PLYMOUTH — On Sunday, April 6, at 2:23 p.m., Marshall County Dispatch broadcast a report of an unwanted guest at a residence on 11th Rd. in Plymouth.
When Deputies arrived they found Janell R Geren, 49, was in possession of marijuana. Additional evidence collected during the investigation led Officers to discover an altered license plate and items indicative of credit card fraud. Geren was transported to the Marshall County Jail for Possession of Marijuana, Operating a vehicle with an altered license plate, and Credit card fraud.
Suspects are considered innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
PLYMOUTH — On the morning of April 7, at 1:40 a.m., Plymouth Police conducted a traffic stop on a speeding vehicle on US 30 near Plymouth Goshen Trail.
It was found that the driver, 27-year-old Santiago Andrade Jr of Hammond, had an outstanding nationwide federal felony warrant for his arrest that had been issued through the US Postal Inspection Service. Andrade was taken into custody and transported to the Marshall County Jail to await extradition.
Suspects are considered innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
PLYMOUTH — Pending the approval of the Marshall County Council in their next meeting, Marshall County will honor former Congresswoman Jackie Walorski by naming the section of Michigan Road (Old US 31) in the county’s jurisdiction after her.
Walorski died in a tragic car accident in August of 2022, along with two staff members, Zachery Potts and Emma Thomson, while on a visit to the district on government business. Commissioner Jesse Bohannon, citing Walorski as a “personal friend and mentor” and saying she was largely responsible for his running for office, brought the resolution to the Marshall County Commissioners during their Monday morning meeting. The resolution would not officially change the name of Michigan Road, so no official addresses would change on the route. Signs would be placed along the road with the designation to honor Walorski. The resolution will now be presented to the Marshall County Council for their consideration.
PLYMOUTH — On April 1, Plymouth Police conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle traveling south on N Michigan St.
The driver, Zachary J. Hunter, 38, of Plymouth was found to be operating the vehicle while under the influence of a narcotic. Suspected marijuana was also found inside the vehicle. Hunter was arrested and transported to the Marshall County Jail.
Suspects are considered innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
PLYMOUTH — On April 2 at 3:30 p.m., Officers with the Plymouth Police Department went to 112 S. Michigan Street in Plymouth to serve a warrant on Abimael Gonzalez 47 years old of Plymouth. Gonzalez had a $6,000 dollar cash bond for contempt of court.
Gonzalez was transported to Marshall County Jail and booked in for his warrant.
Suspects are considered innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
PLYMOUTH — On April 4 at 8:13 a.m., Plymouth police made a traffic stop on a vehicle being driven by Patti J. Churchill, 54 of Ft. Wayne for a traffic infraction.
She was found to have a license status of suspended-prior. She was transported to the Marshall County Jail.
Suspects are considered innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
PLYMOUTH — At the Marshall County Community Corrections board of directors meeting on Wednesday, a new Chief Officer of the Marshall County Probation Department was discussed.
The current Chief Officer, James Bendy, submitted his resignation recently after 23 years of service. In June of last year, Bendy was recognized by Indiana Chief Justice Loretta Rush for his commitment to the profession of probation and long-time service at the annual justice services conference. The county has received three applications for the position so far, and Judge Janette Surrisi told the MCC board that they would wait a while longer to see if there will be more applications. She said the department has two assistant chiefs who have been filling in in the interim as the county considers the candidates for that position. Beau Holcomb, Director of Marshall County Community Corrections, also gave a quick update to the board on his office that currently had 16 pre-trial home detention, along with 96 total clients in the home detention program who all pay a fee to the county for that service as part of their sentence. He said two clients had been terminated from the program due to violations of their probation terms. Holcomb also told the board that he was “looking forward” to his meeting with the state on the “Cincinnati Report”. Recently, the Indiana Department of Corrections contracted with the University of Cincinnati to audit programs around the state and then provide a report on those programs. Holcomb said he is anxious to have the meeting to get input on what Marshall County is doing right and what may need improvement.
PLYMOUTH — The Plymouth Board of Zoning Appeals approved a variance for the development of a residential housing project of 30-40 units off of SR 17.
