L-R: Indiana Secretary of Commerce David Rosenberg, Dan Frain, Gov. Eric Holcomb

“Every year, the Century and Half-Century Awards remind me of the dedication and perseverance Hoosiers across the state bring to their businesses, and each year it is truly an honor to recognize these organizations that have withstood the test of time, navigated economic uncertainties and demonstrated unconditional commitment to their employees and communities across Indiana.” 

The Governor’s Century and Half Century Business Awards honor Hoosier businesses that have remained in operation for a minimum of 100 or 50 consecutive years and have demonstrated a commitment to community service. More than 1,200 Indiana companies have been recognized during the award's 32-year history. 

2023 Century Award honorees: 

Carlisle-Branson Funeral Service & Crematory (Funeral Services) 
128 years; Morgan County

 F.A. Wilhelm Construction Company (Construction)
100 years; Marion County

Feichter REALTORS® (Real Estate)
140 years; Allen County

Frain Mortuary Inc. (Funeral Services) 
156 years; Pulaski County

Fratco Inc. (Manufacturing)
100 years; White County

George C Rogge Agency Inc. (Automotive Insurance) 
100 years; Lake County

Goshen Stamping LLC (Metal Stamping) 
100 years; Elkhart County

Phend and Brown Inc. (Construction) 
101 years; Kosciusko County

Shipshewana Trading Place Auction & Flea Market (Flea Market)
101 years; LaGrange County

Shurr Insurance Agency (Insurance)
100 years; Porter County

Terre Haute Lodge No. 19, F. & A. M. (Working Lodge) 
204 years; Vigo County

The North Salem State Bank (Financial Services)
100 years; Hendricks County

Tonn and Blank Construction LLC (Construction)
101 years; LaPorte County

Woodard, Emhardt, Henry, Reeves and Wagner LLP (Legal Services)
144 years; Marion County

 

2023 Half Century Award honorees:  

Alcohol & Addictions Resource Center (Rehabilitation Services) 
61 years; St. Joseph County

Alliance Architects (Architecture) 
51 years; St. Joseph County

Burt's Termite & Pest Control Inc. (Exterminating & Pest Control) 
50 years; Bartholomew County

Clunette Elevator Co. Inc. (Agricultural) 
72 years, Kosciusko County

Crisis Center Inc. (Individual & Family Services)
52 years; Lake County

Crown Point Swim Club Inc. (Athletics) 
55 years; Lake County

Don Ayres Honda (Automotive Industry)  
53 years; Allen County

Eastern Engineering Supply Inc. (Business Products & Services) 
51 years; Delaware County

Foegley Landscape (Landscaping Services) 
64 years; St. Joseph County

FPBH Inc. (Engineering Services) 
51 years, Jennings County

Haggard & Stocking Associates (Industrial cutting tools & supplies) 
51 years, Marion County

Holiday Liquors Inc. (Liquor Store) 
58 years; Dubois County

KJMD Enterprises/Alig Shell (Retail Trade Services) 
85 years; Dearborn County

Kropf Industries Inc. (Travel Trailer & Camper Manufacturing) 
77 years; Elkhart County

Kwiatkowski Masonry Inc. (Masonry Contracting)
77 years; Lake County

Louie’s Tux Shop (Formal Wear)
75 years; St. Joseph County

Professional Eyecare Associates (Optometrists) 
50 years; Dubois County

Singer Optical Co. Inc. (Ophthalmic Goods Manufacturing) 
75 years; Vanderburgh County

S&H Metal Products Inc. (Fabricated Metal Products Manufacturing) 
51 years; LaGrange County

Tackle Service Center (Sporting Goods)
51 years; Morgan County

Top Quality Building Products Inc. (Building Material & Supplies Dealer)
55 years; Dearborn County

Trent Auto Sales Inc. (Automotive Industry) 
58 years; Knox County

Utterback Supply Inc. (Fasteners) 
56 years; Marion County

Warsaw Chemical Holdings (Chemical Product Wholesaling) 
82 years; Kosciusko County

At Wednesday’s award ceremony at the Indiana Statehouse, Gov. Holcomb also recognized a number of recipients from 2020, 2021 and 2022, celebrating each business or organization's longevity, resilience and contributions to Indiana's economy and communities.

