LAPAZ — On April 19 at 9:11 P.M., Marshall County Deputies conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle on US 31 in the area of US 6.
The driver, Demetrius D Jones, 37, was found to have been operating a vehicle without ever receiving a license. Jones also had a warrant for his arrest out of Johnson County. During the investigation, a bag of suspected marijuana was recovered.
Suspects are considered innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
PLYMOUTH — The Marshall County Commissioners will explore a high-tech solution for efficiency in the Highway Department’s road management.
Commissioner Adam Faulstich approached the board with information on a software company called vialytics Americas, based in Edison, NJ, which provides “fleet services” for highway departments to make management of highway work more efficient.
Faulstich told the board that the company outfits cameras on fleet vehicles that record to software that records potholes, street signs, ditches, any damage, to or alongside the road, records the locations on GPS, and can generate work orders for their repair. It can record all the vehicle speeds, and even go as far as to record when a snow plow is raised and lowered on a vehicle.
As a result, Faulstich said that the software could be used to create a map of which county roads have been plowed in the winter, and record it to a map that could be made available online for county citizens to know which roads have been cleared during a storm, or are clear during summer storms that may cause flooding.
He said that the software could also record PASER (Pavement Surface Evaluation and Rating) ratings on the roads the vehicle travels, which could be used by INDOT’s Indiana Local Technical Assistance Program (LTAP) regarding road repair and funds for such.
Mike Miley, the county’s insurance advisor, voiced a concern for possible liability to the county for unaddressed road issues that may lead to lawsuits. County Attorney Sean Surrisi stated that he felt that the concern could be addressed by establishing a clear process on how issues are addressed and the priority of each hazard.
Highway Superintendent Jason Peters will ask the company to make a presentation during an upcoming public meeting of the Commissioners.
By Becca Shepherd, Kankakee Valley Broadcasting
INDIANAPOLIS — Indiana State Senator Mike Bohacek welcomed Ciniah Llovet, from Culver, who is homeschooled, and Gabe Smith, from Bremen, who attends Leo Jr./Sr. High School, to the Statehouse as Senate Pages in March.
Pages spend a day at the Statehouse touring the historic building, observing debates from the Senate floor and interacting with their state senator.
“The Indiana Senate Page program is a great way for young Hoosiers to learn more about the legislative process and visit our state’s capitol,” Bohacek said. “I encourage any eligible student in my district with an interest in government to sign up.”
Students in grades six through 12 participate in the page program on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays during the legislative session. Groups serve on Wednesdays.
Marshall County Sheriff Matthew Hassel announced today that the Marshall County Sheriff’s Department will be participating in the DEA National Drug Take Back on Saturday, April 26, 2025, from 10 am until 2 pm.
Residents will be able to drop off their expired, unused, or unwanted prescription drugs to the Marshall County Sheriff’s officers in the parking lot of Walgreens Drug Store 2014 N. Michigan Street in Plymouth.
Drug abuse costs the U.S. more than $740 billion every year in costs related to crime, lost work productivity, and health care, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse. Some experts think that more people are abusing prescription medications because there are more drugs available. Doctors report writing more prescriptions than ever before. Also, it’s easy to find online pharmacies selling these drugs. Teens may take medication from their parents’ medicine cabinets for themselves or their friends to use. Most young people have no idea what medications they’re taking, and which ones may cause serious problems — even death — if used with other drugs or alcohol. They might also believe that the medicines are safe because they’re prescribed.
A survey indicates that there were more Americans abusing psychotherapeutics than the number of cocaine, heroin, and hallucinogen abusers combined. Expired, unused, or unwanted medications in our homes are a potential source of supply to drug abusers, making it a risk to public health and safety. Please take a few moments to clean out your medicine cabinets and bring them to the Walgreens Drug Store on Saturday April 26th between 10 am and 2 pm.
PLYMOUTH — Monday morning, the Marshall County Commissioners took a first look at a new way of funding the court’s public defenders.
Appearing before the Commissioners Circuit Court Judge Janette Surrisi and Tami Napier, Judge of Superior Court 1, asked them to consider moving to a Public Defender Commission Board for the county. The board would have three members, one appointed by the Commissioners, a second by the four county judges, and a third independent member. The state would set the standards of how many cases a public defender could handle and the amount of support services allowed. The state Public Defender Commission Board would then reimburse the county up to 40 percent of the expenditures.
Surrisi said that, in a look at the numbers from 2023, the state would have seen a reimbursement of $55,000. The judges told the Commissioners that in a major case, such as the current Delphi murders case, the costs to Carroll County have run to $2.5 million, with $1.3 million for the defense. A county using the Public Defender Commission model would be able to see a significant reimbursement of those costs.
