Fire Officials Investigate Arson Incident in Star City

Posted on Author WKVI

The Star City Fire Department and the Indiana State Fire Marshal’s Office are investigating a house fire that occurred at Nathan VanDerAa’s home in Star City on Sunday.

The Indiana State Fire Marshal’s Office told WKVI that the fire is considered incendiary, meaning that it was created by someone. The home and VanDerAa’s vehicle were both set on fire. VanDerAa was reportedly not at home at the time of the incident. If you have any information about this arson, call the Pulaski County Sheriff’s Department at (574) 946-6655. A reward of $5,000 is being offered for information leading to the arrest of any suspect(s) responsible for this incident. Continue reading →

Pulaski County Bridges Undergoing Some Work

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

A bridge inventory was presented to the Pulaski County Commissioners this week. According to the inventory, there are currently 74 bridges in Pulaski County. One bridge is fracture critical, meaning that is needs to be looked at to determine its need of repair immediately, and six underwater inspections will be due in 2014. On the plus side, the majority of bridges in Pulaski County are considered to be in great condition, with most issues on the minor side.

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Recorder’s Office to Receive New Software

Posted on Author WKVI

A major upgrade to the software used in the Pulaski County Recorder’s office is underway. The county commissioners approved a request from Recorder Lynn Wilder, who highly recommended an upgrade to software provided by Computer Systems, Inc. CEO/President Kevin Cook and Account Manager John Wood were also present to speak about the software.

With a cost of $45,452, the new software will be a vast improvement over the old software, which hasn’t been updated since 2003. The new software will be funded 100% out of the perpetuation fund, which is a fund which is primarily used for the preservation of documents through electronic means. After a storm caused a large server crash in her office, Wilder decided it was time to upgrade. She received three quotes for software: one from Manatron, which was too expensive and offered an inferior product; one from Fidlar, which was top-notch but extremely expensive; and one from Computer Systems, Inc., who offered the perfect price and excellent software.

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Pulaski County Commissioners Waive Building Fees for KIRPC Housing Improvement Project

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

A warmer winter than usual is in the works for eight low-income homeowners in Pulaski County, thanks to a grant from the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority. Shawn Cain from the Kankakee-Iroquois Regional Planning Commission appeared before the county commissioners to request they approve a waiver of building fees for these eight homes that have been selected to receive much-needed improvements at no cost to the owners.

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Pulaski County United Fund Begins Fall Campaign

Posted on Author WKVI

The Pulaski County United Fund Fall 2012 Campaign will kick off this month. Donations received in this year’s campaign will be used to award grant funding to 10 local non-profit agencies. The goal is $40,000.

You may donate with a direct money donation, or you may have the option of deducting money from your payroll check as your pledge. Many businesses offer employees the opportunity to give through payroll deduction and many will match employee contributions dollar for dollar. For more information, contact your Human Resources Department or call United Fund at (574) 946-7320.

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INDOT to Stripe Highways

Posted on Author WKVI

The Indiana Department of Transportation urges drivers to be extremely cautious around wet paint on the road as LaPorte District crews apply pavement markings. About 5,600 lane miles will be re-striped in the LaPorte District now through October.

When encountering a road striping crew, use a generous following distance, avoid driving over the newly painted markings and never recklessly pull in front of or pass a striping operation. If drivers do get paint on their vehicles, they should attempt to wash the paint off as quickly as possible. Fresh paint will often come off easily with soap and water. However, after it dries only a specialist can remove it.

Pulaski County Officers Arrest Two in Separate Incidents; Formal Drug Charges Pending

Posted on Author WKVI

Ronald Lee Magers of Medaryville was arrested Thursday after an attempted residential entry. The victim identified the suspect as Magers and he was located a short time after the incident and taken into custody.

During a search of Magers’ clothing, a number of illegal items were located, including drug paraphernalia, digital scales, pills and several small bags that were suspected to contain marijuana. Magers was arrested and transported to the Pulaski County Jail. Formal charges are pending.

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Pulaski County United Fund to Furnish Computers to Non-Profit Agencies

Posted on Author WKVI

The Pulaski County United Fund has partnered with Net Literacy to distribute six refurbished computers to area non-profit agencies.

United Fund agencies, PEAK Community Services, Inc. and Pulaski County Human Services, Inc., will receive three computers each. PEAK will use the computers in group homes located in Winamac. The computers will allow the residents access to job postings and applications. Additionally, residents will be able to gain the skills needed to establish and maintain relationships through the use of email, social networking and internet research. Pulaski County Human Services will place two computers in the Headstart “Resource Room” in Winamac to provide parents with exposure to educational resources. One computer will be placed in the Senior Center, Von Tobel Center. PCHS also plans to offer computer classes.

Pulaski County Commissioners Approve Request for Four-Way Stop in Star City

Posted on Author WKVI

The Pulaski County Commissioners approved Cathy Fritz’s request for a four-way stop at the corner of Main Street and Warrick Street in Star City.

Fritz explained to the Commissioners that this is located by the First United Methodist Church in Star City. The church provides tutoring services for children after school once a week and the area is always busy with children playing and it’s also by the park. She presented the Commissioners with a petition signed by more than 100 residents, church members, police officers and other concerned citizens to create a four-way stop at that intersection. The Commissioners agreed and voted to erect a four-way stop.

