PLYMOUTH — The City of Plymouth Utilities will conduct its annual water main flushing program, beginning Monday, June 2. This will last for approximately 3 weeks.

Crews will be working Monday through Thursday, 6 AM to 4 PM.
The purpose is to scour and clean the inside of the water mains, removing mineral deposits and any other debris that may be present. The flushing could create a slightly lower water pressure than normal, and possibly some discolored water
for a short period. If the discolored water does occur, run the COLD water only for a few minutes. If the discolored water continues after a few minutes, contact the Plymouth Water Department at 574-936-2543, and a service person will investigate.

PLYMOUTH — On May 23 at 3:44 p.m., Officers with the Plymouth Police Department conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle because the registered owner was showing suspended.

The vehicle owner and driver were identified as Shayla Hatfield, 35, of Plymouth. The vehicle was pulled over in the parking lot of Quick Mart Gas Station. Hatfield was taken into custody for driving while suspended with a prior conviction.
While Hatfield was in the rear of the patrol vehicle, she slipped her hand out of the cuffs and retrieved methamphetamine from her bra to hide it, and was caught by the officer. Hatfield started to resist the officer when he tried to get the methamphetamine from her, and put her back in cuffs. She was placed back in cuffs and placed back into the patrol vehicle.
Two grams of Methamphetamine were recovered. Plymouth K9 Castor arrived on the scene and did a free air sniff of the vehicle. She was transported to Marshall County Jail and booked in for possession of methamphetamine, paraphernalia, resisting arrest, and driving while suspended with a prior conviction.

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

PLYMOUTH — On the evening of May 25 at approximately 9:05 pm, Plymouth and Marshall County Police were advised of a possibly impaired driver traveling south on Michigan Street from LaPaz.

A Marshall County Police Officer located the car and conducted a traffic stop on Michigan Street, just north of Airport Road, for moving violations. The driver, 28-year-old Christopher Hernandez of Plymouth, was suspected of being intoxicated, and two juvenile passengers were present in the vehicle.
A Plymouth Police Officer assigned to Operation Pull Over assisted and took over the investigation. A chemical test was completed, and Hernandez was taken into custody for Operating a Vehicle while Intoxicated-Endangering and Operating while Intoxicated-passenger less than 18. He was transported to the Marshall County Jail.

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

CULVER — The Culver Community Athletic Boosters Color Run will be June 7 at Noon.
You can choose between a fun 1-mile walk/run or a 5k. The 1-mile route will run around the Culver Schools Corporation, and the 5k route will run through downtown Culver.

Both routes will finish on the Culver Middle/High School football field. This will be a fun run with several color stations manned by CCHS athletes ready to toss color powder on you as you pass by.
Registration includes a white race t-shirt and neon sunglasses to wear to show off your colors. There will be an after-party on the football field.
There is still time to sign up at https://runsignup.com/Race/IN/Culver/CulverCommunitySchoolsBoosterClubColorRun

Average gasoline prices in Indiana have remained unchanged over the last week, averaging $ 3.19 per gallon today, according to GasBuddy’s survey of 3,271 stations in Indiana.

Prices in Indiana are 14.5 cents per gallon higher than a month ago and stand 42.6 cents per gallon lower than a year ago. The national average price of diesel has decreased 3.2 cents in the last week and stands at $3.476 per gallon.
According to GasBuddy price reports, the cheapest station in Indiana was priced at $2.27/g yesterday while the most expensive was $3.69/g, a difference of $1.42/g.
“While the national average didn’t fall quite as far as anticipated for Memorial Day, it was still one of the most affordable since 2021 and, when adjusted for inflation, among the cheapest in nearly a decade,” said Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy. “As we move into the heart of summer, I believe we’re likely to see a relatively stable stretch for gas prices as refinery maintenance wraps up. Don’t expect the national average to rise above $3.30 per gallon, nor drop much below $3 for now. While refining issues on the West Coast are beginning to ease, several factors could still influence prices in the weeks ahead, including growing uncertainty around the upcoming hurricane season.”
GasBuddy’s averages, graphs, maps, and historical pricing data covering the U.S. and Canada are available 24/7 at http://prices.GasBuddy.com.

PLYMOUTH — At their meeting last Thursday, the Marshall County Plan Commission discussed the topic of putting together the county’s ordinances for solar energy storage systems.

