FLOCK camera debate continues in Marshall County

PLYMOUTH — The debate over law enforcement’s use of FLOCK cameras across the county continues in Marshall County.


Several weeks ago, Marshall County Commissioner Jesse Bohannon questioned the use of the cameras set up all around the county and the possibility of their misuse for the invasion of privacy. Since then, the debate surrounding the devices has continued around the county, and county resident Rob Keck came forward at Monday’s Commissioners meeting to state his point of view.

Keck went on to cite the case of a woman in Colorado who had been confronted by Police for a crime she did not commit and, after providing evidence of such, was told that she — according to Keck’s narrative — “…couldn’t take a breath of fresh air in that town without us knowing it.”

Keck urged the Commissioners to continue to discuss allowing the continued use of the devices.

Plymouth Band Earns ISSMA “All-Music Award” for 22nd Consecutive Year

PLYMOUTH — The Plymouth High School Band Department has once again earned statewide recognition, qualifying for the

Indiana State School Music Association (ISSMA) All-Music Award, marking the program’s 22nd consecutive year of qualification for the prestigious honor.
The ISSMA All-Music Award recognizes band, choir, and orchestra programs that achieve Gold Ratings across all required ISSMA events during a school year. For band programs, earning the award requires excellence across multiple performance areas, including:
— A Gold Rating by the marching band at an ISSMA-sanctioned event
— Soloists and ensembles advancing to the ISSMA Solo & Ensemble State Finals A Gold Rating by the jazz band at the ISSMA contest
— A Gold Rating by the concert band at the ISSMA contest
This year, every Plymouth High School band ensemble once again earned a Gold rating at the ISSMA contest, continuing a tradition of comprehensive excellence that spans more than two decades.
Plymouth first earned the ISSMA All-Music Award during the 2004–05 school year and has qualified for the award every year since. While the award was not offered during the COVID-impacted season, Plymouth has earned the honor 21 times, qualifying consecutively for the award whenever it has been available — a distinction unmatched by any other band program in the state.
With the recent release of ISSMA’s full award history, it was confirmed that Plymouth is the only band program in Indiana to have qualified for the All-Music Award every year since its inception. Several highly respected programs — including Brownsburg, Columbus North, and LaPorte — came close, but Plymouth stands alone in maintaining uninterrupted qualification over the award’s entire history.
Notably, Plymouth High School enrolls just under 1,000 students, making the achievement even more remarkable when compared to larger programs with multiple bands and expanded staffing. The Plymouth Band Program’s success reflects the collective effort of students across all ensembles, directors, and supporters who consistently strive for excellence in every performance area.
Each spring, band programs that earn the ISSMA All-Music Award are recognized with a large banner that is displayed in the school’s music hallway — a visible reminder of the program’s history, dedication, and sustained achievement.
This milestone represents a significant piece of Plymouth High School tradition and a testament to the hard work, commitment, and pride of its student musicians.

Injuries in single vehicle accident

PLYMOUTH — On Jan. 26, 2:45 p.m., Natashia Burkett, 33, of Tippecanoe, was attempting to turn south onto Olive Trail from

Glenn Overmyer Drive.
She lost control of the vehicle and drove down a steep embankment. The car came to rest on the driver’s side. Burkett had to be extricated by the Plymouth Fire Department. She was later transported to Memorial Hospital in South Bend to be treated for a possible head injury.
Agencies Involved: ​Plymouth Police Department,​ Plymouth Fire Department,​ Lyon’s Towing

Gas prices in the state take a double-digit drop

Average gasoline prices in Indiana have fallen 14.6 cents per gallon in the last week, averaging $2.71/g today, according to

