Although the final decision about a residential abatement for the Sand Hill Farms workforce development housing project is up to the newly formed Culver Economic Development Commission, the Culver Redevelopment Commission discussed an option of how the abatement could be structured when they met this week.
All posts by Anita Goodan
Funeral Services Set for Triton Student, Football Game Rescheduled
The Triton and Pioneer football game has been moved in order for the Triton school community to say goodbye to a high school student.
Cameron Scarberry, 16, died from injuries sustained from a single vehicle rollover accident on 650 North near 700 West in Kosciusko County. Scarberry’s brother was also in the vehicle and sustained multiple injuries, but he has since been released from the Parkview Hospital in Fort Wayne.
Scarberry was a junior at Triton High School where he was a member of the football and wrestling teams since his freshman year. He was also a member of the Fellowship of Christian Students.
Cowger Formally Charged after Jail Fight
An inmate in the Marshall County Jail who allegedly hit a police officer during a fight in the jail has been formally charged.
On Sept. 13 at 8:25 p.m., Zachary Cowger, 22, allegedly hit Marshall County Jail Officer Billy Schoff in the head twice during a confrontation in the Marshall County Jail. According to the affidavit for probable cause, Jailer Schoff observed Cowger and another inmate in a pod violating jail rules and Cowger refused to comply with commands given over the intercom. Jailer Schoff left the observation room to confront Cowger when the alleged incident occurred.
Bourbon Property on Hold for Demolition
The demolition of a property in Bourbon unfit for human habitation may come down Oct. 1.
Marshall County Attorney James Clevenger told the county commissioners Monday morning that the bank placed a stay of demolition on the property that expired on Sept. 15. A motion to extend the stay another 45 days was filed in the court system, but the county quickly filed an objection stating that enough time has elapsed for work to be done. A judgment has not been filed in the case as of Wednesday, Sept. 20.
Marshall County Commissioners Adopt Ordinance for LaPaz Property Rezoning Request
A public hearing was held on Monday concerning the rezoning of a property in LaPaz for the opportunity of economic development on a property located just north of U.S. 6 in LaPaz by the new interchange. The zoning classification would go from A-1 Agriculture to a C-2 Highway Commercial District zone.
Plan Director Ralph Booker explained to the Marshall County Commissioners that the rezoning would extend the highway business district in that area for economic development. No commitments were made as part of the zoning request, but six acres is available to improve economic development in the town. The state owns several other parcels in that area.
Marshall County Commissioners Approve Money for Fire Monitoring System
Marshall County Maintenance Director Doug Masterson approached the commissioners Monday morning with an emergency situation with the fire monitoring system at the Marshall County Museum.
Masterson explained that the system failed on Thursday and needs to be replaced. He added that Marshall County Historical Society Museum Director Linda Rippy contacted the NoBi Corporation out of Elkhart to get a quote to replace the fire monitoring system. The company representative gave her an estimate of $5,935.
Brownfield Grant Creating Buildable Properties, Adding Jobs
Marshall County Plan Director Ralph Booker and Joel Markland with BCA Environmental Consultants out of Elkhart presented information about the county’s Brownfield Grant.
Markland said the three-year grant will be closed out at the end of this month.
Marshall County Safety Committee Receives Updates
The Marshall County Safety Committee received some updates from fellow school superintendents, probation, police, and emergency management.
Triton School Superintendent Donna Burroughs stated that her school’s response to the news of the death of a fellow student was swift. With the availability of receiving news rather immediately through social media, almost all of the students knew about the news within the hour. Superintendent Burroughs said they didn’t want to wait until Monday to offer comfort so administrators opened the school so students could be in the comfort of their peers to grieve together. She said about 150 students were at the school that day to support one another. She added that counselors were also available on Monday to assist students with any needs.
J-Turns Not a Favorable Solution in Argos
Over 100 people attended a public hearing hosted by officials from the Indiana Department of Transportation Tuesday night at the Argos Junior/Senior High School to address the proposal of a J-turn intersection at U.S. 31 and State Road 10 in Argos.
