On Oct. 14, 2026, at 11:25 p.m., Marshall County Deputies were dispatched to the area of 12589 Rose Rd (Hidden Lakes Paradise Campground) regarding an intoxicated man repeatedly dialing 911 for non-emergency purposes.

Marshall County Deputies arrived on scene shortly thereafter and located the man, later identified as 48-year-old Christopher J. Miller of Plymouth, IN. Miller was subsequently arrested and transported to the Marshall County Jail, where he was booked and processed for Misuse of 911 – Class A Misdemeanor. Christopher was assigned a court date and issued a bond of $505.00.

PLYMOUTH – The Marshall County Health Department is working to bridge a gap in food inspection services after an unexpected vacancy left the department without its longtime sanitarian.

New Health Department Administrator Jackie Franks appeared before the County Commissioners this week to inform them of the vacancy in the Food Sanitarian or Environmentalist position. Franks explained that the person in this role handles all food inspections, restaurant inspections for new food permits, and investigates complaints involving food.

Franks said one individual at the department can handle some of the work, but the position is highly specialized, and the previous employee had been in place for decades, leaving a significant knowledge gap.

To address the shortfall, Franks proposed establishing a reciprocal agreement with another county that has a larger capacity to lend a qualified person on an as-needed basis for new establishment inspections and complaint investigations. She has been in discussions with the Elkhart County Health Department, which has multiple employees trained to handle food inspections. Franks said Elkhart is still assessing whether it has the capacity to occasionally lend an employee to Marshall County.

Commissioner Klotz asked about covering the cost, and Franks said she would move money around in the budget to pay for the arrangement. She notified the commissioners that she won’t be able to hire a replacement until after Thanksgiving, once costs for the departing employee’s time off, vacation, and longevity pay are settled. She added that getting a new employee trained and up to speed will likely take a few months after their start date.

Franks noted that the position requires a bachelor’s degree, along with knowledge of food safety and the FDA Food Code.

The County Commissioners granted Franks the authority to move forward with obtaining an agreement with an adjacent health department and to bring the agreement back for ratification.

CULVER – With fall in full swing and leaves beginning to accumulate, the Town of Culver’s Street/Utilities Department will launch its annual leaf collection program starting Monday, October 26.

Culver residents are asked to rake leaves to the curb for collection, but several guidelines will help the crew work safely and efficiently. Leaves should be placed near the road but not in the road, as the leaf collection truck uses a vacuum hose with limited reach. Leaves left just beyond the hose’s reach may remain after collection.

Branches and sticks should be removed from leaf piles and placed in a separate pile so they do not clog the vacuum hose. The crew will return to collect branches once leaf collection is under control.

Residents are urged not to rake leaves into the street. Leaves run over by vehicles become matted down and more difficult to collect, and they can also cover storm drains, slowing drainage and potentially causing backups.

The crew will follow a designated route through town and start over once the route is complete, with each property visited at least once a week. Residents are asked to be patient as the crew works its way through town.

Clerk-Treasurer Karen Heim thanked residents for their cooperation, saying a little preparation goes a long way in helping the crew collect leaves safely and efficiently.

“We appreciate your patience and cooperation as our crew works through town,” Heim said. “Thank you for doing your part to help keep Culver clean, safe, and beautiful this fall.”

PLYMOUTH – The Plymouth Park Department is inviting families to River Park Square this Saturday, October 24, for its annual Downtown Halloween event and Trunk or Treat celebration.

Trick-or-treaters will be able to collect treats from businesses set up in the River Park Square parking lot from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. The parking lot will be closed to traffic to ensure a safe environment for all attendees.

The event is free and open to all.

Vendors can begin setting up at noon. The event will be held rain or shine and will only be canceled in the event of thunderstorms or high winds.

PLYMOUTH – Two men were arrested Monday evening after a fight broke out at the Economy Inn on North Michigan Street in Plymouth.

