Special Events:

Giving Tuesday is Dec. 3. The library will have an open house with fun activities, cookies and coffee, and library tours all day. Kids are invited to the library after school to celebrate the fun of practicing generosity. We’ll have supplies for making a Minion Christmas ornament. Kids can get a free photo with a Minion from 4 to 5 p.m. and join us in a dance party with the Minion from 5 to 5:30 p.m. Donations made on this day support library programs and services. Learn more at www.pulaskicounty.lib.in.us, and donate online at www.pcplf.org.

 Jolie will host a special Grinch Story Time in the library’s children’s area on Tuesday, Dec. 3 at 10:30 a.m. and 5:15 p.m., with books, games, a scavenger hunt, and crafts.

 At December’s Caring for the Earth program at 3 p.m., Wednesday, Dec. 4, Shelley from Pulaski County Soil & Water Conservation District will lead kids in making a recyclable Christmas ornament.

 Adults are invited to Christmas Bingo at 10:30 a.m., Thursday, Dec. 5. Space is limited; sign-up is required. Call the library at 574-946-3432 to reserve your spot.

 Hear Christmas stories at the train depot in downtown Winamac at Story Time at Winter Wonderland at 6:30 and 7:30 p.m., Friday, Dec. 6.

 Make a beautiful holiday-themed Decoupage Bookmark or Gift Tag at 4:30 p.m., Monday, Dec. 9. Supplies for this adult craft are limited – call the library at 574-946-3432 to reserve your spot.

Santa Claus will visit the library from 5 to 7 p.m., Tuesdays Dec. 10 and 17; and from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Saturdays, Dec. 14 and 21. Use the special Santa entrance near the back parking lot doors. Every family will get their own picture with the big guy to take home.

 Grab your unwrapped presents, call your friends, and head to Tippy’s Grappa Room from 6 to 8 p.m., Wednesday, Dec. 11 for a Wrap & Yap. We will supply the tape, scissors and wrapping paper to wrap your gifts. It’s guaranteed to put you in the holiday spirit. This program is for adults age 21 and over.

Book Club this month will be at 2:30 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 12. The book up for discussion is Skipping Christmas by John Grisham. The meeting will take place in the Magnolia Room at the library. We can email a Zoom link to any attendees who wish to participate virtually who register in advance. To sign up, call the library at 574-946-3432. A second Skipping Christmas Book Club session will at 5:30 p.m., Wednesday, Dec. 18, at Tippy’s Grappa Room. Copies of the book are available to check out at the library.

 Kids can make Christmas Ornaments from Nature with Ellen from the Tippecanoe River State Park at 4 p.m., Monday, Dec. 16.

Teen Activity Board will meet at 3 p.m., Wednesday, Dec. 18. These gatherings feature a fun mix of activities, education and food for all participants. All local teens, ages 12-18, are welcome to attend.

 Children can get in on the gift wrapping fun at one of our Kids’ Christmas Present Wrapping Parties. We will host wrapping sessions from 3 to 5:30 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 19; and from 10 a.m. to 12 noon, Monday, Dec. 23. Wrapping paper will be provided.

 Join us for an evening of creativity at our “Canvas & Beyond” adult canvas painting workshop from 5 to 6:30 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 19. All materials will be provided for the class. Space is limited; advance sign-up is required. Call the library to reserve your spot.

 Come to the children’s area at 10 or 11:30 a.m., Saturday, Dec. 21 for Christmas Story Time. We’ll read stories, sing, participate in rhyming activities, play, and make a craft.

 Get cozy in the Reading Room and sing along with David and Melissa Norris as they perform Classic Christmas Carols at 5 p.m., Monday, Dec. 23.

 The library is hosting two Kids’ Winter Bingo sessions during Winter Break. Join us at 10:30 a.m., Monday, Dec. 30; or at 2:30 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 2.

 The library will have Christmas Crafts for Kids available all day on Fridays in the children’s area while supplies last.

 If you’re looking for something to do with your kids over Winter Break, stop by the library. We will have Winter Break Kids’ Activities every day. See our calendar to learn more.

 The library is hosting a Food Drive throughout the month. Canned foods and hygiene items can be dropped off in the donation box near the front desk.

Recycle Your Old Eyeglasses at the Library – we’re a collection point for the Winamac Lions Club this month. Drop off prescription glasses, reading glasses or sunglasses. Your donated eyeglasses will help improve vision for children and adults throughout the world.

 

Regular Programs:

 Kids can use their imaginations to make amazing creations with Legos at Lego Builders from 3:30 to 6 p.m.

 Come in for Story Time and activities for toddlers on Toddler Tuesdays at 10:30 a.m. If you can’t make it in the morning, Afternoon Story Time is held at 5:15 p.m., Tuesdays.

 Are you new to Genealogy? Not sure where to start? Come to Genealogy Help from 3 to 5 p.m., Tuesdays when Malissa is on hand to help you use the library’s genealogy collection. This weekly program is held upstairs in the Delores “Dee” Galbreath Local History Room.

 The library shows a Family Movie suitable for all ages every Wednesday at 3 p.m. Visit the library’s website to see what is playing on a particular date.

 On Thursday mornings at 10:30, Duplo bricks and larger blocks are available for toddlers to play with at Toddler Legos.

 The library’s collection of Board Games for all ages is available on Thursdays after school.

  
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Local News Briefs

Holidays can be hard

Ask for help if you need it

The holiday season is often a time of joy, celebration and connection with loved ones.

However, for many, it can also bring challenges such as stress, loneliness or heightened emotions. Stressful family dynamics, financial pressures, or even the societal expectation to feel cheerful can amplify existing struggles. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, there are resources and individuals ready to help.

