After 22 years as Superintendent of the Plymouth Park Department, Mike Hite announced his resignation at Monday’s Park Board meeting.

Hite was hired by Mayor Gary Cook and served all 16 years of Mayor Mark Senter’s administration. When Robert Listenberger was elected mayor, he too asked Hite to remain and oversee the city’s park property — a testament to the continuity and trust Hite built across three administrations.

Hite’s tenure spanned more than two decades of additions and improvements to the Plymouth park system. The timeline of his accomplishments tells the story of a community’s green spaces expanding and modernizing year by year.

In 2005, the park added the 20 acres behind the old Menominee School for the Greenway Trail, and the next year saw the first phase of the Greenway Trail. In 2010, the City of Plymouth dedicated the downtown park area to the park department, and the next year the community naming process selected River Park Square for the property.

In 2012, Hite completed the Dog Park in Centennial Park, and in 2013, Phase 1 of River Park Square was built. In 2015, the north basketball courts in Centennial Park were renovated, Freedom Park was installed at Packard Woods, the restrooms were renovated, and Price’s Memorial Park was given to the park department.

In 2016, the Mary Beth Hunter Tennis Court Project was completed, and in 2020, Phase II of the Greenway Trail was finished.

Hite has been instrumental in moving the various city parks forward. 2022 was a busy year with Phase II of River Park Square built, the Pony and Packard Slow Pitch diamonds renovated, and the Nixon Field dugouts renovated. 2023 was another busy year with completion of the North Complex with new and additional storage, the Hoosier Old Wheels playground was renovated, Webster playground received upgrades, and the park department received an additional 12.6 acres for Price’s Pond from the Collins residential project.

The new sport of pickleball came to the Plymouth Park Department in 2024 when pickleball courts were added to the Mary Beth Hunter Tennis Complex. That year, Superintendent Hite also put in new fencing at Nixon Field, the fastpitch diamonds, and the large diamond at Packard Woods.

Hite told park board members that his health has forced his retirement, but that he is looking forward to spending more time with his family and his grandchildren.

PLYMOUTH – Oliver Ford Lincoln is continuing a tradition nearly three decades in the making with the 28th annual Warm Up Marshall County coat drive, bringing the community together to ensure children and adults throughout the county have warm clothing for the winter.

The campaign began 28 years ago when Steve Keiser noticed children waiting for the school bus in sweatshirts and temperatures were in the 30s. Concerned for their well-being, he shared his concerns with Jack Oliver, who encouraged him to find a solution. That conversation sparked a community tradition that continues to make a difference today.

Donations of new or gently used winter coats are being accepted through Friday, Nov. 14. Community members can drop off coats at Oliver Ford Lincoln, GIANT fm WTCA, or at participating coat collection locations throughout the area.

To learn more about the campaign and find updates on participating drop-off locations, follow Oliver Ford on Facebook and Instagram.

Collected coats will be distributed at the National Guard Armory, 1220 West Madison Street in Plymouth, on Saturday, Nov. 14, from 10 a.m. to noon, and on Sunday, Nov. 15, from noon to 2 p.m.

Every donation helps a neighbor stay warm during the cold Indiana winter. Oliver Ford Lincoln encourages community members to participate, spread the word, and help reach families and individuals who may need assistance.

Serving Plymouth since 1955, Oliver Ford Lincoln has been committed to serving its customers and supporting the surrounding community. Through local partnerships and initiatives like Warm Up Marshall County, the dealership continues its tradition of giving back and helping make a positive difference for local families.

PLYMOUTH – Marshall County Republican precinct committee members will gather next week to fill three vacancies created by recent resignations, including two county-level posts and a town council seat.

Marshall County Republican Party Chairman Deb VanDeMark announced that precinct committee members and vice committee members will caucus on Wednesday, Nov. 18, at 6 p.m. at Republican Headquarters, located at 117 Water Street in downtown Plymouth.

The caucus will fill three positions: the County Council At-Large Seat currently held by Jim Masterson, who is stepping down from the seat on the County Council, effective Dec. 31, 2026. County Surveyor Craig Cultice has decided to leave his term two years early, effective Jan. 1, 2027, and now Erica Partin has resigned her position two months early, creating an opening on the Argos Town Council. Partin was first caucused into the seat in October 2019 when Suzanne Umbaugh resigned, filling that vacancy until Dec. 31, 2019.

Any Republican interested in applying for the County Council seat, the County Surveyor’s position, or the Argos Town Council seat must file a Declaration of Candidacy no later than 72 hours in advance of the Nov. 18 meeting.

