"I am confident that the work of these appointees along with several key members of my cabinet, leaders from secondary and postsecondary education and members of the General Assembly will provide exceptional insight and perspective to lead all Hoosiers on a pathway to success and ensure Indiana’s future as A State that Works," the Governor added.

  • With extensive experience in the manufacturing industry, Joseph Loughrey has been appointed to the Indiana Career Council. Loughrey, of Indianapolis, served in a variety of roles including vice chairman, president and chief operating officer during his more than 35 year career at Cummins Inc. Recognized as a leading proponent of advanced manufacturing both in Indiana and nationwide, he served from 2005 to 2007 as Chairman of the Board of Trustees of The Manufacturing Institute and from 2007 to 2012 as chairman of Conexus Indiana, an organization dedicated to promoting advanced manufacturing and logistics in Indiana. Loughrey is currently chairman of the board at Hillenbrand Inc. and is also serves on the boards of The Vanguard Group, AB SKF, the Lumina Foundation for Education, and V Foundation for Cancer Research. Loughrey has earned a number of service awards including the Dick Johnson Leadership Award by the March of Dimes, the Ellis Island Medal of Honor and the William R. Laws Human Rights Award by the Human Rights Commission of Columbus, Indiana. Loughrey is a graduate of the University of Notre Dame.
  • Representing the business community, business entrepreneur, Gary Hobbs has been named to the Indiana Career Council. Hobbs, of Indianapolis, is the president of BWI, a development and construction management company in Indiana. He also serves as managing partner for HTECH Training, a leading provider of project management and business analysis advisory services. Prior to this position, he held a variety of roles at AT&T, Eli Lilly, and Roche Diagnostics. Hobbs served on the Governor’s transition team leading up to his inauguration in January. Hobbs also serves on the board of Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) and the Purdue Engineering & Education Advisory Board. Hobbs earned his undergraduate degree and master’s degrees in electrical engineering from Purdue University. He also has an MBA from Purdue University and University of London.
  • Executive director of policy, planning and outreach at Indiana University Health, Neil Pickett has been named to the Indiana Career Council to represent the Life Sciences industry. Prior to joining IU Health in 2009, Pickett, of Carmel, served for four years as senior policy director in the office of Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels. Pickett worked for ten years at Eli Lilly and Company, where he held a number of corporate affairs and corporate strategy positions. He has also gained experience at the Hudson Institute, a public policy research institute, and he spent two years working as a journalist for the New Republic and the National Law Journal. Pickett was formerly a member of the Indiana State Board of Education. He earned his undergraduate degree from Brandeis University and his master’s degree from St. Antony’s College at Oxford University.
  • Dan Waldrop, of Hobart, has been named to the Indiana Career Council. With more than 30 years of experience in the electrical industry and 14 years of experience as a labor representative, Waldrop will represent the labor community on the Council. Currently, Waldrop is the business manager and financial secretary at the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 697. He is active within his community through both civic and philanthropic organizations, including currently serving as a board officer and immediate past chairperson of the American Red Cross of Northwest Indiana. Formerly, Waldrop frequently volunteered in local youth sports organizations.

 

Pence also named Special Advisors to the Council, including:

  • Pat Kiely, president of the Indiana Manufacturers Association;
  • Kevin Brinegar, president and Chief Executive Officer of the Indiana Chamber of Commerce;
  • J.R. Gaylor, chairman of the Vincennes University Board of Trustees and President and chief executive officer of Associated Builders and Contractors, Inc.

 

Speaker Bosma statement on Indiana Career Council

 

STATEHOUSE – Indiana House Speaker Brian Bosma issued the following statement following the Governor's appointments to the Indaina Career Council:

“The launching of the Indiana Career Council (ICC) will provide Hoosier workers with the tools they need to succeed in today’s globally dynamic marketplace. With nearly one-third of the state’s workforce lacking the necessary skills to succeed in our economy, we made a commitment last November to address this issue and today marks another significant step towards honoring that commitment.

“I developed the ICC legislation to help address the skills gap in order to better prepare Hoosiers to compete in today’s competitive economy by bringing together principal stakeholders in the state’s workforce training and career preparation. We know that job opportunities are integral to our state’s continued success and those opportunities must be met with a highly educated workforce.

“As Indiana’s pro-business climate continues to attract companies to expand and relocate here, I look forward to the strides the ICC will make in unifying our fragmented system to better address the skills gap and the challenges faced by the underemployed.”

 

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.