All posts by Anita Goodan

James Irwin Pleads Guilty in Marshall County Superior Court No. 1 Hearing

Posted on Author Anita Goodan

The former executive director at the Marshall Care and Share program was sentenced in Marshall County Superior Court No. 1 on Wednesday morning. He was accused of drug dealing and solicitation of prostitution at the time of his arrest in August 2017.

James A. Irwin, 69, pleaded guilty in an amended plea agreement with the state to a Level 6 felony count of dealing in a schedule II controlled substance and a Class A misdemeanor charge of patronizing a prostitute. Judge Robert O. Bowen accepted the plea agreement that calls for two years of incarceration on the felony charge and one year of incarceration on the misdemeanor charge. Those counts are to be served concurrently, or at the same time.

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Marshall County Highway Crews Continue to Assess Flood Damage

Posted on Author Anita Goodan

Crews with the Marshall County Highway Department continue to assess roads after the flood event, but some remain under water and cannot be reviewed. Some roads remain closed due to high water. As of Friday, only 18 roads remain closed or with a high water barricade. Marshall County Highway Supervisor Jason Peters told the Marshall County Commissioners Monday morning that number has dwindled considerably since the waters started to rise significantly on Feb. 20.

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Marshall County Election Board Seeks Alternate Vote Center Site

Posted on Author Anita Goodan

The National Guard Armory in Plymouth is undergoing renovations and cannot be used as a Vote Center for the May Primary Election.

With the unavailability of the 12th vote center site, the Marshall County Election Board members Tuesday morning discussed simply moving forward with 11 vote centers or finding an alternate site. Clerk Deb Vandemark suggested checking on availability at the Knights of Columbus building in Plymouth to host more machines. Parking may be an issue, but the building would offer enough space and it would meet Vote Center requirements.

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John Glenn School Officials to Review Traffic Flow

Posted on Author Anita Goodan

Officials from the John Glenn School Corporation will be reviewing traffic flow specifically during dismissal times at all three Walkerton schools.

Superintendent Richard Reese told the John Glenn School Board Tuesday night that parents waiting to pick up their children from school are often causing a traffic flow issue as cars line the streets. The pattern often affects the way the buses enter and exit the schools as they transport students home from school.

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Criminal Interdiction Patrol a Success

Posted on Author Anita Goodan

A criminal interdiction patrol on U.S. 30 and U.S. 31 on Friday, March 2 was deemed a success.

Police say the focus was to target criminal activity in Marshall, Kosciusko and St. Joseph Counties. In all, 49 vehicles were stopped where 21 tickets and 25 warnings were given to drivers. One commercial motor vehicle inspection was conducted, two vehicles were impounded, four people were arrested on nine different criminal charges, and one person was arrested for operating a vehicle while intoxicated on a controlled substance.

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Plymouth City Council Discusses Grant to Reconstruct Footbridge

Posted on Author Anita Goodan

The City of Plymouth was recently awarded a grant for the LaPorte Street historic footbridge.

Clerk-Treasurer Jeanine Xaver told the council members last week that the federal government will reimburse the city $1.3 million of the $2 million project. That leaves the city with funding the rest of the project. Xaver said the city should plan now to find the $800,000 needed for the project. While the entire amount doesn’t need to be appropriated this year, a fund should be set up so the money can be moved as needed.

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Plymouth Fire Department to Pay for Medications for Ambulances

Posted on Author Anita Goodan

The Plymouth Fire Department will now begin paying for medications supplied in the city’s ambulances.

Fire Chief Rod Miller told the Plymouth Board of Public Works and Safety members last week that the St. Joseph Regional Medical Center will begin charging the city for the pharmaceuticals and supplies that were provided free of charge. He said the hospital is no longer able to supply the needs for free.

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Culver Town Council to Hold Public Hearing on PUD

Posted on Author Anita Goodan

A public hearing is scheduled for Tuesday, March 13 for the proposed Planned Unit Development (PUD) at 17664 State Road 17 and 19456 State Road 10 in Culver owned by Thomas Beste.

Culver Town Manager Jonathan Leist said the plan commission approved the primary plans for Culver Meadows by a vote of 5-2. Those plans will come before the Culver Town Council in a public hearing setting on Tuesday, March 13.

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Marshall County Commissioners to Meet Today

Posted on Author Anita Goodan
Marshall County Commissioners (L to R) Mike Delp, Kevin Overmyer, Kurt Garner

The Marshall County Commissioners will meet today where updates on flooding assessments will be given. Plan Director Ralph Booker and Building Commissioner Chuck DeWitt will request a waiver of building permit fees for flood victims. Emergency Management Agency Director Clyde Avery will present an emergency disaster update as well as request permission to apply for the 2017 EMPG salary reimbursement request and give a quarterly report.

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Culver Joins Disaster Declaration for Marshall County

Posted on Author Anita Goodan

The Culver Town Council members acknowledged Culver’s inclusion in Marshall County’s designation in a disaster declaration for flooding. Any residents experiencing flood damage are encouraged to call 2-1-1 or the Marshall County Emergency Management Agency at 574-936-3740. All damage is to be reported for a better chance of receiving federal assistance for repairs and recovery.

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Phi Delta Kappa to Pay Water Bill Despite Appeal

Posted on Author Anita Goodan

The members of the Phi Delta Kappa will have to pay a $750 water bill despite not knowing what happened to the water that was registered through the city’s meters.

The issue was brought before the Plymouth Board of Public Works and Safety members during the Feb. 12 meeting. The organization received a water bill for $750 and appealed the bill stating that they have a leaky toilet, but it’s not known how some 100,000 gallons of water was registered in January.

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Bremen Flood Clean-up Ongoing

Posted on Author Anita Goodan

The Town of Bremen is still working to clean up after flood waters wreaked havoc in the area last week.

Bremen Director of Operations Trend Weldy said the wastewater treatment facility was under close watch as two to three feet of water surrounded the plant.

“It remained operational all the way through, but we were really close in getting water into our electrical components which would have been a really big mess,” explained Weldy. “The town guys worked around the clock. We had three fire trucks and eight hoses to pump water out of there in order to keep the facility above water to function correctly.”

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Volunteer Clean-up Day Set for Saturday in Plymouth

Posted on Author Anita Goodan

A volunteer clean-up day in Plymouth is set for Saturday, March 3.

Residents and business owners affected by flood waters are encouraged to call 2-1-1 to report damage and needs.

Volunteers interested in participating in clean-up efforts are asked to arrive at the Plymouth Fire Department at 111 N. Center Street in Plymouth at 9 a.m. for a kick-off rally, task assignment and send-off. The effort will end at 2 p.m. Be sure to wear clothes you plan on throwing out after your volunteer effort is complete. Proper boots are essential.

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