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Pulaski Recorder, Auditor Offices to Be Open for Evening Property Research

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

Pulaski County Recorder Lynn Wilder and Auditor Sheila Garling requested that they open their offices for residents in the county during the evening for the purpose to research properties.

Wilder told the Pulaski County Commissioners that there are often times residents come in to research properties and they don’t have enough time to complete their research or it’s just inconvenient to come in during the work day. They would like to open their offices two times a week, at night, to offer that time to residents to look at their properties or historic properties and they will be able to answer any questions or concerns the public may have. The pair assured the Commissioners that there would not be any additional cost to the taxpayers to have this service available to them.

The Commissioners approved the request and WKVI will be notified when the offices will be open for this activity.

Pulaski County 4-H Fair Queen Earns Third Runner-up in State Fair

Posted on Author WKVI
Stacy Gudas

Pulaski County’s 4-H Fair Queen, Stacy Gudas, was the 3rd runner up in the State Fair Queen Pageant held over the weekend. Erika Elaine Burghardt of Tippecanoe County topped 87 other contestants to earn the title of Miss Indiana State Fair. The event was held in the Pepsi Coliseum. Burghardt, a Mulberry native, is the third Tippecanoe County Queen to win the State Fair title and the first since 1996.

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Pulaski County Bridge Repair Requires Land Acquisition

Posted on Author WKVI

Engineers are in the midst of asking for land to build a new bridge on 625 East and Railroad Avenue in Pulaski County. The existing bridge is dilapidated, unsafe and is too narrow to support modern day traffic and needs to be rebuilt. The problem is, the bridge has been designated as an historic bridge by the State and can not be altered.

Land is being acquired adjacent to the existing bridge for the purpose of realigning the road and creating a safer route through that area. The approval for the land acquisition could be complete the week of August 22nd and the project will continue to move forward. Preliminary plans will be submitted soon and bids should be let by next summer. This project has been in the works since 2004.

ATV Legalization Unlikely in Pulaski County

Posted on Author WKVI

Pulaski County Commissioner Kenneth Boswell told Commissioners Tracey Shorter and Michael Tiede that he has received requests to legalize the use of ATVs on county roads. There is a state law that restricts the use of ATVs on public roadways and according to state law, all ATVs must be registered through the DNR. Commissioner Michael Tiede was asked about the Board’s decision regarding this request:

“The county attorney said that that probably won’t happen because of the state law says that they’re not licensed vehicles. And also, I don’t know if we need four-wheelers and golf carts driving down the road at a slow pace, especially a golf cart on a road that’s 55 miles per hour,” said Tiede.

Pulaski County Prosecutor Requests Sales Tax Reimbursement

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

Pulaski County Prosecutor, Stacey Mrak, asked the Commissioners to reconsider their decision to deny the reimbursement of sales tax on some purchases previously made.  She told the Commissioners that it should be paid and that county tax dollars are not being spent in this reimbursement.  The payment would be less than $20.

Commission President Michael Tiede was asked about their decision regarding Mrak’s request.

“The board was for the office holder to fill out the reimbursement for sales tax and then submit it to the auditor and the auditor will take care of it from there,” said Tiede.

Pulaski County Commissioners Discuss Water Problem at Courthouse

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

The Pulaski County Commissioners heard from Courthouse and Justice Center Maintenance Director, Morry Demarco, about the water problem in the basement of the Courthouse.

Demarco said that the water wasn’t coming into the basement because of the foundation. The water was not being directed away from the building and the drains were full of pine needles and other debris which caused the water to overflow and seep into the Courthouse. Demarco had gotten quotes from two companies who could fix the problem for $4,100 to $5,500. He went in and installed some piping around the Courthouse that is now directing the water from the Courthouse structure to the street. The cost to fix that problem was only $80.

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Pulaski County Commissioners Receive Complaints About Irrigation Sprayers

Posted on Author WKVI

The Pulaski County Commissioners discussed agricultural irrigation during their recent meeting.

Commissioner Kenneth Boswell commented that he has gotten several complaints from drivers and motorcyclists about irrigation spraying ditch water into the roadway.  They are complaining that it’s stagnant ditch water and that it’s being sprayed into their vehicles if the windows are down and the slick road conditions could cause an accident.  Commission President Michael Tiede was asked to comment on the discussion after the meeting:

“I personally got calls about it from people riding motorcycles to new cars, you know, getting the stinky water on their cars or people having their T-tops open. Kevin Tankerslee, the county attorney, is thinking there might be a state law. He’s going to look into it and try to find out what can be done because this seems like a big concern,” said Tiede.

Pulaski County Health Department Offering Walk-In Clinic Today

Posted on Author WKVI

Today, the Pulaski County Health Department will be offering a walk-in clinic for school children who need their immunizations for school.

The walk-in clinic is open today from 3 – 7 p.m. ET at the Health Department for children in Kindergarten through 12th grade. The Health Department is charging $8.00 per shot. If you are on Medicaid, you will need your Medicaid card and the Health Department will bill Medicaid directly. Parents should also present immunization cards when at the clinic.

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