All posts by Anita Goodan

Marshall County to Join National Opioid Litigation

Posted on Author Anita Goodan

Marshall County will join an Indianapolis firm in pursuing a multi-district, federal litigation against the opioid manufacturers and distributors of highly addictive prescription medications.

The Marshall County Commissioners discussed the issue in detail in an executive session in November. During their regular business meeting on Monday morning, Commissioner Mike Delp asked about fees to be collected by the firm Cohen and Malad. The firm handling the case would collect 33.3% in attorney fees and any expenses incurred in the event of a recovery. The expenses will be shared with all clients in the litigation process.

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Commissioners Review Floor Maintenance Contract

Posted on Author Anita Goodan

The Marshall County Commissioners went a different route when discussing the floor maintenance contract Monday morning.

The commissioners received several bids for floor cleaning as the work is usually done on a contractural basis. Maintenance Director Doug Masterson is under contract now for $850 a month, or $10,200 a year, which is above his full-time position with the county.

Commissioner Mike Delp asked Consultant Kent Irwin of Waggoner, Irwin and Scheele about the practice of a county employee doing work for the county as an independent contractor and receive 1099 wages to perform similar duties.

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John Glenn School Board Discusses IPad Purchase

Posted on Author Anita Goodan

The John Glenn School Board members discussed the purchase of 220 iPads for kindergarten, first and second grade students Tuesday night.

Technology Director Andrew Stegemiller explained that the current computers were purchased in 2012 and cannot be updated anymore. He said the computers were reliable and will get a good trade-in price. They need to be traded in soon to keep that pricing.

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Commissioners Approve Readings on Three Ordinances

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

The Marshall County Commissioners held a public hearing Monday morning concerning an ordinance amendment that makes changes to side yard fences in certain zones.

The ordinance changes the side yard fence height to “six feet in height and must be of uniform, color and style construction materials.” The ordinance amendment pertains to L-1, T-1, C-1, C-2, and industrial districts. Agricultural districts are excluded.

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Commissioners Get Update on Branding Marshall County

Posted on Author Anita Goodan

A concept of branding by this production company for Marshall County was presented to the commissioners Monday morning.

Lou Pierce from the Big Idea Company out of Mishawaka presented the findings of members of Branding Marshall County in three meetings held in Bremen, Culver and at Ancilla College. He said Marshall County needs to stand out in a relevant way to promote what Marshall County has to offer.

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Tharpe Arrested on Public Intoxication Charge

Posted on Author Anita Goodan

A Plymouth man was arrested Monday night after police say he attempted to enter several cars on Michigan Street.

According to a report from the Plymouth Police Department, officers were called to the area of Michigan Street and Goshen Road after complaints were received about a man causing a traffic hazard. The man was reportedly attempting to enter several vehicles. Police say an off-duty Marshall County Sheriff’ Department officer arrived at the scene and told Plymouth officers that the man approached his car as well.

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Plymouth Woman Arrested on Suspicion of False Informing

Posted on Author Anita Goodan

A Plymouth woman was taken into custody on Friday afternoon after allegedly providing with police with false information.

During an unrelated investigation, a Plymouth police officer spoke to the woman at the Economy Inn and she allegedly gave the officer false information. When the officer went to verify information, she reportedly attempted to run from the officer on foot. She was detained and she continued to resist the officer, according to the report.

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Firefighters Battle House Fire in Plymouth

Posted on Author Anita Goodan

Firefighters from several area fire departments battled a house fire in Plymouth Monday night.

According to the Plymouth Fire Department’s Facebook page, crews arrived at the scene around 6:43 p.m. and there they found a home on Pearl Street fully engulfed in flames. Crews were there for about eight hours battling the blaze. Strong winds hindered efforts as the fire spread quickly throughout the home.

The Plymouth Fire Department was assisted at the scene by the Bremen, Argos, and La Paz Fire Departments and Plymouth EMS.

Marshall County Commissioners Wait to Make Restitution Decision

Posted on Author Anita Goodan

The Marshall County Commissioners will wait to make a decision on whether or not restitution will be paid to former Highway Superintendent Neal Haeck.

