The 35th annual Northern Indiana Power From the Past kicks off today! Their preview night, featuring HAP’s Chicken Bash, took place yesterday from 4:30 to 7 p.m. ET, sponsored by Boy Scout Troop 229.
Headlining this year’s show is Nashville Country Recording Artist Levi Riggs, and the event features Ford and Fordson tractors and will also exhibit motorcycles from the World of Motorcycles Museum, Inc., in North Judson.
The Winamac Town Board is in the discussion stages of enacting a golf cart ordinance.
The golf cart ordinance would need to have safety issues spelled out – specifically lighting requirements and the necessity of a licensed driver. Insurance must also be taken out on the cart and the operator is to obey all traffic laws. There is a state law concerning golf carts and the police department indicated that the town law will be upheld along with the state law, and citations will be given if an offense occurs.
The board members would like to include that children under 48 pounds would need to be restrained in a car seat.
The ordinance will be discussed again during the board’s next meeting on Aug. 13.
The Winamac Town Board commended the town employees on their swift cleanup after the June 29 and July 1 storms that powered through Pulaski County and the 4-H Fair in the Winamac Town Park.
The streets were cleaned up and cleared Sunday, July 1 by 7 p.m. ET, but one board member questioned the street department if the overtime was warranted on Sunday. He felt that the cleanup of fallen trees and brush could have waited until Monday to avoid paying overtime. The standby rate was discussed, but it will addressed further when budget time rolls around.
The Winamac Town Board has approved an ordinance concerning the removal of fallen trees, tree limbs, weeds, and rank vegetation.
The ordinance addresses safety and health of the residents of Winamac, and an order will be issued by Town Manager Jim Conner to clean up any uncontrolled, uncultivated growth of annuals, plants, and trees. Winamac residents are responsible for the removal, cutting, or disposal and elimination of weeds, grass and other uncontrolled growth on their property. If someone files a written complaint at the Winamac Town Hall about the overgrown grass or trees on your property, your property will be inspected. If a violation is found, a written notification will be sent to you and you will have seven days to rectify the issue. You will be able to file an appeal.
If you violate any provision of this ordinance, you shall be subject to a fine of not less than $50 nor more than $250.
The Winamac Town Board heard a request from Park Superintendent Rick Dilts, who inquired as to whether or not Pulaski County Jail inmates could be used to help clean up the park. Those inmates needing community service could be used for the project. The park officials and the Pulaski County Jail officials were to talk and discuss the feasibility of the partnership and the liability issues.
Winamac Police Chief Mike Buchanan told the town board that he is having an issue with the officers telling kids that they are not allowed in the town park. Several kids have been in the park causing problems, and Buchanan said the officers can not discipline the youngsters according to the prosecuting attorney. A report would need to be filed and then brought before the prosecutor and the probation departments before action can be taken. The board ultimately agreed that a policy needs to be in place so that if a crime is committed in the park, officers can reprimand the perpetrators.
A Winamac teenager was arrested after entering a home without permission.
On Tuesday, Renata Heinsen told police that she received a text message from Samantha Keys stating that she was reportedly planning to go to Heinsen’s father’s home and take his vehicle. Keys was under Heinsen’s care until recently. When Heinsen went to check on the home, she noticed that someone had been in the house.
A “Bike Rodeo” is scheduled at the Winamac Town Park as part of the Kiwanis Club’s annual Kid’s Day on Tuesday, July 24. Area children are invited to bring their bicycle from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and promote safe bicycling riding habits in an effort to reduce accidents involving children.
The event will feature a course with safety stations where riders will learn proper riding skills and habits, as well as how to better control the bicycle and general road rules. Through bicycle and helmet inspections will be offered by Zac See of Breakaway Bikes and Fitness in Peru, and children that complete the safety course will be eligible for prizes including helmets, horns, and handlebar streamers.
This event is organized by the Winamac Safe Routes Task Force, a diverse team of local business leaders, educators, local government, health professionals and private citizens, and is funded by a Safe Routes to School grant from the Indiana Department of Transportation.
Funeral services have been finalized for a Winamac woman who reportedly drowned in a pond on a property in Winamac. The body of fifty-four-year-old Cynthia L. Jackson was found by her son, Andrew Jackson, after she had gone swimming in a pond at 4242 W. 400 N. in Winamac.
Funeral services will be held at the Frain Mortuary in Winamac at 3 p.m. ET on Wednesday, June 27. Andrew Jackson will officiate the ceremony, and visitation will take place after 2 p.m. ET on the day of services at the funeral home. Contributions may be given to Susan G. Komen for the Cure.
Jackson was a resident of Winamac for 14 years and a former resident of Chesterton.
Pulaski County Coroner Steve VanDerAa says the incident remains under investigation, but no foul play is suspected.
Everything you’ve ever wanted to know about the new statewide smoking ban will be presented in an informational session today from 2 – 3 p.m. ET at the Winamac VFW, and a town hall meeting will take place at the Bass Lake Community Center at 6 p.m.
Attendees will be educated about the new law, how it affects all businesses in Starke and Pulaski Counties and any questions will be answered. On July 1, most Indiana businesses will be required to be smoke-free and to post signs indicating that it is a smoke-free facility. Smoking will not be allowed in places of employment, public places, state-owned vehicles and school buses.
Two Winamac men were arrested after an alleged theft incident early Sunday morning.
