If you have business to take care of at the BMV, you may want to do it during the first part of the week. Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles branches will be closed Thursday, Nov. 27 and Friday, Nov. 28 in honor of the Thanksgiving holiday. All license branches with Saturday hours will return to their regular schedules on Saturday, Nov. 29. Visit myBMV.com for more information.
All posts by Lenny Dessauer
Plymouth’s Condon Named Principal of the Year
The principal of a local high school is the 2014 District High School Principal of the Year. Plymouth High School Principal James Condon was honored by the Indiana Association of School Principals during their weekend celebration dinner. Continue reading
“Internet Casanova” Free On Parole
The “Internet Casanova” is out of jail. Marshall County native Raymond Holycross was released on Nov. 2, according to our reporting partners at WNDU-TV, and is now on parole. A judge in South Bend sentenced him to 18 months behind bars in May of 2013 on a theft charge. A live-in girlfriend discovered he wasn’t a jet-setting reporter for “The Huffington Post” when she found a pawn slip for the $850 digital camera she’d loaned him. She then learned Holycross was an unemployed womanizer who made a habit of wooing and stealing from women. Continue reading
Argos Site Designated as Shovel Ready
A site in the Argos is among the latest being marketed by the state as “shovel ready.” That’s a designation from the Office of Community and Rural Affairs that indicates sites are prepped and ready for economic development and investment activities. State officials have determined the Argos 17th Road Industrial Site has a clear title, established price, support from local government officials and utilities available. Continue reading
Marshall County Commissioners Hold Public Hearing on Pretty Lake Setbacks
The Marshall County Commissioners held a public hearing during their meeting Monday morning concerning an ordinance regulating building setbacks at Pretty Lake.
Plan Director Ralph Booker explained 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. The plan commission also approved the ordinance with one commission member against.
“The changes are: where adjacent properties have been developed with principle structures on one or both sides the required setback line may be greater than 45 feet from the 789.0 elevation line and shall be determined by a line drawn between the furthest extension of adjacent structures including any decks, balconies or raised patios,” said Booker.
State Police Arrest Suspect in Battery of INDOT Worker
The man authorities say assaulted an Indiana Department of Transportation worker in Bourbon on Friday, Nov. 7 is behind bars tonight. Richard A. Roe, 56, of Rochester, is charged with battery. He’s jailed on a $25,000 bond in Marshall County in connection with that incident on State Road 331. Continue reading
Goshen Woman Charged In Marshall County Buggy Crash
The Goshen woman whose pickup truck crashed into a horse-drawn buggy last Friday in Bremen has been charged in connection with that crash. The Indiana State Police have arrested Laurie Bope, 44, on a charge of operating under the influence of a controlled substance. Continue reading
Marshall County Commissioners Approve Agreement for Jail Healthcare
The Marshall County Commissioners discussed a contract between the county and Quality Correctional Care, LLC.
Quality Correctional Care, LLC provides the jail’s healthcare needs. The company has provided pharmaceutical needs, a full-time nurse and doctor visits since October of 2013. The current contract expires on Dec. 31 of this year. You can also get in touch with Certified Life Care Planner for all your healthcare needs.
County Attorney Jim Clevenger explained that the new contract would be for a four-year term at a cost of $153,000 for the base compensation per year. That figure would not change throughout the duration of the contract. Some add-ons are also available. The monthly cost would be $12,750. A doctor will visit once a week along with a psychologist and a nurse will be there 40 hours a week.
Warsaw Man Arrested After Rear-Ending School Bus
A Warsaw man was arrested Friday night in Marshall County after rear-ending a stopped school bus. Steven L. Foreman, 42, was eastbound on U.S. 30 west of North Oak Drive behind a Rensselaer Central Schools Corporation bus. The driver, Russell W. Wiseman, 66, of Rensselaer, stopped at a railroad crossing, and Foreman hit him. He registered a 3.0 on a certified alcohol test, according to the crash report. No injuries were reported.
Norfolk & Southern Cited for Blocking Railroad Tracks
Elkhart-based Norfolk & Southern Railroad was cited for blocking State Road 17 in Burr Oak for an extended period of time Sunday morning. A Marshall County Sheriff’s deputy responded to a complaint around 9:30 a.m. and observed the train not moving for more than 10 minutes. He then drove to the Redwood Crossing area and spoke to the conductor, who said they were waiting for a long train from the Fort Wayne area to pass. It’s the latest in a series of problems at that crossing. On Oct. 30 a verbal warning was given, and the conductor was told citations would be issued for future occurrences. Continue reading
Marshall County Commissioners to Meet Today
The Marshall County Commissioners will meet this morning where a public hearing is scheduled to hear comment on lake set backs in a zoning ordinance amendment. The commissioners will also have a bid opening for farm lease ground.
