PLYMOUTH — On Dec. 23 at 8:24 p.m., Marshall County Deputies stopped a vehicle for speeding.

While talking with the driver, the Deputy could smell an odor ​commonly associated with marijuana emanating from the vehicle. After a search of the vehicle, approximately 140 grams of suspected marijuana were found.
April S. Spencer, 48, and Timothy N. Heise, 49, were taken into custody on the charge of Possession of Marijuana.

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

PLYMOUTH — On the morning of Dec. 29, at 3 a.m., Plymouth Police were advised that an adult male

was going to meet with a juvenile after having sexually drawn conversations over social media.
Plymouth Police led the investigation, which identified 57-year-old John Machlan of Plymouth as the suspect.
Machlan drove at 3:30 a.m. to meet with a juvenile he thought to be 13 years old. As a result of the officer’s investigation, Machlan was taken into custody for level 4 felony- child solicitation and lodged at the Marshall County Jail.
A probable cause affidavit was submitted before Marshall Superior Court 3, where the judge signed the probable cause order and assigned bond.

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

PLYMOUTH — Marshall County Coroner Dean Byers has announced the appointment of John Lampkins

as Chief Deputy Coroner for Marshall County.
Lampkins has served Marshall County as a Deputy Coroner for 11 years and is certified as a Medicolegal Death Investigator through the Indiana Coroner’s Training Board.
Lampkins currently serves as a Full-time Paramedic/Firefighter with the City of Plymouth. He also serves as an EMT Instructor with the North Central Career & Technical Education Cooperative.
Lampkins’ new role will begin on Jan. 1.

PLYMOUTH — The Marshall County Commissioners will have their year-end meeting on Wednesday,

Dec. 31, in the second-floor meeting room at the Marshall County Building on Jefferson Street in Plymouth.
The light agenda includes year-end claims along with 2026 appointments and an engagement letter for Krieg Devault Lobbying Services.
The meeting begins at 8:30 a.m. and will be live-streamed on YouTube @MarshallCountyIN.

PLYMOUTH — Heartland Art Center in Plymouth is introducing a new experience, “The Artist’s Table”, a

new, intimate dining experience at the Heartland Art Center
On Saturday, Jan. 24, from 6–9 PM, Chef Matt Kolacz, French-trained at Le Cordon Bleu and head chef at Gather 2 Graze in Plymouth, thoughtfully curated a five-course dinner inspired by the work of artist Alan Larkin. Each course will reflect the artist’s style, process, and creative voice.
Guests will enjoy a refined, art-inspired meal with wine and beverage pairings available throughout the evening.
Adding to the experience, the night will also feature live music and live painters, creating an immersive atmosphere where creativity unfolds in real time.
This is a limited-seating experience, designed to be intimate, immersive, and memorable.
Interest has already been strong, and ticket sales will end on January 19th.
For registration, go to https://www.cognitoforms.com/HeartlandArtists1/TheArtistsTableTicketRegistration

Average gasoline prices in Indiana have fallen 10.6 cents per gallon in the last week, averaging $2.65/g

today, according to GasBuddy’s survey of 3,271 stations in Indiana. Prices in Indiana are 12.4 cents per gallon lower than a month ago and stand 33.6 cents per gallon lower than a year ago. The national average price of diesel has decreased 5.4 cents compared to a week ago and stands at $3.521 per gallon.
The cheapest gas in Marshall County was in Plymouth at $2.59 a gallon, the most expensive in Culver at $2.89.
In Starke County, the cheapest was in Hamlet at $2.54 a gallon, the most expensive in Winamac at $2.89 a gallon.
According to GasBuddy price reports, the cheapest station in Indiana was priced at $2.25/g yesterday, while the most expensive was $3.29/g, a difference of $1.04/g.
The national average price of gasoline has fallen 4.0 cents per gallon in the last week, averaging $2.75/g today.
“For the fifth straight week, the national average price of gasoline has declined, with all but a handful of states seeing prices move lower,” said Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy. “Oil prices have remained relatively low even amid the U.S. blockade on Venezuela’s oil exports. With refineries running at seasonally high output and gasoline inventories building, most states— outside of price-cycling markets— have continued to see declines, with some stations in nearly a dozen states now dipping below the $2-per-gallon mark. That trend could persist a bit longer before prices finally bottom out sometime in January or February.”
GasBuddy is North America’s trusted fuel savings platform, helping consumers fuel up for less for over 25 years, updating averages 288 times daily from the broadest mix of inputs— spotter reports, direct station integrations, and transactional data.

