INDIANAPOLIS — State Sen. Mike Bohacek (R-Michiana Shores) has begun work on 2027 legislation that would legalize

medical marijuana in Indiana.
“In light of the governor’s openness to consider legislation regarding the legalization of marijuana, we need to consider a feasible marijuana policy that would be the most helpful to Hoosiers and the economy,” Bohacek said. “The use of medical marijuana has been proven to be beneficial for some medical disorders and could help people throughout the state who are suffering find some relief.”
Bohacek is currently planning to work on legislation that would legalize medical marijuana, create parameters for use in a medical capacity, and establish a tax rate and policy for the sale and distribution of medical marijuana.
This proposed legislation comes after the federal government’s recent reclassification of state-licensed medical marijuana as a Schedule III drug under the Controlled Substances Act. Schedule III drugs are substances with a moderate to low potential for physical dependence and a high potential for psychological dependence and have accepted medical uses. Examples include ketamine, anabolic steroids, and Tylenol with codeine.
“I intend to include plenty of parameters around the implementation and use of medical marijuana to ensure it’s being properly regulated and distributed by Hoosier healthcare professionals,” Bohacek said. “There are plenty of benefits medical marijuana can have, not only in a healthcare capacity, but also on our economy. Indiana has already allowed the sale of delta-8 THC and other similar cannabinoids, so creating a tax policy is a logical next step in expanding the use of THC products. There is potential to bring in millions of dollars in tax revenue every year.”
Bohacek’s legislation would also update the state impairment laws, establishing a blood concentration that would define impairment and creating training needed for law enforcement to identify impairment by THC.
“While the legislation I plan to propose would legalize the use of medical marijuana, it would not take away from the safety standards that would need to be established to keep Hoosiers safe,” Bohacek said. “This proposed legislation would not legalize the use of recreational marijuana. Many of our state’s current laws regarding the use of marijuana would remain in place, with some adjustments to account for those who may have medical exemptions. This is why I am also working on legislation that would adjust the state impairment laws for those who would use medical marijuana.”
Bohacek encourages residents of Senate District 8 to contact him with any questions or comments they may have. Bohacek can be reached by filling out a “Contact Me” form online at http://www.IndianaSenateRepublicans.com/Bohacek or by phone at 800-382-9467.

PLYMOUTH — Marshall County Police Departments are partnering with the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute (ICJI) to urge

Hoosiers to buckle up as part of the national “Click It or Ticket” campaign, a high-visibility enforcement effort focused on increasing seatbelt use.
From May 11 through May 31, 2026, officers will work overtime to ensure drivers and passengers use their seat belts and that children are properly secured. The overtime patrols are funded by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) through ICJI’s Comprehensive Highway Injury Reduction Program (CHIRP).
“Buckling up is one of the simplest and most effective ways to protect yourself and your loved ones on the road,” said Douglas Huntsinger, executive director of the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute. “Seatbelts save lives every day, and every trip should begin with making sure everyone is secured before hitting the road.”
Since 2021, Indiana has seen a steady decline in fatalities among passenger vehicle occupants not wearing seatbelts. Seatbelt usage among Hoosiers has also increased, reaching 94.1% in 2025 according to the Annual Seat Belt Usage Survey conducted by Purdue University Center for Road Safety in partnership with ICJI. This rate is above the national average of 91.2% usage in 2024.
“Too often, we see tragedies that could have been prevented with one simple click of a seatbelt,” said Lt. Les McFarland. “Buckling up isn’t just the law. It’s a responsibility that helps ensure you make it home safely.”
Indiana law requires drivers and all passengers to buckle up. Children under age eight must be properly restrained in a federally approved child car seat or booster seat. Drivers can be cited for not using a seat belt, as well as for each unbuckled passenger under the age of 16.
Parents and caregivers are encouraged to make sure children are in the right car seat and that it is used correctly and properly installed. Resources can be found at http://www.nhtsa.gov/TheRightSeat. To schedule an appointment with a certified car seat safety technician at one of Indiana’s 100 fitting stations, visit on.in.gov/SafeKids.
CHIRP is supported by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and administered by the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute. For more information about ICJI’s traffic safety programs, visit http://www.in.gov/cji.