Haeck was accused of stealing money from the sale of scrap metal while acting in his position held in the county in 2012 and 2013. Haeck maintained his innocence from the time he was accused of the action in 2014, but he was found guilty on one count of theft during a two-day trial in March of 2016. He was ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $12,358.41, which was paid in full to the county, plus court costs and fines. Continue reading →

John Glenn School Board to Meet Tonight

Posted on Author Anita Goodan
John Glenn School Board

The John Glenn School Board members will meet tonight where the board will honor the Urey Middle School Spell Bowl Team on their State Spell Bowl Championship. The board also plans to discuss the purchase of 220 iPads for students in kindergarten through the second grade in the amount of $64,680.

The John Glenn School Board will meet tonight at 7 p.m. at the North Liberty Elementary School.

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.

County Highway Supervisor Jason Peters and Highway Administrator Laurie Baker will be before the commissioners for a report as well as information from CHA Design Construction Solutions. Pam Davis will present information on the effort to brand Marshall County and EMA Director Clyde Avery will provide his quarterly report as well as a strategic plan.

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Crews Continue Work on Plymouth Sidewalk Projects

Posted on Author Anita Goodan

Walsh and Kelly crews have started work on the fall sidewalk projects in Plymouth approved for this year. Street paving will wait until the spring, according to Street Superintendent Jim Marquardt.

“They’re doing a lot of the concrete curb work,” explained Marquardt. “They felt like they could get all of that done this year and do all of the paving come spring. They’ve been working on North Street and Walnut and Center Streets. Their goal is to get everything done curb-wise before the asphalt plants close and get asphalt back around the curbs. They will finish up sidewalks for the season and come and pave in the spring.” Continue reading →

Culver Town Council Looking to Fill Board and Commission Positions for 2018

Posted on Author Anita Goodan

The Culver Town Council is looking for volunteers to serve on several boards and commissions that have seats available for service in 2018.

The Culver Redevelopment Commission has five seats on the board and those members are appointed annually. Three candidates are chosen by the town council and two by the town council president. The Culver Redevelopment Commission meets every third Monday of the month. The applicant must be a Culver resident. Continue reading →

Plymouth Utility Superintendent Gives Update on Wastewater Treatment Plant Project

Posted on Author Anita Goodan

Plymouth Utility Superintendent Donnie Davidson gave the Plymouth Board of Public Works and Safety members an update on the wastewater treatment facility plant improvement project.

He asked that $30,000 be shifted for the purchase of inspections and construction engineering. He said this will not affect the bottom line. The board approved the request.

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Culver Town Council Approves Readings on Several Ordinances

Posted on Author Anita Goodan

The Culver Town Council members took action this week to discuss several ordinances that were up for consideration.

An ordinance allowing additional appropriation requests to be carried out was adopted. It authorizes the expenditure of $17,500 toward the Stellar efforts. Clerk-Treasurer Karen Heim previously explained that they couldn’t foresee expenses related to the efforts because it was unknown if the town would achieve the designation. These additional funds that are available in the budget are needed to fulfill needs.

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Awards Given during Wythougan Valley Preservation Council Annual Meeting

Posted on Author Anita Goodan
(L to R) Kurt Garner, Daniel Stauffer, and Kevin Overmyer

The members of the Wythougan Valley Preservation Council, Inc. held its annual meeting on Thursday afternoon in the Marshall County Museum.

As part of the business portion of the meeting, the current office holders were voted to retain their positions. Kurt Garner serves as President with Vice President Scott Schuster, Treasurer Paul Schoberg and Secretary Portia Wampler.

Three Daniel McDonald awards were given. President Kurt Garner gave the history of the award.

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Culver Town Council Discusses Police Vacation Pay

Posted on Author Anita Goodan

Culver Police Chief Wayne Bean discussed pay for the officers within the Culver Police Department with the Culver Town Council members this week.

He explained that with a shortage of part-time officers, there are a lot of full-time officers who will not get to use their vacation, personal or holiday time because they will need to fill shifts through the end of the fiscal year.

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Mayor’s Youth Council Presents Information to Plymouth BOW

Posted on Author Anita Goodan

The Plymouth Board of Public Works and Safety members considered a request from the Mayor’s Youth Council to move forward with their plans for the Adopt-a-Street program.

The group met recently to determine roles and responsibilities of an Adopt-a-Street program in Plymouth. According to the presenters, the program was initiated to create cleaner streets and improve Plymouth. They hope to encourage community members to clean streets and inspire everyone to come together to clean up the city.

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