The Marshall County 2026 Tax Sale, conducted on September 15th by SRI, yielded strong results, with 30 of 34 properties selling at auction for a total of $620,209.84.

Marshall County Auditor Angie Birchmeier shared the results with the County Commissioners this week, noting that the tax sale is an important tool for returning delinquent properties to active tax status.

Birchmeier reminded those who participated in or had a property included in the tax sale that there is a one-year redemption period. This gives property owners a full year to reclaim their property by paying the required amounts.

Birchmeier said the auditor’s and treasurer’s offices are available to assist property owners in getting those numbers together so they can retain their property.

Property owners who wish to redeem their properties are encouraged to contact the Marshall County Auditor’s Office or the Treasurer’s Office for assistance with the redemption process.

The Blessings in a Backpack program at LaVille Elementary School is getting a helping hand to launch its new weekend backpack program, thanks to a $1,000 grant from the Operation Round Up program.

Blessings in a Backpack mobilizes communities, individuals, and resources to provide weekend meals for elementary school children in food-insecure households. The program ensures that students who rely on school meals during the week have access to nutritious food over the weekend, when school meal programs are not available.

The $1,000 grant from Operation Round Up will help the program get off the ground and begin serving children in need at LaVille Elementary.

Operation Round Up is a charitable giving program administered by Marshall County REMC. The program awards grants to charitable organizations within the Marshall County REMC service territory. Organizations may be granted only once in a 12-month cycle, and recipients do not need to be members of Marshall County REMC to apply.

The next round of grants will be awarded in October. Charitable organizations interested in applying are encouraged to submit their applications ahead of the upcoming deadline. Applications are available at www.marshallremc.com/operation-round-up.

The Marshall County Council unanimously approved the Solid Waste Management District’s 2027 budget at a special meeting Monday, following a presentation by Director Marianne Peters.

Peters told council members the District’s core mission is to provide critical environmental infrastructure, waste reduction, and compliance services. The District operates as a dependent unit under a dedicated revenue structure, ensuring state-mandated environmental planning, public education, and diversion services are maintained without impacting the County General Fund.

The District provides recycling opportunities for items that can’t go in a landfill, such as electronic waste, lithium batteries, and freon appliances, allowing county residents and small businesses to dispose of those items at a low cost or for free thanks to their tax levy.

Peters reported that in 2025, the District diverted 316 tons of material from landfills through drop-off recycling, household hazardous waste (HHW) collections, and special collections such as Tire Amnesty Day, which is planned for Saturday, October 3rd, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Solid Waste served over 3,000 residents through its environmental education programs in 2025, with approximately 11,000 visitors to the District for drop-off recycling, HHW collection, and education programs.

The District operates on a self-sustaining fiscal model utilizing dedicated revenue streams. Marshall County Solid Waste has had the same tax levy since its inception in 1991. Additional revenue comes from recycling fees, recycling rebates, and revenues from small businesses. Non-residents pay a higher fee. The District also pursues grants on an annual basis to support its work.

Peters said that for 2027, the budget drivers and priorities are focused on sustainable operations growth.

“We are growing exponentially at the Recycle Depot, which is great. It means more residents are using us, but it does put a real strain on our budget because our tax levy isn’t growing as quickly as our services and the demands on us are growing,” Peters said.

Peters warned that the District will be increasing some fees because vendor expenses are growing. She said they are also working to reduce their personnel costs for health insurance.

Peters told council members there are three categories in their budget: personnel services, which accounts for about 70%; supplies and other charges; and capital improvements.

The total budget proposed for 2027 is $564,048, and the District has asked for the maximum levy to cover the budget. Peters noted that the Board of Directors has already approved the budget request for next year.

County Council President Tim Harman said he felt it was a responsible budget given their projected revenues. The council unanimously approved the 2027 budget presented.

Everyone has been touched by cancer, and everyone is welcome to join the celebration. Relay for Life of Marshall County will host its annual walk and fundraiser this Saturday, September 26th, from 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. at River Park Square in downtown Plymouth, celebrating the organization’s 31st anniversary.

Festivities begin at 5:00 p.m. with the opening ceremony, followed by the survivors’ lap—a moving tradition honoring those who have fought cancer and won. Throughout the evening, there will be music and food available for purchase, along with a silent auction filled with wonderful baskets of goodies and many lovely items. The silent auction runs from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

A highlight of the event is the Luminaria Ceremony, a powerful and emotional tradition held at nightfall to honor every life touched by cancer. Small, decorated paper bags are filled with sand and illuminated from within by a glow stick, each personalized with the name of a loved one, a personal message, or symbols of remembrance.