PLYMOUTH — On Sunday,​ May 10,​ 2026,​ at 11:56 am,​ Marshall County Central Dispatch received a 911 call regarding a crash

between a semi tractor-trailer and a minivan at the intersection of US 30 and Queen Road.
When Officers arrived on scene,​ it was learned that an eastbound 2023 Volvo Tractor Trailer being operated by Qingrui Fan,​ 55, of Flushing, New York,​ utilized the turn lane to avoid stopped traffic at the intersection and struck a north-facing minivan that was stopped on Queen Road. The minivan was a 2020 Dodge Grand Caravan being operated by Dixie Warner, 69,​ of Plymouth.
The driver of the mini-van, along with her two additional occupants were transported to the Hospital. ​The Marshall County Sheriff’s Department was assisted on scene by Plymouth Police,​ Fire, and EMS, along with Lyons Wrecker Service​ and Tim’s Towing.

INDIANAPOLIS – Wednesday, Governor Mike Braun launched Keep IN, an initiative to provide small business owners with

resources and support as they plan their futures. The initiative is spearheaded by the Office of Entrepreneurship and Innovation, a new state agency created by Gov. Braun to help small businesses and entrepreneurs thrive in Indiana.
Keep IN aims to preserve local jobs and locally-rooted businesses by reducing preventable business closures and supporting smoother business ownership transitions.
“Supporting Hoosier businesses has been a cornerstone of my administration from day one – and part of that support must include helping the transition to the next generation of Hoosier entrepreneurs,” said Braun. “As a business owner myself who acquired and grew a business here, and then prepared it for transition, I know firsthand the importance of succession planning for business owners and communities. Thousands of businesses in Indiana face ownership transitions in the coming years. We want to help keep those businesses thriving in the Hoosier State.”
The Office of Entrepreneurship and Innovation worked with the Indiana Business Research Center to gain insight into localized data on the need for business owner support:
— Nearly 60 percent of total business revenue in Indiana is generated by businesses owned by people aged 55 or older.
— At least half of the business revenue in 88 out of 92 counties is associated with 55+ owners.
National data reveals that 92% of small business exits involve closure, rather than sale or transfer of ownership.
“Keep IN is about helping Indiana business owners plan ahead and make informed decisions about the future,” said Brian Schutt, Office of Entrepreneurship and Innovation Director. “By starting earlier and increasing access to information, we can help support stronger outcomes for business owners, employees, and local communities.”
As part of the Keep IN initiative, Gov. Braun is launching a pilot with SMB.co, a platform that helps small business owners understand their business value and provides educational tools and resources to support early planning and informed decision-making.
Through the pilot, business owners in three economic development regions – Northwest Indiana, South Central Indiana, and Southwest Indiana – can access SMB.co tools free of charge, including business valuations, transition readiness assessments, and exit planning.
The SMB.co pilot program is a state-led effort implemented at the regional level, ensuring business owners receive support that reflects the realities of their local communities and the industries they serve.
Fundamental to the work of Keep IN is collaboration with organizations around the state that help provide resources and support to Indiana businesses. As part of that, Gov. Braun is excited to announce that the Office of Entrepreneurship and Innovation has partnered with the Indiana Chamber of Commerce to offer a series of free workshops for Hoosier business owners who are considering selling their businesses or beginning the process of succession planning.
The workshops will cover topics such as determining a business’s value, identifying resources for legal guidance, and developing a succession plan. Business owners interested in learning more and signing up to be notified when registration is available can visit http://www.indianachamber.com/smallbizsuccession

