The Center for Disease control said that Indiana is one of the three worst states for overdose fatality reports because of inconsistencies in the way coroners test and fill out death certificates. In an effort to improve that reporting, the Indiana State Department of Health’s Division of Trauma and Injury Prevention launched a toxicology pilot program that works with coroners and allows them to order either a basic or more comprehensive panel. Continue reading
Indiana Ranks 10th in Adult Obesity, According to Annual Report
Nearly one in three Hoosiers are now considered obese, giving the state the 10th highest adult obesity rate in the country. That’s according to the most recent State of Obesity report, issued this week by the Trust for America’s Health and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.
Portage Man Arrested for Auto Theft
A Portage man is in the custody of Marshall County authorities after allegedly stealing a car from a Plymouth resident.
According to the Plymouth City Police Department, Yiannis Sakelaris, 24, was at a home in the 1200 block of Lake Ave. the night of Aug. 11 when a car was stolen from the residence. Police say the car was recovered in Chicago on Aug. 15 and Sakelaris was in possession of the vehicle. He was hospitalized due to a drug overdose.
Petroleum Analyst Provides Some Perspective on Indiana Gas Prices
Gas prices may be up 24 cents from last year’s average but compared to individuals on the east coast, drivers in Indiana won’t be seeing much of an impact from Hurricane Harvey at the pump. According to GasBuddy.com Senior Petroleum Analyst Daniel McTeague, Indiana’s gas prices are impacted by the Chicago Spot Market, not the New York Market. Continue reading
51st Annual Marshall County Blueberry Festival Starts Today
The Marshall County Blueberry Festival officially gets underway for its 51st year this evening. Festivities kick off at 5:00 p.m. with an opening ceremony. The Little Miss & Mister Blueberry Contest will take place at 5:30.
Town of Bremen to Present New Welcome Sign
A new welcome sign will be constructed on the west side of Bremen.
The Bremen Town Council approved the purchase of a new “Welcome to Bremen” sign. Director of Operations Trend Weldy said the current sign is in need of extensive repair and it was the council’s decision this week to replace that sign.
Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over this Labor Day Weekend
The Labor Day weekend is filled with a variety of different celebrations including the Marshall County Blueberry Festival and the Monterey Days Festival. These types of events may lead to alcohol consumption. If you drink, don’t drive.
Four law enforcement agencies in Marshall County are in the middle of the state’s Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign through the Labor Day holiday. The Marshall County Sheriff’s Department, Bremen Police Department, Plymouth Police Department and Bourbon Police Department have increased sobriety checkpoints, roving patrols and saturation patrols in an effort to take impaired drivers off the roads. Continue reading
Two Injured in Two-Vehicle Accident
Two people were injured in a two-vehicle accident in the area of U.S. 31 and 19th Road in Argos on Wednesday evening.
Marshall County police say William Reese, 60, of Argos, was traveling west on 19th Road approaching U.S. 31 when he pulled across the northbound lane into the median. He reportedly did not see the approaching vehicle traveling south on U.S. 31 and pulled into the path of the vehicle driven by Donn F. Whitenight, Jr., 47, of Rochester. Whitenight, Jr. reportedly told police that he could not avoid the collision with Reese.
Both drivers complained of pain as a result of the crash and they were transported to a South Bend hospital.
Pursuit Leads to Arrest
A Nappanee man was airlifted from the scene of a motorcycle crash after Marshall County police say the driver led a sheriff’s deputy on a pursuit.
A Marshall County Sheriff’s deputy attempted a traffic stop late Wednesday night in the area of Michigan Road and 1st Road when the motorcycle driver reportedly refused to stop. Police say the driver, Jesse Elliott, turned east on Tyler Road when a high speed pursuit began. Elliott later crashed on Tyler Road west of Lilac Road.
Bremen Man Arrested after Scuffle with Police
A Bremen man was arrested Tuesday evening after allegedly attempting to move a disabled car and disobeying police orders.
A Marshall County Sheriff’s deputy responded to a report of disabled vehicle on East Shore Drive at Dill Street in the Lake of the Woods area in Bremen. Police say Devon Zillmer arrived at the scene to drag away the vehicle as the deputy was on his way to that location.
