PLYMOUTH – Plymouth police arrested a Chicago man Sunday evening after responding to reports of a street fight, an encounter that ended with a Taser deployment.

On Sunday, September 27th, officers were dispatched to Western Avenue and Pilgrim Lane after a caller reported two males actively fighting in the middle of the street.

Officer Jeremy Enyart located both men walking in the grassy area near American Container. The suspect was walking south toward the officer, who noticed what appeared to be blood on his face.

After several attempts to get the subject to stop, along with warnings of Taser deployment, Officer Enyart deployed his Taser to detain the suspect. A second Plymouth officer arrived and secured 25-year-old Angel Bustamante of Chicago with wrist restraints.

Bustamante was transported to the hospital for medical clearance before being taken to the Marshall County Jail, where he was lodged for public intoxication and resisting law enforcement. He is being held on a $750 cash bond.

PLYMOUTH – Community members are invited to a free meal this Wednesday, September 30, as part of the monthly Community Meal program sponsored by the First United Methodist Church at 400 North Michigan Street in downtown Plymouth.

The meal will be served in the Fellowship Hall from 5:00 to 6:30 p.m., or while food lasts. The September menu features a pulled pork sandwich, potato chips, fruit, and cookies. Diners may eat in or take their meal to go.

Organizers ask attendees to use the door on Adams Street, where signs will be posted to guide the way.

Everyone is welcome, and the meal is completely free. The Community Meal is held monthly on the last Wednesday of each month and is open to all.

PLYMOUTH – The Marshall County Plan Commission discussed how to proceed with updating of the comprehensive plan for the county at their meeting on Thursday Sept. 24, 2026.

County Plan Director Nicholas Witwer approached the board for direction on how to proceed with hiring a company to perform the work.

A question arose about costs for the service.

The Board directed Witwer to ask companies interested in the work to make a presentation to them at a future meeting.

PLYMOUTH – The City of Plymouth has submitted its application for the 2027 Community Crossing Matching Grant, City Engineer Dan Sellers reported during Monday evening’s Board of Public Works and Safety meeting.

Sellers said the fix projects included in the application have an estimated value of $960,000. He detailed the streets in the application as:

Rex Street from Liberty Street to Roy Street
Berkley Street from Randolph Street to Columbus Drive
Richter Road from Jefferson Street to Solomon Court
Nutmeg Road from the city limits to Oak Hill Avenue
Western Avenue from North Street to Pilgrim Lane
Sellers noted these aren’t the only street projects planned for next year — just the ones that would be paid for by the grant if the city is awarded funds. “I tried to maximize the application to benefit Plymouth the best that I could,” he said.

Board member Don Ecker asked when the city would find out about the grant awards. Sellers said notification could come in a couple of months. He explained that the city hopes to get word as early as possible and then contact paving companies to seek bids at the end of the year, so paving can happen earlier. Sellers noted the city is still waiting on this year’s Community Crossing Matching Grant projects to be completed by the paver.

On another project, Sellers said the Oak Road improvement and sidewalk project is getting underway this week with survey work.

Mayor Robert Listenberger commented that the project is starting this fall with survey work, followed by further engineering next year. From there, the process will involve acquisition of property and the possible relocation of some utilities. He indicated it is a long process, with construction slated for 2032.

Average gasoline prices in Indiana have fallen 13.7 cents per gallon in the last week, averaging $3.87/g today, according to GasBuddy’s survey of 3,271 stations in Indiana. Prices in Indiana are 46.2 cents per gallon higher than a month ago and stand 77.2

cents per gallon higher than a year ago. The national average price of diesel has decreased 4.1 cents compared to a week ago and stands at $6.449 per gallon.
Lowest reported prices in communities around the area:
Pulaski County
Winamac — $4.09
Francesville — $4.19
Medaryville — $4.19
Starke County
Knox — $3.99
North Judson — $4.09
Hamlet — $3.99
LaPorte County
LaCrosse — $3.99
LaPorte — $3.70
Michigan City — $3.76
Wanatah — $3.85
Rolling Prairie — $3.92
Westville — $3.94
North Liberty — $3.85
Walkerton — $3.87
Marshall County
Argos — $3.69
Bourbon — $3.79
Bremen — $3.89
Culver — $3.99
LaPaz — $3.91
Plymouth — $3.79
According to GasBuddy price reports, the cheapest station in Indiana was priced at $3.29/g yesterday while the most expensive was $4.59/g, a difference of $1.30/g.
The national average price of gasoline has fallen 1.6 cents per gallon in the last week, averaging $4.42/g today. The national average is up 35.9 cents per gallon from a month ago and stands $1.34/g higher than a year ago, according to GasBuddy data compiled from more than 11 million weekly price reports covering over 150,000 gas stations across the country.
“Average gasoline prices fell in slightly more than half of states over the last week, with the Great Lakes seeing the largest declines after a major refinery successfully restarted, while the West Coast moved in the opposite direction as refinery snags there sent prices jumping significantly,” said Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy. “Diesel in the Great Lakes should also begin easing, though that relief may take several more days to materialize. With oil holding below $100 per barrel, many Americans may see modest declines ahead for gasoline and slight drops for diesel, but the West Coast faces continued pressure with further increases possible. The broader geopolitical situation remains fluid and could push prices in either direction with little warning, and with Trump still weighing a diesel export ban, impacts could follow.”
GasBuddy is North America’s trusted fuel savings platform, helping consumers fuel up for less for over 25 years.

