PLYMOUTH — The Plymouth High School Band Department has once again earned statewide recognition, qualifying for the

Indiana State School Music Association (ISSMA) All-Music Award, marking the program’s 22nd consecutive year of qualification for the prestigious honor.
The ISSMA All-Music Award recognizes band, choir, and orchestra programs that achieve Gold Ratings across all required ISSMA events during a school year. For band programs, earning the award requires excellence across multiple performance areas, including:
— A Gold Rating by the marching band at an ISSMA-sanctioned event
— Soloists and ensembles advancing to the ISSMA Solo & Ensemble State Finals A Gold Rating by the jazz band at the ISSMA contest
— A Gold Rating by the concert band at the ISSMA contest
This year, every Plymouth High School band ensemble once again earned a Gold rating at the ISSMA contest, continuing a tradition of comprehensive excellence that spans more than two decades.
Plymouth first earned the ISSMA All-Music Award during the 2004–05 school year and has qualified for the award every year since. While the award was not offered during the COVID-impacted season, Plymouth has earned the honor 21 times, qualifying consecutively for the award whenever it has been available — a distinction unmatched by any other band program in the state.
With the recent release of ISSMA’s full award history, it was confirmed that Plymouth is the only band program in Indiana to have qualified for the All-Music Award every year since its inception. Several highly respected programs — including Brownsburg, Columbus North, and LaPorte — came close, but Plymouth stands alone in maintaining uninterrupted qualification over the award’s entire history.
Notably, Plymouth High School enrolls just under 1,000 students, making the achievement even more remarkable when compared to larger programs with multiple bands and expanded staffing. The Plymouth Band Program’s success reflects the collective effort of students across all ensembles, directors, and supporters who consistently strive for excellence in every performance area.
Each spring, band programs that earn the ISSMA All-Music Award are recognized with a large banner that is displayed in the school’s music hallway — a visible reminder of the program’s history, dedication, and sustained achievement.
This milestone represents a significant piece of Plymouth High School tradition and a testament to the hard work, commitment, and pride of its student musicians.

PLYMOUTH — On Jan. 26, 2:45 p.m., Natashia Burkett, 33, of Tippecanoe, was attempting to turn south onto Olive Trail from

Glenn Overmyer Drive.
She lost control of the vehicle and drove down a steep embankment. The car came to rest on the driver’s side. Burkett had to be extricated by the Plymouth Fire Department. She was later transported to Memorial Hospital in South Bend to be treated for a possible head injury.
Agencies Involved: ​Plymouth Police Department,​ Plymouth Fire Department,​ Lyon’s Towing

Average gasoline prices in Indiana have fallen 14.6 cents per gallon in the last week, averaging $2.71/g today, according to

GasBuddy’s survey of 3,271 stations in Indiana. Prices in Indiana are 9.4 cents per gallon lower than a month ago and stand 21.0 cents per gallon lower than a year ago. The national average price of diesel has decreased 4.2 cents compared to a week ago and stands at $3.585 per gallon.
Locally, the lowest prices were:
Pulaski County
Winamac — $2.89
Francesville — $2.99
Medaryville — $299
Starke County
Knox — $2.79
North Judson — $2.85
Hamlet — $2.49
Grovertown — $2.79
LaPorte County
Hannah — $2.69
LaPorte — $2.54
Michigan City — $2.62
Rolling Prairie — $2.99
Westville — $2.74
North Liberty — $2.69
Walkerton — $2.18
Marshall County
Argos — $2.99
Bourbon — $2.64
Bremen — $2.64
Culver — $2.79
Plymouth $2.64
According to GasBuddy price reports, the cheapest station in Indiana was priced at $2.18/g yesterday, while the most expensive was $3.19/g, a difference of $1.01/g.
The national average price of gasoline has fallen 0.9 cents per gallon in the last week, averaging $2.83/g today.
“While oil prices jumped to their highest level in months amid geopolitical tensions, a weakening U.S. dollar, and supply concerns, the national average price of gasoline saw little change compared to a week ago,” said Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy. “Just over half of states saw gas prices decline, led by Indiana, Ohio, and other price-cycling states that had previously seen prices jump but have since started to fall. Meanwhile, prices are rising across much of the West Coast as the transition to summer gasoline begins, and attention turns to another refinery shutdown in California expected in April. Over the coming weeks, we’re likely to see more states experiencing increases than decreases.”
GasBuddy is North America’s trusted fuel savings platform, helping consumers fuel up for less for over 25 years at GasBuddy.com