The judges told the Commissioners that the model provides faster processing of cases and, in child cases, quicker permanency to resolution of return to the home or even adoption, depending on the case.
Currently, in Marshall County, the Judges choose the public defender and set the terms for reimbursement.
The Commissioners heard and approved a first reading of an ordinance that would start the process by setting up the initial board, whose first action would be a comprehensive plan on the budget.
CULVER — On April 20 at 2:38 a.m., Marshall County Sheriff’s Deputies were called to a residence on Peach Road for the report of an intoxicated woman who had broken into a house.
Police arrested Renata M. Heisen, 51 was taken into custody for residential entry and taken to the Marshall County Jail.
Suspects are considered innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
PLYMOUTH — Marshall County Sheriff Matt Hassel released his monthly jail report listing the population of the jail at 134 as of April 15. The jail has a total of 233 beds.
The average population of the Jail in March was 128 as compared with an average population of 142 a year ago.
Most of those were incarcerated awaiting trial, a total of 90, with 24 sentenced inmates in the facility. Of the 134, 108 were men and 26 were women.
Failure to appear, along with operating while intoxicated, were the top offenses for the month of March, with operator never licensed third.
The MCPD made the most arrests in April, with 77, Plymouth PD made 43, and Bremen made 11.
Average gasoline prices in Indiana have fallen 8.8 cents per gallon in the last week, averaging $3.01/g today, according to GasBuddy’s survey of 3,271 stations in Indiana. Prices in Indiana are 17.2 cents per gallon lower than a month ago and stand 66.0 cents per gallon lower than a year ago. The national average price of diesel has decreased 2.7 cents in the last week and stands at $3.519 per gallon.
According to GasBuddy price reports, the cheapest station in Indiana was priced at $2.59/g yesterday while the most expensive was $4.11/g, a difference of $1.52/g.
“The national average has seen its second straight weekly decline, with gas prices falling in over 40 states. However, some states have seen increases due to localized price cycling,” said Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy. “With oil prices rallying over the past week, we may start to see the downward trend in gas prices begin to stall. So far, 2025 has been relatively calm at the pump for most Americans, thanks in part to OPEC’s ongoing restoration of oil production and continued uncertainty surrounding tariff policy and its potential impact on the global economy. Regardless, Americans are currently spending over $200 million less per day on gasoline compared to this time last year.”
GasBuddy’s averages, graphs, maps and historical pricing data covering the U.S. and Canada is available 24/7 at http://prices.GasBuddy.com.
PLYMOUTH — PS Dump Your Boyfriend takes the stage to rock The REES on Friday April 25th at 7:30pm.
PS has been knocking the socks, shoes, pants and halter-tops off mid-west club goers for years with no real end in sight.
This seamless show of non-stop entertainment is no accident. This multimedia show with freaky and hilarious video clips, is woven into a rambunctious cocktail shaker of Top 40, Pop, Rock, Dance, Hip Hop, and everything else under the sun up to, and including the proverbial kitchen sink! With the giant LED wall, this show will be like no other.
Tickets are $25 for general admission or $50 for the balcony VIP, which includes a meet-and-greet with band members and a VIP bar. Tickets are available online at reestheatre.org, in person at Na Rie Simple Treasures, and at the door one hour before the show.
TIPPECANOE — Friday, April 18, at 7:58 P.M., the Marshall County Deputies, along with Bourbon Police, were dispatched to the area of 17B Trail Tippecanoe, Indiana 46570. A witness had reported that a male had crashed his motorcycle, was seen cleaning up the debris, and had fled the scene of the collision on foot.
The offender in the case, 36-year-old Clint R. Woodward of Tippecanoe, was the registered owner of the motorcycle. He was also later found hiding in a field in the area of State Road 331 and 18th Road by K-9 Bear and his handler who apprehended Woodward during the search.
It was found that Woodward had consumed alcohol prior to the collision. He was later taken to the hospital for a certified chemical test and medical treatment of minor injuries. Woodward was transported to the Marshall County Jail where he was booked and lodged for operating a vehicle while intoxicated prior, resisting law enforcement, and leaving the scene of an accident.
Suspects are considered innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
ARGOS — On Tuesday, April 15, at approximately 4:47 pm, Marshall County Central Dispatch received a call regarding a two-vehicle accident in the westbound lanes of US 30, west of Iris Road.
