Kosciuscko County Sheriff C. Aaron Rovenstine was sentenced on one count of intimidation of a law enforcement officer as a Level 6 Felony as agreed upon in a plea agreement with the state. He admitted to intimidating Warsaw Police Officer Paul Heaton over the phone on Aug. 14, 2015 concerning an investigating of an inmate in the jail. Continue reading
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Sentencing Set for Aaron Rovenstine
Kosciusko County Sheriff Aaron Rovenstine will be sentenced today at 9 a.m. in the Justice Building.
Rovenstine pleaded guilty in a plea agreement to a charge of intimidation of a law enforcement officer, a Level 6 felony. The plea was made during his trial in early April. Nine additional charges were dropped as a result of Rovenstine’s plea.
Plymouth City Council Approves Salary Ordinance Amendment
The Plymouth City Council members approved an ordinance that could help entice employees to apply for firefighter positions.
City Attorney Sean Surrisi presented a document for approval Monday night that would fix the salaries for fire personnel as well as police officers and appointed officers and employees.
Culver Town Council to Gather Opinions on Housing Project Tonight
The Culver Town Council will hold a public input session tonight to gather opinions on the proposed Sand Hill Farms workforce housing project. Public comment will be taken at 6:30 p.m. prior to the start of tonight’s regular meeting agenda.
Town Manager Jonathan Leist explained that the project has been in the town’s comprehensive plan since the plan’s adoption in 2014. The lack of housing was identified as one of the main issues in the plan. Leist said a committee was formed to look into the project. It is part of this year’s Stellar Communities grant application. Culver town officials should know Wednesday, May 24 if Culver is a finalist in the application process.
Co-Alliance to Move into Wickes Lumber Building
The Argos Town Council members approved papers for Co-Alliance to move into the former Wickes Lumber property.
Several commitments will need to be met by the owners of the company to work with the residents in the area. The company will need to maintain the grass and other vegetation on the property as well as the perimeter fence. The company was asked by the town to dim the outdoor lighting around the facility.
All Marshall County Marching Band Ready for Indy 500 Parade
The final practice for the All Marshall County Marching Band was held last night in preparation for the Indianapolis 500 Festival Parade this Saturday.
Students from Plymouth, Bremen, Culver Community, Triton and LaVille High Schools will be participating in the event. The band is under the direction of Bryan Ames with the help of five other directors.
Michigan Street Road Construction Project Begins Today
INDOT’s State Road 17 resurfacing project is expected to begin on Michigan Street today.
Walsh and Kelly, Inc. will be milling and paving Michigan Street from 7C Road through the downtown area for the next two weeks, depending on the weather.
During the paving process, traffic will be reduced to one lane in areas, but no detours are anticipated.
Committee to Look into Courthouse Repairs
Marshall County Commissioner Kurt Garner is looking to form a committee to look into courthouse repairs.
He mentioned to the commissioners this week that work on the courthouse tower and other projects have been on the long range plan for the county. Garner was approached by a representative of Honeywell who would be willing to come in and do calculations on mechanical systems and energy cost savings. Judge Palmer also expressed interest in being on the committee.
John Glenn School Board Approves Bus Donation Request
A retired bus in the John Glenn Community School Corporation fleet will be donated to the Triton Community School Corporation to assist in a worthy cause.
Transportation Director Cindy King explained to the school board that the area transportation directors would like to host a mock disaster. The school bus would be used for emergency responder training with area fire, police and EMS personnel as well as area drivers and students. The trainees would have a hands-on training experience and be better prepared if an incident with a school bus would happen.
Culver Community School Board Discusses Summer School Schedule
The Culver Community School Board discussed the summer school schedule to accommodate those students who will be taking courses.
Elementary Principal Erin Proskey explained that sixth graders will participate in summer school from June 5 to June 16 from 8 a.m. to noon each day. One week will be Math remediation and the other half will be for English/Language Arts. IREAD 3 remediation will be from June 5 to June 9 from 8 a.m. to noon with the test on the last day of summer school.
Plymouth BOW/Council to Meet Tonight
The Plymouth Board of Public Works and Safety will meet tonight where City Engineer Rick Gaul will have several times for the board’s consideration.
A representative from the Plymouth Community School Corporation will discuss a financial guarantee memorandum of understanding for the football field turf drainage project. The Troyer Group will present a construction contract for consideration. Several work requests of projects in the city’s right-of-way will be offered including several service line installation projects and the installation of a monitoring well.
Culver Redevelopment Commission to Meet Tonight
The Culver Redevelopment Commission will meet tonight where the members are expected to discuss the Sand Hill Farms workforce housing project on Jefferson Street. Public comment is welcome during this meeting, but the Culver Town Council members encourage public input concerning this project during their meeting tomorrow night at 6:30 p.m. at the Culver Town Hall.
