Awards were presented as follows:

 

2016-17 Business Partners of the Year

Carroll: Myers Spring-Jim Parsons, Tony Blades & Todd Miller nominated by Tyler Sausaman

Delphi: Ricoh-Dennis Kiefer nominated by Leslie Pickering

Frontier: Custom Select Catering-Janelle Kennedy nominated by Melissa Culver-Pekny

Kankakee Valley: Jasper County Farm Bureau-Daryl King Nominated by Jennifer Fase

North Newton: Mel’s Downtown-Mel Novack nominated by Barb Blasco

North White: BioTownAg-Brian Furrer nominated by David Addison

Rensselaer Central Franciscan Health-Brandi Murray & Carlos Vasquez nominated by Brenda Mattocks

South Newton: Newton County Purdue Extension-Danielle Sands nominated by Darrell Allen

Tri-County: Remington Farms-Quinten Overbeck nominated by Travis Scherer

Twin Lakes: Scoreboard-Susan Manahan nominated by Scott Billings

West Central: Parkview Haven Retirement Community-Sharon Rigg nominated by Jennifer Johns

 

West Central High School principal Pat Culp with Sharron Riggs of Parkview Haven Retirement Community, nominated by Jennifer Johns
West Central High School principal Pat Culp with honored teachers Jennifer Johns, Stephanie Thilges, Tyler DeMoss and Joanne Stevens.

Teacher of the Year

Kim Rosenbaum, welding teacher at Twin Lakes High School is the teacher of the year from the 11 schools that comprise Indian Trails.

 

Counselor of the Year

Dana Kirkwood, from Delph High School is the counselor of the year.

 

Fifty-four teachers were recognized as the outstanding teachers in career and technical education. The teachers are instrumental in providing high school students opportunities to earn college credit as part of dual credit agreements with IVY Tech, Vincennes University and other post-secondary institutions. Teachers implemented industry certifications whereby students can earn certifications for Microsoft A+, American Welding Society, Automotive Service Excellence, and licenses from the state of Indiana as Certified Nursing Assistants and more.

Teachers are also active as advisors to career and technical student organizations such as Future Farmers of America, Business Professionals of America, Family, Career and Community Leaders of America and many more. Indian Trails is proud that many of our students have competed at local, regional, state and national levels.

 

Outstanding Career and Technical Education Teachers

Carroll - Cindy Rinke,Tyler Sausaman

Delphi - Judi Brummett,Jodi Dennison, Chico Hatke, Joan Kahl

Frontier - Melissa Culver-Pekny, Katie Pitts, Laura Rogers

Kankakee Valley - Traci Blanco, Steve Ganzeveld, David Hass, Lauri Holcomb, Meredith Hudecek, Steve Inman, Jeff Moolenaar, Greg Pulido, Ryan Standish, Christine Woods

North Newton - Barb Blasco, LeeAnn Eckhoff, Lisa Kazmierski

North White - Myrtle Collins, Kerri Lear

Rensselaer - Walter Brown, Sean Cawby,Dan Glotzbach, Michael Goad, Mark Heining, Brenda Mattocks, Ron Wamsley

South Newton - Bob Hays, Cheryl Link, Chris Moss, Angie Rhoads

Tri-County - Darla Harrington, Lou Salvadore, Travis Scherer, Ashley Steuer

Twin Lakes - Barb Alletto, Laura Bernfield, Scott Billings, Barbara Broedel, Emily Graham, Kyle Marsh, Scot McAtee, Becky O’Farrell, Kim Rosenbaum, Terri Roska

West Central - Bill Amsler, Tyler DeMoss Jennifer Johns, Joanne Stevens, Stephanie Thilges

Stradling concluded, “It has been a great year for Indian Trails. Our enrollment in CTE courses increased by over 400 students. Our students are earning college dual credits, industry certifications, and licenses. What a benefit to our students who can put all three things on a resume.”

  
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Local News Briefs

Spring property taxes due Monday, May 12

Pulaski County taxpayers are reminded by the Pulaski County Treasurer's Office that the spring installment of property taxes are due Monday, May 12.

The taxes may be paid at the County Building (Rm. 307) or County Highway Garage in Winamac, or at several banks around the county.

Yakym district staff to hold local mobile office hours May 7 in Medaryville

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Rudy Yakym (IN-02) has announced that his staff will hold mobile office hours in Pulaski County May 7, in Medaryville.

Yakym’s mobile office will visit throughout Indiana's Second District in May to assist constituents with casework questions.

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.

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

Indiana State Parks offer free admission May 4 for ‘Welcome Weekend’

INDIANAPOLIS - Celebrate the start of the outdoor recreation season with free admission to all Indiana State Parks properties Sunday, May 4, the second day of “Welcome Weekend” and the opening day of Visit Indiana Week.

Find an Indiana State Parks property and what’s new there at on.IN.gov/stateparks. If you’ve never visited, on.IN.gov/dnr-welcome offers helpful tips. 

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. 

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.

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

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.

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. 

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.

Marlatt, Vanderkleed join IBA 40-Year Club

FRANCESVILLE - Alliance Bank has recently recognized Kimberly Marlatt and Lori Vanderkleed with membership into the 40-Year Club of the Indiana Bankers Association (IBA).

The club recognizes banking professionals who have completed 40 years or more of service to the Indiana banking community. Inductees are given IBA keepsakes and letters of congratulations.

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