Eastern Pulaski Superintendent Search Winds Down

Posted on Author WKVI
Dr. Robert Klitzman
Dr. Robert Klitzman

The Eastern Pulaski School Corporation will soon have a new superintendent in place. Dr. Robert Klitzman retired June 30th but stayed on in an interim capacity until his replacement is hired. Klitzman tells WKVI news that August 23rd will be his last day. The board will conduct a public hearing on the new superintendent’s contract during their Monday, Aug. 12th board meeting. State law requires a hearing be held, but Klitzman says the candidate will not be identified by name. The board will then meet in executive session, with a formal hiring decision scheduled during a special-called meeting on Tuesday, Aug. 20.

 

 

Fundraiser Scheduled to Save the Vurpillat in Winamac

Posted on Author WKVI

 
 
A fundraiser is scheduled for this weekend to help save the historic Vurpillat Opera House in downtown Winamac. Artist Local 3033 is hosting an art show Saturday from 3 to 6 p.m. ET followed by a concert from 6 to 11 p.m. with a $2 admission. All proceeds go toward the opera house restoration.

Bob B. Welder, the man heading up the fundraiser, said he has no idea what to expect when it comes to the art show. There is no charge for artists to show case their items, but he said they would like to see at least a one percent donation from any sales. There is no limit to how big the pieces can be, and Welder said there’s absolutely no telling what kind of art these artists will showcase.

Continue reading →

Area Coach and Players Participate in North/South All-Star Game

Posted on Author Anita Goodan
(L-R) Matt Hurford, Tim Roth, Zach Shidler
(L-R) Matt Hurford, Tim Roth, Zach Shidler

The Kankakee Valley was well represented at the 46th annual North/South All-Star football game. Winamac coach Tim Roth was honored with being named the head coach of the North team which also included Zach Shidler of Winamac and Matt Hurford of Culver. On an incredibly warm evening both Hurford and Shidler saw a considerable amount of playing time throughout the game, which ended with the South winning 27-6. While Hurford played his usual defensive end position, Shidler lined up as a wide receiver and had a pass reception in the 4th quarter. Despite the outcome of the game, Roth, Shidler, and Hurford were all smiles afterwards and acknowledged that it was a once-in-a-lifetime experience that they will never forget. Continue reading →

Rick Haschel Memorial Run/Walk This Weekend

Posted on Author WKVI
 
 

The Fifth Annual Rick Haschel Memorial 5k Run/Walk and 10k Run is approaching as competitors prepare for the race in memory of the late Rick William Haschel Sr. and his love for the sport of distance running. All proceeds from the event will go to the Pulaski Memorial Hospice to help with their efforts in providing quality care for terminally ill patients and their families.

Continue reading →

Winamac Power from the Past to Continue as Planned

Posted on Author WKVI

 
 
The 36th Annual Power from the Past show is a go after some concerns were addressed regarding flooding at the Winamac Town Park. Robert Smith, announcer for the event, said there were rumors that the river was too high and the grounds was too wet to accommodate the event, but thanks to decent weather, the flooding concerns have been laid to rest.

Smith said that while the fairgrounds were flooded and the fair parade was shortened, as well as some events postponed, the fairgrounds have dried out enough for the antique power show.

Continue reading →

Emerald Ash Borer Attacks Winamac Trees

Posted on Author WKVI

Emerald Ash Borer
Emerald Ash Borer
The town of Winamac is preparing to cut down 87 diseased ash trees. They’re victims of emerald ash borer, which is spread by an insect small enough to fit on the head of a penny. Larvae tunnel under the bark of ash trees and destroy the systems that supply the tree with water and nutrients. This eventually kills the tree. Emerald Ash Borer beetles are indigenous to Japan and are believed to have arrived in the United States about 20 years ago on wooden crates carried by ships. They have since infiltrated the northeastern quarter of the United States. The beetles can’t fly very far, but they have been spread by people moving firewood. Experts say you should never move firewood and should always make sure bark is removed. Also, make sure your wood is from local sources, and burn it where you buy it. More information about EAB can be found online at http://stopthebeetle.info/. Winamac Clerk-Treasurer Melanie Berger says the town plans to replace the 87 trees that are being cut down with another type of tree.