Representatives for Mike and Joyce Relos, who own a property off of SR 17 on Glenn Overmyer Drive asked for the variance to develop the project that with current zoning would not be allowed. Developer Kevin Berger told the board he would like to build approximately eight residential buildings with one, two, and three-bedroom units. Plymouth Plan Director Ty Adley, along with Linda Yoder of the Marshall County Community Foundation and United Way, gave a favorable recommendation to the board that addressed a section of the city comprehensive plan that noted a significant need for housing and addressing a lack of housing diversity in Plymouth. Two recent studies by the Michiana Council of Governments (MACOG) and the United Way had cited a need in Plymouth for such housing. The development would mirror another development by Berger, The Paddocks in Culver and would employ a professional management company to maintain the property. Adley told the board that the property sits at the edge of the Plymouth city limits but stated the owners were willing to pursue annexation into the city limits to take advantage of city utilities that currently serve the adjacent properties. Berger also asked for an extension of the variance for longer than the normal one year since the funding requests for the project would not be announced until November. If funding is successful it would be the fall of 2026 before actual construction could take place. An extension of the Greenways Trail system that has long been on the books would also fall within the area of the project, but any such plans would be far in the future, and if that extension moved through it would not be at the developer’s expense. The Plymouth BZA voted to allow the variance and the extension.
ARGOS — A property that was cited for clean-up in 2016 will see the county carry out that order. A property on Maple Street in Argos owned by Debra Mersch was cited in April 2016 for being in violation of the county’s ordinance for maintaining the property.
Subsequent violations with a request for clean-up were filed in August of 2023, in October of 2024, the owners were no-shows for a court date on the matter, and again in January 2025, after which the county requested bids to undertake the clean-up at the owners expense. In the Plan Commission meeting on March 27 members opened the only quote submitted for the proposed cleanup of trash and debris coming from Chain of Lakes in Plymouth for $19,740. Discussion centered on the number of inoperable vehicles that would need to be taken from the property that there appeared to be no title for and therefore scrap owners would be unable to take them. Payment of the bill was also discussed with the remedy of non-payment by the owners of the property being a lien on the property that would need to be paid on any subsequent sale of the property.
PLYMOUTH — Plymouth’s Plan Commission approved a resolution in support of a contribution by the city to the Life Long Learning Network.
Earlier in the year the Plymouth Redevelopment Commission had added a contribution to the city’s TIF district #3 that included an agreement for consulting services from Enfocus for the city. The Plymouth City Council passed the Redevelopment’s plan for funding consulting services but rejected the contribution of equipment and tools to the Lifelong Learning Network. The Redevelopment Commission has decided to try again to make a contribution for equipment to the LLC’s automotive program. Part of that involves the Plan Commission passing the resolution that the contribution from a TIF district would fit in with the city of Plymouth’s comprehensive plan. City Attorney Jeff Houin told the commission that the three basic points of the resolution regarding the comprehensive plan were collaboration with other partnerships in the community, access to quality education, and supporting local businesses. The programs for the LLN are not limited to students but adults seeking training and continuing education. The Plan Commission resolution addresses whether or not the proposed expenditure supports the overall comprehensive plan for the city. The City Council’s decision against the contribution was based on the idea of contributing money to the school corporation after the city had already made a contribution to the Life Long Learning Center. Houin told the Plan Commission that the contribution was not intended for the school corporation but for the LLN, including adult continuing education.
PLYMOUTH — Attic Theatrics and the Wild Rose Moon in Plymouth will stage a reading of Jan Probst’s play, The Prophecy of the Crows on April 19 at 7 p.m.
PLYMOUTH — Heartland Art Center is calling for submissions for this year’s Small Wonders exhibit at the Heartland Art Center on North Michigan Street in Plymouth.
This year’s exhibit will be held April 30 to May 30. The deadline for submissions is April 20. The Center will hold a Closing Reception on Friday, May 30 from 6 — 8pm. Awards will be presented at 7:30 pm. The exhibit is open to artists in all media. Each submission must be the original concept and work of the artist and must not previously have been shown in a Heartland Art Center Small Wonders Show. Final determination of what constitutes eligible work or inappropriate subject matter will rest with the judge and/or Heartland Art Center, Inc. Submission of an entry to this exhibit constitutes agreement by the entrant to all conditions outlined in the prospectus. Questions? Call Mary at 574-339-7459 or Anna at 574-316-0264 or email heartlandartcenter@gmail.com Accepted artists will be notified on Monday, April 28 via email.
