Educators at several local schools will receive a share of the $30 million in Teacher Performance Grants awarded by the state to more than 1,300 schools. Funds were given to schools with students earning ISTEP+ or end of course assessment passing scores of 72.5 percent or above or with a growth in graduation rates of 5 percent ore more from the previous year. Teachers who are rated effective or highly effective under Indiana’s teacher evaluation system for the 2013-2014 academic year will be paid based on student performance. Continue reading
All posts by Lenny Dessauer
Clemons Sentenced on Methamphetamine Charge
A ten-year prison sentence was handed down to a Knox man in Marshall Superior Court No. 1.
Tony Clemons, Jr., 36, pleaded guilty in a plea agreement with the state to a charge of conspiracy to manufacture methamphetamine. He admitted that he assisted in the manufacture of methamphetamine on multiple occasions at an 8th Road address.
Clemons had been on parole from a previous conviction of burglary from another county and failed a drug test previously administered by his parole officer, according to a news release from the Marshall County Prosecutor’s office. Police went to the 8th Road address in July and found a burn pile with remnants of methamphetamine labs. Officers applied for a search warrant. Once the search warrant was executed, officers found items associated with manufacturing methamphetamine.
Judge Robert O. Bowen accepted the plea agreement which called for a ten year sentence in the Indiana Department of Correction on the charge of conspiracy to manufacture methamphetamine. No part of the sentence was suspended.
Investigation Clears Jefferson Elementary Principal, Teacher of Wrongdoing
A Plymouth Community School Corporation principal and teacher will return to the classroom today after an investigation into possible mismanagement of school funds cleared them of any wrongdoing. Jefferson Elementary School Principal Angie Mills and a teacher have been on paid leave since Friday, Nov. 14, according to our reporting partners at WNDU-TV. Continue reading
Culver Woman Sentenced to Probation
A Culver woman was sentenced to probation after pleading guilty in a plea agreement with the state to a charge of possession of methamphetamine as a Class D felony that was reduced to a Class A misdemeanor.
Erin Schoberg was sentenced to 12 months in the Starke County Jail. All of the sentence was suspended to be served on probation. Schoberg told Judge Kim Hall that she was in possession of a half of a pill that was in her purse.
Schoberg will need to attend a substance abuse program recommended by the probation department.
Incoming Marshall County Prosecutor Names Chief Deputy Prosecutor
Marshall County Prosecutor-elect Nelson Chipman has appointed Tami L. Napier of Hancock County as the next chief deputy prosecuting attorney. Her appointment begins Jan. 1.
Tami Napier has been the chief deputy prosecutor in Hancock County for the last four years. Prior to that she served as a deputy prosecutor in Marion County for five years where she was assigned to major felonies, the sex crimes unit and the homicide division. She initiated programs like the Hancock County Child Fatality Review Team, the Hancock County Sexual Assualt Response Team and the Domestic and Sexual Assault Prevention Coalition.
Highway Supervisor Gives Road Plow Priority List to Commissioners
Marshall County Supervisor of County Highways Jason Peters gave the commissioners a map and a list of which roads are to be opened first in the event of snow.
The commissioners had asked for a list so they know which areas would receive attention first. They also asked Peters to forward the information to the sheriff’s department, EMS, fire department, and EMA Director for emergency planning.
Peters said that the main roads, Quince Road, 4B, Queen, Oak, North Michigan, King, Plymouth-Goshen, Iris, Fir, 9th, Overmyer, Olive, Thorn, Muckshaw, South Michigan, Lincolnway and others, would be open to traffic within two hours first thing in the morning.
Weidner School of Inquiry Selected as Exemplar School
The Weidner School of Inquiry at Plymouth High School has been designated as an exemplar school for 2015 by the Partnership for 21st Century Skills. The Partnership for 21st Century Skills is the leading organization advocating for 21st century learning.
The Weidner School of Inquiry was one of 14 schools selected for this honor. The program highlights exemplary 21st century learning practices that are improving schools and student learning in classrooms and communities across the United States.
Marshall County EMA Director Receives Grant Funding
Marshall County EMA Director Clyde Avery presented the commissioners with a grant sub agreement for their signatures for a competitive EMPG grant that the county received in the amount of $8,485.29.
Avery explained that the grant is a reimbursable grant that will be used for a training exercise and educational material for the public. When he originally requested to apply for the grant, he wanted to purchase recording equipment for the Emergency Operations Center but he found out that could not be approved with the grant funds.
BMV Reinstatement Program Available until Dec. 31
Suspended drivers have until Dec. 31 to take advantage of the Bureau of Motor Vehicles’ Reinstatement Relief Program. The Reinstatement Relief Program allows suspended drivers to pay temporarily reduced reinstatement fees and earn reinstatement, as long as all other legal requirements are met.
Don Snemis, Commissioner of the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles, said the program offers a 50 percent discount on reinstatement fees before July 1, 2013 for operating without insurance. Customers may be responsible for providing proof of insurance, completing a driver safety program, paying court fees, or successfully passing a driver’s license written knowledge exam, driving skills exam or vision screening.
Road Construction Project in Marshall County on Hold
The 7th Road project in Marshall County will not be completed this year.