Officers with the Plymouth Police Department were dispatched to 2535 North Michigan Street at approximately 8:37 p.m. on October 19 following reports of a fight between two males. Upon arrival, officers found one man bleeding from the face, while the other was located in his room.

During the investigation, Officer Fisher identified the two individuals as Antoine Green, 46, of South Bend, and Bill Ortiz, 47, of Plymouth.

The investigation determined that both men were involved in the altercation. Both were placed under arrest and charged with battery, public intoxication, and disorderly conduct. Green and Ortiz were transported to Plymouth Hospital for jail clearance before being booked into the Marshall County Jail.

PLYMOUTH — After two hours of crunching numbers and comparing scenarios, the Marshall County MUST (Municipal Unit Strategic Task Force) voted to send a message that they didn’t agree with the proposed Local Income Tax rate of 1.25.

MUST is a county-level collaborative group established under Indiana legislation, starting March 1, 2026, to address Local Income Tax (LIT) distribution decisions as the legislature begins to shift tax burden from property to income tax in the state. The group, chaired by the President of the Marshall County Council, Tim Harman, was made up of the Clerk-Treasurers of the various municipalities in the county. Once a group finalizes its plan (or works through scenarios), the findings and non-binding reports are forwarded to the DLGF (Department of Local Government Finance).
Marshall County’s MUST sent back a message that they could not work with a LIT rate of 1.25 and also voted to send a narrative along with the report on what they would like to see.
The goal, working from projections of revenue in the future, was to make all the various tax entities “whole”, or provide at least as close to the current amount of funds they currently have from the LIT as possible.
Major objections of the group to the proposed plan presented to them by the legislature centered on Townships, libraries, and schools in the county. In the current structure, those entities have no draw of LIT funds; all their operating funds come from property tax. Plymouth Mayor Robert Listenberger also felt that the mandate to renegotiate the distribution every year would make planning for each budget nearly impossible.
Marshall County will also need to make up over $4 million in operating funds for the jail, as the special LIT tax currently in effect will go away when the bonds are paid in 2027.
The report, along with the group’s narrative, will be drawn up by Marshall County Auditor Angie Birchmeier and presented to the DLGF by the Nov. 1 deadline

PLYMOUTH – A legal clash is brewing in Marshall County government after the prosecuting attorney sent a cease-and-desist letter to the Board of County Commissioners, demanding they halt plans to disable the county’s Flock license plate reader cameras.

On Tuesday morning, Marshall County Prosecuting Attorney Nelson Chipman sent the letter to Commissioners Stan Klotz, Jesse Bohannon, and Adam Faulstich, with copies to County Auditor Angie Birchmeier and County Attorney Sean Surrisi. The letter demands they stop the “bagging and tagging” of six Flock automated license plate readers currently leased to the 72nd Judicial Circuit.

“I am aware of decisions made at your most recent board meeting of October 19th, 2026,” Chipman wrote. “Please consider this correspondence as a demand to cease and desist from your contemplated action of ‘bagging and tagging’ the six Flock automated license plate readers currently under lease to me in my official capacity as Prosecuting Attorney of the 72nd Judicial Circuit.”

Chipman’s letter went on to sharply criticize the commissioners’ approach, calling it “tyrannical” and arguing it sidesteps less intrusive alternatives.

“Despite failing to explore less intrusive measures to obtain the same result, the tyrannical method you have hastily chosen, ‘bagging and tagging,’ necessarily requires your agent or employee to effectually seize and disable private personal property without due process of law,” Chipman wrote. “At a minimum, such action is additional evidence of your bad faith resulting in tortious interference with the contractual rights of the state judicial office I temporarily occupy and a lawful vendor — a contract of which I have repeatedly declared Marshall County government is not a party.”

The prosecutor closed the letter with a warning of potential legal action should the commissioners proceed. “Should you fail to abide by this demand to cease and desist the threatened seizure of private personal property leased to the 72nd Judicial Circuit, I shall have no choice but to consider my Office’s future reactive options, including self-help. I trust that will not be necessary,” Chipman wrote.

