On Friday, Aug. 4, the district will hold a new teacher orientation. Aug. 7-8 are teacher work days. Meet the Teacher will be Monday, Aug. 7 from 6 to 7 p.m. The first student early release will be Aug. 26. On Aug. 31, West Central will host an Immunization Clinic.

In her report to the board, Dr. Rowe said the natural gas line leading into the building at the high school will need repairs, and there should be someone on site Aug. 4 to repair the line.

The superintendent reported maintenance and custodial staff have worked very hard this summer to get the building and grounds ready for school. New paving of the entire parking lot has taken place, as well as all exterior doors being renumbered so they are sequential. The block building has been painted and is awaiting a metal roof along with a new garage door under the bleachers.

She also gave a construction update for the band and choir area, informing the public that the flooring material has been removed from both the band and choir rooms, with more renovations starting after Labor Day.

 

Personnel items

The board approved the following resignations and retirements as presented:

  • Elyse Williams - WCES Instructional Assistant/PE Teacher
  • Kayla Butterfield - WCES Elementary Teacher
  • Katie Ferrer - WCES Elementary Teacher
  • Whitney Bartlett - CSS Coordinator

Approval was given to the following employments as presented:

  • Kieley Garcia - WCES Elementary PE for portion of day; IA remainder
  • Dianna Maxwell - WCES Part Time Interventionist
  • Cheryl Ailes - Custodian
  • Danielle Christensen – WCMS/HS Life Skills
  • Kevin Wenzel - WCES Elementary teacher part time
  • Jenelle Owens - 7th grade Volleyball Coach
  • Brian Pilarski - Head Softball Coach
  • Becky Reed - Head Co-Ed Varsity Track Coach
  • David Allen - Head Baseball Coach
  • Ben Gudas - Middle School Football Head Coach
  • Jason Wall - Volunteer Volleyball Coach
  • Scott Owens - Boys Assistant Varsity Coach
  • Ryan Howat - Boys JV Basketball Coach
  • Ashlund Smolek - 8th Grade Volleyball Coach
  • Daniel Buzz Bieswanger - Volunteer MS Football Coach
  • Christina Rossman - CSS Educational Diagnostician
  • Patti Kem - CSS Part Time Coordinator

 

Action items

The school board voted to provide permission to advertise the 2024 Budget, 2024 Capital Projects Plan, and the 2024 Bus Replacement Plan. The budgets will be posted on the school corporation website http://www.wcsc.k12.in.us/.

The board approved Julie Davidson to the Jasper County Public Library Board as presented.

The board approved Karen Srull to the library board of Francesville-Salem Township Public Library as presented.

Approval was given to the sale of the old corporation office in downtown Francesville as presented, and it was further recommended that the board require the buyer to pay all closing costs associated with the sale.

A motion was passed to approve the consultation agreement with Administrator Assistance for up to eight hours, as presented.

The school board voted to approve the first reading and review of the policies presented.

 

Principal reports

 

Elementary school principal Mike Carlson shared that Summer School “went great and it was capped off with a great trip to The Shedd Aquarium.” Also, the school hallways were painted shortly after that, and now are all fresh and new.

Registration went well. It was very busy at times, and the school is welcoming several new students to the building. Enrollment is up. There are currently 45 kindergarten students.

Staffing is becoming an increasing challenge each year. The school was in very good shape at the beginning of the summer, and then more changes happened. It’s falling in place now.

ILEARN scores had some very bright spots. Plans and monitoring are in place to keep building on this success. Once students settle in, benchmarking will begin.

First day of Lifewise is Aug. 14. Carlson said he “still firmly believe this is a great program and partnership for our students, school, and community.”

The staff is looking forward to seeing everyone at Meet the Teacher and having a great school year.

Middle/high school principal Angie Radtke was excited to report that as of 9:57 this morning (Aug. 3), the middle and high schools are fully staffed!

Mrs. Thilges and three of her FCCLA students, Kayla Schlatter, Skye Withman, and Chelsea Schultz, traveled to Denver, CO in July where they competed in the FCCLA National Leadership Conference. They all earned a silver medal for their projects.

Buzz Beiswanger participated in the IFCA High School All Star Football Classic on Friday July 14, which Coach Hall also had the honor of coaching.

All fall sports have started official practices. West will host the Midwest Conference Football Jamboree Aug. 11.

Monday night, Aug. 7 is Meet the Teacher Night.

  
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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.