PLYMOUTH — Project DARE of Marshall County is proud to recognize two DARE Essay winners. Loy Viart was the Bremen

Public Schools winner. Wyatt Wildauer was the St. Paul’s Lutheran School winner.
DARE Instructor, Sergeant Matt Schnaible of the Bremen Police Department is pictured giving the $100.00 check provided by Project DARE of Marshall County.

FULTON COUNTY, Ind. – Indiana Department of Transportation contractor Morphey Construction Inc will close State Road 25

between C.R. 575 N and C.R. 500 N on or after Tuesday, March 31.
State Road 25 will be closed through the end of October for a bridge replacement project at Eaton Busenburg Ditch. Motorists should seek alternate routes. The official detour will follow State Road 110 and U.S. 31.

CULVER — Members of the non-profit entity working on a project to renovate the old theatre building in downtown Culver held a

work session with the Culver Town Council on Thursday night.
Those involved with the creation of the Maxincuckee Performing Arts Theatre outlined their work and plans to date, seeking the input and support of the council moving forward.
The main issue at hand was the need for the theatre building to have a bigger “footprint” in the downtown. Representatives have been working with neighbors of the theatre building, namely the Fire Department and condominiums situated directly behind the building, finding what will be an acceptable growth of the building.
Members of the performing arts project told the Council that while the exact numbers are not set in stone, the belief is that the current structure is not wide enough or tall enough to be successful as a performing arts venue. The group said that the building would need to be 40 feet wide and 30 feet tall to be used to its optimal capacity.
Condominium owners had concerns about the shared parking lot, and the Fire Department about the ability to enter and leave their building as well as pull equipment out for maintenance. The town also had concerns about the effect on pedestrian traffic flow, particularly in the summer when the area is more congested.
The group told the Council that ownership of the property had been transferred to the non-profit, as they continue to put together studies and paperwork in preparation for applying for a Readi 2.0 grant.
The Council will vote on a resolution regarding a letter of intent to continue to work with the group on the performing arts center.

INDIANAPOLIS – Two of Indiana’s most recognizable summer traditions are teaming up for a grand slam summer. The Indiana

State Fair and Indianapolis Indians announced today a partnership for the 2026 Indiana State Fair, bringing together iconic organizations that have long been part of the Hoosier summer experience. The partnership was announced today at Opening Day festivities at Victory Field, where leadership from the Fair and Indians gathered with fans and media to celebrate the collaboration.
“The Indiana State Fair has always celebrated the best our state has to offer,” said Ray Allison, Indiana State Fair Executive Director. “Nothing celebrates America and Indiana quite like baseball and the State Fair. We are excited to partner with the Indianapolis Indians to celebrate America’s pastime and our nation’s 250th birthday at the 2026 Indiana State Fair.”
The summer-long partnership will bring an exciting lineup of activations to both Victory Field and the Indiana State Fair. Fairgoers can step up to the plate with immersive, interactive experiences, highlighted by a “mini-Victory Field” wiffle ball diamond on the north side of the Fairgrounds. The baseball theme will also serve as a centerpiece for the United States 250th Birthday celebration, bringing Americana to life through two timeless traditions—fairs and baseball—creating a season that is both nostalgic and unmistakably All-American.
“I am thrilled for this year’s Indiana State Fair theme to celebrate the game of baseball alongside our very own hometown team, the Indianapolis Indians. What a perfect year for this collaboration as we honor the 250th Birthday of America through the lens of two of America’s greatest traditions: fairs and baseball,” said Indiana Governor Mike Braun.
“The Indianapolis Indians are honored and excited to partner with the Indiana State Fair this year. As we celebrate our nation’s 250th birthday, we are delighted that two of Central Indiana’s longest-standing summer traditions are working together to make this one especially memorable,” said Randy Lewandowski, Indianapolis Indians president and CEO. “As Indy’s Original Home Team, we look forward to welcoming fans throughout the state to Victory Field and the Fairgrounds this summer.”
The 169th Indiana State Fair returns Friday, August 7th, through Sunday, August 23rd (closed Mondays).
Look for more information and to purchase tickets, visit http://www.indianastatefair.com
About the Indiana State Fair:
The Indiana State Fair, known as the state’s premier multi-day event, is a vibrant celebration of the Hoosier spirit and agricultural legacy. Over 15 exciting days, it unites communities across Indiana to honor the state’s unique identity and welcomes visitors from far and wide. Renowned for its top-notch entertainment, spotlight on 4-H youth, engaging agricultural education programs, modern facilities, and an array of delicious fare, the Indiana State Fair has been a treasured tradition for Hoosiers for over a century. The 2026 Indiana State Fair takes place from August 7th to August 23rd (closed Mondays). For comprehensive event information, ticket details, and attractions, be sure to visit our official website at http://www.indianastatefair.com.
About the Indianapolis Indians:
The Indianapolis Indians are the professional Triple-A baseball club affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates. In continuous operation since 1902, the organization believes in creating affordable and memorable experiences for fans so they can grow closer together with family, friends, and the community through the game of baseball. The Indians play their home games at Victory Field, a 13,750-seat ballpark located in downtown Indianapolis and White River State Park. The venue opened in 1996 and has received numerous national accolades as one of the best minor league ballparks in the United States. The team has led Minor League Baseball in combined total attendance over the past 15 seasons. In 2018, the organization was recognized as Ballpark Digest Team of the Year. It was also named a 2019 Best Places to Work by the Indiana Chamber of Commerce.