The Starke County Sheriff’s Department was notified of a possible theft case, and the caller stated that three people were getting into his vehicle. When the officer arrived on scene, 25-year-old Robert Howard, of Winamac, was detained and asked what he was doing on the property. He stated that he was picking up scrap with two other people. He said he had permission from the previous owner to take scrap from the property, but police soon learned that they were not allowed to take any items from the residence.
The victim identified several tools and other parts in Howard’s vehicle that were his. Howard was arrested on preliminary charges of Theft and Trespassing. Another person with Howard, Alton Allen, 28, was arrested on a preliminary charge of Trespassing. A juvenile was also taken into custody, and all three were taken to the Starke County Jail.
The WHS/WCHS Alumni Association recently awarded their first Alumni Scholarship to Courtney Dix of Winamac. She was presented her scholarship during the organization’s alumni banquet this past Saturday at the Church of the Heartland.
Dix, a recent graduate of Winamac Community High School, will attend Indiana University Purdue University of Indianapolis to study physical therapy. She was actively involved in many extracurricular and community activities while attending Winamac Community High School. Dix was a member of the National Honor Society, Drama Club, Sunshine Society, and Future Problem Solvers and also participated in softball and basketball for four years. Dix is the daughter of Heather and Michael Anderson.
The WHS/WCHS Scholarship Fund was created to provide financial assistance to a graduate of Winamac Community High School who plans to attend a post-secondary school or college. To learn more about this scholarship or to donate to this fund, visit www.winamacalumni.com.
The Winamac Town Board will soon be putting together a golf cart ordinance.
The members discussed the issue this week and the board has said that their main concern is safety. Ordinances from other towns will be researched so the board can pinpoint what they want to address in an ordinance.
The board also appointed board member Richard Denney to the Star City Sewer Project Board until September, when appointments will be reviewed. He is taking the place of a member who recently resigned from the position.
Members of the Winamac Town Board heard from Commonwealth Engineering representatives Monday night as they reported the final figures from the storm sewer separation project.
The project was finally finished with the separation of several sewer lines in the downtown area and the repaving of some areas in town that were not properly paved in the fall. Stripes have been painted on all the streets and parking lines have also been marked.
The water tower is being painted in the town of Winamac, and that project is expected to be complete by the end of the month. Water pressure has been an issue during this project, but pressure should return to normal when painting is done. This action is done for safety issues and to make any necessary repairs.
Two Winamac residents were arrested June 6 after Pulaski County officers found them to be in possession of a stolen firearm. Officers were called to a domestic dispute and, while information was being gathered concerning the alleged incident, they found a weapon after the suspect said there weren’t any weapons in the home.
Hollis Howard was asked about his status as a convicted felon after he confirmed he was a convicted felon, officers searched the home and found a .22 caliber rifle in the kitchen area. Howard stated that he had forgotten about the rifle and the weapon was in the home for his wife’s protection. He reportedly stated that he had gotten it from an uncle some time ago. Police ran the serial numbers of the rifle and discovered it had been reported stolen to the Hobart Police Department.
A steering committee has been formed to help with the Winamac Community Parkway concept recently approved by the town board.
The Winamac Community Parkway Project will consist of a 1.1-mile-long parkway and will provide an open space improvement opportunity, connecting the walking/biking Panhandle Pathway Trail via a downtown hub designed for relaxation and recreation for residents and visitors.
A former President of the Indiana Funeral Director’s Association has passed away at the Pulaski Health Care Center in Winamac. Max Frain, 84, was the president of the association in 1978. His sons, Dan and Sam Frain, followed their dad as president, making them the first family to produce three presidents of the association.
Frain and his wife Jean purchased the Fry and Lange Funeral Home in 1969 and, in 1976, changed the name to Frain Mortuary.
During his lifetime, he was also a 12-year member of the Winamac Schools and Eastern Pulaski School Corporations. He was Pulaski County Coroner for several years and a proud member of the Republican political party.
The Winamac Town Board heard a presentation by the Safe Routes to School organization about the second Walk to School Day planned for Tuesday, May 22. The organization is also working on a Bike Safety Day on July 24. More details will be released about that effort in the near future.
The organization’s members also asked the Town Board to approve Superior Street as a one-way street going east. This would help traffic with kids coming off of the Panhandle Pathway walking or biking to and from school on the Safe Route to School. The Board voted in favor of the change and the change will be effective after an ordinance is approved officially making the move.
The members of the Winamac Town Board heard a report from Police Chief Mike Buchanan Monday night that they are working on a few burglary calls within the town limits. The Police Department is working with the Indiana State Police Crime Lab officers in gathering evidence in the cases.
The Safe Routes to School Task Force in Winamac has planned another “Walk to School” event for Winamac Elementary and Middle School students.
Students, parents, Safe Routes Task Force members and officers from the Winamac Police Department and Pulaski County Sheriff’s Department will walk to school on Tuesday, May 22. All are to meet at 7:15 a.m. ET at the Downtown Depot in Winamac and the walk will begin at 7:30 a.m. ET. Participants will walk down Main Street to the north side of the Pulaski County Courthouse, then across Monticello Drive to Riverside Drive, before ending at the school.
A Winamac man was arrested Sunday after a report of domestic abuse.
37-year-old Gregory Billingsley allegedly battered his wife. Police reportedly found that she had bruising around her left eye and her upper lip was swollen with a laceration. Pulaski County officers also noted in the police report that her nose appeared to be broken. She complained of pain to the back of her head and neck.