 

About IEDC
The Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC) leads the state of Indiana’s economic development efforts, helping businesses launch, grow and locate in the state. Governed by a 15-member board chaired by Gov. Holcomb, the IEDC manages many initiatives, including performance-based tax credits, workforce training grants, innovation and entrepreneurship resources, public infrastructure assistance, and talent attraction and retention efforts. For more information about the IEDC, visit iedc.in.gov.

  
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Local News Briefs

Stop signs to be added to two county intersections

The Pulaski County Highway Department will add stop signs Monday (April 28) to two county road intersections – one in southeast Rich Grove Township, and the second in northwest Monroe Township.

The new stop signs were approved April 14 in an ordinance adopted by the county commissioners.

Pulaski County America 250 committee to meet April 28

The Pulaski County America 250 Committee will meet at 6 p.m., Monday (April 28) at the new Pulaski County Historical Society Museum, 110 N. Monticello St., Winamac.

All who are interested in helping to develop county plans to celebrate the nation’s 250th anniversary beginning this summer through 2026 is welcome to attend. Please RSVP to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to attend the meeting.

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.

PMH seeks community input identifying health needs of local communities

Survey deadline May 17

WINAMAC - Pulaski Memorial Hospital has announced the launch of its 2025 Community Health Needs Assessment, a comprehensive initiative aimed at identifying and addressing the most pressing health needs of our local communities.

“Community feedback is essential” said Hospital CEO Steve Jarosinski. ”PMH will be gathering input from residents, local organizations, community leaders, and even other area healthcare professionals to better understand the health challenges and opportunities across the region.”

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

Southbound I-65 reopens in Jasper County following hazmat fire

ROSELAWN (April 22) - I-65 southbound reopened near mile marker 230 at approximately 6:30 a.m. (ET) Tuesday, almost 17 hours following a spectacular semi-truck fire and hazmat cleanup which included an overnight repaving of a section of the interstate. No injuries were reported.

After assessing the damage to the roadway, the Indiana Department of Transportation determined that the accident scene needed to be resurfaced. INDOT already has a contract in place for this area for pavement patching with Rieth-Riley Construction, and they were able to mobilize to take over the scene once cleanup was complete. A total of 7,700 square feet of asphalt to a depth of four inches (and six inches on the outside shoulder) had to be replaced overnight.

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.  

 

Indiana Health News

Measles cases climb to 800 nationwide; 8 in Indiana

Also: respiratory illness updates

INDIANAPOLIS (April 21) — The Indiana Department of Health is investigating an outbreak of measles and working with local health officials to help stop the spread of infection. The current reported cases are connected to each other but at this time there are no known links to outbreaks in other states.

Eight cases have been reported in the Indiana, all in Allen County.

  

Post News

Pulaski Superior Court appears saved

INDIANAPOLIS (April 24) – Pulaski Superior Court and seven other rural courts have been spared from closure, following revisions made to HB1144 approved by both the state house and senate Thursday evening in the Indiana General Assembly.

The legislation is now pending the approval of Gov. Mike Braun.

Chamber presents Don, Lynn Darda with 2025 Halleck Award

The Pulaski County Chamber of Commerce presented the 2025 Halleck Community Service Award to Don and Lynn Darda of Winamac at its annual award banquet Thursday evening (April 24), at the Winamac VFW.

The Dardas are both retired teachers in the Winamac schools and have been enthusiastic volunteers in a variety of projects throughout the years. 

Community Foundation awards $15,000 in grants

The Community Foundation of Pulaski County (CFoPC) has announced $15,000 has been awarded in grants to local nonprofits and community organizations.

The following projects and organizations have received funding:

  • $5,000 to Pulaski County Historical Society – “We’re Moving!”
  • $10,000 to Pulaski Memorial Hospital – for a Community Health Worker

Alliance Junior Board visits BraunAbility

The Alliance Bank Junior Board of Directors had the opportunity to visit BraunAbility in Winamac in April.

During their visit, the student directors were given a presentation about the company and had the chance to ask questions. They also had a tour of the facility, which allowed them to see the manufacturing process of vehicles equipped to assist individuals with disabilities.

Jury finds Monterey man guilty of attempted murder 

WINAMAC – A Pulaski County Circuit Court 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. The verdict was returned Monday (April 14).

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.