PLYMOUTH — Michael L. Rash was found guilty of strangulation and domestic battery resulting in moderate bodily injury by a

Marshall County Jury on Jan. 28.
On that date, a jury trial was held in the Marshall County Superior Court No. 3, where the defendant was charged with two counts: Strangulation, a Level 6 felony, and domestic battery resulting in moderate bodily injury. Chief Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Nicholas Langowski represented the State of Indiana during the trial.
During the trial, Langowski presented evidence to the jury that showed that Rash had placed his hands around the neck of the victim and that the defendant had struck the victim, which caused substantial bruising throughout the victim’s body, along with a laceration to the victim’s arm.
The Jury was able to hear from the victim and the investigating officer, Kenton Lovely, of the Plymouth Police Department.
“I am glad that the jury looked at the evidence the State presented, along with hearing from the victim, and held the defendant accountable for his actions,” said Langowski. “I also want to commend the victim for coming into court and detailing the attack to the jury. Having to tell a room full of strangers about a deeply traumatizing experience is never easy, but the victim showed a great deal of strength by giving a first-hand account of what happened to her, and I hope a case like this can be seen by other victims of domestic violence and help them break the cycle of domestic violence.”
The defendant was represented by Justin Camper, and sentencing is set for February 27.

PLYMOUTH — If you are looking for something fun, creative, and refreshingly low-pressure, Heartland Art Center invites you to

Paint Your Person, an intentionally unserious portrait painting experience led by our professional artists who promise not to judge your skills or your subject.
Bring your partner.
Bring your best friend.
Bring your kid, your sibling, your friend group, or the person you tolerate the most.
Romance is optional. Laughing is encouraged.
This is sort of a class, but mostly a fun experience with paint, music, snacks, some Valentine’s trivia, and guidance from artists who know how to keep things moving and light

Paint Your Person
Saturday, February 14 from 7–9 PM
Heartland Art Center
214 N. Michigan St., Plymouth

Get your reservations at https://www.cognitoforms.com/HeartlandArtists1/PaintYourPerson

PLYMOUTH — 

With that final motion, the President of the Marshall County Regional Sewer District finished the final business necessary to dissolve.
During the meeting, the Board’s attorney, Chris Nussbaum, guided them through four steps to finish the board’s business and

proceed with dissolving the district.
— Approving the final claims and financials, including a transfer of a balance just under $2 million to Marshall County.
— Turning over of an expected reimbursement from the Board’s insurance company for legal services to Marshall County.
— Officially rejecting all easements that had been obtained for the current project.
— And turning all the district records to Marshall County’s attorney.

Nussbaum expected all business for the district to be completed by the end of February.

TYNER — On Jan. 22,​ at 6:55 PM, Marshall County deputies responded to a residence in Tyner for the report of a woman trying

to gain access to a residence.
When deputies arrived,​ they were told the woman had already left on foot and was not wearing the appropriate clothing for the weather. They were also told the woman had been drinking.
Deputies located the woman a short time later, and she was identified as Alaina Baniewicz of Walkerton. She was found to be intoxicated and was arrested for public intoxication.
She was taken to the Marshall County Jail.

