PLYMOUTH — Marshall County Coroner Dean Byers has announced the appointment of Justin Bowen-Lutz as a Deputy Coroner. Justin was sworn in by First Deputy Clerk Darlene Marquardt.
Bowen-Lutz currently serves as an EMT with the North Township Fire Territory. Justin is excited to join the staff of the County Coroner’s Office.
PLYMOUTH — On June 11 at 2:25 a.m., Plymouth Police conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle traveling north on N Oak Dr. for failure to yield right of way.
The driver of the vehicle, Erlan N. Antunez Ruiz, 44, of Plymouth, was found to be operating the Vehicle without ever obtaining a License. He was arrested and transported to the Marshall County Jail, where he was issued a court date and a bond.
Suspects are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
PLYMOUTH — On Monday, June 9, at 3:02 a.m., a Marshall County Deputy was sitting in the area of US 30 and US 31 running stationary radar.
The Deputy observed a Toyota SUV with an Illinois plate traveling west on US 30 at what appeared to be a high rate of speed. The Deputy activated his front radar, which showed the vehicle to be traveling at 94 miles per hour in a posted 60 miles per hour zone. The Deputy initiated a traffic stop on the vehicle in the area of US 30 and Oak Road in Plymouth.
Edwin Diaz Contreras, 33, was found not to have a driver’s license. Contreras was arrested and transported to the Marshall County Jail, where he was booked and lodged for operating a vehicle without ever receiving a license.
Suspects are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
PLYMOUTH — The conditions of the second floor of Plymouth’s Red Rock Inn were the subject of concern for local agencies and governmental boards on Monday.
Plymouth Building Commissioner Dennis Manuwal reported to the Plymouth Board of Works and Safety on Monday that he was alerted to concerns about the structural integrity of the second-floor balconies and railings at the Inn. An inspection of the property confirmed those concerns, leading to an order to vacate the second floor of the structure as unsafe.
A consortium of individuals, agencies, and government officials met with owner Nilesh Patel to address the problem and determine the next steps for the 26 adults and four children who live in the 30 affected rooms.
Barb Holcomb reported to the Plymouth Common Council on Monday night on the efforts of a group she led that had tackled the immediate problem of relocation for the individuals involved.
Holcomb told the Council that the arrival in the county of seasonal workers had made relocation a difficult task, but the group was able to procure rooms at a motel in Rochester to relocate nine of those affected. Five individuals were able to find rooms at another hotel in Plymouth, others were able to stay with friends and family, and the group found a motel in South Bend for one person who works there.
Red Rock owner Patel was paying for the motel bill in Rochester and South Bend. Two residents are paying for their own accommodations.
Holcomb reported that as of the Council meeting, all the residents affected had been safely relocated. She said that the accommodations would be paid for one week at a time to avoid any money being lost, since the situation was fluid.
Marshall County Council member Brandon Schadek was one of those in the group that gathered during the afternoon to discuss the situation with Patel and his wife.
He reported to his Council in during their meeting on Monday, saying that they would likely be approached to be involved in a solution to the problem since such solutions normally involved some sort of monetary expenditure. He said that the relocation of those who were affected by a similar situation at The Pointe Apartments in Plymouth had cost $70,000.
County Council member Jim Masterson spoke of his desire for some type of culpability on the part of the owners, stating he had listed the Red Rock property for sale in the past at $279,000, stating that it was in a prime area. He added that he was told that the residents pay $700 a month for a room and wondered where the money had gone.
Manuwal told the Plymouth Council that he was in favor of a structural engineer to look at the property to determine its safety, and reported that he was told by Patel that he had contacted an engineer to assess the problem.
The situation is ongoing.
PLYMOUTH — A meeting that included discussions of problem properties at The Pointe Apartments and the Red Rock Inn, Plymouth Building Commissioner Dennis Manuwal had a third problem property to address with the Plymouth Board of Works.
Over a month ago, Manuwal had inspected Northgate Mobile Home Park on reports of issues making the property unsafe. At that time, Manuwal gave the new owners of the property 15 days to address issues, including unmowed grass, uncapped sewer lines, and electrical issues on vacant lots.
The new owner, Abraham Anderson, had assured Manuwal that the repairs would be undertaken.
