Street reported there were 278 parent surveys completed and out of the completed surveys 87.4% found the e-learning day was effective. There were 491 student surveys completed and 65.6% found the e-learning day was effective. There were also 49 staff surveys completed. The staff reported that 85.7% of the students met the expectations. The next e-learning days will be April 11, April 18 and May 9.

In other business, state immunization requirements were reviewed. Vaccinations may be received at the Jasper County Health Department and the Pulaski County Health Department.

Utility usage and expenses were reviewed and Street reported the wind turbine is functioning very well.

Street reviewed several dates: Prom will be May 16; Senior Awards will be May 18; Student Last Day will be May 22; Baccalaureate will be Sunday, May 24 at 2 p.m.; Commencement will be Sunday, May 24 at 2:30 p.m.

The school board approved the following leave requests as presented:

  • Ashley Reinhold – Maternity Leave
  • Brandi Kappes – Maternity Leave
  • Elizabeth Swalby – Cooperative School Services – Maternity Leave change request

The board approved the following retirements from the Cooperative School Services as requested:

  • Joyce Butler – administrative assistant
  • Mari Anne Saylor – speech clinician

Approval was given to the following resignations as presented:

  • Kevin Wenzel – 8th Grade Girls Basketball Coach
  • Amanda DeVries – Cooperative School Services

 The board approved the following field trips as presented:

  • Marsha Minkert – Art Club – Chicago Art Museum
  • Joanne Stevens – BPA National Convention – Anaheim, California

The board discussed the Preventive Maintenance Proposal from Havel. The school corporation has been very satisfied with the service provided by Havel. The board voted to approve a motion to sign another year maintenance agreement with no price increase.

Principal Reports:

Middle/high school principal Pat Culp reported that West Central Schools recently raised over $3,000 for the Pennies for Patients campaign. With the goal of raising $2,500, the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) took the Pennies for Patients project and promoted the campaign at the elementary, middle, and high school. In the high school, the Pennies for Patients campaign was capped off with a 3-on-3 basketball tournament and "Duct Tape a Teacher to the Wall" event. Students and staff had a great time playing basketball, participating in games, and raising money for an excellent cause. A special thank you to the FCA and FCA President Max Wuethrich for all the hard work, time, and effort put forth in this worthwhile endeavor.

Recently, the National Honor Society and National Junior High Honor Society inducted 15 new members. An induction ceremony, highlighted by a motivational speech by former superintendent Charles Mellon, welcomed the new members to the NHS and NJHS. Culp congratulated both current and new members for displaying the characteristics of academic achievement, leadership, character, and service.

Upcoming events:

  • For the middle school, students will conducting the drama performance on April 10.
  • On Tuesday, April 21, Parent/Teacher Conferences for the middle and high school will be conducted starting at 3:30.
  • The 2014-15 MWC Math Contest will be held on Wednesday, April 22.
  • The 2014-15 MWC Writing Contest will take place on Thursday, April 23.
  • The Indian Trails Banquet celebrating vocational instructors and business partners will be held at Tri-County High School on April 23.
  • On May 16, the Prom will be held at Pineview with the After Prom to follow.

Elementary School principal Dan Zylstra reported that things are warming up this April at WCES. As usual, April is a busy month. April 1 was picture day. That afternoon the school also had a band recruitment concert for upper elementary students presented by Mr. Coffey and the high school band students. On April 9 students will get their ice cream reward for their March Accelerated Reader goals. Kindergarten Roundup is April 9 and 10. The Spring Book Fair will be the week of April 13-17. It’s titled Book Fair Under the Sea: Explore an Ocean of Books. The PTC’s Reduce, Reuse, Recycle Contest will be running the week of April 20-24. On the April 24, Title I will host its annual Muffins with Mom celebration in the gym. To top it all off, ISTEP+ will begin on Monday, April 27. The first E-Learning Day at the elementary on March 14 was a success. The elementary would like to thank staff, students, and parents for their efforts. Thursday morning Professional Development time in March was used to review the Social Studies adoption, prepare for E-Learning Days, and hear information on some food services and English-language learner guidelines.

 

Student-of-the-Month certificates were presented to Emily Bunger at the elementary school level, Crisney Shepperd at the middle school level, and Ethan Perry at the high school level.

During public comment, Chris Shepperd gave a petition to the board and asked the board to reconsider E-learning.

 

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.