Pulaski County Coroner John Behny and deputy coroner Jon Frain appeared before the council to ask if members had reached a decision about allowing the coroner's office to  use the office space coming available at the town's municipal utility complex. Electric superintendent Doug Shorter told the council his department would like to keep the space for the electric department. It was decided that at this time, the office space will remain the electric department.

Bids were opened for a new pole digger truck for the electric department and were as follows: Weirs International, $267,530; Utility Truck Equipment, 258,960; and Altec, $237,790. Town manager Zellers and electric superintendent Doug Shorter will compare bids and decide which one to purchase.

The council voted to approve claim docket Oct. 27 as presented in the amount of $67,676, and claim docket Nov. 13 in the amount of $573,002.

 

Town Manager’s Report:

Town manager Brad Zellers reported on the following:

  • The pad is poured for the new restrooms downtown. The rest will be finished in the spring after the walls are up and the roof is on.
  • Seven ADA intersections and some sidewalk work were done with the leftover money from the INDOT grant last year.
  • The Town’s current grant writer is working on a grant from OCRA (Office of Community & Rural Affairs) to do the ammonia project at the wastewater treatment plant. Zellers also plans to apply for a grant to obtain new light poles downtown.
  • Zellers is ready to start advertising and accept bids for mowing the cemetery next year. He is possibly going to bid it out as a set price per mowing instead of a price for the entire year which has been done previously.
  • It is time to start putting information together for the garbage bid. The town’s contract with Advanced Disposal is up next year.
  • The town manager asked for permission to pay a claim in the amount of $7,000 payable to Glen White for concrete work completed. The council voted 3-1 to approve the claim.

 

Clerk-Treasurer’s Report:

A report submitted by clerk-treasurer Melanie Berger covered the following:

  • Ordinance #11 of 2017, Ordinance Regulating Golf Carts was submitted to the council. The council voted to adopt the ordinance, as presented.
  • Ordinance #12 of 2017, Ordinance Establishing a Community Crossings Grant Fund for the Receipt of a Sum Certain from the Indiana Department of Transportation was submitted to the council. The council voted to adopt the ordinance, as presented.
  • Ordinance #13 of 2017, Ordinance Amending Monthly Water Rates and Charges for the Use and Services Rendered by the Waterworks of the Town of Winamac, Indiana was submitted to the council for a first reading.
  • Ordinance #14 of 2017, Ordinance Amending the Ordinance Establishing Salaries and Wages of Employees was submitted to the council for a first reading.
  • Deputy Clerk Kim Burke asked the council for permission to purchase a public alert subscription from Softline Data. The cost is $1,250 per year for 16,000 alerts. The cost will be split by all four departments. Discussion was held regarding how alerts can be received and what type of information the town can alert the residents about. The council voted to purchase the subscription.

 

Department Reports:

Water and street department superintendent Jeremy Beckner reported his department continues to pick up brush and leaves; has flushed and winterized fire hydrants; has fixed two water leaks; has put the salt box on; has run water line for new restrooms downtown and continues to locate for the fiber optics being installed.

Town Marshall Mike Buchanan presented the police department's monthly statistical report. The new Town of Winamac reserve officers, Alec Berger and Sheri Gaillard have been working and attending training with the department.

Electric superintendent Doug Shorter reported his department has been replacing poles; helped contractors at the Nazarene Church rebuild its service; worked at the new police station; and will set up Christmas decorations this month. The contractors might start boring on Decker and Terrace drive this month for the electric rebuild.

Wastewater foreman Waylon Burke reported his department has completed a lot of concrete work at the new Police station; switched clarifiers; had the vac truck repaired; spent two days working on the new restrooms downtown; has been locating for fiber optic crew; fixed several sewer lines including the one at the new police station that was not buried deep enough; helped work at the police station and did some landscaping around the police station.

 

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.

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

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.

 

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.

BraunAbility to expand Winamac facilities with new product line

WINAMAC - BraunAbility has announced a $3.8 million investment in its Winamac operations to support production of the new BraunAbility Ram ProMaster.

This funding will cover land acquisition, land work, fencing, drainage and building improvements. Construction, utilizing local contractors, will continue through Spring 2026.

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.