Pulaski County Council to Consider Additional Appropriations for Circuit Court, IT Department

The Pulaski County Council will consider extra funding to cover overtime costs for Circuit Court staff tonight. Judge Michael Shurn is asking for permission to spend another $10,000 for employee overtime. Several cases have been transferred to Circuit Court from Superior Court, following Crystal Brucker Kocher’s appointment as Superior Court judge this past summer. There are many cases she’s not allowed to hear because she worked on them when she was chief deputy prosecutor.

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Pulaski County Council Considers Additional Appropriations for Court-Appointed Attorney Costs

The cost of providing court-appointed personal injury lawyers is adding up for Pulaski County. The county council Monday approved an additional appropriation of $15,000 for Pauper Council in Superior Court and $30,000 for Pauper Counsel in Circuit Court. But before those appropriations were even finalized, council members got requests for even more money.

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Falling Ceiling, Broken Elevator Create Challenges for Pulaski County Court Activities

Conditions at the Pulaski County Courthouse have led to some challenges for Circuit Court Judge Michael Shurn. A complaint about the courthouse has recently been filed with the Indiana Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Among other items, it calls for the county to repair a piece of falling ceiling in the courtroom.

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North Judson Council Hires Engineering Firm to Evaluate 205 and 207 Lane Street

North Judson officials hope to move forward soon with the demolition of a downtown building. Pulaski Circuit Judge Michael Shurn approved an emergency demolition order Monday morning, allowing the town to tear down the structure at 205 and 207 Lane Street without having to go through a bid process. But before that can happen, Shurn also asked that a structural engineering report be completed, to determine whether Doug Cassel can safely remove several pieces of his personal property. Continue reading

Structural Engineer to Evaluate North Judson Building Before Demolition

Demolition of a partially collapsed North Judson building is on hold until a structural engineer can be brought in to determine whether it’s safe for the owner to remove personal items from inside.

Part of the roof and upper floor of the structure at 205 and 207 Lane Street fell in last Thursday afternoon. The town sought an emergency demolition order to tear the structure down without having to go back through the bid process. Continue reading

North Judson Block Closed Pending Monday Unsafe Building Hearing

A block of the North Judson business district is closed until at least Monday morning after part of a building previously declared unsafe by the town council fell in. Town attorney Justin Schramm says an emergency hearing on the fate of the structure at 205 and 207 Lane Street will take place Monday morning at 8 a.m. EDT in Winamac. Special Judge Michael Shurn of Pulaski County will hear the case. Starke Circuit Judge Kim Hall recused himself due to a conflict of interest. Continue reading