All posts by Rusty Nixon

PLYMOUTH — The Marshall County Highway Department is reminding motorists to use extra caution when traveling during winter weather, particularly in shaded areas and on bridges or overpasses where

snow and ice can persist even after roads have been plowed and salted.
Shaded roadways often receive limited sunlight throughout the day, preventing snow and ice from melting as quickly as on open sections of pavement. Likewise, bridges and overpasses tend to freeze before the rest of the road system because cold air circulates above and below the structure, causing moisture to refreeze rapidly when temperatures drop.
“These areas can appear clear but still have slick spots,” said Jason Peters, Superintendent of the Marshall County Highway Department. “Drivers should slow down, avoid sudden braking or acceleration, and give themselves extra time to reach their destination safely.”
The Highway Department continues to monitor weather conditions and treat roadways as needed. However, drivers are encouraged to remain alert, reduce speed, and maintain a safe following distance to prevent accidents.

Gusty Southwest to Westerly winds tonight may cause blowing/drifting snow across local roadways,

which could cause slippery conditions. Temperatures overnight will also drop to freezing or slightly below freezing, which may cause wet roads from snow melt to re-freeze, causing slippery conditions and black ice to form, especially on untreated roads and bridges. Use caution when traveling and treat wet-looking roads like ice.

PLYMOUTH — The Marshall County Emergency Management Agency has returned Marshall County to a normal travel status effective immediately.

A Travel Advisory was issued on Nov. 9 due to a lake effect snow event that dumped up to a foot of snow in some portions of the county. Slick roads resulted due to the snowfall and black ice from a rapid freeze. Marshall County Central Dispatch was flooded with slide-off calls, particularly on Monday morning.
Conditions have improved today, and the snow has come to an end. There is a potential for snowmelt to refreeze on untreated roads overnight, but that depends on a number of factors that may prevent refreezing. County and state highway crews will keep an eye on the roads just in case.
Continue to drive with caution, just in case some slick spots linger.

Average gasoline prices in Indiana have risen 10.8 cents per gallon in the last week, averaging $3.00/g today, according to GasBuddy’s survey of 3,271 stations in Indiana. Prices in Indiana are 12.6 cents per

gallon higher than a month ago and stand 12.1 cents per gallon higher than a year ago. The national average price of diesel has increased 6.5 cents compared to a week ago and stands at $3.728 per gallon.
According to GasBuddy price reports, the cheapest station in Indiana was priced at $2.49/g yesterday, while the most expensive was $3.47/g, a difference of 98.0 cents per gallon.
The national average price of gasoline has risen 4.8 cents per gallon in the last week, averaging $3.03/g today.
“The national average price of gasoline edged higher last week, with the vast majority of states seeing prices climb,” said Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy. “Refinery issues in the Great Lakes and West Coast have kept prices elevated, and gasoline inventory data from the government showed another large weekly drop in supplies, which has temporarily propped up prices. With thousands of flight cancellations ahead of Thanksgiving due to the FAA flight cuts, there could be slight shifts in gasoline demand, which may limit any near-term declines.”
GasBuddy’s averages, graphs, maps and historical pricing data covering the U.S. and Canada is available 24/7 at http://prices.GasBuddy.com.

INDIANAPOLIS – A Marshall County Company is among six organizations receiving an Indiana’s Recycling Market Development Board grant to expand recycling in the state.

CT Polymers in Marshall County was awarded $500,000 toward the purchase of a compounding line that will separate recycled plastics and polymer materials from mixed waste, diverting 24,000 tons from landfills annually. The company expects to create 30 additional jobs.
The joint effort represents over $15.7 million in expected total investments, which will create 42 jobs and prevent an additional 197,884 tons of materials from being sent to landfills each year.
Grants are administered by the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM).
“These grants demonstrate how strategic investments in Hoosier businesses and organizations can lead to increased environmental stewardship,” said IDEM Commissioner Clint Woods. “By investing in advanced equipment and innovative solutions, we’re helping Hoosiers recycle more effectively, reduce landfill waste, create jobs, and put valuable materials back into Indiana’s economy.”
The Recycling Market Development Program was established in the early 1990s to better manage solid waste by developing markets for recycled materials. More information about the RMDP grant program, including future grant opportunities, can be found on IDEM’s website, idem.IN.gov/recycle/recycling-market-development-program.

PLYMOUTH — The Marshall County Council voted on a resolution to purchase a Bond Anticipation Note (BAN) for the Marshall County Sewer District.

