ARGOS — On May 30,​ at 2:45 p.m., a Marshall County Sheriff’s Department K-9 Deputy conducted a traffic stop with a vehicle in the area of US 31 and 9A Road. The driver of the vehicle was identified as 42-year-old Aaron Brown. One of the passengers was identified as 46-year-old Melvin Soloman.

Brown was found to have a license status of Habitual Traffic Violator and was suspected of operating a vehicle while intoxicated. Soloman was found to have an active warrant for his arrest through Hamilton County,​ Indiana.
Soloman was transported to the Marshall County Jail and booked for his active warrant and held without bond. Brown was transported to the Plymouth Hospital for a chemical test. Upon doing so,​ he was found to be over three times the legal limit of alcohol. Brown was transported to the Marshall County Jail and booked for Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated In the Presence of a Passenger Less Than 18 Years of Age – Level 6 Felony,​ Operating a Vehicle as a Habitual Traffic Violator – Level 6 Felony,​ and Reckless Driving – Class A Misdemeanor.

The Marshall County Sheriff’s Department was assisted by the Indiana State Police and Argos Police Department.

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.

On Monday, June 2,​ at 12:50 pm, a Marshall County Deputy was working highway detail in a fully marked police vehicle and observed a silver Jeep Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV) traveling at least 50 miles per hour in a posted 45 miles per hour construction zone with workers present.

The Deputy caught up with the vehicle and ran the plate. It showed the registered owner having a suspended license. A traffic stop was made on that vehicle in the area of US 31 and 9A road. The driver was identified as 66-year-old Edward Strack of Rochester. It was found that Strack was operating a vehicle on a license that had a status of suspended with a prior. He was transported to the Marshall County Jail.

On June 2 at 8:59 a.m., a vehicle driven by Danielle Wright, 30, of Merrillville was stopped for a traffic infraction at US 31 and 9A Road. She was found to have a license status of suspended-prior. Wright was lodged at the Marshall County Jail.

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

INDIANAPOLIS – Today, the Indiana State Fair unveiled the first full wave of its 2025 list of scheduled concerts as a part of the Hoosier Lottery Free Stage schedule, August 1-17.

The Hoosier Lottery Free Stage has become a summertime staple for concert goers and music lovers. The lineup each year consists of some of music’s most legendary and diverse acts and this year is no exception. All shows at the Hoosier Lottery Free Stage are free with paid fair admission, and seating is first-come, first-served. All shows start at 7:30 p.m., unless noted otherwise. Discount tickets can be purchased for the 2025 Indiana State Fair today at indianastatefair.com/.
The first wave of concerts includes:
● Three Dog Night – Friday, August 1 – opening day
● Disney Throwback DJ Night – Saturday, August 2
● Babyface – Wednesday, August 6
● Bill Murray and His Blood Brothers – Friday, August 8
● Melissa Etheridge – Friday, August 15
There is a limited number of reserved viewing area tickets available now for the concerts. The 2025 Indiana State Fair is scheduled to open on Friday, August 1, and runs through August 17, when you can enjoy The Greatest 15 Days of Summer at this iconic Hoosier tradition. For more information, please visit IndianaStatefair.com or follow the Indiana State Fair on Facebook, Instagram, and X. The Indiana State Fair will be highlighted by its 2025 theme, “Soundtrack of Summer,” presented by Get Prepared Indiana.

PLYMOUTH — On June 3, at 9:02 pm, officers with the Plymouth Police Department conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle for a headlight out on US 30 east of Michigan St.

The occupants of the vehicle, 22-year-old Iyonna Dupree-Smith and 34-year-old Ronald Shorter Jr, initially provided officers with false names and dates of birth. Officers were eventually able to correctly identify both subjects, and they were both found to have warrants out of Allen County. Also found on the suspects was a Glock handgun fully loaded with 15 15-round magazines, as well as a separate fully loaded 50-round drum magazine.
Shorter Jr and Dupree-Smith were both taken into custody and transported to the Marshall County Jail, where they were booked for their warrants and obstruction of justice.

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

PLYMOUTH — On May 31 at 12:39 a.m., Plymouth Police were dispatched to the Speedway on N Michigan St. for a man who was being aggressive towards a woman.

