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.

Two men were arrested early Thursday morning after allegedly stealing used cooking oil from a local restaurant — and then coming back for more.

The incident began at 2:46 a.m. on Thursday, September 17th, when the Marshall County Central Dispatch Center received a call from the owner of King Gyros at 1827 1/2 N. Michigan Street. The owner told dispatch he had video footage of a truck stealing used cooking oil from his business, but the vehicle had already left the area.
The same truck returned at 3:37 a.m. Plymouth Police were dispatched to King Gyros again and arrived while the two suspects were still on the property. The pair — 26-year-old Eliodanys C. Plutin of Indianapolis and 38-year-old Omar P. Cutino of Louisville, Kentucky were detained.
Both men were arrested and transported to the Marshall County Jail. Plutin and Cutino were each booked for theft, a Class A misdemeanor, and organized theft, as a level 6 felony.

Used cooking oil can be recycled into biodiesel fuel, animal feed, and other products, making it a target for thieves who sell it to rendering companies for profit. The restaurant recycling industry estimates that stolen grease costs businesses millions of dollars nationwide each year.

Plymouth Police are encouraging other business owners who may have been victims of cooking oil theft to come forward.

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

The Culver Historical Society and the Culver-Union Township Public Library would like to invite you to attend the Stories and Stones Cemetery Walk Program.

There will be a lineup of familiar faces who have passed on, including The Culver Marina’s Jack Campbell, The Lightning Dude Ranch’s Ced White, and Culver Fire Chief Lance Overmyer.

The walk will be held in the Culver Masonic Cemetery on Sept. 19, at 1 P.M. In the event of rain, the location will be moved to the Culver-Union Township Public Library North Meeting Room. There will be free doughnuts and apple cider provided.

The Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) is reminding Hoosiers to place political campaign and other signs outside the state right-of-way as campaign season picks up across the state.

Under Indiana Code campaign and other advertising is prohibited on state-owned or state-maintained property year-round. Areas that should remain sign-free include intersections, interchanges, and rights-of-way that run parallel to highways — including medians, shoulders, and roadside areas.

When the right-of-way is not clearly marked, INDOT says boundaries may be estimated by looking for a fence line, the back of a ditch, or the area behind utility poles.

INDOT personnel may remove campaign and other unpermitted signs from the right-of-way during routine highway maintenance. Crews may also remove specific signs that pose an immediate safety risk, such as those placed too close to the roadway or obstructing a driver’s line of sight.

Removed signs will be taken to the nearest INDOT facility and may be claimed during regular business hours.

To report issues or concerns, or to ask questions about signs within the state right-of-way, contact INDOT Customer Service at indot4u.com or by calling 855-463-6848.8.

The Plymouth Board of Public Works and Safety heard updates Monday evening on the upcoming Drive and Shine utility hookup project, fire department staffing, and the city’s 2026 milling and paving schedule.

The traffic plan submitted for the utility hookup on Oak Drive by Drive and Shine was approved by the City of Plymouth last week. City Engineer Dan Sellers said work will start very soon, as Drive and Shine is just waiting for its INDOT permit. Sellers cautioned that there will be congestion during the work and some severe lane restrictions for about three weeks.

Board member Don Ecker expressed concern about allowing traffic to make a left turn when exiting the Drive and Shine driveway. Mayor Listenberger explained that about 18 months ago, during the initial planning stage, the city had it drawn one way, but the plan was changed because the two property owners couldn’t get along. He indicated that while the city isn’t in favor of left turns from the business, drivers will be able to access U.S. 30 from there.

It was noted that the city has no authority to restrict traffic at the intersection.

Board member Duane Culp asked whether the easement road immediately to the north of the new buildings will continue to allow access to the businesses west of Drive and Shine. Sellers confirmed that it will.

“Even from that drive, you can turn left,” the mayor added.

Fire Chief Steve Holm updated board members on the department’s hiring process. He said the lateral transfer employee has completed training and is working on his own. The second hire has been through the medical and psychological evaluations and has been approved by the pension board. That employee will start work on September 28th.

The third and final hire has completed the evaluations, and the chief is waiting on the results to send them down to the pension office for approval.

“We are stair-stepping their way in, but hopefully within another three to four weeks, we’ll be fully staffed,” Holm said.

City Street Superintendent Jim Marquardt told board members that he spoke to E&B Paving on Monday, and the city projects are not on their schedule for the next two weeks. Marquardt noted that all the concrete work is complete.

The 2026 city milling and paving projects include:

Parkview Street from the dead end to Michigan Street; Center Street from Novelty Street to Parkview Street; Adams Street from Plum Street to Michigan Street; Madison Street from 5th Street to the railroad; Kenwood Avenue from Oak Drive to Sycamore Street; and Harrison Street from Oak Drive to Michigan Street.

The Marshall County Commissioners voted unanimously on Tuesday, September 8th, to apply for the 2027 Community Crossings Matching Grant, seeking $1 million in state funding for three road improvement projects across the county.