Declarations should be submitted to Deborah VanDeMark, Chairman of the Marshall County Republican Party, at P.O. Box 102 in Plymouth. For more information, interested candidates can contact VanDeMark at (574) 274-8325 or email their declaration to deb0831@outlook.com.

VanDeMark first announced two caucuses last week to fill the upcoming resignations of Masterson and Cultice. This week, she announced the third vacancy following Partin’s resignation, expanding the caucus to cover all three openings in a single meeting.

PLYMOUTH — A solid turnout of 39 percent of registered voters in Marshall County made their voices heard in the contested races in this year’s mid-term elections.

In the statewide races, Max Engling took a big win over Democrat Beau Bayh in Marshall County, getting 55.36 percent of the votes to Bayh’s 39.72 percent. For State Comptroller incumbent Elise Nieshalia bested Democrat Jessica Bailey by another wide margin, 60.62 percent to 36.59 percent. In the other state race for Treasurer, Republican Daniel Elliott defeated Coumba Kebe 64.77 percent to 35.23 percent.
In the race for United States Congress in District 2, Republican Rudy Yakam took 60.47 percent of the Marshall County vote, with Democrat Jamee Decio taking 36.71 percent.
In the state representative races, District 7 saw Republican Jake Teshka garner 65.8 percent to Oliver Davis’s 34.20 percent. In District 17, incumbent Jack Jordan outdistanced Democratic challenger Mary E. Gibson 63.87 percent to 36.13 percent.
The Marshall County Commissioners race for District 1 saw Stan Klotz defeat Democratic challenger Emanuel Reese with 60.48 percent of the vote to Reese’s 39.52. Will Patterson will retain his seat for County Council District 1, taking 68.12 percent of the vote, with challenger Neika Smessaert taking 31.88 percent.
For County Council District 3, Nicole Cox defeated challenger Jessica O’Blenis, 66.51 percent to 33.49 percent.
In other contested races, Doug Kucera (19.11 percent), Bruce Knapp (17.99 percent), and Jim Baldwin (17.65 percent) will have seats on the Center Township Board, outdistancing fourth-place finisher Anna Corbett (17.23 percent) in one of the closest races of the night.
Robert Huff (31.26 percent), Jon Monhout (27.39 percent), and Amy Castille (26.47 percent), will be the three representatives on the German Township Board. Thomas Youdbulis won his seat on the North Township Board over Doug Baney and Sarah Klingerman.
Republicans Andrew Hostetler, Stan Murphy, and Scott Read will be the North Township Board Members, and Republicans Heather Overmyer, Diane Hansen Miller, and Terri Jo Morrison Hinds will take seats on the Union Township Board. Tom Flynn, Cynthia Slonaker, and Jonathan Bryant will be the representatives on the West Township Board.
For West Township Trustee, Republican Terry Borggren took 58.52 percent of the vote over Independent Bill Woodward’s 41.48 percent.
In contested school Board races for LaVille’s Union Township seat, Bradley Sherman took 51.59 percent of the vote with Arden Balmer taking 48.41 percent. In Plymouth’s school board district 3 race, Elizabeth Ginder Wray defeated Robin Cupka, taking 51.92 percent of the vote to 48.08 percent.

PLYMOUTH – Marshall County officials are preparing for an appeals process that could extend into next summer, after Tamarack Solar filed a notice of appeal challenging a court ruling that upheld the county’s rejection of an industrial solar farm project in Burr Oak.

County Attorney Sean Surrisi provided an update on the matter to the commissioners during their meeting on Monday.

The dispute dates back to a decision by the Marshall County Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA) to reject Tamarack Solar’s special use request for the Burr Oak project. At the end of September, the county received an order from the court in Fort Wayne affirming that the BZA’s rejection was proper.

Tamarack was given 30 days to appeal against the court’s decision. On October 29th, Marshall County received the notice of appeal that Tamarack Solar filed within that window.

The court has requested that transcripts be prepared of the final hearing and one of the underlying hearings. The court reporter has been given 45 days to prepare the transcripts, which would be around mid-December.

Once the transcripts are completed, the briefing schedule will proceed. Tamarack Solar will have 30 days to file its appellant brief.  The Marshall County BZA will then have 30 days to file its response brief.  After the BZA brief is filed, Tamarack will have an additional 15 days to file a reply.

Surrisi estimated that, barring any requests for additional time, briefing would conclude around March.

Following the completion of briefing, the Court of Appeals will consider the case. Surrisi noted that Indiana has one of the fastest Courts of Appeals in the country in terms of turnaround time from final briefing to decision.  “The average is two and a half to three months they take to cite a case,” Surrisi said.