LaPorte Man Rescued from Tippecanoe River

Posted on Author WKVI
 
 

A LaPorte man who tipped over in his kayak and went into the Tippecanoe River near Winamac was rescued Tuesday.

Walt Krzyzak, 65, and his wife were kayaking near the Tippecanoe River State Park when his kayak hit an obstruction in the river and flipped over. Krzyzak was thrown into the river and was able to hang onto a nearby snag until help could arrive.

Continue reading →

Winamac Police Department Hires New Officer

Posted on Author WKVI

police badge
 
The Winamac Police Department has hired a new full-time officer. The town council approved the hiring of Aaron Spanley of Winamac when they met Monday evening. Police Chief Mike Buchanan told the council during a previous meeting he wanted to go ahead and get someone hired and trained before longtime Winamac Police Sgt. Dwight Peterson retires next year. That training includes 13 weeks at the police academy.

Pulaski County Fair Still Set For Fairgrounds in Spite of Rain

Posted on Author WKVI
 
 

The Pulaski County Fair is set to go on as scheduled at the fairgrounds at the back of the Winamac Town Park. Natalie Federer with Purdue Extension Pulaski County says they’re keeping an eye on the Tippecanoe as areas upriver got significant amounts of rainfall yesterday. All of the projects are in place and will be moved to safety if water levels start to rise. The fair starts this weekend, and Federer says fairgoers should be cautious about parking so they don’t get stuck in the mud. Also as a precaution no livestock trailers will be left at the fairgrounds. Tomorrow night’s tractor pull has been postponed and will be rescheduled sometime this fall. Purdue Extension and fair board officials are working closely with the town of Winamac to ensure everyone’s safety, but as of right now everything else will go on at the fairgrounds as scheduled.

Winamac Man Killed in Missouri Motorcycle Crash

Posted on Author WKVI
Michael Blinn
Michael Blinn

A Winamac man was killed in a single-vehicle motorcycle crash Sunday morning on an interstate in southeast Missouri. Michael Blinn, 50, was northbound on Interstate 55 in Portageville on a 2004 Harley-Davidson, ran off the left side of the roadway and was thrown from the bike, according to a crash report from the Missouri State Highway Patrol. He was wearing a helmet. The wreck happened at 8:30 a.m., and he was pronounced dead a short time later by the New Madrid County Coroner. Blinn sold tractors at Gilsinger Implements in Winamac and wrote a weekly newspaper column for The Pulaski County Journal. He also starred in the locally-produced movie And Then You Die. Arrangements are pending at Frain Mortuary in Winamac.

 

 

Attorneys Meet in Case Involving Former Winamac Police Officer

Posted on Author WKVI

 
 
Daymond Hartley’s defense attorney Tim Murray and Chief Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Blair Todd met for a first pre-trial conference in his case and another pre-trial setting has been scheduled for Aug. 5 at 8 a.m. ET in Pulaski Circuit Court.

The former Winamac Police Department officer had pleaded not guilty to a charge of Theft as a Class D felony in an earlier court hearing. He allegedly admitted to Winamac Police Chief Michael Buchanan that he took $6,352 from an evidence locker at the police department on Feb. 25, but he returned the money on April 6. Hartley reportedly told Chief Buchanan that he took the money to help pay for a dental procedure for his mother.

The money was being held in an evidence locker during an investigation into a fatal accident involving Jamie Sheets.

Hartley has since resigned from his position at the police department.