Marshall County Highway Administrator Laurie Baker will have an update on operations at the highway department and Jim Clevenger will discuss the progress of the jail bonds and a contract with Quality Correctional Care.
The Marshall County Commissioners will meet today at 9:30 a.m. ET in the second floor meeting room in the Marshall County Building.
Ancilla College Training Leaders for Life
Ancilla College students have an opportunity to hone their life skills through the Leaders for Life Program. Director of Student Events and Activities Ericka Taylor-Joseph says community and business leaders interact with the students during the 10-week program to help them develop skills in various areas. The Leaders for Life Program is open to both tradition and non-traditional students. Taylor-Joseph says leaders typically take initiative, are organized and outgoing and have a drive or passion to do something for the community. Continue reading
This Week is Winter Weather Preparedness Week
This week has been designated as Winter Weather Preparedness Week in Indiana.
Winter does not officially arrive until Dec. 21 and although snow has arrived in parts of Northern Indiana this season it’s never too late to craft an emergency plan.
Marshall County Emergency Management Agency Director Clyde Avery suggests that you stay informed about potential severe weather. If snow begins to fall in the area, slow down if you plan on driving. Give yourself plenty of extra travel time to reach your destination.
Three Injured in Buggy Accident
Three people were injured in a crash involving a horse drawn buggy and pickup truck in the Bremen area.
Indiana State Police troopers from the Bremen Post went to the scene at U.S. 6 near Dogwood Rd. in Bremen shortly before 2 p.m. ET. According to police, found that Laurie Bope, 44, of Goshen fell asleep while traveling east on U.S. 6 and didn’t see the horse-drawn buggy. Her pickup rear-ended the buggy.
Trespassers Arrested After Fleeing from Police
A pair of Bremen break-in suspects face numerous felony charges in Marshall County after leading police from multiple agencies on a high-speed chase this morning. The caretaker of a vacant residence in the 400 block of Kenilworth Road in Bremen found a man and woman sleeping in the upstairs bedroom, went outside and called the police. She tried to block their SUV to keep them from leaving until officers arrived. She told police the man pulled a gun on her before he sped off through an adjacent field. Continue reading
United Way Accepting Fund Request Applications
Nonprofit organizations are invited to submit requests for funding through the United Way of Marshall County.
The United Way receives nearly $500,000 a year to help organizations with funding needs. A focus on education, health and financial stability help distribute funds to where they are needed the most.
Volunteers visit United Way member agencies and conduct an annual in-depth review. The volunteers and board members have careful deliberation to ensure that funds are distributed fairly and objectively so the they are being used in the best way to serve the community.
Plymouth School Corporation Adds Another Preschool Classroom
A local elementary school is adding another preschool classroom. The Plymouth Community School Corporation recently got Title I approval to add a new classroom at Jefferson Elementary School. It will ensure preschoolers between ages four and five in Plymouth have access to a free early childhood education. Continue reading
Marshall County Sheriff’s Department Prepares for OPO Blitz
The Marshall County Sheriff’s Department is one of several law enforcement agencies across Indiana are taking part in an Operation Pull Over blitz through the end of the month. Patrol officers will be looking for drunk drivers and seatbelt violators.
Last November 490 alcohol-related crashes occurred in Indiana, resulting in 224 injuries and 13 fatalities. A total of 735 drivers were arrested statewide for driving under the influence, and 9.504 seatbelt citations were issued to drivers and passengers who were not buckled up.
Jefferson Street Bridge to Open Today
The Jefferson Street bridge in Plymouth will open to traffic today.
Marshall County Supervisor of County Highways Jason Peters told WKVI News that the bridge will open at 6:30 a.m. ET. Crews from Beer and Slabaugh will continue to work on the northeast corner of the bridge but traffic will be allowed to pass.
The bridge closed as emergency was declared for repairs. The Marshall County Commissioners approved the closure on Oct. 9 after it was determined that the concrete slabs by the bridge were not stable and the sidewalk was not reinforced. A majority of those repairs are complete with only a few minor issues to finish.
Check for Excise Tax Eligibility on the BMV Website
You can check to see if you are eligible for an Excise Tax refund on the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicle’s website.
BMV Commissioner Don Snemis said letters have been sent to those who are eligible but in case you didn’t receive a claim form, access the refund eligibility page at www.myBMV.com. A “Check Your Excise Tax Refund Eligibility” icon can be found on the right side of the page and users will be asked for a Social Security Number or Driver’s License Number in order to check eligibility.