Two weeks ago, Manuwal was back before the board, stating that the order had not been complied with. The new owners were given a two-week extension, and Monday Manuwal was back before the board to state that the issues had still not been totally addressed.
Manuwal said that some sewers were still uncapped, another fire at the park had highlighted another trailer where somebody was living in a trailer with no electricity, and there were many units in the park with no power.
Utilities Superintendent Donnie Davidson was asked to speak to the board about water issues at the property. He stated that meters showed excessive use of water and said that if issues with that system were addressed, it would also result in large savings for the owners.
A representative for the ownership pointed out to the board that many of the lots had been mowed but that some still needed attention, and that many of the sewer issues had been addressed in the two weeks with a hanful that needed to be capped, as well as a sewer leak that had been cleaned up.
While admitting that issues remained, the representative stated that the majority had been addressed and that work was continuing on those that remained, asking for the city to continue to work with them since progress had been made.
The Board agreed to work with Anderson but required them to communicate more fully with Manuwal about that progress.
PLYMOUTH — The Marshall County Council gave its support to an upgrade for the generator for the Marshall County Health Department as they work on their move to their new home on Illinois Street in Plymouth — the old Bowen Health building.
President of the County Commissioners Stan Klotz came before the Council with the request from Marshall County Health Officer Byron Holm to upgrade the emergency generator for the facility as they move in.
Klotz said the new generator requested would be able to handle all of the building’s electrical needs during a power outage. The department keeps vaccines and other medical supplies that must be refrigerated.
The current generator would be insufficient to supply all the needs of the building in the case of an outage. The company that will occupy the current space where the Department is located has said they will purchase the old generator if it is offered, also saving the significant cost of moving it and installing it.
The new generator will come at a total cost of $49,000, and through the county maintenance department and other sources, around $16,000 has already been found to cover the cost. Holm said he will commit Health First Indiana funds to the purchase from the department’s budget, but the project would need to be done immediately.
Holm also told Klotz that even if the upgrade was not completed at this time, he planned on adding it to his budget for the coming year. Klotz said that doing the project now would avoid the cost of $6000 to $7000 to move the current generator, only to remove it in a year’s time, along with gaining the sale price.
Since the department will be using its funds, the Council did not actually commit any dollars out of the general fund, but gave its support for the Department to expend its funds for the project.
PLYMOUTH — In July of 2024 the plight of the property at 309 Kingston Road in Plymouth began when Plymouth Building Inspector Dennis Manuwal had given the owner Bob Richards, 30 days for the resolution of the issues as part of his emergency order to vacate on July 29, 2024, due to roof and electrical issues that made the facility dangerous.
Monday, Manuwal was before the Plymouth Board of Public Works and Safety for a hearing on a final action for demolition of the property within the next 30 days, and once again, the story took another turn.
Richards and Anthony Collins were allowed to present their evidence during the hearing. They asked the board for another delay to finish the final work necessary to be up to code.
Manuwal was asked to give a brief recap of the actions that had led to the demolition order, which included several violations and reports of people living or “squatting” at the property that was closed, finally resulting in the death of an individual on the property, with evidence that he had been residing there illegally.
Collins spoke to the board, saying they had taken action each time to evict squatters and replace locks, adding that they couldn’t be at the property daily to be sure there were no infractions and that they couldn’t be held responsible for the illegal acts of others. He informed the board he had been sick for two weeks, and taken a week’s vacation, and had not been inside the property during that time. It was also revealed that the deceased man found on the property had been employed by the group to make the final repairs to the building and had not been given permission to reside on the property.
It was also noted that the man’s death was not caused by anything related to the building or work at the site, but by a previous medical condition.
Collins told the board that the work at The Pointe was essentially complete except for a final removal of two pieces of drywall for the remediation of mold and a final air quality test. He stated that Richards, who suffered a stroke several years ago, had sold another of his properties to pay for repairs at The Pointe, which Collins said were in excess of $300,000. He said that the goal of Richards was to get the property to code, settle a current lawsuit regarding the former tenants, and sell the property. He said that Richards did not plan to reopen the property in the interim or himself in the future. He told the board that it seemed a shame to pay to demolish a property that with a small amount of work could easily be made livable space.