Local Director Issues Call-Out for Extras at Cruizer’s in Winamac on Sunday

Posted on Author WKVI

 
 
Anyone interested in being an extra in a locally filmed movie may find it in their best interest to visit Cruizer’s in Winamac around 4 p.m. ET on Sunday, as Director Daniel Murphy told WKVI that they are looking for extras to help fill up the restaurant for a scene. Murphy said they’re looking for adult extras, but the younger crowd isn’t being left out; he’s looking for extras for two more scenes, one to be shot at Star City Bar and another at a fabricated house party in Winamac.

Murphy said the restaurant should seat about 40 people, so if too many people show up, he said they’ll have to turn people away. The dates for filming the other two scenes have not yet been set, but Murphy explained they have received permission to do the filming; it’s just a matter of setting a schedule.

Continue reading →

Winamac Town-Wide Yard Sale Set for July 20

Posted on Author WKVI

 
 
The Winamac town-wide yard sale is scheduled for Saturday, July 20 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. ET.

Yard sale maps will be available at the Pulaski County Chamber of Commerce office and other businesses in town from 7:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. Donuts and beverages will be offered at the chamber office at the same time.

If you would like to register your yard sale and get on the map for $10, call (574) 270-0016 or (574) 946-6123. You may call those same numbers if you are from outside city limits and would like to reserve a spot at an in-town location to sell your wares.

Winamac PD Hires New Officer, Prepares To Interview Applicants

Posted on Author WKVI
police badge
 

A former Winamac Police Chief has has rejoined the department as a patrol officer. Chief Mike Buchanan says Jeff Heims started June 1. He replaces Daymond Hartley, who resigned amid a controversy over money he reportedly admitted taking from a department evidence locker and is facing criminal charges. Buchanan says Heims is currently working the swing shift to cover for other members of the department when they have days off. The town’s salary ordinance provides a bump in pay of $550 for each five years of seniority, but Buchanan says the town council’s approval is still needed.

Continue reading →

Winamac Town Park Open; Fairgrounds Still Closed

Posted on Author WKVI

Entrance to the Winamac Town Park
Entrance to the Winamac Town Park
Following the closure of the Winamac Town Park this past weekend due to flooding, Park Manager Rick Dilts explained that the park is once again open but the fairgrounds remain closed. Dilts said this weekend’s rain did not cause any more flooding but it did slow down the rate at which the park has been drying. The gates are now open, however, and park crews are trying to work around the water to get the park back in good shape.

Continue reading →

Winamac Council Waits on Chicken Ordinance

Posted on Author WKVI
Winamac Town Hall
Winamac Town Hall

The Winamac Town Council wants more information before allowing homeowners to raise chickens within the town limits. They deferred action on a request to allow residents to keep up to 10 hens in their yards. Arwen Fair spoke on behalf of Winamac CLUCK: Citizens for Legalizing Urban Chicken Keeping. She says Winamac is a 4-H community, and several residents are in favor of raising a sustainable food supply. She says supporters aren’t looking for large, commercial coops, just merely for enough to sustain their families and perhaps share eggs with neighbors. Council members questioned the number 10, which Fair says will adequately provide for a family. Members want to review similar ordinances from other municipalities before making any decisions. Council President John Plowman promised to keep members of Winamac CLUCK posted.

Winamac Fireworks Show in Need of Community Support

Posted on Author WKVI

 
 
The annual Fourth of July fireworks show held during the 4-H Fair in the Winamac Town Park is in need of community support. Normally, the Winamac Kiwanis Club ensures admission is free to the public by working with club sponsors – that is, area businesses, local organizations, and individual citizens that have stopped up to help – but last year, they had to pay out more than $4000 to ensure the annual tradition continued.

Continue reading →

Winamac Town Park to Remain Closed This Weekend

Posted on Author WKVI

Entrance to the Winamac Town Park
Entrance to the Winamac Town Park
The Winamac Town Park will be closed for the rest of the weekend following this week’s storms that flooded the area. Park Manager Rick Dilts told WKVI that the gates will be closed in front of the park on June 8 and 9, and all events that had been planned to take place in the park have been canceled. He said, hopefully, the park will be open on Monday; of course, that all depends on how flooded the area is by then.

Continue reading →