The letter comes on the heels of Monday’s commissioner meeting, where County Attorney Sean Surrisi said he had contacted Flock following the County Council’s notice of non-renewal. Surrisi said he inquired about the ability to “bag and tag” the cameras — a motion originally made by Commissioner Faulstich earlier this month that passed on a 2-1 vote. Surrisi reported that Flock provided its recommendation for bagging the cameras.

Commissioner Faulstich asked whether the county faced any legal exposure at this point. Surrisi responded that the only potential litigation could come from the prosecutor’s office. He discussed the county’s relationship with Flock, noting that the commissioners are “adjacently involved” because, as the executive body of the county, they control the land the cameras sit on and have general oversight of contracts.

After further discussion, Commissioner Bohannon made a motion to instruct the Highway Department to bag the six county Flock cameras within the next 14 days. The motion passed on a 2-1 vote, with Commissioner Klotz voting no. Bohannon then made a second motion to reject any Flock claim presented for payment unless it is prorated to cover the dates of December 20th through the 31st, 2026.

The standoff between the prosecutor’s office and the commissioners sets the stage for a potential legal showdown over who controls the Flock cameras and whether the county has the authority to disable them.

During Tuesday’s What’s Your Opinion Show, Commissioner Klotz said employees with the County Highway Department will not bag the county’s Flock cameras.  He said Commissioner Bohannon has ordered the material to bag the cameras and will do the job himself.

PLYMOUTH – The REES Theatre will host its first-ever “Monster Ball: Thriller at The REES” Halloween fundraiser this Saturday, October 24, featuring music, dancing, costumes, and community support for the historic downtown Plymouth venue.

Running from 6:00 to 11:00 PM, the event promises a night packed with Halloween fun and a few surprises along the way. Organizers say they hope the Monster Ball becomes a new annual tradition for the theatre.

DJ entertainment will be provided by David “Cookie” Cook’s DJ business, accompanied by live singers. The evening will also feature tarot readings, a costume contest, a silent auction, treats, drinks, and dancing.

More than just a Halloween party, the Monster Ball serves as a fundraiser for The REES Theatre. Every ticket purchased and every silent auction bid helps the venue continue bringing movies, live entertainment, special events, and community programming to its historic downtown Plymouth location.

Tickets are priced at $60 per couple, which includes two drink tickets, or $35 per person, which includes one drink ticket.

Organizers are also seeking volunteers to help with this year’s event and welcome anyone interested in lending a hand. Sponsorship opportunities are available for individuals and businesses looking to support the fundraiser and The REES Theatre.

The theatre extended its gratitude to current sponsors DAC Enterprises, Plymouth Foundry, Kings Jewelry, and Anna Gilsinger–RE/MAX. Those interested in becoming a sponsor can email Director@reestheatre.org for more information.

Average gasoline prices in Indiana have fallen 6.5 cents per gallon in the last week, averaging $3.84/g today, according to GasBuddy’s survey of 3,271 stations in Indiana. Prices in Indiana are 18.1 cents per gallon lower than a month ago and stand $1.01/g higher than a year ago. The national average price of diesel has increased 5.2 cents compared to a week ago and stands at $6.300 per gallon.

Lowest reported prices in communities around the area:

Pulaski County

Winamac — $3.94

Francesville — $3.99

Medaryville — $3.99

Starke County

Knox — $3.99

North Judson — $3.89

LaPorte County

LaPorte — $3.84

Michigan City — $3.81

Wanatah — $3.72

Rolling Prairie — $3.92

Westville — $3.69

North Liberty — $3.85

Walkerton — $3.51

Marshall County

Argos — $3.79

Bourbon — $3.79

Bremen — $3.79

Culver — $3.99

LaPaz — $3.96

Plymouth — $3.79

According to GasBuddy price reports, the cheapest station in Indiana was priced at $3.06/g yesterday while the most expensive was $4.69/g, a difference of $1.63/g.

