PLYMOUTH — Bobbi Jo Novak,​ age 45, faces federal charges of kidnapping and criminal confinement, and abduction as federal investigators continue to work on the case.

On Tuesday,​ July 7,​ 2026,​ at approximately 11:40 am,​ the Marshall County Sheriff’s Department obtained information of an abduction of a 3-month-old child east of Plymouth.
Officers from the Marshall County Sheriff’s Department, Plymouth Police Department, and Indiana State Police immediately joined the investigation. At approximately 2:08 ​pm,​ Officers from the Merrillville Police Department and U.S. Marshals Service located the vehicle in question using Flock cameras at Cleveland and 57th St. in Merrillville. The suspect was taken into custody,​ without incident,​ and the child was located and reunited with parents.

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

PLYMOUTH – A tabled request at the June 15 meeting of the Marshall County Commissioners became a hot topic on Social

Media prompting President of the Commissioners Stan Klotz to address the issue.

Steve Gorski made a request on behalf of the Plymouth American Legion for county funding to place flags on veterans’ graves throughout Marshall County that was tabled at that time, with the commissioners pointing to the large amount of nonprofit funding requests and how they should be dealt with.
In his statement Klotz highlighted a long standing practice of the county.

PLYMOUTH — On Monday, July 6,​ 2026, at 8:30 PM,​ Marshall County Deputies responded to an address on Union Road for a

suspected vehicle theft. The officer collected the information for an attempt to locate broadcast to be made.
At 12:30 AM,​ the officer was patrolling the area and observed the stolen vehicle driving eastbound on 8th Road. The officer was able to get behind the vehicle as it parked in front of a residence. The driver,​ Candice L. Thomas,​ 32, stated she was purchasing the vehicle from a third party. During the investigation,​ it was found that her driver’s license status was suspended-prior,​ as well as suspected drug paraphernalia with residue initially testing for methamphetamine located in the vehicle. She was transported to the Marshall County Jail.
During intake,​ a pill was located on her person,​ being identified as a controlled substance and a legend drug. Charges for the auto theft are still under investigation and will be forwarded to the prosecutor’s office for review.

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

Average gasoline prices in Indiana have fallen 16.9 cents per gallon in the last week, averaging $3.03/g today, according to

GasBuddy’s survey of 3,271 stations in Indiana. Prices in Indiana are 40.5 cents per gallon lower than a month ago and stand 6.5 cents per gallon lower than a year ago. The national average price of diesel has decreased 11.8 cents compared to a week ago and stands at $4.758 per gallon.
The lowest reported prices at various communities around the state:
Pulaski County
Winamac — $3.29
Francesville — $3.39
Medaryville — $3.19
Starke County
Knox — $3.29
North Judson — $3.39
Hamlet — $3.39
LaPorte County
LaCrosse — $3.19
LaPorte — $2.82
Michigan City — $2.96
Wanatah — $2.95
Rolling Prairie — $3.39
Westville — $2.94
New Carlisle — $3.54
North Liberty — $3.09
Walkerton — $2.93
Marshall County
Argos — $3.09
Bourbon — $3.09
Bremen — $2.99
Culver — $3.39
LaPaz — $3.25
Plymouth — $3.04
According to GasBuddy price reports, the cheapest station in Indiana was priced at $2.58/g yesterday, while the most expensive was $5.09/g, a difference of $2.51/g.
The national average price of gasoline has fallen 6.8 cents per gallon in the last week, averaging $3.71/g today.
“Average gasoline prices fell in nearly every state over the last week, with diesel declining in all 50, pushing the national average to approximately $3.74 per gallon this July 4 — the third most expensive Independence Day on record, but well off the peak of $4.57 per gallon seen in May,” said Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy. “GasBuddy is now tracking 41 states with average gasoline prices below $4 per gallon, while 37 states are seeing average diesel prices below $5. However, continued Ukrainian attacks on Russian refinery infrastructure have forced Russia to shift from fuel exporter to importer, tightening global supplies and putting upward pressure on crack spreads — explaining why pump prices haven’t fallen as sharply as oil prices might suggest. Until the refining supply picture improves, significant further drops at the pump may be limited.”
GasBuddy is North America’s trusted fuel savings platform, helping consumers fuel up for less for over 25 years at GasBuddy.com

CULVER — The Culver Town Council will hold a pair of meetings at the Town Hall on Monday.

The first will be a work session with members of the Maxinkuckee Performing Arts Theater Foundation (MPAT) to discuss the theater project at 612 E Lakeshore Drive.
After that meeting at 6:30 p.m., the Culver Town Council will have its regular session.
The agenda includes a public hearing on an ordinance establishing a Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area (DORA) on Main Street between Jefferson and Madison Streets. If approved, the ordinance would allow individuals 21 years of age or older to purchase alcoholic beverages from licensed vendors and carry them within the designated DORA boundaries on Main Street between Jefferson and Madison Streets.
The public hearing provides a formal opportunity for members of the public to offer comments and input regarding the proposed ordinance.
The Council will also hear Department head reports and reports from the Town Manager and Clerk-Treasurer.