PLYMOUTH — On the morning of April 1, at 1:47 a.m., Plymouth Police were dispatched to Baker Street for a report of an active domestic altercation.
Officers were advised that there might have been a gun fired. Arriving officers heard an active altercation inside the home. Police gained entry into the home after an apparently battered woman answered the door. A police search of the residence, found Brandyn S. Ross, 31 of Lakeville, hiding in an upstairs bedroom. After a brief struggle, Ross was taken into custody. It was believed that Ross had battered the woman. Suspected cocaine was also found in Ross’ possession. Ross was lodged at the Marshall County Jail on preliminary charges of felony- domestic battery, possession of cocaine, criminal confinement, and misdemeanor-resisting law enforcement.
Suspects are considered innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
PLYMOUTH — During their regular monthly meeting last Thursday, the Marshall County Plan Commission reviewed the options for filling the role of Plan Director for the county.
Earlier in the year, Ty Adley resigned from that position to accept a similar role with the city of Plymouth and the position remains vacant. The County briefly hired Lydia Dutton, who left the job after a month. Since then, Plan Commission Administrative Assistant Lori Lowry, along with County Attorney Sean Surrissi, Plan Commission Attorney Derek Jones, and Code Enforcement Plan specialist Philip Smith, have collaborated to perform the day-to-day activities of the office. The Plan Commission discussed the possibility of contracting plan services out to an outside engineering firm for at least a short period to have the services of a consultant with the special training necessary for some of the duties of the office. One engineering firm that performs such consulting services had been contacted and a contract proposal was discussed for a length of three months. Much of the work would be by phone or email with a larger fee charged for a consultant to be present in the particular county office day to day. Plan and County Commissioners President Stan Klotz brought up the contract stating that the county had also received an application for the job but had not yet reached out to interview the prospective candidate. A subcommittee was formed earlier in the year to sort through candidates for the job. Klotz asked the board their wishes moving forward, and after discussion, the Commission decided that before agreeing to a consulting contract, the subcommittee should vet the current applicant before the Plan Commission’s April meeting and move on from there. Klotz did tell the board that if the applicant proved worthy of pursuing a special meeting of the Plan Commission would likely be advertised to interview them before the next meeting.
PLYMOUTH — On Saturday, March 29, at approximately 2:29 p.m., Marshall County Deputies responded to a civil complaint at Creekside Manor (2662 Michigan Road). While en route, deputies were advised that the situation had escalated.
At the scene of the disturbance, police arrested twenty-nine-year-old Abigail Enders of Plymouth for battery and residential entry. She was taken to the Marshall County Jail.
Suspects are considered innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
Average gasoline prices in Indiana have fallen 5.3 cents per gallon in the last week, averaging $3.12/g today, according to GasBuddy’s survey of 3,271 stations in Indiana. Prices in Indiana are 28.4 cents per gallon higher than a month ago and stand 28.1 cents per gallon lower than a year ago. The national average price of diesel has increased 0.9 cents in the last week and stands at $3.558 per gallon.
According to GasBuddy price reports, the cheapest station in Indiana was priced at $2.58/g yesterday, while the most expensive was $3.49/g, a difference of 91.0 cents per gallon. “We’ve seen the national average inch up for the second straight week, but with renewed refinery issues on the West Coast, gas prices there are likely to jump 10-35 cents per gallon over the next couple weeks. Meanwhile, motorists in the Northeast should consider filling up soon, as the final step in the transition to summer gasoline is just a couple of weeks away— and with it, a likely increase in prices,” said Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy. “As we head into April, Americans should expect gas prices to rise, with a peak that could occur in mid-to-late April. While average prices remain well below last year’s levels, we’ll likely begin to catch up, with prices expected to increase in most — if not all — states over the next few weeks. Continued uncertainty around whether tariffs will be implemented on April 2 could also impact pump prices, setting the stage for a volatile period for American drivers.” 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 — The National Weather Service in Northern Indiana confirmed an EF1 tornado struck far western Marshall County late Sunday afternoon.
