In other business, the council agreed to hold a work session Tuesday (Oct. 16) to discuss salary ordinances. At the request of council member Richard Denney, a discussion will also be held regarding overtime, exempt and non-exempt employees.

Under discussion items, council member Jim DeArmond questioned why the town purchases fuel from BP since it is not located within city limits. Denney questioned the pool expenses and budget. In addition, the condition of a house on Burson Street was discussed; and council member Dan Vanaman reported that the new pocket park has two trees on the south end that were not part of the original plan.

Reports:

Police Chief Mike Buchanan, reported that his department has received two new computers. One is ready to go and the other is still being processed with the sheriff’s department. He also reported he would like to contact the airport for permission to use the air strip for a half-day of emergency vehicle operations training for the town officers. The council advised him to call airport manager Jim McDaniels. Buchanan provided the monthly statistical report. He said he has also spoken to the insurance company regarding a tort claim. Town attorney John Kocher advised the council that the town insurance is investigating. Buchanan advised the council of a recent motorcycle accident at the town park. In addition, he received a letter from the insurance company denying the claim from a home check last month. A copy of the call-for-service regarding the welfare check was provided to the council for its information.

Water and Street Superintendent Kevin Roe, reported that brush pickup will end Oct. 12 and leaf pickup will begin. They will continue to pick up brush if someone calls into the office. Denney suggested putting an article in the paper. A pump that was sent in for repairs is back in service. The auto dialer is in need of further repairs. The hydrants and meters are going to be winterized. After Oct. 12, the hydrant at the complex will be ready for use for contractors and the tree committee. Water will be available between 7:30 a.m. and 4 p.m.

It was suggested that the town manager prepare an ordinance stating use from any hydrant other than the one at the complex will be a violation. Vanaman asked about the leaf vac, and was informed it is being readied. The blades are okay and the hose is being replaced. At the town dump, it was suggested to call Weaver & Fox Excavating to move some of the compost.

Park Superintendent Rick Dilts reported that the girls softball season is over. The Y Flag Football will end on Oct. 20. Also, the Y is having a Halloween party on Oct. 30 at the park. The restrooms will remain open and after the party, he will winterize all facilities. The bleachers and tables will be stored. The leaf vac is ready for use. He reported on hitch and wagon prices. The council advised Dilts to purchase the stainless steel trailer, the hitch and have Gilsinger’s put together. Dilts also presented the council with a John Deere lawn mower quote from Gilsinger’s. The board voted to trade the current lawnmower for a new mower per Gilsinger’s quote of $4,825 after trade-in.

Electric Superintendent Doug Shorter reported the department is working on line clearance between the school and Huddleston Road, installing transformers and trimming trees. The new pocket park is hooked up to electric. Denney asked about the trees in the town park that are dead, and Dilts said he would need help with the removal. Councilman John Plowman asked about the underground work in West Win, and Shorter replied he is working on the quotes. Vanaman asked about the removal of a tree in the alley between VSP Body Shop and Janet Onken’s home. Conner and Shorter will look into this.

Wastewater Superintendent Brad Zellers reported that the header pipe for the blower is being installed and should be done by Oct. 12. The blower should be here in December. There are two or three more catch basins that need to be hooked up to the storm water. Star City is currently dumping its wastewater at the plant.

Town manager Jim Conner reported on the following:

