PLYMOUTH — There will be a pair of special meetings to discuss the Marshall County Regional Sewer

District on Monday.
The Marshall County Commissioners will convene a special meeting at 8:30 a.m. on Monday, Dec. 22, in room 203 of the county building at 112 W. Jefferson Street in Plymouth to discuss the Sewer District.
Then, at 9 a.m., the Marshall County Council will conduct a special meeting in the same location for the same purpose.
Both meetings will be live-streamed on YouTube @MarshallCountyIN

PLYMOUTH — On Dec. 17 at 9:21 p.m., Plymouth Officers were dispatched to the parking lot of

Walmart for a man in a vehicle being hit by the driver of the vehicle.
Upon arrival, it was determined that the two men had a verbal argument. It was then reported that the driver, Trevor Lucas, of Bremen, had hit the passenger several times on the left arm.
The passenger had visible marks on his left arm and was complaining of pain. Trevor Lucas was detained and transported to the Marshall County jail and booked for the charge of Domestic Battery.

Suspects are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

PLYMOUTH — On Dec. 17, Officers responded to the 400 block of Pennsylvania for the report of a

Domestic Disturbance.
After investigation, it was determined that a Battery occurred. Tanya Hisey-Kujath, 49 of Plymouth, was taken into custody and booked into the Marshall County Jail for Domestic Battery and Intimidation.

Suspects are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

PLYMOUTH — The City of Plymouth will have its regular meetings on Monday night, starting with the

Board of Public Works and Safety at 6 p.m.
On the agenda is the opening of bids for an ambulance.
Immediately following the Board of Works will be the Common Council meeting.
On that agenda are appointments to the various boards and commissions, as well as the Mayor Pro-Tempore.
There will also be resolutions for investment of public funds and a transfer of appropriations.
Both meetings will be held in the Council Chambers on the second floor of the city building. Those attending should enter by the Garro Street entrance.
If you need special accommodation to attend the meeting, please contact the ADA Coordinator at 574-936-2948. The meetings will be live-streamed on YouTube @CityofPlymouth.

Special Weather Statement issued December 18 at 11:55AM EST by NWS Northern Indiana

Southerly winds will gust up to 40 mph this afternoon into early this evening. Isolated wind gusts up to 50 mph will also be possible in heavier rain showers. Be sure to secure outdoor objects.

PLYMOUTH — Temperatures will rapidly decrease this evening, dropping below the freezing point

sometime after sundown.
Rain (and possibly snow) is on the way, which will freeze to untreated pavements and cause slick conditions.
Marshall County EMA has left the Travel Advisory in place as a precaution. Please be safe if you have to travel late tonight or early tomorrow morning.

PLYMOUTH — In a special meeting on Tuesday night, the Marshall County Board of Zoning Appeals

reviewed and approved findings of fact from their meeting in December of last year, denying a variance of use for Tamarack Solar to use land in the Culver area to construct a solar farm.
The denial of the variance led to Tamarack filing suit against the Board and asking for a venue change to Fort Wayne and Allen County Superior Court. The meeting on Tuesday was to allow the BZA to review their findings of fact and make any changes before presenting the findings to the Judge in the case.
In a discussion that lasted less than half an hour, the BZA approved those findings of fact for presentation.
The Board made several slight changes and added points of emphasis.
One such was emphasizing the comprehensive plan for the county called for the preservation of farmland and open space in the county and the concern the installation would have on wildlife in the area.
A second was another item in the comprehensive plan stating that villages in the county should have the ability to grow larger in the future, and the BZA felt the growth of Burr Oak would be inhibited by the facility surrounding it.
The plight of one resident of the area was also highlighted, as the family had purchased land in the area before talk of the solar facility and had not been informed of its possibility. The land purchased would be surrounded by solar panels instead of farmland.
Concerns for groundwater contamination from lead and cadmium were also pointed out.
Only three members of the board — President Jeff Gustafson, Trent Bennett, and Tim Pletcher — were present since there was some dispute over paperwork on the two alternate members that had been appointed.

PLYMOUTH — The Plymouth Redevelopment Commission heard an update on the Water Street

Townhomes project in downtown, and the projection is still that tenants will be able to move in beginning in January.
Plymouth City Attorney Jeff Houin told the Board that work has moved indoors at the site currently, with most of the outside work complete. Houin said that significant progress was being made on the interiors of the units.
One spot that is running behind schedule is the paving of the parking lot. The initial coat of asphalt has been applied, but with the cold weather, the final coat will have to wait until the spring. In the meantime, developers are making arrangements for temporary striping to be done before tenants begin to take occupancy.

