MobilityWorks, a leading dealer of BraunAbility accessible wheelchair vans and lift systems gifted a 2010 Dodge Grand Caravan with a BraunAbility conversion van to Juliana Ramos last Wednesday. Ms. Ramos is a bride-to-be who now relies on a wheelchair for mobility after suffering traumatic brain injuries as a result of a car accident in October of 2009.
A grant in the amount of $587,253 is to be received by Pulaski County to assist in funding the construction of the Star City sewer project, a new sanitary sewer system for the unincorporated community. This project, which is funded by the federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), is to come from CDBG funds that were made available for economic recovery after many areas were damaged by natural disasters in 2008.
The Pulaski County Drug Free Council has awarded its annual grants for the reduction of drug and alcohol abuse in Pulaski County. The grants are funded from the collection of statutory countermeasure fees assess of criminal defendants for convictions in certain drug and alcohol offenses. The grants are awarded for programs designed to provide treatment, prevention or the criminal enforcement of drug and alcohol abuse. $5,150 was distributed in this grant cycle.
Indiana Superintendent of Public Instruction, Dr. Tony Bennett, will be the featured speaker at this year’s Lincoln Day Dinner, sponsored by the Pulaski County Republican Party. The dinner is scheduled for today at the Star City Community Building. Registration begins at 5:30 p.m. ET and the program begins at 6:00 p.m. ET. Tickets are $25 at the door.
Dr. Bennett will be discussing the four bills associated with the education reform agenda during tonight’s event. One bill allows charter schools sponsorship opportunity and accountability. Another seeks approval for teacher evaluations and licensing and collective bargaining for teachers. A fourth bill being discussed in this year’s legislature provides scholarships to low income students to pay the costs of tuition and fees at a public or private elementary school or high school that charges tuition.
Dr. Bennett has been involved in Indiana education for over 20 years and has served as the State’s Education Superintendent since January 12th, 2009.
Officials at the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles announced that the Knox and Winamac license branches will have new hours of operation beginning Monday, February 28th.
The Knox License Branch will be open on Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. CT. The Winamac License Branch will be open on Tuesday and Thursday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. ET.
The Pulaski County Development Commission Board is looking for a new Director. Director Dan Dolezal submitted his resignation recently, listing April 1st as his final day on the job. In an interview with WKVI last week, Dolezal said he told the board, “April 1st and that’s no joke.”
Dolezal accepted the position as the Development Director six years ago after a long career in the health field. He told Ted Hayes last week that , “After a few weeks of retirement I found myself sitting on the front porch having an intense conversation with my three cats, and realized it might be time to go back to work.”
On a serious note, Dolezal said “job retention” in Pulaski County was his most satisfying accomplishment. Other things he has taken pride in assisting with are the Star City sewer installation and the Panhandle Pathway project. He hopes that CDC Board can get his successor in place soon so he can help in the training process.
After all he said, “Those three cats are waiting for me at home to point me in the direction of the next phase of my life.”
Pulaski County Public Health Nurse, Andrea Keller, told WKVI that influenza activity is widespread in Indiana and has been identified in Pulaski County. Influenza A and B are the strains that have been reported to her office, but no cases of the H1N1 flu have been reported. We are currently in the middle of the peak flu season.
The Indiana Department of Homeland Security has announced that 10 commanders are now in place to continue development of the regional emergency response task forces evolving into a statewide network of emergency support.
Ron Patrick, Chief Deputy of the Pulaski County Sheriff’s Department, has been named as the Task Force Commander for District 2. The commanders are responsible for overseeing daily administrative operations, and recruiting resources to establish and expand the capabilities of the task force they oversee.
The Census figures were released last week. Here are the figures for Starke and Pulaski Counties:
Knox 3,704
North Judson 1,772
Hamlet 800
Bass Lake 1,195
Koontz Lake 1,557
San Pierre 144
Pulaski:
Winamac 2,490
Medaryville 614
Francesville 879
Star City 344
We’ll look at other towns and cities around us tomorrow.
Tracy and Tim Moore will be moving into their new Habitat for Humanity home Saturday in Winamac. The 1,050 square foot home was built in six months by volunteers for the Moores who have two children and another on the way.
Steve Morrison is the President of the Starke/Pulaski Habitat for Humanity Organization and tells us about the the selection process.
There was some heated discussion regarding the recycling center’s purchase of aluminum and other recyclables at the last Pulaski County Commissioners meeting. Ed Clark, of the Pulaski County Recycling Center, approached the commissioners and mentioned his interest in allowing the recycling center to once again purchase aluminum from county residents and businesses.