The District had taken out a bond issue in anticipation of a first project worth over $3 million. Each day that the bond stays active costs the Sewer District, and therefore Marshall County, $492. Purchasing the BAN would allow the county to take over the debt of the district that has been dissolved by IDEM.
The Sewer District was scheduled to meet this week, but that meeting has been cancelled. Lawyers for the sewer district have not informed the Council or Commissioners whether they will take advantage of the 30 days allowed to file for a judicial review of the IDEM decision.
Council member Greg Compton questioned whether the move might be premature given that the Board still had 30 days to appeal the decision, but Council member Nicole Cox disagreed.

By purchasing the BAN the county would also be able to claim the assets of the Sewer District at around $2 million. The cost of the BAN currently would be around $1.3 million.
Council member Brandon Schadek also had strong words after the positive vote.

The National Weather Service says that the snow may not be over. Most Winter Storm Warnings and Advisories are in effect through 1 am EST Tuesday, and additional accumulations of 2 to 6 inches in the

warning/advisory areas are possible
After a lull in snowfall while the lake effect band is further west in Wisconsin and Illinois this morning into early afternoon, the band will return and move eastward through late tonight, weakening after 2 a.m.
An additional 2 to 6 inches of lake effect snow is expected. The greatest totals will generally be north of Pulaski/Fulton Counties in Indiana.

CULVER — The Culer Academy annual Veterans Day ceremony will take place on Nov. 11 at 11 A.M. on the lakeside of Legion Memorial Building.

All members of the Culver community are cordially invited to attend this event that has remained essentially unchanged since its inception in 1924. They hope to see you there as they honor those who have served in our armed forces.

WALKERTON — Marshall County Sheriff’s Deputies investigated an accident on Tamarack Road south of Tyler.

A GMC pickup was southbound on Tamarack Road south of Tyler and ran off the west side of the road and struck a tree.
Deputies found physical evidence that a possible mechanical failure of the vehicle contributed to the cause of the collision.
The driver, a juvenile, was taken to Memorial Hospital for non-life-threatening injuries.
Agencies involved were the Marshall County Police, Polk Fire, Walkerton EMS, and Walkerton PD.

PLYMOUTH — Sunday night, Marshall County EMA announced that the county is under a “Travel Advisory”.

A Travel Advisory is the lowest level of local travel restrictions. It means that routine travel or activities may be restricted in areas because of hazardous situations, and individuals should use caution or avoid those areas. Travel advisories are signified with yellow on statewide travel status maps.
A lake effect snow event is overspreading the region and bringing heavy snowfall rates and an expected 4-8″ of additional accumulation. A few inches of snow have already fallen and caused slick roads.
Marshall County officials will continually assess road conditions and determine lifting the advisory once conditions improve. Expect hazardous travel through Monday night.
Additionally, a Winter Storm Warning has been issued by the National Weather Service from 11 AM Sunday until 7 PM Monday.
INDOT and the Marshall County Highway Department will be out treating the roads. Please avoid traveling if at all possible to allow crews safe operating conditions. Staying home will also help our public safety officials respond to emergencies.
Stay tuned to MAX 98.3 and our website max983.net for updates.

WINTER STORM WARNING, 4-8″ OF NEW SNOWFALL EXPECTED
SUNDAY MORNING SNOW UPDATE:

The Winter Storm Watch has been upgraded to a Warning! An additional 4-8″ of new snowfall is forecasted across Marshall County.

These lake effect snow bands will come and go over the next 36 hours lasting through Monday evening.

Expect hazardous travel conditions, especially during times of intense snowfall rates. Drive slow and put extra space in between you and other vehicles!

Winter Storm Watch issued November 8 at 2:46 AM EST until November 10 at 7:00 PM EST by NWS Northern Indiana

• WHAT…Heavy lake effect snow is possible. Total snow accumulations between 6 and 12 inches are likely, with locally higher amounts possible. * WHERE…Portions of northern Indiana and southwest Michigan. * WHEN…From Sunday afternoon through Monday evening. * IMPACTS…Travel could be very difficult. The hazardous conditions will likely impact the Monday morning and evening commutes.

PLYMOUTH — The Marshall County Council will have its regular monthly meeting on Monday at 5:30 p.m. in the second-floor meeting room of the Marshall County Building on Monday, Jan. 10.

There will be a discussion of the Marshall County Regional Sewer Bond Anticipation Note, Highway and Budget subcommittee reports, along with transfers and additional appropriations.
The meeting will be live-streamed on YouTube @MarshallCountyIN.

PLYMOUTH — The Plymouth Board of Public Works and Safety and the Common Council will meet on Monday, Jan. 10, beginning with the Board of Works at 6 p.m., and the Council to begin immediately after.

On the Board agenda is a discussion of street projects for 2025 and an order to take action for a property at 516 Pennsylvania Avenue and a Hoham Drive settlement agreement with NIPSCO.
The Common Council has a second and third reading of an ordinance regarding garbage fees, resolutions for the Moose Lodge, and Kip Cook for a commercial revitalization rebate grant.
Both meetings will be held in the Council Chambers in the City building; those attending should enter by the Garro Street entrance. The meetings are also streamed on YouTube @CityofPlymouth.