ARGOS — On Dec 28, at 8:12 p.m., the Marshall County Coroner’s Office was notified of a death in the

Emergency Room of St. Joseph Regional Medical Center, Plymouth. 
The deceased was Carol Ziert, 80, of Culver. She was the driver of a 2024 Nissan passenger car that was westbound on State Road 10 and entered the path of a southbound vehicle on US 31.
The driver of the other vehicle, William James Mramer, 48, was transported to Memorial Hospital of South Bend with apparent minor injuries.
Ziert died from Multiple Blunt Force Injuries resulting from the crash, according to Marshall County Deputy Coroner John Lampkins.
Agencies involved were the Marshall County Sheriff’s Department,​ Argos Police Department,​ Argos Fire and EMS

PLYMOUTH — The Marshall County Emergency Management Agency has placed Marshall County under

a “Travel Advisory” effective at 9:30 AM on December 29, 2025.
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.
A total of 2-4” of snow will fall on Marshall County on Monday. 50 mph wind gusts are ongoing and causing drifting issues and sporadic whiteout conditions. The drifting will nullify plowing efforts. Travel impacts are expected throughout the day and possibly into the rest of the week.
Please avoid traveling if at all possible to allow crews safe operating conditions. Staying home will also help our public safety officials more efficiently respond to emergencies.
Stay tuned to local media and the Marshall County EMA for future updates – including an eventual return to normal travel status.

PLYMOUTH — On Dec. 22, a traffic stop was conducted on a vehicle traveling 82 Mph in a posted 50

Mph zone.
The driver, Sean McCormack, 56, of Fort Wayne, was believed to be under the influence. Upon failing the Standardized Field Sobriety Test, the driver was taken into custody and booked at the Marshall County Jail for Operating while intoxicated (controlled substance) and Reckless Driving.

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

CULVER — The Culver Town Council will meet on Tuesday Dec. 30.

On the agenda are second and third readings of the amended zoning ordnanace and the 2026 salary ordinance.
The Council will also hear first reading of an ordinance on 2024 encumbered funds and a resolution transferring funds within departments and funds.
The meeting starts at 6:30 p.m. and the Culver Town Hall, 200 East Washington, in Culver.
The meeting will also be available on YouTube @townofculver6770.

PLYMOUTH — The Marshall County Council will have its year-end meeting on Monday at 9 a.m. in the

second-floor meeting room of the Marshall County Building on Jefferson Street in Plymouth.
A light agenda consists of additional transfers and appropriations.
The meeting will be live-streamed on YouTube @MarshallCountyIN.

The National Weather Service in Northern Indiana has issued a * Severe Thunderstorm Warning for…

White County in northwestern Indiana… Northwestern Fulton County in north central Indiana… Pulaski County in northwestern Indiana… Southern Starke County in northwestern Indiana… Southwestern Marshall County in north central Indiana… * Until 630 PM EST/530 PM CST/. * At 526 PM EST/426 PM CST/, severe thunderstorms were located along a line extending from near Wheatfield to near Goodland to near Hoopeston, moving east at 55 mph. HAZARD…60 mph wind gusts. SOURCE…Radar indicated. IMPACT…Expect damage to roofs, siding, and trees. * Locations impacted include… Monticello, Winamac, Monon, North Judson, Brookston, Culver, Wolcott, Francesville, Medaryville, Pulaski, Ripley, Kewanna, Reynolds, Chalmers, Monterey, Lomax, Beardstown, Smithson, Hibbard, and Clarks. This includes Interstate 65 between mile markers 185 and 198.

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HAS EXTENDED TORNADO WATCH 643 TO INCLUDE THE

FOLLOWING AREAS UNTIL 9 PM EST /8 PM CST/ THIS EVENING IN INDIANA THIS WATCH INCLUDES 4 COUNTIES IN NORTHERN INDIANA FULTON IN MARSHALL PULASKI STARKE THIS INCLUDES THE CITIES OF AKRON, BASS LAKE, BREMEN, CULVER, FRANCESVILLE, KNOX, MEDARYVILLE, NORTH JUDSON, PLYMOUTH, ROCHESTER, AND WINAMAC.

PLYMOUTH — The Storm Prediction Center has upgraded Marshall County to a “Slight Risk” (level 2/5)

for severe storms today.
Storms along the cold front will have the potential for damaging winds and even a possible tornado. Timing looks to be late afternoon into the evening.
The high winds will linger after the storms, prompting a Wind Advisory with gusts up to 50 mph Sunday night through Monday.
On the back side of the front lies a sharp drop in temperature. Wind chills on Monday morning will hover around 0. The rapid freeze could allow fallen rain to form black ice on pavements, making the Monday commute a slick one.
1-2” of lake effect snow is also expected on Monday. Add that to the 50 mph wind gusts, and blowing snow will also make travel hazardous at times.