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

BIRMINGHAM, AL (January 21, 2026) – The Culver Redevelopment Commission has awarded Retail Strategies a contract to

lead a short-term downtown revitalization strategy focused on improving and connecting the community’s two primary commercial corridors along Main Street and Lake Shore Drive. The project will be managed by Downtown Strategies, the division of Retail Strategies dedicated to downtown revitalization across the country.
The engagement will focus on analyzing key community data, identifying opportunities to strengthen connectivity between Culver’s two downtown cores, and developing actionable strategies to enhance the vitality and economic performance of both corridors. As part of the process, Downtown Strategies will conduct an in-market workshop to gather critical input from key community stakeholders, ensuring the revitalization plan reflects local priorities and vision.
“We selected Retail Strategies because of their unique background as practitioners themselves,” said Kevin Danti, Town Manager for Culver. “Their track record of providing guidance to hundreds of communities with similar goals gave us confidence that they understand not just the theory, but the real-world challenges and opportunities we face in downtown revitalization.”
The Downtown Strategies team brings specialized expertise in downtown activation, market positioning, business mix optimization, and creating connections between distinct commercial districts within a community.
“Culver is exactly the type of community where our Downtown Strategies team excels,” said Sarah Beth Stewart, Vice President of Business Development for Retail Strategies. “They have strong leadership committed to their downtown’s success, and that foundation is critical. We’re excited to work with a community that understands the importance of strategic planning and stakeholder engagement in creating vibrant downtown districts.”

PLYMOUTH — The Marshall County Commissioners will hold their regular Monday meeting on Feb. 2, starting at 8:30 a.m.

On the agenda are regular reports from Highway Superintendent Jason Peters, County Attorney Sean Surrisi, and County Auditor Angie Birchmeier.
The Commissioners will also hear from Marian University Plymouth’s Dr. Natalie Tucker, Superior Court 1 Judge Tami Napier, and Beau Holcomb of Community Corrections.
The meeting will be held in the second-floor meeting room of the Marshall County Building in Plymouth. The meeting will be streamed live @MarshallCountyIN

While on routine patrol, Marshall County Deputies came across an abandoned ​vehicle. While talking with the vehicle occupants, it

was found that the passenger, Lemeris Anton Woodward, 35, had just tried to strangle his fiancée and the driver of the car.
During the investigation, deputies discovered Woodward ​had taken her phone to prevent her from calling for help. Also, during the course of the investigation, deputies smelled the odor of marijuana coming from the vehicle. After a search of the car, approximately 344 grams of marijuana were recovered.
Woodward was charged with interfering with reporting a crime, strangulation, and possession of marijuana.

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

PLYMOUTH —  The Marshall County Commissioners will hold an information meeting with Representatives from Governor

Mike Braun’s office, state and local Economic Development representatives, state legislators, the Town of Argos, and MACOG to discuss the economic effects of a decision on the US 31 and SR 10 interchange in Argos.
President of the Commissioners, Stan Klotz, hopes to bring all points of view to the table.

The meeting is open to the public but is informational in purpose and will not include public input. No decisions will be made but Klotz hopes to impress a possible outcome on decision makers.

The meeting will be on Friday, at 10 a.m. in the Commissioners’ Room 203 of the Marshall County Building at 112 W. Jefferson Street, Plymouth.

PLYMOUTH — While the final fate of the Pointe apartments appears to be demolition, the Plymouth Board of Public Works and

Safety is still dealing with the expense for that demolition.
At Monday’s meeting, the Board took up quotes for the asbestos abatement for the building and Plymouth Building Commissioner Dennis Manuwal told the board that one of the companies submitting a bid for the project had suggested a cost-saving measure in that bid. Environmental Management Specialists suggested a “count” on the ceiling that revealed no need for special abatement.

