On Monday June 16,​ at 4:50 a.m., Argos Police observed a disabled vehicle at US 31 and 17th road in the southbound lanes.

The vehicle was identified as a red Volkswagen that appeared to have a flat tire. The officer went to check on the driver, who was slumped over the wheel. A Marshall County Deputy arrived on the scene to assist. The driver and only person in the vehicle was identified as 23-year-old Christopher White of South Bend. White was found to be operating a vehicle while intoxicated.

On Sunday,​ June 15,​ at 7:30 p.m., Marshall County Central Dispatch was notified of a possibly impaired driver traveling eastbound on U.S. 30 from the west county line.
The 911 caller described the driver as being all over the roadway and unable to maintain the speed limit. Marshall County Sheriff’s Deputies later located the suspect vehicle. They conducted a traffic stop in the area of U.S. 30 and Oak Dr. During the investigation, it was suspected ​that the driver of the vehicle, identified as 50-year-old Mark J. Pearce of Waseca,​ Minnesota was operating under the influence of alcohol.

Pearce was transported to Plymouth Hospital for a certified chemical test and found to be just over three times the legal limit of alcohol. Pearce was transported to the Marshall County Jail, where he was booked for ​Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated.

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

PLYMOUTH — A name change and new leadership are in the works for Bardwell Aquatic Center in Plymouth.

Bob Sturtevant appeared before the Plymouth Redevelopment Commission to outline the changes that have occurred in the leadership and direction of the aquatic center over the past three months.
The facility has been struggling to remain open due to the cost of day-to-day operations. The not-for-profit running the center was forced to ask for a “pre-payment” of support money for the year from the city of Plymouth to continue keeping the doors open.
Over the past several months, Plymouth Mayor Robert Listenberger assembled a group of interested citizens to explore ways to keep the facility open and put together an entity to run the day-to-day operations.
Sturtevant told the board that while the financing to construct the facility was “pretty impressive,” the plan to operate the facility “never really got off the ground.”
The decision of the group is that the facility and the not-for-profit that operates it will be “rebranded,” renaming the group as “Plymouth Aquatics,” and the facility itself will now be known as the “Plymouth Community Aquatics Center.”
Sturtevant said the goal is to make the facility a community center and take advantage of sponsorships and advertising opportunities to help the bottom line. He told the board that the group had a goal to raise $300,000 a year for the facility and had already raised $100,000 to date. He said that a fund would shortly be set up with the Marshall County Community Foundation to handle those donations.
Sturtevant told the Commission that the plan was to expand programming, especially community events, and would start with the facility being open for “free swimming” on Sundays in July.
Another member of the group, Francis Ellert, told the board that a business plan for the facility was in the works and would be completed soon and made available to them.

PLYMOUTH — On Friday June 14,​ at 7:07 p.m., a Marshall County Deputy conducted a traffic stop in the area of US 31 and 11th Road for a traffic infraction.

The driver,​ identified as 25 year 25-year-old Sarah Ellers of Indianapolis, was driving on a suspended license. Suspected marijuana vape pens and mushrooms were located in her vehicle.
Ellers was transported to the Marshall County Jail, where she was booked for possession of a schedule 1-5 controlled substance, a level 6 Felony,​ Driving While Suspended Prior, a class A Misdemeanor, and Possession of Marijuana, a class B Misdemeanor.

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

PLYMOUTH — On the afternoon of June 11, Plymouth Police were dispatched to the area of Walnut St. and North St., for the report of a large amount of blood on the ground and nobody around.

Officers located a man at the intersection of Jefferson St. and Walnut St., who was very disoriented and had trauma to his face and body. It was discovered that Eric Goodrich, 48, of Plymouth, was intoxicated and sustained injuries while riding his bicycle.
He was transported to Saint Joseph Medical Center of Plymouth and transported and lodged in the Marshall County Jail for Public Intoxication.

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

PLYMOUTH — Marshall County Highway Superintendent Jason Peters reported to the Marshall County Commissioners on Monday regarding the progress on the local highway projects.

Peters told the Commissioners that the workers started on the chip and seal program on May 29, and as of June 16, they had completed 14 miles of triple chip and seal in the county for $541,908.54.
According to Peters, the highway department was able to add additional work to the program. Originally, a project on 9th Road was scheduled for chip and seal, but was added to the Community Crossings paving projects for the year, and so additional stretches around the county were able to see chip and seal among those:
US 6 to the county line
Jarah from 6B to 7th Rd
Lilac from 3rd Rd to 4A Rd
Linden from 6th Rd to 1B Rd
Plymouth/LaPorte Trail from 4N Rd to 3B Rd
Milestone was awarded the bid for the year’s Community Crossings Grant projects, and Peters requested the Commissioners to approve possible additional projects for that list, depending on available funding, either from the grant or by approval of the County Council.
Those projects include:
King Rd from Lincolnway to US 30/9A Rd
Cedar Rd from 9th Rd to 9A Rd.
9th Rd to Richter
Quail Ridge Rd from 12th Rd to the dead end
Kenilworth Rd from the railroad tracks to Dewey St.
Peters told the Commissioners that the estimated cost for all of those projects would be an estimated $535,000 and added that it included a discount for Milestone to complete since the projects were all in the direct vicinity of where the company will be completing a scheduled project and would eliminate a setup charge.
The Commissioners voted to approach the County Council with the request for funding.

