Today is Election Day! Polls are open from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. prevailing time today.
Knox residents will be voting at the Knox Community Center, North Judson residents will vote at the North Judson Community Building (the old firehouse) and Hamlet residents will be voting at the Hamlet Fire Station.
Miguel Salazar and Dave Bennett from 1st Source Insurance approached the Pulaski County Commissioners with some good news this week—the county has received a refund of $97,744 on their health insurance.
This refund comes from the Signa program, which allows two-thirds of any surplus in the claims fund not used to pay claims to be refunded to the county, and will more than cover the county’s premium for November. Salazar went on to remind the commissioners that they would not have received this refund from Anthem.
The Pulaski Sheriff’s Department has found itself with some more vehicle-related problems. A 2006 Ford Taurus has recently developed an issue with a low oil pressure light, and two different mechanics gave the same grim news: the motor needs rebuilt or replaced.
While this is not good news for any time of the year, it’s especially bad news this late. With the end of this year’s budget approaching, the county’s pockets are close to empty. After getting two quotes on used cars, Sheriff Mike Gayer asked the commissioners to approve $9,900 to purchase a used Buick Lacrosse, but the request comes with a twist—the funds would come from the 2012 budget.
Immunization eligibility requirements are changing as of January 1st, 2012.
All childhood immunizations are administered by the local health departments for free of charge, but due to funding constraints, eligibility requirements are changing. The State will only be providing childhood vaccines to the local health departments that have patrons who are on any type of Medicaid insurance, who are American Indian/Alaskan Native children, and those who are underinsured. “Underinsured” is defined as having no insurance, insurance that does not cover vaccines or the insurance caps vaccine coverage at a certain amount.
The Pulaski County Drug Free Council has drafted and adopted a new three year comprehensive plan for combating the abuse of drugs and alcohol in the county. The plan was created after data was collected from the community.
The plan will be funded through the collection of drug interdiction fees received through the criminal justice system from those convicted of substance abuse offenses. That money is then awarded as grants to people and agencies that can effectively achieve the goals of the comprehensive plan.
Daylight Saving Time ends on Sunday, November 6th, at 2:00 a.m. You will need to set your clock back one hour before you go bed tonight (Saturday) or at 2:00 a.m. prevailing time Sunday morning.
The Energy Policy Act of 2005 marks the change in the observance of Daylight Saving Time. It officially begins on the second Sunday of March and ends on the first Sunday in November.
The National Emergency Alert System will be tested across the nation on Wednesday, November 9th at 2:00 p.m. ET.
The National-level EAS is a national public alert and warning system that enables the President to address the American public during extreme emergencies. Warnings will be sent to radio and television stations, cable television, satellite radio and television services and wire line providers.
Absentee voting in Pulaski County is slow but it is available to you if you need to utilize that way of voting.
Clerk Tasha Foerg told WKVI that about 12 people have voted absentee so far. Only a handful of contested races will appear on the ballot. Those races include the Winamac Clerk-Treasurer, Francesville Clerk-Treasurer, and Town Council races in Francesville and Medaryville.
The Bureau of Motor Vehicles will be open on Election Day to give you time to obtain a photo ID needed in order to vote.
Full-service branches will be open from 8:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. prevailing time on Monday, November 7th and from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, November 8th. Branches will only process ID cards and drivers licenses on those two days.
Pulaski County Sheriff’s Department officers arrested three after finding an active meth lab at a residence in Star City.
Officers were contacted by a representative of Child Protective Services who received a complaint of a possible meth lab in a residence with a child present. CPS and officers arrived at the home of Kaltrina Neely and Greg Tarr and they interviewed Neely. While officers were at the residence, drug paraphernalia was reportedly found in cabinets where police could see it in plain sight. The evidence was later gathered by the Indiana State Police Clandestine Lab team. Upon further questioning, police learned that Kaltrina Neely, Billy Neely and Loralie Fritz allegedly admitted to smoking methamphetamine shortly before the police arrived at the residence. Kaltrina Neely allegedly told the CPS representative that they had been cooking meth at her residence. Neely gave officers consent to search the property where an active meth lab was reportedly found in the detached garage and a burn barrel. The Indiana State Police processed the scene and removed evidence of a meth lab.
Officers from all Pulaski County Police Departments participated in firearms training last Wednesday from 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. ET. The training took place at the shooting range near Medaryville.
Sheriff Michael Gayer told WKVI the training was a chance for the officers to get in their qualifications.
