Shane Pilarski Christi Beavers

Pilarski, president and CEO of Alliance Bank in Francesville, returns to serve on the foundation’s Resource Development Committee, and Beavers, a marketing strategist for GE Healthcare, joins the board to serve on the Governance Committee.

Pilarski previously served on the CFoPC board for nine years, and returns after a one-year sabbatical. The board’s Resource Development Committee is the only committee she’s yet to be involved in. An employee at Alliance Bank for 23 years, Pilarski holds a bachelor of science degree in mathematics from Purdue University and lives in Francesville with her husband, Brian. The couple has two grown children in college.

Beavers has lived in Winamac for four years with her husband, Sean, and their two daughters. Born and raised in Maryland, she holds a bachelor’s degree in history from the University of Maryland and master’s degrees from Georgia Southern University (education) and Northwestern University (information design). Beavers worked at Northwestern for many years, where she specialized in helping various schools within the university establish alternate sources of revenue.

“We are pleased to add these two outstanding community leaders to our board in 2025,” said CFoPC executive director Leeann Wright, “and both of them are excited to get to work in helping to shape a great future for Pulaski County. Shane has so much experience with us, and she fully understands our mission. We are thrilled to have her back. Her knowledge and proven skills will help bolster the efforts of our RD committee. Christi and her family have been here for four years, and she has so much enthusiasm and love for the Pulaski County community. Serving on our Governance Committee, her background in management, planning and strategy will help to foster the health and future of the foundation and the board.”

Officers for the 2025 CFoPC board are unchanged from 2024; Kaye Beall serves as board president, Jill Kasten as vice president, Kurt Dickey as treasurer, and past president Vicki Overmyer serves as board secretary in 2025. Pilarski and Beavers join remaining directors Pam Burger, Brandy Goble, Karen Jones, Bill Peppers, John Sass, Joey Schlatter, Christian Smith, Megan Wegner and Peter Zahrt.

To learn more about the Community Foundation of Pulaski County visit https://cfopc.org/.

 

  
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Local News Briefs

Yakym district staff to hold mobile office hours locally in February

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

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

Chamber seeks nominations for 2025 Halleck Award

The Pulaski County Chamber of Commerce is seeking nominations for the 2025 Halleck Community Service Award.

The award will be presented at the HJ Halleck Award recognition banquet (date to be announced). Nominations will be accepted through Friday, Feb. 7.

SWCD annual meeting Feb. 12 to discuss ‘carbon markets’

The Pulaski County Soil & Water Conservation District (SWCD) will hold its public annual meeting at 6 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 12, at Celebration Station in Winamac.

Key speaker will be Jean Brokish of American Farmland Trust whose topic will be “Making Sense of Carbon Markets and Climate – Smart Incentives.”

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.

PCT invites photographers to capture the spirit of Pulaski County in a photography contest

Participate and Share Your Perspective on Pulaski County

Pulaski County Tribe (PCT) has announced the launch of the "Embrace the Pace Pulaski County" photography contest, inviting photographers of all ages and skill levels to showcase life in Pulaski County through the lens of their cameras.

“With cash prizes and the opportunity to have your work displayed county-wide, this contest is an exciting way to celebrate the beauty and community of Pulaski County,” said Brandi Larkin, PCT president.

  

Indiana News

Braun: Indiana should be national model for bold, innovative leadership

INDIANAPOLIS – Indiana Gov. Mike Braun delivered his first “State of the State” address at the Statehouse Wednesday evening, outlining his plans to tackle “runaway” property taxes, create “farm savings accounts” to stabilize income for farmers in bad crop years, and to streamline state government.

The governor also addressed strengthening the state police force, checking undocumented immigration, restructuring the state’s economic development commission, reigning in health care costs, facilitating universal school choice – and more.

Pulaski County December unemployment rate down to 2.1%

Pulaski County's unemployment rate dropped to 2.1 percent in December, down from 3.9 percent in November, the Indiana Department of Workforce Development reported Monday, (Jan. 25). The rate was 2.7 percent a year ago.

The state's December unemployment rate was 4.5 percent (seasonally adjusted), up from 4.4 percent in November. The November 2023 rate was 3.6 percent. The U.S. unemployment rate was 4.1 percent in December (seasonally adjusted), nearly the same as November (4.2 percent). A year ago, the national rate was 3.7 percent.

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.

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 bills under discussion, in both the House and Senate, may be viewed here: IGA | Bills for 2025 Session. 

 

Indiana COVID-19 News

CDC reports amount of acute respiratory illness causing people to seek healthcare remains high

INDIANAPOLIS - The Indiana Department of Health reported Jan. 22 that COVID-like illness emergency department visits numbered 331 statewide from Jan. 12-18, down 127 from its previous weekly report.

There were no state COVID-19 hospital admissions during that time period, unchanged from the week before. The state reported two COVID deaths in the seven-day period (reflects confirmed COVID deaths reported to IDH).

  

Post News

CFoPC welcomes two board members to new terms

The Community Foundation of Pulaski County, Inc. (CFoPC) has announced new terms for two members to its 2025 board of directors - one returning and one new to the organization.

They are Shane Pilarski of Francesville and Christi Beavers of Winamac.

Pardoned J6 Hobart man fatally shot by Jasper police deputy

Updated

JASPER COUNTY – A Hobart man, pardoned last week for his involvement in the Jan. 6, 2021 U.S. Capitol riot, was shot and killed Sunday afternoon during a traffic stop by a Jasper County Sheriff’s deputy along SR 14 near the Jasper/Pulaski county line.

Matthew Huttle, 42, of Hobart, was pulled over by the deputy, according to a report from the Indiana State Police. The officer attempted to arrest Huttle, but the suspect allegedly resisted. An altercation took place, which resulted in the officer firing his weapon and fatally wounding the suspect.

Purdue to again offer Direct Course Credit to students with 4-H experience

Purdue Extension-Pulaski County has announced that Purdue University will again offer Direct Course Credit this year to students who have 4-H experience.

4-H’ers who are thinking about attending Purdue, or who have already been accepted may wish to check the opportunity to receive credit for first-year courses.

PACE grants available now

Pulaski Alliance for Community Education (PACE) is offering $60,000 in educational grants to eligible organizations this spring.

Organizations whose primary mission is public education may apply for grant funds. Participants in CAPE II/III are also encouraged to apply for a portion of funds available to sustain or continue original CAPE program activities.

EPCS Board begins new calendar year with two new members

WINAMAC – The Eastern Pulaski Community School Board was joined by two new members, Steve Rausch and Greg Kiser at its Jan. 13 meeting.

They were sworn-in, along with returning members Jimmy Terry and Taylor White, all of whom were elected to the board in November.