In other business, the board discussed the preventive maintenance proposal from Havel. It was noted the corporation has been very satisfied with the service provided by Havel. The board voted to approve signing another year maintenance agreement with no price increase.

The board also held a discussion concerning its non-resident student transfer agreement. Approval was then given to the agreement as presented.

Mellon reviewed some of the new legislation that has an effect on school corporations as a result of the Indiana General Assembly legislative short session that ended in March.

The board was reminded that with the cancellation of school on March 12 due to weather, the last day for students this school year is May 29.

Mellon congratulated the board for once again being recognized as an “Outstanding Board” by the Indiana School Board Association.

Under personnel items, the board voted to approve the contract reduction of Camie Kipta from the Cooperative School Services as presented.

Approval was given to the resignation from Dana Bunning from the Cooperative School Services, and from high school English teacher Meredith Fitch, as presented.

Approval was given to the conference request from Travis Stangland, Brad Odom, Bryce Kappes and Kyle Evans to attend the IBCA Clinic in Indianapolis. All of the expenses will be paid for by the athletic department.

Approval was given to the field trip request for the sixth-grade camping trip to Camp Tecumseh at Brookston on Sept. 15 and 16, and the high school band and choir trip to Six Flags Great America on June 7.

Under discussion items, elementary school principal Dan Zylstra reported that the students in grades 3-5 completed the ISTEP+ Applied Skills test on March 10-15, and students in grade 3 completed the IREAD3 assessment March 18-20. Third grade had perfect attendance during the IREAD3 window, no small feat with 60 students in the grade.

Family Literacy Night was March 20. Students put on a small show covering a brief history of the Olympics. In addition there was food, games, and other activities. Kindergarten Roundup was April 3-4. The school also has grades K, 2, and 4 music program on April 8. The book fair will be held the week of April 14-18, with a PTC family fun night on April 15. The March professional development sessions included a presentation from Mr. Shrock on student motivation, and the other Thursday session was canceled due to weather.

Middle/high school principal Don Street reported that the middle school play was set for April 4. The FFA's annual Hog Roast and Car Show was April 5. The FFA members have been very active with several competitions. The middle/high school band and choir concert will be April 7. Fourth term parent-teacher conferences are scheduled for Tuesday, April 22. The MWC Mathematics Contest will be at West Central on Wednesday, April 23. The main gym will be used. The MWC Writing Contest Awards program will be at Pine View on Thursday, April 24.

Frontier School Corporation will visit Monday, April 28 to learn more about 1:1 with the Google Chromebook. The High School Student Council Talent Show will be on Friday, May 2 starting about 1 p.m. This will go into fourth period. The Indiana Pacer Fitness team will be at West Central on Friday, May 2 for the middle school starting at 2 p.m. This will last for 45-60 minutes.

Thanks was expressed to Dave Zeltwanger for working with the Industrial Technology students.

The SCOPE club will participate in the Every 15 Minutes program this school year. During the event, a student with parent permission will be taken from class every 15 minutes to represent a person killed by drinking-and-driving every 15 minutes. At the end of the day, there will be a mock accident scene with the help with police.

The board recognized the following Students of the Month: Titus Murphy from the elementary school level, Caitlyn Brigman at the middle school level, and Paisa Steele at the high school level.

 

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.