Additional Appropriation for Trial Expenses Approved for Advertisement

Posted on Author WKVI

Court hearings and procedures leading up to a potential a murder trial in Pulaski County has forced the judge to ask for more resources to fund the proceedings prior to the trial date.

Pulaski Circuit Court Judge Michael Shurn asked the Pulaski County Council this week for an additional appropriation for $25,000 for examination of prisoners.

Paul Katschke is accused of murdering his live-in girlfriend, 34-year-old Amber Rene Taylor, in their Denham home in August of last year. Katschke has undergone court-ordered mental competency evaluations. Judge Shurn said there were $12,000 to $13,000 in outstanding bills that need to be paid.

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Pulaski Memorial Hospital Hosts Health Fair

Posted on Author WKVI
Pulaski Memorial Hospital
Pulaski Memorial Hospital

Each year, residents of Pulaski County are encouraged to learn more about the health services that are offered in their area.

On Saturday, Pulaski Memorial Hospital will host their annual health fair. The event invites about 35 vendors to discuss what is happening at the hospital as well as some of the hospital’s community partners.
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Flags to Be Flown at Half-Staff for Peace Officers Memorial Day

Posted on Author WKVI

Flags should be flown at half-staff from sunrise until sunset today in observance of Peace Officers Memorial Day. It honors federal, state and local officers killed or disabled in the line of duty. President Obama signed a proclamation ordering flags nationwide be lowered in observance of the somber celebration. Gov. Mike Pence also asks businesses and residents to lower their flags to half-staff to pay tribute to the brave men and women in law enforcement across the state and nation.

New Fence Installed around Monterey Building Remnants

Posted on Author WKVI

sportsmans chain link fenceA chain link fence now surrounds the rubble where the Sportsman’s Bar and Grill in Monterey once stood.

The area had been contained with a temporary, orange, construction-type privacy fencing project. A portion of the fence was secured to a dumpster that is no longer on the site. That led Pulaski County Building Administrator Dave Dare to contact a locally registered contractor in order to install a six-foot, self-supporting chain-link fence around the area this week for enhanced security.

Dare added that his department is in the process of making the legal notification to the current owner to attend a hearing before the Hearing Authority concerning property clean-up. He noted that cleanup would proceed as soon as possible. Continue reading →

Pulaski County Council Approves Increase for EMS Staff

Posted on Author WKVI
 
 

Action was taken to approve an increase for Pulaski County EMS workers.

In a previous meeting, EMS Director Nikki Lowry requested a wage increase for her workers to keep staff in her department. Lowry has experienced a severe turnover in staff in the last few months due to better pay by other County EMS departments. In order to be competitive with surrounding agencies, Lowry asked that the Council help in approving an increase in wages for the staff.

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Purdue Extension Welcomes New Ag Educator

Posted on Author WKVI

Purdue Extension LogoPurdue Extension has a new Agricultural Educator in Starke and Pulaski County.

Phil Woolery started the job on May 1st of this year and has, so far, been working to assess exactly what residents in the two counties need out of his services. Purdue Extension offices work to provide educational opportunities in each of Indiana’s counties.
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West Central Elementary School Receives PACE Grant

Posted on Author WKVI
 
 

The West Central Elementary School recently received a grant from the Pulaski Alliance Community Education, or PACE, organization.

Superintendent Don Street said the $15,000 grant helps gives books to students for special occasions, including the summer Bookmobile. The money also assists in the purchase of management of reading diagnostic software.

PACE activities range from support for preschool programs to coordination of adult education initiatives.

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Town of Monterey Requests Additional Loan Money

Posted on Author WKVI

More money will be loaned to the Town of Monterey for help in upgrading their wastewater system.

Pulaski County Community Development Commission Executive Director Nathan Origer and Monterey Town Council President Jim Fleury appeared before the Pulaski County Council Monday night.  They requested an additional $15,000 to their original loan request of $20,000. When the town began assembling information for a 2013 grant to help with the cost of wastewater treatment plant improvements, the engineers used numbers relevant to 2013.  Origer says the estimates have gone up since then.

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Pulaski Economic Development Considers Revolving Loan Changes

Posted on Author WKVI

Pulaski County Economic DevelopmentPart of the decision-making process for revolving loans in Pulaski County’s economic development could soon be handled by a separate entity.

The changes are still considered preliminary, but discussions are taking place at the Pulaski County Community Development Commission to move risk-analysis and loan recommendations to Valparaiso-based “Regional Development Company.”
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LOHUT Presentation Given to Pulaski County Council

Posted on Author WKVI

The Pulaski County Commissioners received information last night about a Local Option Highway User Tax (LOHUT) that can be used to construct, reconstruct, repair or maintain streets under a county, city or town jurisdiction.

Pat Conner from the Indiana Local Technical Assistance Program (LTAP) out of Purdue University explained that the LOHUT is made up of a surtax of the vehicle excise tax and wheel tax. The surtax and a wheel tax can be a flat rate decided by the council that will be payable at the time vehicle registration is due. If the council decides to pass the LOHUT, an ordinance would be approved, and a public hearing held to gather opinions concerning the increase.

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West Central School Corporation Looks to Lose More Funding in 2016

Posted on Author WKVI

west central logoThe West Central School Corporation will see another significant state funding cut to the General Fund budget in the 2016-2017 school year.

Superintendent Don Street gave the school board the hard figures during their meeting last week.

“Based on the state legislature, it is projected that West Central will be down about $300,000 for the 2016-2017 school year in the General Fund,” explained Street. “All of that is based upon our enrollment.”

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Pulaski County Council to Discuss Option for Additional Highway Department Revenue

Posted on Author WKVI

The Pulaski County Council will receive information about a Local Option Highway User Tax (LOHUT) when they meet tonight.

The Pulaski County Highway Department is facing a budget strain on current resources as revenue from the state has flatlined while expenses are on the rise. A representative from the Local Technical Assistance Program (LTAP) from Purdue University will present information to the Council on what kind of revenue could be generated with the implementation of a vehicle excise tax and wheel tax.

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Last E-Learning Day at West Central Today

Posted on Author WKVI

Students in the West Central School Corporation will participate in their last e-learning day today. The corporation was granted the chance to make up missed school days this year by completing assignments online.

Students received assignments on Thursday. They will work on those assignments online today as it coincides with the one-to-one computer program.

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Workshops Set for Seniors in Pulaski County

Posted on Author WKVI
 
 

Workshops to present sharing and problem-solving to handle difficult emotions for seniors are scheduled in Pulaski County.

The Elder Leading and Education Across Domains, or L.E.A.D., initiative is a statewide pilot program that promotes emotional health for the older population. Senior participants will explore attitudes, increase awareness of medication use/misuse, and learn proven strategies to reduce anxiety, anger and depression.

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