(L-R): State Court Behavioral Health Administrator Office of Behavioral Health, Indiana Supreme Court Brittany Kelly, J.D., M.S.W., L.S.W.; Pulaski County Prosecutor Kelly Gaumer, Circuit Judge Mary Welker, Superior Court Judge Crystal Kocher and Katie Surma of Pulaski County Navigator.

Indiana’s Office of Behavioral Health was created to aid courts in addressing the serious mental health and substance use issues confronted daily. The office connects judicial officers and justice system stakeholders to resources in their communities by providing education on matters of behavioral health.

Pulaski County started its comprehensive Community Navigator initiative in March, 2023 in partnership with the Pulaski County Community Foundation. The Navigator works in partnership with other established local agencies to connect individuals in need of education, food and housing assistance, as well as other emergent needs.

The state program will specifically aim to recognize and respond appropriately to mental health, substance use, and co-occurring conditions in the courts. Kelly recently spent a day shadowing Pulaski County’s Community Navigator and connected with the Pulaski County Community Foundation Director Leeann Wright, Pulaski County Jail Commander Stephen Tabler, Superior Court Judge Crystal Kocher, Circuit Court Judge Mary Welker, Prosecutor Kelly Gaumer, and Public Defender Christopher Stidham to gain insight on the roles, impact, and importance of the Pulaski County Community Navigator to the individuals involved in the justice system.

The Navigator has recorded service to approximately 1,576 individuals since March 2023. In addition to connecting individuals with necessary mental health and substance use services, the Navigator strives to positively impact the community by reducing recidivism, increasing evidence-based programing in the county jail, and connecting with service providers statewide. Overall, this will lead to a reduction in the financial impact of substance use and poor mental health in the county.

The Pulaski County Courts welcome a partnership with the Indiana Office of Behavioral Health and strive to create collaborative solutions between state and county agencies to improve the health and safety of the community. The Pulaski County Navigator Program was recently recognized at NAMI Indiana Mental Health and Criminal Justice Summit, as well as the Indiana Rural Health Association Virtual Summit by the Office of Behavioral Health for its innovation in connecting individuals in desperate need to substance use and mental health treatment.

Pulaski Superior Court Judge Crystal A. Kocher notes, “The Community Navigator position is one that was born of collaboration between many county partners and demonstrates how we can change our community at the most foundational level. Care about people, provide them the necessary resources and treatment, expect them to succeed by holding them accountable and believing in them, and we will begin to see a shift in our community. It will be a safer, healthier, more financially secure place for all of us. We are happy to share our model with other counties and work with the Office of Behavioral Health to further improve services to our community.”

All Pulaski County residents, and those currently involved in the Pulaski County justice system, may be referred to the Pulaski County Navigator. Referrals can come from any source, including friends, family, self, attorney or court referral.

  
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Local News Briefs

Burn Ban issued for Pulaski County

A burn ban was issued early Friday afternoon for Pulaski County until further notice.

Eleven Indiana counties are currently reporting active burn bans, including neighboring Starke and White counties. For updated information visit https://www.in.gov/ai/dhs/burnban.pdf

Next Mobile Food Pantry visit March 21

LAFAYETTE - Food Finders Food Bank Mobile Pantry will distribute food, including fresh produce, an assortment of frozen items, essential non-perishable items, and breads to people in need in the Pulaski County area Friday, March 21.

The event will be held at 11 a.m., at the Star City United Methodist Church. This program is available to those in need of food assistance and who meet income guidelines.

Yakym district staff to hold local mobile office hours March 24

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Rudy Yakym (IN-02) has announced that his staff will hold mobile office hours in Pulaski County March 24, in Winamac.

Yakym’s mobile office will visit throughout Indiana's Second District in February to assist constituents with casework questions.

'Traditions!' Broadway favorite 'Fiddler on the Roof' returns to Winamac stage April 4-6

 WINAMAC - The Tony award-winning, Broadway favorite Fiddler on the Roof will return to the Winamac Community High School stage the weekend of April 4-6

The school’s drama department will present the classic musical which follows the story of Tevye, a Jewish peasant in pre-revolutionary Russia in the early 1900s. The dairyman father struggles to maintain his traditional values while attempting to marry off three of his daughters who have modern romantic ideals - all while growing anti-Semitic sentiment threatens his village.

