All posts by Lenny Dessauer

Marshall County Council Approves Chief Deputy Coroner Job Description

Posted on Author Lenny Dessauer

The Marshall County Council approved a recommendation from the personnel committee to include a job description for the chief deputy coroner in the handbook, a task that has been pending for a long time.

The position description submitted includes duties, job requirements, responsibilities, and physical effort. The chief deputy coroner is a part-time position and is appointed by the coroner. The appointee is responsible for assisting in investigating and certifying cause and manner of death in any suspicious, unusual or unnatural human death.

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Prosecuting Attorneys Support Amendment to Meth Bill

Posted on Author Lenny Dessauer

There is support for an amendment to a bill that would help prosecutors attack the epidemic of methamphetamine labs and the dangers that meth production impose on residents.

The amendment to Senate Bill 536 sponsored by Senator Brent Steele targets meth production by making ephedrine and pseudoephedrine schedule IV controlled substances. The pills would only be available by a doctor’s prescription.

Delaware County Prosecutor Jeffrey Arnold told the Indiana Senate Committee on Corrections and Criminal Law this week that the production of meth is a greater issue to law enforcement and the public. According to statistics in an Indiana Prosecuting Attorney’s Council press release, it takes an Indiana State Police mobile lab eight hours to dispose of a lab at a cost of $160,000. The local fire department is usually on standby in case the volatile chemicals explode. If a meth lab is in a rented house or apartment, the dwelling must be decontaminated. It could be too costly for the landlord to clean up so then the structure would be deemed a blighted property.

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Riverside Intermediate Students Teach Others about Climates

Posted on Author Lenny Dessauer

The sixth-grade students at Riverside Intermediate School in Plymouth presented information about different climates in the world Thursday afternoon. The students set up different stations in three different rooms to tell fellow students, parents and teachers about their specific knowledge about the region.

Zane Cooper, a Project Based Learning (PBL) educator at the school, said the students set up the areas just like the regions they are studying.

“They’re explaining the colder sections of the world like the tundra icecaps, a Mediterranean climate, and some of the warmer areas like the desert,” said Cooper. “We’re really focusing on all of those different climate regions of the world. We’ve separated it by classroom to make it a progression as you go from one room to the other.”

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Triton School Board Discusses Additional Preschool Program, Combining Services

Posted on Author Lenny Dessauer

The Triton School Board learned this week that two students wish to start a peer helper program as a service project. The board appreciated the presentation and were proud of the leadership initiative, according to Superintendent Donna Burroughs.

Burroughs told MAX 98.3 FM News that the board is considering the addition of a preschool program next school year. The program would be shared with the other schools who participate in the special education program.

Burroughs also commented that the board will be looking to share services with other corporations to help with the lack of funding. The Corporation hosted a presentation on the lack of funding for schools late last year. She stated in a previous interview that the biggest catalyst in the lack of funding is the state takeover of the General Fund, which pays salaries, insurance, and operating costs. Burroughs said the Triton School Corporation is receiving $1.7 million less than it did ten years ago.

No decisions were made at this week’s meeting.

Bill Signing Scheduled Today for Walorski-Sponsored Legislation

Posted on Author Lenny Dessauer

U.S. Rep. Jackie Walorski will attend a signing ceremony at the White House today for a bill she cosponsored. The Clay Hunt SAV Act provides greater access to mental health care for military veterans. It’s named in honor of Iraq and Afghanistan War veteran Clay Hunt, who committed suicide after battling with post-traumatic stress disorder brought on by his service overseas. He sought care from the VA and received a 30 percent disability rating for his PTSD. He appealed and encountered administrative obstacles, including the VA losing his files. Hunt took his life weeks later, and five weeks after his death his appeal was approved. Continue reading →

Street Parking Creates Problems During Snow Situations

Posted on Author Lenny Dessauer

Inoperable cars parked on the sides of city streets create a hazard for snow plow drivers trying to clear roads. That topic was raised during Monday’s Plymouth City Council meeting. Mayor Mark Senter told the council he’s reached out to the mayors in other communities to gather information about their snow emergency route parking policies. Some restrict parking to even or odd numbered sides of the street to give plows room to work. Residents are asked to please move their cars if possible so roads can be cleared.

Marshall County Council Discusses Commissary Fund Resolution

Posted on Author Lenny Dessauer

Marshall County Sheriff Tom Chamberlin presented a resolution regarding commissary fund expenditures to the county council this week.

