Don and Lynn Darda
2025 Halleck Community Service Award recipients

When told of their selection for the community service award, both said their pick as a team was a surprise, and they felt “very honored and humbled.”

Hanson noted that “whether it be working on the Winamac tree committee, volunteer reading at the school, sharing their talents and love of community countywide as active members of Pulaski County Tribe, and Winamac Main Street, their willingness to help all organizations to work together and improve their community through arts, physical labor if needed, maintaining community projects, and focusing on making Pulaski County a great place to live is exemplary.”

She added that behind the scenes, doing what needs to be done, and working with people from an array of organizations to accomplish the task is where “you find Don and Lynn - Better Together.”

The couple reside in Winamac and have two grown children.

The Dardas will be honored at the 2025 H. J. Halleck Community Service Award banquet at 5:30 p.m., Thursday, April 24, at the Winamac VFW. Tickets are $25 per person, or $45 for two. Please remit payment to the Pulaski County Chamber of Commerce, P.O. Box 113, Winamac, IN 46996. Please RSVP by April 21 to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

 

About the Halleck Award

The Halleck award was first presented by the Chamber in 1979 to its namesake, the late Dr. Harold J. Halleck. Last year's recipient was Doug Denton of Monterey.

The Chamber notes that every town, every city is blessed with a handful of individuals who selflessly donate their time, energy, and hard work to make their community a better place for everyone to live. Such individuals often give this time and energy for years without the gratitude and recognition they deserve. In order to recognize such outstanding individuals, the Pulaski County Chamber of Commerce awards the H.J. Halleck Community Service Award to one deserving individual each year.

 

Halleck Award Recipients

Halleck Award recipients are:

1979 - Harold J. Halleck, M.D.*

1980 - John Herbert Hoch*

1981 - Fred Russell*

1982 - Richard Dodd*

1983 - James A. Freeman*

1984 - Charles Byfield*

1985 - R. Marshall Fritz*

1986 - Janet Gorrell Meyer*

1987 - Martin T. Barco*

1988 - William R. Thompson, M.D.*

1989 - William A. Russell*

(award moved from autumn to spring)

1991 - C. Paul Riggs*

1992 - Daniel Frain

1993 - Don* & Dee* Galbreath

1994 - Hank Kopkey*

1995 - Thomas P. Shank*

1996 - Bob Goble*

1997 - Brooks Roudebush*

1998 - Bill Sheppherd*

1999 - Rita Mrozinski*

2003 - Lawrence* & Elaine Parish

2004 - Christine Smith*

2005 - Alladean Clouser*

2006 - Wayne & Mary Lou* Bonnell

2007 - Don Good

2008 - Jay Kopkey*

2009 - Judy Heater

2010 - Steve & Lin Morrison

2011 - Michael Shurn

2012- Tom Murray Sr.*

2013 - David W. Barr*

2014 - Jackie Frain

2015 - Judy Stinemetz*

2016 - Charles & Darlene* Mellon

2017 - Daniel P. Murphy

2018 - Charles McKinley*

2019 - Howard Conner

2020 - Paul & Brenda Gilsinger

2021 - Betty Kruger

2022 - Douglas Denton

2023 - Michael O'Connor

2024 - Ray Michau

*Deceased

 

 

  
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Local News Briefs

HB1144 sparks concerns Pulaski County may lose its superior court

Update: Bill advances in state senate

The Indiana Senate voted 33-16 Tuesday (April 15) to advance legislation that would abolish 11 trial courts in mostly rural counties, including the Superior Court in Pulaski County. House Bill 1144 now returns to the House chamber for further consideration.

Among the state senators who voted in favor of the bill was Pulaski County’s representative in the upper chamber Ed Charbonneau.

Chamber names Don, Lynn Darda a as 2025 Halleck Award recipients

The Pulaski County Chamber of Commerce has announced its selection for the 2025 Halleck Community Service Award are Don and Lynn Darda of Winamac.

Chamber president Leslie Hanson made the announcement Tuesday (March 18). The Dardas are both retired teachers in the Winamac schools and have been active volunteers in a variety of projects throughout the years. The annual Halleck Award Banquet will be Thursday, April 24, at the Winamac VFW.

Easter children's events listed

Several Easter-themed events for children have been planned by area organization this month.

The activities include egg hunts, prizes, photograph opportunities, and train rides.