PLYMOUTH — On Tuesday,​ July 7,​ 2026,​ at approximately 11:40 am,​ the Marshall County Sheriff’s Department obtained

information of a child abduction of a 3-month old child in the area of Del Lo Me LN,​ located east of Plymouth.
Officers from the Marshall County Sheriff’s Department,​ Plymouth Police Department,​ and Indiana State Police immediately joined in an investigation. At approximately 2:08 ​pm,​ Officers from the Merrillville Police Department and US Marshall’s Office located the vehicle in question. The suspect was taken into custody,​ without incident,​ and the child was located.

PLYMOUTH — On July 2, 2026, at 10 PM, Marshall County Sheriff’s Department Deputies responded to a residence on

Michigan Road regarding a domestic disturbance.
Suspected methamphetamine was located on a man who was identified as 50-year-old Preston Hensley. K-9 Diesel conducted an open-air sniff around a vehicle on scene and alerted to the presence of narcotics. A search of the vehicle was conducted, and suspected methamphetamine was located.
The driver of the vehicle was identified as 51- year-old Stacy Neff. Hensley and Neff were both transported to the Marshall County Jail and booked for possession of methamphetamine.

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

PLYMOUTH — On Friday,​July 3, at 6:33 pm,​​ Marshall County Dispatch received a report of a man who was beaten up and

bleeding at 7719 Redwood Rd,​ Plymouth (Jellystone Campground).
Marshall County Officers and Plymouth Fire/EMS responded. During the investigation, it was discovered that a battery had occurred. John Baranski was placed into custody and transported to the Marshall County Jail. The victim was transported to the Hospital for his injuries. ​

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

PLYMOUTH – The debate over the use of FLOCK cameras by Marshall County law enforcement officials continues to heat up.

FLOCK cameras typically refer to the automated license plate reader (ALPR) systems made by Flock Safety. These AI-enabled cameras are commonly mounted on poles at intersections and freeway entrances to scan passing vehicles, track license plates, and log vehicle characteristics (make, model, color) into a shared police database.
You can see where these cameras are located by going to https://deflock.org/
A local resident with extensive knowledge of the technology involved, Don Nunemaker, came before the Commissioners to speak against the devices in the county.

Nunemaker went on to cite his concerns for infringement of Fourth Amendment rights.

Commissioner Jesse Bohannon later voiced his support of Nunemaker’s concerns.

President of the Commissioners, Stan Klotz, weighed in with a desire to move cautiously.

PLYMOUTH — On June 26, 2026, at 7:30 P.M., a Plymouth Police officer observed a vehicle traveling at 110MPH in a posted

65MPH zone on US 31 at Veterans Parkway.
A traffic stop was initiated, and the driver, Rayveon Washington, 21, of Arcadia, IN, was taken into custody without incident.
Washington was taken to the Marshall County Jail, where he was lodged for Reckless Driving and Possession of Marijuana.

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

PLYMOUTH — On the evening of July 2, 2026, at 8:30 pm, Plymouth Police were dispatched to the 400 block of West

Washington Street for an unknown issue.
It was reported that a man was violating a protection order and was last seen running from the area. Officers were able to locate the man, identified as Anner Duarte-Amador, 22, of Plymouth, a short distance away.
Following the officers’ investigation, Duarte-Amador was taken into custody and lodged at the Marshall County Jail, where he faces the preliminary charge of Invasion of Privacy.

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

PLYMOUTH — On Tuesday,​ June 30,​ 2026, at 12:46 AM,​ Marshall County Deputies initiated a traffic stop on a gold 1999

Chevrolet passenger car on Michigan Road near 6C Road.
During the investigation, it was found that the driver, Brandon M. Simmons, 31, of South Bend, was operating a vehicle without ever having received a driver’s license and had a suspended-prior driving status. He was also found to have a legend drug and was transported to Plymouth Hospital for jail clearance and was taken to the Marshall County Jail.

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

National Weather Service Northern Indiana
1247 AM EDT Sat Jul 4 2026
INC039-085-099-141-149-040800-
/O.NEW.KIWX.FA.Y.0029.260704T0447Z-260704T0800Z/
/00000.N.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
Elkhart IN-Kosciusko IN-Marshall IN-St. Joseph IN-Starke IN-
1247 AM EDT Sat Jul 4 2026 /1147 PM CDT Fri Jul 3 2026/
…FLOOD ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL 4 AM EDT /3 AM CDT/ EARLY THIS MORNING…
* WHAT…Urban and small stream flooding caused by excessive 
  rainfall is expected.
* WHERE…Portions of north central and northern Indiana, including 
  the following counties, in north central Indiana, Kosciusko and 
  St. Joseph. In northern Indiana, Elkhart, Marshall and Starke.
* WHEN…Until 400 AM EDT /300 AM CDT/.
* IMPACTS…Minor flooding in low-lying and poor drainage areas. 
* ADDITIONAL DETAILS…
  – At 1247 AM EDT /1147 PM CDT/, Doppler radar indicated heavy
    rain due to thunderstorms. This will cause urban and small
    stream flooding. Between 2 and 2.5 inches of rain have
    fallen.
  – Additional rainfall amounts of 1 to 1.5 inches are expected
    over the area. This additional rain will result in minor
    flooding.
  – Some locations that will experience flooding include…
    Plymouth, Nappanee, Bremen, Walkerton, Bourbon, Koontz Lake,
    Locke, La Paz, Lake Of The Woods, Linkville, Inwood,
    Teegarden, Tyner, Donaldson, Grovertown and Gravelton.
  – http://www.weather.gov/safety/flood

