The West Central School Corporation is ready to welcome students back to school tomorrow.
Superintendent Don Street said several projects are finishing up before the school year starts.
School Starts Tomorrow, Watch out for Students and Buses
Be on the lookout for kids walking or biking to school as school gets underway for another year for many area school corporations tomorrow.
School bus safety is important. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, buses are built to be safer than the average passenger car. School bus drivers are required to receive special security and medical training, and undergo regular drug and alcohol testing to provide a safe ride for your child.
West Nile Virus Reported in Human Case in Porter County
The first human case of West Nile virus has been confirmed in Porter County.
Mosquitoes in 18 counties have tested positive for the virus so far this year. Marshall County is one of the 18 counties, according to the Indiana Department of Health. West Nile virus may be circulating in all 92 counties and you should take precautions to protect yourself against contracting the virus.
West Central School Board Approves Firearms Policy
The West Central School Board members approved the final reading of the firearms policy at their board meeting this week.
Superintendent Don Street explained in an earlier report that the policy includes language that doesn’t allow a firearm inside the school building. A firearm will not be allowed on school property unless it is inside a locked vehicle and out of sight of the public, as outlined in the state statute.
Germanfest set for Tomorrow in Winamac
The Pulaski County Chamber of Commerce will present Germanfest tomorrow in downtown Winamac.
Games and activities for kids and adults will begin at 3 p.m. including a cornhole contest and create-a-canvas. The completed canvas projects will be sold at a silent auction where proceeds will benefit the Germanfest event for next year.
Area Schools Prepping for First Day of School
Doors will open to students next week at our area school corporations.
Oregon-Davis School Superintendent Greg Briles explained that some teachers have been training with Apple representatives to better understand how they can provide a more effective use of the technology that is available in the buildings. Briles said a back to school event is set for Monday.
“On Monday evening from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. CT, we are having what we are going to start calling a traditional cookout,” said Briles. “We’ll have hot dogs, hamburgers, chips, iced tea, lemonade, and water for everybody if they’d like to come out and join us. They can go through the buildings. If any of the children want to bring their supplies in prior to the start of school on Wednesday, this would give them an opportunity to meet their teacher and get their supplies in there so they’re not having to carry everything on the school buses the first day.”
West Central School Board to Meet Tonight
The West Central School Board will meet tonight for their regular monthly meeting and to discuss how things around going before the start of school next week.
The board members will have the second reading of the firearms policy. Superintendent Don Street explained in an earlier report that the policy includes language that doesn’t allow a firearm inside the school building. A firearm will not be allowed on school property unless it is inside a locked vehicle and out of sight of the public, as outlined in the state statute.
Sheriff’s Deputies Nab Medaryville Woman on Federal Warrant
Local charges are pending against a Medaryville woman accused of leading Pulaski County Sheriff’s Deputies on a high-speed chase when they tried to arrest her on a federal warrant. A deputy spotted a pickup truck driven Bernice Godina, 62, leaving a rural Medaryville residence late Tuesday morning, according to a news release from Sheriff Mike Gayer. Continue reading
Refurbished Pulaski County Ambulance Totaled
The Pulaski County EMS staff members are looking for a new ambulance as the refurbished ambulance can not be certified.
The ambulance was damaged in a fire at Wagner Performance Diesel Repair near Star City on Feb. 7. In the last meeting of the Pulaski County Commissioners, it was reported by the county’s insurance agency that Wagner’s insurance company has accepted responsibility for the fire.
Maintenance Director Discusses Justice Center, Annex Issues with Commissioners
The Pulaski County Commissioners gave the maintenance director permission to seek an additional appropriation from the county council to replace the aging equipment at the Pulaski County Justice Center.
Some of the equipment is already starting to fail, according to Jeff Johnston. He said he’d like to take care of the equipment while there is money yet in this year’s budget.
ISTEP Scores Mixed for Area School Corporations
Indiana students overall showed improvement on their ISTEP scores in both math and language arts. Scores released yesterday by the Indiana Department of Education indicate 80.7 percent of students passed English, compared to 79.5 percent in 2013. Math scores went up from 83 to 83.5 percent statewide. Continue reading
Watch for School Bus Traffic as the School Season Starts
Students will be headed back to classrooms next week and Indiana State Police officers urge you to watch for school bus traffic.
When approaching a school bus from any direction and it is stopped with its flashing red lights activated and stop arm extended, motorists are required to stop, even on multiple lane highways. Motorists who are on a highway that is divided by a barrier or unimproved median are required to stop only if they are traveling in the same direction as the school bus. If there is no unimproved median or barrier, then all lanes in all directions must stop.
Volunteers Needed to Build Starke-Pulaski Habitat for Humanity House
Construction is scheduled to begin Saturday, Aug. 9 on Starke/Pulaski Habitat for Humanity’s fifth home. It will be located at 712 South West Street in Winamac. Work will take place on Saturdays until the home is finished. Volunteers are needed to help with construction, clean up and meal preparation for the work crew. Construction volunteers must be 16 or older. On-site supervisors will provide hands-on training, so prior building experience is not a requirement. Tools will be provided, or volunteers may bring their own. Continue reading
Drew’s Gift of Music Third Annual Event
Each year since his untimely passing family and friends gather at the Washington Township Fire Department to celebrate the life and accomplishments of a remarkably gifted individual, Drew Shearin. Saturday August 2, is the annual Drew’s Gift of Music and Stuff.
Continue reading
Open House for The Crossing
The new alternative faith-based school, the Crossing, hosted an open house Wednesday at their location in Knox. So far about 10 students are enrolled to attend. They will be hosting another open house today from 8 a.m until 3 p.m at the old Sears store in the Mint Leaf Plaza off of U.S. 35.
Grain Bin Safety
Since 1980 grain bins across the U.S have been responsible for more than 180 deaths and 675 injuries. Just last year, a Hoosier farmer in La Porte county was killed in a grain bin accident. This month a 9-year-old Wisconsin boy was killed after falling into a grain bin. With harvest time approaching the Indiana Department of Labor wants to remind everyone of the hazardous nature of working with grain bins and offer some tips to assure safety.
Winamac Man Arrested on Drug Possession Charges
A Winamac man was arrested early Sunday morning after he was reportedly found in possession of methamphetamine.
A Winamac police officer saw a red vehicle in the parking lot by the Pulaski County Public Library with the driver present. The officer knew that vandalism was occurring to a structure by the library so he approached the car.
Don’t Trust Caller ID
There are scammers using technology to impersonate phone numbers of local businesses that show up on Caller ID. These are robo calls and the scammers use familiar looking numbers in hopes you will answer the call and take your money.
They purchase a list of phone numbers and use spoofing technology to trick callers into picking up the phone. They sometimes use your phone number because it is not blocked.
GermanFest Set for Aug. 9
GermanFest returns to Winamac on Saturday, Aug. 9.
The event begins with a golf outing at 8 a.m. ET at Pond View Golf Course. Music and children’s activities will be ongoing from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Create-a-canvas will spark talent in residents and those pieces of art will be sold at a silent auction with the proceeds to benefit GermanFest.
Pulaski County Deputies Investigate Fatal Accident
Pulaski County Sheriff’s deputies and emergency crews responded to a fatality accident yesterday morning.
According to a news release from the sheriff’s department, Dollie Frinkel, 71, of Winamac was traveling westbound on County Road 600 West and failed to stop at the intersection with 100 South. A Pulaski County dump truck driven by David Bailey, 48, entered the intersection and could not avoid a collision with Frinkel’s passenger car.
