Investigation into the Death of Missing Knox Woman Continues

Posted on Author Jacque Ryan

The six-month long investigation into the death of 37-year-old Knox resident Barbara McCurdy continues.

As previously reported, McCurdy was initially reported missing on January 20th. The report indicated she was last seen last in Knox on January 14th, driving her black 2006 Chevy Cobalt. A missing person investigation ensued and McCurdy was eventually found deceased in her vehicle at a Winamac car dealership on February 2nd.

The Pulaski County Coroner’s ruling for the cause of death will be kept confidential while the death investigation remains ongoing. Continue reading →

Winamac Town Marshall Mark Hoffman Addresses Recent Projects at the Department

Posted on Author Jacque Ryan

Winamac Town Marshal Mark Hoffman has been quite busy since he took over for Mike Buchanan, whose retirement officially went into effect on July 1st.

Hoffman has been shadowing Buchanan over the last few months since his retirement was announced in February. Marshal Hoffman told town council members on Monday that there were a few projects that he wanted to get taken care of that have been completed. Continue reading →

Winamac Town Council Considers Adding More Reserve Officers to Police Force

Posted on Author Jacque Ryan

First Sergeant Mark Hoffman with the Winamac Police Department submitted a request to add more officers to the Reserve Program during last Monday’s town council meeting.

Sergeant Hoffman explained that a few people who work for the Police Department are looking to switch positions.

“We recently had three jailers express interest in being reserves.” Hoffman went on, “I would like the board’s permission to move forward with them. It will cost the town $100 per person for insurance and probably another $100 [each] to get them outfitted.” Continue reading →

Winamac Departments Commended for Addressing Citizen Concerns

Posted on Author Jacque Ryan

Some of the efforts that various Winamac departments have put forth recently to address certain citizen concerns were acknowledged during Monday night’s Town Council meeting.

Earlier this month, Park Board President Courtney Poor called attention to the fact that the parking lot at the Winamac Wellness Center was in need of repairs. He came before the town council this week to express his gratitude for how quickly the matter was addressed. Continue reading →

Winamac Town Council Acknowledges Generous Donation from Mooi Family

Posted on Author Jacque Ryan

Winamac town officials expressed gratitude toward the Mooi family when members met Monday night.

Clerk-Treasurer Melanie Berger explained that two departments will soon receive some funds as the result of a generous posthumous donation from a local couple who passed away last year.

Berger told members, “The Winamac Volunteer Fire Department, along with the Winamac Police Department, they were beneficiaries to the Henry Mooi and Alice Mooi revocable trust.” Continue reading →

Winamac Town Council Approves Vehicle Purchase for Police Department

Posted on Author Jacque Ryan

Winamac Town Marshal Mike Buchanan informed the town council members this week that officers with the Police Department are currently weighing options for a replacement vehicle.

When members met Monday night, Buchanan stated that the vehicle purchase was budgeted for this year. He said in order to move forward with the purchase, they would need the council’s approval.

Buchanan presented members with some different quotes from local dealerships. Council President Tom Murray read the proposed quotes into the record. Continue reading →

Three Arrested on Drug Charges

Posted on Author Anita Goodan

Three people were arrested on drug charges that stemmed from a traffic stop in Pulaski County on Saturday.

A Winamac Police officer pulled over a vehicle for speeding and the K9 officer was called to the location of the traffic stop. The K9 reportedly alerted to the presence of drugs inside the vehicle. In a subsequent search of the vehicle, methamphetamine and marijuana were found along with drug paraphernalia. Kim Baker, 60, of Winamac, was placed into custody and taken to the Pulaski County Sheriff’s Department for questioning.

Continue reading →

Winamac Police Officer Takes Course to Become a Certified Firearms Instructor

Posted on Author Jacque Ryan

Winamac’s Police Department will soon have an officer certified in firearms training once Officer Tyler Campbell completes his training.

A Monday’s Winamac Town Council meeting, Town Marshal Mike Buchanan shared that Campbell is attending a week-long firearms class. He said Campbell’s certification will assist the Winamac PD with future training. Continue reading →

One Arrested in Stabbing Incident in Pulaski County

Posted on Author Anita Goodan

One man was arrested in an alleged stabbing incident that occurred at a Winamac home on Sunday evening.