Pulaski County Economic Development Summit April 29

The annual Pulaski County Economic Development Summit is set for 6 p.m., Tuesday, April 29, at the Knights of Columbus hall, Winamac. The event is hosted by the Pulaski County Community Development Commission.

The keynote speaker will be Stephanie Wells, president of the Indiana Fiscal Policy Institute. The program will also feature the annual “State of the County Economy” address by CDC executive director Nathan Origer.

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

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.

2025 Indiana General Assembly: Bill Watch

Members of the Indiana General Assembly are working through proposed legislation on such topics such as education, health care, housing, property tax reform, responsible management of water resources, and much more. Gov. Mike Braun has now begun the process of signing passed legislation into law.

The 2025 legislative session runs January through April 29. This is a “long session” during which legislators will craft a two-year state budget. The status of bills under consideration, in both the House and Senate, may be viewed here: IGA | Bills for 2025 Session.  

DEA/ISP Drug Take Back Day Saturday, April 26

PERU – The Indiana State Police will partner with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Saturday, April 26 for their 27th “Prescription Drug Take Back” initiative.

The “Take Back” initiative seeks to prevent prescription drug abuse and theft through proper disposal of unwanted prescription drugs.

Pulaski County unemployment rate up slightly at 4.3 percent in February

Pulaski County's unemployment rate ticked up to 4.3 percent in February, up from 4.2 percent in January, the Indiana Department of Workforce Development reported Monday, (March 31). The rate was 3.8 percent a year ago.

The county had 6,535 employed persons in a labor force of 6,831 in February. In January those numbers were 6,507 of 6,793. A year ago the numbers were 6,381 of 6.645.

 

Indiana Health News

IDH confirms 5 new measles cases

Also: respiratory illness updates

INDIANAPOLIS (April 9) — The Indiana Department of Health (IDOH) has confirmed five additional cases of measles in Indiana, bringing the total to six in 2025.

The newly reported cases are three minors and two adults in Allen County. The initial case was reported earlier this week. All six cases are connected to each other but at this time there are no known links to outbreaks in other states. The four minors were unvaccinated and the adults’ vaccination status is unclear. All are recovering well.

  

Post News

Jury finds Monterey man guilty of attempted murder 

WINAMAC – A Pulaski County jury has found a Monterey man guilty of attempted murder in connection with a July 3, 2023 shooting in downtown Monterey.

Kenneth D. Ketcahm, 41, was also convicted on additional charges of criminal recklessness and pointing a firearm.

Fatal crash on U.S. 421 under Investigation

MEDARYVILLE (April 15) – The Pulaski County Sheriff’s Department is investigating a crash which claimed the life of a Porter County man Tuesday on U.S 421 near the intersection of CR 800N in Cass Township.

The crash involved a dump truck and minivan. Release of the identity of the deceased minivan driver is pending the notification of family.

Fireman, deputy pull man from burning home

WINAMAC – A Pulaski County Sheriff’s deputy and Buffalo Volunteer Fire Department fireman rescued a man from a burning home Friday evening in rural Winamac, just northwest of Buffalo.

The rescuers suffered some smoke inhalation, and the unidentified victim is believed to be in stable condition, according to a police report.

Iris-Elm’s Wanda Zahrt installed as Garden Club of Indiana president

INDIANAPOLIS – Wanda Zahrt of Winamac was installed earlier this month as the 50th state president of The Garden Club of Indiana, Inc. (TGCI).

 She will serve a two-year term, 2025-27. The installation took place at the organization’s 93rd  annual convention April 9, in Indianapolis. 

Winamac man charged with felony intimidation with deadly weapon

WINAMAC (April 11) – A rural Winamac man was taken into custody by the Pulaski County Sheriff’s department Friday in connection with a recent incident involving alleged intimidation with a deadly weapon.

The incident stemmed from a dispute over tire tracks left in a soft right of way, approximately 3 to 5 feet into an unplanted field owned by the man.

West Central board hears updates on summer school, transfer students

FRANCESVILLE – West Central Schools Superintendent Dr. CathyRowe shared information with the school board on summer school and transfer students at the board’s April 3 meeting.

She explained summer school details will be sent to school patrons in the school’s next district newsletter. Transfer letters will be sent to families who choose to send their children to West Central. Currently, the school has 77 students (13 percent of its population) who live outside of its attendance boundaries.