One of Winamac’s most prominent citizens passed away Sunday in Pulaski Memorial Hospital. Ted Hayes remembers Stuart Gast.
“I met Stuart Gast at the Winamac Kiwanis Club. He was a lawyer and was at one time the youngest Circuit Court Judge in the state. He was Circuit Court Judge in Pulaski County in the 1940’s. He was interested in the Pulaski County Historical Society, and was instrumental in starting boys baseball in the Winamac community.”
“Stu was a Cubs and Bears fan, and even tried his hand at farming (he owned several farms during his lifetime). Needless to say, he was involved with many charitable efforts in his lifetime.”
“He was instrumental in the career of this year’s Halleck Award winner, Judge Michael Shurn, having brought him into his law firm.”
“The Winamac community has lost one of its real gentlemen. Stuart Gast, dead at the age of 98.”
Congratulations to Pulaski County Circuit Judge Michael Shurn of Winamac. In balloting yesterday, Judge Shurn was selected as the 2011 H.J. Halleck award winner in Pulaski County.
Judge Shurn lives in Pulaski County with his wife, Mary, and is the father of two children. He will be honored during a ceremony February 24th at the Moss Creek Country Club.
Several fire departments responded to a fire at Winamac Coil Spring at Kewanna Thursday.
According to Plant Manager, “Doc” Russell, the fire was significant. All of today’s shifts are canceled because of the blaze. Winamac Coil Spring employs 167 workers and is a $25 million a year concern. The plant covers 125,000 sq. ft. with another 12,500 on the drawing board to be added to the complex.
After much discussion at its recent meeting, the Pulaski County Council approved Sheriff Michael Gayer’s request to replace one departing deputy.
The Council approved the hiring of two deputies to fill vacant positions that are funded in this year’s budget, but Sheriff Gayer will hold off on one of the hires until the Council examines the legality of filling the position. Hiring two new deputies would give the County nine patrol deputies.
The first baby in Pulaski County arrived Tuesday afternoon at Pulaski Memorial Hospital. Katilyn Michelle Baker arrived at 3:56 p.m. ET. Katilyn’s parents are Lisa Nicholson, and Levi Baker of Star City. There are plenty of relatives awaiting little Katilyn’s arrival home, including a “big” sister Madison Elizabeth who is 18 months old.
Sam Frain, of Frain Mortuary in Winamac, Francesville and Medaryville has committed to serve as a member of the National Funeral Directors Association’s Member Resources Advisory Group for the 2010-2011 term.
That group is called upon to assist the national organization in a number of ways, including recommending new programs, products and services, reviewing and providing feedback on new resources, and assisting with the recruitment and retention of members from around the world for the betterment of the profession and the families it serves.
The Pulaski County Community Foundation is participating in the Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship program. The program provides scholarships for full college tuition for four years, required fees and book stipends. Applications are available now through the Foundation’s website. The deadline to submit an application is January 10th, 2011.
For more information, contact your local school guidance department or the Pulaski County Community Foundation at (574) 946-0906.
Crews work to clear the scene of an accident that claimed the life of a Winamac teen. Photo provided by Kevin Lilly of the Pharos Tribune.
Stephanie McGovern, 16, of Winamac, who was involved in a car accident in Cass County on Monday, December 27th, had a successful jaw surgery and is out of ICU at a Fort Wayne hospital. Doctors have tended to broken ribs, a punctured lung and a punctured kidney that she suffered in the accident. She will soon continue her recovery at home. Stephanie’s parents are Mike and Cheryl McGovern.
In front: Superior Court Judge Pat Blankenship and Circuit Court Judge Michael Shurn. Officers (L to R) Ron Powers, Tasha Foerg, Tom Roth, Stacey Mrak, Michael "Mick" Tiede, Alex Haschel, Joyce Weaver, Steve Van Der Aa, Holly Van Der Aa, Michael Gayer, Tracey Shorter
In a joint swearing ceremony, all candidates elected in the General Election in Pulaski County were sworn in by Circuit Court Judge, Michael Shurn, and Superior Court Judge, Patrick Blankenship.
One of those sworn into office was Tracey Shorter who will be the newest member of the Board of Commissioners on January 1st.
Besides being the first woman Commissioner in Pulaski County, she is also the youngest at age 42. Ted asked what prompted her to seek the office.
“I ran four years ago and the race was so close,” said Shorter. “Part of it was because there had never been a woman Commissioner and it became a goal of mine. I got sick and realized life is too short to wait so I ran. None of us knows what tomorrow holds. I’m excited. I think it shows a big win for the party but it also shows progress for our County as far as moving forward. I haven’t really done the background but I think not only am I the first woman, but I think I’m the youngest.”
Elected officials take their oaths of office
Like all counties, Pulaski has its share of pressing issues that will need to be addressed in 2011.
“Zoning is a big issue, whether or not we keep the County Home open, keeping our budget balanced and not borrowing what we don’t have. All of those things are huge,” said Shorter.