Marshall County Plan Director Nicholas Witwer and Board President and Commissioner Stan Klotz reported to the board about an informational meeting they had that morning with the Wabash Valley Power Alliance and REMC regarding battery energy storage systems. The meeting was to gather information for the board to put together the county ordinances that will govern such systems.
Witwer reported that the “takeaway” from the meeting was that some sort of battery energy storage systems will inevitably be a necessary part of the power distribution structure in the future. The presentation showed that with current power needs, in order to protect public access to electricity, the burden on the current transmission methods will have to be eased.
Klotz told the board that “we will see blackouts in the future” if the problem isn’t addressed. He said that he felt that “mini-nuclear” systems could also be in the future as a way to address the burden on current electricity transmission on the grid.
Witwer said they were informed that in the next three to five years, data centers alone would require 99 percent of the power currently being generated nationwide.
Klotz told the board the difference in the units they saw at the meeting as opposed to the system recently denied a variance by the Marshall County BZA were that they were smaller, safer for the public, adding that REMC is interested in Marshall County and not just in making money and adding most of the power will stay in the county rather than going onto the grid. He suggested that the systems he saw in the presentation might even warrant considering a separate category for those systems as they consider the new ordinance.
In February, the Marshall County Commissioners placed a moratorium on four types of solar-related projects: farm-scale solar projects, utility-scale battery energy storage systems, data centers, and carbon capture projects in Marshall County.

BOURBON — ​The Marshall County Sheriff’s Department received several 911 calls regarding a barn on fire in the 2000 block of 9B Road.

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The caller stated heavy smoke with flames showing and several explosions from inside. No animals were ​ injured. ​The barn was full of straw and hay. ​The cause of the fire is under investigation by the Fire Department. ​ ​
​Agencies Involved were ​Bourbon Fire,​ Bremen Fire,​ Tippecanoe Fire,​ Etna Township Fire,​ Lutheran EMS,​ and the Marshall County Sheriff’s Department.

PLYMOUTH — On May 25, at 5:00 pm, Plymouth Police were dispatched to the BP gas station about two men who had pulled a firearm on another.

While officers were en route, Marshall County Dispatch advised that the vehicle was driving North on Plum St. Officers located the vehicle on First St. and initiated a traffic stop on the vehicle and ordered the occupants out at gunpoint.
While searching the vehicle, the firearm was located in plain view, as well as narcotics and drug paraphernalia. Miguel Hernandez, 32, and Pablo Gonzalez Candelaria, 33, were taken into custody and transported to the Marshall County Jail where they were lodged on the following charges of dealing cocaine, possession of cocaine, possession of a firearm by a serious violent felon, intimidation with a deadly weapon, possession of a schedule III controlled substance, battery, possession of paraphernalia.

Suspects are considered innocent until proven guilty.

PLYMOUTH — Plymouth Mayor Robert Listenberger made the announcement of an initial list of projects that have been identified as likely priorities for the city in the coming years.

In a press release, Listenberger laid out the projects that he says reflect a commitment to enhancing the city’s infrastructure, cultural offerings, and overall quality of life.
The release states that “…this list can and will likely change over time based on the city’s priorities and funding sources.”
It goes on to state that none of the projects are contingent upon the others. Each initiative will be approached as part of a dynamic and evolving process, focusing on identifying, preparing, and budgeting for them individually.
Initial Project List:
Downtown Streetscape: Revitalizing the downtown area to create a more vibrant and welcoming environment for residents and visitors.
Heartland Art Center: Supporting local cultural and artistic endeavors to foster creativity and community engagement.
Housing: Addressing residential needs through thoughtful development and planning.
Centennial Park Pool: Replacing and enhancing recreational facilities to better serve families and individuals.
Jefferson/Lincoln Highway Corridor: Improving connectivity and infrastructure along this key route from City limits to City limits and beyond.
Oak Road Corridor: Developing a strategic vision for the corridor’s growth and transportation needs with safety as a primary focus.
Fire/Police Station: Ensuring modern facilities to support the vital work of our first responders.
Historic Firehouse: Preserving and repurposing the historic firehouse as a piece of Plymouth’s heritage.
Harrison Street Trail: Expanding transportation infrastructure and opportunities through safety enhancements.
Waterstreet Brownfield: Creating development opportunities through environmental restoration of brownfield sites for future use.
Local Road and Street Budget: Increase funding to maintain and improve roadway infrastructure.
Process
The Administration is in the process of coordinating with the City Council to identify the priorities of the City. We recognize the importance of the various projects and are working together to determine the most financially responsible route forward. Many of these projects are broken down into multiple distinct phases. Most projects begin with a Discovery phase to determine the exact needs and how those needs can be met. After Discovery, a project moves into a Design phase where the City works internally or with outside partners to design the project. Once a design is chosen the Council moves it into the Implementation phase where construction begins. Each phase has its associated costs and timelines which makes the long term planning of these projects critical to the overall City Budget.
Next Steps:
The City of Plymouth remains committed to transparency and community involvement throughout the planning and implementation of these projects. This list represents a proactive approach to ensuring our community’s growth and development aligns with the needs of our residents. As we move forward, we invite feedback and collaboration from the public to refine and prioritize these initiatives.
For additional information on any of these projects or to share your thoughts, please contact the Mayor’s Office directly. Together, we can build a stronger and brighter future for Plymouth.