According to Pulaski County Sheriff Jeff Richwine, Robert Rowe reportedly stabbed the male victim while the victim was laying down in a bedroom at a home in the 2500 block of N. 175 E. The pair was allegedly arguing prior to the incident. Police say the victim was stabbed with a kitchen knife and sustained lacerations to his chest and left side. He was taken to the hospital and later airlifted to another facility. The depth of the cuts is not known.

Continue reading →

Winamac Town Council Selects The Next Town Marshal

Posted on Author Jacque Ryan

The Winamac Town Council members met for an executive session and a special meeting on Monday in order to consider and vote on a few different matters related to the Winamac Police Department.

At the last Winamac Town Council meeting, Town Marshal Mike Buchanan officially announced his retirement, which will take effect on July 1st. As a result of his announcement, council members met to consider who will serve as his replacement.

There were two current Winamac police officers who were interested in the position; First Sergeant Mark Hoffman and Deputy Marshal Brian Gaillard. Continue reading →

Winamac Town Council Members Schedule Interview Date to Fill Town Marshal Position

Posted on Author Jacque Ryan

At Monday night’s Winamac Town Council meeting Town Marshal Mike Buchanan announced his resignation to council members.

He said the resignation will go into effect on July 1st. The council thanked him for his years of service to the community and commended him for the great work he’s done as the head of the Winamac Police Department.

Marshal Buchanan didn’t have any suggestions for his replacement but he did recommend adding Reserve Officer Alec Berger to the full-time force to replace whoever takes over as town marshal. Continue reading →

New Winamac Police Department On Main Street is Open to the Public

Posted on Author Jacque Ryan

During their Monday night meeting, Winamac Town Council members were notified that renovations to the new Police Station are nearing completion.

Employees from the water, sewage, street and electric departments have assisted with the project for the last several months. Town Manager Brad Zellers previously stated that approximately $70,000 was saved just by utilizing town employees for certain aspects of the project. Continue reading →

Winamac Police Station Project Nears Completion

Posted on Author Jacque Ryan

At the Winamac Town Council meeting last Monday it was revealed that the renovations to the new police station are nearly complete.

Employees with various departments have been working hard to complete aspects of the project that relate to their various positions. Town Manager Brad Zellers reported that since town employees were utilized for much of the work, they were able to save around $70,000 on the project. Continue reading →

Winamac Golf Cart Ordinance Receives Unanimous Council Approval

Posted on Author Jacque Ryan

The ordinance regulating golf carts within the Town of Winamac was adopted with unanimous approval at Monday night’s town council meeting.

Town Attorney Justin Schramm mentioned that the addition of a registration fee deadline of January 31st was the only change made to the document since the last time council members looked over the ordinance. Specific stipulations about registration and operation as well as particular penalties are included in the ordinance.

There is a fee of $25 for each cart registered and the registration is effective for one year. All registration fees are deposited in the Winamac Police Department’s Continuing Education Fund. At the time of registration, the operator will be issued two numerical identification decals that should be affixed to the front and rear fender of the cart in areas where they’ll be visible when it is in operation. Continue reading →

Pulaski County Sheriff’s Office Reserve Officer Heading Over to Winamac PD

Posted on Author Jacque Ryan

The Winamac Police Department will be welcoming a new reserve officer onto their force following a decision made by the Winamac Town Council on Wednesday night. Town Marshal Michael Buchanan came before the council requesting permission to add Alec Berger to the Winamac Police Department as a non-paid reserve officer. Buchanan explained that Berger currently works as a reserve officer for the Pulaski County Sheriff’s office but he recently expressed interest in working for the Winamac Police Department.

Buchanan provided a nice recommendation for Berger, and though he said he wouldn’t be going out on calls by himself, he feels adding him would benefit the force. Continue reading →

New State Law Causing Winamac Police Department to Rethink Adding Reserve Officer

Posted on Author Michael Gallenberger

The Winamac Police Department has been offered some free help, but a new state law may prevent the town from accepting it. Former Medaryville police officer Sheri Gaillard has volunteered to serve as an unpaid reserve officer in Winamac, according to Town Marshal Mike Buchanan. He told the town council Monday that he liked the idea, for when the department needs an extra person every once in a while.

Continue reading →