The grants, announced by DNR Director Cameron Clark, are administered by the DNR Division of Forestry and made available through the U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service.

DNR Forestry staff reviewed grant applications and selected recipients on the basis of population density, acres of public wildlands protected, and wildland fire reporting to DNR Fire Control Headquarters.

Grants may be used for training, installation of dry hydrants, or to purchase necessary firefighting equipment and gear to combat wildland fires.

The awarded grants ranged from $721 to $5,000 and were given to 53 departments.

Fire departments interested in applying for VFA grants should contact Crystal M. Hunt, program coordinator, Fire Control Headquarters, 6220 Forest Road, Martinsville, IN, 46151, or call (765) 342-4701.

Fire departments receiving grants in 2017, the amount of the grant, and the project category  are: 

Department

County

Amount

Category

Woodburn FD

Allen

$5,000

Radios

Charlestown VFD

Clark

$5,000

Wildland

English VFD

Crawford

$4,900

Radios

Celestine VFD

Dubois

$4,845

Safety

Dubois VFD

Dubois

$4,830

Safety

Haysville VFD

Dubois

$1,410

Safety

Madison Twp. VFD Ireland

Dubois

$2,085

Foam

Georgetown Twp. FPD

Floyd

$4,990

Safety

Columbia Twp. VFD

Gibson

$5,000

Safety

Jasonville VFD

Greene

$4,200

Radios

Boone Twp. FD

Harrison

$5,000

Water Handling

Stilesville VFR

Hendricks

$3,569

Safety

Mt. Etna VFD

Huntington

$4,535

Safety

Owen Twp. VFD

Jackson

$5,000

Water Handling

Campbell Twp. VFD

Jennings

$1,332

Foam

Vincennes Twp. FD

Knox

$3,950

Safety

Lowell VFD

Lake

$5,000

Safety

Kingsbury VFD

LaPorte

$2,580

Water Handling

LaCrosse VFD

LaPorte

$5,000

Safety

Marion Twp. RFD

Lawrence

$5,000

Safety

Decatur Twp. FD

Marion

$5,000

Wildland

Lost River Twp. VFD

Martin

$4,700

Safety

Northern Monroe FT

Monroe

$2,039

Water Handling

Perry Clear Creek FPD

Monroe

$3,868

Wildland

Ashland/Adams Twp. VFD

Morgan

$721

Water Handling

Albion VFD

Noble

$4,500

Dry Hydrants

Laotto VFD

Noble

$5,000

Wildland

Cataract VFD

Owen

$1,900

Safety

Adams Twp. FD

Parke

$4,662

Safety

JUGA (Bellmore) VFD #1

Parke

$5,000

Water Handling

Montezuma Reserve Twp. VFD

Parke

$4,125

Safety

Cannelton VFD

Perry

$4,933

Safety

Rome VFD

Perry

$2,024

Water Handling

Jefferson Twp. VFD

Pike

$5,000

Radios

Petersburg VFD

Pike

$4,856

Safety

Kouts VFD

Porter

$4,528

Safety

Morgan Twp. VFD

Porter

$5,000

Water Handling

Monterey Tippecanoe VFD

Pulaski

$5,000

Safety

Saratoga Ward FT

Randolph

$4,758

Water Handling

White River Twp FD

Randolph

$3,580

Safety

Batesville FD

Ripley

$5,000

Safety

Scottsburg VFD

Scott

$4,575

Safety

Chrisney VFD

Spencer

$5,000

Safety

Liberty Twp. VFD

St. Joseph

$5,000

Safety

Southwest Central FT

St. Joseph

$4,999

Radios

Salem Center VFD

Steuben

$900

Wildland

Jefferson Craig FR

Switzerland

$5,000

Wildland

Kempton FR

Tipton

$1,663

Foam

Sharpsville VFD

Tipton

$5,000

Safety

Perry Twp. VFD

Vanderburgh

$1,024

Wildland

Dana Community VFD

Vermillion

$5,000

Water Handling

New Goshen FR

Vigo

$1,466

Wildland

Elberfeld VFD

Warrick

$4,310

Wildland

 

  
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Local News Briefs

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. 

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.”

  

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. 

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 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