The luminaria honor those who have lost their battle with cancer, celebrate survivors, and support anyone currently fighting the disease. Luminaries will line the walking path at 8:30 p.m. for a special luminaria ceremony, when participants take a lap in silence to remember and reflect.

Those who would like a luminary to honor or remember someone can let Relay for Life of Marshall County know. Participants can create and decorate their own bag, or the committee will make one for them. The Relay committee has kept the donation to just $5 per luminary.

Committee members say they love seeing the track lit up at dusk and taking that lap in silence — a moment that captures the heart of what Relay for Life is all about.

The closing ceremony will take place at 9:15 p.m.

You don’t have to be on a team to participate. Everyone is welcome to join the celebration, whether walking, bidding at the auction, honoring a loved one with a luminary, or simply being part of an evening that brings the community together in the fight against cancer.

For more information, call Marilyn at 574-952-4999.

Manufacturing and industrial professionals can sharpen their electrical skills close to home. The Marshall County Lifelong Learning Network is hosting a three-part training series in Plymouth called “Introduction to Industrial Electrical Principles and Troubleshooting.”

The workshops cover electricity, electric motors, transformers, print reading, relay logic, industrial controls, and more — with hands-on exercises and real-world examples. Participants can take individual sessions or complete the full series.

Part One runs October 20th and 21st. Part Two is October 27th and 28th. Part Three is November 3rd and 4th. Each session costs 650 dollars per attendee, and organizers encourage early registration to avoid a rush fee.

To learn more or register, visit purdue-dot-w-s slash Part One 2026.

Plymouth Police and Fire responded to a multi-vehicle crash at the intersection of U.S. 30 and Oak Drive shortly after 7:15 Tuesday morning.

Plymouth Police have not released official details of the crash. However, GIANT FM WTCA learned that two semi-trucks were traveling westbound on U.S. 30 when one semi struck the rear of the other at the intersection, forcing the second semi into a passenger vehicle.

It took emergency responders from the Plymouth Fire Department nearly an hour to extricate the driver of the semi. The driver was airlifted to a trauma center. The condition of the driver has not been released.

Drivers of the other vehicles involved were checked at the scene and did not require transport to a hospital.

Indiana State Police and the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) worked for several hours to clean up the crash site, including an oil spill on the roadway.

Westbound traffic on U.S. 30 was backed up for several hours as crews worked to clear the scene.

Polk Township Fire Chief Ray Platz appeared before the Marshall County Commissioners on Monday to request the $50,000 Public Safety Grant offered by the county, capping an effort to bring his department into compliance with the grant’s training requirements.

Chief Platz thanked the commissioners for granting the department a “second chance” to qualify for the funding. The opportunity came after it was determined that no members of Polk Township Fire had attended any of the Emergency Management training opportunities offered through the county, although personnel had participated in training sessions hosted by other fire departments in the county.

Several months ago, when Polk Fire first made its request, commissioners pointed to a pair of upcoming training opportunities and told the department that attendance would make it eligible for the grant funds. On Monday, Chief Platz confirmed that members had since completed the required training and were formally seeking the $50,000 award.

He told the commissioners the funds would allow the department to continue replacing its radios and a compressor system that supplies fresh air into the breathing-air tanks firefighters rely on when battling structure fires.

Commissioner Jesse Bohannon said the request was in line with the spirit of the grant and moved to reimburse Polk Township Fire by the end of the year for purchases of up to $50,000. The motion was approved.

The Public Safety Grant is administered by Marshall County to support local emergency response agencies in maintaining and upgrading critical equipment.

The Marshall County Drainage Board opened bids Monday for a maintenance project on the Gall-Unsicker Ditch, ultimately awarding the contract to the lowest bidder.

Five contractors submitted bids for the project. The high bid came from L.I. Excavating at $34,300, while the low bid was submitted by Langfeldt Excavating at $15,295 — a difference of more than $19,000 between the highest and lowest proposals.

The Drainage Board awarded the maintenance project to Langfeldt Excavating.

The project begins on the east side of Beech Road and extends 8,050 feet upstream to the west side of County Line Road, where the work is terminated. The contractor will clean the ditch to its original bottom and de-brush the sides of the ditch up to the cultivated line. The project also includes cutting any dead trees near the top of the bank on either side that have the potential to fall into the ditch.

Debris from the project can be burned, buried, shredded, ground, or mulched.

September is National Preparedness Month, and FEMA’s Ready Campaign is encouraging all Americans to take preparedness seriously. This year’s theme is “Americans Stand Ready” — a reminder that we can all take pride in protecting ourselves, our families, and our communities.