PLYMOUTH — On May 6, 2026, around 11:18 p.m., Marshall County Central Dispatch received a complaint of a man meeting

up with a fourteen-year-old female in the area of N. Michigan Street and the underpass of U.S. 30. Plymouth Officers arrived on scene and began an investigation on twenty-six-year-old Shane A. Wilson of Plymouth. Wilson was later taken into custody and transported to the Marshall County Jail, where he was booked and lodged for: Child Seduction, Inappropriate communication with a child, Possession of Methamphetamine, Possession of Paraphernalia, and Trafficking with an inmate

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

PLYMOUTH — The Marshall County Council will have its monthly meeting on Monday, May 11, 2026, beginning at 5:30 p.m.

in the second-floor meeting room of the Marshall County Building.
On the agenda are sub-committee reports from Highway and Job Classification/Compensation.
Steve Dalton of Cender Dalton will report on future county revenues and the impact of legislation.
Sheriff Matt Hassel will have a grant application request and the commissary fund report for Jan. through March.
The Council will also hear a number of abatement requests and additional appropriations and transfers.
ADA Notice: For special accommodations, please contact the ADA Coordinator at (574) 935-8720 at least two business days prior to the scheduled meeting to request an accommodation.
The meeting will also be live-streamed on YouTube @MarshallCountyIN.

LAPAZ — On May 3, 2026, a woman contacted Marshall County 911 in reference to a battery that occurred on Troyer Street in

Lapaz.
The woman told officers that the suspect,​ Samuel Menefee,​ 33, of North Liberty, fled ​ the area northbound on ​ Michigan Road. St. Joseph County was notified and requested to attempt to locate the suspect. An investigation was conducted, and evidence of a battery was present. Menefee was later located in St. Joseph County and transported back to the Marshall County Jail. He faces charges of domestic battery.

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

PLYMOUTH — On May 2,​ 2026,​ at 8:17 PM,​ Marshall County Central Dispatch received a 911 call stating that a man was

rolling around in the median. The caller gave the location of US 30​ and King Rd.
Dispatch received a call shortly after from a second caller who stated he was now walking in the driving lane. Officers responded shortly after and found Eric L. Edington, 53, who was heavily intoxicated. A portable breath test was administered, and the result showed a BAC of .217. He was taken into custody and booked into the Marshall County Jail.

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

PLYMOUTH — The City of Plymouth will have meetings of the Board of Public Works and Safety and the Common Council on

Monday, May 11, 2026, beginning with the Board of Works at 6 p.m.
On the agenda is the dedication of infrastructure for Menominee Heights phase II and III, and an order to take action at 405 Clark Street.
The Board will also hear reports from the city department heads.
Immediately following the Board of Works, the Common Council will meet with reports from the City Attorney on tax abatements and a proposal to amend the official zoning map for the city of Plymouth.
The Council will also hear ordinances on emergency key boxes and permit and application fees for the city, and resolutions regarding an internal controls policy, and for a commercial revitalization rebate program grant for Jaimes Grocery LLC.
Both meetings will be held in the Council Chambers on the second floor of the City Building. Those attending should enter through the Garro Street entrance. If you need special accommodation to attend the meeting, please contact the ADA Coordinator at 574-936-2948. Both meetings will be live-streamed on YouTube @CityofPlymouth.

ST. JOSEPH COUNTY, Ind. – Indiana Department of Transportation contractor Milestone Contractors LP will have road closures

on State Road 23 between Wolf St in North Liberty and Olive St/Locust Rd in South Bend beginning on or after Wednesday, June 10.
Crews will replace six pipes between New Rd and Kern Rd. At the same time, a small structure replacement will also be conducted between U.S. 20/31 and Ireland Rd. State Road 23 is expected to be closed for 10 days. This work was originally scheduled to begin in May but has been postponed due to utility delays.
Through traffic should seek alternate routes or use the official detour of U.S. 20/31, U.S. 31 and State Road 4. Access will be maintained for local traffic, but motorists should be prepared to alter travel based on the locations where work is occurring.
These pipe replacements are in advance of road resurfacing along this stretch of State Road 23. State Road 23 will be reduced to one lane for road resurfacing, with road widening occuring in some locations. Construction activities will be ongoing through the end of November.
INDOT encourages drivers to allow extra time when driving through this area and follow traffic directions carefully. Motorists should slow down, exercise caution and drive distraction-free through all work zones.