When Officers arrived on scene, it was determined that a 2000 Dodge Dakota driven by Chad Hensley, of Plymouth, failed to slow down for stopped traffic and ran into the rear of a 2017 Ford F-250 driven by Tom Smith, of Argos. The two drivers involved in the collision were injured and transported to Memorial Hospital.
The Marshall County Humane Society was called to the scene to take possession of a dog in Hensley’s vehicle at the time of the collision.
The Marshall County Sheriff’s Department was assisted at the scene by Plymouth Fire & EMS, Lyons Wrecker Service, and the Marshall County Humane Society.
By Anita Goodan
Culver-Union Township Fire Chief Terry Wakefield informed the Culver Town Council members last week that work is being done to coordinate repairs on two tornado sirens in the immediate area.
He said it is his main concern at this time to make sure there is an effort to repair the sirens at 16th Road and 19th Road as soon as possible, but stressed that there is no timeline, nor repair costs available at this point, and it will take time to get it done.
Meanwhile, EMS Director Michael Hasselfeldt presented a proposal from Stryker to perform preventative maintenance on equipment in each ambulance that would cover the repair, labor, travel, and batteries of the cots, power loads, physio controls, cardiac monitors, and Lucas Devices. He said the proposal was for $10,820.50 each year for a three-year contract. The council members asked to review the proposal before voting on the request. It will be revisited at an upcoming meeting.
PLYMOUTH — The Marshall County Community Foundation (MCCF) announced the Spring 2025 grant awards from Community Funds totaling $217,550.
Twice each year, nonprofit organizations are invited to submit funding requests for projects that improve the quality of life in Marshall County. MCCF Grants Committee members evaluate the proposals during a competitive application process. The Spring 2025 grant awards will fund a variety of projects and programs.
From now until December 31, or until the match dollars are exhausted, MCCF will match gifts made to Community Funds with $2 for every $1 donated. These matching dollars are made possible from a matching fund grant totaling $750,000 as part of the eighth phase of Lilly Endowment Inc.’s initiative.
Receiving grants in this round were:
•Heartland Artist, Inc. $150,000 to transform the historic Montgomery Ward building into an arts and economic hub, supporting artists, attracting tourism, and driving economic growth — strengthening Marshall County as a center for arts and culture in the region.
•David’s Courage. $23,550 for the installation of windows in an apartment building renovation project to house graduates of David’s Courage.
•Bread of Life Community Food Pantry. $6,000 for computer upgrades and new computer with office software, and to remodel flooring in the distribution area.
•Garden Court Inc. $25,000 to establish a fully equipped computer lab within the GC Horizons apartments to give residents access to technology, digital literacy training, and online resources to enhance telehealth, education and employment opportunities.
•Wild Rose Moon. $10,000 for equipment to launch and increase video production capacity for emerging Marshall County collaborations with The Rees, Heartland Arts and similar organizations across Marshall County and within South Bend-Elkhart region.
•Carter’s Ride, Inc. $3,000 for suicide prevention services including Lifeline Connections (Alternative to Suicide) Peer Support Group for individuals who experience suicidal thoughts, ideations, or attempts and for community prevention trainings including Question, Persuade, Refer (QPR) Training, Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASSIST) and Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR).
BOURBON — The recent tornado that struck the Bourbon area did its share of damage, but as far as the school corporation is concerned, it could have been worse.
Superintendent Jeremy Riffle outlined the damage to the campus at Triton schools to the Triton School Board, saying that as far as the buildings were concerned, the school suffered no damages, but the south end of the campus was not unscathed.
Riffle told the board that insurance assessors were on campus last week, and damage to fences and equipment such as the high jump pit at the track on the athletic fields, was rather extensive. He told the board that no official numbers were finalized at the time of the board’s Monday meeting, but based on the costs of recently purchased items, he felt that the damage would be somewhere in the $250,000 range, adding, “but the good news is those are just things.”
Riffle went on to praise first responders, area organizations, and the community of Bourbon as a whole for their quick and positive response to the disaster.
Riffle told the board that work on the roof at the elementary school building would begin during the summer. The roof will be completely replaced during the break between spring and fall semesters.
The board also accepted the retirement of elementary school principal Christine Cook, who has served the corporation for 26 years.
PLYMOUTH — On April 15, Plymouth Police were dispatched to the Prairie View Group Home in reference to Braydon Mabes, 19, assaulting staff and then leaving on foot.
Mabes was found walking in an alley west of the residence, where he was taken into custody without incident. Due to the charge, Mabes was transported to the Marshall County Jail, where he was lodged for the misdemeanor battery.
Suspects are considered innocent and until proven guilty in a court of law.
