NIPSCO’s home heating bills are expected to stay about the same as they were last year. Projections released by the company Wednesday say an average residential customer can expect to pay about $390 on gas bills between November 1 and March 31. Continue reading
Learn About Marshall County’s Haunted History on Friday the 13th
The Marshall County Historical Society Museum will be holding their final brown bag lunch event of the season on Friday the 13th. Community members are encouraged to bring a lunch down to the museum at 123 N Michigan Street in Plymouth to hear from a special speaker.
Mindy Langdon, community relations for the museum, said the historian will reveal some of the haunted history of Marshall County, “Our guest speaker is Jeff Kenney and he’s from the Culver area and he’s got some really great ghost stories to tell about things in the area that are kind of spooky.”
The event is held from noon to one, but concludes a little before the hour to allow individuals enough time to make it back to work if they’re on their lunch break. Get into the Halloween spirit a few weeks early by learning about the mysterious stories attached to local places you may see regularly.
Knox Man Arrested after Foot Pursuit with Police
A Knox man was arrested early Wednesday morning after allegedly running from Plymouth police officers.
Officers were called to the Red Rock Inn in Plymouth just after midnight on a report of criminal mischief. The caller reportedly told police that the suspect, later identified as Bradley Scott, left the area in a black vehicle traveling west on Hoham Drive.
Marshall County Council Approves Budget Line Item for Professional Services
The Marshall County Council approved adding a line item in this year’s budget for professional services. Specifically, the line item will cover the hourly wages for work done by Waggoner, Irwin and Scheele to update the county employee job descriptions and wages.
Multiple Individuals Express Interest in Triton Superintendent Position
Monday was the final day that individuals interested in the Triton Schools superintendent position could submit applications for consideration.
Superintendent Donna Burroughs announced her plans to retire during a school board meeting back in September. Before the school board members met for their regular session on Monday, they held an executive session to go over the submitted applications. Continue reading
Bids Opened for 2017 Fall Street and Sidewalk Projects
Plymouth City Attorney Sean Surrisi opened bids for the city’s fall street and sidewalk project list during Monday night’s Plymouth Board of Public Works and Safety meeting.
There are about 30 individual projects that the city will be doing. Many will be done yet this year with others continuing in the spring of 2018.
Culver Town Council Considers Resolution for Residential Tax Abatement
The Culver Town Council members conducted a public hearing Tuesday night concerning a resolution to deem the Sand Hill Farms property an economic target area and an economic revitalization area per state statute for purposes of residential tax abatement. The abatement would be 100 percent for 10 years.
The Sand Hill Farms property will be home to a workforce development housing project offering 24-unit apartments.
Shady Rest Committee has Unanswered Questions
The Shady Rest Home Committee expressed concerns about a business plan and financial sustainability of a potential entity hoping to occupy the Shady Rest Home on Lincoln Highway in Plymouth.
The committee members on Tuesday afternoon were in agreement that the proposal given by Ted Hayden and Gregg Erickson for an addiction recovery service at the Shady Rest Home is a program worthy of utilizing the space owned by the county, but whether or not they can be financially responsible is still a question.
Marshall County Council Approves Highway, Sheriff Appropriation Requests
The Marshall County Council fielded several requests for additional appropriations during their regular meeting on Monday.
The highway department submitted a request for $300,000 for bituminous for the continuation of paving operations through the rest of the year. The highway department also asked for $112,000 for vehicle maintenance. That money is to re-appropriate the fuel charges from departments and outside entities coming back into the county.
Van Vactor Farms Looking to Amend Land Sale Proceeds Agreement
David Miller of Van Vactor Farms approached the Plymouth Board of Public Works and Safety Monday night to discuss an amendment to a land sale proceeds agreement.
