BREMEN — Bremen’s School Board held a project hearing at their meeting on Wednesday and approved the go-ahead on a renovation at the high school.

The 1028 Hearing was required to move forward with the project that is estimated by Baker-Tilly to be $6.6 million. The hearing gave the public the chance to voice their opinion on the renovation, and there was no public input. The project is designed to increase security at the school in addition to renovating space for the expansion of FACS (Family and Consumer Sciences) instruction.
The renovation will put the entrance at the front of the school building to allow more control of who is in the building and where they are at any given time. It will also include creating an office for the School Resource officer and allow expansion of the FACS area into the old school office to create a commercial kitchen for Culinary Science education.
The first mortgage on the construction will be paid over five years and will not change the tax levy for the corporation.
The Board gave their unanimous approval for moving ahead with the project.

PLYMOUTH — The Plymouth Board of Public Works and Safety gave City Engineer Dan Sellers the go-ahead on a project for a walkway on the city’s east side.

Sellers came before the Board to discuss an addition to the project currently underway on Lincolnway East at Gibson Street, adjacent to Lincoln Jr. High. Sellers had approached the contractor about closing Gibson Street’s exit onto Lincolnway to complete a walkway across the two streets.
The work would involve milling out the current asphalt and creating a grassy area, ADA-compliant curbs and ramps, along with street markings.
Sellers was given a cost of $23,738.60 for the work that would be completed as part of a Community Crossings project already underway. He asked the Board only for the approval to continue that part of the project, stating he would like to wait on a change order to see how much of the work could be completed with Community Crossings grant money.
The full project in the area is scheduled to begin on June 23.

PLYMOUTH — The Plymouth Redevelopment Commission will have its regular meeting on Tuesday at 5:30 p.m.

The Board will hear updates from each of the eight TIF (Tax Incremental Financing) districts, including updates on the Centennial Crossings Project in TIF #6 and the Water Street Townhomes project in TIF #8.
The Commission meets in the Plymouth Council Chambers at 124 N. Garro Street entrance on the second floor.

ARGOS — The Argos School Board will have their regular meeting on Monday at 7 p.m. in the Dragon Center Conference Room.

The Board will consider personnel changes, have a first reading of NEOLA policies and guidelines as well as discuss a classified staff wage increase of 2 percent to begin on July 1

PLYMOUTH — The Marshall County Commissioners will meet on Monday in the beginning at 9:30 a.m.
On the agenda are Jason Peters with the regular Highway Department report, Annette Haining the Marshall County Tobacco Education Coordinator with a request for a cargo trailer.

Sheriff Matt Hassel will present a DNR Lake Enforcement Grant agreement as well as a request for an iTouch biometrics fingerprint machine.
Treasurer Wendy Tapia will present an Inkeepers Tax confidentiality agreement.
County Attorney Sean Surrisi and County Auditor Angie Birchmeier will have their regular reports.
The Commissioners meet in the second floor meeting at the Marshall County Building. Livestream is available at https://www.youtube.com/@MarshallCountyIN

PLYMOUTH — On the morning of June 11, at 1:15 am, Plymouth Police conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle for a moving violation on Michigan and Jefferson Street.

During the officer’s investigation, it was determined that the driver, 66-year-old Robert Hurley of Milford, was under the influence of a controlled substance.
Suspected drug paraphernalia and residue were also later located in the vehicle. A chemical test was completed, and Hurley was taken into custody for OWI-Endangering, OWI-Controlled Substance, Possession of Paraphernalia, and Possession of Methamphetamine.
Hurley was transported to the Marshall County jail, and while being booked into the jail, he was found to be hiding suspected methamphetamine on his person. The evidence was recovered, and additional preliminary charges of Trafficking with an Inmate and Obstruction of Justice were also filed.

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

BREMEN — The Bremen School Corporation will be looking for a new Superintendent over the summer months.

Wednesday night, at their regular meeting the Bremen School Board, accepted Superintendent Jim White’s announcement of his retirement.
White will stay on through at least July to assist the Board in their search for his replacement.

PLYMOUTH — On June 10,​ at 9:11 pm,​ a Marshall County deputy stopped a 2023 gray Dodge Challenger forexceeding the posted speed limit on US 30 and Iris Road.

John M. Flowers, 63, of Ingram, TX. gave no reason why he was driving 129 mph in a 60 mph zone. Flowers was arrested for Reckless Driving (C Misdemeanor) ​, and his vehicle was impounded by Lyon Wrecker Service.

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

BOURBON — The Triton School Board appointed a pair of new administrators at the elementary school during their regular meeting on Monday night, but neither is a new face to the corporation.

Melissa LaShure will assume the role of interim Principal at the school. She is currently the Director of Curriculum and Assessments at Triton Elementary.
She will be joined by Mason McIntire, who was appointed as the Administrative Assistant at Triton Elementary. McIntire previously served as Athletic Director for the corporation from 2007 to 2021.
They will replace another familiar face who was also present at the school board meeting for the last time in her capacity as Principal of the elementary school.
Christine Cook gave her final report to the board on Monday night. After 26 years with the Triton School Corporation, Cook announced her retirement earlier in the year.

PLYMOUTH — A proposed housing project on Plymouth’s west side cleared a hurdle of having the property re-zoned on Monday when the Plymouth Common Council voted to change the property from an I (Heavy Industrial) zone to an R4 (Multi-Family residential).

Sarah Ford, representing Wallick Communities, an Ohio-based company, appeared before the Council to ask for them to rezone the property in order for the company to build a 50-unit housing development. The proposal was sent to the Council with no recommendation from the Plymouth Plan Commission, who had two separate motions fail with only five votes of the needed six votes to pass the 11-person board, one to table, one to deny. Two members were absent during the hearing in the Plan Commission.
Ford outlined the proposed project for the Council, which would be a 50-unit apartment complex for which the company is seeking a grant from the state of Indiana to help with construction. That grant would allow the company to have equity in the project and allow them to offer rents at a lower rate; however, the rents would be at the market rate. Residents would be responsible for their rent, and approval for residency would be income-based without a government subsidy.
Ford said that Wallick had chosen Plymouth for the building since it was “highly incentivized” by the state agency, since studies had shown that 20 percent of the population is “rent burdened”, meaning they spend more than 30 percent of their income toward housing. The tenants considered would have 80 percent of the median income for the area, or around $75,000. Rents for the properties would range from $620 to $1400, depending on a market study.
She said that if the project continued, the site would be subject to ongoing inspections from state agencies and their lenders to ensure the property was properly maintained.
Wallick would maintain and manage the property for a minimum of 15-30 years with full-time staff on site for maintenance and management.
Several residents of the area came forward to speak against the project, citing studies that showed an increased crime rate in areas of population density, along with increased traffic and decreased property values. Several brought up a large number of complaints against Wallick at their other projects.
Plan Director Ty Adley and Plymouth City Attorney Jeff Houin advised the board that the only decision before them was whether they felt that a multi-family residential zoning was more compatible with the neighborhood than its current zoning, which could allow any sort of heavy industrial development without having to come before city government for approval.
The Council voted 6-1 to approve the rezoning, with Kayla Krathwohl voting no.

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 — 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 — 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.​

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.