The Marshall County Emergency Management Agency is doing its part, working to ensure the county can prepare for, respond to, and recover from all types of emergencies. But officials say you can make their jobs easier by keeping yourself and your neighbors safe.

Here’s what you can do: Be in the know — follow your local first response agencies on social media to stay up to date on threats and hazards. Make a plan — include emergency contacts, meeting places, and medical information, and practice it regularly. Build an emergency supply kit with essentials for your family — find a checklist at ready-dot-gov slash kit. And be there for your community — consider learning first aid or C-P-R.

Marshall County E-M-A is currently giving away free N-O-A-A Weather Radios through an A-A-R-P grant, revising county emergency plans, and bringing free public safety trainings to the area.

Follow Marshall County E-M-A on Facebook or visit in-dot-gov to learn more.

While on routine patrol, Friday, September 18^th, at 3:40 in the morning, a deputy with the Marshall County Department stopped a car for traffic infractions.

It was determined that the driver, Antonio Eubanks, 38, of Indianapolis, was operating on a suspended license. Deputies also smelled an odor of marijuana emanating from the vehicle. A search of the vehicle found other illegal narcotics, including suspected cocaine.

After being placed into custody, suspected methamphetamine and fentanyl were found on one of the occupants of the vehicle, Donovan Blow, 33. Another occupant, Deonta L. Gordon, 37, provided a false name and date of birth to one of the deputies, and the final occupant of the vehicle, Gregory S. Flynn, 33, was also arrested.

The four were lodged in the Marshall County Jail and charged with possession of cocaine, methamphetamine, and fentanyl; identity deception; false informing; and driving while suspended prior.

$1500 cash bonds were set for Donovan Blow, Gregory Flynn, and Antonio Eubanks, while Gordan’s cash bond was set at $3000.

Marshall County Relay for Life is hosting a Chicken and Noodle Dinner fundraiser on Thursday, October 1st, from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at Bob’s Cafeteria, 610 East Jefferson Street in Plymouth.

The event is a drive-through pickup with pre-sale tickets only. Tickets are $13 and include chicken and noodles, mashed potatoes, green beans, a roll, and a cookie. All proceeds go to Relay for Life of Marshall County.

Tickets are available from Mary Beth Listenberger by calling 574-930-0546 or from Relay committee members. Tickets will also be available during this Saturday’s Relay for Life event in River Park Square from 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.

Organizers encourage the community to purchase tickets in advance, as no tickets will be sold at the door on the day of the dinner.

The City of Plymouth is providing an update following a safety inspection of the Plymouth Fire Station conducted by the Indiana Occupational Safety and Health Administration — IOSHA — back in June.

An IOSHA representative toured the station and met privately with several firefighters. Two items were identified: annual fit-testing for breathing apparatus was overdue, and the building had no formal asbestos survey on file. Both were corrected on the spot while the inspector was still on site. Because the violations were fixed immediately, no fine resulted.

IOSHA also conducted air monitoring for carbon monoxide. Readings for the three firefighters tested came back at zero parts per million — well below exposure limits.

Mayor Robert Listenberger says nothing matters more to him than the safety of the men and women who serve the community. He says the city is working with architects at American Structurepoint on a long-term plan for the fire station — which is over 100 years old. Listenberger says the process is slow, but he wants to get it right for current and future first responders.

While Flock cameras were not on the County Commissioner’s agenda for Monday’s meeting, several citizens took the opportunity to speak out during the public input session.

Robin Myers of Plymouth told the commissioners, “Anything we can give law enforcement as far as technology is a good thing.”  While understanding the concerns, she suggested keeping the license plate readers for another year and bringing to the forefront the number of cases in Marshall County that the cameras have helped solve, like the baby that was kidnapped in our county and found within a short time.  She said, “Now we have to determine if the good outweighs the bad and implement regular audit searches and establish consequences for misuse.” 

Laura Brockway asked the commissioners to officially cancel the Flock contract after 4 of the 7 County Council members voted to defund the cameras in the Prosecutor’s budget for 2027. She said, “We the People decide how we want to live in Marshall County, and we do not want government cameras watching us.”

Thor (Paul) Hebner said that while he backs the blue and brown of the Sheriff’s Department and appreciates the work law enforcement does to keep our communities safe, he’s against the surveillance state and believes that privacy matters. Hebner also addressed the accusations made against people who oppose Flock as being communists or supporting communist China.  He said it’s laughable because China is a surveillance state. As a veteran, he said it is insulting to be accused of being a communist.

Dusitn Peltz of Bremen said it is time to end the surveillance state in our country because they don’t have control over who uses them, with over hundreds of thousands of looks using the country’s cameras.     

