Bremen Troopers Participating in Tip-a-Cop to Assist Special Olympics Indiana

Several troopers from Indiana State Police Bremen Post are participating in the annual Tip-a-Cop event to raise money for Special Olympics Indiana. From 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. this Saturday, troopers will be working and collecting tips at a chain restaurant located at 4010 N Main Street in Mishawaka.

This is the 12th year that Law Enforcement Torch Run (LETR) has put on the nationwide Tip-a-Cop event which serves as not only a fundraiser, but a public awareness vehicle for Special Olympics Indiana.

The not-for-profit organization provides year-round sports training and athletic competitions in over 20 Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, reaching more than 12,000 athletes across Indiana. Since Special Olympics Indiana is not a United Way agency and receives no federal or state appropriated funds, they rely entirely on corporate, civic and individual donations. Continue reading

Marshall County Coroner Provides More Details about Fatal Accident on U.S. 30

The name of the driver who was pronounced dead at the scene of a two-vehicle accident on U.S 30 west of Oak Drive in Plymouth has been released. Marshall County Coroner John Grolich reported that 64-year-old James Michael, of Lucerne, suffered from a sudden acute medical emergency which left him unresponsive while behind the wheel of his pick-up truck Tuesday evening. Continue reading

Plymouth Police Department Investigating Fatal Accident

The Plymouth Police Department and emergency responders were called to a two-vehicle accident on U.S. 30 west of Oak Drive in Plymouth around 6:14 p.m. Tuesday.

According to police, Michael O’Hara, 57, of Etterik, Wisconsin, was driving his vehicle westbound on U.S. 30 when a vehicle traveling eastbound crossed the median, entered the westbound lane and collided with O’Hara’s vehicle. That vehicle then stopped in the ditch area on the north side of the road. Continue reading

Marshall County Commissioners Approve Brownfield Coalition

More Brownfield grants will be sought after for properties in the Marshall County area, but the entity going after the grant will be the Michiana Area Council of Governments (MACOG).

A brownfield is a property previously used for industrial purposes or some commercial uses. It may have been contaminated with hazardous waste and the Brownfield Grant helped assess those properties and plan clean up strategies.

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Culver Community School Board Adopts 2018 Budget

The Culver Community School Board adopted the 2018 budget when they met Monday evening. Superintendent Karen Shuman stated that their budget is in line with their enrollment and all accounts are in good standing.

Superintendent Shuman also said their taxation will remain status quo and representatives of the school corporation are hoping that the new housing being developed in the community will boost enrollment which would increase revenue and allow for the school to offer more programs to Culver Community students. Continue reading

Energy Safe Kids Presentation Coming to A Classroom Near You

This November, the National Energy Foundation and Northern Indiana Public Service Company(NIPSCO) are teaming up to deliver more than 100 ‘Energy Safe Kids’ classroom presentations in schools across Northern Indiana.

Energy Safe Kids is a unique and engaging program designed to encourage fourth graders to think about energy sources and how to be safe around them whether outdoors, at home or at school. Energy educators teach students the basics about energy and energy safety.

There will be two weeks of presentation beginning on Monday, November 6th. Interested individuals who are within NIPSCO’s service territory can register at EnergySafeKids.org/NIPSCO. Space is limited so fourth grade teachers who want to have an energy safety specialist speak to their students should sign-up as soon as possible. If you’re unable to get someone into your classroom this year, you can still register in advance for the 2018 program.

Pretzels, Inc. Holds Grand Opening Celebration

Pretzels, Inc. in Plymouth opened its doors to city and county officials and other dignitaries for the grand opening celebration of its operation at 2910 Commerce Street on Tuesday morning.

Congresswoman Jackie Walorski joined in cutting the ribbon at the 45,000 square foot facility that is the home to 40 full-time workers. It will welcome 65 total jobs by the year 2020.

The new plant manufactures bulk pretzel products as well as peanut butter-filled pretzels which are produced exclusively at the Plymouth plant. Production began just five months after construction began.

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Two Marshall County Community Crossings Bids Approved

Bids were opened Monday morning for the three projects awarded Community Crossings grant funds for Marshall County.

After the bids were opened, the Marshall County Commissioners, Highway Administrator Laurie Baker and Highway Supervisor Jason Peters learned that the $518,322.87 grant along with the $129,580.72 match for the grant will only cover two projects. The grant plus the match will total $647,903.59 and the lowest bids for the two projects that would be the biggest priority will total $642,626.25.