According to a release from Marshall County EMA Director Jack Garner, at approximately 4:22 PM on Sunday, March 30, a small tornado touched down in Starke County and quickly intensified to EF1 intensity as it raced northeastward. The tornado caused extensive tree and generally minor structural damage across the Ancilla College campus and Gilbert Lake. The tornado then continued northeastward and damaged several homes near Union Rd and 9th Rd. A mobile home was torn from its anchored undercarriage and overturned, injuring one inside. Two barns just northeast of the college were also flattened. The tornado lifted at 4:28 PM near Tulip Rd north of 9th Rd. The length of the tornado’s path was 3.3 miles with a maximum width of 750 yards. Estimated peak winds were 110 mph. This information is preliminary and subject to change pending final review of the event. While all of Marshall County experienced severe wind speeds on Sunday, this area was the only place where damage appeared to be caused by a tornado and not straight-line winds. The damage survey was a joint effort by the National Weather Service and the Marshall County Emergency Management Agency.
PLYMOUTH — Plymouth Mayor Robert Listenberger will host this year’s Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast on Thursday, May 1, at 6:30 a.m. at the Plymouth Wesleyan Church, 11203 Michigan Road, Plymouth. The proceeds will benefit the Marshall County Neighborhood Center and Link to Hope. Tickets for the event will be $20 each or a reserved table of 6 for $120.
The doors will open at 6 a.m., with prelude music being provided by the Wesleyan Church Praise Band in the church’s sanctuary. The breakfast buffet will be provided by Christos Family Dining in the Fellowship Hall of the church. Speakers for the event will be Christine Garner from the MCNC and Jim Smart from Link to Hope. Call Laura at 574-936-6717 to purchase your tickets.
PLYMOUTH — Plymouth Mayor Robert Listenberger will host the Mayor’s Summer of Music 2025 a free concert series that is hosted by the City of Plymouth and sponsored by numerous local businesses.
Concerts are held on Friday evenings in July and August and the first Friday in September at River Park Square. You are welcome to bring a cooler of your favorite beverages and food. There will also be food available for purchase from a variety of local food trucks. These concerts are family-friendly. There will be 10 concerts again this year with a mix of genres represented. Sponsorships are still open for these events. Please feel free to reach out to the Mayor’s Office at 574-936-6717 or mayorsec@plymouthin.com if you are interested in being a sponsor
Here is the line-up for the Mayor’s Summer of Music 2025: This Homemade Conspiracy July 4. We will be kicking off the season and celebrating the birthday of our nation with this favorite. This Homemade Conspiracy (also known as T.H.C) is a small-town band with a simple mission: becoming a full-time performing act. The idea of a band, but not the band itself, was conceived between the walls of apartment neighbors and friends Chandler Price and Konnor Smith in 2016. They would crank their amps from their respective homes and jam out together. It was here where talk about getting a band together started. It was just an idea until 2021, when more friends came to jam, other like-minded musicians joined, and the practice space began to change. From the apartment to the garage, to an automotive paint booth (the lighting was great), and finally to their personal studio where they currently reside. They compiled sets in 2022 and began playing (for free) that summer in backyards to friends and family and then on to local bars and venues in their hometown of Plymouth, Indiana. As time has moved on, This Homemade Conspiracy has been nothing but dedicated to playing live music for people who enjoy it and turning their passion into a career. From playing one of the biggest county festivals in Indiana (Marshall County Blueberry Festival), to opening for national acts like Passafire, Hed PE, and UNCHAiNED, THC has found a decent amount of success, all before releasing their original music. THC’s original material encompasses modern, alternative, and grunge rock influences. If you enjoy bands like Fallout Boy, Pearl Jam, and Foo Fighters, then you will surely be a old rocking the house, the band’s music carries a variety of different, yet intriguing concepts that are sure to resonate with any audience. With future plans of bringing their music to you and your city, be on the lookout for any and all updates of shows, musical releases, merchandise, and events related to This Homemade Conspiracy here on the official band website.