PLYMOUTH — On the evening of March 25, 2026, just before 5 pm, Plymouth Police were dispatched to the area of Lake

Avenue and Center Street to check the railroad tracks after a complaint was called into Marshall County Central Dispatch.
The caller reported that multiple subjects were throwing rocks from the bridge and causing a disturbance. Three subjects were seen on the railroad tracks. The officer ordered them to stop, but they fled the area and were caught behind Bowen Printing.
Two of the subjects were juveniles, and the third was 18-year-old Rider Kunkle of Plymouth. Kunkle was taken into custody and lodged at the Marshall County Jail on preliminary charges of resisting law enforcement and railroad trespassing.
The Marshall County Sheriff’s Office also assisted Plymouth Police.

Suspects are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

PLYMOUTH — On March 25, 2026, the Plymouth Police Dept. received a call from a man living in Peru, IN, who advised that he

had been denied services from State and Federal entities, saying that he is working in Plymouth, IN.
He advised police that he had never worked in Plymouth and gave the company name that was supposed to be employing him. He asked for an investigation to be done to see if someone was using his identity. An Officer went to the business and confirmed the name. Exal Cruz Meda, 54, of Plymouth, had been using the victim’s information to work for some time. He was taken into custody.

Suspects are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

PLYMOUTH — Marian University’s Leighton School of Nursing will bring together healthcare leaders, nurses, and community

members for a panel discussion focused on the future of rural healthcare in Northern Indiana.
The event will explore both the challenges and opportunities facing rural communities, from access to care to workforce shortages, while highlighting collaborative solutions that strengthen healthcare across the region.
The panel reflects Marian’s commitment to preparing nurses who serve where they are needed most, particularly in rural and underserved communities.
“This panel is about bringing people together to have an honest conversation about rural healthcare,” said Victoria Cavallaro, RN, MSN, director of nursing. “We want to connect healthcare leaders, community members, and future nurses as we work toward improving care in rural areas.”
Three experienced healthcare leaders will serve as featured panelists:
— Susan Bettcher-Spangler, RN, vice president of nursing and operations at a Northern Indiana critical access hospital, brings more than 30 years of experience spanning pediatric intensive care, hospice, and executive leadership. She also serves as adjunct faculty at Marian University’s Ancilla College.
— Linda Webb, RN, MBA, chief nursing officer at Pulaski Memorial Hospital, has more than four decades of experience in nursing leadership and is actively involved in statewide and national organizations focused on patient safety and quality.
— Julie Manns, RN, BSN, MSN, a nurse with more than 20 years of experience, has served in intensive care, emergency nursing, and case management, and is a dedicated educator and mentor supporting the next generation of nurses.
In addition to the panel discussion, attendees will learn more about Marian’s nursing programs, partnerships, and growing impact on rural healthcare throughout the region.
Community members, healthcare professionals, students, and anyone interested in rural health are encouraged to attend.
Event Details
Date: Wednesday, April 15, 2026
Time: 5 p.m.
Location: 20097 9B Rd. Plymouth, Indiana
For more information or to register, visit: https://www.marian.edu/plymouth/campus-life/rural-nursing-event

CULVER — The Town of Culver has partnered with Downtown Strategies to develop a Five-Year Action Plan for Downtown

