America 250 activities set for Independence Day weekend

Pulaski County will celebrate America 250 this Independence Day weekend with a variety of activities to honor the U.S. Semiquincentennial.

The grand finale will be the annual fireworks show which will begin at dusk (about 10 p.m.), Saturday, July 4, at the Winamac Community High School practice football field. But the weekend will also include an Evening at the Bridge event at the Winamac park Friday, July 3, and a Breakfast to Celebrate Pulaski County Veterans, Saturday, July 4, at the Winamac VFW.

Power From the Past show returns July 16-19 in Winamac

Northern Indiana Power From the Past, Inc. (NIPFP), will hold its 49th annual antique power show the weekend of July 16-19, at the fairgrounds in the Winamac Town Park. This year's featured machinery will be Oliver and Hart Parr.

A cherished tradition since 1976, this event draws thousands to Pulaski County each summer, offering a nostalgic celebration of antique tractors, steam engines, a working sawmill and historical displays.

PCPL programs, activities for July listed

The Pulaski County Public Library has listed its programs and activities for July. They include America 250 activities (a Hamilton sing-along!), the end of summer reading activites (and the annual party), and a Christmas in July Silly Safari event.

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.

Yakym district staff to hold local mobile office hours July 16 in Winamac

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Rudy Yakym (IN-02) has announced that his staff will hold mobile office hours in Pulaski County Thursday, July 16, in Winamac.

Yakym’s mobile office will visit throughout Indiana's Second District in July to assist constituents. Mobile office hours are designed for one-on-one conversations with the Congressman's team, primarily for federal casework assistance. These are not town halls.

Pulaski County Courts’ ‘Little Free Courthouse Library’ continues with court of appeals judges’ assistance

Pulaski County Circuit Court is pleased to continue its “Little Free Courthouse Library” with assistance from the Indiana Court of Appeals.

Sometime ago, Judge Mary Welker started the library in the Pulaski County Justice Center waiting area.

PCT: ‘4th Friday’ returns to Winamac Town Park

Pulaski County Tribe is bringing 4th Friday back to Winamac Town Park this season, weather permitting. When weather is poor, the gathering will move indoors to the PCT Creative Hub.

4th Friday is a free monthly gathering created to give residents, families, visitors, businesses and organizations a reason to come out, enjoy the place they call home, and spend time with the neighbors who make Pulaski County special.

2026 4-H Livestock judging results

Here are results from 4-H livestock judging at the 2026 Pulaski County 4-H & Community Fair. 

2026 Pulaski County 4-H project judging results listed

Selected project photos to be added

Here are the judging results released from 4-H project exhibits at the 2026 Pulaski County 4-H & Community Fair.

The Pulaski County 4-H program, operated by Purdue Extension, has over 200 youth enrolled.

Taylee Ringen crowned Miss Pulaski County 2026

First-ever Junior Miss also crowned

Taylee Ringen of Winamac was crowned Miss Pulaski County 2026 Thursday evening (June 25) from among nine contestants at the annual pageant held at the county fairgrounds. 

The queen’s court includes first-runner-up Linzy Walters, second-runner-up and Miss Congeniality Roni Garbison, third runner-up Marissa Perry and People's Choice winner Scarlett Browning. Also at the pageant Hallie Heims was crowned the county's first-ever Junior Miss.  

Fair names 2026 'Outstanding 4-H'ers'

One of the primary goals of the Pulaski County 4-H & Community Fair is to showcase the projects completed by the county's 4-H youth - demonstrating what they have learned in this valuable program which develops talents as well as important skills and values.

The annual 4-H Recognition Program will be held on opening day at the fair, at 6 p.m., Friday, June 26, at the fairgrounds in Winamac. The 2026 Outstanding 4-H'ers will be honored during the program. 4-H tenure and Junior Achiever members will be recognized, and 4-H adult volunteers will be thanked. The 4-H Recognition Program also launches the week-long excitement for the 4-H’ers and others who devote so much effort to the fair.

Farmer sentiment slips again as high input costs remain top concern

Also: Farm bankruptcy filings up

WEST LAFAYETTE (June 2) - Farmer sentiment declined slightly in May as the Purdue University/CME Group Ag Economy Barometer fell to 119, down from 121 in April.

May’s results indicated mounting concern about rising input costs and financial pressures, setting new highs and lows for the survey. Although the Future Expectations Index increased by 1 point, the Current Conditions Index dropped 8 points from April, falling to its lowest level since December 2024.

Hoosiers may see lower prices ahead of Fourth of July

Summer cookout costs decrease for Indiana shoppers; lower than U.S. average

INDIANAPOLIS – Indiana shoppers may see slightly lower prices than last year as they prepare for their Fourth of July cookout. 

Indiana Farm Bureau’s annual summer cookout market basket revealed Hoosiers are paying an average of $66.73 for a cookout feeding 10 people this summer, or $6.67 per person – a 7 percent decrease compared to last year.

Pulaski County unemployment rate remains at 2.3% in May

Pulaski County reports state's lowest unemployment

Pulaski County's unemployment rate remained at 2.3 percent in May, the same as April, the Indiana Department of Workforce Development reported Wednesday, (June 24). The rate was 2.9 percent a year earlier.

Pulaski County had 8,817 employed persons in a labor force of 9,027 in May. In April those numbers were 8,357 of 8,554. A year earlier the numbers were 7,105 of 7,314.

‘Level Up Your Leadership:’ New training initiative responds to community needs

New partnership delivers free and low-cost leadership training across Pulaski County

In  direct response to needs identified through recent community listening sessions  and the Chautauqua series, the Community Foundation of Pulaski County (CFoPC)  has partnered with Shafer Leadership Academy to bring expanded leadership and  nonprofit training opportunities to Pulaski County.

The Pulaski County Leadership Academy is an initiative designed to strengthen leadership capacity across the community by offering both virtual and in-person training opportunities for nonprofit staff, board members, and emerging community leaders.

CDC issues statement addressing public comment at June 8 county council meeting

The Pulaski County Community Development office has issued a statement, and provided documentation, to set the record straight regarding a public comment made at the June 8 joint meeting of the Pulaski County Council.

The comment questioned the amount and timeliness of a 2023 payment made to the county by Bottlebrush Solar.

West Central hires new elementary principal

FRANCESVILLE – The West Central School Board has hired Kristie Baer as its new elementary school principal, beginning with the 2026-27 school year.

Also at its June 4 meeting, the board hired Mollie Mosier as assistant principal for grades K-12.

Winamac council hears proposal for county-wide animal control officer

WINAMAC – The Winamac Town Council heard a proposal from Pulaski County Sheriff Chris Schramm at its June meeting regarding the need for a full-time animal control officer in the county.

The sheriff relayed some statistics to support the need for the position. He explained that he had been given permission for the position from the commissioners, but is seeking financial assistance from the municipalities in the county before going to the county council for funding.