Pulaski County Council Finalizes $30,000 Additional Appropriation for Pauper Counsel

Pulaski County Council: back row: Mike Tiede, Kathi Thompson, Brian Young; front row: Scott Hinkle, Rudy DeSabatine, Jay Sullivan (not pictured: Ken Boswell)

More funding for court-appointed attorneys was finalized by the Pulaski County Council Monday. Council members approved a $30,000 additional appropriation for Superior Court pauper counsel. It was requested by Judge Crystal Brucker Kocher back in August.

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Pulaski County Council Votes to Move Ahead with Funding for West Annex Work

Pulaski County Council: back row: Mike Tiede, Kathi Thompson, Brian Young; front row: Scott Hinkle, Rudy DeSabatine, Jay Sullivan (not pictured: Ken Boswell)

Pulaski County’s newest government building is costing more than originally thought. Last year, the county purchased the former Winamac Masonic Lodge and has since converted it into the West Annex, housing the Coroner’s Office and Emergency Management Agency.

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Pulaski County Council Wants More Information Before Moving Ahead with Funding for Radio Tower

The Pulaski County Council has decided to hold off on funding arrangements for a radio tower, amid concerns that it was purchased without the proper permission and that it may not actually be needed. When the Emergency Management Agency’s move to the West Annex was being planned last year, former maintenance director Jeff Johnston said moving the necessary radio equipment would cost about $10,000.

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Pulaski County Coroner ‘Tickled to Death’ with New Facilities

After months of work, the Pulaski County coroner’s new morgue and office space is fully up and running. Coroner John Behny gave an update to the county council and commissioners last week, saying the facility is proving to be a good thing. “I just scratch my head. That place is amazing,” he said. “From what we started with just a few weeks ago to now, we’re tickled to death, just tickled to death. So is everybody else that has to come in there.”

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Warming Center Plans in Place in Pulaski County, Town of Culver

Residents of Pulaski County and the Town of Culver who may find themselves without heat may take advantage of area warming centers. In Pulaski County, the Emergency Management Agency office at 108 North Franklin in Winamac and the Francesville Fire Station are set to be used as warming centers if needed, according to EMA Director Sheri Gaillard. Pulaski County residents who need to use a warming center are asked to call the Sheriff’s Department at 574-946-6655.

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New Pulaski County Facilities Plan Proposes Demolishing Courthouse, Expanding Justice Center

Pulaski County’s 123-year-old courthouse would be torn down and replaced by a parking lot and memorial park, under the county’s latest facilities proposal. During Monday’s joint county council and commissioners meeting, Maintenance Director Jeff Johnston publicly unveiled a four-phase plan designed to address security, ADA compliance, and a number of other concerns with the county’s government buildings.

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Pulaski County Commissioners Approve Updated Hazardous Material Response Plan

An updated hazardous material emergency response plan was approved by the Pulaski County Commissioners last week. Emergency Management Agency Director Sheri Gaillard said the plan is almost the same as last year’s version. “The only additions to it or changes to it were training dates for hazardous material,” she explained, “and the Winamac fire chief and the Francesville fire chief were changed.”

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Pulaski County Officials Update NIPSCO Contact Information to Prevent Gas Shutoff at West Annex

Pulaski County officials had to resolve some confusion over the county’s NIPSCO billing. Coroner John Behny told the county commissioners last week that he recently got a call from a NIPSCO representative with an order to disconnect gas service to the former Winamac Masonic Lodge, now called the West Annex.

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Pulaski County Commissioners Approve New Name for Former Winamac Masonic Lodge

Pulaski County Commissioners: Mike McClure, Jerry Locke, Kenny Becker

The former Winamac Masonic Lodge officially has a new name. The Pulaski County Commissioners voted Monday to name the building the “West Annex.” The county bought the building back in June. It will house the Coroner’s Office and Emergency Management Agency.

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