Local News Briefs
Pulaski County Tribe is bringing 4th Friday back to Winamac Town Park this season, weather permitting. When weather is poor, the gathering will move indoors to the PCT Creative Hub.
4th Friday is a free monthly gathering created to give residents, families, visitors, businesses and organizations a reason to come out, enjoy the place they call home, and spend time with the neighbors who make Pulaski County special.
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.
Pulaski County Circuit Court is pleased to continue its “Little Free Courthouse Library” with assistance from the Indiana Court of Appeals.
Sometime ago, Judge Mary Welker started the library in the Pulaski County Justice Center waiting area.
The 2026 Pulaski County 4-H & Community Fair Parade, with the theme "Celebrate America 250," will step off at 6 p.m., Monday, June 29, in downtown Winamac.
The parade is organized by the Winamac Kiwanis Club in partnership with the Pulaski County Fair Association. The parade grand marshal will be 2026 Halleck Award winner Al Breyfogle.
The Pulaski County Public Library has listed its programs and activities for June. Summer reading programs for children and adults are underway; and special programs center on such themes as America 250 (including civics refreshers) and planting native plants.
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.
LAFAYETTE - Food Finders Food Bank Mobile Pantry will hold a drive-through food distribution at 11 a.m., Tuesday June 9, at the Winamac Town Park. A second event is scheduled for Friday, June 26 (also at 11 a.m.), at the Star City United Methodist Church, 2347 E. Main St., Star City.
This program is available to those in need of food assistance and who meet income guidelines. Those participating are asked to not arrive before 10:30 a.m., and remain in their vehicles. Please note the amount of food available does vary and will be distributed first come first served.
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Fair News
The annual Pulaski County 4-H & Community Fair will run Friday, June 26 through Wednesday, July 1 at the county fairgrounds in the Winamac town park.
The motto for the 2026 fair is 4-H Celebrates America 250. Highlights of this year's fair, in addition to the 4-H exhibits and judging, will be musical entertainment, queen pageants, a horse-and-pony pleasure show, youth talent show, sports tournaments, the fair parade, a tractor pull, and the annual 4-H Auction.
One of the primary goals of the Pulaski County 4-H & Community Fair is to showcase the projects completed by the county's 4-H youth - demonstrating what they have learned in this valuable program which develops talents as well as important skills and values.
The annual 4-H Recognition Program will be held on opening day at the fair, at 6 p.m., Friday, June 26, at the fairgrounds in Winamac. The 2026 Outstanding 4-H'ers will be honored during the program. 4-H tenure and Junior Achiever members will be recognized, and 4-H adult volunteers will be thanked. The 4-H Recognition Program also launches the week-long excitement for the 4-H’ers and others who devote so much effort to the fair.
Also: New Junior Miss Pulaski
Miss Pulaski County 2026 will be crowned Thursday (June 25) at the annual pageant at 6 p.m., at the county fairgrounds in Winamac. Emily Weaver, Miss Pulaski County 2025, will crown her successor from among nine contestants.
New this year will be a Junior Miss Pulaski County contest, featuring eight contestants, which will be incorporated into the traditional pageant.
Pulaski County has had hundreds of youth in the 4-H program, but only a select few make the commitment to participate in all 10 years of eligibility. At the 2026 Pulaski County 4-H & Community Fair, 13 4-H’ers will complete their 10th year in this national program which teaches values and skills which will guide them as they enter adulthood.
They will be recognized at the 4-H Achievement Program at 6 p.m., Friday June 26.
Indiana News
Also: Farm bankruptcy filings up
WEST LAFAYETTE (June 2) - Farmer sentiment declined slightly in May as the Purdue University/CME Group Ag Economy Barometer fell to 119, down from 121 in April.
May’s results indicated mounting concern about rising input costs and financial pressures, setting new highs and lows for the survey. Although the Future Expectations Index increased by 1 point, the Current Conditions Index dropped 8 points from April, falling to its lowest level since December 2024.
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Post News
The Pulaski County Community Development office has issued a statement, and provided documentation, to set the record straight regarding a public comment made at the June 8 joint meeting of the Pulaski County Council.
The comment questioned the amount and timeliness of a 2023 payment made to the county by Bottlebrush Solar.
68% of state’s counties included in ‘state of disaster' emergency
INDIANAPOLIS (June 19) - Indiana Gov. Mike Braun declared a state of disaster emergency for 63 counties in Indiana Friday.
All of Pulaski County’s neighboring counties, except Starke, are included in the governor’s declaration.
FRANCESVILLE – The West Central School Board has hired Kristie Baer as its new elementary school principal, beginning with the 2026-27 school year.
Also at its June 4 meeting, the board hired Mollie Mosier as assistant principal for grades K-12.
WINAMAC – The Winamac Town Council heard a proposal from Pulaski County Sheriff Chris Schramm at its June meeting regarding the need for a full-time animal control officer in the county.
The sheriff relayed some statistics to support the need for the position. He explained that he had been given permission for the position from the commissioners, but is seeking financial assistance from the municipalities in the county before going to the county council for funding.
Pulaski County's unemployment rate dropped to 2.3 percent in April, down from 2.8 percent in March, the Indiana Department of Workforce Development reported Tuesday, (May 26). The rate was 2.7 percent a year earlier.
Pulaski County had 8,357 employed persons in a labor force of 8,554 in April. In March those numbers were 8,268 of 8,509. A year earlier the numbers were 6,748 of 6,932.
The Pulaski County Chamber of Commerce presented the 2026 Halleck Community Service Award to Al Breyfogle of Winamac at its annual award banquet Thursday evening (May 28), at the Winamac VFW.
Breyfogle is active in many area clubs and organizations and has earned the reputation of a "go-to man" to help with any identified social need, large or small, in the county community. A statement in the award nomination letter for Breyfogle read, "to quantify the impact of Al’s community involvement locally, regionally and statewide is to recognize the quality of his love for community, his faith and family."
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