Pulaski County is one of Indiana’s inaugural Hometown Collaboration Initiative communities. The program seeks to help small communities expand their pipeline of local leaders, strengthen and expand jobs by building on existing economic assets and improve attractiveness and quality of life of their hometowns. Lt. Gov. Sue Ellsperman offered her congratulations via YouTube video announcement, saying she’s a strong proponent of growing rural Indiana. Continue reading
Pulaski County Prosecutor Discusses Budget with County Council
Pulaski County Prosecutor Daniel Murphy approached the county council this week to ask the council members to accept his full-time employment and wages as he begins his four-year term in the office. That request was unanimously approved.
Crystal Sanders was appointed as deputy prosecutor.
He also asked for a transfer of $6,000 to satisfy the installation of money to the pre-trial diversion line item in the budget. The prosecutor requested that the money be moved from the pre-trial diversion user fees.
Enroll Now for Freedom from Smoking Classes
If you made a New Year’s resolution to quit smoking, you will soon have a program to help you stay smoke-free, presented by IU Health Starke Hospital, Moving Starke County Forward and Porter-Starke Services.
Cindy Reister, who is an American Lung Association-trained facilitator, will lead eight small group sessions to help participants get personalized attention to quit smoking. Evaluation studies show that individuals, who participate in small group sessions like this Freedom from Smoking Clinic, are more likely to stay smoke-free one year later than those who try to quit on their own.
Eastern Pulaski School Board Reorganizes
Longtime Eastern Pulaski School Board member Joe Cunningham will continue serving as the president of that body after the board reorganized for the year. Deke Demarco was elected vice-president, and Terri Johnston was chosen secretary of the board. Continue reading
Winamac Announces Town Manager Hire
After a bit of a search, the Town of Winamac now has a new leader at the helm.
It was announced during last night’s regularly scheduled Winamac Town Council meeting that Brad Zellers was offered the Town Manager position. His hire comes after interviews for the position were conducted last week.
Continue reading
Plans Nearly Finished for Eastern Pulaski Renovations
Plans for the $14 million renovation project at Eastern Pulaski Schools are nearly finished. Superintendent Dan Foster says the architect is putting the final touches on things. Plans include securing the main entrances to the schools, upgrading the restrooms and replacing the floors in both gyms. Once the design is finalized, the project will be let for bid. Foster says they want to do a full 30-day process since it is so extensive. Continue reading
Area Schools Could Benefit From Community College Proposal
Ivy Tech Community College says they may become more accessible if one of President Barack Obama’s proposals makes it through Congress.
The President announced last week his intent to significantly reduce the cost of attending community college. The multi-billion dollar program intends to largely pay for the cost of the first two years of tuition for students maintaining a certain grade point average. This could have implications locally.
Continue reading
Pulaski County Council Approves Funds to Keep County Home Open Three Months
The Pulaski County Council members last night approved three months of funding for the Pleasant View Rest Home.
The council previously approved, by majority vote, to not include funding for the county home in the 2015 budget. However, by law, they have to keep the county home open for 90 days so the residents have time to find alternate housing. The council approved an additional appropriation in the amount of $52,596 to honor wages and operations until the Pleasant View Rest Home is closed for good on March 31.
Citizen Complaints Lead to Francesville Bar Arrest
Individuals at a bar in Francesville Saturday night say the establishment was serving alcohol to intoxicated patrons..
The Indiana State Excise Police responded to Charlie’s Old Corral in the 100 block of Bill Street. Officers began investigating the complaints after arriving on the scene around 7:45 p.m.
Continue reading
West Central School Board Approves Driver’s Education Fee
The West Central School Board approved driver’s education fees for this year’s round of classes. Superintendent Don Street said the summer classes were approved as presented to the school board members.
“Driver’s education for West Central students will be $200 and for non-corporation students it will be $300,” explained Street. “Our students also take an online portion of the course and that’s an additional $25. That do that test on their own.”
