Toni Blaszcyzyk  Amie Clemons
   
   

Carlson became principal at WCES in 2019. He came to West Central from the North White schools.

"I'm excited to be in the new position as the principal of West Central Middle/High School," Carlson said. "I've served the past five years as the elementary principal, and before that I taught third and first grades and served as a K-5 instructional coach. I'm looking forward to reconnecting with students and families and continuing the  many great aspects of West Central."

The West Central School Board accepted the resignation of middle/high school principal Angie Radtke at its July 11 meeting. Radtke was promoted to principal in June 2021. She had previously served West Central as an assistant principal.

Clemons said she is “excited to be serving as the new assistant principal for all students at West Central.” After some years in business, she pursued her degree in education and became an elementary teacher. She later earned an educational leadership degree

“I love building connections with students and families and look forward to doing that here at West Central in an administrative role. I'm looking forward to having a great year.”

 

  
Community Foundation of Pulaski County
Aaron Hoover
Pulaski Health Care Center - Parkview
Pulaski Health Care Center
Ace Hardware
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Local News Briefs

Historical Society to stage ‘Murder at the Big Branch Saloon’ Oct. 5

WINAMAC – A night of highfalutin’ fun is planned by the Pulaski County Historical Society for “Murder at the Big Branch Saloon” Saturday, Oct. 5, at One Eyed Jacks’ Celebration Station in Winamac.

For a second year, the Historical Society has planned a murder mystery dinner event that includes a local cast of characters and some audience participation.

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.

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.

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.

Candidate town hall meet-and-greet Sept. 12

A town hall meet-and-greet event has been planned for Thursday evening, Sept. 12, at Celebration Station in Winamac.

The meeting has been organized by Winamac Town Council candidate Aaron Hoover who also welcomes county candidates for all offices on the November ballot to participate to meet with the public. The event will begin at 6 p.m.

I-65 pavement restoration project to begin

NORTHWEST IN - Indiana Department of Transportation contractor Rieth Riley Construction will begin a pavement restoration project on I-65 between SR 14 and U.S. 231 (mile marker 223 to 246) on or after Monday, Aug. 12.

Sections of I-65 will be resurfaced, with lane closures from the hours of approximately 8 p.m. to 7 a.m. the following morning. Lane closures will be in place in one direction at a time and will be only a few miles in length at a time.

  

Indiana News

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.

Hot weather, insufficient rain raise concerns for crop yields

EAST LANSING, MI – Dry conditions intensified last week in Indiana as the rainfall received was not enough to offset the high temperatures, according to Nathanial Warenski, State Statistician, USDA NASS, Indiana Field Office.

Topsoil moisture levels decreased from the previous week, with 46 percent rated adequate or surplus. The average temperature for the week was 78.5 degrees Fahrenheit, 6.3 degrees above normal for the state. The statewide average precipitation was 0.70 inches, 0.22 inches below normal.

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

Late summer COVID continues at elevated levels in Indiana

INDIANAPOLIS (Aug. 28) - The U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reports this week that as of Aug. 23, the amount of respiratory illness (fever plus cough or sore throat) causing people to seek healthcare is low nationally. However, many areas of the country continue to experience increases in COVID-19 activity.

The Indiana Department of Health reported Aug. 28 that COVID-like illness emergency department visits numbered 462 from Aug. 15-21, up 74 from its previous weekly report. State COVID-19 hospital admissions (Aug. 19-25) totaled 33, up 1 from the week before. The state reported one death in the seven-day period (reflects confirmed COVID deaths reported to IDOH).

  

Post News

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, 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.

Health officials warn of West Nile Virus outbreak in Pulaski County

One confirmed case in Winamac

WINAMAC – The Pulaski County Health Department is alerting the public to an ongoing outbreak of West Nile virus in Winamac. The virus is transmitted by mosquitoes. Health officials are taking immediate action to address the situation and protect public health. 

West Nile virus can cause a range of symptoms from mild flu-like illness to severe neurological disease. Most people infected with the virus experience no symptoms, but those who do may suffer from fever, headache, body aches and occasionally more severe symptoms such as encephalitis or meningitis. 

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.

Alliance Bank facilitates grant awards totaling $40,000

RENSSELAER – Alliance Bank, a member of the Federal Home Loan Bank of Indianapolis (FHLBank Indianapolis), has helped two area women win Elevate Small Business grants.

All Aligned Chiropractic, owned by Madeline Barber, and the Law Office of Samantha Joslyn each received a $20,000 award. Both recipients are located in the Rensselaer community.