West Central HS presents year-end underclassmen awards (2024)

Beloved FB milkshakes may no longer be served at county fair

WINAMAC – Pulaski County Farm Bureau has announced the discontinuation of milkshakes at its county fair booth for 2024.

That is, unless a volunteer steps up who is willing to assume maintenance and management of the milkshake machine, according to Tasha Mitchell, vice president of the local Farm Bureau.

The organization has served the well-loved milkshakes at the fair for over 30 years.

West Central HS 2024 Commencement May 26

Senior photos featured

FRANCESVILLE - The 57th annual commencement exercises at West CentralHigh Schoolwill be Sunday, May 26, in the school gymnasium. Diplomas will be awarded to46 seniors.

The program will open with a baccalaureate service at2 p.m., sponsored by the West Central Ministerial Association, followed by the commencement ceremonies at 2:30 p.m.Baccalaureate speakerwill be Jeremy Glasford, student pastor at First Christian Church, Francesville.

County Memorial Day Service May 27

Also Francesville and Monterey observances

The annual county Memorial Day Service will begin at 11 a.m., Monday (May 27), on the courthouse lawn, Winamac.

The event is organized by the Winamac American Legion Post 71 and VFW Post 1728. Guest speaker will be MacKenzie Ledley.Stan Czech will serve as master of ceremonies.

May is Older Americans Month

Pulaski County Human Services will hold its 47th annual Senior Citizen Health and Resource Fair from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., Wednesday May 29, at the Star City Community Building.

The event also features a senior artisan show, senior picnic (at 11 a.m.) and volunteer recognition program. The theme for 2024 is “Powered by Connection,” which recognizes the profound impact that meaningful relationships and social connections have on our health and well-being.

SR 119 to close 3 days for seal coating

PULASKI/WHITE COUNTIES - Indiana Department of Transportation maintenance crews will be conducting seal coating operations resulting in a road closure on SR 119 beginning on or after Tuesday, May 28.

SR 119 will be closedbetween U.S. 35 and State Road 16for approximately three days. The official detour for this closure will follow SR 16, SR 39, SR 14 and U.S. 35.

Parkview plans public Summer Festival series

FRANCESVILLE – A monthly Summer Festival series has been planned by Parkview Haven in Francesville to run June through September at its facility on the north edge of town.

The event will feature a farmers market, plus local vendors, food trucks, arts and crafts and more. The public is welcome to participate.

'Moonlight Over the Tippy' bike ride June 7

The Friends of the Panhandle Pathway are once again sponsoringtheir annual bike ride. "Moonlight Over the Tippy."

The ridewill begin at 7 p.m., Friday, June 7, at the Historic Railroad Freight Depot in downtown Winamac.

Many state pools, beaches to open Memorial Day weekend

INDIANAPOLIS - Get ready to cool off, Hoosiers. The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) public swimming pools in Indiana State Parks will open soon, as will DNR swimming beaches.

Pools opening Saturday, May 25, are at Brown County, Clifty Falls, Shakamak, Spring Mill, and Versailles state parks, and Cagles Mill Lake (Lieber State Recreation Area [SRA]).

All 92 Indiana counties opt in for second year of historic public health initiative

INDIANAPOLIS (May 22) – Gov. Eric Holcomb has announced that all 92 Indiana counties have opted in toHealth First Indiana(HFI) funding for 2025. HFI was established by legislation passed in the 2023 legislative session that transforms public health, and Holcomb has made public health a priority of his administration.

In Pulaski County, $170,318 has been designated to the 2024 county budget for the health department.

Warm and wet, but farmers soldier on

EAST LANSING, MI - Despite above-average rainfall, Indiana farmers were still able to make some planting progress last week, according to Nathanial Warenski, state statistician, USDA NASS (National Agriculture Statistics Service), Indiana Field Office.

Topsoil moisture levels decreased from the previous week, with 94 percent rated adequate or surplus. The average temperature for the week was 66.5 degrees Fahrenheit, 4.1 degrees above normal for the state. The statewide average precipitation was 1.44 inches, 0.38 inches above normal.

Pulaski County unemployment rate drops to 2.9% in April

Pulaski County's unemploymentratedropped to2.9 percent in April,down from3.5 percent in Marchthe Indiana Department of Workforce Development reported Monday, (May 20). The rate was2.4 percent a year ago.

The county had 6,528 employed persons in a labor force of 6,724 in April. InMarch those numbers were6,369 of 6,597. A year ago the numbers were6,498 of 6,656.

May 21: IDH reports COVID cases down in 7-day average, at 42

INDIANAPOLIS (May 21) – The Indiana Department of Health reported Wednesday that the state’s 7-day average COVID-19 countstood at42 casesfor the period of May 12-18. That number isdownthree cases from the previous revised count. The total state COVID deaths for the week was zero.Indiana's all-timeCOVID deaths total 26,526.

Pulaski County reportedno new cases and no deaths to IDH in the latest seven-day report. The county'sall-time pandemic numbers are 3,725 (reported) COVID cases and95 deaths.

West Central HS presents year-end underclassmen awards

FRANCESVILLE - West Central High School held is awards program for underclassmen on Wednesday, May 22.

Awards were presented as follows:

West Central HS names 2024 valedictorian, salutatorian

West CentralHigh School has named its top academic seniors in the Class of 2023. They are ValedictorianSpencer Leman and Salutatorian Alexa Schultz.

West Central will hold commencement exercises Sunday, May 26, at the school gymnasium.

Bonds sold for courthouse renovation project

Meridian Street to partially close for construction

The bond sale for the financing of the Pulaski County Courthouse renovation project was conducted Thursday (May 16) by Baker Tilly, the county’s accounting and financial advising firm.

Details remain to be completed, and closing is expected in early June. The successful buyer was R.W. Baird & Co., an investment firm headquartered in Milwaukee.

County police log 137 calls for service May 10-17

The Pulaski County Sheriff’s office has released itsMay 10-17 police blotter report.During the seven-day period, deputies logged137 calls for service.

West Central HS holds 2024 senior awards program

FRANCESVILLE - West Central High School held its annual Senior Awards program Monday evening (May 13). Seniors were recognized for various academic and athletic awards, honor roll, and scholarships.

Graduation ceremonies for the Class of 2024 will be at 2 p.m., Sunday, May 26, at the school gymnasium.

2 Indiana banks win statewide award for ‘Commitment to Community’

INDIANAPOLIS (May 14) – Alliance Bank, Francesville, and Horizon Bank, Michigan City, have been honored with the Indiana Bankers Association C2C (Commitment to Community) Awards for outstanding community service performed during 2023.

Alliance Bank won the category of banks with assets below $500 million. Investing in the communities the bank serves is one of the four tenets of its mission.

West Central School Board reviews next facilities updates

FRANCESVILLE - The West Central School Board reviewed a planned improvements listing that will be undertaken in the next bond project at its monthly meeting May 2.

Discussion followed with Superintendent Dr. Cathy Rowe about the inclusion of a high school football bleacher replacement project, and the elementary and middle/high school cafeteria areas including floor finishes.