PLYMOUTH — The Marshall County Public Defender Board will convene for a meeting on Monday, Dec. 29, at 10 am to discuss the acceptance of the Public Defender Administrator contract and acceptance of

Public Defender contracts.
The meeting will take place in the Commissioners’ Meeting Room 203, 112 W. Jefferson Street, Plymouth, IN 46563.
The meeting will be live-streamed on YouTube @MarshallCountyIN

PLYMOUTH — The Plymouth Board of Public Works and Safety moved to approve fuel bids for the Street

Department on Monday.
Two weeks ago, the Board accepted two bids:
One from Al Warren Oil Company in Bensonville, IL, for gasoline at $1.9075 a gallon and diesel at $2.3450 based on the amount ordered plus applicable tax.
One from Keystone Cooperative for gasoline at $2.0960 a gallon and diesel at $2.3851.
At that time, Street Superintendent Jim Marquardt asked the board to take the bids under advisement for his review, and they did so.
Monday, Marquardt made the recommendation for the Keystone bid, noting that they were slightly higher, but they could assure the city of a single supplier of fuel — which Al Warren could not have with three different suppliers — in case of a problem, and assurance of delivery time. Marquardt also said that Al Warren had not added in tax charges in their bid.

WALKERTON — On Dec. 22, the Marshall County Central Dispatch received several 911 calls in reference

to a ​2-vehicle collision ​at 8A and Jarrah Rd. ​
Upon arriving, it was found that a female juvenile in a Kia SUV was driving east on 8A ​and ​proceeded into the intersection, having not seen a Honda SUV driven by Payton M. Town, 18, of Plymouth, traveling south on Jarrah. ​
The juvenile was transported from the scene by ambulance to Memorial Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. ​Both ​Town and a passenger, Mykenzie ​L. Town, age 21 of Plymouth, had injuries at the scene,​ but ​refused EMS transport. ​
​ ​

PLYMOUTH — On the morning of Dec. 21, at 4:30 am, Plymouth and Marshall County Police Officers

responded to 910 W. LaPorte Street after receiving a 911 call for a man and woman who were involved in a physical domestic altercation.
Officers determined that 33-year-old Jordan Hanthorn and 30-year-old Rachel-Marie O’Brien, both of Plymouth, physically battered one another in the presence of children.
Hanthorn and O’Brien were taken into custody and transported to the Marshall County Jail on preliminary charges of felony-domestic battery in the presence of a child and misdemeanor disorderly conduct.

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

Average gasoline prices in Indiana have risen 9.7 cents per gallon in the last week, averaging $2.76/g

today, according to GasBuddy’s survey of 3,271 stations in Indiana. Prices in Indiana are 14.0 cents per gallon lower than a month ago and stand 33.4 cents per gallon lower than a year ago. The national average price of diesel has decreased 4.3 cents compared to a week ago and stands at $3.575 per gallon.
Locally, the cheapest gasoline in Marshall County was in Plymouth at $2.78 a gallon. The most expensive was in Culver at $2.89 a gallon.
In Starke County, the cheapest station was in Grovertown at $2.69, and the most expensive was in North Judson at $2.91.
According to GasBuddy price reports, the cheapest station in Indiana was priced at $2.26/g yesterday, while the most expensive was $3.29/g, a difference of $1.03/g. The lowest price in the state yesterday was $2.26/g while the highest was $3.29/g, a difference of $1.03/g.
The national average price of gasoline has fallen 5.7 cents per gallon in the last week, averaging $2.79/g today.
“For a fourth straight week, the national average price of gasoline has declined, as conditions remain ripe for some of the lowest seasonal gas prices in five years,” said Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy. “Oil prices continue to struggle amid rising U.S., Canadian, and OPEC+ oil production, while refinery output remains near some of the highest seasonal levels in years— factors that are likely to keep gas prices under pressure over the weeks ahead. We’re continuing to see some gas prices below $2 per gallon in the nation’s cheapest states, now at more than 125 gas stations. Diesel prices have also seen some relief, though inventories remain tight, keeping the national average higher than a year ago.”
GasBuddy delivers real-time prices at more than 150,000 stations and is the most authoritative source of station-level fuel pricing data, updating averages 288 times daily.

PLYMOUTH — It’s official now. The Marshall County Sewer District Board will conclude any current

business and then dissolve by a unanimous vote of the County Commissioners and Council on an agreement to end the dispute between the bodies.
In an agreement outlined for the County Commissioners and Council on Monday by Commissioners’ Attorney Sean Surrisi, the Sewer Board will conclude any business within a 60-day timeframe. All legal claims held by either side in the dispute will be released, including the current action by the county against Sewer Board President Tom McFadden and the Sewer Board appeal of the Indiana Department of Environmental Management’s action dissolving the District, and no future actions will be considered.

If any actions of any of the parties involved were to be investigated and found to be illegal, the agreement would allow the other to pursue civil action.
The county also agreed to cover the $5000 deductible for 6 years of insurance coverage for litigation against any individual member of the board.
Neither side in the dispute admits any wrongdoing as part of the agreement.
Both Commissioners and Council also voted unanimously to purchase the current bond of the district, which could be in the neighborhood of $1.6 million.