PLYMOUTH – The Marshall County Plan Commission approved a zoning change for a group of properties on US 6 just off of US 31.

Don Good and Andy Heltzell of Danch, Harner and Associates, a civil engineering firm in South Bend, came before the board representing Don Balka who brought forward the request and the Kertai family who also own a parcel in the requested area of change.
The group sought to have the zoning changed from C2 to A1. Heltzell explained that the properties had been changed to C2 at one point, purportedly for a commercial development in the area that never took place.

The Board approved the request unanimously.

CULVER – In August The Culver Town Council gave Police Chief Chad Becker permission to advertise for candidates to fill a full time vacancy on his staff and Becker came before the Council on Thursday Sept. 24 with his recommendation.

Becker said that Williams already had three years of service with the Marshall County Sheriff’s Department, was currently a part time officer in his department, and was also already Police Academy trained. He said those factors would make for a quick transition for his team.
The Council unanimously approved Williams as the town’s new full time officer.

PLYMOUTH – Two separate incidents last week resulted in arrests and bookings at the Marshall County Jail, according to the Plymouth Police Department.

On Thursday evening, September 24, Patrolman Thornton of the Plymouth Police Department initiated a traffic stop at the intersection of U.S. 30 and Plymouth Goshen Trail on a vehicle traveling at a high rate of speed. While speaking with the driver and passenger, Thornton was informed that the male driver did not have his license with him, but he identified himself as a male from East Chicago.

During the investigation, officers discovered that the individual had provided a false identity. The driver was later positively identified as Kentrell Garvie Lucas, who was found to be wanted through Porter County on multiple warrants. Lucas was also operating the vehicle without ever having obtained a driver’s license.

Patrolman Schieber and his K9 partner Kyzer arrived on scene and gave a positive alert to the odor of narcotics. A subsequent search of the vehicle turned up drug paraphernalia.

The passenger, identified as 29-year-old Siarra Simone Barnes-Jones, was taken into custody and transported to the Marshall County Jail, where she was charged with possession of paraphernalia and false informing.

Lucas was also placed into custody and transported to the Marshall County Jail, charged with false informing and operating a vehicle without ever obtaining a license. He was additionally held on his outstanding Porter County warrants.

On Friday, September 25, the Marshall County Central Dispatch Center received a call from a male advising that he wanted to turn himself in on an active warrant.

The caller was later identified as 36-year-old Erick R. Rios. He was taken into custody shortly after 4:30 a.m. in the 600 block of Blue Ridge Trail in Plymouth. Rios was transported to the Marshall County Jail and lodged on an active warrant charging him with operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated — endangerment, reckless driving, and knowingly or intentionally operating a motor vehicle without ever receiving a license.

Rios was held without bond.

BOURBON – Triton School Corporation students and staff stepped beyond the classroom Friday morning to put others over self during the annual Triton Gives Back Day, a school-wide day of service dedicated to making a meaningful difference throughout the communities that surround and support Triton.

Service projects took place at locations including Potawatomi Wildlife Park, Mills Pond Trails, Kids Kingdom, Little Lambs Preschool, Bread of Life, Potato Creek State Park, and many other locations throughout the community.
Students worked alongside staff members to complete projects ranging from cleanup and beautification efforts to helping local organizations with tasks that will have a lasting impact.

The REES Theatre is inviting the community to a Halloween party on Friday, October 24, The REES will transform for “A Monster Ball: Thriller at The REES,” the theatre’s big Halloween fundraising event — and organizers hope it marks the start of a new annual tradition.

From 6:00 to 11:00 PM, guests can enjoy a night packed with Halloween fun, music, dancing, costumes, and a few surprises along the way.

