The U.S. is experiencing its largest wave in COVID-19 cases since January, according to a current report by USA Today, based on information from the CDC.

Many areas of the country are continuing to experience increases in COVID-19 activity, the CDC reports, though other areas are experiencing declines in COVID  activity following increases this summer. COVID-19 test positivity, emergency department visits, and rates of COVID –associated hospitalizations remain elevated, particularly among adults 65+ and children under 2 years. Surges like this are known to occur throughout the year, including during the summer months. There are many effective tools to prevent spreading COVID-19 or becoming seriously ill.

National vaccination coverage for COVID-19, influenza, and RSV vaccines remained low for children and adults for the 2023-24 respiratory illness season. RSV vaccines continue to be available, and updated influenza and COVID-19 vaccines that can provide protection during the 2024–25 respiratory illness season will be widely available in September 2024.

 

To obtain a COVID vaccination or booster shots, or COVID test kits, consult with your healthcare provider or pharmacy. Or visit the Indiana Department of Health website page on Where to Find a COVID-19 Vaccine.

 

What CDC knows

COVID-19 no longer causes severe illness on the scale it once did, but the virus is likely to be with us a long time, and CDC continues to track how it is changing and what that might mean for our health. Variants of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, continue to emerge in the United States, and KP.3.1.1 is currently estimated to be the predominant variant. Across many parts of the country COVID-19 activity continues to increase.

What CDC is doing

SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, is constantly changing, with mutations in its genetic code accumulating over time. Some variants emerge and disappear, while others will emerge and continue to spread and may replace previous variants.

CDC continues to closely track variants of the virus that causes COVID-19. CDC recommends the COVID-19 vaccine for all people ages 6 months and older to protect against serious illness from COVID-19. CDC has recommended the updated 2024–25 COVID-19 vaccines, once authorized or approved by FDA, to protect against severe disease this fall and winter.

  
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Local News Briefs

SR 114 to close just west of U.S. 421

FRANCESVILLE - Indiana Department of Transportation contractor LaPorte Construction Company will close SR 114 between CR 1600 W and U.S. 421 on or after Tuesday, Sept. 24.

This stretch of SR 114 will be closed through early November for a bridge deck overlay preventative maintenance project at Hill Ditch. Motorists should seek alternate routes. The official detour will follow U.S. 231, SR 14 and U.S. 421.

Pulaski County Drug Free Council town hall meeting Sept. 18

The Pulaski County Drug Free Council will hold another of it town hall meetings on the topic of “Substance Use in Our Youth,” Wednesday, Sept. 18, at Celebration Station in Winamac.

A special feature of the event will be the Hidden in Plain Sight Trailer, available for public tours from 3 to 6 p.m. This is an interactive experience to help parents learn about ways their teens may be engaging in high risk behaviors.

HVRM to run diesel, steam ‘Pumpkin and Twilight Trains’ in October

NORTH JUDSON - The Hoosier Valley Railroad Museum will run Pumpkin Trains every Saturday in October in historic North Judson at the junction of four former railroads.

A diorama of the Erie, Chesapeake & Ohio, Pennsylvania, and New York Central railroads is on display in the admission-free museum, along with one of the largest collections of working railroad signals, a restored World War II Pullman Troop Car, and all types of rolling stock, engines and memorabilia of a by-gone era.

56th Francesville Fall Festival Sept. 20-22

'Small Town with Big Heart' plans family fun

FRANCESVILLE - The 56th Francesville Fall Festival will feature a jam-packed weekend of family fun - featuring "Tag Art" dinosaurs, water walking balls and inflatables, a Harvest Dance, athletic contests, games and much more.

The 2024 three-day festival runs Friday through Sunday, Sept. 20-22. The event also includes arts, crafts and flea market booths, dancing and musical entertainment, a variety of dinners and food booths, an auto show, games, a parade and fireworks. No admission is charged.

Tippecanoe River State Park annual 'Poker Paddle' Sept. 21

The Tippecanoe River State Park will hold its 12th annual "Poker Paddle," beginning at 11 a.m., Saturday, Sept. 21.

The three-and-a-half mile trip will include prizes. The registration fee is $10.

PCPL September activities, programs listed

The Pulaski County Public Library has listed its programs and activities for September. They include Grandparents Day story time, Yoga classes, avoiding financial fraud, a banned book discussion and celebrating Bluey’s birthday.

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 in September

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Rudy Yakym (IN-02) has announced that his staff will hold mobile office hours in Pulaski County Sept. 5 and 16, in Winamac and Francesville, respectively.

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

  

Indiana News

Dry weather continues; harvest on the horizon

EAST LANSING, MI – Dry conditions continued last week as Indiana farmers prepared for the upcoming harvest, according to Nathanial Warenski, State Statistician, USDA NASS, Indiana Field Office.

Topsoil moisture levels decreased from the previous week, with 37 percent rated adequate or surplus. The average temperature for the week was 65.0 degrees Fahrenheit, 4.9 degrees below normal for the state. The statewide average precipitation was 0.10 inches, 0.53 inches below normal.