PLYMOUTH — The Marshall County Community Foundation is pleased to announce the

recipient of the 2026 Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship for Marshall County: Rongtian (“Ray”) Ye of Plymouth High School. Lilly Endowment Community Scholars are recognized for their community involvement, academic achievement, character, and leadership.
“Ray is a true reflection of the Lilly Scholarship. He embodies academic excellence, service-oriented leadership, perseverance, and character. His achievements and dedication uphold the core values and high standards of the award, demonstrating not only personal success but also a lasting commitment to strengthening his community.” said Beth Styers, MCCF Scholarship Committee Chair.
Each Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship provides full tuition, required fees, and up to $900 per year for required books and equipment for four years of full-time undergraduate study leading to a baccalaureate degree at any eligible Indiana public or private nonprofit college or university. Scholars also join the Lilly Scholars Network (LSN), which connects them with resources and opportunities to lead on campus and in their communities. Both the scholarship program and LSN are supported by grants from Lilly Endowment to Independent Colleges of Indiana (ICI).
“When I am remembered by my community, I want my legacy to be one that radiates passion and a commitment to giving back, showing just how much I appreciate all that this community has done to raise and support me,” said Ray Ye (Lilly Endowment Community Scholar).
In nominating Marshall County’s Lilly Endowment Community Scholar, the committee considered 1) academic performance; 2) community service, work experience, and leadership; 3) school activities; and 4) an application essay and interview by the Lilly Scholarship Selection Committee. After narrowing the field of applicants, nominees were submitted to Independent Colleges of Indiana (ICI), the statewide administrator of the program, for final selection.
“Each year the applicants from Marshall County are amazing and it is always a difficult selection process because their high school careers are so full of excellence!” said Linda Yoder, MCCF Executive Director.
Since its inception in 1997–98, Lilly Endowment has supported this program with tuition grants totaling more than $505 million, benefiting over 5,400 Indiana students. The program’s primary purposes are:
To raise the level of educational attainment in Indiana.
To increase awareness of the beneficial roles Indiana community foundations play.
To encourage and support Lilly Scholars’ engagement with Indiana leaders to improve quality of life statewide.
About Marshall County Community Foundation:
The Marshall County Community Foundation is a public charity with local roots that helps great ideas take flight through endowment philanthropy. Since 1991, donors to the Marshall County Community Foundation have built the community’s assets currently valued at more than $50 million and have returned over $30 million to Marshall County communities in grants and scholarships, $5.6 million from Community Funds. For more information about the MCCF, call 574.935.9159, or visit www.marshallcountycf.org.

PLYMOUTH — During their meeting on Monday, the Marshall County Commissioners heard from County

Attorney Sean Surrissi regarding the upcoming appeal of the Marshall County Regional Sewer District of the Indiana Department of Environmental Management’s ruling that the District should be disbanded.
Surrisi told the Commissioners that a recent meetin had been held in his office with Sewer Board members Dean Colvin and Don Ecker, President of the Commissioners Stan Klotz, Marshall County Council President Tim Harmon, and Councilperson Nicole Cox, Marcel Lebbin attorney for the Council and attorney’s for the Sewer District Chris Nussbaum and Andrew Boxburger, to discuss a settlement for the end of the dispute between the county and the Sewer Board.
Surrisi called the discussion productive and noted that the Council would hold an executive session later in the day to discuss the meeting.
He told the Commissioners that he had filed a motion on Monday morning to intervene in the IDEM appeal, stating that he felt that every party involved in the dispute should be allowed to be part of the suit, saying that it was the Commissioners and the Council that had filed the petition to dissolve the district and should be allowed input in the appeal.

PLYMOUTH — On Tuesday,​ Dec. 9, at 7:28 p.m.,​ Marshall County Dispatch broadcast a report of a two-

vehicle personal injury accident near the intersection of Queen Rd and 7th Rd in Plymouth.
Marshall County Sheriff’s deputies and Plymouth Fire and EMS responded. Once on scene, officers discovered that a forklift had been in the roadway and not properly illuminated ​, and was in the wrong lane of travel. A ​vehicle traveling southbound​ struck the vehicle.
Christopher Textor, 35, ​was taken to the hospital for immediate medical care. Vernon Miller, 24 was released from the scene. Alcohol/drugs do not appear to be a factor. ​
Agencies Involved: MARSHALL CO SHERIFF,​ PLYMOUTH FIRE/EMS ​

PLYMOUTH — On Dec. 4 at 8:32 p.m., an Officer with the Plymouth Police Department was traveling

South on Michigan Street in the area of Harrison Street when he noticed a vehicle traveling North on Michigan Street that appeared to be going greater than the posted speed limit of 35 mph.
The officer activated his radar unit and got a radar reading of 70 mph. The Officer turned around and attempted to catch up with the vehicle, but it had accelerated. The car finally pulled over in the parking lot of McDonalds in Plymouth.
The driver was later identified as Jose Perez, 28, of Plymouth. Perez was taken into custody for reckless driving. Perez said the truck next to him was challenging him to race them. Perez was transported to Marshall County Jail, where he was booked in for reckless driving.

