“My family and I are excited for the opening of an on-site clinic. Currently our doctors are located out of town and we have to take additional time off work to see them. The on-site clinic will lessen drive and wait time!,” said Shamay Ruff, a Braun employee.

The clinic, located on Braun’s Winamac campus at 144 S County Road 100 W, will offer annual exams, immunizations, blood tests, generic drug prescriptions, acute care and other screenings, treatment procedures and health coaching. These services are available to all associates, spouses and dependents age 6 and older on a Braun-sponsored health plan.

“We are extremely pleased to be introducing this valuable benefit for our employees and their families,” said Tom Eastman, chief financial officer of The Braun Corporation. “The on-site medical clinic will not only provide much needed primary care, but will also be a key element in improving the overall health and long-term wellness of our workforce. As Ralph Braun always said, our employees are the company’s most valuable asset and the reason for our continued success, so this is yet another effort in striving to be an employer of choice for them.”

Braun, in combination with OurHealth, a leading independent provider of integrated on-site health management services, and FirstPerson, an Indianapolis-based professional advisory firm, have worked to determine the best healthcare model for the Braun employees. 

“We are thrilled with the opportunity to work with the Braun and FirstPerson teams to implement a strategy that helps Braun’s employees live healthier and happier lifestyles. We look forward to the partnership,” said Ben Evans, CEO of OurHealth.

“The clinic creates an exciting opportunity for Braun associates and their families to get the care they need to live healthier lives, which is an important mission and always has been. This is certainly one of the most exciting developments in the Braun Health and Wellness program that I’ve seen in my decade of work with the Braun team. We’re happy for Braun and looking forward to the good things to come,” said Bryan Brenner, founder and CEO of FirstPerson. 

 

About The Braun Corporation

The Braun Corporation is the largest manufacturer of wheelchair accessible vans, ramps, and wheelchair lifts worldwide and enables people with physical disabilities to regain mobility and lead active and independent lives. The Indiana-based company was founded by Ralph Braun, who was diagnosed with spinal muscular atrophy at a young age and unable to walk by age 15. Ralph was motivated by his disability to invent the world's first electric scooter (the Tri-Wheeler) and wheelchair lift (the Lift-A-Way) in his parents' garage. Word spread and demand for the product increased, resulting in the birth of Save-A-Step Manufacturing, which ultimately became The Braun Corporation. The company offers the most diverse line of vehicle platforms in the industry, including the BraunAbility Entervan (Chrysler/Dodge and Honda) and the BraunAbility Rampvan (Toyota Sienna). For more information please visit www.braunability.com.

 

About OurHealth

OurHealth is a leading independent, clinically-driven provider of integrated on-site health management services for employers. It focuses on enhancing workforce productivity and lowering health care costs, leading to sustainable value. Using a consultative and analytical approach to design customized solutions for its clients, OurHealth provides on-site clinical care focused on the primary health care needs of employees, while offering turnkey service with its Total Health Management Solution. The goal of this comprehensive program is to provide value-conscious care options for patients through health promotion, wellness and prevention efforts, lifestyle management, chronic condition and medication management support, on-site laboratory and pharmacy services, and referral guidance. OurHealth is a privately-held company based in Indianapolis, Indiana and can be reached at (317) 522-0821 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.; on the Net: www.ourhealth.org.

 

About FirstPerson

FirstPerson is an Indianapolis-based advisory consulting firm specializing in benefits, human resources, compliance, and wellness, which creates customized employer strategies that garner results. FirstPerson advisors tailor programs to clients’ specific needs, culture, and goals using a proven process called ResultsBuilder. FirstPerson is a locally-owned private company with roots in Indianapolis that date back to 1968. FirstPerson prides itself on having the knowledge, capability, and most importantly, a team of experts, to help employers take care of their most valuable asset – their employees.For more information please visit www.firstpersonadvisors.com.

 

Local News Briefs

West Central to award diplomas to 41 seniors

Senior photos featured

FRANCESVILLE - The 58th annual commencement exercises at West Central High School will be Sunday (May 25), in the school gymnasium. Diplomas will be awarded to 41 seniors.

The program will open with a baccalaureate service at 2 p.m., sponsored by the West Central Ministerial Association, followed by the commencement ceremonies at 2:30 p.m. 

County Memorial Day Service May 26

The annual county Memorial Day Service will begin at 11 a.m., Monday (May 26), in front of the courthouse, Winamac.

The event is organized by the Winamac American Legion Post 71 and VFW Post 1728. Guest speaker will be Captain Casey Stephens. Dr. Robert Klitzman will serve as master of ceremonies.

Indiana Election Division to perform voter list maintenance

In the absence of an election in 2025, the Indiana Election Division will perform routine voter list maintenance in an effort to maintain accurate voter rolls, reports Pulaski County Clerk JoLynn Behny.