PLYMOUTH — On June 16, Plymouth Police Officers were dispatched to the 1300 block of W. Jefferson St regarding a domestic battery investigation.

Officers arrived and spoke with 32-year-old Christian Everage, who stated that his ex-girlfriend, 29-year-old Dora Sellhausen, of Plymouth, had battered him inside his apartment while his child was present.
When officers went to speak with Sellhausen regarding the incident, she appeared heavily intoxicated and hysterical. As officers attempted to place Sellhausen into custody, she became resistant and fought with officers. She was successfully taken into custody and transported to the Marshall County Jail, where she was booked and lodged for domestic battery in the presence of a minor, battery against a public safety official engaged in official duty, battery by use of bodily waste, and resisting law enforcement.

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

PLYMOUTH — On June 16 at 10:25 P.M., a Marshall County Deputy initiated a traffic stop on a vehicle in the area of US 30 and King Road. During the traffic stop, the odor of marijuana was detected coming from within the car.

The deputy requested assistance from additional units, including Plymouth PD. Marshall County deputies searched the vehicle and located suspected marijuana as well as a small amount of unidentified pills. Both men in the car, Keshaun Lamar Woods, 23, and Immanuel Ryshawn Walker, 26, both of Ft. Wayne, were taken into custody and transported to the Marshall County Jail, where they were lodged for possession of a legend drug and possession of marijuana with a prior conviction.

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

By Anita Goodan

Two bids for the Lakeshore Drive widening project were opened during the Culver Town Council meeting Thursday, June 12.  The project was awarded funds through the Community Crossings Matching Grany program.

The project involves the widening of Lakeshore Drive from Academy to State Road 10 and moving sanitation/sewer lines. 

Town Attorney Kevin Tankersley opened a bid from Milestone Contractors whose base bid was $557,400.  The other bid submitted was from Phend and Brown in the amount of $718,815.74.  A motion was made and approved by the members present to approve the bid from Milestone Contractors pending the review of Utility Superintendent Bob Porter.  

PLYMOUTH — Heartland Artists in Plymouth has put out a call for volunteers to help bring downtown Plymouth to life for the 11th Annual ARTS in the Street Festival on Saturday, July 26.

From setup to teardown and everything in between, there’s a spot for you to lend a hand and soak up the fun. Volunteers who work even one 2.5-hour shift get a free, newly designed festival t-shirt. For two shifts, you’ll also snag a festival tote bag or hat. Recruit a friend and you’ll be entered to win a $100 Gift Certificate to Heartland.
Morning setup volunteers get coffee and donuts, and all volunteers get major shoutouts and the Center’s never-ending gratitude.
For more information or the sign up (click on) go to https://heartlandartgallery.com/art-in-the-street-3/?fbclid=IwY2xjawK-kyhleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETEwUHlERHJYWHY0cGRtclZBAR7jKE4LDdy7j3vFXGPQU_BrrOgmaP2QXv-gL8cyjiXzzO-U789-zzjcR_A4UA_aem_KvvVylRdHSjhtgshuHavVw

INDIANAPOLIS – The Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) has forecast an Air Quality Action Day (AQAD) for Tuesday, June 17, 2025.

Ozone levels are expected to be in the Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups range (Orange) in the following areas:
North Central Indiana, including the cities of: Elkhart, Goshen, Knox, Logansport, Plymouth, Peru, South Bend, Warsaw, Winamac and all other cities within the area.
Northwest Indiana, including the cities of: Crown Point, Gary, Hammond, Kentland, LaPorte, Michigan City, Portage, Rensselaer, Valparaiso and all other cities within the area.
Warm temperatures, partly skies and light winds are expected today as a cold front approaches the region and then stalls that will lead to conditions that are suitable for ozone development when combined with other emission sources.
Hoosiers can visit SmogWatch.IN.gov to:
View Air quality information for all Indiana counties, including a state map of affected counties.
Learn more about Air Quality Action Days and recommended actions.
Learn more about ozone and fine particulate matter; and
Sign up for air quality alerts.
Air Quality Action Days are in effect from midnight to 11:59 p.m. (24 hours) on the specified date. Some municipalities have additional open burning restrictions on AQADs. For more information, go to idem.IN.gov/openburning/laws-and-rules.
Note: IDEM forecasts are based, solely or in part, on data from air quality monitors located throughout the state. IDEM encourages residents of counties within or bordering the affected region(s) to heed the forecast. Air quality information for all Indiana counties can be found at SmogWatch.IN.gov.