Sheriff Chamberlin explained that the funds are spent by guidelines set forth in the state statute. He felt that a resolution be enacted to have a better understanding of how the money can be spent out of certain line items. Detailed information would be provided on active expenditures.

Councilman Steve Harper asked about the cap on expenditures in a single purchase of $1,000. Sheriff Chamberlin said purchases would need to come before the county council for approval.

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Triton Students to Make up Missed Days

Posted on Author Lenny Dessauer

Students at the Triton School Corporation will be making up days missed due to snow. Superintendent Donna Burroughs said two days were built into the calendar and four days have been missed so far this semester that will be made up.

“We have for of those scheduled,” explained Burroughs. “Next Monday is one of those days and Good Friday is the second one. May 26 and May 27 are days three and four. Hopefully, we don’t have anymore.”

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NIPSCO Offers Tips to Stay Warm and Save Energy

Posted on Author Lenny Dessauer

The continued cold weather means higher utility bills for Hoosiers. NIPSCO offers a variety of energy efficiency rebates that can save money in both the short and long-term. They include up to $450 back, on attic insulation with air sealing, up to $250 back on a 95 percent efficient furnace, a $20 rebate on a programmable thermostat and a $50 rebate on a smart wi-fi thermostat. Customers can schedule a free home energy assessment by calling 1-800-721-7385. Continue reading →

Culver Winter Festival Set for This Weekend

Posted on Author Lenny Dessauer

The community of Culver is coming together this weekend for the Culver Winter Festival.

The event kicks off Friday with the lighting of the ice sculptures at 6 p.m. and the Cupid’s Crawl until 9 p.m. The Cupid’s Crawl is a chance for festival attendees to shop and dine at local establishments to win prizes. An artist class begins at 5:30 p.m.

The Lion’s Club will host a pancake breakfast on Saturday morning from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m., an ice carving demonstration is at noon and a free ice fishing camp for kids is at 1 p.m. A snow fort construction class begins at 3 p.m. on Saturday.

The NAIFC Ice Fishing Tournament is planned for Sunday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. with weigh-in immediately following the contest. The Lion’s Club will have lunch available from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., and the Culver Beard Club Polar Plunge is at 3 p.m. ET.

Sledding and ice skating is free all weekend long.

If you need more information, call 1-800-626-5353 or visit www.culverchamber.com.

Marshall County Council Discusses Commissioner Appropriation Request

Posted on Author Lenny Dessauer

The Marshall County Council discussed an additional appropriation request by the county commissioners for the Metronet project in the amount of $119,750.19.

Commission President Kevin Overmyer explained that the money was leftover in their line item in 2014 and was reverted to the Rainy Day Fund. Overmyer asked that the money be appropriated to finish paying bills for the Metronet project. He said the entire amount will not be spent and whatever is left can be put back into the Rainy Day Fund.

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Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ Honor Dr. Otis R. Bowen and Donors

Posted on Author Lenny Dessauer

A new plaque in the lobby of the Catherine Kasper Life Center on the Center at Donaldson Campus celebrates the generosity of one of the ministry’s most staunch supporters. The Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ Foundation created the Otis Bowen, M.D. Fund after his death two years ago. The pediatrician-turned-politician resided there until his death. Sister Judith Diltz says they are delighted to be able to honor Doc Bowen.

“His presence here among us was a gift and a grace. Carol put many miles on that wheelchair as she rolled him around this facility and our whole campus, and he was just such a delight.” Continue reading →

Triton School Board Adopts Balanced Calendar

Posted on Author Lenny Dessauer

The Triton School Board approved the 2015-2016 school calendar when they met on Monday night.

Superintendent Donna Burroughs said the school board opted to go with a balanced calendar to keep in line with surrounding school corporations.

“It’s only about a week difference from what we’ve had in past years, so it’s not like it’s a whole new creation. We’re just starting one week earlier. With the importance they place on testing, we feel like that gives us an extra to week to work with the kids,” stated Burroughs.

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Marshall County Neighborhood Center Gets a $100,000 Boost

Posted on Author Lenny Dessauer

The Marshall County Neighborhood Center and the community benefitted by the Dancing with the Stars fundraiser on Saturday night.

Chad Barden from the Neighborhood Center told Max 98.3 FM News that $100,000 was raised to assist those in the community with food, clothes, energy assistance and an on-staff advocate. The advocate helps those struggling to end the cycle of poverty.

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