GasBuddy’s survey of 3,271 stations in Indiana. Prices in Indiana are 9.4 cents per gallon lower than a month ago and stand 21.0 cents per gallon lower than a year ago. The national average price of diesel has decreased 4.2 cents compared to a week ago and stands at $3.585 per gallon.
Locally, the lowest prices were:
Pulaski County
Winamac — $2.89
Francesville — $2.99
Medaryville — $299
Starke County
Knox — $2.79
North Judson — $2.85
Hamlet — $2.49
Grovertown — $2.79
LaPorte County
Hannah — $2.69
LaPorte — $2.54
Michigan City — $2.62
Rolling Prairie — $2.99
Westville — $2.74
North Liberty — $2.69
Walkerton — $2.18
Marshall County
Argos — $2.99
Bourbon — $2.64
Bremen — $2.64
Culver — $2.79
Plymouth $2.64
According to GasBuddy price reports, the cheapest station in Indiana was priced at $2.18/g yesterday, while the most expensive was $3.19/g, a difference of $1.01/g.
The national average price of gasoline has fallen 0.9 cents per gallon in the last week, averaging $2.83/g today.
“While oil prices jumped to their highest level in months amid geopolitical tensions, a weakening U.S. dollar, and supply concerns, the national average price of gasoline saw little change compared to a week ago,” said Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy. “Just over half of states saw gas prices decline, led by Indiana, Ohio, and other price-cycling states that had previously seen prices jump but have since started to fall. Meanwhile, prices are rising across much of the West Coast as the transition to summer gasoline begins, and attention turns to another refinery shutdown in California expected in April. Over the coming weeks, we’re likely to see more states experiencing increases than decreases.”
GasBuddy is North America’s trusted fuel savings platform, helping consumers fuel up for less for over 25 years at GasBuddy.com

Rash found guilty of domestic battery

PLYMOUTH — Michael L. Rash was found guilty of strangulation and domestic battery resulting in moderate bodily injury by a

Marshall County Jury on Jan. 28.
On that date, a jury trial was held in the Marshall County Superior Court No. 3, where the defendant was charged with two counts: Strangulation, a Level 6 felony, and domestic battery resulting in moderate bodily injury. Chief Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Nicholas Langowski represented the State of Indiana during the trial.
During the trial, Langowski presented evidence to the jury that showed that Rash had placed his hands around the neck of the victim and that the defendant had struck the victim, which caused substantial bruising throughout the victim’s body, along with a laceration to the victim’s arm.
The Jury was able to hear from the victim and the investigating officer, Kenton Lovely, of the Plymouth Police Department.
“I am glad that the jury looked at the evidence the State presented, along with hearing from the victim, and held the defendant accountable for his actions,” said Langowski. “I also want to commend the victim for coming into court and detailing the attack to the jury. Having to tell a room full of strangers about a deeply traumatizing experience is never easy, but the victim showed a great deal of strength by giving a first-hand account of what happened to her, and I hope a case like this can be seen by other victims of domestic violence and help them break the cycle of domestic violence.”
The defendant was represented by Justin Camper, and sentencing is set for February 27.

Paint your person for Valentine’s at Heartland


PLYMOUTH — If you are looking for something fun, creative, and refreshingly low-pressure, Heartland Art Center invites you to

Paint Your Person, an intentionally unserious portrait painting experience led by our professional artists who promise not to judge your skills or your subject.
Bring your partner.
Bring your best friend.
Bring your kid, your sibling, your friend group, or the person you tolerate the most.
Romance is optional. Laughing is encouraged.
This is sort of a class, but mostly a fun experience with paint, music, snacks, some Valentine’s trivia, and guidance from artists who know how to keep things moving and light

Paint Your Person
Saturday, February 14 from 7–9 PM
Heartland Art Center
214 N. Michigan St., Plymouth

Get your reservations at https://www.cognitoforms.com/HeartlandArtists1/PaintYourPerson

Marshall County Sewer District will dissolve

PLYMOUTH — 


With that final motion, the President of the Marshall County Regional Sewer District finished the final business necessary to dissolve.
During the meeting, the Board’s attorney, Chris Nussbaum, guided them through four steps to finish the board’s business and

proceed with dissolving the district.
— Approving the final claims and financials, including a transfer of a balance just under $2 million to Marshall County.
— Turning over of an expected reimbursement from the Board’s insurance company for legal services to Marshall County.
— Officially rejecting all easements that had been obtained for the current project.
— And turning all the district records to Marshall County’s attorney.

Nussbaum expected all business for the district to be completed by the end of February.