Arriving on the scene, Police identified Brandyn S. Ross, 32, of Lakeville, who was in a verbal altercation with a woman.
There was a protective order in place between the two parties. Ross was also found to be under the influence of alcohol and had ridden to the convenience store on a motorcycle.
Ross was arrested for invasion of privacy and operating a vehicle while intoxicated. He was transported to the Marshall County Jail.

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

PLYMOUTH — Marshall County Highway Superintendent Jason Peters, along with the Marshall County Commissioners, continues to look at equipment and technology upgrades for efficiency in the department.

Monday, at their regular meeting, both heard a presentation from Slater Rush of Vialytics that produces software that easily records the condition of a municipality’s roads, signs, culverts, bridges, and any other assets via smartphone.
Rush outlined the AI-based software that uses a normal smartphone mounted on a vehicle to record roads throughout the county while analyzing their conditions. The software can produce a PASER (Pavement Surface Evaluation and Rating) rating that can be used when applying for grant funds, and can also generate work orders for repairs necessary as they are recorded.
The software is by a three-year subscription rate of $49,000 a year and includes three cell phones for the county to use, along with professional training and consultation that will tailor the software to fit the exact needs of the county.
The data gathered would be the property of the county highway and could be combined with the current GIS system.
The Commissioners and Peters expressed their desire to pursue the software further, but expressed a need to look at the budget to see where the expense would fit, whether an additional appropriation request for the current budget year or adding it to the highway budget for 2026.
Peters also reported on a demonstration he had been given of a “Dura Patch” machine that the county could purchase for patching roads regardless of weather. He also said the manufacturer claims that use of the machine could save up to 40 percent on patching materials.

CULVER — The Town of Culver has partnered with Indiana University’s Environmental Resilience Institute Resilience Cohort- Urban Green Infrastructure project as part of the 2025 McKinney Climate Fellows program.

This program aims to plant trees where they are needed most, with sites identified through canopy cover analysis and social/environmental factors in the town, ensure success and health of planted trees with a tree maintenance plan and contracted professional follow-up care, and increase community resilience through expanded tree canopy cover, reversing decline due to environmental stress and development.
Emerson Wells, McKinney Climate Fellow, will be hosting “Office Hours” at the Culver Coffee Company from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. EST on the remaining Mondays in June (6/9, 6/16, 6/23, and 6/30). Please stop by to introduce yourself to Emerson, learn more about the project, and share your thoughts about trees and the larger urban canopy in Culver.

PLYMOUTH — On Monday,​ June 2,​ at 2:30 AM, Deputy Ash with the Marshall County Sheriff’s Department conducted a traffic stop with a vehicle on U.S. 30 in the area of Oak Dr for exceeding the posted speed limit.

During the investigation, a probable cause search of the vehicle was conducted,​ and suspected marijuana, along with numerous firearms, were located inside the vehicle. ​A ​passenger in the vehicle, ​identified as 21-year-old ​Sincier S. Hutchins of Fort Wayne,​ was found to be in possession of a stolen firearm as well as being in possession of a firearm that had been altered with a device commonly referred to as a “Glock Switch”. Hutchins was subsequently arrested and transported to the Marshall County Jail, where he was booked for Possession of a Stolen Firearm,​ Possession of a Machine Gun Without a License,​ and Possession of Marijuana. Hutchins.

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

ST. JOSEPH COUNTY – Indiana Department of Transportation contractor Temple & Temple Excavating & Paving Inc will have a lane closure on State Road 23 beginning on or after Monday, June 9.

The right lane of northbound State Road 23 will be closed between U.S. 20/31 and Renewable Rd through late June for a culvert lining project.
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 June 2 at 3:55 p.m., Officers with the Plymouth Police Department were dispatched to Walnut St. and Laporte St for a property damage crash.

The caller advised that he was stopped at the light at Michigan St. and Oak Hill Ave., and the vehicle rear-ended his vehicle and took off. The caller followed the vehicle, and the vehicle ran the light at Michigan St and Laporte St., turning west on Laporte and then stopping on Walnut St.
When officers arrived on the scene, the driver, identified as Casandra Brown, 36 years old of Rochester, was sitting behind the vehicle and trying to blow into the interlock system. Brown was slurring her words and was very unsteady on her feet.
Brown was transported to Plymouth Hospital for a certified blood draw, testing positive for cannabis. Brown was transported to Marshall County Jail and booked in for OWI with a prior conviction, OWI Endangerment, and Leaving the scene of a property damage crash.

