PLYMOUTH — The Marshall County Highway Department and the Marshall County Commissioners are continuing to pursue funding options to purchase a new piece of equipment.

At their regular meeting, the Commissioners continued discussions with Highway Superintendent Jason Peters regarding ways to purchase a “Total Patcher” for use before the end of the year. The equipment is a spray injection repair system that would allow the highway to continue patching and repair operations on county roads close to year-round, in most weather.
Earlier in the year, the Commissioners were turned down by the County Council for an additional appropriation for the equipment, suggesting it be added to the coming year’s budget. Since then, Peters and Commissioners have explored ways to purchase the equipment before Jan. 1 so that it could be utilized during the current paving season.
Working with the manufacturer, Peters was able to get an agreement for a type of “lease-to-own” arrangement for the current year, with the balance to be paid in the new budget on Jan. 1. If approved by the Council, the arrangement would also save the county $5000 on the purchase.
The Commissioners will seek Council approval at their next meeting on Aug. 11.

PLYMOUTH — Marshall County Sheriff Matt Hassel has released his month’s jail and arrest report for the county.

As of July 23 the population of the jail was 144. Of those 99 inmates were pre-trial, 26 were sentenced 21 with felony charges.
The average population for the month was 142. There are 1316 active warrants still in the county.
The top five offenses in Marshall County for June were:
•Failure to appear (22)
•Operator never licensed (20)
•Possession of marijuana (19)
•Operating while intoxicated (19)
•Domestic battery (14)
Plymouth Police made 45 arrests in the month of June, Culver Police made nine arrests, Bremen, Argos and the Indiana State Police made six arrests.

At 942 PM EDT/842 PM CDT/, Doppler radar was tracking a cluster of strong thunderstorms along a line extending from near North Liberty to near Walkerton to near Nappanee.

These storms were nearly stationary. HAZARD…Wind gusts up to 40 mph and pea size hail. SOURCE…Radar indicated. IMPACT…Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around unsecured objects. Minor hail damage to vegetation is possible. Locations impacted include… Plymouth, Nappanee, Bremen, Walkerton, North Liberty, Lakeville, Koontz Lake, Locke, La Paz, Teegarden, Fish Lake, Tyner, Gravelton, Linkville, Lake Of The Woods, and Wyatt.

PLYMOUTH — ARTS in the Street is STILL ON this Saturday from 10 AM – 5 PM in downtown Plymouth — rain or shine.

Regardless of the weather, there will still be:
•Artists inside AND outside—a hybrid setup thanks to the support of our downtown merchants (more on them below!)
•Live music starting at 10 AM—moving indoors to Heartland Art Center if skies decide to throw shade
•Arts Experiences: Balloon art, face painting, chalk artists, window painting, sand art necklaces, and dozens more
•A scavenger hunt that’ll take you on an adventure through amazing local shops and artist booths
•Food trucks + local restaurants dishing up everything from fish sandwiches to cheesecake
Thanks to these local businesses, artists will be popping up INSIDE businesses, so you can support the arts and dry off at the same time:
•Black Cat
•Butterfly Boutique
•Plymouth Chamber of Commerce
•Essential Wellness Solutions
•Expressions Dance Studio
•French Press
•Gather 2 Graze Charcuterie
•Marshall County Museum
•Opie’s Deli & The Office
•Simplee Stated Gifts
•The REES Theatre
•Treat’s Squire Shop
•The Woolly Buffalo
•Wild Rose Moon
These downtown partners are the reason we can keep things rolling, rain, wind, heat, or surprise thunderclaps.

SOUTH BEND — According to a press release from South Bend International Airport (SBN), they have announced that beginning on October 6th of this year, American Airlines will connect passengers to Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport (ORD).

The service will run four times daily, in both directions, on a luxury motorcoach operated by The Landline Company. Tickets for travel from South Bend to more than 150 destinations through O’Hare are now available for purchase.
The press release notes that this marks American’s third hub to be served from South Bend Airport.
“We know American Airlines-loyal passengers are driving to O’Hare for flights,” said Mike Daigle, CEO and executive director of South Bend International Airport. “These ‘flights’ offer greater flexibility for all travelers allowing the ability to make use of the drive time doing work or streaming on high-speed Wi-Fi while avoiding the headaches of traffic, parking, and long lines in Chicago. The airside-to-airside operation offers another option for passengers to get where they need to go conveniently from SBN.”