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Renovations Underway at Plymouth City Building

Plymouth City Building

Michiana Contracting crews continue to work on demolishing the inside of the Plymouth City Building to make way for improvements inside the structure.

City Attorney Sean Surrisi previously explained that renovations will be made to the clerk-treasurer’s office to improve customer relations and staff productivity. The city purchased the adjacent chamber of commerce building and crews will remodel the second floor to accommodate an expansion of room for the city council chambers and conference space. In the same project, the mayor’s office and his assistant’s office will be moved upstairs in the city building. An elevator and staircase will be added. Continue reading

John Glenn School Board to Meet Tonight

John Glenn School Board

The John Glenn School Board will adopt the 2018 budget as advertised. The General Fund is just over $12.7 million with the Capital Projects Fund just under $1.35 million. The transportation fund is $936,000. The total for all funds is $17,730,462.

The school board members will also approve a resolution to reduce an appropriation as well as appoint a library board member to the Walkerton-Lincoln Township Public Library.

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Here/Hear is Bringing Their Mental Illness and Mental Health Initiative to Ancilla College

Here/Hear is a nonprofit organization, based out of Plymouth, which works with a number of initiatives in order to help with mental illness. This week, the director of the organization Dr. Nate Crawford will be delivering his lecture, “Taking Care of Me: Tips for Living Well” as a part of The Lampen Lecture series at Ancilla College.

The Lampen Lecture series was named for Ancilla’s first president Sr. Joel Lampen and though it is sponsored by the college and the Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ, residents of surrounding communities are encouraged to attend the free lecture series any time.

On Thursday, October 19th Dr. Crawford will be speaking in Cana Hall at 12:45 p.m. (EDT). His organization creates content for the web that helps people navigate the issues surrounding mental illness and they speak with students and parents about the affliction. Their mission statement says that they believe music and the arts provide a great way to engage people in conversations about mental illness and mental health.

Work Continues on Rees Theater

More masonry work will be conducted on the Rees Theater this week.

On behalf of the Wythougan Preservation Council and the Rees Theater committee, Randy Danielson asked the Plymouth Board of Public Works and Safety last week if the company could place barricades on the sidewalks on E. LaPorte Street in order to effectively complete the work. A dumpster may also be placed on the parking spaces on E. LaPorte Street if needed.

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Triton School Board Receives Building Project Updates From Architect

When the Triton School Board met last Monday, board members and the public were able to view some preliminary drawings and plans for the proposed building projects.

Architect Ben Sanchez of Barton-Coe-Vilaama presented the board with updates about different projects including plans for the high school roof repairs and designs for a new gymnasium. Superintendent Donna Burroughs said representatives from the Fort-Wayne based architecture and engineering firm were there to receive feedback before they undertake the school projects. Continue reading

Smoke Detectors Available for Culver Residents

In recognition of National Fire Prevention Month, the Culver-Union Township Fire Department has smoke detectors available to those in the jurisdiction who need them. The smoke detectors are available at the Culver Town Hall or at the firehouse at 611 State Street.

Fire Chief Terry Wakefield announced that firefighters will be willing to install smoke detectors for those who are disabled or otherwise physically incapable of completing the task. Continue reading

Marshall County Commissioners to Meet Today

Marshall County Commissioners (L to R) Mike Delp, Kevin Overmyer, Kurt Garner

The Marshall County Commissioners will open bids for road construction and resurfacing when they meet this morning. The bids will be for the projects that were awarded Community Crossings grant funding.

The commissioners will also hear an update from the highway department and get an update on the 2018 United Way campaign from Brenda Harper. Ralph Booker will discuss the Brownfield Grant application and County Attorney Jim Clevenger will have a report on various items. Continue reading

Help Miller’s Merry Manor Fight Hunger during National Food Bank Week

National Food Bank Week is acknowledged annually in October to help food pantries prepare for the upcoming holiday season. Miller’s Merry Manor in Plymouth is doing their part by hosting a food drive through the 21st.

The local assisted living facility will be collecting paper products and non-perishable food items at their front desk all week. All items collected will go to the Bread of Life Community Food Pantry.

Miller’s Merry Manor is located at 635 Oakhill Avenue. For more information, contact them at 574-936-9981.