Troyer Group Project Manager Chris Maidner presented statistics on why a J-turn would be a quicker, cheaper safety alternative at that intersection and provided an example of a J-turn intersection at State Road 114 and 41 in the Morocco area. Their statistics show a reduction in personal injury crashes anywhere from 50 to 100 percent, along with a reduction in the number of victims help after truck accident. Studies by INDOT and the Troyer Group found that the J-turn intersections can be utilized by large semi-trucks, school buses, farm equipment, horse and buggies, and large trailers without issue. Continue reading
Marshall County Commissioners Adopt Solar Energy Systems Zoning Amendment
The Marshall County Commissioners adopted an amendment to the zoning ordinance concerning solar energy systems. According to the amendment, a solar energy system is a device that captures daylight for “interior lighting or provide for the collection, storage, or distribution of solar energy for space heating, space cooling, electricity generation, or water heating.”
Plan Director Ralph Booker explained that he and Building Commissioner Chuck DeWitt have gotten permit requests for solar energy systems in Bremen. There wasn’t much to the permitting process or the zoning requirement for the systems, but a public hearing was held Monday morning to set regulations.
J-turn Intersection Public Hearing Set for Tonight
A public hearing on the proposed J-turn intersection at U.S. 31 and State Road 10 and Dewey Street in Marshall County is tonight at 6 p.m. at the Argos Junior/High School.
This is the first of two public hearings set for two different J-turn proposals. The other intersection of this kind is proposed on U.S. 31 and State Road 110 on Wednesday, Sept 27 at 6 p.m. ET at the Argos Junior/Senior High School.
Marshall County Safety Meeting Set for Today
Several entities will discuss emergency plans during the annual Marshall County Safety Committee meeting this morning.
Area school superintendents, highway department personnel, Emergency Management Agency, Marshall County Health Department, Marshall County Sheriff’s deputies and the Marshall County School Safety Committee will offer ways of communication with each other in case of an emergency situation.
The meeting will be at 9 a.m. today in the Plymouth Community School Corporation Board Room.
Community Crossings Grants to be Announced Soon
Indiana Department of Transportation officials will be announcing the Community Crossings grant awards in the next few weeks.
Local government entities have been waiting patiently for the notice as officials would like to send next year’s projects out for bid that will utilize these funds.
Plymouth City Auction to be Held in October
The City of Plymouth will hold a surplus property auction in October.
Park Superintendent Michael Hite is in charge of the auction and told the Plymouth Board of Public Works and Safety members last week that he contacted Sam Goble to assist in the auction on Oct. 18. Hite added that the sale will be held in the horse barn at the Jefferson School parking lot.
Company Inquires about Bremen Industrial Buildings
There are two industrial buildings available in Bremen and a company executive was asking about those buildings last week.
Bremen Director of Operations Trend Weldy said the buildings at High Road and Industrial Drive are for sale, but one company still operates out of one of the buildings.
Proposed J-Turn Intersection Public Hearing Set for Tuesday
Officials from the Indiana Department of Transportation are hosting a public hearing tomorrow (Tuesday) to hear opinions on the proposed J-turn intersection for U.S. 31 at State Road 10 and Dewey Street (17th Road) in Marshall County.
INDOT touts the intersection will enhance safety for traffic. The J-turn intersection would not allow a vehicle to turn left at a crossroad. Instead, the driver has to travel quite a distance in order to turn left, or the opposite direction, to go back past the crossroad to turn left again to the desired location.
Culver-Union Township Fire Department Gains Firefighters
The Culver-Union Township Fire Department will have three new firefighters soon.
Fire Chief Terry Wakefield told the Culver Town Council last week that one member has passed all of the background checks and testing so he’s able to be added to the roster. Wakefield added that two others have applied and will enter several months of training.
Marshall County Commissioners to Meet Today
The Marshall County Commissioners will hold two public hearings during their meeting this morning.
Two zoning ordinances are up for public comment at 10 a.m. The zoning map and the zoning ordinance have been amended and those documents will be up for consideration.
Bourbon Town Council Working to Clean up Properties
The Bourbon Town Council is working to clean up blighted properties.
According to Clerk-Treasurer Kimberly Berger, she received load hauling tickets showing debris removal on Sept. 7 and Sept. 8 and the old Shell station.
The town has been working with Karen Holm in cleaning up her properties. The council has an agreement in place with Holm in that she has until Nov. 15 to show progress.
Consultant on Job Descriptions, Wages Discusses Information with Council
The Marshall County Council received information from a consultant on job descriptions and wages.
Kent Irwin explained how he and his colleagues at Waggoner, Irwin and Scheele prepare the job descriptions and determine wages for recommendations for the county. He is looking to assist the county in updating all of the job descriptions for all positions in the county as a major overhaul has not been done since 1989. Several positions have a different set of duties and those descriptions need to be current.