PLYMOUTH — On May 21 at 4:36 p.m., Officers with the Plymouth Police Department were dispatched to Walmart. The caller advised that two men had been entering and exiting the store, and when they saw the staff, they fled the store quickly.

They reported that one man was wearing an orange mask. They advised that they got into a silver Chrysler 300 with Michigan plates.
When an officer arrived on the scene, he located the silver Chrysler 300 with the windows fogged up and a male party sitting in the passenger seat. As the officer approached the vehicle, he detected an odor of marijuana coming from the vehicle.
While talking to the male in the vehicle, who was identified as Johnathan Allen, 30, of Taylor, MI, he was asked if there was marijuana in the vehicle. He said yes. A vehicle search was conducted, and 37.1 grams of marijuana were located along with a scale.
Allen was taken into custody and transported to the Marshall County Jail, booked for possession of marijuana.

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

PLYMOUTH — On the evening of May 21 at 9:15 pm, Plymouth Police officers responded to a call of a possible intoxicated driver at Culvers on Michigan St.

The vehicle was stopped in the drive-thru line of Culvers, with the vehicle still in drive. The driver, 63-year-old James Johnson of Plymouth.
Johnson was found to be intoxicated and a chemical test was completed. Johnson was taken into custody after his blood alcohol level was found to be .351, more than 4 times the legal limit. Johnson was lodged at the Marshall County Jail on preliminary misdemeanor charges of OWI with a BAC over .15 and OWI-Endangering.

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

PLYMOUTH — On May 21 at 6:14 p.m., Officers with the Marshall County Sheriff’s Department, along with the Plymouth Police Department, were dispatched to the area of US 30 eastbound from the west County Line for a wanted person.

A Marshall County Officer located the vehicle on US 30, west of Oak Drive, and conducted a traffic stop. The woman who was wanted was taken into custody. After running the driver’s information, it was determined that the driver of the vehicle, Kendall Robertson, 25, of Kendallville, also had a warrant out of Noble County and was taken into custody and transported to Marshall County Jail.

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

Americans plan to hit the road with more budget-savvy strategies

DALLAS, TX – GasBuddy, the leading fuel savings platform saving North American drivers the most money on gas, today released its 2025 Summer Travel Survey results and forecast for summer travel, revealing that American road trip culture remains resilient despite ongoing economic uncertainty.

GasBuddy forecasts that the national average price of gasoline will be $3.08 per gallon on Memorial Day, making it the cheapest Memorial Day at the pump since 2021, but the lowest inflation-adjusted since 2003. Prices are forecast to average $3.02 per gallon over the summer from Memorial Day through Labor Day, with a sub-$3 per gallon national average possible on some days, especially toward the latter half of the summer.
According to GasBuddy’s survey, 69% of Americans plan to take a road trip this summer, slightly lower than the 76% of respondents who planned to travel last summer. The average traveler is planning multiple journeys – the majority (32%) intend to take two road trips this season.
Among major travel holidays, Memorial Day leads with 52% of travelers planning road trips, followed by Independence Day at 42% and Labor Day at 35%.
While inflation remains a concern for many households, 47% of respondents report that the cost of gas is not impacting their travel plans. However, cost has emerged as the No. 1 priority for travelers this summer, ahead of factors like destination and accommodations.
“While we’re forecasting the lowest summer gas prices in years, economic jitters are slightly dampening optimism — but we still expect a robust travel season, with millions of Americans hitting the road, many for extended trips,” said Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy. “Rather than canceling plans, travelers are becoming more strategic with their spending.”

PLYMOUTH — On May 18, Plymouth Police conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle traveling south on S. Michigan St.

The driver of the vehicle, Joseph A. Romenzak, 50, of Knox, had an active arrest warrant out of Marshall County. Also found inside the vehicle was a Schedule III Narcotic.
Romenzak was arrested and transported to the Marshall County Jail to await his court date.

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

SOUTH BEND – According to a press release from the South Bend Airport, Allegiant Travel Company has announced that they are adding a new route to South Bend Airport this fall. The route will travel from South Bend International Airport to Fort Lauderdale / Miami, Florida via Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International. According to the press release, this and the other new routes Allegiant added will provide the only nonstop service between these cities.

