All posts by Anita Goodan

Lack of Interest Causes Grant Application, Non-Profit Fund Creation to Stall

Posted on Author Anita Goodan

A potential funding source for those suffering losses not eligible for FEMA funds after a natural disaster has been tabled due to lack of support.

Marshall County Emergency Management Agency Director Clyde Avery told the commissioners on Tuesday morning that five people responded to eight notices sent out to create a board of directors for this endeavor, but only three members attended the first meeting. The goal of the proposed 501(C)(3) organization was to generate donations by a variety of fundraisers to sustain the fund. The money would then be distributed after applications were reviewed in the event of a catastrophic event.

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Town of Culver Prepares for Stellar Site Visit

Posted on Author Anita Goodan

The Town of Culver is beginning preparations for a visit from officials with the Stellar Communities Designation Program. The event is set for Oct. 5.

The goal of the Indiana Stellar Communities Designation Program is to help rural towns, like Culver, gather the resources needed to invest in improvements for economic revitalization. Those projects could include housing or other community-minded interests to renew spirit to the area or to alleviate decline.

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Public Hearing Set for Intersection Improvement in Marshall, Fulton Counties

Posted on Author Anita Goodan

The construction of a J-turn intersection is planned at the intersection of U.S. 31 and State Road 110 in Marshall and Fulton Counties. A public hearing on the project is set for Wednesday, Sept. 27 at 6 p.m. at the Argos Community Jr./Sr. High School.

The proposed intersection is expected to enhance safety at that intersection. INDOT officials say J-turn intersections increase safety by reducing the number of possible conflicts and the points where two vehicles cross paths. It is the hope to reduce the number of “T” crashes.

The project information can be viewed prior to the public hearing at the Argos Public Library or by clicking here.

September is National Preparedness Month

Posted on Author Anita Goodan

It’s time to take action to be prepared when it comes to severe weather.

September is National Preparedness Month and officials urge you to put together a kit of emergency supplies that is geared to sustain family life for at least three days in the event of a severe weather event. It is suggested that one gallon of water per day per person could be included in the kit along with non-perishable food, battery-powered radio, flashlight, a first aid kit, extra medicine, cash, pet food, and seasonal clothing.

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Public Hearing Set for Intersection Improvement

Posted on Author Anita Goodan

A public hearing is planned to gather comments on the proposed intersection improvement on U.S. 31 and State Road 10 and Dewey Street in Marshall County.

The project includes a measure to increase safety at the intersection and reduce delay by separating traffic movements. The plan is to construct a J-turn, or a median U-turn. J-turns improve the ability of drivers to cross a multi-lane divided highway from a crossroad. According to INDOT, the improvement is expected to reduce the risk of severe crashes.

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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 the commissioners will receive an update from projects at the highway department. The board will also hear from Emergency Management Agency Director Clyde Avery about his quarterly activities. County Attorney James Clevenger will provide an update on several items when he delivers his report.

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51st Annual Marshall County Blueberry Festival Continues through Monday

Posted on Author Anita Goodan

The Marshall County Blueberry Festival hits full stride today as activities ramp up during this year’s 51st annual celebration.

The Blueberry Bicycle Cruise has different start times this morning while girls fast pitch softball and other sporting events begin at 8a.m.

The festival officially opens at 9 a.m. with the ABATE Blueberry Bike Show, the garden tractor pull, RC car racing, music, and the hot air balloon launch at 6:45 p.m. today.

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Portage Man Arrested for Auto Theft

Posted on Author Anita Goodan

A Portage man is in the custody of Marshall County authorities after allegedly stealing a car from a Plymouth resident.

According to the Plymouth City Police Department, Yiannis Sakelaris, 24, was at a home in the 1200 block of Lake Ave. the night of Aug. 11 when a car was stolen from the residence. Police say the car was recovered in Chicago on Aug. 15 and Sakelaris was in possession of the vehicle. He was hospitalized due to a drug overdose.

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Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over this Labor Day Weekend

Posted on Author Anita Goodan

The Labor Day weekend is filled with a variety of different celebrations including the Marshall County Blueberry Festival and the Monterey Days Festival. These types of events may lead to alcohol consumption. If you drink, don’t drive.