Suspects are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

PLYMOUTH — On Dec. 14, at 1 a.m., Plymouth Police were dispatched to a residence on West Jackson Street for an unknown problem.

Upon arrival, officers discovered that a verbal argument had occurred between the residents at the home. During the investigation, Jorge Meda, 48, of Plymouth, was found to be operating his vehicle while intoxicated.
Meda was taken into custody without incident and transported to the Marshall County Jail.

Suspects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

PLYMOUTH — On Dec. 10, at 2:30 pm, Plymouth Police Officers were conducting speed enforcement on

N. Michigan St, just south of Plymouth Goshen Trail, when a vehicle was captured on radar traveling northbound on N. Michigan St, passing vehicles at 70 mph, which is double the speed limit.
A traffic stop was conducted on that vehicle, and the driver, 18-year-old Mario Galvan Torres Jr., of Plymouth, was taken into custody for Reckless Driving.
Galvan Torres Jr. was transported to the Marshall County Jail where he was booked and lodged.

Suspects are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

PLYMOUTH — The Marshall County Board of Zoning Appeals will have a special meeting on Tuesday,

Dec. 16, at 7 p.m. in the second-floor meeting room of the Marshall County building at 112 W. Jefferson St. in Plymouth.
The meeting is to consider and enter specific findings of fact concerning the decision of the BZA to deny the application for a special use filed by Tamarack Solar Energy.

PLYMOUTH — The coldest weather of the winter is expected to settle in this weekend. Wind chills down

to -20 are in the forecast for Saturday night/Sunday morning and again Sunday night/Monday morning. Minor snowfall is also predicted for Saturday.
Several warming centers have been established. If you or a loved one is unable to get heating at home and is looking for somewhere warm to stay, these facilities have limited space available. A running list can be found here: https://www.in.gov/counties/marshall-county-ema/news-and-information/active-alerts/

PLYMOUTH — On Thursday,​ Dec. 11,​ at 9:36 ​PM,​ Marshall County Central Dispatch ​was notified of a

multi-vehicle accident in the area of U.S. 30 and U.S. 31. Dispatch was further advised that one of the vehicles involved was engulfed in flames. ​
First responders arrived on scene at the crash, on ​U.S. 30 just west of the intersection with U.S. 31 in the westbound lanes of traffic. Based upon the initial investigation,​ a 2016 Freightliner ​tractor and trailer being driven by Abdussalam A. Noor, 47, of Maryland, ​ was traveling westbound on U.S. 30 from U.S. 31. Noor struck a Ford F250 that was sitting stationary on the shoulder of the roadway behind a white utility truck that was being towed by Bettcher’s ​Towing in the process of hooking up to the disabled truck when Noor struck the Ford pickup and disabled vehicle. ​
Thomas J. Diener, 26, ​was seated in the front driver’s seat of the Ford F250 at the time of the collision. Due to the extreme force of the impact, Thomas was ​ejected from the pickup.
First responders attempted to assist Thomas, but he was pronounced deceased at the scene by County Coroner Dean Byers.
There were two additional passengers in ​the 2024 Ford F250 that were injured during the collision,​ these being Robbie D. Betts and Carter Haen. Both Betts and Haen were transported to Memorial Hospital for their injuries. Ryan W. Carnahan,​ the operator of the Bettcher’s Towing wrecker, also sustained injuries during the collision and was transported to Memorial Hospital for his injuries. ​
This is an ongoing investigation.

The American Heart Association urges people to be aware of and reduce risks for deadly ‘holiday heart attacks.’