Board members Dave Morrow and Don Ecker were not given to award the extra time since a year had already passed without completion of the required repairs, and they put forth a motion to enforce the demolition order. Members Duane Culp and Shiloh Milner voted against the motion, with Mayor Robert Listenberger abstaining due to his friendship with Richards.
Culp then suggested continuing the hearing to the next meeting of the Board of Works with the addition that the property would have to pass Manuwal’s inspection before that time, when it would come back to the board. The motion ended in a tie as well.
A compromise was reached stating that the building would have to pass Manuwal’s inspection in the two weeks time, or the order to demolish would automatically go into effect without returning to the Board of Works.
That compromise passed unanimously, with Listenberger again abstaining.
ARGOS — On Sunday, June 8, at 6:18 pm, the Marshall County Sheriff’s Department was notified of a single-vehicle motorcycle accident in the area of State Road 10 and Filbert Road.
Responders were advised that the driver, Jonathan Lace, 65, of Rochester, had complaints of neck pain. Argos Police, Fire, and EMS arrived on the scene and began rendering aid to the Lace. When Marshall County Officers arrived on the scene, it was learned that Lace failed to navigate the curve. Lace was transported by Ambulance to Memorial Hospital in South Bend.
The Marshall County Sheriff’s Department was assisted at the scene by Argos Police, Fire and EMS, Parkview EMS, Lutheran EMS, and Lyons Wrecker Service.
Average gasoline prices in Indiana have fallen 7.0 cents per gallon in the last week, averaging $2.99/g today, according to GasBuddy’s survey of 3,271 stations in Indiana. Prices in Indiana are 9.2 cents per gallon lower than a month ago and stand 31.1 cents per gallon lower than a year ago. The national average price of diesel has decreased 1.7 cents in the last week and stands at $3.448 per gallon.
According to GasBuddy price reports, the cheapest station in Indiana was priced at $2.46/g yesterday while the most expensive was $3.59/g, a difference of $1.13/g. The lowest price in the state yesterday was $2.46/g while the highest was $3.59/g, a difference of $1.13/g.
The national average price of gasoline has fallen 1.8 cents per gallon in the last week, averaging $3.07/g today.
“Average gas prices declined in nearly all states over the last week as refineries ramped up output and gasoline supplies surged,” said Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy. “While a few states experienced price cycling—a pattern where prices drop sharply and then spike every couple of weeks—the overall gentle downward trend is typical as summer progresses. If oil prices continue to rise gradually, it could eventually impact gas prices, but for now, we likely won’t see any major shifts at the pump in most areas this week.”
GasBuddy’s averages, graphs, maps, and historical pricing data covering the U.S. and Canada are available 24/7 at http://prices.GasBuddy.com.
CULVER — The Max Yacht Club is sponsoring a no-pressure, instruction-based ladies sailing group that meets on Sundays throughout the summer. The group is for all experience levels — from ladies who’ve never been on a boat to those who have sailed with others and now want to do so themselves.
The group meets on Sunday mornings, gathering at 9:15 am at Benedict’s pier (for those driving, 708 Peru Court). The program runs through August 10th.
You should bring your life jacket. If you do not have a life jacket, contact them before you come, and they can arrange for one. If you feel ready to sail, there are club boats available for use, or join the camaraderie and instruction session, and ride in the Coach boat to listen and learn.
The group will meet regardless of wind conditions. If there is wind, they will sail after the instruction session. Otherwise, we have other learning exercises (e.g., learning hitch knots to tie up boats) and Q&A with our instructors.
This is a “come when you can” and “learn at your level” group, so if one weekend doesn’t work, join another Sunday.
For more information, contact us at maxyachtclub@gmail.com or call/text Terri at 574-721-2207.
PLYMOUTH — Saint Joseph Health System (SJHS) is hosting a mobile blood drive with the South Bend Medical Foundation. The public is invited to attend the blood drive on Friday, June 13, 2025, 10 am – 1 pm at the Plymouth Medical Center at 1915 Lake Avenue in Plymouth.
Blood donations play a vital role in saving lives and improving the health of our community. Whether it’s for surgeries, traumas, or cancer treatments, there is always a constant need for blood donations. By donating blood, you can make a difference in someone’s life and help ensure that our healthcare system has the resources it needs to provide the best possible care.
To schedule an appointment or visit, givebloodnow.com.