The national average price of gasoline has fallen 5.5 cents per gallon in the last week, averaging $4.24/g today.

Gas Buddy is America’s trusted fuel savings source at GasBuddy.com

PLYMOUTH – On Sunday, Oct. 18, 2026, at 12:55 pm, Marshall County Central Dispatch received a call regarding a two-vehicle crash at the intersection of Olive Trail and 11th Road.

One caller had informed Dispatch that one of the vehicles involved had rolled over. When Officers arrived on scene, it was learned that a 2024 Dodge Durango, driven by Ethan Daley, 17, of Plymouth, was traveling south on Olive Trail. As Daley approached the intersection at 11th Road, there was a stopped 2017 Ford F-150, driven by Coleton Masterson, 26, of Argos, on the west side of the road. As the Durango approached the intersection, the F-150 failed to yield the right-of-way and struck the Durango in the rear passenger side, causing a series of rolls.

The Durango came to a rest with its right side up. The driver and 2 other occupants of the Durango were transported to the Hospital to be evaluated. The Marshall County Sheriff’s Department was assisted on scene by Plymouth Fire & EMS, Rans Towing, and Lyons Towing.

PLYMOUTH – A Plymouth man was arrested Saturday evening after allegedly threatening adults and children with a knife during a campfire gathering on the 700 block of Broadway Street.

Officers with the Plymouth Police Department were dispatched to the scene at 9:17 p.m. on Saturday, October 17, following reports of a man who had come out with a machete and threatened people outside.

During the investigation, officers spoke with several witnesses and determined that Ruben Ramirez, 58, of the 200 block of Jefferson Street in Plymouth, had come out with a knife and threatened people and children while intoxicated.

Ramirez was placed under arrest by Officer Fisher and transported to Plymouth Hospital for jail clearance before being taken to the Marshall County Jail. He was booked on charges of intimidation with a deadly weapon, public intoxication, and disorderly conduct. Ramirez was given a court date and bond.

PLYMOUTH – Marshall County’s economy remains strong heading into the final quarter of 2026, but challenges are mounting.

That’s the takeaway from the Marshall County Economic Development Corporation’s third-quarter update, delivered by CEO Greg Hildebrand.

The numbers tell a story of strength and pressure. National unemployment stood at 4.2 percent in early October. Marshall County’s rate was even lower at 3.2 percent in August — below Indiana’s 3.6 percent. But the county’s labor force is down slightly from a year ago, and inflation remains a concern. Diesel is averaging around seven dollars a gallon locally, and 30-year mortgage rates have climbed to 7.28 percent nationally.

Hildebrand says leads from the Indiana Economic Development Corporation are picking up — a promising sign. MCEDC is collaborating with Purdue MEP on industrial training, conducting a countywide infrastructure study, and working on talent attraction.

But Hildebrand says workforce remains the central challenge. He emphasizes that quality-of-life amenities, housing, and educational access are now just as important as physical infrastructure in attracting investment.

PLYMOUTH – The Plymouth Common Council unanimously voted last week to accept two donations totaling $520 earmarked for the Plymouth Police K9 Program.

City Clerk-Treasurer Lynn Gorski presented the donations to the council, detailing a $50 contribution from the Hoosier Old Wheels and a $470 gift from Bowen Printing. Both donations were designated for the K9 Program under restricted terms and conditions.

Gorski asked council members whether they wished to accept the donations with the attached restrictions and designated purpose. Following a unanimous decision, the clerk said she would receipt the funds into the respective account.

The contributions add to ongoing community support for the Plymouth Police K9 Program, which relies in part on local donations to fund its operations.

PLYMOUTH – The Marshall County Council met for a short meeting on Friday to finalize the budget for 2027.