PLYMOUTH — It may still be early November, but snow is in the forecast for this weekend. While meteorologists are not predicting the “storm of the century”, any amount of snow, ice, or freezing rain can disrupt travel and risk public safety.

Marshall County EMA, along with our county partners at the Marshall County Highway Department and the Marshall County Sheriff’s Department, are ready to take on what looks to be a wetter winter than normal. Your local first responders are ready for winter operations, but are you?
Here are a few action items for YOU to take in order to keep yourself safe in winter conditions.
•Have a Way to Receive Alerts
Extreme winter weather events can take us by surprise. Having a method of receiving alerts is critical to ensuring your safety. EMA highly encourages local residents to download the Marshall County App, which is available on Apple and Android devices. Once in the app, you can toggle on push notifications from the National Weather Service, EMA, and others. When an advisory, watch, or warning is issued, county app users will be notified.
Additionally, you can follow EMA on Facebook for forecasts and other safety messages. It is important to receive your weather alerts from viable sources, such as the National Weather Service or licensed meteorologists. Amateur meteorologists and bad actors love to post inaccurate or misleading information to gain more clicks and fame. For updated road conditions and live snow plow cameras, Hoosiers can visit INDOT’s TrafficWise website, at 511in.org.
•Know Your Terms
Winter weather messaging can be confusing. There are several products the National Weather Service issues to alert us of incoming hazardous weather.
The most frequently issued products include a Winter Weather Advisory, Winter Storm Watch, and Winter Storm Warning. An Advisory is issued for lower-level winter events. A Watch is issued in advance of a more significant winter event. A Warning is issued when confidence is high that a significant winter event will occur/is occurring.
Following the winter storm model, the National Weather Service also issues Cold Weather Advisories, Extreme Cold Watches, and Extreme Cold Warnings.
Know the difference between different levels of travel advisories! A basic Travel Advisory means that routine travel or activities may be restricted because of hazardous situations. It urges people to use caution when navigating the roads. A Travel Watch means that conditions are threatening the safety of the public. Only essential travel is recommended during a Travel Watch.
A Travel Warning, also known as a “travel ban”, is issued when travel is restricted to emergency workers only. Do NOT endanger yourself, your neighbors, or first responders and stay off the roads during a Travel Warning.
The public can check the latest travel status by visiting in.gov/dhs/travel-advisory-map.
•Prepare Yourself for Freezing Temperatures
When temperatures and wind chills drop, dress appropriately by wearing multiple layers and covering as much skin as possible. Frostbite, hypothermia, and overexertion can cause medical emergencies and even death. Know the symptoms and be vigilant.
Consider placing additional items in your car for winter travel, including spare clothes, an ice scraper, food and water, a flashlight, jumper cables, and other materials needed in case your vehicle gets stranded for an extended period of time. Try to keep your gas tank full throughout the winter. Sand and kitty litter can be used to gain traction to get you back on the road if you slide off.
In your house, use insulation, caulking and weather stripping to not only keep the cold air out, but also to save on energy bills. Keep pipes from freezing during extreme cold snaps by insulating your pipes, opening cabinet doors, and letting your faucets have a slow drip. Bring pets inside during extreme cold or ensure they have a warm shelter outdoors.

PLYMOUTH — Marshall County Sheriff Matt Hassel has released his jail and arrest report for the month of September.

Out of a total of 233 beds, the average population for the jail was 139 — 113 men and 26 women.
Of those, 95 were awaiting trial, 25 were sentenced inmates, 21 of those on felony charges.
There are 1341 active warrants in Marshall County.
The top five offenses for the month of September were:
•Failure to appear (28)
•Operator never licensed (26)
•Operating while intoxicated (25)
•Possession of marijuana (21)
•Domestic battery (7)
Law enforcement agencies made 153 arrests in September. The Sheriff’s Department made 72 arrests, followed by Plymouth Police with 51, and Indiana State Police with 10.

CULVER — On Sunday, Nov. 9, several riders from the Culver Academy horsemanship program will

depart campus at 11:30 A.M. and ride to the Masonic Cemetery to honor Gen. Leigh R. Gignilliat, Culver Academy’s longest-serving superintendent.
The Academy wants the public to be aware that their route will take them along Academy Road and Lake Shore Drive, and your patience would be greatly appreciated if you encounter them while driving.

CULVER — The Culver Community Food Pantry is hosting a turkey giveaway at Trinity Lutheran Church on Nov. 12, from 9-10:30 a.m.

This will be a mobile distribution, and they are looking for a few volunteers to help distribute. Please contact only me at gmorangias@gmail.com or message to 574-835-2502.