The event will feature DJ entertainment provided by David “Cookie” Cook’s DJ business, along with live singers, tarot readings, a costume contest, a silent auction, treats, drinks, dancing, and more.
Every ticket purchased and every silent auction bid helps the REES continue bringing movies, live entertainment, special events, and community programming to the historic theatre in downtown Plymouth.

Tickets for the Friday night, October 24th event are $60 per couple, which includes 2 drink tickets, or $35 per person, which includes 1 drink ticket
Organizers are also looking for volunteers to help with this year’s Monster Ball. Anyone interested in lending a hand is encouraged to reach out.
Sponsorship opportunities are available as well. Businesses or individuals who would like to support the fundraising event and The REES are invited to contact the theatre for more information.
For tickets and more information, visit The REES Theatre.

CULVER – The Culver Town Council held a public hearing and first reading of an ordinance for appropriations and tax for the 2027 budget at their meeting on Thursday, Sept. 24.

Karen Heim presented the bottom line to the Council. While no governmental body knows exactly how much their tax draw will be at this point, she anticipated Culver would receive $3,013,164 in taxes for the general fund, with spending for the coming year budgeted for slightly higher at a total of $3,176,152.
Heim explained the difference.

She also told the Council that tax rates are based on the assessed value in Culver and offered her thoughts on what that number will be.

Marshall County Sheriff Matt Hassel has released the jail and arrest report for August.

The jail population on Sept. 9 was 120 out of a total of 233 beds. Of those, 25 were sentenced inmates, 24 were serving time on felony charges, 74 were pre-trial inmates, and 15 were awaiting arraignment; 101 were men and 19 were women.
The average population for August was 121. There are 1341 active warrants in Marshall County.
The top ten offenses for August:

• Driving While Suspended (19)
• Operating While Intoxicated (18)
• Failure to Appear (13)
• Operator Never Licensed (13)
• Domestic Battery (12)
• Possession of Marijuana (9)
• Public Intoxication (8)
• Resisting Law Enforcement (8)
• Violation of HD/PTR (6)
• Maintaining a Common Nuisance (5)
  Jail Booking Information:
  137 Total Bookings
• Argos Police — 1 Arrest / 0 No Judicial Review
• Bourbon Police — 1 Arrest / 1 No Judicial Review
• Bremen Police — 5 Arrests / 0 No Judicial Review
• Culver Police — 6 Arrests / 0 No Judicial Review
• Lapaz Police — 1 Arrest / 0 No Judicial Review
• Indiana State Police — 1 Arrest / 0 No Judicial Review
• DNR — 0 Arrests / 0 No Judicial Review
• Plymouth Police — 71 Arrests / 19 No Judicial Review
• Community Corrections — 3 Arrests / 0 No Judicial Review
• Sheriff’s Department — 48 Arrests / 3 No Judicial Review
  Accidents — 58
  Property Damage — 35
  Personal Injuries — 18
  Fatalities — 1
  Case Reports — 63
  Warning/Traffic Citations — 92
  Security Checks — 44
  Central Dispatch — 5,034 calls answered and out of that 1,405 were 911 calls. Of those 911 calls 99.72 percent were answered within 10 seconds or less.
  The Sheriff’s Department responded to 1,393 calls for service.

The 19th annual Marshall County Senior Expo will take place Thursday, October 15, at Plymouth High School, bringing together more than 60 vendors, free health screenings, complimentary food, and entertainment under one roof.

Held in the high school’s auxiliary gym and cafeteria, the Expo connects area seniors with businesses, agencies, educational resources, and services tailored specifically to their needs. This year’s event is free to attend, thanks to the Marshall County Council on Aging and sponsors Dunes Hospice, Elia Insurance Services, and First Light Homecare.

Among the more than 60 vendors on hand will be organizations providing specialized services to seniors, including the Marshall County Council on Aging, Marshall County Public Transit, SHIP, Real Services, Johnson Danielson, Mishler, Deaton Clemens, and Palmer Funeral Homes, Alick’s Home Medical, and St. Joseph VNA Home Care.

Visitors looking to make the most of their spare time can explore a booth dedicated to volunteer opportunities. The Expo also features information on swimming programs through We Love Swimming from the Aquatic Center, and a safe medication disposal site staffed by the Marshall County Sheriff’s Department and Marshall County Solid Waste, where attendees can drop off outdated or unwanted prescriptions.

The Expo offers a variety of free health screenings, including glucose and blood pressure checks, hearing tests, grip strength assessments, and a carbon monoxide test.

A range of local businesses will also be represented, including Live Oak Electric, Surf Internet, Leaf-Filter Gutter Protection, Walgreens, and more.