PCPL lists March activities, programs

The Pulaski County Public Library has listed its programs and activities for March. The include free trees for Earth Week, an adult refrigerator magnet craft, and kids’ “spring break bingo.”

For more information on any program, call the library at 574-946-3432 or visit the library’s website at www.pulaskicounty.lib.in.us.

  

Indiana News

Update: Avian Influenza continues to affect wild birds across Indiana

INDIANAPOLIS (March 3) - The Indiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR) continues to detect highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in wild birds throughout Indiana and has currently detected the H5NI virus in 30 counties.

HPAI is also suspected in an additional 32 counties based on reports involving the deaths of raptors, cranes, and waterfowl. Thirteen affected birds have been reported in Pulaski County, with significantly high cases found in neighboring Starke and Jasper counties.

Young receives subcommittee chairmanships, assignments

WASHINGTON, D.C. (March 3) – U.S. Sen. Todd Young (R-Ind.) has announced his two subcommittee chairmanships and five additional subcommittee assignments for the 119th Congress.

Yakym concludes Indiana Innovation Tour

WARSAW (Feb. 21) - Congressman Rudy Yakym (IN-02) concluded his Indiana Innovation Tour Friday, which included stops across the second district.

At each stop, Yakym talked with Hoosiers about a wide range of issues important to them, including regulations, taxes, jobs, the economy, a secure southern border, government efficiency and more.

Rep. Culp to serve on U.S. EPA Local Government Advisory Committee

STATEHOUSE (Feb. 13) – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recently appointed State Rep. Kendell Culp (R-Rensselaer) as a member of its Local Government Advisory Committee.

Culp said there are numerous advisory committees with the purpose to help the president and executive branch better understand key topics. The main job of the committee is to tackle critical problems by working with the different governing bodies to develop common sense, long-lasting solutions.

Indiana COVID-19 News

Respiratory illnesses on downward trend in Indiana

INDIANAPOLIS - The Indiana Department of Health reported March 5 that COVID-like illness emergency department visits numbered 331 statewide from Feb. 19-25, down 57from its previous weekly report. There were no state COVID-19 hospital admissions during that time period, and one (reported) COVID death.

In addition, the CDC reported Feb. 26, that the state's level of respiratory illness activity is "high" for the week ending Feb. 22 - an improvement from "very high" earlier in the month.

  

Post News

New partnership to address mental health, substance use issues in Pulaski County

WINAMAC (March 6) – The newly-appointed State Court Behavioral Health administrator has connected with the Pulaski County Community Navigator program to more fully address mental health and substance use issues in the county.

The new state administrator, Brittany Kelly, is working to gain insight on the county’s Navigator program, located in the superior court, which provides connection services to county residents for a variety of needs/issues.

Keystone’s Troike to retire after 43 years in Co-Op system

INDIANAPOLIS – After a 43-year career in the cooperative system, Keystone Cooperative executive vice president Jeff Troike has announced his retirement which will officially take effect Aug.31.

A steadfast advocate for agriculture and a visionary leader in agribusiness, Troike leaves behind a legacy of innovation, servant leadership, and unwavering commitment to farmer-members.

Suspect in custody, but police seek info on possible additional burglaries

The Pulaski County Sheriff’s office reports an arrest was made Wednesday (March 5) in Kentucky of a 48-year-old Louisiana man in connection to a residential burglary early last month north of Winamac.

Sheriff’s deputy Sgt. Seth Barton said the Feb. 8 incident involved a male subject allegedly impersonating a utility company representative who stole a large sum of money from the elderly resident and then fled the area.

Pulaski County Republican, Democrat parties choose officers

Pulaski County’s Republican and Democrat political parties held their reorganizational meetings Saturday (March 1), as required by rules determined by each organization.

Ken Boswell will become the new chairperson of the county’s Republican party, while Doug Denton will continue as chairperson of the Democrat party; both for four-year terms.

Alliance Bank provides tips to protect against check fraud

FRANCESVILLE - Alliance Bank has joined forces with the Independent Community Bankers of America® (ICBA) in partnership with the U.S. Postal Inspection Service on an initiative to help clients protect themselves from the growing threat of check fraud.

In support of this initiative, Alliance Bank offers educational materials and personal guidance to ensure customers have the tools they need to safeguard their financial assets and respond if they experience check fraud.