Murder Suspect Jailed Without Bond in Pulaski County

Michael Kasten Sr.
Michael Kasten Sr.

The Winamac man accused of fatally stabbing his wife Sunday night at their home is jailed without bond in Pulaski County. Michael Kasten Sr., 59, was released from a hospital in Fort Wayne Wednesday afternoon, where he was being treated for an apparent self-inflicted stab wound. He made an initial appearance this morning in Pulaski Circuit Court, where he’s charged with murder in connection with the death of Tina Kasten, 54. Continue reading →

Pulaski County Emergency Personnel Collaborate in Tabletop Exercise

  
 

A tabletop exercise was held yesterday in Pulaski County to gather emergency personnel together to determine how to handle a mass disaster.

Pulaski County Preparedness Coordinator Sherry Fagner said the scenario put together information from entities from the hospital, health department, schools, police, EMS, EMA, Indiana Department of Homeland Security, Indiana State Department of Health, and media.

“We did a lot of collaboration on if it was a true event that a public health emergency was declared,” said Fagner.

Continue reading →

Commissioners Approve Company to Handle Revolving Loan Applications

 Approval has been given to the Pulaski County Community Development Commission (CDC) to contract with Valparaiso-based Regional Development Company (RDC) to handle the financial administration aspect of the revolving loan fund.

Pulaski County CDC Executive Director Nathan Origer told the Pulaski County Commissioners this week that the RDC will receive the application and run a credit report plus gather personal or business tax forms. The county will then receive a credit memo as part of the process in applying for a revolving loan. The RDC will give a ranking to a committee set up by the Pulaski County CDC. Other aspects will be considered in an overall ranking which will be presented to the Commissioners for approval or denial of a loan.

Continue reading →

Sen. Donnelly Care Package Looks to Increase Mental Health Services

Joe Donnelly
Senator Joe Donnelly

U.S. Senator Joe Donnelly is looking to provide additional mental healthcare to members of the armed services.

During a conference call with reporters Wednesday afternoon, Donnelly said the “Care Package” legislation – which is part of the broader National Defense Authorization Act – aims to increase access to healthcare services provided through the Department of Defense and community healthcare providers.
Continue reading →

Auction Date Set for Sale of County Home Contents

Pleasant View Rest Home
Pleasant View Rest Home

An auction date has been set for the contents of the Pleasant View Rest Home in Winamac. The county home was recently closed due to the Pulaski County Council’s decision to no longer fund the operations at the facility.

Pulaski County Commissioner Terry Young announced Monday night that the auction is Saturday, June 20 at 10 a.m. ET at the facility located on 60 S. in Winamac. Several items will be featured including chairs, beds, mattresses, kitchen items and antiques.  Jeremiah Kopka from Kopka Auctions is conducting the sale.

Continue reading →

Authorities Say Stabbing Suspect Attempted to Kill Himself

Michael Kasten Sr.
Michael Kasten Sr.

A Winamac man who is charged with murder in Sunday’s stabbing death of his wife apparently tried to kill himself as well. Michael Kasten Sr., 59, is accused of stabbing his wife, Tina Kasten, 58, in the chest with a steak knife at their home on State Road 119. A friend who lived with the couple called 911, according to the police report. Officers found Tina Kasten on a loveseat in the living room of the home with a chest wound and her husband in the garage covered in blood with a steak knife nearby. He reportedly told officers he stabbed himself and said repeatedly he wanted to die. Continue reading →

Public Hearing Set to Discuss Cleanup of Collapsed Building in Monterey

sportsmans chain link fenceA public hearing is set for June 1 to discuss the demolition and clean up of the debris from the Sportsman’s Bar and Grill in Monterey.

The structure that housed the business at the corner of Walnut and Main Streets collapsed during the evening hours of Thursday, April 23. An asbestos study was completed on the rubble where testing found the debris positive for the presence of asbestos.

The owner, Courtney Hardin, has 30 days to clean up the property. She will need to appear before the commissioners for the public hearing and comply with the demolition order.

Continue reading →

Farmers Reminded of Conservation Certification Filing Deadline

 
 

Specialty crop producers who applied for enhanced crop insurance this year have a deadline approaching to turn in necessary paperwork. Conservation compliance forms must be filed with the U.S. Department of Agriculture by June 1. Farmers who do not complete the form will not be eligible for federal crop insurance payments. The 2014 farm bill gave specialty crop producers the option to apply for enhanced crop coverage through the federal Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program, commonly known as NAP. In order to receive payments, farmers must certify they will not plant crops on erodible land unless previously approved by the Natural Resources Conservation Service. Applicants must also agree not to drain, dredge, level or fill any wetlands on their property. Continue reading →

Ivy Tech’s Society of Innovators Launches Expedition Innovation 2015: “A Call for Nominations”

 An effort is under way to find the “hidden innovators” of Northwest Indiana. The Ivy Tech Community College Society of Innovators recently announced its seven-county “Expedition Innovation 2015 – ‘A Call for Nominations.’ Between June 2nd and 17th officials with the society will visit each of the seven counties in the region to explain their goals in greater detail. They will be at Kemin Industries in rural North Judson on June 10th and at the Pulaski County CDC/Economic Development office in Winamac the following day.

NIPSCO Director of Economic Development Don Babcock serves on the Society of Innovators board. He says innovation is the foundation of our economy. He adds there are innovators out there who are below the radar that are making important contributions to our region, state and world. He says the Society of Innovators wants to find them. Continue reading →