Attendees won’t want to miss the free food and entertainment. Breakfast will be provided by Pilgrim Manor, and lunch by Miller’s Merry Manor — two of the event’s corporate sponsors.

What: 19th Annual Marshall County Senior Expo
When: Thursday, October 15
Where: Plymouth High School, auxiliary gym and cafeteria
Cost: Free admission
Sponsors: Marshall County Council on Aging, Dunes Hospice, Elia Insurance Services, First Light Homecare; corporate sponsors Pilgrim Manor and Miller’s Merry Manor
For more information, contact the Marshall County Council on Aging.

The Marshall County Commissioners voted Monday unanimously to approve a contract with Blue & Company to conduct a comprehensive healthcare market assessment, a move President Stan Klotz says is a critical first step toward addressing the county’s healthcare needs and boosting economic development.

The contract, valued at $30,000 to $35,000, will fund an analytical study examining healthcare services utilization by Marshall County residents, patient outmigration patterns, and potential partnership and facility strategies. The assessment is expected to take about six months to complete.

Klotz said he has been working behind the scenes, with the other commissioners’ approval, to examine healthcare issues in the county. He reported having met with six companies that have expressed interest in bringing their businesses to Marshall County but said they would want to see the results of a health assessment to understand local needs before committing.

“Having good options for healthcare has a direct impact on economic development in the county,” Klotz said.

Blue & Company will conduct a focused market assessment of healthcare utilization by Marshall County residents. The analysis will cover inpatient and outpatient utilization, market share, patient outmigration, competitive dynamics, provider availability and alignment, ambulatory services, and payer mix.

Klotz acknowledged that fixing the county’s healthcare issues will take time — an estimated three to five years. However, he said having the survey in hand will give the county a “leg-up” because the data can be shared with prospective healthcare providers.

Commissioner Jesse Bohannon expressed concern that some businesses may be trying to direct patients to other hospitals by limiting services, effectively pulling customers to facilities outside the county. He went on to say that Marshall County may simply not have enough money-making opportunities for someone to operate a hospital within the county.

Klotz noted that there is enough money in this year’s Commissioner budget to cover the required 50% down payment without needing to go to the county council. The remaining $17,500 will come from the 2027 budget.

The commissioners voted 3-0 to approve signing the contract with Blue & Company for the health assessment and the prepay request.

The Marshall County 2026 Tax Sale, conducted on September 15th by SRI, yielded strong results, with 30 of 34 properties selling at auction for a total of $620,209.84.

Marshall County Auditor Angie Birchmeier shared the results with the County Commissioners this week, noting that the tax sale is an important tool for returning delinquent properties to active tax status.

Birchmeier reminded those who participated in or had a property included in the tax sale that there is a one-year redemption period. This gives property owners a full year to reclaim their property by paying the required amounts.

Birchmeier said the auditor’s and treasurer’s offices are available to assist property owners in getting those numbers together so they can retain their property.

Property owners who wish to redeem their properties are encouraged to contact the Marshall County Auditor’s Office or the Treasurer’s Office for assistance with the redemption process.

The Blessings in a Backpack program at LaVille Elementary School is getting a helping hand to launch its new weekend backpack program, thanks to a $1,000 grant from the Operation Round Up program.

Blessings in a Backpack mobilizes communities, individuals, and resources to provide weekend meals for elementary school children in food-insecure households. The program ensures that students who rely on school meals during the week have access to nutritious food over the weekend, when school meal programs are not available.

The $1,000 grant from Operation Round Up will help the program get off the ground and begin serving children in need at LaVille Elementary.

Operation Round Up is a charitable giving program administered by Marshall County REMC. The program awards grants to charitable organizations within the Marshall County REMC service territory. Organizations may be granted only once in a 12-month cycle, and recipients do not need to be members of Marshall County REMC to apply.

The next round of grants will be awarded in October. Charitable organizations interested in applying are encouraged to submit their applications ahead of the upcoming deadline. Applications are available at www.marshallremc.com/operation-round-up.

The Marshall County Council unanimously approved the Solid Waste Management District’s 2027 budget at a special meeting Monday, following a presentation by Director Marianne Peters.

Peters told council members the District’s core mission is to provide critical environmental infrastructure, waste reduction, and compliance services. The District operates as a dependent unit under a dedicated revenue structure, ensuring state-mandated environmental planning, public education, and diversion services are maintained without impacting the County General Fund.

The District provides recycling opportunities for items that can’t go in a landfill, such as electronic waste, lithium batteries, and freon appliances, allowing county residents and small businesses to dispose of those items at a low cost or for free thanks to their tax levy.