INDIANAPOLIS — The winter holidays can turn deadly, as research shows that more people die from heart attacks during the last week of December than at any other time of the year. While being aware of the signs of a heart attack and taking steps to reduce your risk are important all year long, the American Heart Association, devoted to changing the future to a world of healthier lives for all, says that’s especially critical during the next few weeks.
And, in rural communities, where EMS responses can be delayed and minutes matter, it’s important to be aware of the signs and symptoms and seek treatment quickly.
A number of scientific studies confirm this deadly phenomenon.
A study published in Circulation, the flagship journal of the American Heart Association, reported that more cardiac deaths occur in the U.S. on December 25 than on any other day of the year, followed by December 26 and January 1.
In a British Medical Journal study reviewing more than 16 years of data on heart attacks among people in Sweden, there was a 15% overall increase in heart attacks during the winter holidays. Of particular note, heart attacks increased 37% on Dec. 24 (Christmas Eve), peaking at 10 p.m. and more often in people over 75 and those with diabetes or previous cardiovascular disease.
“No one wants to think of tragedy during this joyous time of year as we gather with family and friends. However, these startling facts are very sobering. We don’t know exactly what triggers this increase in heart attacks during the holidays. It’s likely a combination of factors,” said Dr. Saura Fortin, a member of the American Heart Association’s board of directors in Indianapolis. “Winter weather has been noted to increase heart attack risk due to restricted blood flow when arteries may be constricted in cold temperatures. We also know the holidays bring a lot of added stress to many people. There are lots of parties and family gatherings where many tend to overindulge in rich foods and drink.”
According to Dr. Fortin, one of the most critical factors might be that people ignore important warning signs of a heart attack or stroke.
“While you may not want to spend the holidays in a doctor’s office or hospital, getting checked out and receiving prompt treatment if there is a problem is one of the best gifts you can give yourself and your loved ones for all the celebrations to come,” she said.
Giving the gift of life may also come into play if you see someone experiencing heart attack or stroke symptoms. You could be out shopping at the mall, enjoying the sights and sounds of the holiday season or spending time at a family gathering and witness someone having a heart attack and going into cardiac arrest. Starting CPR immediately and calling 9-1-1 could be the difference in life or death in those situations.
“Hands-Only CPR is something nearly everyone can learn and do. We encourage at least one person in every family to learn CPR because statistics show that most cardiac arrests occur outside the hospital and often in the home,” Dr. Fortin said. “The American Heart Association has a short instructional video at Heart.org/HandsOnlyCPR. Watching the video and learning Hands-Only CPR could be a lifesaving and lifechanging activity for the family to do together as you’re gathered for the holidays.”
Dr. Fortin notes that family gatherings are also a good time to talk about family health history.
“Many of the health factors that impact heart disease and stroke are hereditary,” she said. “If any of your parents, siblings or grandparents have had a heart attack or stroke, you are likely at higher risk, too. But the good news is, you can lower your risks with preventive measures. Knowing that history is an important first step.”
The following are several heart-healthy tips for the upcoming holidays:
Know symptoms and take action: Heart attack signs and stroke symptoms vary in men and women and it’s important to recognize them early and call 9-1-1 for help. The sooner medical treatment begins, the better the chances of survival and of preventing heart damage.
Celebrate in moderation. Eating healthfully during the holidays doesn’t have to mean depriving yourself. There are still ways to eat smart. Look for small, healthy changes and swaps you can make so you continue to feel your best while eating and drinking in moderation, and don’t forget to watch your salt intake.
Plan for peace on earth and goodwill toward yourself: Make time to take care of yourself during the busy holiday. Reduce stress from family interactions, strained finances, hectic schedules and other stressors prevalent this time of year, including traveling.
Keep moving: The American Heart Association recommends at least 150 minutes of physical activity per week and this number usually drops during the hustle and bustle of the holidays. Get creative with ways to stay active, even if it’s going for a family walk or another fun activity you can do with your loved ones.
Stick to your meds: Busy holidays can cause you to skip medications, forgetting them when away from home or not getting refills in a timely manner. The American Heart Association has a medication chart to help stay on top of it and be sure to keep tabs on your blood pressure numbers.
“We do know there are ways to mitigate your risk for a deadly heart attack. So, we encourage everyone to pause during the holiday hustle and bustle and make note of these important steps that could be lifesaving,” Dr. Fortin said.
The American Heart Association has more on ways to live heart-healthy during the holidays and all year long at heart.org.

PLYMOUTH — On the afternoon of Dec. 10, Plymouth Police were dispatched to the Economy Inn for

reports of a man screaming at women.
Officers arrived on scene and identified the man as Thomas Francis Quinn Jr., 45 of Plymouth. After speaking with the victims, officers determined that Quinn had battered both women involved.
Quinn was transported and lodged into the Marshall County Jail, and charged with Domestic Battery, Strangulation, Intimidation, and Disorderly Conduct.

Suspects are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

PLYMOUTH — The Marshall County Council will conduct an Executive Session on Monday, Dec. 15, at 4 p.m.

in the Marshall County Commissioner’s Room, County Building, 112 W. Jefferson Street, Room 203, Plymouth.
The purpose of the Executive Session will be to discuss the initiation of litigation or litigation that is either pending or has been threatened, specifically in writing.