PLYMOUTH – The Marshall County Career Innovation Center (MCCIC) has been named the 2024 National Rural New Market Tax Credit Deal of the Year by the Novogradac Journal of Tax Credits, a leading national publication focused on community finance.
MCCIC is a new career center located on Plymouth Community School Corporation’s campus that serves 10 rural school districts. Through the North Central Career and Technical Education (CTE) Cooperative, MCCIC provides opportunities for students to explore career pathways by offering hands-on learning, post-secondary credits, industry certifications and work-based learning.
“We are excited to receive this award and the recognition that it brings,” stated Allison Shook, Executive Director of the Marshall County Lifelong Learning Network, the project sponsor. “It is a testament to the visionary leadership of our community and the unmatched dedication of our schools and educators.”
The $10.7 million renovation and construction project will result in new classrooms, a new automotive training center, a greenhouse, and a 28-seat childcare center. When fully operational, the two-year courses for grades 11-12 will train up to 424 students annually, of which 60% are expected to come from limited means. Those students will graduate from high school with academic, technical, and employability skills for future careers. The adult education program is expected to train at least 27 adults annually and provide the necessary training to break down traditional barriers to quality employment. The program is expected to result in job, education, or military placements in excess of 95%.
The project received new market tax credit financing from Fort Wayne New Markets Revitalization Fund, LLC, Cinnaire New Markets LLC, and US Bancorp Impact Finance. The project also received funding from the Northern Indiana Regional Development Authority, Indiana’s Regional Economic Acceleration and Development Initiative (READI), Marshall County government, the City of Plymouth, 1st Source Bank, the Neidig Family, and the Lilly Endowment Inc. GIFT VIII funding through the Marshall County Community Foundation Inc.’s match funding program.
“We are grateful to all of the catalytic funders who came together to make this project possible,” stated, Linda Yoder, Executive Director of the Marshall County Community Foundation, Inc. “This project will reach and empower thousands of students who previously did not have access to these opportunities.”
The project is currently under construction and is expected to be completed later this fall.
About Marshall County Career and Innovation Center (MCCIC)
MCCIC is a premier career and technical education facility that provides youth and adults lifelong learning opportunities for satisfaction and success in their careers and beyond. MCCIC partners with educators, industry leaders, and the community to empower all their citizens to thrive in Marshall County. To learn more about the center please visit http://www.mccic.org.
PLYMOUTH — The Plymouth Community School Board heard a presentation from Aaron Esper of North Central CTE before voting unanimously to continue their agreement with the organization for the coming year.
Esper took an opportunity to highlight the organization’s successes in the past school year for its program that provides career courses for Marshall and Starke county students to take courses in career and technical areas for high school credit.
According to Esper, CTE saw a growth in enrollment and a 7.7 percent increase in funding in the past year, and also increased the number of certification options that were available for students.
The program also offered new partnerships and opportunities, teaming with the Knox program in criminal justice to offer certifications, adding a veterinary science student-run business that made over $3000, and partnering to offer several adult education classes in the same areas.
Esper told the board that the Certified Clinical Medical Assistant program had posted a 94 percent pass rate and the EMT program a 100 percent skills pass rate.
North Central CTE will offer a second building trades class in Culver for the coming year, add an applied engineering and entrepreneurship pathway, and partner with Vincennes University.
PLYMOUTH — It will be a night of sketch comedy for three weekends this summer as the Wild Rose Moon in downtown Plymouth hosts “Saturday Night Under the Moonlight,” presented by the Attic Theatre Company.
Performances will be on June 21, July 12, and August 9 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Directed by Zachary Gipson and written by Derek Jensen and the company, it will be an evening of original comedy, sketches, funny songs, dancing, and general mayhem.
The show features Andrea Canacci, Rocky Whitaker, Joel Samuelson, Phil McFarland, Zachary Gipson, Derek Jensen, Amy Beaucham, Mike Bachman, Mitch and Ruby Crum, and Finis Brown.
Tickets are $20 and seating is limited.
Tickets are available at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/saturday-night-under-the-moonlight-tickets-1379882829689?aff=ebdsshios
PLYMOUTH — On May 30, officers with the Plymouth Police Department located year 21-year-old Brayan Molina-Vasquez of Plymouth at his residence.