Holcomb visits in Ukraine with President Zelenskyy

Photos added

KYIV, Ukraine (Sept. 5) – Gov. Eric Holcomb is in Kyiv Thursday to focus on subnational diplomacy that will positively impact future economic, academic and cultural two-way partnerships between Indiana and Ukraine.

This trip marks the first time a U.S. governor has traveled to Ukraine since Russia's full-scale invasion began in February 2022.

Culp, Jordan: Applications now open for 2025 Statehouse internships

STATEHOUSE (Aug. 29) – Applications to intern with Indiana House Republicans for the 2025 legislative session are now open, according to State Reps. Kendell Culp (R-Rensselaer) and Jack Jordan (R-Bremen). 

Culp said the Indiana House of Representatives offers a spring semester internship at the Statehouse in Indianapolis during the legislative session, which will start in January and conclude in April. House interns earn $900 biweekly and work full time, Monday through Friday.

State presents Pulaski County farms with Hoosier Homestead awards

STATEHOUSE (Aug. 16) – Indiana recently honored local farms owned and operated by the same family for at least 100 years with Hoosier Homestead awards. In Pulaski County, the Bergdolt Farm, in operation since 1899, received a centennial award, and the Heater Farm, in operation since 1872, received the sesquicentennial award. (The Heaters also received a second award for their Fulton County Farm.)

Recognized for their families’ longstanding commitment to agriculture, 103 Indiana farm families were presented the Hoosier Homestead Award at the Indiana State Fair from Indiana State Department of Agriculture Director Don Lamb.

Pulaski County unemployment rate rose to 4.0% in July

Pulaski County's unemployment rate rose to 4.0 percent in July, up from 3.5 percent in June, the Indiana Department of Workforce Development reported Monday, (Aug. 19). The rate was 3.0 percent a year ago.

The county had 6,970 employed persons in a labor force of 7,260 in July. In June those numbers were 6,909 of 7,160. A year ago the numbers were 6,874 of 7,088. 

 

Indiana COVID-19 News

CDC releases fall/winter outlook for respiratory illnesses

INDIANAPOLIS (Sept. 10) - The Indiana Department of Health reported Sept. 10 that COVID-like illness emergency department visits numbered 399 from Aug. 28 - Sept. 3, down 80 from its previous weekly report.

State COVID-19 hospital admissions (Sept. 1-7) totaled 34, up 5 from the week before. The state reported one death in the seven-day period (reflects confirmed COVID deaths reported to IDH).

  

Post News

Nov. 5, 2024 General Election: Who's on my ballot?

Who will be on your 2024 Pulaski County general election ballot?

A list of all candidates to be considered by Pulaski County voters is presented here, along with website links for the national and state candidates to give voters an opportunity to familiarize themselves with the office seekers and their platforms.

Voter registration ends Monday, Oct. 7; and Early Voting begins Tuesday, Oct. 8 in Indiana. Information for voters may be found at Secretary of State: Voter Information

ISP arrest Peru man following vehicle pursuit in Fulton County

FULTON COUNTY – A Peru man was arrested Wednesday (Sept. 11) after leading Indiana State Police in a vehicle pursuit in Fulton County.

Jeffrey T. Azbell, 58, was arrested on six felony and misdemeanor drug and resisting law enforcement charges, according to an ISP news release.

Mammoth Solar initiates economic development payments to Pulaski County

Mammoth Solar announced Thursday (Sept. 5) the initiation of economic development payments to Pulaski County, totaling $375,200 this year — $60,200 within the coming months and another $315,000 before the end of 2024.

This payment initiative underscores Doral Renewables LLC's commitment to the economic well-being of Pulaski County, a company spokesperson said. These payments will be made in advance of any tax revenue from the project, ensuring that Pulaski County benefits early on. The project is in preliminary stages of construction in the county.

No injuries reported in early Saturday morning fire

WINAMAC – The Winamac Volunteer Fire Department responded to an early morning fire in a two-story vacant farmhouse Saturday (Aug. 31), north of Winamac on U.S. 35.

The cause of the blaze remains under investigation by the Indiana Fire Marshal's office. No injuries were reported.

14 Indiana communities to receive over $8 million in Community Development Block Grants

Francesville awarded $700,000

INDIANAPOLIS (Aug. 29) –  The Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs (OCRA) announced Thursday 14 rural Indiana communities will receive more than $8 million in federal grant funding to expand community facilities and improve water infrastructure.

The Town of Francesville is among the communities to be awarded a grant to be used for its water treatment plant.

Fall Festival golf tournament raises funds, fosters fellowship

Winners listed

FRANCESVILLE - The fourth annual Francesville Fall Festival Golf Outing took place Saturday, Aug 10 under beautiful clear skies with 14 teams meeting for a day of golf, fellowship and fun at Moss Creek Golf Course and Banquet Center in rural Winamac. 

First held in 2021, the golf outing helps raise money to defray the cost of staging Francesville’s annual Fall Festival.

The Ryans announce new ownership of historic Lake Shore Drive-In Theatre 

MONTICELLO (Aug. 20) – Ryan Harrison and Ryan Crawford have announced their acquisition of the historic Lake Shore Drive-In Theatre.

The theater had been owned by Phyllis and the late Earl McLachlan since 2000. Mrs. McLachlan will continue to operate the theater through the 2024 season, which ends Sept. 14.