South Bend International Airport’s CEO and Executive Director, Mike Daigle, said the new route gives the community the much-requested nonstop access to the southeast side of Florida.
Allegiant Air announced new routes at six other airports for the fall, including in Tennessee and Alabama.

Indiana Department of Transportation contractor Superior Construction will conduct a pipe lining project on U.S. 31 between C.R. 375 N and Olson Rd beginning on or after Tuesday, May 27.

The shoulders of U.S. 31 will be closed for approximately three weeks while this work is occurring. Impacts to traffic will be minimal, but motorists are encouraged to be alert for road crews and construction equipment.
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 — The Marshall County Commissioners spent the majority of their Monday meeting hearing the concerns of citizens in the area of Lake Latonka and Lawrence Lake about the Marshall County Sewer District and, in particular, Board President Thomas McFadden.

Speaking for the group, Bill Woodward outlined their concerns, focusing on the lack of citizen input in the process and the fiscal repercussions to those in the district.
The Marshall County Sewer District was formed in April of 2022 to address septic system concerns in high-concentration areas such as subdivisions, trailer parks, and lake communities, including groundwater contamination, along with properties being unusable after the failure of a septic system.
In March of this year, Commissioner Jesse Bohannon had expressed concern over the fiscal responsibility of the board, saying they had already incurred a significant debt, and at Monday’s meeting, restated that the Sewer district had issued a $3 million bond and had spent $700,000 to date. The District had not received an expected grant from the state, and without the money from that grant, the cost to consumers would be nearly $220 a month.
Woodward said that his research had also shown that many hooking up to the proposed system would incur between $6-10,000 in costs, both of which would be a hardship to many. He said that other, more cost-effective options to the proposed sewer plan already in the works fell on deaf ears with McFadden.
The group told the Commissioners that when they asked about their options and if they could choose not to hook into the system, they were told they could apply for an exemption. If they did not receive that exemption, they were told that they would be fined and their homes could be taken from them. Woodward said that those exemptions were rarely given.
The group also had concerns over the approach of Board President McFadden, who seemed to have no concern for the apprehensions, and according to Woodward, had repeatedly said that the project would happen in spite of those concerns.
Bohannon suggested that they request McFadden to come before the Commissioners in their next meeting, but since that attendance could not be required, they felt he would likely not attend.
President of the Commissioners Stan Klotz felt that they needed to research information on what action they could legally take and what would be the best way to proceed. The decision was reached that County Attorney Sean Surrissi would research the legal precedents and courses of action of the situation and report to the Commissioners at their next meeting.

PLYMOUTH — On the afternoon of May 17, at 2:30 P.M., Plymouth Police were dispatched to The Red Rock Inn for the reports of a suspicious man refusing to leave.

Officers arrived on the scene and identified the man as Anthony Hymas, 47, from Hanover, PA. Police spoke with parties on scene and were advised that Hymas had battered another person while in the Lobby of the Motel.
Hymas was transported and lodged at the Marshall County Jail and charged with Battery.

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

On May 19,​ at 2 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 11th Road.

The driver, 21- 21-year-old Promize Johnson, was found to have an Indiana Driver’s License with the status of Suspended with a Prior Conviction. During the traffic stop,​ a handgun suspected of being ​unlawfully possessed was located in the vehicle. ​
Johnson was transported to the Marshall County Jail and booked for Unlawful Carrying ​of a Handgun – Class A Misdemeanor and ​Driving While Suspended with a Prior Conviction – Class A Misdemeanor.

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

PLYMOUTH — The Marshall County Historical Society and the Marshall County Museum are planning their second Casino Night Fundraiser to be held on June 13 at the historic REES Theatre in downtown Plymouth.

The theme is a trip back in time to the glamorous Copacabana Night Club of the 1950s. Be prepared for fun, games of chance, and a few surprises. You’ll play craps, blackjack, poker and roulette in a perfect Art Deco setting. Grab your daddio, put on your swingin’ threads, and mingle with the cool cats in our far-out hot spot!
In addition to the game prizes, we will have a Silent Auction featuring items donated by local businesses and individuals. There will be something for everyone! Funds raised will support this year’s community programming and much-needed technology purchases.
The party starts on June 13 at 5:30 p.m. Tickets are limited and are $50 each, which includes heavy hors d’oeuvres, music from Jack Shellac Gramophone DJ, and $25 in chips. Cash bar. Sponsorship opportunities are still available, and all donations are appreciated. Call 574-936-2306 for more information.