The Pulaski County Prosecutor’s Office has amended charges against Glen Sommers of Winamac who allegedly wielded a knife to his victim at the victim’s home in Pulaski County on February 4th. Sommers also allegedly stole a guitar from the victim.
Prosecutor Stacey Mrak told WKVI that Sommers is being charged with Robbery Resulting in Bodily Injury and Battery with a Deadly Weapon, both felony charges. He is in the Pulaski County jail with a $50,000 bond. Sommers had preliminary charges of Attempted Murder and Armed Robbery.
Sommers’ initial hearing was Monday in Pulaski Circuit Court where a plea of not guilty was given. A pretrial hearing will be held March 31st.
The Starke-Pulaski Junior Achievement Organization is gearing up for a night of bowling at Bowlaway Lanes in Knox. This is the first of what is hoped to be an annual fund-raising event, and it will be held Wednesday night, February 23rd.
Each County is organizing teams to bowl.
A Winamac man was arrested, Thursday, February 3rd, on preliminary charges of Attempted Murder and Armed Robbery.
According to the Pulaski County Sheriff’s Department log, an unidentified male complainant called police to report that Glen Sommers was at his home and allegedly tried to stab him. The victim defended himself and was cut on the underside of his thumb. Sommers left the residence and it took the victim 20 minutes to call police because his phone lines were reportedly cut and he could not call out. Sommers also allegedly stole the complainant’s guitar.
Sommers is currently in the Pulaski County Jail.
Thirteen people have filed for candidacy for the 2011 Municipal election in the Starke County Clerk’s office. The two latest candidate filings include Donald Kring for Knox City Council and Bob Yung for Hamlet Town Board.
Clerk Evelyn Skronski explained that candidates filing for positions in the North Judson and Hamlet town elections have until August 1st to file while candidates for the City of Knox election have until February 18th to file. In general, Primary Elections are not held for the candidates of major parties, the Democratic and Republican parties, in towns under a population of 3,500 unless the town has adopted an ordinance to nominate candidates at a primary election. This applies for candidates running for positions in Hamlet and North Judson. If there is a party opposition on any of the seats open for candidacy in North Judson or Hamlet, a Town Convention will be held to determine the candidate for the General Election. Those are typically held in August.
The same rules apply for candidates in Pulaski County in the towns of Winamac, Medaryville and Francesville. One candidate has filed for candidacy for the 2011 Municipal Election. Christina Hoffa has filed for Winamac Town Clerk-Treasurer.
In light of the winter storm warnings that have been issued for this area, the Pulaski and Starke County Emergency Management Agencies are advising persons to be prepared for hazardous winter weather. All emergency information will be announced on this station.
How much in jeopardy is Extension as we know it in Indiana? Governor Mitch Daniels has proposed deep cuts in spending on state universities, and part of the funding for County Extension Offices comes from Purdue University.
Allen Kurtz, of the local extension offices in Starke and Pulaski Counties, was asked that question recently by Ted Hayes.
“I think we’re optimistic,” replied Kurtz. “We had a good meeting with Mrs. Dembowski last week and had some good discussion about the importance of some of the line items that we have from the State and how they impact our Extension Service, 4-H and the Fair.”
Due to the predicted storm, the Town of Winamac is invoking its snow emergency parking plan starting at 7:00 a.m. ET on Tuesday, February 1st and ending on Friday, February 4th at Noon ET.
During this time, on-street parking is restricted to the odd addressed side of the streets. This is being done to facilitate keeping the streets open during the storm, movement of emergency vehicles during the storm and snow removal after the storm is over. Your cooperation will be greatly appreciated.
Last week we announced that Michael Shurn, the Circuit Court Judge in Pulaski County, was named the H.J. Halleck Award winner for 2011.
One of Judge Shurn’s special interests has been scouting. We asked him if he has always been interested in youth activities.
“Not really, I was involved in youth activities, I guess, from just following my children around and then when I became Judge, I have so many juvenile cases that it was sort of a natural fit to continue on in scouts. My son went all the way through so I just stayed there.”
The Town of Winamac says goodbye to one of it’s favorite sons today. Attorney Stuart Gast, who passed away at 98 Sunday, will be laid to rest following services at Frain Mortuary.
Yesterday evening his fellow Kiwanians said goodbye in an joyful service that saw many of them reminisce about their friend. Gast was a member of the club for 72 years. Our own Ted Hayes was honored to be Master of Ceremonies at the service. Pulaski County Circuit Court Judge Michael Shurn, who was hired as a law partner of Mr. Gast, spoke about him as the perfect mentor.