Mark Vogt asked about the constitutional authority and said the overwhelming majority of people in the county don’t want to be surveilled.  He said, “We the People of Marshall County are requesting the commissioners to cancel the Flock contract.” 

Kayla Krathwohl spoke in favor of the Flock cameras and said if anything happened to her child and she couldn’t find them, she believes you are taking away a service they need and handcuffing them.  She suggested working with the vendor on the contract to make it something the county can approve of. 

Calab Croy, who lives in rural Plymouth and is opposed to the Flock cameras, told the commissioners he has 6 children, and he doesn’t believe the Flock cameras protect his children any better than he can.      

Joshua Croy of Argos, and owner of a cybersecurity company, told the commissioners there should always be auditing of systems being accessed and how they could be accessed in a manner they should be accessed.   

Before the meeting closed, Commissioner Jessie Bonannon said that with all the people who showed up at their meeting, they deserve a vote on the Flock cameras.  He said the people who are opposed are much greater than those who are for it.  He wants to see the sheriff and prosecutor step up like in Kosciusko county did. 

Bohannon went on to make a motion to terminate the contract with Flock immediately, but the motion didn’t receive a second.

Commissioner Adam Faulstich asked to have Flock put on an official agenda since it hasn’t been on one.  He went on to say there are a lot of people on the fence.  While they might not like it, they see the benefit of it. 

Commissioner Stan Klotz asked where the incoming prosecutor and sheriff fit into the issue because they are the ones who will be dealing with it. 

Faulstich then asked, since the prosecutor is a state employee and signed the contract, do we have the authority to terminate the contract? 

County Attorney Sean Surrisi told them, “Not directly.” He continued, “If doors are being closed by county officials the prosecutor is dependent on to do business, then in practicality you can force his hand.” The attorney said there needs to be a discussion with him. 

The Marshall County Commissioners set a tentative public meeting for October 6^th at 6 p.m. in the second-floor meeting room of the County Building. 

State Representative Jack Jordan (R-Bremen) is encouraging Hoosiers to use National Voter Registration Month as a reminder to check their voter registration status and prepare to make their voices heard at the ballot box this November.

“If you’ve moved, changed your name, or need to register for the first time, take a few minutes this month to check your registration and make sure your information is accurate and up to date,” Jordan said.

Residents can register to vote or update their registration online at www.indianavoters.com.

The Indiana deadline to register to vote in the November General Election is October 5. Early voting begins on October 6, and Election Day is Tuesday, November 3.

Jordan also reminded citizens that they can request an absentee ballot if they are unable to vote in person at their polling location. The deadline to request an absentee ballot is October 22.

“I encourage you to participate in our political process and do your part to be civically engaged, informed, and make your voice heard,” Jordan said. He encouraged citizens to share this information with their friends, family, and neighbors.

The Marshall County Economic Development Corporation (MCEDC) is hosting a job fair for Marshall County businesses next Thursday, September 24th, at the Plymouth Webster Center.

The job fair will be open from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at the Plymouth Webster Center, located at 110 Webster Avenue in Plymouth. Job seekers are encouraged to come dressed to impress, with resumes in hand.

Set-up time for vendors begins at 8:00 a.m.

For more information, contact Lorna Shively with MCEDC at 574-935-8499 or email Lorna@marshallcountyedc.org.

Marshall County Auditor Angie Birchmeier was among a select group of county and municipal leaders from across Indiana who gathered for the Comptroller’s Roundtable, a twice-yearly meeting convened by Indiana State Comptroller Elise Nieshalla to support the partnership between state and local officials.

The roundtable focuses on the distribution of tax revenues, process improvements, and technology-driven efficiencies that benefit both state and local governments. As a former local official herself, Comptroller Nieshalla underscored the value of direct dialogue with those administering financial operations at the county and municipal level.

“Open dialogue and engagement with our local partners is essential to continuous improvement and enhanced collaboration,” Nieshalla said. “The insights shared help us strengthen processes, streamline distributions and deliver tools that make our shared cycle of work more efficient.”

Birchmeier, who represents Marshall County on the roundtable, told GIANT FM WTCA the gathering is valuable for local officials.

“It is a very informative meeting and a great group with whom to work,” Birchmeier said.

Discussion at the roundtable centered on core responsibilities such as tax revenue disbursements, excise and settlement procedures, accounting guidance, and fund structure alignment. The meeting also featured the debut of a training video series designed in response to feedback from local officials. The series provides quick, practical demonstrations of key processes, and participants offered recommendations for future installments as the Comptroller’s Office expands its library of on-demand training resources.

Additional updates were provided during the meeting, including Gas Tax Holiday reimbursements, payments issued from the State Disaster Relief Fund, and a preview of the Comptroller’s 2027 legislative priorities.

