The town of Monterey in Pulaski County will continue being served by Culver EMS after the county commissioners this week decided to stay with the agreement in place with Culver EMS that renews annually. Brandon Cooper with Culver EMS approached the commissioners and explained that the contract between his department and the county had lapsed, and he proposed a three-year contract at $6000 per year to ensure they keep the same rate.
Medaryville Residents Lose Family Pets in House Fire
Firefighters with the Medaryville Fire Department responded to a house fire Monday night.
Chief Shaun Hauptli told WKVI that neighbors called 911 when they noticed smoke coming from the home owned by Stacy and Amanda White at 12070 W. 100 N. Upon arrival, firefighters found heavy smoke but no visible fire coming from the southeast part of the single-story home.
Firefighters were able to quickly ventilate the roof and extinguish the fire. The fire was contained to a bedroom. Hauptli said all members of the department who responded acted quickly to try and save the residence. Continue reading
Road Crews Ready to Battle Snow
The National Weather Service has issued a lake effect snow watch this morning through this afternoon with total accumulations of three to six inches in the Starke County area. Continue reading
National Weather Service Issues Lake Effect Snow Watch
We’re in for another significant snowfall. The National Weather Service has issued a Lake Effect Snow Watch for late tonight through tomorrow evening. Snow accumulations in excess of 10 inches are possible within what’s described as a “narrow but intense” snow band. Heavy snow with snowfall rates of 1 to 3 inches per hour are possible. Blowing and drifting may also occur, with north winds of between 10 and 20 miles per hour. As a result, visibilities may be reduced to one-quarter mile or less, roads may become slick and snow-covered, and roads may become impassable. The WKVI Information Center will be staffed tonight to bring you the very latest on this storm, including any closings or delays or travel advisories. Check our closings and delays page frequently for updates.
Races Shape Up As More Candidates File
The latest round of candidate filings for the May primary includes two incumbent Starke County Council members, one of whom already has a potential general election opponent. Republican Anthony “Tony” Radkiewicz, Sr. and Democrat Jennifer Davis are both running for the District 2 County Council seat. Davis is giving up her seat on the county commission to run for the council. District 2 includes part of Center and California Townships. Council President David Pearman has also filed for reelection in council district 3, which runs south through the southern half of Oregon Township through Washington and North Bend Townships. Republican Talia Reed has also filed her candidacy for the Starke County Council District I seat. It includes the rest of Center and Oregon Townships along with the Davis and Jackson precincts.
Former Miss Kankakee Valley Named Co-Director of Miss Amazing Pageant
Sami Rife was Miss Kankakee Valley two years ago and she said she is now preparing for the Miss Ball State Pageant, which takes place today. Rife is hopeful for a victory, because if she wins, she can go on to the Miss Indiana Pageant in June and from there, Miss America.
Pulaski County Police Seek Missing Sex Offender
Pulaski County Sheriff Michael Gayer has notified WKVI that police are now unsure of the whereabouts of a Monterey man who was convicted in Florida of child molestation and lewd and lascivious acts with a child under the age of 16.
Mark Griffin, 51, whose last known address was 7934 Lake Street in Monterey, is ordered to register as a sex offender for the remainder of this lifetime and has recently failed to do so.
He is considered dangerous to the safety of the public. He is 6’1”, 235 pounds with blue eyes and short brown hair. He has facial hair in the style of a goatee.
If you know of Griffin’s whereabouts, call the Pulaski County Sheriff’s Department at (574) 946-6655 or local law enforcement immediately.
Power Restored at West Central Schools
Winamac Considering Tax Abatement for New Business
Conner also said a local boy scout is working on designs for a possible skate park in the town. He said the youth gave the council an update on the project, and with $27,000 raised toward the project, he hopes to have construction done by July. However, he is still looking into a few more possible grants.
Pulaski Commissioners Address Auction Advertisement Issues
Pulaski Council Approves Encumbrance For Highway Department
Eastern Pulaski Schools Won’t Receive Capital Projects Levy
The Eastern Pulaski School Corporation will not be receiving a levy for their capital projects plan this year, according to Superintendent Dan Foster. He told WKVI that the Department of Local Government Finance has informed them that they need to decrease their capital projects funding, dropping their levy for that fund.
West Central School Board Receives Positive Update on Wind Turbine Use
“It produced enough in the month of December that once again we just had our $20 service fee to NIPSCO. That’s all we had to pay for our electricity. That is a good thing through the winter months. We normally accumulate credits that we can use through the summer when the air conditioners are running and we’re using more electricity. It was good to be able to present that information to the board,” stated Mellon.
Pulaski County Sheriff’s Department Had Productive Year in 2013
Sheriff Michael Gayer revealed that deputies responded to 361 total crashes; 45 of which were personal injury accidents, 204 involved deer and three accidents resulted in a fatality.
There were 5,348 calls for service which breaks down to a call every 1.6 hours of the day, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. 37 battery cases were investigated, 33 burglary incidents were investigated, 114 thefts occurred and 70 drug investigations were conducted.
Medaryville Fire Station Project Slowly Moving Forward
Winamac Town Council Holds First Meeting of New Year
The Winamac Town Council this week performed some appointments necessary for the new year, but according to Town Manager Jim Conner, no big changes were made. He said the yearly appointments for the department heads were made with no changes, and several appointments were made to local boards, the planning commission, zoning board and other boards – also with no major changes.
Pulaski Council Increases Comp Time Hours for Employee
The Pulaski County Council Monday night approved a motion extending the maximum allowed comp time hours to 179 as a one-time only solution for the 911 dispatch supervisor. Carol Crist approached the council and explained that she had accumulated the hours after three of her dispatchers couldn’t make it to work for medical reasons, prompting her to work those extra shifts to keep the emergency services available.
The council also approved additional appropriations that were required due to a technical error; Auditor Sheila Garling said a document had the wrong fund number listed, causing a line item to run in the red until February.
The council approved a motion to advertise for $10,765 to pay wages for 911 dispatchers.
Pulaski Commissioners Hear Maintenance Update
The Pulaski County Maintenance Department has been staying busy, according to Maintenance Director Jeff Johnston. He told the county commissioners at their regular meeting that the office relocation has been completed, annex repair work is done, and they’ve also repaired some equipment at the county highway garage.
Eastern Pulaski School Board Approves Stipend Payment for Teachers
Teachers at the Eastern Pulaski School Corporation received a nice surprise recently, as the school board this week approved a stipend payment thanks to an unexpected increase in student enrollment. Superintendent Dan Foster said the influx was a nice surprise, especially since the corporation has seen very few raises over the last few years.
Foster said this increase in students brought with it an increase in funds, and they decided to give it back to the teachers.
West Central School Board Discusses New Nutrition Policy
Superintendent Charles Mellon said the policy controls the nutrition value of the food and beverages that are sold to students at school.