The project will still need a special appropriation as the cost was unforeseen at the beginning of the budget process a year ago. The bid accepted for the demolition was $55,101.20 but Manuwal told the board that they will need to be sure that the company will still honor that bid, awarded in August of 2025, given the time it will take before the work can actually take place.
Plymouth City Attorney Jeff Houin answered the questions of the board on whether any of the cost would be recouped by the city saying that the lien that will be placed on the property by the city after the demolition has a problem…

PLYMOUTH — The Marshall County Emergency Management Agency has dropped Marshall County to a Travel Advisory

effective immediately.
On Sunday, a Travel Advisory was upgraded to a Travel Watch due to rapidly deteriorating conditions from Winter Storm Fern. Wind gusts above 30 mph prolonged dangerous travel conditions due to drifting on Marshall County’s back roads.
Winds have died down and the Marshall County Highway Department has made significant progress in pushing back the drifts that formed Tuesday. Slick roads do remain a concern due to very cold temperatures preventing snow/ice melt. With passable but slick roads, county officials are keeping Marshall County at the Travel Advisory level.
A Travel Advisory is the lowest level of local travel restrictions. It means that routine travel or activities may be restricted in areas because of hazardous situations, and individuals should use caution or avoid those areas. Travel advisories are signified with yellow on statewide travel status maps.
Thank you to Marshall County’s plow drivers and first responders who have worked hard to ensure the public’s safety during this event.

PLYMOUTH — The Marshall County Regional Sewer District (the “District”) will hold a final meeting at 9 A.M. on Thursday,

January 29. The meeting will be held at the Marshall County Building located at 112 W. Jefferson Street, Room 203 (2nd Floor).
The District anticipates that no further meetings will be necessary following this meeting and that the Board of Trustees will authorize all actions necessary to wind up the affairs of the District
For questions, additional information, and archived copies of the agendas, minutes, memoranda, and previous videos of meetings, please visit https://www.marshallcountyrsd.com/ or contact the Marshall County Regional Sewer District at questions@marshallcountyrsd.com or call (574) 200-0049.
A live transmission of the meeting will be available at https://www.youtube.com/@MarshallCountyIN
There will be an opportunity for questions and comments from the public during this meeting. Your participation is welcome.

PLYMOUTH — The Marshall County Prosecutor’s office has filed charges after an investigation for a man who allegedly shot his

girlfriend with a BB gun multiple times.
On Friday, January 23, Officers with the Marshall County Sheriff’s Department responded to St. Joseph Regional Hospital – Plymouth for a report of a woman who was shot multiple times with a BB gun and sustained an injury to one of her eyes.
A suspect in connection with the shooting was identified as Edwin Barker, and on January 26, Barker was taken into custody by Marshall County Detective Sergeant Jonathan Bryant. Barker is currently being held in the Marshall County Jail on a $250,000 cash bond.
During the investigation, Detective Bryant was assisted by Marshall County Deputies Alex Truty and Robert Williams.
Charges were reviewed by Chief Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Nicholas Langowski, and it was determined that Barker would be charged with Aggravated Battery as a Level 3 Felony and Domestic Battery resulting in Serious Bodily injury as a Level 5 Felony.

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

Average gasoline prices in Indiana have risen 6.2 cents per gallon in the last week, averaging $2.86/g today, according to

GasBuddy’s survey of 3,271 stations in Indiana. Prices in Indiana are 18.1 cents per gallon higher than a month ago and stand 14.2 cents per gallon lower than a year ago. The national average price of diesel has increased 7.8 cents compared to a week ago and stands at $3.543 per gallon.
Locally, the lowest reported prices:
Pulaski County
Winamac — $2.99
Franesville — $2.89
Medaryville — $2.99
Starke County
Knox — $2.79
North Judson — $2.85
Hamlet — $2.69
LaPorte County
Hanna — $2.79
LaCrosse — $2.95
LaPorte — $2.80
Michigan City — $2.80
Wanatah — $2.79
Westville — $2.89
New Carlisle — $2.87
Walkerton — $2.41
Marshall County
Argos — $2.99
Bourbon — $2.79
Bremen — $2.79
Culver — $2.79
Plymouth — $2.85
LaPaz — $2.89
Grovertown — $2.79
According to GasBuddy price reports, the cheapest station in Indiana was priced at $2.29/g yesterday, while the most expensive was $3.19/g, a difference of 90.0 cents per gallon.
The national average price of gasoline has risen 7.5 cents per gallon in the last week, averaging $2.84/g today.
“Average gasoline prices have jumped for a second straight week as oil prices have climbed back above the $60-per-barrel mark amid ongoing geopolitical tensions,” said Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy. “New sanctions on Iran’s oil are making it more difficult for those barrels to reach the market, tightening supply, while the major winter storm that sent temperatures plunging is also likely to impact refineries, causing disruptions and reduced output. Diesel prices have jumped as colder weather boosts demand for heating oil, a combination that could keep both gasoline and diesel prices moving higher in the week ahead.”
GasBuddy is North America’s trusted fuel savings platform, helping consumers fuel up for less for over 25 years at GasBuddy.com