PLYMOUTH — On the morning of April 12, at 1:15 a.m., Plymouth Police located Brandon Snider, 28, of Plymouth, who had an active arrest warrant. Snider was transported and lodged into the Marshall County Jail without incident.
On April 14 at 10 a.m., Plymouth police also served a warrant on Zachary Cronin who was located at his residence.
He had an active Failure to Appear Warrant for the original charges of Felony Conversion and Driving While Suspended-Misdemeanor. He was taken into custody without incident and transported to the Marshall County Jail where he was turned over to jail staff.
Suspects are considered innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
By Anita Goodan
CULVER — The Culver Town Council members took action last week to table a certified proposal from the Culver Plan Commission that would amend the Culver Zoning Ordinance regarding solar energy systems and energy storage systems.
The Plan Commission has been working on this document since a moratorium was put in place on large industrial solar in June 2023. The moratorium was for two years, but at the time the council was hoping for a timely solution.
The council was asked to look into making sure that ground mounted solar panels be restricted to areas outside the town limits and that the setback from the town limits be extended to 250 feet rather than the 75 feet setback stated in the Commission’s proposal. There was also a concern for the safety of children and property values.
Culver Town Council Attorney Kevin Tankersley reminded those in attendance at last week’s meeting that any such systems would only be permitted in agriculture zones with a special use permit that would need to be approved by the Board of Zoning Appeals.
With these concerns, Tankersley said that the council could table the proposal consideration, approve it, reject it, or amend it. The council members unanimously agreed to table the consideration. Tankersley said the notice will be published again and the certified proposal will be back before the council at the next meeting.
WALKERTON – Walkerton Chief of Police Matt Schalliol and MACOG representatives unveiled the region’s first pursuit-capable electric law enforcement vehicle in the region at a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the Town of Walkerton’s police department on Tuesday, April 15.
Walkerton was awarded up to $72,062 for the vehicle and fleet charging through the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant Program (EECBG) administered through the Indiana Office of Energy Development. Additionally, the town committed up to $16,000 towards the cost of upfitting.
“The Walkerton Police Department has always pursued the latest and greatest technology available to Law Enforcement,” said Walkerton Chief of Police Matt Schalliol. “With the inception of the new Chevy Blazer EV, the first true pursuit-rated EV Police Vehicle, we just knew we had to take that next step. The potential savings in fuel cost, along with being more environmentally friendly, just seemed like the right way to go with a new vehicle. The new Chevy Blazer EV has only been in service for about a week, so it’s too soon to comment on savings just yet,”
The Chevy Blazer EV has just shy of 500 horsepower, with acceleration from 60 MPH in 5.08 seconds, and a range of 297 miles with all-wheel drive.
The GM Envolve North Central Government Team shared, “We could not be more excited for the Walkerton Police Dept. and the all-new Blazer EV PPV (Police Pursuit Vehicle), the only true EV PPV on the market, to be added into service. As more states and municipalities implement plans to increase the efficiency of their operations and reduce fuel costs, the 2025 Chevrolet Blazer EV PPV can help achieve them. While offering uncompromising performance and capability for officers. Designed for the needs of law enforcement, the purpose-built electrical architecture is explicitly prepared for the demands of an emergency. We look forward to this relationship with Walkerton PD.”
PLYMOUTH — On April 15 at 12:23 a.m., Plymouth Police were dispatched to N Walnut St. for a report of a domestic altercation in progress.
Officers found Joshua Neff, 47, of Plymouth extremely irate and violent inside the home. Neff resisted law enforcement as they attempted to detain him.
He was taken into custody and booked into the Marshall County Jail for domestic battery, resisting law enforcement and disorderly conduct.
Suspects are considered innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
By Anita Goodan
The Culver Town Council members approved four applications from residents in the town’s sidewalk program.
The program reimburses the homeowner a set per square foot amount for sidewalks and per lineal foot for curb and curb/sidewalk combination.
Clerk-Treasurer Karen Heim said the applications totaled $4,117.40 for reimbursement. There is still money left in the fund budgeted for this program so if any other applications come in they will be considered. The funds will remain on a first-come, first-served basis until September, or until the funds are depleted.
Heim also reminded the council members that the town-wide yard sale is set for April 25 and April 26. Town of Culver residents have until Tuesday, April 22 at 4 p.m. ET to be included on the map. Email the information to Heim to include the name, address of the sale, days the sale will be open, and a brief description of what is for sale.
The town-wide clean-up day is set for Monday, May 11. Place items for disposal at the curb Saturday and Sunday, May 9 and 10. The utility crew member will collect items Monday, May 11. When putting out items, secure items that might blow away. Tires and hazardous waste will not be accepted.