Based on that timeline, Surrisi indicated that a decision on the appeal would likely come sometime next summer.

Despite the extended legal process, the county attorney expressed confidence in the strength of the county’s case.

“I still feel very confident that we are in a strong position, particularly after the judge’s very thorough order denying Tamarack’s request,” Surrisi said.

The judge’s detailed ruling in the lower court proceeding, which affirmed the BZA’s authority to reject the special use request, forms the foundation of the county’s position as the case moves to the appellate level.

PLYMOUTH – The Kankakee River Basin and Yellow River Basin Development Commission has submitted an application and conceptual plans for a Yellow River restoration project at River Park Square in Plymouth.

Executive Director Scott Pelath submitted the application on behalf of the commission. The project aims to improve bank stability, enhance fish habitat, and restore floodplain connectivity along a stretch of the Yellow River running through the downtown park.

The restoration area begins approximately 480 linear feet upstream of the South Michigan Street Bridge and extends approximately 115 linear feet upstream of the LaPorte Street Bridge. In practical terms, the work starts in the vicinity of the walking bridge and extends downstream to the kayak launch.

The project takes a two-bank approach. On the east or south bank, slope protection will be installed using rock and woody materials to improve bank stability and provide fish habitat along this shoreline. On the north or west bank, the project will utilize grading through an existing spoils pile from previous dredging to improve channel function and restore floodplain connectivity.

All disturbed areas will be seeded. Erosion control mats, secured with 12-inch wood stakes, will also be used. Trees removed during construction will be replaced.

No date has been set for the start of construction, though there is a possibility work could begin sometime in 2027.

The conceptual plans represent the first step in the approval process, with detailed engineering and permitting still to come before any ground is broken.

PLYMOUTH – The fall installment of Marshall County property taxes is due Tuesday, Nov. 10, and the county is offering extended office hours to help residents pay on time.

The Marshall County Treasurer’s Office, located in the County Building at 112 West Jefferson Street in Plymouth, will offer extended hours leading up to the deadline. The Treasurer’s Office will be open this Saturday, November 7th, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., on Monday, November 9th, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., and on Tuesday, November 10th, the due date, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Residents should note that the County Building will be closed today, Tuesday, Nov. 3, for the general election.

With the Nov. 3 closure and the Nov. 10 deadline, the county is encouraging property owners to take advantage of the extended hours — particularly the Saturday window on Nov. 7 — to avoid a last-minute rush on the due date.

Payments can be made in person at the Treasurer’s Office during the hours listed above. Property owners with questions about their tax bill or payment options should contact the Marshall County Treasurer’s Office directly

It didn’t take long, but it appears that Plymouth Schools will have a new teacher master contract soon.

Thursday night, the Plymouth School Board held a public meeting to discuss the recently negotiated teacher Master Contract. The lone speaker at the meeting was President of the Plymouth Education Association, Laura Kruyer

The contract now moves on to public hearing at the next board meeting.

You can view the contract in its entirety at https://www.plymouth.k12.in.us/page/transparency. Simply scroll down to the “Tentative PCSC Master Contract” tab.

Ghosts, goblins, witches, and little monsters will soon be roaming the streets of communities across Marshall County. Halloween is this Saturday, and the city and towns throughout the county are gearing up for a night of costumes, candy, and spooky fun.

Every community in Marshall County will hold trick-or-treating on the same night — Saturday, Oct. 31 — with the City of Plymouth and towns of Bourbon, Bremen, Culver, and LaPaz running their hours from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Trick-or-treating in Argos is from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. this Saturday.

As you head out for a night of spooky fun, please take extra care Saturday evening. Drivers, watch for little trick-or-treaters, and families, stay alert and help keep everyone safe as you travel from house to house and event to event.

Let’s make this Halloween a sweet one for our entire community!

Grab your candy buckets and hit the streets!

The Indiana Department of Health is urging Hoosiers to get their flu shots after confirming the state’s first flu-related death of the 2026-27 season. No details about the patient are being released due to privacy laws.

Health officials say flu season runs from October through May. More than 270 Hoosiers died from influenza last season alone.

State Health Commissioner Doctor Lindsay Weaver stresses that flu can quickly become serious — even life-threatening.

The CDC recommends everyone six months and older get an annual flu vaccine. Health officials say get it early — it takes about two weeks for protection to build up, and holiday gatherings are approaching.

To help stop the spread, remember the “Three Cs”: Clean your hands, Cover your cough, and Contain illness by staying home when you’re sick.

Those at highest risk include pregnant women, young children, the elderly, and people with chronic health conditions.