Officers from the Pulaski County Sheriff’s Department arrested two after a traffic stop and one tried to escape police custody after being admitted to the hospital after being tased.
Early Sunday morning, officers attempted to conduct a traffic stop on State Road 119 in Winamac but the driver of the vehicle refused to stop and was traveling at a high rate of speed. The driver eventually drove into a driveway on Washington Street and the driver and the passenger were ordered out of the vehicle. When officers conducted a search, they allegedly found bath salts in Adam Koske’s possession. The driver, James Penicaro, was allegedly found to be intoxicated.
Daylight Saving Time ends on Sunday, November 6th at 2:00 a.m. This Saturday night, or Sunday morning at 2:00 a.m. prevailing time, you will need to set your clock back one hour.
The Energy Policy Act of 2005 marks the change in the observance of Daylight Saving Time. It officially begins on the second Sunday of March and end on the first Sunday in November.
The Sandhill Cranes are back at the Jasper-Pulaski Fish and Wildlife Area. Jim Bergens, the Property Manager, was asked how many of the big birds have migrated to the property so far this season.
“We count on Tuesdays and the last two counts have been in the six to eight thousand range,” said Jim Bergens. “The average peak is 16-20,000 and it occurs in late November, early December.”
Bergens talked about the cranes’ migratory pattern.
“The birds are coming from Wisconsin and going to Central Florida and Jasper-Pulaski is right underneath that route. We just have the right kind of habitat that they like and often times, some of the cranes may spend several weeks here which is why we build up such large numbers. Then they push on south and they winter from Kentucky and Tennessee all the way to Florida.”
Absentee voting begins this Saturday, October 29th in Starke County. Voting will be conducted on the voting machines for the races in the City of Knox and the towns of North Judson and Hamlet in the Starke County Courthouse.
Voting will be from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and 1:00-4:00 p.m. on Saturday, and Monday through Saturday next week. Absentee voting will also be available from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. on Monday, November 7th and Thursday, November 3rd from 1:00-4:00 p.m. and from 5:00-9:00 p.m.
Two people were arrested in Pulaski County on drug charges after a short investigation on Thursday, October 20th.
Police were traveling on 60 West off of State Road 14 when police reportedly observed a vehicle traveling off the roadway, according to the police report. Police turned around to investigate and when they caught up to the vehicle the driver had stopped and pulled off to the side of the roadway. The passenger, Paul Hudson, of Logansport, was on his knees reportedly looking for an earring. Police were given permission to search the vehicle by the driver, Kaley Deford, of Kewanna, and police allegedly found marijuana, and prescription medication without a prescription in the vehicle. Kaley Deford allegedly admitted to police that a pipe found in a hat was hers as well as the pills. Hudson reportedly admitted that the marijuana found in the vehicle was his.
Pulaski County United Fund, Inc. is pleased to announce participation in an Indiana Association of United Ways/Funds matching grant opportunity.
“Indiana United Ways/Funds have had a tough fund raising environment since 2008 and we wanted to provide an incentive program to attract new giving,” according to Roger L. Frick laUW President.
Support from Lilly Endowment created this opportunity for United Way and Funds in Indiana to rebuild and recover and find new donors. Donors who have decreased giving or had a temporary halt in giving can help their community claim the match by resuming support. New donors to the campaign will also qualify United Fund for the match. The grant will provide Pulaski County United Fund, Inc. with up to $3,122 in funding by matching any increase or new donation made towards this year’s Fall Campaign 2012. Grant funds received will be used to provide utility deposits for those seeking assistance through the Energy Assistance Program.
What is now Pulaski County was ceded by the Pottawatomie Indians to the United States on October 26th, 1832 near Rochester. Chief Aubbeenaubee represented the Indians and John Davis represented the government.
We’re nearing the end of October and according to Conservation Officer, Keith Wildeman, that means hunters are gearing up for hunting season.
“Right now in mid-October, we’re already in to the deer archery season and it runs through November 27th,” said Wildeman. “Our fall gun season will start November 12th and run until November 27th and then muzzleloader season will pick up December 3rd through the 18th.”
33-year-old Nathan VanDerAa, of Star City, plead guilty before a Federal Magistrate Judge on Thursday, October 20th.
VanDerAa plead guilty to the felony offense of being an Unlawful User of a Controlled Substance in Possession of a Firearm. Sentencing is set for January 27th, 2012. A charge of Manufacture of a Controlled Substance was dropped as part of his plea agreement.