PLYMOUTH — On July 17, at 9:20 p.m., Plymouth Police were dispatched to the area of 1275 Baker St. about a man who possibly had felony warrants through St. Joseph County.

Upon arrival, Officers encountered two men who fit the description that was given. When asked for identification, one man willingly provided his information. The other man, later identified as Henry Edwards, 44, of Michigan City, was reluctant to provide his information, but then provided the name of Leon Edwards and a date of birth.
When that name was checked through NCIC, it returned not on file. Officers were then provided a photo of the suspect that matched the man who provided the false name. Edwards was detained and transported to the Marshall County Jail, where he was lodged for False Informing- Class A Misdemeanor and the Felony warrants through St. Joseph County.

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

*To see all the area police reports go to the home page and hit the “Police Reports” tab at the top.*

PLYMOUTH — The Marshall County Highway Department will be chip and sealing the following roads on Monday:

•Jarrah from US6 to the RR Tracks
•6th Road from Juniper to Hawthorn
•Hawthorn from 5C to Plymouth/Goshen Trail
These roads will be closed until the completion of the work. Please use caution, slow down, and be alert when traveling near or through construction zones. Be mindful of our workers and road conditions.

According to a press release from the Indiana Department of Health, the state’s first West Nile Virus case of 2025 has been reported in Vanderburgh County, at the southern tip of the state.

While the case may be far from home, mosquitoes are not, and the Indiana Department of Health shares tips on preventing mosquito-borne diseases.

• Use EPA-registered insect repellents that contain DEET, picaridin, IR3535, oil of lemon eucalyptus, para-menthane-diol, or 2-undecanone according to the label instructions.
• Wear protective clothing such as loose-fitting long-sleeved shirts and pants. Consider treating your clothing and gear with a permethrin product (note: permethrin products should not be applied directly to the skin).
• Install screens on windows and doors and keep them in good repair.
• Look for containers that could hold water, such as trash, tires, buckets, toys, pools, birdbaths, flowerpot saucers, or trash containers. Even a pool of water as small as in a bottle cap can breed mosquitoes.
• Prevent mosquitoes from accessing containers. This can be done by removing trash, moving items indoors, covering or overturning items not in use, drilling holes in the bottom of trash containers, installing screens on rain barrels, replacing water in pet bowls daily and flushing birdbaths, fountains, and other containers at least once a week.
• Maintain properties and landscaping in good condition. This includes regularly servicing septic systems, keeping grass mowed and shrubs trimmed, cleaning gutters regularly, and aerating ornamental pools or stocking them with predatory fish.
  Indiana Department of Health notes that most people infected with West Nile virus have no symptoms or only mild flu-like symptoms which can include fever, headache, body aches, joint pains, vomiting, diarrhea, or a rash.
  A small number will develop a more severe form of the disease affecting the nervous system, including inflammation in the brain and spinal cord, muscle paralysis, or even death.
  People older than 60 years and those with weakened immune systems are at higher risk of severe West Nile virus disease.
  People who think they may have West Nile virus disease should see their healthcare providers as soon as possible.

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HAS ISSUED SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH IN EFFECT UNTIL 10 PM EDT /9 PM CDT/ THIS EVENING FOR THE FOLLOWING AREAS IN INDIANA:

THIS WATCH INCLUDES 11 COUNTIES IN NORTH CENTRAL INDIANA KOSCIUSKO ST. JOSEPH IN NORTHERN INDIANA ELKHART FULTON IN LA PORTE LAGRANGE MARSHALL NOBLE PULASKI STARKE STEUBEN IN MICHIGAN THIS WATCH INCLUDES 5 COUNTIES IN SOUTHWEST MICHIGAN BERRIEN BRANCH CASS MI HILLSDALE ST. JOSEPH MI THIS INCLUDES THE CITIES OF AKRON, ALBION, ANGOLA, BASS LAKE, BENTON HARBOR, BENTON HEIGHTS, BREMEN, BRONSON, BUCHANAN, CASSOPOLIS, COLDWATER, CULVER, DOWAGIAC, EDWARDSBURG, ELKHART, FAIR PLAIN, FRANCESVILLE, FREMONT, GOSHEN, GRANGER, HILLSDALE, JONESVILLE, KENDALLVILLE, KNOX, LA PORTE, LAGRANGE, LIGONIER, LITCHFIELD, MARCELLUS, MEDARYVILLE, MENDON, MICHIGAN CITY, MISHAWAKA, NAPPANEE, NILES, NORTH JUDSON, PAW PAW LAKE, PLYMOUTH, ROCHESTER, SHIPSHEWANA, SOUTH BEND, ST. JOSEPH, STURGIS, THREE RIVERS, TOPEKA, WARSAW, WHITE PIGEON, WINAMAC, AND WINONA LAKE.

PLYMOUTH — On Tuesday,​ July 22,​ at 10:09 PM,​ Marshall County Officers were dispatched to a residence in the 11000 block of State Road 17 for a domestic incident between a man and woman.

Upon arrival,​ officers spoke with both parties involved. After an investigation,​ it was found that 48-year-old Oscar J. Andrade had physically battered the woman,​ 37-year-old Lana Gray.
Andrade was transported to the Marshall County Jail for Battery.

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

*To see all the area police reports go to the home page and hit the “Police Reports” tab at the top.*

PLYMOUTH — Marshall County Highway Superintendent Jason Peters reported on the progress of the 2025 road program around the county during the meeting of the Marshall County Commissioners.

As of that meeting, crews have paved 50 miles of road so far this season at a cost of $1,606,129. In the past week crews finished work on Lincolnway between Queen and US 30, 15B to SR 10, King Road from US 30 to the Plymouth/Goshen Trail, and 3rd to 5B, a total of 14 miles.
Community Crossings Grant projects were finished on 3rd Rd, 16th Rd, and 9th Rd, with the next project scheduled to be at Nutmeg Meadows.
Peters said that all work is subject to weather, including heat, saying that extreme temperatures have a negative affect on paving and didn’t feel the risk was worth it.
The Commissioners accepted bids for the additional paving projects in the county and awarded those projects to Milestone with a bid of $535,232.

PLYMOUTH — The Marshall County Historical Society is sponsoring a Brown Bag Lunch & Lecture Event on Friday, August 8, from Noon – 1 p.m. with local historian and author Joe Krom presenting a program on his book “Heart of a Warrior.”

Krom will recount the epic exploits of Indiana frontiersman William Wells, including his dealings with General Anthony Wayne, Governor William Henry Harrison, Chief Little Turtle, Tecumseh, and others who shaped Indiana before statehood.
Krom has authored four historical novels since retiring from teaching. He enjoys lecturing throughout the Midwest on his findings.
The Brown Bag event will be held at the Marshall County Historical Society & Museum, 123 N. Michigan St., Plymouth. For more information, please call 574-936-2306.

The National Weather Service has issued a Heat Advisory for Marshall County. The Advisory will be in place from 2-8pm on Wednesday and 11am-8pm on Thursday.

Heat indices are forecasted to exceed 100 degrees, with isolated values above 105 possible.

This heat is dangerous for EVERYONE! Make sure you are drinking water and taking breaks if you’re outside for a long duration.

If you need a place to cool down, several Marshall County communities have made cooling centers available.

On July 21 at 10:53 p.m., ​Marshall ​County Deputies attempted to stop a sports bike traveling northbound on US 31 for traffic violations.

The operator of the sports bike, Owen Shumaker, 20, fled from the Deputies​ before crashing and sustaining injuries. Charges are pending from the Marshall County Prosecutor’s office. ​

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

PLYMOUTH — The Marshall County Board of Finance took a look at the allocation of interest income from County investments in a meeting on Monday.