Candidates Begin Filing for Municipal Election
The first week of filing for candidacy in this year’s Municipal Election is in the books. Pulaski County Clerk Tasha Foerg did not report any filings in her office for town positions in Winamac, Francesville, Medaryville and Monterey, but plenty were recorded in Starke and Marshall Counties.
Democrat Rick Chambers will seek his third term as Mayor of Knox. Former Mayor Dennis Estok, a Democrat, is also on the ballot for Knox Mayor. The two faced off for the mayor’s seat in 2007 in a primary election. Chambers won the election and has been the mayor since that time.
Schools to Make up Missed Days of School
Schools closed three days last week due to weather which means students will be making up those lost days of instruction.
West Central School Superintendent Don Street explains what his corporation will do to make up those days.
“Feb. 16 and April 20 are two snow make-up days we have. We’re also exploring the possibility of e-learning days and designate Saturdays as a possibility to make up future days missed,” said Street.
Eastern Pulaski School Board May Approve Final Building Plans
The Eastern Pulaski School Board will consider final plans for the $14 million campus renovation project when they meet this evening. The project includes upgrades to the elementary, middle and high schools. Main entrances will be secured and restrooms will be updated. Planned classroom improvements include changing chalkboards to marker boards and replacing windows. Both gyms will be updated with new floors and other electrical improvements. Continue reading
Winamac Town Board To Meet After Town Manager Interviews
Interviews were conducted last week, but now the Winamac Town Board is anticipated to make a hiring decision.
The Town of Winamac has been without a Town Manager for several weeks. Searching for a potential candidate to fill the position follows the termination of previous Town Manager Jim Conner.
Continue reading
Indiana AARP Hoping to Influence Retirement Savings, Caregivers
Two bills are being pushed by the AARP in Indiana during this session of the General Assembly and they look to help two different issues.
About half of Americans aged 50-years and older have less than 25-thousand dollars in retirement savings. To help solve this problem, the AARP is proposing the Hoosier Employee Retirement Option, otherwise known as the “HERO Plan.”
Continue reading
Rep. Gutwein Supportive of New VA Position
He had a bill prepared, but 16th District State Representative Doug Gutwein says he is just as pleased with a new resource for female veterans in Indiana.
There are 38-thousand vets in the state who also happen to be women.
Continue reading
West Central School Board Focuses on Budget
The West Central School Board closed out the 2014 books and looked at the budget for this year when the members met this week. Superintendent Don Street said the board won’t be making any big changes to the budget.
“There were no big cuts,” said Street. “We anticipated where we would be in our annual budget. Our assessed evaluation has increased for our school district from last year which has reduced, just slightly, the amount of taxes that will be charged for each individual.”
Ice Fishing Season Brings Safety Reminders
As temperatures continue to fall, anglers of all ages may find themselves with the opportunity to ice-fish.
The Indiana Department of Natural Resources says thousands of Hoosiers go ice-fishing each year and are offering some tips to ensure safety.
Continue reading
Travel Watch Issued for Marshall County, Wind Chill Advisory Extended
Marshall County is now under an orange level travel watch. That means only essential travel is recommended. Starke, LaPorte and Pulaski Counties are still under yellow level travel advisories, meaning routine travel may be restricted because roads are hazardous in places. Find more information at http://www.in.gov/dhs/traveladvisory/. Continue reading
Analyst Explains Gas Price Spike
The lower price of unleaded gasoline has relieved a pinch from consumer pocketbooks, but some retailers have dropped the price too low for a profit margin. GasBuddy.com Senior Petroleum Analyst Patrick DeHaan said that has caused prices to spike.
“What you’re seeing with the big spike is essentially gas stations losing 20 or 25 cents a gallon and raising their price back up to where they’re making about 15 or 20 cents a gallon. Obviously, you have a 40 cent a gallon difference between a station losing 20 cents and making 20 cents and that’s where these big spikes come from. The good news is that prices are already coming back down,” said DeHaan.