PLYMOUTH — On June 13 at 11:40 p.m., Marshall County Dispatch received a 911 call of a semi collision on U.S. 30 West,​ east of ​U.S. 31. ​

Officers found that the semi-tractor trailer had driven off the north side of the ​roadway. ​The driver of the other vehicle,​ later identified as Kentawon R. Marshall, 47 of Gary,​ was found to be unconscious and having a medical emergency. ​
First responders removed Marshall from the semi tractor and rendered aid to him at the scene. ​He was transported to Saint Joseph Regional Medical Center, Plymouth, for further treatment,​ but ultimately was pronounced deceased at the hospital.
Agencies involved were the Marshall County Sheriff’s Department,​ Plymouth Police Department,​ Indiana State Police,​ Plymouth Fire,​ and Marshall County Coroner’s Office. ​

PLYMOUTH — On June 10 at 5:51 p.m., Officers with the Plymouth Police Department conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle whose plate showed the registered owner was suspended.

The officer ran the plate and received a BMV return, along with a photo of the registered owner, and was able to confirm that the registered owner, April Szmanowski, 37, of Millersburg, was driving the vehicle.
The officer was able to get behind the vehicle and conducted a traffic stop. The vehicle pulled over in the Kroger parking lot. She was taken into custody and transported to Marshall County Jail and booked in for driving while suspended, prior conviction.

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

Average gasoline prices in Indiana have risen 16.8 cents per gallon in the last week, averaging $3.16/g today, according to GasBuddy’s survey of 3,271 stations in Indiana. Prices in Indiana are 3.6 cents per gallon lower than a month ago and stand 26.6 cents per gallon lower than a year ago. The national average price of diesel has increased 4.0 cents in the last week and stands at $3.488 per gallon.
According to GasBuddy price reports, the cheapest station in Indiana was priced at $2.64/g yesterday while the most expensive was $4.49/g, a difference of $1.85/g.

The national average price of gasoline has risen 1.1 cents per gallon in the last week, averaging $3.08/g today.
“With Israel and Iran trading attacks, oil prices have surged to multi-month highs—setting the stage for additional price hikes at gas pumps across the country,” said Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy. “As long as tensions in the Middle East continue to escalate, the risk of further impacts on oil prices remains high. For now, I expect gas prices could rise by 10 to 20 cents, while diesel could climb 15 to 25 cents in the coming days. Motorists should prepare for what will likely be modest price increases—for now—but the situation has the potential to worsen at any moment.”
GasBuddy’s averages, graphs, maps, and historical pricing data covering the U.S. and Canada is available 24/7 at http://prices.GasBuddy.com.

PLYMOUTH — The Marshall County Commissioners passed a pair of actions that will leave a vacancy on the Marshall County Sewer District Board.

The Commissioners passed a resolution re-asserting their legal point of view that members of the appointed sewer board served at the will of the governmental body that appointed them and could be removed by that body at will.
The resolution passed unanimously, and upon that passing, Commissioner Jesse Bohannon made the motion to declare the seat on the board held by Thomas McFadden as vacant.
That passed unanimously as well, with the Commissioners to look at making an appointment to fill that vacancy at their next meeting.
President of the Commissioners Stan Klotz made clear his point of view that the action did not stop any any sewer projects in Marshall County and that the action was about the expenditure of nearly a million dollars before a project had been outlined, saying that that “our hands were forced” because of being uncomfortable with the amount of money spent. Klotz said that he believes that the grant money the project was expecting is “not there,” and he wanted a “wait and see” approach taken to the septic issues in the lake communities.
Bohannon went on to say that the move of the Commissioners was not about the board in general but more about McFadden’s leadership of that board.
The action now places the ball back in the court of the Marshall County Sewer District. At a previous meeting of the Commissioners, legal counsel for the Sewer Board, Chris Nussbaum, came forward to present a differing opinion, with supporting case law, on the issue of the Commissioners’ ability to remove board members “at will”.
Commissioners Counsel Sean Surrissi said that the Sewer Board may now decide to go to court to have a judge’s decision on the issue.

By Anita Goodan

The Culver Town Council members were presented with the third amendment to the agreement with the South West Lake Maxinkuckee Conservancy District when they met June 12. 

Attorney Sean Surrisi explained that the amendment includes the authorization of the addition of four parcels into the district territory.  The addition is within the original agreement of 175 residential lots and will remain under the recommended flow. This amendment leaves four remaining parcels that could be added to the conservancy.

The council approved the amended with Councilwoman Ginny Munroe abstaining from the vote. It was passed by all other members present.  

In other news, the 2025 salary ordinance amended was approved on second and third reading following the suspension of the rules.  The 2025 salary ordinance amendment 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 additional appropriations ordinance on second and third reading following the suspension of the rules, and the bond ordinance was approved on second reading only.  

PLYMOUTH — On June 12, at 2:36 a.m., Plymouth Police conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle traveling over 90 mph on US 30 eastbound near Oak Dr.

Inside the vehicle, police located marijuana along with a .22 caliber handgun. Johanderson G. Zapata was arrested for operating a vehicle without ever obtaining a License. Reywer C. Silva was arrested for possession of Marijuana as well as possession of a firearm by an illegal alien.

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