Roundtable participants are association officers or are recommended by their respective statewide associations, which represent County Auditors, Treasurers, Commissioners, Councilors, and Municipal Clerk-Treasurers affiliated with the Association of Indiana Counties and Accelerate Indiana Municipalities.

The roundtable brings together officials from counties and municipalities across the state, including representatives from Adams, Allen, Brown, Clay, Daviess, DeKalb, Elkhart, Hancock, Marshall, Noble, Perry, and Vigo counties, as well as the cities of Greenfield and others.

For Birchmeier, the roundtable represents an opportunity to ensure Marshall County’s voice is heard at the state level as officials work together to improve financial processes and deliver tools that make local government more efficient.

PLYMOUTH — Plymouth City Council has held a public hearing on its 2027 proposed budget — a $14.4 million General Fund spending plan.

City Clerk-Treasurer Lynn Gorski walked council members through each department’s budget last week, highlighting the big-ticket items.

Public safety accounts for the largest share. The Plymouth Police Department’s budget is just over $4.8 million — including four new police cars, eight radios, five body cameras, and funding for a potential new officer.

The Fire Department’s budget stands at nearly $4 million. That includes moving the Assistant Fire Chief to daytime hours and $162,000 dollars in new equipment — from radios and air packs to turnout gear and a response vehicle.

On the infrastructure side, the Engineering Department’s budget includes more than one-hundred-fifteen thousand dollars for streetscape projects on Oak Drive and Jefferson Street. City Properties sets aside $300,000 to pave the Water Street parking lot, plus funding for median flowers along North Michigan Street.

The Mayor and Council budget includes a $100,000 debt reduction for the REES Theatre.

With no suggestions for reductions at the hearing, the budget is expected to pass at the council’s next meeting on Monday, September 28th. From there, it heads to the Department of Local Government Finance, which will review it — and either approve it or make cuts.

The Plymouth Police Department and Plymouth Community School Corporation are partnering to apply for a federal COPS (Community Oriented Policing Service) Grant to fund two school safety training exercises.

Assistant Police Chief Matt Emenhiser presented the plan Monday evening, outlining two separate training programs the grant would support.

The first is a table-top training exercise involving approximately 20 participants, including emergency services and school personnel, at a cost of $3,000.

The second is a larger-scale, two-day reunification exercise at a cost of $23,500, with approximately 60 participants. Emenhiser explained that reunification is the process of getting children safely back to their parents and guardians following a catastrophic or critical event at a school, such as an active shooter, fire, or weather incident.

The grant application is a joint effort between the police department, the school corporation, and Director of Safety Ward Byers.

PLYMOUTH – Wednesday Marshall County had a first meeting of a new mandated body the Municipal Unit Strategic Taskforce.

County Council President Tim Harman chaired the meeting.
Indiana’s local income tax structure was governed by a system in which county income tax rates and their distribution were largely determined by county councils, with limited formal input from municipal entities. Significant reforms have been introduced to increase local flexibility and formalize the negotiation process. Beginning March 1, 2026, counties may establish a Municipal Unit Strategic Taskforce (MUST) comprising representatives from county councils and fiscal officers (Clerk-Treasurers for the most part) from all cities and towns within the county. Other taxing units such as fire, EMS, library and school corporations are also encouraged to be part of the process.
This task force creates a formal forum for local governments to collaboratively address income tax distribution decisions.
The various taxing units voiced their concerns, Plymouth Mayor Robert Listenberger.

Bremen School Corporation Business Manager Stephanie Pittman said that while schools aren’t directly affected by the new legislation, they would like to be part of the discussions since decisions regarding tax distribution affect them as well.

Time is running out to grab presale tickets for the Special Olympics Indiana Marshall-Starke County Chicken & Pulled Pork Dinner and Silent Auction. With only about a week left to take advantage of discounted presale pricing, organizers are encouraging the community to get tickets early.

The event will be held next Saturday, September 26th, from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Knights of Columbus, 901 East Jefferson Street, Plymouth. Tickets are $12 in advance or $15 at the door, with carryouts available.

In addition to a delicious meal, the event will feature an exciting silent auction with items donated by generous supporters. Highlights include three Indianapolis Colts game tickets, local gift baskets, experiences, and more.

All proceeds directly support local Special Olympics Indiana athletes in Marshall and Starke Counties, helping provide sports training, equipment, and competition opportunities throughout the year.

To purchase presale tickets or for questions about the event, contact organizers by phone at 574-935-0513 or by email at MarshallStarkeSO@gmail.com. Additional information is available on the Facebook event page.