PCPL announces August programs, events

The Pulaski County Public Library has listed its programs and activities for August. They include a children’s program on eagles, an “American Conversation Project” event, and a preview program on August’s lunar eclipse.

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.

John Deere Tractor Fest Aug. 8 at Gilsinger Museum

PULASKI – The seventh annual John Deere Tractor Fest will be Saturday (Aug. 8), at the PJ Gilsinger & Co. Museum in Pulaski.

The event will run from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., and is sponsored by PJ Gilsinger & Co., located at 5641 S Main St. Hosts are Paul and Brenda Gilsinger and family.

Back-to-School Aug. 5 at Eastern Pulaski; Aug. 12 at West Central

Students at Eastern Pulaski and West Central schools will return to classes Aug. 5 and 12, respectively for the 2026-27 school year.

Information for new and returning students on registration, book rental fees, breakfast and lunch fees, supply lists, school-year calendars, athletic forms and much more may be found on both schools’ websites: Eastern Pulaski Community Schools and West Central Schools.

SR 39 to close for seal coat operations

LA PORTE, STARKE, PULASKI COUNTIES - Indiana Department of Transportation maintenance crews will conduct seal coat operations on two stretches of SR 39 next week (beginning Monday, Aug. 3).

Scrub seal operations will first occur on SR 39 between U.S. 30 and SR 8 for approximately one day on or after Monday, Aug. 3. SR 39 will then be scrub sealed between SR 10 and SR 14 over the course of approximately two days starting on or after Wednesday, Aug. 5.

Measles vaccination rates below ‘herd immunity’ in Pulaski, most surrounding counties

An article in Friday’s (July 24) Washington Post asks the question: “As U.S. measles cases reach a 35-year record, do you know what your local school’s vaccination rates are?”

The newspaper reports the share of U.S. counties where 95 percent or more (which constitutes herd immunity) of kindergartners were vaccinated against the disease has dropped to 28 percent, public records show. In Pulaski County, the most recent (2024-25) numbers show the vaccination rate for kindergarteners is below desired levels.

Metamonong DAR presents scholarships, inducts new members

The Metamonong DAR Chapter has been active this spring/summer with several projects and activities.

The DAR presented scholarships to Winamac and West Central graduates, held a Girls of America 250 Tea Party, and inducted five new members, among other events.

Indiana State fair runs Aug. 7-23

Theme: 'Always a Hit!'

INDIANAPOLIS – The 169th Indiana State Fair returns Friday, Aug. 7 and runs through Sunday, Aug. 23 (closed Mondays). With the theme "Always a Hit!" the State Fair and Indianapolis Indians have announced a partnership for the 2026 fair, bringing together iconic organizations that have long been part of the Hoosier summer experience.

For more information and to purchase tickets, visit www.indianastatefair.com

Lineup of new food creations featured during 2026 Indiana State Fair

INDIANAPOLIS - Step up to the plate for one of the Indiana State Fair's most anticipated traditions.

The Indiana State Fair has unveiled the 2026 Taste of the Fair presented by Pepsi, featuring almost 50 new and unforgettable food creations from talented concessionaires across the Fairgrounds.

 

Indiana Conservation Partnership releases annual report

Measures prevent soil erosion, protect waterways

INDIANAPOLIS (July 23) – The Indiana Conservation Partnership (ICP) has announced its 2025 conservation accomplishments. The ICP works with Hoosier landowners to provide technical or financial assistance for the implementation of conservation projects. In 2025, landowners supported by the ICP installed more than 44,800 new conservation practices.

The Indiana Conservation Partnership report showed that over the last year landowners helped prevent over 2.1 million tons of sediment, over 4.5 million pounds of nitrogen and over 2.2 million pounds of phosphorus from entering Indiana waterways.

Food insecurity reaches every community in Indiana

LAFAYETTE (July 28) – New data from Feeding America’s “Map the Meal Gap” study reveals the challenges families faced in 2024 as more than 8 out of 10 counties with the highest estimated rates of food insecurity nationally are rural, and in Indiana, seven of the 10 highest counties for rates of food insecurity are rural.

Over 1.097 million Hoosiers, including 327,150 children, experienced food insecurity in 2024 the study reported.

Culp gathers ideas for the 2027 legislative session

STATEHOUSE (July 22) – State Rep. Kendell Culp (R-Rensselaer) recently hosted an Indiana Rural Communities Roundtable encouraging residents and leaders of House District 16 to participate in interactive discussions regarding rural issues including access to healthcare, highspeed broadband and childcare as well as topics impacting local schools and the economy.

Culp said that the input gathered during the roundtable will be used to inform policy topics on legislation for the 2027 session.

EPCS Board announces Chad Smekens as new superintendent

WINAMAC - Eastern Pulaski Community Schools has chosen Chad Smekens as the school corporation’s new superintendent.

He succeeds outgoing superintendent Dara Chezem who had served in the post since 2019.

OCRA announces regional conferences across state

Community Engagement Summits offer opportunities for collaboration by sharing community development strategies

INDIANAPOLIS (July 29) – The Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs announced Wednesday it will host five conferences across the state in August and September.

The OCRA Community Engagement Summits are open to community members and leaders, and will share community development strategies, local success stories and create opportunities for collaboration between communities.

Pulaski Co. again has state's lowest unemployment rate

Pulaski County's unemployment rate increased slightly to 2.6 percent in June, compared to 2.3 percent in May , the Indiana Department of Workforce Development reported Wednesday, (July 22). The rate was 2.9 percent a year earlier.

Pulaski County had 8,876 employed persons in a labor force of 9,110 in June. In May those numbers were 8,821 of 9,031. A year earlier the numbers were 7,421 of 7,646.

Commissioners seek input on ‘best-use’ of county-owned facilities

The Pulaski County Commissioners are soliciting public input regarding county-owned facilities that have not yet undergone significant recent upgrades (as have the courthouse and justice center).

The recommendations sought regard the best use of county-owned facilities and locations for county departments.

Local leaders meet with Gov. Braun

Updated

Indiana Gov. Mike Braun met with eight Pulaski County officials and community leaders Wednesday (July 8), to discuss issues affecting the county and its future.

Braun visited communities in four counties across Indiana last week to meet with local leaders, tour one of Indiana’s historic landmarks (Tippecanoe Battlefield Memorial Park), highlight regional economic development opportunities and hear directly from county and city officials about the issues facing their communities.

‘Level Up Your Leadership:’ New training initiative responds to community needs

New partnership delivers free and low-cost leadership training across Pulaski County

In  direct response to needs identified through recent community listening sessions  and the Chautauqua series, the Community Foundation of Pulaski County (CFoPC)  has partnered with Shafer Leadership Academy to bring expanded leadership and  nonprofit training opportunities to Pulaski County.

The Pulaski County Leadership Academy is an initiative designed to strengthen leadership capacity across the community by offering both virtual and in-person training opportunities for nonprofit staff, board members, and emerging community leaders.