The council unanimously passed the budget for 2027.

Grab your candy buckets, dust off those costumes, and get ready — Swan Lake Resort is turning the woods into a Halloween wonderland, and every ghost and goblin in Plymouth is invited.

Mark your calendars, because on Saturday, October 24, 2026, Swan Lake Resort will host its wildly popular Trick-or-Treat Trails — a free, family-friendly Halloween event that’s part candy crawl, part hayride, and all fun.

The event runs from 4:00 to 6:00 PM, with trick-or-treating, and the trail truly comes alive.

Admission is completely free. The only thing you need to bring is your own candy bucket or bag. That’s it. No tickets, no catch, no tricks — just treats.

What’s Waiting on the Trail? Dozens of businesses and organizations will set up decorated candy stations along the trail, handing out goodies to every costumed kid who comes through.

But the candy stations are just beginning. Take a scenic ride through the woods. It’s autumn, the leaves are turning, and there’s something magical about a hayride.

Travelin’ Tom’s Coffee will be at the Swan Lake Resort’s Trick-or-Treat Trails because every great parent deserves a warm cup of coffee while chasing sugar-fueled superheroes through the woods, and the Kona Ice truck will be there for when the costumes get warm and the kids need to cool down. Shaved ice to the rescue!

Here’s the beauty of Trick-or-Treat Trails: it goes on rain or shine. If Mother Nature decides to throw a little October weather at the party, the activities simply move indoors. So, there’s no reason to let a cloudy forecast keep you home.

ARGOS — The Board of Education of Argos Community Schools will meet for a Regular Board meeting and public hearing on the capital projects and bus replacement plans on Oct. 19, 2026, in the Dragon Center conference room at 7 p.m.

This meeting is a meeting of the School Board in public for the purpose of conducting the School
Corporation’s business and is not to be considered a public community meeting. There will be time for public participation as indicated on the agenda.
On the agenda:
-Public Hearing on Capital Project and Bus Replacement Plans
Regular Meeting
-Communication from patrons
-Approval of minutes of regular meeting and public hearing -September 21, 2026
-Approval of personnel changes
-Approval to offer the purchase of old MacBooks to staff
-Approval of buyback offer of old MacBooks to Total Technology
-Approval to recycle obsolete technology equipment
-Approval of Core Mechanical Services pay app no. 5 for tunnel piping replacement
-Approval of Ziolkowski Construction pay app no. 5 for exterior masonry repairs
Approval of LWC invoices 20026, 20027, 20028, 20029, and 20030
-Approval of SPG Roofing pay app. no. 2 for roofing work
-Approval of siding quote for Educational Center from V&M Construction
-Approval of 2027 school district budget as advertised
-Approval of 2027 Capital Projects plan and Bus Replacement plan as advertised
-Approval of December 2026 stipend for certified/classified employees and administrators
-Approval of claims
-Approval of donations
-Superintendent report
-Financial report
Closing comments
Adjournment

Drivers who rely on Academy Road in Culver to get across town will need to find another route on Monday.

Academy Road will be closed from Wall Street east to the town limits on Monday, October 19, to accommodate a sewer line installation, according to Culver Clerk-Treasurer Karen Heim.

The closure is expected to last through the day as crews work to install the new sewer line along the corridor. Motorists are advised to seek alternate routes and plan for potential delays in the area.

Local access for residents within the closure zone may be maintained, but through traffic should avoid the segment between Wall Street East and the town limits.

The Plymouth Rotary Club will host its annual Meet the Candidates Night on Thursday, October 22, allowing voters to hear from state, county, and township candidates on the November 3 General Election ballot.

For the last several years, the Rotary Club has provided this forum as a way for voters to learn about the candidates — who they are and where they stand on the issues — before heading to the polls.

The event is free and open to the public, and will be held at The REES Theatre, located at 100 North Michigan Street in downtown Plymouth, beginning at 6 p.m.