The Muddsharks Band July 11th After many years of friendship and musical companionship, four aspiring musicians bonded to form The Sharks. The members of the band reflect high energy, which consists of various styles and unique sounds that are driven by a loyal fan base. As far as music, The Sharks currently cover a wide variety of songs from the 1960s to popular tunes of today. Be it rhythm & blues, classic & current rock, funk, reggae, and country, The Sharks cover it all. The reaction and requests from the audience along with the type of venue, are of great importance in regard to the material they perform. Since March 2005, the band has made tremendous strides set by their demand to please their audience. In 2005, they were recognized as the #1 voted band on http://www.nwilive.com. They have also had numerous write-ups in The Times and IllianaMusic.com and segments mentioned on various local radio stations. In March 2011, they were voted by an online poll at Barbands.com as one of the Region’s top 10 local bands & later that year they placed in the top 5 cover bands in the area. These aspiring professionals work hard to maintain the raw energy of youthful rock and roll while remaining sensitive to the overall experience of their audience. Sound quality, dynamics, and intonation are primary concerns. They also keep themselves well-groomed with an attitude of genuine concern for each other, their fans, and the success of the venues in which they perform. Their greatest enjoyment is bringing people together in a spirit of fun, frolic, laughter, song, and dance. Primarily playing clubs, The Muddsharks have also played many private parties, weddings, benefits, casinos, festivals, and bars, with many more events to come in the future. If you are looking for sheer energy on stage with a repertoire unique in its own, then The Sharks is what you’ve been missing. We look forward to seeing you soon.
WYSIWYG July 18th What You See Is What You Get (WYSIWYG) is a cover band that plays all of your favorite songs from the 80s through today – just like you remember them. Since 2001, WYSIWYG has connected with Michiana audiences through music. Our mission is to create a fun, exciting, and family-friendly environment. That’s why our high-energy setlist includes covers by bands such as Journey, Prince, Bon Jovi, Pat Benatar, Chris Stapleton, Ed Sheeran, Pink, J. Geils Band, Elton John, Def Leppard, Kid Rock, and more. You may have seen WYSIWYG before at the Bridgman Street Dance, Coloma Glad Peach Festival, Blue Chip Casino, Mishawaka Independence Day Festival, New Buffalo Ship & Shore or Wine & Harvest Festivals, or at many of your favorite local venues.
Mr. Funnyman July 25th Mr. Funnyman is the ultimate variety band in Northwest Indiana and Chicagoland performing a wide range of different cover music including but not limited to Michael Jackson, Pink Floyd, Aretha Franklin, Chicago, ABBA, Bruno Mars, The Beatles, Elton John, Nathaniel Rateliff & the Night Sweats, Leonard Skynyrd, Steely Dan, Johnny Cash, Tom Petty, The Who and dozens of other artists that would make this list too long. With a full horn section, male and female vocalists, drums, bass, guitar, and two keyboardists, no detail is missed when it comes to recreating the perfect sound.
Blammo August 1 BLAMMO is a sure crowd-pleaser, bringing something new to every show. Whether at your nightclub or on your wedding day—no matter what your celebration—for over a decade this fantastic four-piece has energetically performed a wide variety of everyone’s favorite popular songs, from the 1960s through today, for a wide variety of audiences. BLAMMO dresses for the occasion and brings a youthful high-energy stage show, along with the professionalism and experience of a seasoned band to your event and much more. BLAMMO is made up of guitars, bass guitars, drums, three-part vocals, synthesizers, and keyboards. With all four original members, BLAMMO continues to fulfill the good times at every venue. BLAMMO also partners with Audio Engineer Kipp Koonce, one of the nation’s finest live-audio specialists fully equipped with a cutting-edge multimedia sound system. There’s something for everyone at a BLAMMO show. So grab a spot close to the band on the dance floor, sit back enjoy the music, or just hang out. You’ll forget all about the grind and have nothing but good times.
Dead to Rights August 8 The BEST Grateful Dead tribute band in Northwest Indiana. Featuring highly energetic music and the most youthful group of musicians to play the music since the Dead in 1966. Constantly playin’ our respects to Jerry and the Boys.