The Board of Finance, by state statute, is made up of the County Commissioners (Jesse Bohannon, Adam Faulstich, and Stan Klotz) along with the Marshall County Treasurer (Sandra Dodson). This board has the responsibility of supervising the allocation of public depositories for all public funds of the county. The county treasurer is also considered the custodian of all money belonging to the county and the investing officer of these funds, working in conjunction with the board of county commissioners to determine local public depositories.
Bohannon told the other Board members that the President of the Marshall County Council, Tim Harmon, would like the board to consider a change in the county policy regarding the county fund in which interest income is deposited. Bohannon said that Harmon would like as much of the county’s interest income as is allowed by law to be deposited in the General Fund rather than accrue in other special-purpose funds.
He also would like the excess funds left in the budget at year’s end to go back into the General Fund rather than the Rainy Day Fund.
While Klotz had no real objection to the change, he did say that he would like to have a specific recommendation proposal from the Council to let the Board of Finance know what their intentions are.
No action was taken, but plans are for another meeting, including the Council, to discuss the proposal.

PLYMOUTH — On May 10,​ at 7 PM, a Marshall County Sheriff’s Department K-9 Deputy conducted a traffic stop with the vehicle in the area of US 31 and 9A Road.

The driver of the vehicle was identified as 32-year-old Harvey Burkett Jr. During the traffic stop,​ suspected cocaine,​ marijuana,​ and a firearm were located in the vehicle.
Burkett was suspected of being under the influence of alcohol and controlled substances and was transported to the Plymouth Hospital for a certified chemical test. Burkett was found to be over the legal limit of alcohol and was booked into the Marshall County Jail for possession of cocaine or narcotic drug, a level 5 felony,​ operating a vehicle while intoxicated,​ endangering a person, a class A misdemeanor,​ possession of marijuana, a class B misdemeanor,​ and possession of paraphernalia a class C misdemeanor.

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

PLYMOUTH — On July 21, 2025, at 6:34 am, the Marshall County Coroner’s Office was notified of a death in the Emergency Room of St. Joseph Regional Medical Center, Plymouth.

Plymouth Fire and Police were dispatched to the Loves Truckstop, 2952 Gary Dr., Plymouth, at 5:53 a.m. regarding an individual who had fallen inside the building and was unresponsive.
Plymouth Fire Dept. Paramedics transported the individual to St. Joseph Regional Medical Center, Plymouth, where he was pronounced dead at 6:39 am
Preliminary Investigation has found the deceased, identified as Jake Partello, age 28 of Cannon Falls, Minnesota, entered the Loves Truckstop to use the restroom. Partello exited the restroom and collapsed in the hallway. Camera footage from within the truck stop showed that Partello was alone in the restroom. Upon discovering Partello, Love’s Staff called 911 for assistance. 
Marshall County Coroner Dean Byers stated an autopsy was conducted on Tuesday. Toxicology testing is pending to assist in determining Partello’s cause of death. 

With extreme summer temperatures expected in Indiana over the next several days, cooling centers will be open across the state for those in need of a safe and cool place to stay. Indiana 211 is your community’s resource for updated locations and hours of cooling centers in your area. To see a list of current cooling centers, go to https://in211.communityos.org/

In Argos:
•Argos Police Department, 125 West Walnut.
Bourbon:
•Bourbon Police Department, 224 N. Main St.
•Bourbon City Office, 104 East Park Avenue.
Bremen:
•Bremen Police Department, 123 South Center St.
•Bremen City Office, 111 South Center St.
Culver:
•The Beach Lodge is available as a cooling center during their operating hours, 10 am to 7 pm.
•Town Hall is available 8 am to 4 pm.
•The Police Station lobby is available after 7 pm and through the night.
Plymouth:
•The Conservation Clubhouse, 720 Magnetic Parkway, will be available to be used as a cooling center this week. If you need a cool place to be during the day, contact the Plymouth Park Department at 574-936-2876, and they will unlock the door for you.
Walkerton:
•Starke County Public Library 7954 SR 23.

PLYMOUTH — The Marshall County Highway Department will be replacing a culvert north of 12725 Pine Rd on Tuesday, starting at 8 a.m.

This will take approximately 3 hours. While this work is being done, the road will be closed to all traffic, including emergency vehicles, and there will be no way for vehicles to leave during this time.
The Highway Department will also be chip and sealing King Road from 4B to 3rd Tuesday. This road will also be closed.
Milestone will be paving 9th Road from Union to Pioneer, and this road will be closed while work is being done.
All work is weather permitting. Please find an alternate route while road work is ongoing.