Kim Marlatt Lori Vanderkleed

Kimberly Marlatt, senior vice president and chief retail officer, began her banking career in 1985. Two years later, she joined Indiana Federal, which transitioned to Fifth Third Bank in 2019. Marlatt began her career with roles as a personal banker, deposit operation and services specialist, and call center specialist in Valparaiso. In 1996, she became a branch manager in San Pierre before moving on to be a customer service manager in North Judson in 2000. She then served as the assistant vice president – retail risk and administration manager from 2002-16. Marlatt joined the Alliance Bank team in January 2017 as a retail development officer, moving into her current position in late 2019 upon the retirement of her predecessor. She is a graduate of West Central High School and currently resides in Jasper County. She enjoys spending time with her family.

Lori Vanderkleed, relationship consultant, began her career at Alliance Bank (formerly State Bank of Oxford) on April 1, 1985. Her first position at the bank was on the teller line in the Otterbein office. She transferred to Oxford for a short time for a role that included bookkeeping, assistant to the board of directors, and launching a credit card program. Ultimately, Vanderkleed was destined to work face-to-face with clients; she returned to Otterbein and has remained on the retail team. A graduate of West Lafayette High School, she and her husband Curt reside and farm in Tippecanoe County. She is very active in her church, enjoys quilting and spending time with her children and grandchildren.

Bank President and CEO Shane Pilarski expressed her gratitude: “Kim has made significant contributions to the banking industry over the past four decades, bringing her wealth of knowledge and expertise to our team. Lori’s unwavering commitment is particularly noteworthy, as she has spent all 40 years with Alliance Bank, demonstrating unparalleled loyalty and dedication. Their commitment and hard work have been vital in driving our mission forward and ensuring the highest standards of service for our clients.”

 

Alliance Bank is a locally-owned community bank serving the residents of Francesville, Monon, Monticello, Otterbein, Oxford, Rensselaer, Winamac and surrounding communities since 1930. Learn more online at MyAllianceBank.com or call 888-567-2101.

 

Local News Briefs

Winamac Community HS 2025 commencement exercises June 1

Senior photos featured

WINAMAC - Commencement exercises for the Class of 2025 at Winamac Community High School will be at 2 p.m., Sunday June 1, at the high school gymnasium.

Diplomas will be presented to 81 seniors.

PCHS 2025 picnic/resource fair May 28

Human Services celebrates 50 years

Pulaski County Human Services will hold its 48th annual Senior Citizen Health and Resource Fair at 10:30 a.m.  Wednesday May 28, at the Star City Community Building.

The event will also include a celebration of PCHS's 50th anniversary. Along with a picnic and volunteer recognition program, the day recognizes Older Americans Month with the theme "Flip the Script on Aging."

U.S. 421 to be resurfaced south of Medaryville

PULASKI COUNTY - Indiana Department of Transportation contractor E&B Paving LLC will begin a resurfacing project for U.S. 421 between the two junctions of SR 14 on or after Tuesday, May 27.

During resurfacing activities, the road will be reduced to one lane with flaggers directing traffic in the area where work is occurring. This project will be ongoing through early August.

PCPL lists activities, programs for May

The Pulaski County Public Library has listed its programs and activities for May. They include restorative yoga classes, adult canvas painting, and the opening celebration of the Story Trail at the park.

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 Election Division to perform voter list maintenance

In the absence of an election in 2025, the Indiana Election Division will perform routine voter list maintenance in an effort to maintain accurate voter rolls, reports Pulaski County Clerk JoLynn Behny.

 Beginning mid-May, registered voters with an “active” voter status will receive the first in a series of two postcards to verify the registered voter’s correct address. If the information on the post card is correct, the registered voter does not need to take any action.

 

Indiana News

Mitch Frazier, AgriNovus Indiana president and CEO, to step down

INDIANAPOLIS (May 16) - AgriNovus Indiana announced Friday it is launching a search for a new chief executive officer following the resignation of its current CEO Mitch Frazier who will depart from the organization June 6.

Frazier, who has served as president and CEO of AgriNovus since June 2020, will become president of IBJ Media Corporation June 16.

61 Pulaski County students earn Ivy Tech degrees, certificates

KOKOMO (May 9) - Ivy Tech Community College Kokomo Service Area, which includes campuses and instructional sites in Kokomo, Loganspor and Peru, celebrated the Class of 2025 with three commencement ceremonies Friday, May 9.

The events, divided by schools, honored 1,128 students who are expected to have completed work on 1,432 degrees and certificates by the end of the Fall 2024 and Spring and Summer 2025 terms.

Northwest Indiana Forum hosts legislative wrap-up

CHESTERTON (May 2) – The Northwest Indiana Forum welcomed over 90 members for its annual Legislative Wrap-Up event Friday featuring bipartisan legislators from Northwest Indiana.

An engaging and informative panel discussion with the six key state lawmakers reflected on the 2025 Indiana General Assembly session and its impact on the region.

Pulaski County March unemployment rate drops to 3.1%

Pulaski County's unemployment rate dropped to 3.1 percent in March, down from 4.3 percent in February, the Indiana Department of Workforce Development reported Monday, (April 21). The rate was 3.7 percent a year ago.

The county had 6,586 employed persons in a labor force of 6,795 in March. In February those numbers were 6,533 of 6,830. A year ago the numbers were 6,302 of 6.546.

 

Indiana Health News

Measles outbreak in 29 states continues to be of concern

The U.S Center for Disease Control continues to monitor the growing outbreak of measles in the U.S. which is approaching 1,000 cases in 29 states.

Eight cases have were reported in the Indiana last month, all in Allen County. No additional cases have been reported in the state since that time.

 

Post News

West Central names 2025 valedictorian, salutatorian

West Central High School has named its top academic seniors in the Class of 2025. They are Valedictorian Aletheia Peter and Salutatorian Jalie Glasford.

West Central will hold commencement exercises Sunday, May 25, at the school gymnasium.

West Central HS holds 2025 senior awards program

FRANCESVILLE - West Central High School held its annual Senior Awards program Monday evening (May 12). Seniors were recognized for various academic and athletic awards, honor roll, and scholarships.

Graduation ceremonies for the Class of 2025 will be at 2 p.m., Sunday, May 25, at the school gymnasium.

Missing Winamac teen found safe

WINAMAC - The Pulaski County Sheriff’s Office reports the 14-year-old juvenile who was reported missing earlier this week has been located safe and reunited with her family.

The teen, Summer Campbell, 14, a freshman at Winamac Community High School had been missing since early Sunday morning (May 11), Officers followed multiple leads in over five days, both in and out of state.

PC Early Learning Network studies options for building infrastructure for quality childcare

The Pulaski County Early Learning Network continues its efforts to investigate paths forward for meeting present-day expectations for childcare across the county.

The group’s research confirms the cost of childcare by state can vary dramatically, and often the cost of early learning programs strain family budgets.

County to receive $994,531 in Community Crossings funds

MONTICELLO – More than $200 million in state matching funds were announced this spring for 245 Indiana cities, towns, and counties.

Gov. Mike Braun and Secretary of Transportation and Infrastructure Matt Ubelhor joined local officials from across northwest Indiana in Monticello May 8 to present awards for INDOT’s Community Crossings Matching Grant program.