Flooding in the Winamac Town Park has forced the cancellation of Saturday’s Pulaski County Fair Association breakfast. A new date has not been set. The river is expected to remain above the 10 foot flood stage in Winamac until at least this afternoon, according to the National Weather Service. Additional rain is possible later this week. The river is also out of its banks near Ora, where flooding is affecting nearby homes. It’s not expected to crest until early tomorrow morning.
The District 2 Task Force wrapped up operations yesterday in the Winamac Town Park. Sherry Fagner, District 2 Service and Support Element Leader, explains what the exercise entailed.
“What we’ve done the last two days is set up our equipment, our base camp, and completed a field operation exercise,” said Fagner. “We’ve had a lot of people in from the state and the other task forces to check out what we have. A lot of the other task forces are in the learning stage of forming their service and support groups so they came in to see what we have. We’re doing some best practices from their groups as well as with ours.”
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.
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.
Summer help is needed at the Winamac Town Park. Park Superintendent Rick Dilts told the Town Board members that it’s getting into the summer season and employees are needed to help with regular work in the park. For more information, call the Town Hall at (574) 946-3451.
Winamac Wastewater Superintendent, Brad Zellers, told the Town Board this week that his department is getting ready to hook up meters for Star City properties that will be releasing waste into the Winamac Wastewater Plant.
The Winamac Town Board heard from Park Superintendent Rick Dilts who reported that the clean-up at the Town Park is almost complete. A suspected juvenile printed graffiti on the park property and the graffiti included harsh words against a certain student. A vandalism report was made with the Winamac Police Department and if anyone knows anything about this incident, call the Pulaski County Sheriff’s Department at 946-6655.
The Winamac Town Board appointed a new Park Superintendent at their recent meeting. Rick Dilts was appointed and he will assume the duties from Don Thompson on April 1st. Don Thompson is retiring after 20 years as the Winamac Town Park Superintendent. The Board thanked him for this dedication to the town and Thompson thanked everyone for the last 20 years and he said he hoped he leaves the park in better shape than when he got it.
Winamac Park Department employees have been cleaning the park after the recent flooding event.
The Tippecanoe River runs through the Winamac Town Park and the water had risen to high levels in the past few months due to snow melt and rains. The back of the park had been closed to keep park patrons from entering the flooded area. The employees were also clearing the river of garbage and other debris from the park.
The back part of the Winamac Town Park has been closed.
Park Superintendent Don Thompson told the Winamac Town Board this week that there is flooding in the back part of the park so Thompson decided to close it. That part of the park will be closed until Spring.
He also informed the Board that the park is winterized for the season.
There will be a new fountain in the Winamac Town Park, through the generosity of the Leah Jane Newman family.
Mrs. Newman passed away recently and the family and friends wanted to do something in remembrance of her life. According to Town Clerk-Treasurer, Judy Heater, Mrs. Newman was a lovely lady and this will be a appropriate way to remember her.
The Winamac Town Board heard from Park Superintendent, Don Thompson, about damage done to the park due to flooding and vandalism.
He reported that the park was under water again this year when the Tippecanoe River swelled and drifted into the park. The Pulaski County Extension Office had removed items from the 4-H buildings to avoid further water damage. Beaver damage was also reported during the flood. Thompson also told the Board that several unknown person(s) caused damage to the playground equipment during a so-called party at the park. Glass was broken around the equipment and clean-up was extensive.
The Winamac Town Park is under water. Winamac Park Superintendent, Don Thompson, said the back end of the park is under water and the walking paths are also under water. The water has reached the 4-H buildings in the Town Park as well.
Thompson said the Tippecanoe River is expected to crest near 11 feet Friday afternoon and the flood stage is at 10.0. According to the National Weather Service, at 11.5 feet, houses and lots could flood in the eastern parts of Winamac near the State Road 14 bridge.
At their recent meeting, the Winamac Town Board members approved the salary ordinances for employees and elected officials. A one-and-a-half percent increase was approved.
Brad Zellers, Wastewater Superintendent, told the Board members that the lack of grass sitting in the streets has made a difference. Earlier this year, the Town Board was concerned about how the clippings were clogging the sewer system, especially during rain events. Zellers said he will be able to determine the true success of that change in the Spring when he and his staff vactor the sewer lines. Zellers reported to the Board that they been repairing several small pumps and will start on building improvements in the remaining portion of the pole building this winter.