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

PLYMOUTH — The Marshall County Commissioners continued the process of addressing concerns with the Marshall County Sewer District Board and, in particular, its President Thomas McFadden.

Two weeks ago, the Commissioners heard the concerns of citizens in the district about the cost of the proposed project in the Lake Latonka, Lawrence Lake area. Currently, it is estimated that the project would be at a cost of $220 a month for each user, with an additional cost to hook up to the system that could run as high as $10,000.
In addition, the board has issued a $3 million bond with the cost to be offset by an anticipated grant. The District did not receive that grant and, in addition, has spent between $700,000 to $800,000.
Citizens also expressed concern about McFadden having an apparent lack of attention to the concerns that had been continually expressed to the board.
The Commissioners asked County Attorney Sean Surrissi to examine whether or not they had the power to remove members of the board and just how much power they would have over the actions of the board.
Surrissi said that his opinion was that, as an appointed board, the members served “at the will” of the officers who made the appointments. He had prepared an ordinance for the Commissioners to consider that, in effect, stated that, as a point of clarity, which the Commissioners considered on first reading.
Surrissi further told the board that, as one of the initial petitioners who asked for the formation of the sewer district, he felt the Commissioners could ask IDEM to reconsider its formation if they could present new evidence of why it was no longer needed that was unavailable at the time. He said that the current state of the economy could be considered just such evidence.
Surrissi had also drafted a letter for delivery to McFadden, requesting him to come before the Commissioners at their next meeting.
During the comment section of the meeting, the attorney for the Sewer District, Chris Nussbaum, addressed the Commissioners, stating that it was his legal opinion that the members of the board were appointed for specific terms and that they could not be removed before the completion of that term. He produced case law for Surrissi to examine in support of that view and told the Commissioners he looked forward to continuing to examine the issue.
Commissioner Jesse Bohannon then told Nussbaum that he disagreed with his legal opinion and suggested that he advise his clients that “…it would be wise to them that if they want to remain on that board, to start listening to public input.”

By Anita Goodan

The Culver Town Council will be holding a public hearing soon to take comments on a proposal to increase the town’s water rates.

The council members received studies from Baker Tilly officials and previously held a work session to go over the studies.  The rates have not been increased in 10 years and it was explained that with upcoming capital improvements needed and the cost of replacing 180 lead water lines the time is now to increase the rates.  

It was also noted that the rates were not increased in 2020 when proposed so there would be no additional burden on costs to residents during the pandemic.  There was another opportunity to adjust rates, but the decision was made to not raise rates at that time.  

As an example, Clerk-Treasurer Karen Heim said a consumer using 1,000 gallons will experience a total utility bill of $90.22 if the council moves forward with the recommendation by Baker Tilly.  The total utility bill includes the cost of water, sewer, waste collection, sales tax, storm water, and fire protection. 

Town Council President Bill Cleavenger stated that if The Dunes project had not come to fruition, the proposed bill would be even steeper.  

It was mentioned during the last Culver Town Council meeting that sewer rate adjustments are not needed at this time.

Councilwoman Ginny Munroe made a motion to authorize the scheduling of a public hearing on the matter which will be determined by Baker Tilly and will be advertised when set.  The council voted unanimously to approve the motion.

PLYMOUTH — Dustin’s Place will hold its annual golf fundraiser on Friday, June 13, at Pretty Lake Golf Club in Plymouth.

Registration runs from 11:30 am – 12:30 pm. Lunch will start at noon with a shotgun start at 1:00 pm.
Dustin’s Place is a non-profit organization that provides grief support for children ages 4 through 18, as well as adults, at no cost. Their mission is to support those who are grieving, educate the community, and inspire hope.
The tournament will be a 4 person scramble format. The $400 team registration includes tournament entry, cart fees, and lunch. There is also some availability for sponsorships
You can register or sign up for a sponsorship at https://www.dustinsplace.org/golftourney

Average gasoline prices in Indiana have fallen 15.1 cents per gallon in the last week, averaging $3.06/g today, according to GasBuddy’s survey of 3,271 stations in Indiana. Prices in Indiana are 16.1 cents per gallon lower than a month ago and stand 39.9 cents per gallon lower than a year ago. The national average price of diesel has decreased 2.4 cents in the last week and stands at $3.465 per gallon.