Four law enforcement agencies in Marshall County are in the middle of the state’s Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign through the Labor Day holiday. The Marshall County Sheriff’s Department, Bremen Police Department, Plymouth Police Department and Bourbon Police Department have increased sobriety checkpoints, roving patrols and saturation patrols in an effort to take impaired drivers off the roads. Continue reading →

Two Injured in Two-Vehicle Accident

Posted on Author Anita Goodan

Two people were injured in a two-vehicle accident in the area of U.S. 31 and 19th Road in Argos on Wednesday evening.

Marshall County police say William Reese, 60, of Argos, was traveling west on 19th Road approaching U.S. 31 when he pulled across the northbound lane into the median. He reportedly did not see the approaching vehicle traveling south on U.S. 31 and pulled into the path of the vehicle driven by Donn F. Whitenight, Jr., 47, of Rochester. Whitenight, Jr. reportedly told police that he could not avoid the collision with Reese.

Both drivers complained of pain as a result of the crash and they were transported to a South Bend hospital.

Pursuit Leads to Arrest

Posted on Author Anita Goodan

A Nappanee man was airlifted from the scene of a motorcycle crash after Marshall County police say the driver led a sheriff’s deputy on a pursuit.

A Marshall County Sheriff’s deputy attempted a traffic stop late Wednesday night in the area of Michigan Road and 1st Road when the motorcycle driver reportedly refused to stop. Police say the driver, Jesse Elliott, turned east on Tyler Road when a high speed pursuit began. Elliott later crashed on Tyler Road west of Lilac Road.

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Bremen Man Arrested after Scuffle with Police

Posted on Author Anita Goodan
Devon Zillmer

A Bremen man was arrested Tuesday evening after allegedly attempting to move a disabled car and disobeying police orders.

A Marshall County Sheriff’s deputy responded to a report of disabled vehicle on East Shore Drive at Dill Street in the Lake of the Woods area in Bremen. Police say Devon Zillmer arrived at the scene to drag away the vehicle as the deputy was on his way to that location.

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Marshall County 4-H Fair Board Association Approves Agreement with County

Posted on Author Anita Goodan

A subrecipient agreement was approved and signed by members of the Marshall County 4-H Fair Board Association this week. The agreement is between the fair board and the Marshall County Commissioners that outlines the responsibilities of ownership and funding associated with a proposed multi-use building to be constructed on the fairgrounds in Argos.

The proposed structure is an 8,000 square foot steel frame building that will feature drywall and concrete flooring. It will accommodate a seating capacity up to 400 people. There will be 4,400 square feet of open space to hold wedding receptions or other large gatherings, a 30-person meeting room in the front of the building and regular building features such as a kitchenette and restrooms.

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Plymouth City Council Approves Two Ordinances, Resolution

Posted on Author Anita Goodan

The Plymouth City Council members did approve two ordinances and a resolution on Monday night.

An ordinance to annex approximately one acre into the City of Plymouth was unanimously approved on second and third readings. The Weir family is annexing a portion of their property on Lake Avenue into the city in order to put all of the parcels into the city limits. The eastern portion of the property is in the county’s jurisdiction. The family hopes to sell the house that’s on the property and use the rest of the property for a proposed daycare facility.

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Bremen Town Council Discusses Water Rate Ordinance

Posted on Author Anita Goodan

The Bremen Town Council may be raising the fire protection service rate on utility bills to take effect in 2018.

Director of Operations Trend Weldy said the rate increase will occur over three years.

“It’s a small increase,” stressed Weldy. “It will increase $1.10 a month starting in 2018, another $1.10 a month increase in 2019 and it’ll raise again $1.10 in 2020 to get up to where we need to be on our fire protection program.”

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West Nile Virus Increases across the State

Posted on Author Anita Goodan

Officials with the Indiana State Department of Health are keeping an eye on the West Nile Virus activity in the state.

As of Aug. 18, 261 pools of water tested positive for the West Nile Virus in 58 counties this year. According to statistics compiled by the Indiana State Department of Health, three mosquito infections were separately reported in Starke County, La Porte County and Fulton County. One mosquito infection was reported in Porter County while there were no reports in Marshall County or Pulaski County.

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Municipal Excise Surtax, Wheel Tax Ordinance Dies

Posted on Author Anita Goodan

A proposed ordinance that would help raise revenue for the construction and rehabilitation of roads and streets within the City of Plymouth died for a lack of a motion Monday night.

The Plymouth City Council members held a public hearing on a municipal excise surtax and municipal wheel tax ordinance earlier this month and called a first reading on the ordinance. The ordinance was up for second reading during a specially-called meeting last week during budget discussions. It was tabled and brought up for discussion on Monday night.

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