Instructions:

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…
Turn around, don’t drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood
deaths occur in vehicles.
Be especially cautious at night when it is harder to recognize the
dangers of flooding.

INDIANAPOLIS, IN – Governor Mike Braun announced Thursday he is extending his suspension of Indiana’s gas taxes.

“Affordability is my top priority,” said Braun. “I am once again extending these gas tax savings to make life more affordable for Hoosier families. Hoosiers will be able to celebrate 250 years of American independence this Fourth of July with the cheapest gas in America.”
Governor Braun’s suspension of the Gasoline Usage Tax and Gasoline Excise Tax will last for an additional 30 days.
This week, Governor Mike Braun directed his administration to reimburse local governments for any gas tax revenue lost while the ongoing energy emergency is in effect, saying, “We are running government more efficiently, and as a result, we have the resources to offer tax relief while supporting local partners.”

PLYMOUTH — Marshall County Auditor Angie Johnson Birchmeier has been selected to serve as a member of the Association of

Indiana Counties (AIC) Legislative Committee for 2026. Birchmeier currently serves as the Treasurer for the Indiana Auditors’ Association as well as the Chairperson of the Legislative Committee for the Auditors’ Association.
The AIC Legislative Committee held the initial kick-off meeting on Friday, June 26, 2026.  Several items were discussed pertaining to local government. The Committee consists of a diverse group of local officials from Clerks and Commissioners to Highway Superintendents and Surveyors.  Collaboration and unity amongst the offices are necessary.
Birchmeier has been a public servant for nearly three decades. She worked for the City of Plymouth for twenty years before being elected Marshall County Treasurer in 2016, and then elected Auditor in 2022.
A lifelong resident of Marshall County, Birchmeier is a graduate of Plymouth High School and Indiana University South Bend.  She and her husband Jeff live in the community where they raised their son, Gage, who just completed his first year of college.
“AIC does great work for counties throughout Indiana, and to be chosen to serve on the AIC Legislative Committee is an honor,” stated Birchmeier.  “I look forward to being part of a solution to help the voices of local government be heard.”
More information about the Association of Indiana Counties can be found through the Association of Indiana Counties: https://www.indianacounties.org.
The Marshall County Auditor’s Office is in Room 205 of the Marshall County Building and is open to the public from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm Monday through Friday.  Residents are welcome to call us at 574-935-8555 with any questions.

Celebrate the 250th anniversary of our incredible country at one or all of these Marshall County fireworks events:

July 2: Plymouth Centennial Park at dusk
July 3: Swan Lake Golf Course at dusk
July 4: Bremen at the Lake at dusk
July 4: Culver Town Park, launched from Culver Academies at dusk

July 4: Plymouth is also hosting a July 4th parade starting at Oak Hill Cemetery to River Park Square at 10 am.

PLYMOUTH — On June 29, 2026, at approximately 11:15 p.m Plymouth Police were dispatched to an address on Loon Ct. for a

report of a disturbance in progress.
Officers discovered that a brick had been used to cause damage to the victim’s vehicle. After a brief investigation, Officers determined that Suyapa Damary Galeano Matute, 42, of Plymouth, would be taken into custody and charged with Criminal Mischief. Galeano-Matute was transported to the Marshall County Jail.

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

INDIANAPOLIS — A new report reveals that dozens of Indiana hospitals are keeping patients in the dark regarding the true cost

of healthcare.
According to the federal government, 34 hospitals across the Hoosier state have been formally warned for failing to comply with federal hospital price transparency requirements.
The non-compliant facilities are part of a nationwide sweep where more than 500 hospitals were flagged for vague, incomplete, or difficult-to-access pricing data. Consumer advocates say these practices prevent families and employers from understanding medical costs before a bill ever arrives.
According to Hospital Watch, corporate hospital systems routinely charge patients and private insurers roughly three times what Medicare pays for the identical services. This pricing gap makes hospital billing one of the primary drivers of rising healthcare costs across the United States.
The lack of transparency is especially severe in Indiana, where a handful of powerful hospital networks dominate the local market.

Local healthcare providers cited were:

Doctors Neuropsychiatric Hospital (Bremen)
Michiana Behavioral Health Center (Plymouth)

Adapted from Network Indiana