According to GasBuddy price reports, the cheapest station in Indiana was priced at $2.58/g yesterday while the most expensive was $3.89/g, a difference of $1.31/g.
“The national average price of gasoline has continued its gentle descent over the last week, with the most notable declines seen in the Great Lakes region, where a minor refinery issue was resolved, sending wholesale gas prices lower,” said Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy. “We’re also beginning to see prices retreat in California, a trend that should soon extend across much of the West Coast as additional gasoline shipments from Asia help offset recent refinery disruptions. While gasoline inventories remain somewhat tight heading into the summer, I’m optimistic that increased refinery output could pave the way for further price declines. That said, any unexpected outages could still cause short-term price bumps.”
GasBuddy’s averages, graphs, maps, and historical pricing data covering the U.S. and Canada are available 24/7 at http://prices.GasBuddy.com.

The Culver Town Council members approved the first reading on several ordinances during their meeting May 22. 

The additional appropriations ordinance was approved on first reading following a public hearing on the matter.  They also approved the first reading of an amendment of the 2025 salary ordinance that pertains to a part-time park assistant and other personnel at the park.  Those salaries will undergo a re-evaluation at the end of the summer season.  The council also approved the first reading of an ordinance that would attach an allocation area with the second bond in a TIF area.  Those ordinances will be revisited for additional readings in a future meeting.   

The council also heard from Marianne Peters who is the executive director of the Marshall County Solid Waste District.  She invited Culver residents to take part in the county-wide tire amnesty day Saturday, June 21 from 8 a.m to 3 p.m. ET at the Marshall County Recycle Depot.  Residents can take up to 10 tires at a time during the event.  She said a grant from IDEM is allowing for the event to encourage property owners to rid the area of tires to improve aesthetics and clear out any health hazards caused by the sedentary state of tires.  Property owners will need to provide proof of residency when participating in the event.  If there are questions, call 574-935-8618. 

Additionally, the council unanimously approved a recommendation by the Culver Plan Commission to include a sentence in the zoning ordinance regarding solar energy systems and energy storage systems in which the Culver Town Manager can step in with the authority as the building commissioner should the building commissioner’s position be vacant.  

PLYMOUTH — The Marshall County Historical Society is sponsoring a Brown Bag Lunch & Lecture Event on Friday, June 13th, from Noon – 1 p.m. Culver historians Jeff Kenney and The Very Rev. Dr. John Houghton will present a fascinating look at the “Little Known Ladies of Culver.”

Whether it’s an international aeronautics pioneer, an Alabama librarian who took a nationally-recognized stand against racism, a Potawatomi woman who heavily influenced equal rights for women and men in her tribe, or an infamous serial killer or mystery women who may have created new lives with secrets left behind, chances are you’ve never heard of at least some of these Culver-area women who led unusual lives. 
Fr. Houghton, president of the Culver Historical Society, is a sixth-generation Culver native and author of a plethora of articles and books. He’s a graduate of Culver Military Academy with advanced degrees from Harvard, IU, Yale, and Notre Dame (and is often seen around Culver with his dog, Beda).
Like Houghton, Kenney is a descendant of Culver-area pioneers and a frequent speaker and writer on topics of local history. He serves as Museum and Archives Manager for Culver Academies. 
The Brown Bag event will be held at the Marshall County Historical Society & Museum, 123 N. Michigan St., Plymouth. Pack a lunch and learn with us! For more information, please call 574-936-2306.

PLYMOUTH — On June 1, Plymouth Police were notified of an individual driving northbound on N Michigan St. who had attempted to meet up with a 13-year-old.

The driver was stopped and detained while an investigation was conducted. A member of the Big Country Predator Exposure program produced evidence detailing graphic messages and phone calls between Larry Charlton Jr., 42, of Walkerton, and the 13-year-old. Charlton then traveled to a location in Plymouth under the assumption that the 13-year-old would be waiting for him.
Charlton instead was met by a member of the Big Country Predator Exposure Program, who then called the police.
Charlton was arrested for Child Solicitation and transported to the Marshall County Jail.

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