Make wishtv.com your home page

WINAMAC, Ind. (Inside INdiana Business) — A company based in the Pulaski County town of Winamac is set to be acquired by Sweden-based Hiab. The company says the addition of waste equipment manufacturer Galfab will expand its U.S. manufacturing footprint.

Galfab designs and manufactures a variety of equipment for the domestic waste industry, including roll-off hoists, roll-off containers, and compactors and blers. Hiab says the company will become part of its Demountables, Forestry, and Recycling Cranes division.

“Galfab’s portfolio including the famous roll-off hoist will be integrated into Hiab’s U.S. nationwide sales and service network,” said Pauliina Kunvik, senior vice president of Hiab. “Together we are the second largest provider of demountables in the waste and recycling industry in the U.S.”

Galfab employs about 100 people in Indiana, as well as its manufacturing sites in Phoenix and Houston. Hiab did not specify if any jobs would be negatively affected by the deal.

The acquisition is expected to close sometime in the third quarter. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.

STARKE CO., Ind. (Inside INdiana Business) — Ohio-based AEP Energy has signed a long-term renewable energy purchase agreement for power from a 1,400-megawatt solar farm in north central Indiana. The Mammoth Solar project covers more than 12,000 acres in Starke and Pulaski counties and is being developed by Doral LLC, a renewable energy developer based in Israel.

“AEP Energy is focused on providing customers with integrated, carbon-free energy supplies that deliver long-term price stability while benefitting the environment and surrounding communities,” said Greg Hall, president, AEP Energy. “Agreements like the one with Doral LLC demonstrate how our innovative energy solutions can support the development of new renewable clean energy resources, boost local economies and help our customers power their homes and businesses with clean, reliable energy.”

Mammoth Solar 1 is expected to begin construction during the fourth quarter of 2021 and reach commercial operation by the second quarter of 2023.

AEP Energy is a subsidiary of American Electric Power Inc. (Nasdaq: AEP), which also owns Fort Wayne-based Indiana Michigan Power Co.

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. (Inside INdiana Business) – Two Indiana counties will see a decrease in their income tax rate beginning October 1. The rates affect businesses with employees who live or work in the county and have income tax withholdings.

Local income taxes are set by county officials and submitted to the Indiana Department of Revenue for compliance review. The rate for individuals is based on an employer’s county of residence as of January 1, 2020.

Counties with new rates:

A list of rates for each Indiana county is available here.

PULASKI COUNTY, Ind. (WLFI) – Police fatally shot a kidnapping suspect following an hour-long pursuit spanning multiple counties Tuesday morning.

According to Sgt. Kim Riley with Indiana State Police, around 5 a.m. a man went to a Warren County residence and took a teenage girl. Information was then provided to law enforcement agencies to be on the lookout for a white Tahoe.

The man has been identified as Peter J. Doffin Jr.

An abduction suspect was fatally shot by Indiana State Police Tuesday, March 28, 2017. (WLFI Photo)

Riley said officers attempted to pull over the suspected vehicle, which was heading east on State Road 26 in Tippecanoe County just west of West Lafayette. He said the police pursuit originated in Tippecanoe County.

Doffin led officers from several agencies through Tippecanoe, Carroll, White and Pulaski counties.

Riley said stop sticks were deployed several time, causing several flat tires on the Yukon. The chase finally ended just north of the White-Pulaski County Line on U.S. 421 in Pulaski County.

A Pulaski County deputy attempted to deploy stop sticks as a semi attempted to pass him as the pursuit was headed north. The Monon Marshall has had managed to get in front of the suspect’s Yukon, but was forced to drive off the right side of the roadway in order to avoid hitting the semi. The Yukon, which attempted to go between the semi and the Marshall’s vehicle, hit both and finally came to a stop in a ditch.

Riley said Doffin bailed out of the car, showing a weapon and making threatening gestures. Shots were fired at the suspect, killing him.

The teenage girl was found in the passenger seat. Police say she is OK.

No one else was injured in the incident and a Monon Town Marshal’s vehicle was damaged.

The police pursuit lasted about an hour. Indiana State Police are investigating. The road should reopen around noon.Join the discussion on Facebook:

Never miss another Facebook post from WISH-TV

MEDARYVILLE, Ind. (WANE) Nearly 100 birds were rescued from a western Indiana property where authorities said large-scale cock fights were held.

Police and animal care agents on Thursday raided a property in Medaryville in Pulaski County, north of Lafayette and 100 miles west of Fort Wayne. Investigators found roosters in wire cages, many without food or water, dead birds and cockfighting “paraphernalia” like dagger attachments to maximize injury during the fights and supplements to enhance the birds’ performance, authorities said.