Offtopic Band August 15th Founded in 2024, OFF TOPIC is a Northern, Indiana-based cover band formed of a few unlikely friends who share the same desire to entertain. We cover many different genres of music. Some of those include; Rock, POP, Top 40’s, Classic Rock, and RnB. OFF-TOPIC Is dedicated to entertaining audiences. We continue to learn new music so there is something for everyone.
RockDogs August 22 The RockDogs are four veteran musicians who have 20+ years of experience playing the Michiana, NW Indiana and Chicago markets. The band consists of longtime friends who share a common passion and joy for playing live music. With over 6 hours of material, The RockDogs are constantly updating their large catalog of music spanning multiple genres from the 60s to new songs released in 2024. It’s never the same show. We customize our sets to fit the occasion of the event with the goal of promoting fun, dancing and a rockin’ good time across all generations to celebrate with our audiences.
Small Town August 29 SMALL TOWN first embarked on their musical voyage of discovery together as a tight-knit Musical Group in 2019. The members of the band grew up listening to a variety of musical genres that played an influential role in shaping their paths as musicians and ultimately led them to join forces and create SMALL TOWN. The goal of the band was to create and replicate the live Mellencamp concerts utilizing all of the same instrumentation. Small Town has collectively created the signature Mellencamp sound with Jen Cimbala on Fiddle, Bob Heckler on Accordion, keyboards, and melodica, Jim Croke on electric guitar, acoustic guitar and Mandolin. Chris Sulcer joins in on guitar and vocals and Louis Sameniego brings the deep tones on Bass guitar while Shane Sameniego keeps the Kenny Arronoff beat on drums. Doug Clapp leads the night full of #1 hits and sing alongs on vocals.
Falcon CarWash and Plainview Vibes September 5th The last show of the season will be a doubleheader. Falcon CarWash
With years of professional and local experience, they bring the songs you know and love but with a fresh approach. Between medleys, mashups, and a flare for musicianship, these guys always bring excitement to your ears. Hailing from the heart of Tennessee, Plainview Vibes, brings an electrifying fusion of reggae, surf, and rock, creating a sound that’s as free-spirited as the open road. Formed in 2018, the band has been steadily building momentum, cultivating a strong and loyal fanbase across Tennessee and beyond. Their debut single dropped in 2020, marking the beginning of a musical journey rooted in feel-good rhythms, soulful melodies, and high-energy performances. Plainview Vibes delivers a dynamic, live experience that blends, laid-back reggae rhythms with the raw energy of surf rock and alternative influences. Plainview Vibes has shared the stage with a variety of names in the modern reggae and rock scene, including Afroman, the Movement, Bumpin Uglies, Kash’d Out, Kyle Smith, E.N. Young, Peter Dante, and more. Whether playing in packed venues in Tennessee or making waves across state lines, the band continues to carve out its place in the independent music scene with authenticity, passion, and good vibes. With each release and show, Plainview Vibes is proving that reggae-rock knows no borders— just good times, real connections, and music that moves the soul.
PLYMOUTH — The Plymouth City Council approved a personal property tax abatement for All Points Tool & Manufacturing at their regular Common Council meeting on Monday.
The abatement is for an estimated capital investment of over $400,000 for two pieces of automated equipment that will increase the organization’s productivity. “Our next challenge is to hire someone that can program the equipment to be able to utilize the increased productivity,” said Senetar. Senetar, whose family founded the company, has been making improvements to better serve the community and keep up with demand while staying competitive. She feels this is a step in that direction. “All Points Tool & Manufacturing have been a great part of the local industrial base with an excellent reputation for quality and accurate work,” said Greg Hildebrand, President/CEO of Marshall County Economic Development. “This investment to increase the productivity for production will give the organization more flexibility to meet customer demand.” The Common Council approved the tax abatement unanimously with a seven-year phase-in. The investment is expected to create one additional job and $70,000 in wages. All Points Tool & Machining received a Manufacturing Readiness Grant from Conexus. This grant helps industry in Indiana to automate the workflow to increase productivity and wages in manufacturing. The South Bend – Elkhart Region, which includes Marshall County, is the leading region in receiving these grants. All Points Tool & Machining was founded 25 years ago by Senetar’s late father at their present location on Pioneer Drive.