Peters reported that in 2025, the District diverted 316 tons of material from landfills through drop-off recycling, household hazardous waste (HHW) collections, and special collections such as Tire Amnesty Day, which is planned for Saturday, October 3rd, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Solid Waste served over 3,000 residents through its environmental education programs in 2025, with approximately 11,000 visitors to the District for drop-off recycling, HHW collection, and education programs.

The District operates on a self-sustaining fiscal model utilizing dedicated revenue streams. Marshall County Solid Waste has had the same tax levy since its inception in 1991. Additional revenue comes from recycling fees, recycling rebates, and revenues from small businesses. Non-residents pay a higher fee. The District also pursues grants on an annual basis to support its work.

Peters said that for 2027, the budget drivers and priorities are focused on sustainable operations growth.

“We are growing exponentially at the Recycle Depot, which is great. It means more residents are using us, but it does put a real strain on our budget because our tax levy isn’t growing as quickly as our services and the demands on us are growing,” Peters said.

Peters warned that the District will be increasing some fees because vendor expenses are growing. She said they are also working to reduce their personnel costs for health insurance.

Peters told council members there are three categories in their budget: personnel services, which accounts for about 70%; supplies and other charges; and capital improvements.

The total budget proposed for 2027 is $564,048, and the District has asked for the maximum levy to cover the budget. Peters noted that the Board of Directors has already approved the budget request for next year.

County Council President Tim Harman said he felt it was a responsible budget given their projected revenues. The council unanimously approved the 2027 budget presented.

Everyone has been touched by cancer, and everyone is welcome to join the celebration. Relay for Life of Marshall County will host its annual walk and fundraiser this Saturday, September 26th, from 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. at River Park Square in downtown Plymouth, celebrating the organization’s 31st anniversary.

Festivities begin at 5:00 p.m. with the opening ceremony, followed by the survivors’ lap—a moving tradition honoring those who have fought cancer and won. Throughout the evening, there will be music and food available for purchase, along with a silent auction filled with wonderful baskets of goodies and many lovely items. The silent auction runs from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

A highlight of the event is the Luminaria Ceremony, a powerful and emotional tradition held at nightfall to honor every life touched by cancer. Small, decorated paper bags are filled with sand and illuminated from within by a glow stick, each personalized with the name of a loved one, a personal message, or symbols of remembrance.

The luminaria honor those who have lost their battle with cancer, celebrate survivors, and support anyone currently fighting the disease. Luminaries will line the walking path at 8:30 p.m. for a special luminaria ceremony, when participants take a lap in silence to remember and reflect.

Those who would like a luminary to honor or remember someone can let Relay for Life of Marshall County know. Participants can create and decorate their own bag, or the committee will make one for them. The Relay committee has kept the donation to just $5 per luminary.

Committee members say they love seeing the track lit up at dusk and taking that lap in silence — a moment that captures the heart of what Relay for Life is all about.

The closing ceremony will take place at 9:15 p.m.

You don’t have to be on a team to participate. Everyone is welcome to join the celebration, whether walking, bidding at the auction, honoring a loved one with a luminary, or simply being part of an evening that brings the community together in the fight against cancer.

For more information, call Marilyn at 574-952-4999.

Manufacturing and industrial professionals can sharpen their electrical skills close to home. The Marshall County Lifelong Learning Network is hosting a three-part training series in Plymouth called “Introduction to Industrial Electrical Principles and Troubleshooting.”

The workshops cover electricity, electric motors, transformers, print reading, relay logic, industrial controls, and more — with hands-on exercises and real-world examples. Participants can take individual sessions or complete the full series.

Part One runs October 20th and 21st. Part Two is October 27th and 28th. Part Three is November 3rd and 4th. Each session costs 650 dollars per attendee, and organizers encourage early registration to avoid a rush fee.

To learn more or register, visit purdue-dot-w-s slash Part One 2026.

Plymouth Police and Fire responded to a multi-vehicle crash at the intersection of U.S. 30 and Oak Drive shortly after 7:15 Tuesday morning.

Plymouth Police have not released official details of the crash. However, GIANT FM WTCA learned that two semi-trucks were traveling westbound on U.S. 30 when one semi struck the rear of the other at the intersection, forcing the second semi into a passenger vehicle.

It took emergency responders from the Plymouth Fire Department nearly an hour to extricate the driver of the semi. The driver was airlifted to a trauma center. The condition of the driver has not been released.

Drivers of the other vehicles involved were checked at the scene and did not require transport to a hospital.

Indiana State Police and the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) worked for several hours to clean up the crash site, including an oil spill on the roadway.

Westbound traffic on U.S. 30 was backed up for several hours as crews worked to clear the scene.