Burning Leaves? Use Caution

Posted on Author Lenny Dessauer

With the arrival of fall, leaves are starting to gather in yards and it’s time for the removal of those leaves.

Knox-Center Township Fire Chief Kenny Pfost asks you to be cautious if you plan to burn leaves on your property.

“First of all, try not to burn on a windy day,” said Pfost. “It seems like that’s when we have the most fires is when it’s really windy. Choose a calm day. Also, make sure you’re compliant with local ordinances. Have a water source and try not to burn outside of what you can handle. Don’t burn after dark.”

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Gas Prices Continue to Drop

Posted on Author Lenny Dessauer

The price of a gallon of unleaded gasoline has been dropping.

Don Good from the Good Oil Company in Winamac says the prices will continue to drop.

“For the foreseeable near future, the trend is to continue down,” said Good. “We’re probably going to bottom out not too far from here. There are a lot of places that are starting to get under three dollars. That’s kind of under cost for some of them, but they’re trying to beat that three dollar mark. For the long term, we should be under three dollars and unless there’s a world event that changes that we’ll probably stay in that range for a while.”

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Plymouth Business Robbed, Owner Arrested on Warrant

Posted on Author Lenny Dessauer

A burglary and robbery incident at a Plymouth business is being investigated by the Plymouth Police Department.

On Wednesday night, a report was made regarding a burglary and robbery that took place in the 1500 block of Hoham Drive in Plymouth. Hubert Dulworth, 40, told police that an unknown subject had broken into his business and then attacked him. He added that he was hit on the head and became unconscious. A large amount of cash was also reported stolen.

Dulworth was taken to the local hospital for treatment.

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Horse Saddle Theft Reported in Bremen

Posted on Author Lenny Dessauer

Marshall County detectives received a report of stolen horse saddles from a stable at a residence north of Bremen on Oct. 13.

The theft occurred during the day in the 800 Elm Road on Monday. Officers had a report of suspicious persons at the stable during the time of the theft led officers to an address in Starke County.

A suspect was located and questioned regarding the theft. Shane Querry was arrested and was booked into the Marshall County Jail on the charge.

A portion of the stolen property was able to be recovered

Grant Application Approved for Training Exercise

Posted on Author Lenny Dessauer

Marshall County EMA Director Clyde Avery will be receiving a $8,485.29 grant as the county council this week approved his request to apply for the grant.

The initial purpose of Indiana Department of Homeland Security reimbursable grant was to purchase recording equipment for the Emergency Operations Center, but Avery told WKVI News that the equipment is not on the approved list for the grant.

Instead, Avery will utilize the Emergency Management Performance Competitive Grant in an equally effective manner.

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Domestic Violence Centers Receive Additional Funds

Posted on Author Lenny Dessauer

An additional $1.2 million was approved for domestic violence centers by the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute’s Victim Services Subcommittee and a portion of that money will benefit local centers.

Domestic Violence Treatment and Prevention Council members reviewed the domestic violence shelters’ budgets and plans on how they would utilize immediate assistance and short term support to victims of domestic violence.

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Marshall County Council Approves Appropriation for Public Defenders

Posted on Author Lenny Dessauer

The Marshall County Council approved an additional appropriation for Marshall County Superior Court No 2. for pauper counsel.

Judge Dean Colvin explained that the shortfall in the budget is due to a contract with the public defenders.

“In regards to the contract that we have with our current public defenders and the request we made in 2013 to cover 2014 expenses in the additional increase in pay that we provided when we reorganized in the public defenders fund, we have now come to a point where we are in a shortfall. It’s primarily due to that new contract.”

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Marshall County Council Approves Appropriation for Metronet Project

Posted on Author Lenny Dessauer

The Marshall County Council members discussed an additional appropriation for the Metronet project Monday morning.

The amount was for $250,000 out of the Rainy Day Fund which is the amount St. Joseph County is expected to pay for the project.

Auditor Penny Lukenbill explained that Trinity Health sent in $125,000 for their portion of the cost in August which was appropriated last month. The county is anticipating St. Joseph County’s portion of $250,000 this week. Lukenbill stated that she wants to be prepared for when that happens.

The council unanimously approved the appropriation.

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Walorski Visiting Homegrown Businesses Today

Posted on Author Lenny Dessauer

Jackie_Walorski,_official_portrait,_113th_CongressU.S. Rep. Jackie Walorski’s “Made in Indiana” tour includes stops in Marshall, Pulaski and Starke Counties today. She’s visiting businesses throughout Indiana’s second congressional district to highlight their hard work and contributions to the state’s economy. Walorski will visit Hoosier Racing Tire in Lakeville and tour ITAMCO in Argos this morning before hearing to Rose Acre Farms in Francesville and American Oak Preserving Company in North Judson.

Three Injured in Argos Crash

Posted on Author Lenny Dessauer

accidentAuthorities in Marshall County are investigating a crash involving two cars and a tractor-trailer that saw two people airlifted to hospitals in South Bend. It happened around 9 p.m. last night on State Road 10 at U.S. 31, according to our reporting partners at WNDU-TV. A third person was transferred by ground to St. Joseph Regional Medical Center in Plymouth. The semi driver refused medical treatment.

Absentee Voting Turnout Strong

Posted on Author Lenny Dessauer

The first week of absentee voting saw quite a few voters filling out ballots for the General Election.

The Marshall County Clerk’s office had 129 absentee walk-in voters.

Absentee voting in Marshall County will be available Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and from 12:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. until Friday, Oct. 31. The clerk’s office will be open on Saturday, Oct. 25 and Saturday, Nov. 1 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. ET.