Culver. The goal is to develop a bite-sized plan that will identify practical small-scale strategies for what the town should do to see immediate impact.
You can be part of the process by attending a stakeholder input session to collaboratively share ideas, goals, concerns, and challenges to help formulate that Five-Year Action Plan.
Date: Wednesday – April 1, 2026
Time: 12:00-1:30 PM
Location: Culver-Union Township Public Library – 107 N Main St, Culver, IN 46511
RSVP: https://forms.office.com/r/86zrsdXvFq
If you are unable to attend the April 1 meeting, please take some time to complete the Downtown Community Survey here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/DowntownCulverIN

PLYMOUTH — The Plymouth City Council voted to move forward with the pursuit of a grant to restore the Historic Firehouse on

Center Street in downtown Plymouth.
Shannon McLeod of Baker-Tilly, who has assisted the city in writing grants for other projects as well, came before the Council seeking permission to proceed with the application for an OCRA (Office of Community and Rural Affairs) grant of approximately $750,000. The project cost is estimated at $897,000, with the city covering the additional $147,000 beyond the grant amount.
If the grant is successful, the city would have the further commitment of retaining ownership and keeping the structure open; maintaining insurance, and the utilities for five years.
The project would include major repair of the masonry, replacing the cupola roof and wood parts of the structure, replacing the roof of the main structure, and exterior doors. No windows would be included at this time.
Multiple citizens came forward during the public meeting to support the project, including Heartland Artist Center, which will be using the structure while the renovations of their building on Michigan Street are underway. Anna Kietzman of Heartland told the Council that her group also believed they would have an interest in continuing with some programming in the Firehouse even after their renovation is complete.
The statement that the building was “important to the community” brought a reaction from Councilman Randy Longanecker.

After hearing from those in attendance, the Council voted unanimously to pursue the grant, which should be decided at the end of August.

PLYMOUTH — On Feb. 24, 2026, at approximately 2:08 a.m., Plymouth Police responded to 420 Webster St. for a report of a

woman who had been battered.
A third-party caller had stated that he had video-called the woman and noticed bruising on her face and that a man was in the residence threatening her. Officers made contact with the woman, who stated that she had gotten into a physical altercation with her boyfriend, Nathan A. Silva, 41, of Plymouth, the day prior.
After the investigation, it was determined that Silva had battered the woman. Silva was taken into custody and charged with Domestic Battery.

Suspects are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

PLYMOUTH — A recent infrastructure problem at Northgate Trailer Park prompted Plymouth Building Superintendent Dennis

Manuwal to come before the Plymouth Board of Works and Safety to modify an earlier order to take action issued by the city.
Manuwal told the board that there was a water main break inside the park.

While the owners of the park continue to address the issues outlined by Manuwal, the water main break will require a demolition order for the property where the break is located.

The Board voted unanimously for Manuwal to proceed.

PLYMOUTH — Plymouth Police Chief John Weir came before the Plymouth Board of Public Works and Safety to request the

hiring of a 26th officer for his department.

Discussions of hiring a 26th officer began with work on the current year’s budget. Weir pointed to staffing problems with the department now providing two School Resource Officers to the Plymouth Schools, along with providing two officers to the drug task force and having two officers in the military who train several months of the year.
Councilman Duane Culp said he supported the move but urged caution for two reasons: the recent tax bill passed by the Indiana legislature and the cost to the city of two school resource officers.

Councilman Dave Morrow also suggested approaching the school about renegotiating the contract with the Plymouth Schools that is up this year.
In the meantime, the Board voted to table the issue until their next meeting to have more time to look into the numbers.

CULVER — The Culver Town Council will have a pair of meetings on Thursday, starting with a work session at 5 p.m., to receive

information on the theatre project at 612 E. Lakeshore Drive.
The work session will be followed at 6:30 p.m. by the regular Council meeting.
On that agenda are board and commission reports and regular reports from the Town Manager and Clerk-Treasurer.
The full meeting will be available to view on YouTube at townofculver6770.

PLYMOUTH — On March 24, 2026, at 11:46 am, the Marshall County Coroner’s Office was notified of a motor vehicle fatality

on State Road 17 and State Road 8, south of Plymouth, IN.
Michael Vebert, 46, of Huntington, was killed when the black Mercury Sable 4-door he was driving on SR 8 pulled into the path of a semi-tractor-trailer traveling southbound on State Road 17.
Vebert was pronounced dead at the scene by Marshall County Chief Deputy Coroner John Lampkins.