PCPL lists December events

The Pulaski County Public Library has listed its programs and activities for December which include a wide variety of Christmas and Winter Break offerings, such as visits from Santa, a Grinch story time, ornament-making crafts and gift-wrapping opportunities.

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.

Tax planning for farm families program Jan. 29

Looking for strategies to reduce your tax burden? Thinking about what you can deduct, capitalize or depreciate? What about all that land, equipment, equity - even your own retirement?

Tax planning for farmers is important, but it’s also complicated. That’s why the Keller Advisory Group, Inc. and the Community Foundation of Pulaski County have partnered for an event to offer professional advice.

Pulaski Christmas Lights return for 35th year

PULASKI – The annual Pulaski Christmas Lights displays returns this year and will be lit from 5 to 11 p.m., nightly beginning Sunday, Nov. 24 through Monday, Jan. 1, for public viewing.

Returning favorites include lighted (and many animated) Santas, reindeer, angels, Nativity scenes, farm animals, storefronts, gingerbread persons, Christmas trees and the signature wreath arch. This year will also feature many updated and new light displays.

HVRM offers 'Santa Trains'

Santa Trains will provide Christmas and winter fun on Saturdays in late November and into December at the Hoosier Valley Railroad Museum in North Judson.

Ride in a vintage commuter coach or former business car through the wintery countryside for approximately five miles from the depot to the small town of English Lake. After crossing the Kankakee River, the train returns to the depot and museum grounds. During the trip, passengers will enjoy visiting with Santa and each child and toddler will receive a gift bag from Santa.

  

Indiana News

OCRA announces 20 communities to receive more than $3.6 million in federal grants

INDIANAPOLIS (Dec. 19) – Pulaski County and Kewanna are among 20 Indiana communities which will receive a portion of more than $3.6 million in Owner-Occupied Rehabilitation Grants and Planning Grants through the Community Development Block Grant program.

The announcement was made Thursday by  Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch and the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs (OCRA).

Reps. Culp, Jordan to serve on key House committees

STATEHOUSE (Dec. 16) – State Reps. Kendell Culp (R-Rensselaer) and Jack Jordan (R-Bremen) recently received appointments to serve on key House standing committees at the Statehouse. (Both legislators’ districts include portions of Pulaski County.)

House standing committee appointments are made by the Indiana House Speaker biennially after the November election and are in effect for the duration of members' two-year terms.

Yakym selected to serve on Ways and Means Committee

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Congressman Rudy Yakym (IN-02) has been selected by the House Republican Steering Committee to serve on the House Ways and Means Committee in the 119th Congress.

The Committee on Ways and Means, the oldest tax-writing body in the U.S. House of Representatives since 1789, shapes fiscal legislation including taxes, tariffs, and social service programs.

Pulaski County unemployment dips to 3.5% in October

Pulaski County's unemployment rate dipped to 3.5 percent in October, down from 3.6 percent in September, the Indiana Department of Workforce Development reported Tuesday, (Nov. 19). The rate was 2.5 percent a year ago.

The state's October unemployment rate was 4.4 percent (seasonally adjusted), up from 4.3 percent in September. The October 2023 rate was 3.5 percent. The U.S. unemployment rate was 4.1 percent in October (seasonally adjusted), the same as September. A year ago, the national rate was 3.8 percent.

 

Indiana COVID-19 News

Respiratory illness activity moderate statewide; lower in Pulaski County - but on the rise

INDIANAPOLIS - The Indiana Department of Health reported Dec. 10 that COVID-like illness emergency department visits numbered 328 from Nov. 27-Dec. 3, up 8 from its previous weekly report.

There were no state COVID-19 hospital admissions (Dec. 1-7) unchanged from the week before. The state reported no COVID death in the seven-day period (reflects confirmed COVID deaths reported to IDH).

  

Post News

The Gift of Public Transportation

By: Ashley Bice, AVP/Marketing Director

Most people don’t have to think twice about jumping in their vehicles and driving to the places they need to go - work, school, shopping and appointments.

Imagine what it would be like having that taken away from you. Your eyesight starts failing. You are laid off and cannot afford gas. Your car breaks down and it’s a few weeks before you can get it repaired.

Hoover appointed to county election board

Aaron Hoover of Winamac has been appointed as the Democrat representative to the Pulaski County Election Board, according to an announcement made Wednesday by Pulaski County Democratic Chairman Doug Denton.

Hoover succeeds Jessye Gilley as the party representative to the election board.

County police respond to two separate, troublesome domestic disputes

WINAMAC – Pulaski County sheriff’s deputies were called to two separate domestic disputes Sunday and Monday (Dec. 8, 9), one resulting in knife injuries to two persons, and the other causing minor injuries to a deputy.

The sheriff’s office reports its wish to inform the community of critical incidents such as these, and acknowledge the professionals responding to the danger.

NIPSCO announces Public Safety Education and Training Action grant recipients

Pulaski County EMS receives grant

MERRILLVILLE - Northern Indiana Public Service Company LLC (NIPSCO) has announced that 16 organizations across northern Indiana will be able to further their public safety initiatives as a result of support from the 2024 NIPSCO Public Safety Education and Training Action Grant program.

Among the grant recipients is Pulaski County EMS which will receive funds for emergency medical responder education. 

Corrin Combs named 2025 Lily Scholar

The Community Foundation of Pulaski County announced Corrin Combs of Winamac Community High School is the recipient of the 2025 Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship for Pulaski County.

Lilly Endowment Community Scholars are known for their community involvement, academic achievement, character and leadership.