Light refreshments will be provided, and attendees will find plenty of street and parking lot space available nearby.

For those unable to attend in person, the forum will be broadcast live at 6 p.m. on: GIANT fm WTCA 106.1 and AM 1050 or on Max 98.3.

With early voting and Election Day both on the horizon, the forum offers one of the last best opportunities for Marshall County voters to hear directly from candidates — in person or on the radio — before making their decisions at the ballot box.

An Indiana Department of Transportation contractor will shut down a stretch of State Road 23 for a full day of roadwork on Wednesday, October 21.

Milestone Contractors LP will conduct the one-day closure, expected to run from about 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Crews will tackle two key projects during the closure: installing a new pipe structure between New Road and Osborne Road and placing a thin overlay on State Road 23 from Madison Road to Crumstown Highway to improve skid resistance and roadway safety.

Through traffic should seek alternate routes or use the official detour using U.S. 20/31 to U.S. 31 and on to State Road 4.

Access will be maintained for local traffic, but motorists should be prepared to alter their travel plans based on where work is actively occurring along the route.

The one-day closure is part of a larger resurfacing contract that covers State Road 23 between State Road 4 and north of the U.S. 20/31 bypass. Construction activities related to that contract will be ongoing through the end of November.

INDOT encourages drivers to allow extra time when traveling through the area and to follow traffic directions carefully.

Motorists should slow down, exercise caution, and drive distraction-free through all work zones. The reduced speeds and temporary lane shifts are in place to protect both drivers and the crews working alongside traffic.

While the closure is just one day, the broader resurfacing project will continue to shape travel along this corridor for several more weeks. Planning ahead, checking for updates, and allowing extra time will help keep your commute — and the crews on the road — moving safely.

The Marshall County Community Foundation (MCCF) announced Thursday $300,622 in Fall 2026 grant awards, including $284,449 from Community Funds and $16,173 from the Ralph C. Vonnegut Jr. Fund.

Twice each year, nonprofit organizations are invited to request funding for projects that improve quality of life in Marshall County. MCCF Grants Committee members evaluate proposals through a competitive application process. This fall’s awards support projects ranging from technology training and grief support to arts facilities, environmental stewardship, and spaces where residents can gather and connect.

Fall 2026 Community Fund Grant awardees include the Marshall County Neighborhood Center who received $15,000 for HVAC and building improvements that will help maintain a safe, welcoming space for the people it serves. enFocus was awarded $65,000 to expand its work in Marshall County for one year across five areas: education and workforce; health and social services; energy and housing systems; government services; and civic data and systems. The Bremen Arts Collective received $30,000 to replace its septic system and support continued use of its facility for arts programming. The Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ will use the $3,600 grant for the Seasonal Dignity & Wellness Initiative, which trains volunteers to build relationships with Marshall County residents, offer seasonal wellness support, and connect people with community resources. Dustin’s Place was awarded $7,500 to strengthen coordination among schools, healthcare providers, first responders, and community partners so grieving children and families can access compassionate support. Human Delta, Inc. will use the $50,000 for Next Path 2.0, which provides technology training to Marshall County residents, students, and organizations. The Marshall County Park and Recreation Department was awarded $5,500 for professional removal of hazardous trees and invasive species at Memorial Forest. The new Garden Court Horizons that will be built at the intersection of SR 17, Olive Trail, and Overmyer Drive on the city’s west side received $102,849 for bike racks, a greenhouse, a play yard, a resident garden, and signage to create spaces where residents can grow, play, and connect. UMatter2 was awarded $5,000 for the Veteran Community Food Program, which provides food to veterans and their families who face barriers to accessing other food resources.

Community Funds are MCCF’s most flexible resources for addressing current and emerging needs. These unrestricted endowment funds support projects in areas such as arts, education, health and human services, recreation, and the environment.

Since its first Community Fund grants in 1995, MCCF has distributed more than $6 million from these funds alone.