INDIANAPOLIS — State Sen. Mike Bohacek (R-Michiana Shores) sent a letter this week to Attorney General Todd Rokita

requesting an investigation into potential deceptive consumer practices carried out by NIPSCO involving discrepancies in its natural gas bills across northern Indiana.
Bohacek was initially made aware of the issue after several people in his community contacted him about the recent increase in their energy bills. Bohacek was then informed that a number of automated natural gas meters were not delivering correct readings, resulting in more than 3,500 customers being billed for twice as much natural gas as they actually consumed.
“Utility rates have been increasing around the state, especially in northern Indiana, and having faulty information resulting in incorrect billing is unacceptable,” Bohacek said. “The possibility that NIPSCO knew about the meter problem and didn’t immediately disclose it to the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission is extremely alarming.”
Bohacek’s letter calls upon the attorney general to investigate whether the practices carried out by NIPSCO fall under Indiana’s deceptive consumer sales statute, cited in Indiana Code. Under Indiana’s Deceptive Consumer Sales Act, courts can impose fines on businesses that engage in unfair or misleading practices against their customers.

“In testimony submitted to the IURC on March 6, NIPSCO testified that Hoosiers were charged for more gas than they consumed due to meter indexes not functioning properly,” Bohacek said. “If NIPSCO waited to disclose this issue to the IURC, they misled their customers, which would further reduce the trust between Hoosiers and NIPSCO.”
Constituents of Senate District 8 can contact Bohacek by filling out a “Contact Me” form online at http://www.IndianaSenateRepublicans.com/Bohacek or by phone at 800-382-9467.

PLYMOUTH — On the afternoon of March 19, 2026 at approximately 3:30 pm, Plymouth Police conducted a follow-up

investigation stemming from an altercation the night prior at River Park Square.
Video footage had been obtained, prompting the investigating officer to identify Cameron Hudson, 18, of Plymouth, as a person of interest. It is alleged that Hudson stole and then ripped apart a tennis shoe that was being worn and owned by a special needs teenager.
Following the interview, Hudson was taken into custody and lodged at the Marshall County Jail on preliminary charges of theft, criminal mischief, and false informing.

Suspects are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

PLYMOUTH — On March 19, 2026, at 5:43 p.m., Officers with the Plymouth Police Department were dispatched to 2401 N.

Michigan Street for a 911 hang-up. Dispatch advised the caller said I will call back and hung up. When the officer arrived, a woman came out of the residence who had blood coming from her forehead. The woman said that her daughter, identified as Kayla Hiler, 32 years old of Plymouth, had battered her and took 3 of her kids and left, leaving two others behind. The mother also advised that she made threats towards one of her children she left behind.
Officers were contacted by Starke County police and advised that Hiler had been located at a residence in Koontz Lake. Plymouth Officers went there and placed Hiler under arrest for Felony Domestic Battery and Misdemeanor Intimidation. Hiler was transported to Marshall County Jail.

Suspects are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

PLYMOUTH — The Plymouth Parks Department has a full day of celebration for Easter planned, starting with Breakfast with the

Easter Bunny from 8-10 a.m. on Saturday, March 28, 2026, at the Webster Recreation Center at 110 Webster Ave.
Pancakes, sausage and beverages will be cooked and served by the Plymouth Kiwanis Club.
Adults are $4, kids $3.
Then bring your own Easter basket and head to Centennial Park for the annual Easter Egg Hunt, beginning at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, March 28, 2026.

TYNER — On Wednesday, March 18,​ 2026, at approximately 10:39 P.M., the Marshall County Sheriff’s Office was notified of a

collision involving two vehicles in the area of U.S. 6 and Tamarack Rd., with one of the vehicles fleeing the scene.
The suspect vehicle was later located at the McDonald’s in Walkerton, with the driver passed out behind the wheel. The driver was belligerent and non-compliant with officers, but was taken into custody and eventually identified as Patrick J. Wright Jr. of Portage. ​
The incident was investigated further with Wright being lodged in the Marshall County Jail for Operating While Intoxicated – Endangering,​ Operating While Intoxicated – BAC .15% or more,​ Leaving the Scene of a Property Damage Crash,​ and Resisting Law Enforcement, with additional charges forthcoming.

Suspects are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.