  • He spoke with Pat Heisner regarding the town’s appointment to the Star City Sewer Board. Walter Craig said he would represent the town, and the council voted its approval.
  • He presented the council with Umbaugh’s 4th Quarter Tracking figures. Conner prepared tracking figures per IMPA’s program and they match. He will continue to prepare the tracking factors and will notify Umbaugh that they will no longer need to prepare the report. The tracking factor did go down, and the council voted to pass the tracking factor on to the public, with one opposing vote from Richard Denney.
  • He presented the council with a copy of the State of Indiana Notice of Tort Claim.
  • He presented the council with a copy of the municipal nepotism policy that each elected official will need to execute by Dec. 31.
  • He presented the council with a copy of the accident report at the town park on Sept. 29.
  • He presented the council with a copy of the letter from AECOM for the garbage dump.
  • He presented the council with a copy of the Order to Demolish or Repair Unsafe Premises that was recorded with the Pulaski County Recorder’s Office on Sept. 18, for a property on West Jefferson Street.
  • He advised the council that the town received the IPEP Safety Award Plaque.
  • He advised the council that he has applied for a grant for picnic tables, recyclable bins and containers through Northwest Indiana Solid Waste District.
  • On behalf of the Winamac Lion’s club, he asked for permission to have a dinner fundraiser at the Opera House on Oct. 27. The council had no objections.
  • He presented the council with the contract for the Cost of Refinancing and Additional Bond with Umbaugh in the amount of $33,500. The council voted to execute the agreement.
  • He submitted petition to IURC for wastewater department’s rate ordinance, as required, because the utility charges users outside the corporate boundaries a higher rate.

Clerk-Treasurer Melanie A. Berger presented the council with the fire department’s monthly report. She also provided a copy of a collection letter for a person who owes the town for electrical supplies due to an accident. Steve Egly with Sunshine Publishing has mailed two copies of the ordinances on a CD for review and a list of corrections to be made. She also provided copies of the financial management reports for the Winamac Municipal Electric Utility, Sewage Works, and Water Utility for the four months ended April 30. Some discussion was held on why the town has Umbaugh prepare these reports.

  
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Local News Briefs

Stop signs to be added to two county intersections

The Pulaski County Highway Department will add stop signs Monday (April 28) to two county road intersections – one in southeast Rich Grove Township, and the second in northwest Monroe Township.

The new stop signs were approved April 14 in an ordinance adopted by the county commissioners.

Pulaski County America 250 committee to meet April 28

The Pulaski County America 250 Committee will meet at 6 p.m., Monday (April 28) at the new Pulaski County Historical Society Museum, 110 N. Monticello St., Winamac.

All who are interested in helping to develop county plans to celebrate the nation’s 250th anniversary beginning this summer through 2026 is welcome to attend. Please RSVP to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to attend the meeting.

Pulaski County Economic Development Summit April 29

The annual Pulaski County Economic Development Summit is set for 6 p.m., Tuesday, April 29, at the Knights of Columbus hall, Winamac. The event is hosted by the Pulaski County Community Development Commission.

The keynote speaker will be Stephanie Wells, president of the Indiana Fiscal Policy Institute. The program will also feature the annual “State of the County Economy” address by CDC executive director Nathan Origer.

PMH seeks community input identifying health needs of local communities

Survey deadline May 17

WINAMAC - Pulaski Memorial Hospital has announced the launch of its 2025 Community Health Needs Assessment, a comprehensive initiative aimed at identifying and addressing the most pressing health needs of our local communities.

“Community feedback is essential” said Hospital CEO Steve Jarosinski. ”PMH will be gathering input from residents, local organizations, community leaders, and even other area healthcare professionals to better understand the health challenges and opportunities across the region.”

PCPL lists programs, activities for April

The Pulaski County Public Library has listed its programs and activities for April. They include a celebration of National Library Week, a kids’ caring for the environment program, a Ladybug Welcome Sign craft, and an Earth Day craft.

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

Southbound I-65 reopens in Jasper County following hazmat fire

ROSELAWN (April 22) - I-65 southbound reopened near mile marker 230 at approximately 6:30 a.m. (ET) Tuesday, almost 17 hours following a spectacular semi-truck fire and hazmat cleanup which included an overnight repaving of a section of the interstate. No injuries were reported.

After assessing the damage to the roadway, the Indiana Department of Transportation determined that the accident scene needed to be resurfaced. INDOT already has a contract in place for this area for pavement patching with Rieth-Riley Construction, and they were able to mobilize to take over the scene once cleanup was complete. A total of 7,700 square feet of asphalt to a depth of four inches (and six inches on the outside shoulder) had to be replaced overnight.