The last opportunity to vote absentee in all counties is Monday, Nov. 3 from 8 a.m. to noon local time.

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Marshall County Council to Meet Today

Posted on Author Lenny Dessauer

The Marshall County Council members will consider several additional appropriations in their monthly meeting today.

Marshall County Superior Court No. 2 Judge Dean Colvin will request $30,000 in an additional appropriation for pauper council while Sheriff Tom Chamberlin will discuss a $3,000 request for overtime.

A request for $250,000 from the Rainy Day Fund to cover the cost of the Metronet project is on the agenda. St. Joseph Regional Medical Center recently paid that for their cost of the project which was placed into the Rainy Day Fund. The council members will now take out that money to complete payment on the project.

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Marshall County EMA Director to Apply for Grant

Posted on Author Lenny Dessauer

Marshall County EMA Director Clyde Avery told the commissioners this week that the county is eligible for the Emergency Management Performance Competitive Grant, but the equipment requested in the grant may not be approved by the state.

Avery explained that he would like to reevaluate the use of the grant if the state will not approve recording equipment that Avery feels is necessary for the Emergency Operations Unit.

“The recording equipment that I had requested to purchase off this grant is apparently is not on the approved equipment list so I’m waiting to see if Indianapolis will approve that,” said Avery. “If they will not approve it, I would like to adjust the projects I’d like to do with the funding – primarily an EOC functional exercise for next year. We can test our plan to see if it’s going to work the way that we hope it’ll work if we activate the Emergency Operations Center.”

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Ancilla Officials Set to Rededicate Nursing Lab

Posted on Author Lenny Dessauer

Ancilla College LogoOfficials with the Ancilla College nursing program will rededicate their recently overhauled clinical lab this evening. St. Joseph Regional Medical Center donated funds for the lab 10 years ago. Director Ann Fitzgerald says the school got a grant from Lilly and used the money to spruce it up.

She says they replaced the existing beds and mannequins, added another one, restocked their supplies, bought new linens and repainted. Continue reading →

Burglary Incident under Investigation

Posted on Author Lenny Dessauer

The Marshall County Sheriff’s Department is investigating a burglary that occurred Friday morning in the 7000 block or Redwood Road.

Police say some unknown person(s) used a small metal tabled to break a window in order to get into the residence. The suspect(s) reportedly stole a 32” television and a mount for the television. No other items were missing, but it appeared the suspect(s) went through drawers in the kitchen and in the bedroom, according to a news release.

If you know anything about this incident, call the Marshall County Sheriff’s Department at (574) 936-3187.

Marshall County Commissioners Approve 2015 Schedules

Posted on Author Lenny Dessauer

The Marshall County Commissioners approved the 2015 pay schedule and the 2015 holiday schedule.

Auditor Penny Lukenbill explained that the year is unique in that there are 27 pays for the year and budgets had to be moved around to accommodate that extra expense. The pay schedule begins Jan. 2.

The holiday schedule was also approved in which the county offices will be closed on Jan. 1, Jan. 19, Apr. 3, May 5, May 25, July 3, Sept. 7, Nov. 3, Nov. 11, Nov 26, Nov. 27, Dec. 24, Dec. 25. Lukenbill stated that the county will follow the state’s holiday schedule.

Jail Bond Refinancing to Save Marshall County over $630,000

Posted on Author Lenny Dessauer

The Marshall County Commissioners received some good news this week.

County Attorney Jim Clevenger told the board members that the prospective sale of the jail bonds to refinance the previous bonds went really well. Lower rates and hard work by Umbaugh and Associates and County Auditor Penny Lukenbill helped save the county $639,000.

Clevenger reminded the commissioners that they weren’t going to go through with refinancing unless the county realized a savings of at least $350,000.

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Mother and Son Sentenced in Methamphetamine Case

Posted on Author Lenny Dessauer

Keith-DaltonA mother and son were sentenced in Marshall County Superior Court No. 1 on Thursday for their involvement in the manufacture of methamphetamine.

Denise Dalton, 49, of Akron and her son, Keith Dalton, 22, admitted in open court that they conspired with each other and two other suspects to purchase methamphetamine precursors for a meth lab.

They were arrested in October of 2013 after purchasing pseuoephedrine and other items including Drano, ammonium nitrate in cold pack form at Walgreens and at Dollar General in Plymouth and being unwanted guests at a local hotel. Keith Dalton attempted to purchase syringes but the clerk at the pharmacy told him that syringes were only available for patients who need insulin. He then inquired about the price of insulin. He was denied the purchase as he did not have a valid prescription.

The pair pleaded guilty in identical plea agreements with the state to conspiracy to manufacture methamphetamine. Their plea agreements called for a 10 year prison sentence with four years of the sentence suspended. Both Denise Dalton and Keith Dalton were given the opportunity to participate in intensive drug rehabilitation through the purposeful incarceration program while incarcerated. Upon their release from prison, they will be on reporting probation for one year.

Ancilla College Offers Basic Nurse Aid Course

Posted on Author Lenny Dessauer

Ancilla College LogoThe next basic nurse aid class at Ancilla College starts Monday. Director of Nursing Ann Fitzgerald says students will learn to work with people and take care of their daily activities, including bathing, eating and dressing. She adds a high school diploma or GED is recommended but not required. Students should be at least 18. Even though there’s no state minimum age to work as a nurse aid, Fitzgerald says many employers will not hire anyone under 18. The ability to read and write in English and basic math skills are also required. The course wraps up Nov. 22. From there Fitzgerald says students can take their certified nurse aid test. Once they pass, they can work in home health, a long-term care facility or elsewhere. Find more information online at www.ancilla.edu.