PLYMOUTH – The final piece of funding needed to renovate the exterior of Plymouth’s Historic Firehouse is now in place, after the Indiana Department of Natural Resources notified local officials that a $75,000 Historic Preservation Fund (HPF) grant has been awarded for the project.

Steve Kennedy, Assistant Director for Financial Incentives, Administration, and Planning with the DNR’s Division of Historic Preservation and Archaeology (DHPA), confirmed that the division anticipates funding the project at the full amount requested. The DHPA has already received the federal funds from the National Park Service and is prepared to begin scheduling grant start-up meetings in November.

The grant will support exterior renovation of the Historic Firehouse, located at the corner of Center and Washington Streets. The award represents the last funding component needed to complete the long-planned restoration of the landmark building’s exterior.

The official grant award from the State will take some additional time to process, as it must be delivered through the Euna Grants portal — the State’s online grants system. This marks the first grant cycle to go through the new system, and officials note there is still a learning curve at each stage of the process.

The Historic Firehouse stands as a significant piece of Plymouth’s heritage, and the renovation project aims to preserve the building’s exterior for future generations while maintaining its historic character at one of the city’s most recognizable intersections.

Funding for the project comes through the federal Historic Preservation Fund, which is administered in Indiana by the DHPA in partnership with the National Park Service. The program supports preservation efforts across the state, helping communities protect and restore historically significant structures.

PLYMOUTH – The Plymouth Community School Corporation Board will meet on Wednesday, October 28th, at 6 p.m. in the board room of the Administration Building to discuss the tentative teacher master contract for the 2026-27 school year.

Beginning salary for new teachers, based on years of experience, remains the same.

If ratified, the contract calls for a salary range of $47,000- $79,848. Once a teacher reaches the top base salary, they will no longer receive a base salary increase but will be eligible for a stipend equivalent to any base salary increases all other teachers receive.

Other changes include:

•Evaluation Rating – Teachers who receive an evaluation rating of Effective or Highly Effective will receive a $1,000 increase to their 2026-2027 base salary.

•For the 2026-2027 school year, any eligible teacher who, after the increase for the evaluation rating factor, is below the current year’s beginning salary of a new teacher with the same years of experience will receive an additional pay increase in order to put the teacher at the beginning base salary. The salary increase for the academic needs factor ranges from $0 to $1,500.

•Any funds otherwise allocated for teachers rated ineffective or improvement necessary will be equally distributed to all teachers rated effective or highly effective. The redistribution will be paid as a stipend after all salary increases have been awarded for the current contract period.

•Single-plan insurance rates increased from $7,847 to $8,358.00.

The contract is available to view in its entirety at https://www.plymouth.k12.in.us/page/transparency. Scroll down to the tab for “Tentative PCSC Master Contract”.

PLYMOUTH – In a close 4-3 vote Monday evening, the Plymouth Common Council denied an ordinance that would have restricted parking on residential lawn space, choosing instead to form a committee to craft a more carefully considered proposal — a process the mayor estimates could take two to four months.

The ordinance, presented to the council two weeks ago, would have limited all parking of vehicles in any front, side, or back lawn area in residential sections of Plymouth. The proposal had not gone through the city administration or the city attorney’s office before being presented to the council.

Two weeks ago, Mayor Robert Listenberger recommended denying the ordinance and creating a committee to address what he described as a complicated issue. He estimated that crafting a new ordinance could take two to four months, after which it would be reviewed by the city attorney before being presented to the council for consideration.

Councilman Duane Culp brought the ordinance back to the floor, saying he felt the council should deny the current measure and place the parking issue on the agenda under Other Business to ensure it doesn’t get lost again and to keep the public informed on the progress.

The council voted 4-3 to deny the ordinance and move forward with drafting a new one. Voting in favor of denial were Culp, Krathwohl, Milner, and Starr. Voting against the denial were Ecker, Longanecker, and Morrow.

A committee has since been formed, with Councilman Don Ecker serving as chair, to review and create a new ordinance for the council’s consideration. Committee members include Councilmen Culp and Morrow, Utility Superintendent Donnie Davidson, City Attorney Jeff Houin, City Engineer Dan Sellers, and Police Chief John Weir. Citizen members include Bobbie Jo Milliser, John Carlton, Paul Wendel, and Paul Shumaker.

The past has a way of haunting us—especially when the stories are true.

This Friday, the Marshall County Historical Society & Museum invites the public to step into the shadows and discover a spookier side of local history with “Haunted History: A Ghost Walk.”

At 7 P.M. on October 30, visitors who have pre-purchased tickets can explore the Museum while hearing chilling true stories from Marshall County’s past, including tales of untimely deaths, tragic accidents, and other unsettling events that left their mark on the community.