The project supervisor overseeing the construction, Bart Trester, told the Marshall County Commissioners that the current state of the project on Michigan Road will remain through the winter.
“The traffic has been running on phase three section of the roundabout and will probably remain like this through the winter,” said Trester. “The contractors finished placing the HMA base and intermediate lifts along the main line from Seltenright Ditch to Linden Trail and the HMA base from Seltenright Ditch to the roundabout. Due to weather limitations, the contractor will more than likely shut down operations for the winter. They have opened Lilac Road and Linden Trail for thru-traffic for over the winter.”
Marshall County Commissioners to Meet Today
The Marshall County Commissioners will meet today where Bart Trester from USI will give an update on the 7th Road construction project, the Metronet project and work on the Jefferson Street bridge.
The commissioners will also have the second reading of an ordinance regulating construction setbacks at Pretty Lake. Plan Director Ralph Booker explained in a public hearing that the Pretty Lake Homeowners Association approved a change where new construction at the lake would need to be a 45 foot setback from an 789.0 elevation line.
Beware of Health Insurance Marketplace Scams
Applicants for health insurance coverage through the marketplace should be aware of scammers during this open enrollment period. Indiana Department of Insurance Commissioner Stephen W. Robertson says no one at Healthcare.gov needs credit card information in order to help you apply for insurance. This has happened to people who have called the toll-free number to sign up for coverage or ask questions about the plans offered in accordance with the Affordable Care Act. Robertson says scammers set up telephone numbers that are very similar to the Healthcare.gov number in hopes that someone will misdial. Continue reading
Take Steps to Prevent the Flu
The flu season is underway and health officials urge you to take steps now to prevent the flu.
Influenza is a viral infection of the respiratory tract and is spread by droplets from close contact with infected people or contact with contaminated surfaces or objects. Symptoms of the flu include fever, headache, fatigue, cough, muscle aches and sore throat.
Some people are at higher risk of complications related to the flu including pregnant women, young children, those with chronic illnesses and/or compromised immune systems and the elderly.
Prevent the spread of the flu by washing your hands frequently, cover your coughs and sneezes and stay home if you are sick.
The Pulaski County Health Department has a full supply of flu vaccines. You can get a flu shot from 8 a.m. to noon and from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. ET Monday through Friday. For more information, call (574) 946-6080.
Marshall County Police Investigating Residential Burglary
The Marshall County Police Department is investigating a recent burglary at a home in the 17000 block of 12th Road. Sometime between 6 and 9 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 21 someone broke into the residence and stole two diamond rings and currency, according to the property owner. Anyone with information about the theft is asked to call the Marshall County Police Department.
Unemployment Dips Slightly in October
Unemployment slipped a little in October for Starke County, but still remains low compared to previous reports. In all, 77 counties saw a slide in unemployment in October.
Starke County had an October unemployment rate of 6.1 percent. The percentage fell two points in October. Starke County is ranked 15th in the state.
Marshall County Commissioners Split Cost of Conduit with Plymouth
The Marshall County Metronet project is drawing to a close.
The commissioners last week approved a payment agreement between the county and the City of Plymouth for shared conduit installation. The county is to pay half of the cost of the installation and handholds on Lincolnway to State Road 17 on Pioneer Drive, Pioneer Drive to Overmyer Drive and three lateral connections to the three county buildings for a total cost of $37,513.76. The city will pay the same cost for those installation costs.
The commissioners unanimously approved the agreement and now it will go to the Plymouth Redevelopment Commission for their review.
Historically Low Gas Prices Await Holiday Travelers
Hitting the road this holiday weekend will not put as big a pinch on your pocketbook. Gas prices are at their lowest level in five years, according to AAA Hoosier Motor Club. That’s good news for the 43.1 million travelers planning to drive more than 50 miles from home. That’s the highest projected travel volume since 2007. Continue reading
INDOT Halts Construction Over Holiday Weekend
Hoosier motorists will have a holiday from road construction this Thanksgiving weekend. INDOT spokesman Will Wingfield tells WKVI News remaining construction projects will pull back barrels and barricades to the greatest extent possible starting at noon today and continuing through sunrise on Monday. Continue reading
Expert Offers Turkey Prep Tips
Americans will consume an estimated 736 million pounds of turkey tomorrow, according to the National Turkey Federation. Preparation methods vary and are largely a matter of personal preference. One that’s gained tremendous popularity in recent years is deep frying. Experts from the Butterball Turkey Tip Line offer suggestions to do so safely.
If you use an outdoor propane fryer, turn the gas off before putting the turkey into the oil in order to prevent fires. Also, make sure the turkey is completely thawed out and thoroughly dry before cooking it. Continue reading
Marshall County Commissioners Approve Agreement for Meals on Wheels
The Marshall County Commissioners recently discussed a Memorandum of Understanding to continue the Meals on Wheels program at the Marshall County Council on Aging.
County Attorney Jim Clevenger stated that the current agreement expires Dec. 31 of this year and it needed to be renewed. The agreement allows the meals to be cooked at the Marshall County Jail at a cost of $3.25 per person. The personnel at the Marshall County Council on Aging pick up the meals at the jail and deliver them to those in need.