 Beginning mid-May, registered voters with an “active” voter status will receive the first in a series of two postcards to verify the registered voter’s correct address. If the information on the post card is correct, the registered voter does not need to take any action.

I-65 to have overnight lane closures near State Road 14

 JASPER COUNTY - Indiana Department of Transportation contractor Rieth-Riley Construction will have overnight lane closures on I-65 from mile marker 217 to 223 (between SR 10 and SR 114) beginning on or after Monday, May 12.

I-65 will be reduced to one lane in the area where work is occurring during the overnight hours of approximately 8 p.m. to 8 a.m. Work will be ongoing through mid-October.

PCPL lists activities, programs for May

The Pulaski County Public Library has listed its programs and activities for May. They include restorative yoga classes, adult canvas painting, and the opening celebration of the Story Trail at the park.

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

Mitch Frazier, AgriNovus Indiana president and CEO, to step down

INDIANAPOLIS (May 16) - AgriNovus Indiana announced Friday it is launching a search for a new chief executive officer following the resignation of its current CEO Mitch Frazier who will depart from the organization June 6.

Frazier, who has served as president and CEO of AgriNovus since June 2020, will become president of IBJ Media Corporation June 16.

61 Pulaski County students earn Ivy Tech degrees, certificates

KOKOMO (May 9) - Ivy Tech Community College Kokomo Service Area, which includes campuses and instructional sites in Kokomo, Loganspor and Peru, celebrated the Class of 2025 with three commencement ceremonies Friday, May 9.

The events, divided by schools, honored 1,128 students who are expected to have completed work on 1,432 degrees and certificates by the end of the Fall 2024 and Spring and Summer 2025 terms.

Northwest Indiana Forum hosts legislative wrap-up

CHESTERTON (May 2) – The Northwest Indiana Forum welcomed over 90 members for its annual Legislative Wrap-Up event Friday featuring bipartisan legislators from Northwest Indiana.

An engaging and informative panel discussion with the six key state lawmakers reflected on the 2025 Indiana General Assembly session and its impact on the region.

Pulaski County March unemployment rate drops to 3.1%

Pulaski County's unemployment rate dropped to 3.1 percent in March, down from 4.3 percent in February, the Indiana Department of Workforce Development reported Monday, (April 21). The rate was 3.7 percent a year ago.

The county had 6,586 employed persons in a labor force of 6,795 in March. In February those numbers were 6,533 of 6,830. A year ago the numbers were 6,302 of 6.546.

 

Indiana Health News

Measles outbreak in 29 states continues to be of concern

The U.S Center for Disease Control continues to monitor the growing outbreak of measles in the U.S. which is approaching 1,000 cases in 29 states.

Eight cases have were reported in the Indiana last month, all in Allen County. No additional cases have been reported in the state since that time.

 

Post News

Missing Winamac teen found safe

WINAMAC - The Pulaski County Sheriff’s Office reports the 14-year-old juvenile who was reported missing earlier this week has been located safe and reunited with her family.

The teen, Summer Campbell, 14, a freshman at Winamac Community High School had been missing since early Sunday morning (May 11), Officers followed multiple leads in over five days, both in and out of state.

PCELN works to build infrastructure for quality childcare in Pulaski County

Pulaski County Early Learning Network (PCELN) is working to ensure families in Pulaski County have access to affordable, quality childcare.

The network notes that many different groups in the county community must come together to address this critical need. Access to high-quality early childhood education means that children are more likely to build a foundation for success in school and life.

West Central School Board honored by Indiana School Boards Association

FRANCESVILLE - The West Central School Corporation School Board has been recognized by the Indiana School Boards Association (ISBA) with an Exemplary Governance Award (EGA) for calendar year 2024 for demonstrating an outstanding commitment to student success and professional learning.

Only 124 school boards in the State of Indiana earned awards through the EGA program this year.

Economic Summit addresses county's financial health, state budget

'Making a place where we choose to live'
With a major restoration of the county courthouse nearing completion and a host of additional business and community projects under development, the mood was upbeat at the annual Pulaski County Economic Development Summit Tuesday (April 29). The event is hosted by the Pulaski County Community Development Commission.

CDC executive director Nathan Origer gave updates on projects and county economics, while keynote speaker Stephanie Wells, president of the Indiana Fiscal Policy Institute, reviewed legislation from this year's session of the Indiana General Assembly.

BraunAbility to expand Winamac facilities with new product line

WINAMAC - BraunAbility has announced a $3.8 million investment in its Winamac operations to support production of the new BraunAbility Ram ProMaster.

This funding will cover land acquisition, land work, fencing, drainage and building improvements. Construction, utilizing local contractors, will continue through Spring 2026.