The deadline to submit projects for next year’s Community Crossings Matching Grant program is September 30th. A financial commitment letter is required with the application, and the county’s local share would be $250,000 when applying for the full funding of $1 million.

Superintendent Peters recommended three projects for submittal, all of which the commissioners approved:

Donnybrook Subdivision
3rd Road, from State Road 331 to Elm Road
Elm Road, from 3B Road to the town limits

Plymouth Utility Superintendent Donnie Davidson updated the Board of Public Works and Safety Monday evening on two upcoming projects aimed at improving the city’s wastewater and water infrastructure.

The first project involves slip-lining a sewer line on Western Avenue in the industrial park, in the area of U.S. Granules and Topp Industries. Weather permitting, Davidson said wastewater employees hope to begin the work next Monday.

The project calls for 350 feet of sewer line to be slip-lined at a depth of approximately 10 feet. As a precaution, Western Avenue will be closed to through traffic during the process, which is estimated to take 3 to 5 days. However, both industries will maintain access to their businesses while the work is being completed.

The second project Davidson discussed is the extension of a water main on State Road 17 and Hillcrest Avenue. Currently, the city’s water main ends at Autumn Trace, west of the hospital.

Davidson said the city has secured the necessary easements for the project. The new main will head west on SR 17 along the farm field to Hillcrest, then go north to meet up with Crimson Lane, where it will connect to an existing water main — completing a loop system.

The project will provide better fire protection and water quality, Davidson explained, since the water will circulate throughout the entire loop rather than dead-ending at the current terminus.

Davidson said he hopes to start on the project by the end of this month. While they will have to wait until the beans are harvested and cleared from the field before running the main west, crews can begin work on the Hillcrest section in the meantime.

Calling all chocolate lovers. The 8th Annual Chocolate Walk, sponsored by Discover Plymouth, returns to Downtown Plymouth on Saturday, October 3rd, from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

This limited-ticketed event offers participants a sweet day of strolling, shopping, and chocolates. More than 25 participating businesses will open their doors for the event, inviting guests to visit local shops and collect chocolate and chocolate-themed treats along the way.

Tickets are now on sale for $20 per person. Only 150 tickets will be sold, so organizers encourage those interested to purchase early.

Tickets can be purchased at the Marshall County Museum, Simplee Stated Gifts, or online through Eventbrite.

Participants will want to make the museum their first stop, where they will receive their passport card and a container to hold their chocolates as they make their way through Downtown Plymouth.

Grab your friends and spend the day strolling Downtown Plymouth, visiting local businesses, and collecting sweet treats — one sweet Saturday in Downtown Plymouth.

9-16-26 Wednesday News 10 P.M. E-1

Calling all chocolate lovers. The 8th Annual Chocolate Walk, sponsored by Discover Plymouth, returns to Downtown Plymouth on Saturday, October 3rd, from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

This limited-ticketed event offers participants a sweet day of strolling, shopping, and chocolates. More than 25 participating businesses will open their doors for the event, inviting guests to visit local shops and collect chocolate and chocolate-themed treats along the way.

Tickets are now on sale for $20 per person. Only 150 tickets will be sold, so organizers encourage those interested to purchase early.

Tickets can be purchased at the Marshall County Museum, Simplee Stated Gifts, or online through Eventbrite.

Participants will want to make the museum their first stop, where they will receive their passport card and a container to hold their chocolates as they make their way through Downtown Plymouth.

Grab your friends and spend the day strolling Downtown Plymouth, visiting local businesses, and collecting sweet treats — one sweet Saturday in Downtown Plymouth.

BOURBON –

With that Triton Superintendent Jeremy Riffle went on to point out some highlights already in the school year including the iRead scores by the corporations students.

Kindergarteners in the corporation are on target….with 99 percent hitting their benchmark numbers.RIFFLE kindergarteners

The high school science department also got high marks….with the corporation’s biology students getting the highest scores in the region.

Graduation numbers also continue to be over 95 percent each year for the past four years.

County Council members unanimously approved a series of staffing recommendations Monday morning to address immediate patrol coverage needs and long-term operational improvements within the Sheriff’s Department.

The recommendations came from Nicole Cox, chairman of the Job Classification and Compensation Subcommittee, who presented them during the council’s regular meeting at the County Building.

Cox told the council that Sheriff Hassel approached the subcommittee with a need for additional part-time patrol officers, as the department currently has three merit officers out.

The sheriff requested 40 hours per week at $45.00 per hour for part-time coverage. However, the subcommittee recommended — and the council approved — 40 hours per week for 12 weeks at $38.00 per hour, which aligns with the rate paid to part-time lake patrol officers.

Cox noted that the part-time patrol officers cannot start until the council’s next meeting on October 13, as an additional appropriation will be needed to cover the added expense. She said the 12-week arrangement should get the Sheriff’s Department through the end of the year, and if the need persists, the sheriff can return with another request.