Miller reminded the board members of the donation of 20 acres of land out in the techFarm area on Miller Drive and Pioneer Drive back in 2004. Miller stated that the donation of land was a partnership with the city to build a techFarm on the northwest side of town. The original agreement called for a split of proceeds between the Van Vactor Farms and the city as land is sold for development. According to the original agreement, the money split would be used to help development infrastructure and other projects at the techFarm.
Marshall County Council Approves Ordinances on 2018 Budgets
Marshall County Council members took action Monday morning to move the budget to the state for approval.
Before the council approved the 2018 budget, Councilwoman Penny Lukenbill brought the Superior Court II budget into discussion. The council had reduced Judge Dean Colvin’s initial request for full-time law clerks in the amount of $75,000 to just a part-time law clerk line item at $45,000.
Marshall County Council Approves Additional Appropriation for Fire System
The Marshall County Council members approved a request for an additional appropriation for a fire suppression system at the Marshall County Museum.
Commissioner Kurt Garner explained that the commissioners approved a quote in September from the NoBi Corporation out of Elkhart in the amount of $5,935. Since the commissioners felt it was an immediate need, they agreed to allow the expenditure to be taken out of the building and grounds maintenance fund. Garner and Museum Archive Manager Karin Rettinger were before the council to ask for an additional appropriation to reimburse the county and for a building project.
Plymouth School Corporation to Focus on English Language Learners During Upcoming Intersession
Children new to the English language will be getting some extra help, during Plymouth Schools’ upcoming intersession period.
Culver Town Council to Meet Tonight
The Culver Town Council will meet tonight where the members will conduct a public hearing on the Sand Hill Farm residential tax abatement. The council will then consider a adopting a declaratory resolution designating the real estate containing the housing development as an economic target area and within an economic revitalization area for purposes of property tax abatement
The town council members will also consider second and third readings on the 2018 budget ordinance as well as an ordinance that establishes fees or costs for the Town of Culver Park and Recreation Department. Continue reading
Plymouth School Board Updated on Marshall County Promise Program
Kindergartners and first-graders got a chance to see what it’s like to go to college, thanks to the Marshall County Promise program. A group of first-graders from Webster Elementary School discussed their recent Walk into My Future trip with the Plymouth School Board last week. Continue reading
Marshall County Council to Meet Today
The Marshall County Council will meet this morning where they will approve readings on ordinances that pertain to the 2018 budgets for Marshall County, the Argos Community School Corporation, and the Marshall County Solid Waste District. The Marshall County 2018 salary ordinance and the Marshall County Community Corrections 2018 salary ordinance are also on the agenda for readings.
Plymouth BOW/Council to Meet Tonight
The Plymouth Board of Public Works and Safety will meet tonight where bids will be opened for the 2017 Fall street and sidewalk projects. Reports will also be given by the department heads. City Attorney Sean Surrisi will present a resolution that if approved would the board to write off delinquent and uncollectible water, wastewater, garbage and stormwater bills.
America Observes Fire Prevention Week
According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), Fire Prevention Week is the longest running public health observance on record.
First established in 1925 by President Calvin Coolidge, it was formed in order to commemorate the “Great Chicago Fire” of October of 1871 when more than 250 people died and another 100,000 were left homeless. This year, Fire Prevention Week started on the 8th and runs through the 14th. It serves as a reminder to individuals of all ages to be prepared for when the unexpected may strike.
During this week, parents and teachers are encouraged to go over basic fire prevention and safety tips with students at all levels. The NFPA has a few helpful resources that can help families be prepared in case of a fire. Continue reading
AAA: Infotainment Systems Can Create Dangerous Distractions for Drivers
Car infotainment systems can distract drivers for potentially dangerous periods of time. That’s according to researchers with the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety.
Marshall County Tax Sale Set
The Marshall County tax sale is set for next week.
County Attorney Jim Clevenger reported to the commissioners on Monday that the application for Judgment and Order for Tax Sale was filed on Sept. 22 and the last day for objections on unpaid taxes was on Tuesday. The Judgment and Order was obtained yesterday.
