsend Bell.
The Braun Corporation out of Winamac and its dealership, Superior Van and Mobility in Indianapolis, are sponsoring a Sam Schmidt Motorsports entry in this year’s Indianapolis 500.

The number 99 BraunAbility/Sam Schmidt Motorsports Dallara/Honda/Firestone car will be driven by Townsend Bell, who will start sixth in Sunday’s race.

Ralph Braun, owner of the Braun Corporation in Winamac, and Sam Schmidt, owner of Sam Schmidt Motorsports, have both built successful businesses, both have the intense love of racing, and both have achieved remarkable careers while living and running their businesses from a wheelchair.

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Ramp May Soon Be Installed Near Pulaski County EMA Garage

Posted on Author WKVI
Pulaski County Commissioners Tracey Shorter, Kenneth Boswell, Michael Tiede

In an effort to make it easier on their vehicles, Pulaski County EMA Director Larry Hoover requested a ramp be installed in front of the museum garage in which they park their equipment.

County Maintenance Director Morry Demarco told the commissioners this week that Hoover approached him and asked about the possibility of installing the ramp, and Demarco said his department could handle the effort but would require permission from the commissioners to proceed. Demarco said a pipe would need to be installed beneath the ramp to allow water to flow through, but the installation of the ramp would allow vehicles to park in the garage without having to climb over an eight-inch curb.

Commissioner Mike Tiede asked if Demarco could use bridge planks instead of concrete to save money, and Demarco said he will check into it. He also said he will look into the possibility of dumping rock near the curb and coating it in asphalt as an easier solution.

Memorial Service To Be Held Commemorating Fallen Pulaski County Officers

Posted on Author WKVI
Sheriff Michael Gayer

A memorial service to commemorate the lives of the three fallen officers in the line of duty while on staff at the Pulaski County Sheriff’s Department will be held Tuesday, May 29th, at Noon ET in front of the Sheriff’s Department. Pulaski County Sheriff Michael Gayer says the memorial service is an annual event.

“Each year we get the whole department together, all 42 of us, and we stand in front of the Sheriff’s Office and I conduct a service and we have the traditional Taps and a 21-gun salute,” said Gayer. “We then have lunch for the members here at the Sheriff’s Department and the families of the slain officers.”

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Pulaski County Bell Tower Worsens With Each Toll Of The Bell

Posted on Author WKVI
Mortar has crumbled in the Pulaski County Courthouse bell and clock tower

Pulaski County Maintenance Director Morry Demarco told the commissioners this week that with each toll of the Pulaski County Courthouse bell, mortar crumbles from between the bricks, and he is anxious to get the bell tower fixed.

Demarco says that he’d like to get the bid awarded and have the tower fixed as soon as possible to prevent any further damage, but because of a large variance in the prices of the bids presented, the commissioners requested that he speak with the bidders to ensure they understand the scope of work.

The bid prices ranged from as low as $7000 to as high as $16,000, and Demarco said that he will speak to the bidders and have them break down their prices. He says it’s very important that the work be done right. Because of the age of the structure, the mortar must be replaced with a similar mix to prevent any damage to the delicate bricks.

West Central School Board Approves Reduction In Force

Posted on Author WKVI
West Central School Superintendent Charles Mellon

The West Central School Board members did approve a reduction in force proposal at their recent meeting. Superintendent Charles Mellon said there was only one this year.

“That person is going on our recall list,” stated Mellon. “He is currently teaching science in the middle school, but he does have an elementary license so if we had a class size increase – which I hope we do – or someone else from the elementary leaves the school system for whatever reason, he has the opportunity to come back. He will be on the recall list for two years. There is still a possibility for him.”

Concerned Pulaski County Residents Voice Opposition to Irrigation Ordinance

Posted on Author WKVI
Pulaski County Commissioners Tracey Shorter, Kenneth Boswell, Michael Tiede

More than 50 farmers and community members attended Monday’s meeting of the Pulaski County Commissioners to voice their opposition to a drafted ordinance preventing irrigation systems from spraying on the road.

The commissioners had the ordinance drafted after receiving a number of complaints from drivers who claimed to have been sprayed heavily by irrigation systems while traveling on motorcycles or in convertibles, and Commissioner Kenneth Boswell said they were being proactive with this ordinance to prevent high-pressure sprays from causing any traffic accidents.

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