Cox also informed the council that the current department administrator has stated they will be leaving. The sheriff has advertised the position and received several applications but is waiting for the official notice of resignation before making a hire. Additional funds will be needed to cover training for the replacement.

A new IT Technician position is included in the 2027 budget, Cox said. The subcommittee will bring a recommendation to amend the Salary Ordinance at the January meeting so the position can be filled.

Cox explained that adding the IT Technician will free up two patrol officers who are currently assisting in the IT Department, allowing them to return to patrol coverage duties — providing additional relief to the Sheriff’s Department’s staffing challenges.

Additionally, a civil processor in the Sheriff’s Department is retiring. The sheriff requested moving that position to an additional turnkey/dispatcher position, a move the council approved.

PLYMOUTH – The Marshall County Commissioners began the debate over whether Flock cameras should be allowed in Marshall County, and the Marshall County Council has ended it for the time being.

Voting on the budget for the coming year, the Council decided to defund the cameras by a 4-3 margin, with Councilman Brandon Schadek, Jim Masterson, and Greg Compton voting against.
The debate began with an exchange between President of the Council Tim Harmon and Marshall County Prosecutor Nelson Chipman.

Harmon responded.

After a discussion, a motion was made by Council Person Nicole Cox for continuing funding, with a reduction from $20,000 to $3000 for the system. Commissioner Jesse Bohannon and Harmon weighed in before the final vote.

In a written statement to GIANT FM news after the meeting, Chipman stated that “Flock is an important subject to be publicly debated and thoughtfully considered on facts, not hyperbole and intentional misinformation.”
He called defunding an “…existing lawful contract…” in a county budget ordinance “irresponsible government” and thanked the three councilmen who “voted with common sense.”

PLYMOUTH – Finishing the final two road projects for this year’s county road plan became a question of to pave or not to pave, with the final vote going to honoring the bid for outsourcing the projects by a 5-2 margin.

County Highway Superintendant Jason Peters had asked for an additional appropriation to pave 7th Road and 12B Road this year to complete the road plan from last year.
Just how that should be paid for became the contention.
President of the Commissioners Stan Klotz proposed a compromise on contracting out the project at just under $533,000 with the county highway taking on the work for 7th Road, with 12B going to Phend and Brown for close to $290,000.
The debate became whether to keep the original Phend and Brown bid for both projects. While Peters was willing he also said it would cut into his resources to complete the projects by winter.

Council person Jim Masterson stated that he deferred to Peters expertise in the matter

Council person Brandon Schadek voted against the motion for approval.

Council President Tim Harmon was the other no vote.

PLYMOUTH — The Mayor’s Summer of Music Concert Series rolls into its grand finale this Friday night, Sept. 11,

at River Park Square in downtown Plymouth. Fort Wayne’s premier nine-piece R&B powerhouse, the Sweetwater All Stars, will take the Senter Stage. Food trucks begin serving at 5:30 p.m., and the music starts at 7 p.m.
The Sweetwater All Stars were originally scheduled to appear on Friday, July 17th, but Canadian wildfire smoke and the threat of severe weather forced the cancellation of that show. After a slight schedule adjustment, the band was rebooked to close out the 10-concert series on September 11th.
Founded by Sweetwater founder Chuck Surack, the Sweetwater All Stars are made up of Sweetwater sales engineers, studio personnel, and local session musicians. The group has built a devoted following across Indiana and beyond with their high-energy performances and deep catalog of crowd-favorite classics.
Concertgoers are encouraged to bring a lawn chair and a cooler with their favorite beverages and settle in for a free night of live music in downtown Plymouth.
The September 11th concert will serve as the grand finale of the 2026 Mayor’s Summer of Music series.

PLYMOUTH — The Marshall County Prosecutor’s Office announced today that a jury trial against Plymouth resident Aaron Joseph Seibold has concluded with a guilty verdict.

Seibold was charged with two counts of dealing methamphetamine as Level 2 felonies in 2024 after an investigation led by Detective Sergeant Jonathan Bryant of the Marshall County Police Department.
The investigation began in January 2024 when a confidential informant (CI) indicated they could purchase methamphetamine from Seibold. Bryant then utilized the informant to conduct a controlled purchase of methamphetamine on January 30, 2024. The CI successfully purchased $100 worth of methamphetamine from the defendant, which weighed over 5 grams. A second buy was arranged this time for over 13 grams of methamphetamine.
After a two-day jury trial conducted in Marshall Superior Court 1 a 12-person jury convicted Seibold of dealing methamphetamine as a Level 2 Felony, in an amount over 10 grams, and dealing methamphetamine, a Level 3 Felony, in an amount between 5 and 10 grams.
A secondary phase of trial was conducted before the Judge with regard to an enhancement of Count 2, due to Seibold having a prior conviction for a dealing offense. He was found guilty of that as well, enhancing Count 2 to also be a Level 2 Felony.
Level 2 felonies carry a sentencing range of 10 to 30 years in the Department of Correction.
Sentencing is scheduled for October 15, 2026, at 10 a.m. in Marshall Superior Court 1.