Braun signs package of executive orders to ‘Make Indiana Healthy Again’

INDIANAPOLIS (April 15) – Gov. Mike Braun Tuesday signed a landmark package of executive orders with initiatives to improve Indiana’s health and well-being.

U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz were in attendance to support Indiana’s initiative. Indiana now joins a number of states that have embraced, through legislation or executive orders, Kennedy’s “Make America Healthy Again” (MAHA) movement.

DEA/ISP Drug Take Back Day Saturday, April 26

PERU – The Indiana State Police will partner with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Saturday, April 26 for their 27th “Prescription Drug Take Back” initiative.

The “Take Back” initiative seeks to prevent prescription drug abuse and theft through proper disposal of unwanted prescription drugs.

 

Pulaski County unemployment rate up slightly at 4.3 percent in February

Pulaski County's unemployment rate ticked up to 4.3 percent in February, up from 4.2 percent in January, the Indiana Department of Workforce Development reported Monday, (March 31). The rate was 3.8 percent a year ago.

The county had 6,535 employed persons in a labor force of 6,831 in February. In January those numbers were 6,507 of 6,793. A year ago the numbers were 6,381 of 6.645.

 

Indiana Health News

Measles cases climb to 800 nationwide; 8 in Indiana

Also: respiratory illness updates

INDIANAPOLIS (April 21) — The Indiana Department of Health is investigating an outbreak of measles and working with local health officials to help stop the spread of infection. The current reported cases are connected to each other but at this time there are no known links to outbreaks in other states.

Eight cases have been reported in the Indiana, all in Allen County.

  

Post News

Pulaski Superior Court appears saved

INDIANAPOLIS (April 24) – Pulaski Superior Court and seven other rural courts have been spared from closure, following revisions made to HB1144 approved by both the state house and senate Thursday evening in the Indiana General Assembly.

The legislation is now pending the approval of Gov. Mike Braun.

Chamber presents Don, Lynn Darda with 2025 Halleck Award

The Pulaski County Chamber of Commerce presented the 2025 Halleck Community Service Award to Don and Lynn Darda of Winamac at its annual award banquet Thursday evening (April 24), at the Winamac VFW.

The Dardas are both retired teachers in the Winamac schools and have been enthusiastic volunteers in a variety of projects throughout the years. 

Community Foundation awards $15,000 in grants

The Community Foundation of Pulaski County (CFoPC) has announced $15,000 has been awarded in grants to local nonprofits and community organizations.

The following projects and organizations have received funding:

  • $5,000 to Pulaski County Historical Society – “We’re Moving!”
  • $10,000 to Pulaski Memorial Hospital – for a Community Health Worker

Alliance Junior Board visits BraunAbility

The Alliance Bank Junior Board of Directors had the opportunity to visit BraunAbility in Winamac in April.

During their visit, the student directors were given a presentation about the company and had the chance to ask questions. They also had a tour of the facility, which allowed them to see the manufacturing process of vehicles equipped to assist individuals with disabilities.

Jury finds Monterey man guilty of attempted murder 

WINAMAC – A Pulaski County Circuit Court jury has found a Monterey man guilty of attempted murder in connection with a July 3, 2023 shooting in downtown Monterey.

Kenneth D. Ketcahm, 41, was also convicted on additional charges of criminal recklessness and pointing a firearm. The verdict was returned Monday (April 14).

Fatal crash on U.S. 421 under Investigation

MEDARYVILLE (April 15) – The Pulaski County Sheriff’s Department is investigating a crash which claimed the life of a Porter County man Tuesday on U.S 421 near the intersection of CR 800N in Cass Township.

The crash involved a dump truck and minivan. Release of the identity of the deceased minivan driver is pending the notification of family.