Those looking to qualify for a summer job, and who may want to get bronzed in the process, can now retrieve a bit of information through the Indiana Department of Natural Resources.
The DNR says it’s taking applications for summer lifeguard positions. Tests are required for first-year lifeguards at State Park facilities. Applicants who have already been lifeguards at more than 10 locations around the state are exempt from taking the test.
A Winamac woman was airlifted to a South Bend hospital following an ATV wreck in southeastern Pulaski County. It happened around 3:20 p.m. Thursday, according to officials with DNR Law Enforcement. Continue reading
The Pulaski County Council and Commissioners will meet in a special joint session meeting on Monday, May 4 to discuss two items.
Pulaski County Maintenance Director Jeff Johnston has prepared a presentation on structural issues that need to be addressed at the Pulaski County Courthouse. Johnston informed the commissioners last week that the presentation includes several pages of notes.
A new container to collect unwanted, expired and unused prescription medications will be installed at the Pulaski County Justice Center.
Sheriff Jeff Richwine recently applied for a $600 grant through CVS and the company approved grant recipients this week. Sheriff Richwine’s request was approved.
The Eastern Pulaski School Corporation is looking to develop and fund alternative education opportunities for students.
During Monday night’s School Board meeting, Eastern Pulaski board members considered an Early Entrance/Developmental Kindergarten program. The area has an underserved population of children who may need additional socialization skills.
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A loan was approved by the Pulaski County Council to help the Town of Monterey with a wastewater system upgrade.
Pulaski County Community Development Commission (CDC) Executive Director Nathan Origer and Monterey Town Council President Jim Fleury were before the county council members on Monday night to request a $20,000 loan for matching grant funds for the project.
The money would be advertised as an additional appropriation from the CDC fund to make a loan available to the town. The money will be only be spent if the town’s grant request is approved.
U.S. Senator Joe Donnelly is urging additional support to combat what he says is a nationwide opioid and heroin epidemic.
Indiana’s Democratic Senator wrote a letter to the Senate’s Appropriations Committee, and several subcommittees with the goal of combating the problem in the 2016 fiscal year budget.
Northern Indiana is under a Red Flag Warning until 8 p.m. EDT/7 p.m. CDT this evening. That means critical fire weather conditions are either occurring now or will develop shortly. In this case a combination of gusty wind and low relative humidity will cause any fires that develop to spread rapidly. Outdoor burning is not recommended. Be careful when discarding cigarettes and cooking on grills as well.
The Pulaski County Council took action to create a temporary loan to cover expenses in the General Fund.
Auditor Shelia Garling explained to the county council that the financial report shows that the General Fund is $175,156.66 short. Garling asked that a loan be authorized from the County Adjusted Gross Income Tax (CAGIT) County Certified Shares line item to support the General Fund. The CAGIT fund has a balance of $1.8 million.
Some additional time to think is what the Eastern Pulaski School Board needs when it comes to the cost of school renovations.
A multi-million dollar renovation is being undertaken of the Eastern Pulaski School Corporation’s elementary school and middle/high school. Project designs were finalized some time ago, but making an official hire for the project has hit a bit of a snag.
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The Town of Winamac has nearly completed a new addition to the town park.
During Monday night’s Winamac Town Council meeting, updates on the fencing for a new dog park were received. The dog park was suggested due to conflicting schedules between the 4-H club and youth baseball and softball teams who were using the fields for practice.
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Beautification of the town park’s entrance in Winamac took another step this week.
The Town Council on Monday night reviewed plans that were recommended by the Park Board.
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Federal and state income taxes are due today. Michelle Bachtel from H&R Block says you need to file an extension if you can’t finish your return. Doing so gives you six additional months to file but does not defer payments due. If you owe, pay as much as you can. Otherwise you will be assessed interest and penalties from April 15th. Continue reading
The trial of a murder defendant in Pulaski County has been rescheduled. Paul Katschke is accused of killing his live-in girlfriend, Amber Renee Taylor, last Aug. 11 at the couple’s Denham home. Continue reading
The Pulaski County Council members took a giant step last night to help keep paramedics and EMS staff members in the county.
EMS Director Nikki Lowry previously pleaded with the county council to help retain her staff as they are leaving for higher pay in surrounding counties. The turnover rate is very high. She asked that a committee get together and aid her in restructuring pay in the EMS budget.
The Town of Winamac could soon help prevent resident’s energy prices from spiking with the seasons.
During last night’s Winamac Town Council meeting, a special meeting was considered for discussions on a possible solar energy park. The Indiana Municipal Power Agency (IMPA) has expressed interest in developing the solar park.
Town Council member Richard Denney says the project may take a while.
“It’s not going to happen in 2015 and more than likely it won’t happen in 2016,” says Denney. “This year’s construction is underway for three units and next year’s is pretty much solid.”
IMPA currently has three solar parks in Frankton, Rensellaer, and Richton.
Its 59 “member communities” have been asked to help develop the solar parks. In order for any development to take place, however, 20 acres of land would need to be found for sale. The Town of Winamac is currently eyeing space at the Industrial Park, north of the County Home.
Once land is secured, IMPA staff would handle development, construction, fencing, and mowing.
Town Manager Brad Zellers says the Town of Winamac would have a small role to play in the upkeep.
“The only thing we have to do: they would like our crew once or twice per week to drive through and see if the green light is on or if the red light is on,” says Zellers. “If the red light is one, then there’s a problem. Call them.”
Solar parks are incentivized due to a spike in energy demand during the summer months. By implementing solar energy, it is anticipated energy peaks would largely be eliminated for consumers.
A presenter from the Indiana Municipal Power Agency will be invited to give the Winamac Town Council more information.
Time is being spent this week to recognize the heroes behind all of the 911 and other resident calls at law enforcement agencies. 911 dispatchers are the first in a line of emergency personnel to talk to a person in distress about an issue whether it is medical related, an accident or another incident.
National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week runs until Sunday, April 19. Telecommunicators, or dispatchers, alert police, fire and EMS of calls for help. There are some medical instances where dispatchers can relay life-saving skills over the phone to help someone sustain life until emergency personnel can arrive at the scene.
Federal and state income tax returns need to be filed tomorrow. Michelle Bachtel with H&R Block says you have options if you owe and are not able to pay. She adds the most important thing is not to panic
“If you can’t pay the full amount by April 15, just pay what as much as you can,” Bachtel said. “Even though interest will accrue on the amount owed, you’re not going to be arrested, and they’re not going to come knock on your door and seize your home.” Continue reading
The Eastern Pulaski School Board will be discussing bids for the upcoming building renovation projects in a work session beginning at 5 p.m. ET tonight. The projects include the construction of secure entrances at the schools, upgrades of classrooms and a new gymnasium floor. The project is estimated at $14 million.
The Pulaski County Commissioners approved the action of interviewing candidates for the position of highway superintendent, but the position is not yet open.
The commissioners were notified that Superintendent Mark Fox may submit his letter of resignation last week, but that letter has not been filed with the Pulaski County Auditor’s office, according to Auditor Shelia Garling.