The ASPCA was called in to assess the birds and rescue them. The birds were taken to a temporary shelter created by Fort Wayne Animal Care and Control in Fort Wayne, officials said.

Information on arrests or charges was not available.

“This investigation illustrates the prevalence and brutality of cockfighting in America,” said Kathryn Destreza, investigations director for ASPCA Field Investigations and Response. “The ASPCA has increased efforts to tackle organized animal fighting, and encourages the public to alert authorities when they suspect animal fighting activities in their communities. We commend the Indiana Gaming Commission for their commitment and dedication in tackling this barbaric form of animal cruelty and holding the abusers accountable.”

Conducting a cockfight and possession of birds for fighting are Class 1 felonies in Indiana and carry sentences of up to three years in prison and a maximum fine of $10,000.

Never miss another Facebook post from WISH-TV

PULASKI COUNTY, Ind. (WLFI/WSBT) – Nine people face charges after police say a 3-year-old girl was locked inside a wooden box for extended periods of time.

According to 24-Hour News 8’s sister station WLFI, Pulaski County Sheriff’s deputies responded to a North Judson home on County Road 800 North after receiving word of child abuse being filed.

After getting a search warrant, deputies said they found a girl locked inside a plywood box. The box was reportedly kept in the living room. Authorities said the 3 year old would be kept inside it for extended periods of time.

Police found multiple adults inside the home, inside vehicles and in a camper outside the home – all of whom were transported to jail.

Three people, including the girl’s father and stepmother, were arrested for neglect of a dependent and six others living on the property face charges for failure to report.

“Nobody spoke up about a little girl in the box. Even as we were taking them out of the house, no one spoke up and said, ‘Hey, there’s a little girl over here in the box,'” Sheriff Jeff Richwine said.

Five juveniles and the 3 year old girl were taken into the custody of the Indiana Department of Child Services in Pulaski County.

The following is a list of the nine North Judson residents arrested and the preliminary charges they face include:

Neglect of a dependent:

– Donna Short, 42

– Christopher Short, 25

– Patricia Meeks

Failure to report child abuse:

– Michael Meeks, 19

– Thelma Meeks, 38

– Derrick Butala, 36

– Shawn Griffin, 18

– Anna Senesac, 19

– Timothy Senesac, 18

NORTH JUDSON, Ind. (AP) – Authorities in northern Indiana have charged three people with neglect after a 3-year-old girl was found locked inside a wooden box for extended periods of time.

WSBT-TV reports reports officers with the Pulaski County Sheriff’s Department executed a search warrant at a home in North Judson on Wednesday and found the girl locked inside a plywood box in the living room.

Forty-two-year-old Donna Short, 25-year-old Christopher Short and 18-year-old Patricia Meeks face neglect charges. It’s not clear if they have attorneys who might comment for them. Six other people, including four teenagers, are charged failure to report child abuse.

It wasn’t clear why the girl was locked inside the box. She and five juveniles were released to the custody of the Indiana Department of Child Services.

PULASKI COUNTY, Ind. (WISH) — Authorities are searching for a man after a rollover crash in Pulaski County.

The Pulaski County Sheriff’s Office said three children and an adult female passenger were ejected in a crash Monday afternoon.

Investigators said 25-year-old Tiffany Burden was driving westbound on County Road 400 North near County Road 350 East at a high rate of speed and lost control, leaving the roadway and rolling in a cornfield.

A four-month-old girl, a one-year-old girl, a five-year-old boy and 24-year-old Christa Elam of Monterey were all ejected in the crash. Investigators said none of were restrained.

Another passenger, 26-year-old Billy Joe Burden of Monticello fled the scene. Burden is wanted in Cass County for a probation violation.

The children and female passengers were airlifted from the scene. Their conditions were released by investigators.

PCSO said speed is believed to be the primary cause of the crash and alcohol is being investigated as a contributing factor.

The investigation is ongoing.

WINAMAC, Ind. (AP) – Authorities in Pulaski County have arrested and charged a chief deputy coroner on preliminary charges of theft and official misconduct.

Forty-one-year-old Tracy L. Rossman was taken into custody on Thursday afternoon and booked into the Pulaski County Justice Center. The Pulaski County Sheriff’s Office didn’t offer further details about the charges.

She was fired as a result of the arrest.

Coroner Steve Vanderaa has appointed Carrie Harvey as the new chief deputy coroner.

It was immediately unclear if Rossman has an attorney. A listed phone number for her could not be immediately located on Friday.