PLYMOUTH — On Jan. 22 at 8:43 p.m., Officers with the Plymouth Police Department were dispatched to 803 W. Jefferson St.

(Ladybug Laundry) for a suspicious person. The caller advised there was a sleeping bag behind the building by the alleyway, and thought there might be a man sleeping there, and wanted officers to check it out and make sure they were ok.
When Officers arrived on the scene, they located a man sleeping under sleeping bags. The man was later identified as Charles Davis, 36 years old, from Ohio.
Dispatch advised the man had a warrant out of Marshall County for public intoxication. Davis was taken into custody, transported to Marshall County Jail, and booked in for that warrant.

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

SYRACUSE – A Syracuse, IN man was arrested this week for a murder that occurred in San Diego, CA in 1975.

Investigators with the Indiana State Police, including the Cold Case Unit, were contacted in 2024 by San Diego, California, Cold Case detectives and asked to assist with a 1975 murder case. Indiana investigators assisted over the next year. They identified Johnnie Ray Salisbury, age 71, of Syracuse, Indiana.
Investigators from the San Diego Police Department flew to Indiana this week. Salisbury was taken into custody when an arrest warrant was served on Wednesday, January 21. The Syracuse Police Department assisted with this warrant service.
Salisbury was transported to the Kosciusko County Jail, where he awaits extradition back to California.

All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

CULVER — Culver Town Clerk Karen Heim is reminding residents of some tips to avoid problems with the frigid temperatures for the next week.

Frozen water pipes are always a concern when temperatures remain in the teens or below for an extended period. Some steps you can take to help keep water running in your home include opening the cabinet doors under sinks to allow warmer air to circulate around the water lines, and letting both hot and cold faucets in the kitchen and bathrooms drip slightly.
Taking these precautions can help prevent frozen pipes inside your home as well as freezing of your water meter and underground water lines.
Town Hall in Culver is available as a warming station during regular business hours, Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. After hours, the police lobby remains open. Once inside, please pick up the phone on the wall to contact the officer on duty, who will be able to assist you.
If you don’t reside in Culver you can find your nearest warming station by dialing 211.
If you are driving, remember that road salt becomes less effective when temperatures drop below 20 degrees, so please use extra caution.
Finally, check in on your neighbors and make sure they are ok.

WASHINGTON — FEMA announced today that federal disaster assistance is available to the state of Indiana to supplement

response efforts due to emergency conditions resulting from a severe winter storm beginning on January 23, 2026, and continuing.
The President’s action authorizes FEMA to coordinate all disaster relief efforts to alleviate the hardship and suffering caused by the emergency on the local population and to provide appropriate assistance to save lives, to protect property, public health, and safety, and to lessen or avert the threat of a catastrophe in all 92 counties in the state of Indiana.
Specifically, FEMA is authorized to identify, mobilize, and provide, at its discretion, equipment and resources necessary to alleviate the impacts of the emergency. Emergency protective measures, limited to direct federal assistance, under the Public Assistance program, will be provided at 75% federal funding.
Hannah Penn has been named the Federal Coordinating Officer for federal response operations in the affected area. Designations may be made at a later date if requested by the state and warranted by the results of further damage assessments.