PLYMOUTH — On Sunday,​ May 3, 2026, at approximately 6:19 pm,​ Marshall County Dispatch broadcast a report of a domestic

disturbance at the residence on 5B Rd,​ in Plymouth.
Marshall County Officers responded. During the investigation, it was discovered that a battery had taken place in the presence of minors. Linda Bottorff, 34, was taken into custody and transported to the Marshall County Jail for domestic battery in the presence of a minor,​ battery by bodily waste.

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

INDIANAPOLIS – Today, Indiana Governor Mike Braun extended the suspension of Indiana’s gas tax in an effort to provide

Hoosiers relief from high gas prices.
Governor Braun extended the April emergency energy declaration by another 30 days, the maximum the law allows, and is extending the suspension of the 7% Gasoline Usage Tax on fuel for an additional 30 days, also now suspending the Gasoline Excise Tax, which will more than double the savings at the pump for Hoosiers.
Today’s decision extends Governor Braun’s gas tax holiday to the end of his emergency declaration and is the longest he can suspend the gas tax on his own authority without a special legislative session.
“Making life more affordable for Hoosiers will always be my top priority,” said Braun. “Suspending both the gas tax and excise tax gives Hoosiers meaningful relief for the next month.”
The Gasoline Usage Tax is $0.23 per gallon for May, and the Gasoline Excise Tax’s current rate is $0.36 per gallon for 2026. Governor Mike Braun’s extension of the gas tax holiday will give Hoosiers a 12.4% discount on the average price of gasoline in Indiana.
Governor Braun also announced that he will increase the mileage reimbursement rate for state employees who utilize their own vehicles for work-related travel. Details on that increase will be shared once confirmed.

PLYMOUTH – Road work in Marshall County will kick off this week.

Marshall County Highway Superintendant Jason Peters told the Marshall County Commissioners that E&B paving was planning to start on the Community Crossings grant projects this week starting with 12B Road from US 30 to the county line; Muckshaw Road from SR 10 to 18B Road; 14B Road from SR 17 to the county line; and 15th Road from the railroad to the county line.
NIPSCO will also be doing line work that will involve some county roads and County Attorney Sean Surrisi briefed the Commissioners on an agreement worked out by he and Peters to insure the county roads involved.

PLYMOUTH — A crash at US 30 and Union Road caused serious injury to one man.

James L. Wilson, traveling eastbound on U.S. 30 in the construction zone, driving a 2024 Freightliner semi, was approaching the intersection of Union Rd. At the same time,​ a Toyota Corolla driven by Brian A. Foster was traveling northbound on Union Rd. and began to drive northbound through U.S. 30, going through Wilson’s lane of travel.
Wilson was unable to avoid a collision with the front of Foster’s vehicle colliding with the driver’s side. ​ Foster was unresponsive and trapped in his car. Plymouth EMS extricated him, and he was flown by helicopter to Memorial Hospital in South Bend. ​ ​
​
The collision is still under investigation.

PLYMOUTH — On May 2,​ 2026, at 9:58 pm an off-duty Marshall County Police Officer attempted to stop a vehicle that was all

over the roadway on US 30 near Iris Rd.
The vehicle had nearly struck the officer prior to his activating his emergency lights. ​The vehicle failed to yield to the officer and continued westbound on US 30.
The vehicle continued at a high rate of speed until it struck a semi on US 30 near CR 1100E in Starke County. The vehicle impacted the rear of the semi, then impacted a Plymouth patrol car before coming to rest in a ditch.
The sole occupant of the vehicle, Camica Shanique Gibbs, 31, was taken into custody shortly after. A Plymouth Police officer was taken to the hospital for minor injuries due to the collision.
Gibbs faces charges of resisting law enforcement, causing bodily injury, and criminal recklessness with a deadly weapon.