The following were sworn into office: Ron Powers, Pulaski County Council District 3; Tasha Foerg, Pulaski County Clerk; Tom Roth, Pulaski County Council District 2; Stacey Mrak, Pulaski County Prosecutor; Michael “Mick” Tiede, Pulaski County Council District 4; Alex Haschel Pulaski County Council District 1; Joyce Weaver, Pulaski County Surveyor; Steve Van Der Aa, Pulaski County Coroner; Holly Van Der Aa, Pulaski County Assessor; Michael Gayer, Pulaski County Sheriff; and Tracey Shorter, County Commissioner District 3.
The Pulaski County Sheriff’s Department is investigating a theft from the Monterey Elementary School. The incident occurred Thanksgiving weekend, November 28th or 29th.
According to Detective Scott Taylor, some unknown person(s) broke into the Monterey Elementary School and stole 11 iPod touch devices and 2 laptop computers. The items were property of the Monterey Elementary School. The thieves did minimal damage when they broke into the building but took over $5,000 in electronics from the school.
If anyone knows anything about this case, you can provide an anonymous tip to Detective Scott Taylor of the Pulaski County Sheriff’s Department by calling (574) 946-6655 ext 239.
The Pulaski County officers elected into office in the General Election will be sworn into office on Tuesday, December 21st at 4:00 p.m. ET in the Pulaski County Circuit Courtroom.
(L to R) Nathan Welter, Gus Ress, Deb Ress, Lenny Dessauer, Patty Norwick, Kay Gudeman, Anita Goodan, Harold Welter, Chris Milner, Ed Hasnerl, and Tom Berg
The WKVI staff took a trip to Winamac, Wednesday, for a scrumptious lunch at Kostas Restaurant. We’d like to thank Gus Ress and his friendly staff for hosting us. It gave the staff a chance to greet restaurant patrons, including Mr. and Mrs. David Bennett, Bill Webb, Sheriff Mike Gayer, and Deputy John Rogers.
In an effort to further business recruitment efforts and opportunities for capital investment in Northwest Indiana, the Northwest Indiana Forum Board of Directors voted to explicitly acknowledge that the organization’s service territory extends beyond Lake, Porter, LaPorte and Starke Counties to include Newton, Jasper and Pulaski Counties.
Influenza has not been a big scare yet in Starke or Pulaski Counties.
Starke County Health Nurse, Frank Lynch, said that flu numbers are down right now and no cases of H1N1 have been reported. Whooping cough has been a great concern around the state this season but no cases have been reported in Starke County. Lynch would like to remind Starke County residents that flu shots are available at his office, both adult and child doses. He also recommends that residents wash their hands frequently to avoid getting the flu and spreading germs. Call the Health Department at (574) 772-9137 to make an appointment to get your flu shot.
CLASP and the Pulaski County Human Services, Inc. is having their annual Toystore, clothing and food box distribution for residents of Pulaski County on Saturday, December 11th, from 9:00 a.m. to Noon ET.
The Pulaski County Chamber’s Winter Wonderland event is this Saturday, December 4th from Noon-4:00 p.m. ET in downtown Winamac.
“There will be craft booths, there will be vendor booths, some great food to eat, the stores in the area will be offering wonderful specials, horse and buggy rides, and the children can visit with Santa,” explained Winter Wonderland Coordinator, Brandi Larkin. “We also have some groups hosting free children’s activities so there is a little bit of something for everyone. There will be a parade at 12:30 p.m. ET through the downtown area, a toy drive, a coat, hat and glove drive and a food drive. The Fire Department will have a quilt raffle and other not-for-profit organizations will have a presence at some of the booth locations as well.
Maps will be available for residents to see where they can find participants in this year’s event. Larkin said it’s important to grab a map as it could lead you to a great prize.
“If they visit nine of the eleven Chamber locations that are noted on the map and receive a sticker, they can be entered in a drawing for some great prizes,” added Larkin.
If you’re a farmer considering irrigation to your farm operation Purdue Extension can help you answer some of your questions. Alan Kurtz, Agriculture and Natural Resources Extension Educator with Purdue Cooperative Extension in Starke and Pulaski Counties, suggests questions you might ask yourself.
“If you are a grower considering adding irrigation to your farm operation, Purdue Extension can help you answer some of the difficult questions,” said Kurtz. “Questions may include, how much water do I need? What are my energy options? Can I afford to pay for irrigation? These and other questions will be addressed during three workshops to be held at four locations in Northern Indiana during the month of December.”
The two meeting locations closest to farmers in Starke County include the Wheatfield Public Library and the Wanatah Public Library. The Wheatfield meeting is in the morning at 9:00 a.m. CT and the Wanatah meeting is at 2:00 p.m. CT.
For more information contact the Extension Cffices in Starke and Pulaski Counties.
The Pulaski County United Fund, Inc. invites you to stop by their booth during the Winter Wonderland event in Winamac on Saturday, December 4th.
The United Fund booth will be located at the Pulaski County Human Services, Inc. building and will be open from Noon to 4:00 p.m. ET. Any contribution made to the United Fund during Winter Wonderland will be entered into a drawing to be held on December 13th. If you cannot attend Winter Wonderland and wish to contribute and be eligible for the drawing, drop off your contribution at either Alliance Bank offices in Winamac or Francesville between December 4th and December 11th. Several business have donated prizes for the drawing.