Engineer Addresses Drainage Issue at Jellystone Park
Bob Aloi from Territorial Engineering brought forward information to the Marshall County Commissioners about a drainage issue at Jellystone Park.
Aloi said that the park has suffered flooding issues due to poor drainage for several years, mainly by Avalanche Avenue. According to Aloi, at the entrance of the park, on the Plymouth-LaPorte Trail, there is an issue with an overflow of ditches as well as on Redwood Road. Aloi isn’t exactly sure where the water inflow is occurring but he’s wondering what the county can do to help in the process.
John Glenn School Board Recognizes Retirees
The John Glenn Community School Board approved the retirement of several long-time staff members at the school corporation this week.
Judy Schmidt will be retiring after 43.5 years as a school bus driver while Director of Transportation Cindy King will be leaving after 33 years of service. She served 22 years of her tenure as the director. Linda Parker will be retiring after 47 years as a math teacher.
High school Spanish teacher Gina Jackson also submitted her request for retirement as did first grade teacher Kymberly Groves.
Valedictorian and Salutatorian Introduced to Culver Community School Board
It’s become a tradition that the Valedictorian and Salutatorian be introduced to the Culver Community School Board before they walk the stage on graduation night.
During Monday’s meeting, Middle/High School Principal Brett Berndt presented Valedictorian Josh Krsek and Salutatorian Brandon Havron as the top two graduates of the Class of 2017.
Marshall County Sheriff’s Department to Host Youth Camp
Marshall County Sheriff Matt Hassel invites area youth to attend the 2017 Law Enforcement Camp on Friday, June 23 through Sunday, June 25.
Counselors from law enforcement agencies throughout the county will host a variety of activities for the area’s children to experience. Camp activities include law enforcement displays, career-oriented classes, leadership skills, obstacle courses, firearms training, and other activities during the three-day event at Potowatomi Wildlife Park in Tippecanoe.You can also click here now to know more.
Deputy and Camp Counselor Travis O’Neal from the Marshall County Sheriff’s Department said the Elkhart City Police Department’s Bomb Squad will host a demonstration.
“The campers will get to see all of the equipment they’re using and they will set of some explosives,” said O’Neal.
Deputy and Camp Counselor Ryan Hollopeter added the officers will teach campers integrity, discipline and respect when attending this camp.
“All of that comes together at the academy,” said Hollopeter. “As chiefs and sheriffs hire new deputies, that’s what they look for. We work that into this camp. It’s not like a boot camp, but they are going to be exposed to that organization and held accountable.”
Sheriff Hassel invites adults to attend just to get in on all of the fun.
There is no fee to attend the camp. Food for the event is being donated and the hands to prepare it will come from volunteers. There is an insurance cost for the camp and any donations toward that fee can be made by contacting Sheriff Hassel at the Marshall County Sheriff’s Department.
Applications are available at the sheriff’s department and on the Marshall County Sheriff’s Department’s Facebook page.
John Glenn School Corporation to Get Two New Buses
The John Glenn School Board discussed the purchase of two 78-passenger school buses with Transportation Director Cindy King.
King said that the buses she chose for the proposal come equipped with the necessary features that the school corporation requires on the buses. Extra seats with seat belts for younger children, two-way radios and cameras are part of the proposal.
Culver Community School Board Approves Cafeteria Prices
Prices for lunch will increase for all schools next year at the Culver Community School Corporation.
Food Services Director Carin Clifton said the lunch price variables were put into a calculator as part of the Indiana Department of Education paid equity requirements. It was determined this year that the price will go up another 10 cents. The statistic is based on students who are not on free and reduced lunch.
Tyler Road Culvert Work to Create Detour
A culvert replacement will cause detoured traffic between St. Joseph County and Marshall County beginning on Monday.
Marshall County Highway Administrator Laurie Baker told the commissioners this week that St. Joseph County highway workers would like to use three roads in Marshall County as a detour while the culvert issues are addressed. Lilac Road, King Road, and First Road will be utilized as a route around the construction.
Commissioner Kurt Garner noted that the area doesn’t carry much traffic so the proposed detour should not be an issue.
The commissioners unanimously approved the request. The culvert work is expected to be complete on Friday, May 26.
BMV Branches to Close During Memorial Day Observance
All branches of the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles will be closed Saturday, May 27 through Monday, May 29 in observance of Memorial Day.
Branches will reopen with regular business hours on Tuesday, May 30. The Plymouth branch is open on Tuesdays from 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. and from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. the rest of the work week. Saturday’s hours are from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The Walkerton Branch is open Tuesday and Thursday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
For online assistance, visit www.myBMV.com.
