Superintendent Dan Foster said the money will come out of the bus replacement fund that was approved for this year’s budget.
The corporation will be trading in two buses and accepted the lowest bid from Midwest Transi.
West Central Wind Turbine Working Well for Corporation
The board is ready to renew the insurance policy so that was discussed. Superintendent Charles Mellon gave the board an update on the turbine’s production in the month of February.
“Once again we were fortunate to only have to pay a twenty dollar service fee for our electric utility,” said Mellon. “We have over about 240,000 kilowatts stored at this time. That will help us get through the summer and I believe we still have our three windy months coming up here in the spring so that was good news for us as well.”
Flood Warning Extended For Area Rivers
Area rivers are under flood warnings as a result of this week’s snowfall. The flood warning has been extended for the Kankakee River at Davis Route 30 until further notice, which will affect LaPorte and Starke Counties. Officials say the stage was steady at 9.7 feet at 9 a.m. on Wednesday, with minor flooding forecast. Pulaski County Emergency Management Agency Director Larry Hoover is also keeping an eye on the Tippecanoe River.
Winamac Officer Commended for Saving a Life
Pulaski Sheriff’s Department to Upgrade Control Pod
West Central School Superintendent Discusses the State of the School’s General Fund
He explained that the school had a decline in enrollment of 52 students over the past four to five years. With that and the addition to some legislation changes, the school has lost over $800,000 within that time frame.
Schools Look to Make Up One More Day
Freezing rain and snow prompted local school officials to cancel school and plan for yet another makeup day.
Eastern Pulaski School Superintendent Dan Foster said the school board already has set make up days for previous canceled days of school.
Sheriff Gayer Invites You to Join the Indiana Sheriffs’ Association
The association is a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the Criminal Justice system through education, training, service and the protection of lives and property of the citizens of Indiana.
Winter Storm and Flood Warnings In Effect
Snow is expected to continue throughout the Kankakee Valley this morning before tapering off later today. It started out as rain overnight, and temperatures dropped below freezing, so roads may be slippery. Remember, ice and snow, take it slow. If you go out, give yourself plenty of travel time, leave ample space between vehicles and avoid having to slam on your brakes. Starke County is still under a yellow-level travel advisory, which means routine travel or activities may be restricted in areas because of a hazardous situation, and individuals should use caution or avoid those areas. The same is in effect in Porter County. Otherwise, there are not any travel restrictions in effect for other area counties. Should that change we will let you know. The winter storm watch is in effect until 4 this afternoon. Continue reading
Pulaski Council Commits $10,000 to Monterey Wastewater Project
Town of Medaryville to Move Forward with Wastewater Upgrades
No person from the public spoke about the project so the Medaryville Town Council will move forward with the project. The council will be working with the Kankakee-Iroquois Regional Planning Commission to submit a Community Development Block Grant worth $450,000. The town is also expected to expend an estimated $400,000 in non-CDBG funds on the project. These funds will come from the town of Medaryville and a bond issue.
The council also went ahead and hired McMann for design work and University Research Consortium to conduct an income survey.
West Central School Board Approves Technology Plan
Superintendent Charles Mellon said the plan is usually simply updated, but this year’s plan included another focus.
“One of the major goals in that plan has been to implement the one-to-one technology where every student would have their laptop or some device and we are on target with that,” said Mellon. “By the beginning of the fall of next year, every student will have a device.”
The one-to-one computer initiative was done in the middle school for this school year, and different devices have been handed to the students at the elementary school this year. With this plan, the corporation is on track to have full implementation of the computer initiative, including high school students, by August.
Soft, Wet Roads Create Travel Problems
Gravel roads throughout the area are extremely soft and in poor condition due to melting snow and standing water. Motorists are advised to avoid these roads if possible. In Starke County, the highway department has placed high water signs at the intersections of 275 West and 500 South; 100 West and Toto Road; and 250 North and 600 East.
Starke County has also issued an advisory travel status. That’s the yellow level and means routine travel or activities may be restricted in areas because of a hazardous situation, and individuals should use caution or avoid those areas. Starke County officials say roads are free of ice and snow cover, but pooling and ponding conditions are occurring on many county roads. Much of the remaining snow will melt today because daytime temperatures will remain above freezing. However, the frost line is too deep in most places for the ground to absorb the water. Additionally, overnight temperatures will be at or below freezing, so roads will be slick tonight and tomorrow morning.
Pulaski Council Approves Additional Appropriations for Highway Department
Eastern Pulaski School Board to Meet Wednesday Morning
The Eastern Pulaski School Board will meet in a morning session on Wednesday, March 12 at 10:30 a.m. ET.
The board members will consider two retirement requests and a recommendation to purchase school buses. The three school principals will discuss activities pertinent to their buildings and Superintendent Dan Foster will have items of information for the board.
The board is expected to tour the elementary school after lunch. As time permits, a work session will be held at the conclusion of the regular meeting or after lunch.
West Central School Board Approves Make Up Days
Superintendent Charles Mellon said that a lot of different corporations are doing things a little differently, but West Central is sticking with its contingency plan.
Former Hoosier EMS Owner Pleads Guilty in Federal Court
The former owner of a Buffalo-based private ambulance service pleaded guilty last week in federal court to conspiracy to submit fraudulent claims to Medicare. The charges against Roy Dunn, 60, of Winamac, involve ambulance transportation for northwest Indiana Medicare recipients. Court documents filed in November of 2012 indicate Hoosier EMS submitted claims to Medicare between May of 2009 and May of 2012 for reimbursement of more than $2 million worth of services that were never rendered. Dunn’s sentencing is set for May 20 in U.S. District Court.
Public Hearing Set Tonight for Proposed Wastewater Facility Improvements in Medaryville
The town of Medaryville is planning to apply for a CDBG grant worth $450,000. The amount of funds proposed to be used that will benefit low- and moderate-income persons is $279,000. The town is also expected to expend an estimated $400,000 in non-CDBG funds on the project. These funds will come from the Town of Medaryville and a bond issue.
A public hearing on this will be tonight at 6:30 p.m. ET at the Medaryville Town Hall, 409 E. Main Street. If you’d like to review information related to this project, you can view documentation in the clerk’s office between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. You may also contact Gene Payne, President of the Medaryville Town Council at (219) 843-2101.
West Central School Board Hires Superintendent
Superintendent Charles Mellon said the board decided to hire West Central High School Principal Don Street to take his place.
Pulaski Council to Meet This Evening
The council will also meet with Nathan Origer, executive director of the Pulaski County Community Development Commission. Sheriff Mike Gayer is slated to present an update on the jail control pod, and request an additional appropriation as well.
The meeting begins at 7 p.m. ET in the commissioners meeting room in the county courthouse.