Marshall County 4-H Fair Board Association Approves Agreement with County
A subrecipient agreement was approved and signed by members of the Marshall County 4-H Fair Board Association this week. The agreement is between the fair board and the Marshall County Commissioners that outlines the responsibilities of ownership and funding associated with a proposed multi-use building to be constructed on the fairgrounds in Argos.
The proposed structure is an 8,000 square foot steel frame building that will feature drywall and concrete flooring. It will accommodate a seating capacity up to 400 people. There will be 4,400 square feet of open space to hold wedding receptions or other large gatherings, a 30-person meeting room in the front of the building and regular building features such as a kitchenette and restrooms.
Plymouth City Council Approves Two Ordinances, Resolution
The Plymouth City Council members did approve two ordinances and a resolution on Monday night.
An ordinance to annex approximately one acre into the City of Plymouth was unanimously approved on second and third readings. The Weir family is annexing a portion of their property on Lake Avenue into the city in order to put all of the parcels into the city limits. The eastern portion of the property is in the county’s jurisdiction. The family hopes to sell the house that’s on the property and use the rest of the property for a proposed daycare facility.
Bremen Town Council Discusses Water Rate Ordinance
The Bremen Town Council may be raising the fire protection service rate on utility bills to take effect in 2018.
Director of Operations Trend Weldy said the rate increase will occur over three years.
“It’s a small increase,” stressed Weldy. “It will increase $1.10 a month starting in 2018, another $1.10 a month increase in 2019 and it’ll raise again $1.10 in 2020 to get up to where we need to be on our fire protection program.”
Lake Maxinkuckee, Tippecanoe River Projects Receive LARE Grants
Two local waterways will be getting some upgrades, thanks to grant funding from the Indiana Department of Natural Resources. The latest round of Lake and River Enhancement program grants includes funds for projects benefiting Lake Maxinkuckee and the Tippecanoe River.
Come Explore Plymouth Architecture with the Marshall County Museum
If you’re interested in learning more about Plymouth’s history while exploring some of the buildings you may drive by or frequent regularly then join the Marshall County Museum during their architectural tour of five Plymouth churches. The event features tours of the outside and inside of the First Presbyterian Church, St. Michael Church, St. Thomas Episcopal, First United Methodist and First United Church of Christ. Continue reading
Protect Yourself from Scammers Posing as IRS
The Indiana State Police are warning residents to be weary of people calling and posing as the IRS. A number of citizens in the northern Indiana have reported calls from individuals claiming to be an IRS representative, demanding money and threatening legal action. As the police work to stop the perpetration of these false calls, the IRS has provided a few tips to ensure your safety. Continue reading
West Nile Virus Increases across the State
Officials with the Indiana State Department of Health are keeping an eye on the West Nile Virus activity in the state.
As of Aug. 18, 261 pools of water tested positive for the West Nile Virus in 58 counties this year. According to statistics compiled by the Indiana State Department of Health, three mosquito infections were separately reported in Starke County, La Porte County and Fulton County. One mosquito infection was reported in Porter County while there were no reports in Marshall County or Pulaski County.
Meth, Guns Reportedly Discovered during Marshall County Warrant Arrest
A Culver woman wanted on active arrest warrants was taken into custody Tuesday, but not before police reportedly found suspected methamphetamine, drug paraphernalia, a handgun, and a sawed off shotgun in the car she was riding in.
Municipal Excise Surtax, Wheel Tax Ordinance Dies
A proposed ordinance that would help raise revenue for the construction and rehabilitation of roads and streets within the City of Plymouth died for a lack of a motion Monday night.
The Plymouth City Council members held a public hearing on a municipal excise surtax and municipal wheel tax ordinance earlier this month and called a first reading on the ordinance. The ordinance was up for second reading during a specially-called meeting last week during budget discussions. It was tabled and brought up for discussion on Monday night.
Bremen Town Council Approves Contract for Ambulance Service
The Bremen Town Council approved a two-year contract for ambulance services in a special session last week.
Bremen Director of Operations Trend Weldy said three companies submitted bids. Lutheran Ambulance Service submitted the low bid. The current provider, Tri-County Ambulance, withdrew its bid after the town council’s meeting on Aug. 14 so the town will have a new service after more than 10 years. Elite Ambulance submitted the third bid.
