West Central School Board Reviews Capital Projects Plan

 
 

The West Central School Board members discussed their capital projects plan during a work session last week.

Superintendent Don Street said that one focus in the next three years will be work at the high school.

“It’s kind of an aging building so we discussed sewer drains, water lines, water, electric panels, lighting, windows, doors, security, restrooms, storage, locker rooms, sidewalks, and fitness facilities were all discussed. We’ll come back to this later in the spring and review many of those items that we see as a need for the future,” said Street.

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Police Warn of IRS Scams

  
 

Scammers claiming to be IRS agents are attempting to separate unsuspecting people from their money. That was the case recently in LaPorte, where a woman was swindled out of $600. She told police a man at “Russ Card Live” identified himself as an IRS agent, told her she was being sued and she needed to send $600 via Money Gram pre-paid card to an address in California. Continue reading

Improvements are Being Made at Pulaski County Highway Department

Pulaski County Commissioners (L to R) Bud Krohn, Jr., Terry Young and Larry Brady
Pulaski County Commissioners (L to R) Bud Krohn, Jr., Terry Young and Larry Brady

The Pulaski County Commissioners said communication is getting better between the board members and the highway department.

It was announced in January that things needed to be changed at the highway department. The commissioners last week said the main issues were communication, and how to deal with problems and the policy book. That was according to Commissioner Terry Young, who spoke on behalf of the commissioners when the question was posed.

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Pulaski County Chamber Announces H.J. Halleck Award Winner

 
 

A Winamac High School graduate has been named as this year’s Pulaski County Chamber of Commerce’s H.J. Halleck Award winner.

Judy Stinemetz will be recognized for her many years of dedicated service at Pulaski Memorial Hospital, where she worked as the dietary manager for 37 years. She is a volunteer at Pulaski Human Services where she is the food pantry organizer and is in charge of the mobile food pantry. She has also organized the Women of the Moose in Winamac and holds many fundraisers for the community. Among her other community efforts include her assistance on Election Day, memberships with the Cystic Fibrosis Organization in Pulaski County and the State Board of Dietary Managers, pack-a-backpack, and other fundraisers.

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Pulaski County Health Department Receives Grant

  
 

The Pulaski County Health Department received a reimbursable grant for supplies in the office.

Sherry Fagner told the commissioners this week that the State Department of Health Public Preparedness Base Grant is worth $13,460.

“We’re doing some updated packet printing for our partners. As far as supplies, we kind of have a lot of different things on there to update our Go Kits for our partners and to support a POD or any other event that we have to do,” explained Fagner.

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Repairs Almost Done at Justice Center, Focus Turns to Courthouse

Pulaski County CourthouseThe long-awaited repairs at the Pulaski County Justice Center are nearly complete.

Maintenance Director Jeff Johnston told the commissioners this week that the water softeners and the water heaters are installed, and all of the old units have been hauled away. Johnston said the HVAC systems should arrive this week or next week. He will coordinate with offices in the justice center for that equipment to be properly installed. The new control system will be added after that, but Johnston said that could be a while yet.

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Wind Chill Advisory Issued for Kankakee Valley

cold temperaturesA wind chill advisory remains in effect for the Kankakee Valley until 11 Eastern, 10 Central. Dangerous wind chills of between 10 and 25 below zero are expected due to a combination of very cold air and strong winds. Bundle up if you do go out, as hypothermia can occur quickly. Area schools have delayed the start of classes this morning as a result of the cold temperatures. Find a complete list at http://www.wkvi.com/closings-and-delays/

 

Continuing Cold Leads to State Homeland Security Recommendations

 
 

First FEMA, and now the Indiana Department of Homeland Security is advising against being out in the bitter cold.

Wind Chill readings were expected to be in the double-digits below zero. Cold weather moved into the area yesterday, but will continue through midday. Wind gusts may not be helping matters, but the IDHS says they are urging residents to take precautions against the cold.
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Pulaski County Murder Defendant Due Back in Court in April

Paul Katschke
Paul Katschke

The final pretrial conference for a Denham man who is accused of killing his live-in girlfriend is scheduled April 9 in Pulaski Circuit Court. Paul Katschke is charged with murder in connection with the Aug. 11 death of Amber Renee Taylor, 34. Pulaski County Sheriff’s Deputies and first responders found her dead at the couple’s home after receiving a 911 call about a dead, 30-something-year-old woman. Continue reading

Pulaski County Sheriff Updates Commissioners on Random Drug Tests, Military Equipment

Pulaski County Justice Center
Pulaski County Justice Center

A random drug test recently done on work release inmates at the Pulaski County Jail found positive results on five out of the six tested, according to Sheriff Jeff Richwine, who reported that to the commissioners this week.

“The stuff that’s getting in the back of that jail is getting there two ways: work release or employees. This time it was work release. None of it got back, but these guys, when they were at work, were taking drugs,” said Sheriff Richwine.

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Congresswoman Promotes Tax Deduction Incentive to Combat Food Insecurity

Congresswoman Jackie Walorski
Congresswoman Jackie Walorski

Congresswoman Jackie Walorski was in Mishawaka yesterday to promote a tax deduction sought for permanent extension.

According to a press release, the U.S. House of Representatives passed legislation that encourages donations. The bill, also known as the Fighting Hunger Incentive Act permanently extends the deduction for businesses to donate food inventory to local food pantries.
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Wind Chill Advisory Takes Effect This Afternoon

 
 

A wind chill advisory will take effect this afternoon and remain in place through midday tomorrow. Dangerous wind chill values between 10 and 25 below zero are expected late this afternoon through tomorrow morning. Prolonged exposure to extreme cold can lead to hypothermia and frostbite in 30 minutes or less. If you have to be outside, wear a hat and gloves and protect exposed skin.

Holcomb Appears for Court Hearing

Kevin Eugene Holcomb
Kevin Holcomb

Kevin Holcomb appeared for a hearing in Pulaski Circuit Court this week. He is facing charges in a December battery incident.

Holcomb, 45, of Star City has pleaded not guilty to charges of attempted murder and aggravated battery. He was allegedly involved in a battery incident in which Todd E. Schultz, 41, received extensive head and face injuries at a home in the area of 900 South and 440 East in Star City. Schultz was taken to Parkview Hospital in Fort Wayne for treatment.

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Grant Will Help Students with Industrial Maintenance Skills

Pulaski County Community Development Commission Executive Director Nathan Origer told the county commissioners last night that the county is the recipient of an $82,355 Region 1 Works Council for a Career and Technical Education (CTE) innovative-curriculum grant.

Origer said the grant will fund a Pulaski County Repair and Maintenance Technology (RAM-Tech) program at West Central High School to give students the skills they need to be successful in an industrial setting.

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