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

PLYMOUTH — The Marshall County Election Board will hold a campaign finance hearing on Friday, May 8, in the Clerk’s office

at 211 West Madison Street in Plymouth, starting at 2 p.m.
The hearing is for Conservatives for Johnson.

Average gasoline prices in Indiana have risen $1.05/g in the last week, averaging $4.83/g today, according to GasBuddy’s survey

of 3,271 stations in Indiana. Prices in Indiana are 92.6 cents per gallon higher than a month ago and stand $1.64/g higher than a year ago. The national average price of diesel has increased 21.3 cents compared to a week ago and stands at $5.621 per gallon.
Locally the lowest reported prices in each community:
Pulaski County
Winamac — $4.89
Francesville — $4.89
Medaryville — 4.79
Monterey — $4.89
Starke County
Knox — $4.89
North Judson — $4.99
Hamlet — $4.88
Grovertown — $4.99
LaPorte County
LaCrosse — $4.79
LaPorte — $4.64
Michigan City — $4.65
Wanatah — $4.79
Rolling Prairie — $4.69
Westville — $4.74
New Carlisle — $4.99
North Liberty — $4.89
Walkerton — $4.73
Marshall County
Argos — $4.89
Bourbon — $4.69
Bremen — $4.99
Culver — $4.99
LaPaz — $4.96
Plymouth — $4.82
According to GasBuddy price reports, the cheapest station in Indiana was priced at $3.12/g yesterday, while the most expensive was $5.99/g, a difference of $2.87/g.
The national average price of gasoline has risen 38.2 cents per gallon in the last week, averaging $4.42/g today.
“Gasoline prices rose in every state over the last week, with some of the most significant and fastest increases concentrated in the Great Lakes, where states like Michigan, Indiana, Ohio, and Illinois saw sharp spikes, while Wisconsin experienced more modest gains,” said Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy. “At the same time, diesel prices surged to new records in parts of the region, with some areas touching the $6-per-gallon mark. While refinery outages were a key driver behind those outsized increases, early signs of improvement could help ease some of the most extreme price pressures in the Great Lakes in the days ahead. Beyond the region, markets are also digesting a wave of new developments— including OPEC+ raising production for June and President Trump outlining a plan to free stranded ships— which could help restore some supply. However, with so many moving pieces, the outlook remains highly fluid, and while some localized relief may emerge, broader price volatility is likely to persist in the near term.”
GasBuddy is North America’s trusted fuel savings platform, helping consumers fuel up for less for over 25 years at GasBuddy.com.

PLYMOUTH — The Plymouth School Board of Trustees will meet on Tuesday, May 5, 2026, at 6 p.m. in the Administration

Boardroom. 
The meeting site is fully accessible. Any person requiring further accommodation should contact the Superintendent at the School Corporation’s Central Office. There will be time for public participation as indicated by the agenda item.
The Plymouth Community School Board of Trustees will then meet in Executive Session on Wednesday, May 6, 2026, at 4 p.m.
The purpose of the meeting is to receive information about prospective employees and interview them.

CULVER — On Saturday, May 2, at 2:30 a.m. Culver Police were conducting a traffic stop at SR 10 near Thorn Road.

While the officer was standing outside his marked patrol car, another vehicle struck the rear driver’s side of the patrol car, narrowly missing the officer, and continued on without stopping.
The officer notified the dispatch center and eventually caught up to the vehicle, which was slow to stop. The driver, Angela Shaffer, 62, of Culver, was found to be the only person in the vehicle. An investigation was conducted, and the driver exhibited signs of impairment and agreed to a certified test.
The results of the chemical test revealed that Shafer was just over three times the legal limit for alcohol.
Shaffer was taken to the Marshall County Jail on preliminary charges of operating while intoxicated and OWI endangering.
A report will be filed with the Marshall County Prosecutors’ office for review of formal charges.

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