"The information came to us regarding an individual listed as Fulton County," said EPCS Superintendent Dan Foster. "We were notified and simply went to a 'soft lock down' to ensure the perimeter doors were locked and nobody entered except being buzzed in each main entrance - which should happen all the time. Additionally, we did not allow outdoor recess or high school students to go to the elementary. This was all done simply as a precautionary measure as we had received no specific threats to any of our students, staff or facilities."

Foster was notified of the threat at about 11 a.m.

The Pharos-Tribune in Logansport reports that Fulton County Sheriff Chris Sailors was notified about an hour earlier by a private cyber security firm about a threatening Twitter message with a Kewanna location tag. Sailors soon notified the Pulaski County Sheriff's Department and the Rochester Police Department. The Pharos-Tribune said the Twitter message read, “Boutta shoot up the school Boys wish me luck,”

At the time he received news of the threat, Foster was escorting Indiana State Superintendent of Public Instruction Glenda Ritz around the EPCS campus. She spent nearly three hours touring the elementary, middle and high schools visiting in classrooms and with students, teachers and administrators. 

Ritz continued her tour and left the school about 12:15 p.m. There is nothing to indicate her visit was connected to the threat, according to officials.

Several officers from the county and town police departments arrived at the school as developments unfolded and remained to monitor the situation through the end of the school day. A patrol was also assigned for the Winamac/West Central basketball game Friday evening.

Foster extended his thanks to the local police for all their assistance Friday.

 

Latest: -

Eastern Pulaski Schools reported on a Facebook Post Friday night, "The individual responsible for the area lockdowns today has been taken into custody." 

 

On Friday evening, WROI radio in Rochester reported that a Jasper County juvenile was questioned and has confessed to authorities that he posted Friday morning's tweet. He is in custody and will be transported to a juvenile facility in Porter County.

 

On Tuesday, Feb. 2, Rochester Police Chief Andy Shotts reported to PulaskiPost, "from my understanding the Fulton County Sheriff's Department and Rochester School Corporation received a call about a Twitter post. I was advised of this situation at approximately 10:30 a.m. The Twitter post stated that someone was about to 'shoot up a school' and it was originally thought that the post came from someone in the Kewanna area.

"The (Rochester) school corporation went on lock down as a precaution, and they did this on their own. With the possible threat being non-specific to a school, we placed officers in each one of our schools here in Rochester. That consists of two elementary schools, one middle school, and one high school. Again this was done as a precaution to ensure the safety of all students and staff. 

"This was a combined effort between the Fulton County Sheriff's Department, Indiana State Police, and the Rochester Police Department. We immediately began to investigate where the post originated from and to track that person down.  The Indiana State Police's Cyber Crimes Unit was instrumental in doing so. By the end of the school day, it appeared that the person who made the threat was not from our area. Schools released students as usual. Soon after, it was believed that the person who made the threat was from the Jasper County area. At approximately 5:30 p.m., officers from the Jasper County Sheriff's Department located and questioned a juvenile who admitted to making the post on Twitter.  That juvenile was taken into custody."

 

 

Developing story; details will be added as received.

 

 

 

 

 

 
 

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.

2025 Indiana General Assembly: Bill Watch

Members of the Indiana General Assembly are working through proposed legislation on such topics such as education, health care, housing, property tax reform, responsible management of water resources, and much more. Gov. Mike Braun has now begun the process of signing passed legislation into law.

The 2025 legislative session runs January through April 29. This is a “long session” during which legislators will craft a two-year state budget. The status of bills under consideration, in both the House and Senate, may be viewed here: IGA | Bills for 2025 Session.  

 

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.