Special Events:

 It’s time for Winter Reading. Complete reading challenges and win prizes. Readers of all ages, children through adults, may participate. Stop in at the library to learn more and sign up.

 Join us at 3 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 2 for Kids’ Winter Bingo. All families are welcome to participate in this fun activity.

 Shelley from Pulaski County Soil & Water Conservation District will talk about what hibernation is and which animals do it at All About Hibernation at 4 p.m., Wednesday, Jan. 8. Attendees will get to make a craft to take home.

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

 Make a beautiful jewel-encrusted, dragonfly-themed plant decoration at Dragonfly Diamond Art Plant Stick Craft at 4:30 p.m., Monday, Jan. 13. Supplies for this adult craft are limited – call the library at 574-946-3432 to reserve your spot.

Teen Activity Board will meet at 3 p.m., Wednesday, Jan. 15. These gatherings feature a fun mix of activities, education and food for all participants. All local teens ages 12-18 are welcome to attend.

 Join us for an evening of creativity at our Creative Canvas Adult Painting workshop from 5 to 6:30 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 16. All materials will be provided for the class. Space is limited; advance sign-up is required. Call the library to reserve your spot.

 Ellen from the Tippecanoe River State Park will teach kids about Winter Foods from the Wild and lead them in a craft at 4 p.m., Monday, Jan. 27.

 Grab a book and join others for an hour of silent reading and refreshments in the library’s cafe/lounge at our Silent Book Club at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 29.

Winter Crafts for Kids will be available all day on Fridays in the children’s area while supplies last. Use shapes to make a penguin, create a snowy owl puppet and more.

 

Regular Programs:

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

 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 on Tuesdays at 5:15 p.m.

 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 at 3 p.m., every Wednesday. 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.

Book Club is held at 2:30 p.m., the second Friday of the month (Jan. 10), at the library; as well as at Tippy’s Grappa Room at 5:30 p.m., the third Tuesday (Jan. 21). The library can send a Zoom link for the Friday session to any attendees who call 574-946-3432 to register in advance. The book up for discussion this month is The Cartographers by Peng Shepherd. Copies of the book are available to check out at the library.

  
FNB Monterery
Habitat
Ace Hardware
Pulaski Health Care Center
Pulaski Health Care Center - Parkview
WKVI Side

Local News Briefs

Snow accumulation expected Thursday night into Friday

The National Weather Service Northern Indiana office has issued a hazardous weather outlook overnight Thursday (Jan. 2) for northern Indiana, especially south of U.S. 30. This includes Pulaski County.

A fast moving area of light snow is causing slippery roads in many spots over northern Indiana. The snow will spread across northwest Ohio and continue to cause travel impacts the rest of Thursday night with up to two inches of accumulation.

Yakym district staff to hold mobile office hours locally Jan. 14

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Rudy Yakym (IN-02) has announced that his staff will hold mobile office hours in Pulaski County Jan. 14, in Winamac.

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

Holcomb directs flags to be lowered in tribute to President Carter

INDIANAPOLIS - Gov. Eric Holcomb is directing flags to be flown at half-staff across Indiana in honor and tribute to the memory of President James Earl Carter, Jr.

Carter, the 39th president of the U.S. passed away Sunday (Dec. 29), at age 100, in his hometown of Plains, Ga. He served in the White House from 1977 to 1981.

PCPL announces January programs

The Pulaski County Public Library has listed its programs and activities for January. Events include Kids’ Winter Bingo, a Polar Bear story time, a Dragonfly Diamond Art Plant Stick craft, and a Winter Foods from the Wild children’s program.

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.

NIPFP Farm Toy Show Jan. 19

The annual Farm Toy Show will run from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Sunday, Jan. 19, at Eastern Pulaski Elementary School (Entrance 6), in Winamac.

The event, sponsored by the Northern Indiana Power From the Past, Inc., usually attracts over 2,000 visitors from near and far. Admission is $1; children ages 12 and under will be admitted free. Lunch (including homemade pie for dessert) and concessions will be available.

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.

  

Indiana News

NWS: 2024 warmest year ever, 7th least snow amount on record for northern Indiana

(Jan. 1) - In its annual climate report, the National Weather Service, northern Indiana office, reports that 2024 was the warmest year ever for the South Bend area of the state, with the least amount of snow on record.

Nearly the same was true for the Fort Wayne region of northern Indiana, also the warmest year recorded with the sixth least amount of snow.

Pulaski County unemployment rate up at 3.9% in November

Pulaski County's unemployment rate rose to 3.9 percent in November, up from 3.5 percent in October, the Indiana Department of Workforce Development reported Monday, (Dec. 23). The rate was 2.7 percent a year ago.

The state's November unemployment rate was 4.4 percent (seasonally adjusted), the same as October. The November 2023 rate was 3.5 percent. The U.S. unemployment rate was 4.2 percent in November (seasonally adjusted), the same as September. A year ago, the national rate was 3.7 percent. 

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.

 

Indiana COVID-19 News

Respiratory illnesses at moderate levels statewide

INDIANAPOLIS - The Indiana Department of Health reported Dec. 26 that COVID-like illness emergency department visits numbered 483 statewide from Dec. 13-19, up 97 from its previous weekly report.

There were no state COVID-19 hospital admissions (Dec. 17-23) unchanged from the week before. The state reported one COVID death in the seven-day period (reflects confirmed COVID deaths reported to IDH).

  

Post News

CFoPC awards $96,300 to community organizations in 2024

The Community Foundation of Pulaski County (CFoPC) has announced just under $96,300 was awarded in grants to local nonprofits and community organizations in 2024.

Community Grants are composed of unrestricted dollars – funds that are awarded at the discretion of the CFoPC Board, via the grants committee, to ensure that Pulaski County continues to be a place to thrive and grow today and tomorrow.

Life-saving Narcan now available in Francesville

FRANCESVILLE - In a proactive effort to address the opioid crisis, the Pulaski County Drug-Free Council has partnered with the Town of Francesville and the Pulaski County Health Department to offer free Narcan (naloxone) kits to community members.

The outdoor Narcan box is located on the west side of the Francesville Fire Department, in the alley between the fire department and Rod’s Pizzeria.

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.

West Central School Board receives updates on swimming pool renovation

FRANCESVILLE – The West Central School Board heard an update on the school’s swimming pool renovation at its Dec. 5 meeting.

Superintendent Dr. Cathy Rowe outlined the various aspects of the project and reported the total cost when completed will approach nearly $350,000.

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.