Salvation Army Bell Ringers Needed

 

The Salvation Army needs bell ringers to help collect funds to help neighbors in need.

Salvation Army Major Gerald Smelser said volunteers are on site for about two hours at a time, but can donate more time based on personal preference. Kettles are stationed Walmart and Kroger in Plymouth, Five Star in Knox, Bailey’s Discount Center in Knox, and additional sites in Bremen and Culver.

Members from church organizations, residents, business organizations, or school groups are welcome to participate. Bell ringers can volunteer from Saturday, Nov. 25 to Sunday, Dec. 24 in two hour shifts from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at a certain location. Hours during the weekend usually need filled, but if there are more volunteers, time slots may open during the week.

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BMV Branches Reopen Saturday

All Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicle branches are closed today due to the Thanksgiving holiday, but those facilities that normally operate on Saturdays will reopen on Saturday, Nov. 25.

The Plymouth BMV branch will be open tomorrow from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. ET while the La Porte and Valparaiso branches will be open from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. CT.

The Knox, Walkerton and Winamac branches will conduct business during regular hours next week.

Marshall County Commissioners Consider Zoning Request

The Marshall County Commissioners considered a zoning ordinance amendment to change the zoning from an agricultural to a commercial zone at 12131 U.S. 6 adjacent to the La Paz Sewer Plant.

Marshall County Plan Director Ralph Booker said the property is located just south of U.S. 6 and west of U.S. 31 owned by Donald Abbott.

Marshall County Economic Development Corporation Director and CEO Jerry Chavez said this is a step in an economic strategic plan by La Paz officials. The town council there could decide to annex that property for tax purposes some time down the line.

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Marshall County REMC Officials Update Commissioners on Improving Communications

Communication upgrades are coming down the line for Marshall County REMC members.

REMC officials told the county commissioners on Monday morning that they are making efforts to bring fiber optic cable to the meter points at their substations so they can do automated switching and voltage reads in a more secure, quicker fashion. This will also increase the time in meter reading.

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Driver Leaves Passenger at Scene of Accident

The driver involved in a Sunday morning accident fled the scene on foot and left the passenger in the car.

According to the Marshall County Sheriff’s Department, a 2005 Acura was traveling westbound on Plymouth-Goshen Trail just east of Randolph Street shortly after 6 a.m. when it left the north side of the road for an unknown reason. The report states that a vehicle struck a utility pole and caused power lines to fall on the ground. The vehicle continued a short distance into a field where it came to a stop.

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Marshall County Commissioners to Discuss Haeck, Opioid Litigation Matters in Executive Session

Marshall County Attorney Jim Clevenger notified the commissioners on Monday morning that former Highway Superintendent Neal Haeck filed a motion recently for the return of his restitution.

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 throughout the time he was accused of the action in 2014 and during his subsequent trial. He was found guilty on one count of theft during a two-day trial in March of 2016 in the matter. He was sentenced to serve one year on home detention and complete 200 hours of community service. Two years of his sentence was suspended with reporting probation. 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

Highway Administrator Job Opening to be Advertised

The Marshall County Commissioners took action Monday morning to advertise the open position of Marshall County Highway Administrator.

Laurie Baker announced her resignation from the position earlier this month. Her last day will be Dec. 29.

Commissioner Kurt Garner said he read the job description and noticed that the candidate could hold an engineer’s license. Commissioner Kevin Overmyer and Commissioner Mike Delp both agreed that hiring an engineer is not necessary.

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Marshall County Golf Ordinance Will Not Change

The Marshall County Commissioners decided keep the requirement in the current golf cart ordinance that requires them to be operated only on roads that have a 35 mph speed limit or less.

Michelle Bachtel and her husband previously asked the commissioners to rescind the speed limit requirement and allow them to be driven on all roads. During that same meeting, the commissioners discussed that the speed limit was included in the ordinance for safety purposes. The initial thought was to keep the slow moving vehicles off of roads that have increased speed as a safety precaution.

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John Glenn School Board to Meet Tonight

John Glenn School Board

The John Glenn School Board members will consider approval of early graduation for two seniors when they meet tonight. While the board members had the requests during their last meeting, the pair was not present. The board asked High School Principal William Morton to notify the students that they must appear at a board meeting to be considered for early graduation. Three similar requests were approved when students met the board earlier this month.

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Rollover Accident Investigated in La Paz

The Marshall County Sheriff’s Department and emergency responders responded to a single vehicle rollover accident early Monday morning.

Police say Timothy Ousnamer was traveling southbound on Michigan Road just north of U.S. 6 in La Paz when he lost control of his vehicle. His 2008 Toyota pickup went off the west side of the roadway and hit a large embankment, according to the report. The report went on to say the vehicle then rolled over on its top. Continue reading

Plymouth BOW Approves Liability Coverage for Firefighter Training

A few firefighters from the Plymouth Fire Department are participating in training courses, but need to be included on the city’s liability insurance in order to complete part of their classes.

Fire Chief Rod Miller told the Plymouth Board of Public Works and Safety members last week that the coverage is needed for the trainees’ practical skills training.

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Marshall County Commissioners to Meet Today

Marshall County Commissioners (L to R) Mike Delp, Kevin Overmyer, Kurt Garner

The Marshall County Commissioners will meet today and are expected hear requests to apply for grants from Community Corrections Director Ward Byers and representatives from the Marshall County 4-H Fair Board Long Range Planning Commission.

Members from the highway department will award construction and resurfacing bids during today’s commissioner’s meeting, while a zoning change will be presented by a representative from the Marshall County Planning Commission. Kankakee River Basin information will be presented by members of Christopher Burke Engineering, LLC. Continue reading