Storytellers will bring these stories to life, introducing guests to local residents whose lives ended unexpectedly and revealing the circumstances surrounding some of Marshall County’s more haunting moments.

Haunted History combines local history, mystery, and just the right amount of fright for an unforgettable evening.

And the evening doesn’t have to end when the Ghost Walk does. Guests can keep the spooky fun going with a special screening of Mel Brooks’ classic comedy Young Frankenstein at The REES.

Whether you’re a history buff, a fan of ghost stories, or simply looking for something fun to do on a fall evening, the Ghost Walk at the Marshall County Museum promises an entertaining—and slightly eerie—journey into Marshall County’s past.

Tickets are $15 for members and $20 for non-members and are available at the museum or online at www.mchistoricalsociety.org

For more information, contact the Marshall County Historical Society & Museum at 574-936-2306 or visit mchistoricalsociety.org.

Proceeds raised support MCHS community programs.

The Museum is ADA accessible, but a substantial amount of walking may fatigue some people. This event is not recommended for small children.

PLYMOUTH – A routine traffic stop in downtown Plymouth Friday night turned into an arrest after police discovered the driver had no license and an active federal warrant — all because two children were standing in the backseat of a moving vehicle.

On the evening of October 23, at approximately 9 p.m., Officer Schieber and K9 Kyzer with the Plymouth Police Department conducted a traffic stop near the intersection of Michigan and Washington streets after observing two children in the backseat of the vehicle standing up while it was in motion.

The driver was identified as Roger Aviliez-Martinez, 34, of Plymouth. During the stop, officers determined that Aviliez-Martinez had never been issued a driver’s license and was the subject of an outstanding federal warrant for his arrest.

Aviliez-Martinez was taken into custody and transported to the Marshall County Jail for intake and then transferred to the Fulton County Jail, a Department of Corrections holding facility.

Authorities did not provide details regarding the nature of the federal warrant, nor did they specify whether any additional charges or citations were issued in connection with the traffic stop. The incident remains under investigation.

BOURBON – A late-night investigation by the Marshall County Sheriff’s Department led to the arrest of two men Sunday morning after authorities say the suspects attempted to engage in sexual activity with a minor.

Tommy McKinney, 52, of Warsaw, and William Marsillett, 67, of Etna Green, were taken into custody on Sunday, October 25, at approximately 1:26 a.m. following a response to a report of criminal activity in progress at 12657 Beech Road, the Bourbon Truck Stop.

According to the Marshall County Sheriff’s Department, patrol units were dispatched to the scene in reference to an adult male attempting to engage in sexual activity with a minor. Through the course of the investigation, authorities determined that both McKinney and Marsillett had been communicating with a juvenile under the age of 14 — or a person they believed to be a juvenile under the age of 14. The communications were related to sexual activity and further encouraged the juvenile to engage in that activity with the suspects, the department said.

During the arrest, investigators located methamphetamine inside the vehicle the suspects drove to meet the juvenile.

McKinney and Marsillett each face charges of child solicitation, as a level 5 felony; possession of methamphetamine, as a level 6 felony; and inappropriate communication with a minor, as a Class A misdemeanor. The cash bonds were set at $1,500.

The investigation was conducted by Detective Sergeant Ryan Hollopeter of the Marshall County Sheriff’s Department. Authorities say the investigation is ongoing and that further information may be released at a later date.

PLYMOUTH – A late-night call about a possible invasion of privacy at a Plymouth motel led to the arrest of two individuals Sunday night, one of whom was found violating a no-contact order and the other for concealing herself and refusing to cooperate with police.

On Sunday, October 25, at approximately 11:40 p.m., Plymouth Police were notified of a possible invasion of privacy in progress at the Economy Inn, located at 2535 North Michigan Street, room 210.

According to police, 45-year-old Christopher L. Langley, a resident of the Economy Inn, was reported to be violating a no-contact order involving a female staying at the same motel in the same room number.

Upon arrival, Officer Witkowski located Langley inside room 210 with the female party he had been ordered to have no contact with.

During the investigation, 49-year-old Sue A. Christlieb, who shares the same address, concealed herself inside the room and refused to identify herself despite being given multiple warnings by officers on scene.

Both Langley and Christlieb were taken into custody and transported to the Marshall County Jail.

Langley was charged with invasion of privacy, false informing, and unlawful use of a police radio. He is being held on a $500 cash bond.

Christlieb was charged with assisting a criminal, resisting law enforcement, and unlawful use of a police radio. She is being held on a $750 cash bond.