Vasquez had an active failure to appear warrant through Marshall County. Vasquez was taken into custody and transported to the Marshall County Jail, where he will be held without bond until his initial court appearance.
Suspects are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
WALKERTON — On Sunday, June 1, at 10:29 am, Marshall County Deputies, Walkerton Police, Polk Fire, and Walkerton EMS responded to a report of a personal injury accident involving a single motorcycle on Plymouth Laporte Trl near 3B Rd.
Dwayne Perez, 39, of Walkerton, was transported to the hospital for injuries sustained in the accident. Alcohol/Drugs do not appear to be a factor.
On Sunday, June 1, Marshall County Central Dispatch received a call of an automated crash detection in the area of Lincoln Highway and Hawthorn Road.
Emergency personnel arrived on the scene and located the vehicle on the south side of the roadway about a half mile west of Hawthorn Road. The driver, Juan Rivera, 34, of Goshen, had complaints of back pain, and Lutheran Air Ambulance was called to the scene.
Officers on scene determined the vehicle was traveling west on Lincoln Highway, and for an unknown reason, the driver left the north side of the roadway before crossing both lanes of traffic and crashing into a set of trees.
The Marshall County Sheriff’s Department was assisted on the scene by Plymouth Fire & EMS, Lutheran Air Ambulance, and Reichert-Knepp Towing.
On May 30, at 5:30 pm, a Marshall County deputy stopped a black Jeep on US 30 at the east county line for speeding 93mph in a posted 60mph zone.
It was found that the driver, Shawn C. Allen Jr., 31 of Indianapolis, had been drinking. Allen agreed to field sobriety tests and a certified breath test. Allen was found to be intoxicated and tested at .10% and was arrested for operating while intoxicated. He was also charged with reckless driving and cited for speeding and an open container of alcohol.
On May 31, at 5:16 pm, Plymouth Police officers conducted a traffic stop on a pickup truck at Michigan Road/7B Road for an equipment and moving violation.
During the traffic stop, twenty-seven-year-old John L. Coleman of Elkhart was checked through Standardized Field Sobriety testing. Plymouth K-9 Officer Vinson and his partner Castor were also called to the stop. K-9 Castor alerted to the presence of narcotics in the vehicle.
Coleman was later transported to Plymouth Hospital for a chemical test and was found to be almost three times the legal limit on a certified chemical test. Coleman was then transported to Marshall County Jail and booked in for Operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated, .15% or higher, and legend drug deception.
Suspects are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
PLYMOUTH — On June 1, at 3:21 a.m., Plymouth Police units were dispatched to Jackson Heights Road for a physical altercation.
The parties involved had separated when officers arrived. While attempting to investigate the incident, Kayla L. Hurford, 32, of Plymouth, would not comply with the officer’s commands.
The list began to physically resist and was taken into custody. The listed suspect was transported to the Marshall County jail and lodged on the charge of resisting law enforcement.
Suspects are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
PLYMOUTH — On May 31 at 1:15 am, Plymouth Officers were dispatched the 300 block of 700 Berkely St regarding an unwanted man inside the residence.
Officers identified the man as 27-year-old Blake Brown, who did not live at the residence. Upon further investigation, it was discovered that Brown violated a protective order, with the protected party being a resident at the home.
Brown was taken into custody and 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 — On June 4 at 9:54 a.m., a vehicle driven by Javier Rosas, 46, of Syracuse was stopped for a traffic infraction. He was found to be operating a vehicle without having ever received a license. He was lodged at the Marshall County Jail.
On May 29 at 5:05 p.m., Officers with the Plymouth Police Department conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle whose plate showed the registered owner was suspended.
The vehicle pulled over on US 30 east of Plymouth, Goshen Trl. The registered owner wasn’t driving, but the driver informed the officer that he didn’t have a driver’s license. The driver was identified as Gutierrez Hernandez-Policarpio, 30, of Fort Wayne.
He was taken into custody and transported to Marshall County Jail, where he was booked in for operating a vehicle without a license.
On May 31, at 12:46 am Marshall County Deputies conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle for speeding and unsafe lane movement on US 30 and Cedar Rd.
The driver of the vehicle, Elvin Gerardo Cruz Martinez, 22, of Warsaw, was found to have never received a license. Elvin was taken into custody and booked for operating a vehicle without ever receiving a license.
