Flags should be flown at half-staff from sunrise until sunset today in observance of Peace Officers Memorial Day. It honors federal, state and local officers killed or disabled in the line of duty. President Obama signed a proclamation ordering flags nationwide be lowered in observance of the somber celebration. Gov. Mike Pence also asks businesses and residents to lower their flags to half-staff to pay tribute to the brave men and women in law enforcement across the state and nation.
Police officers across the country and close to home will be on the lookout for drivers and passengers who aren’t buckled up. The Marshall County Sheriff’s Department and Indiana State Police are among the agencies taking part in the Click It or Ticket enforcement blitz that starts today. Over the next two weeks, officers and troopers will be on the lookout around the clock for violators. Continue reading
Three years of planning and construction of a 45,000 square foot shell building in Plymouth will be celebrated with a ribbon cutting ceremony today.
The building is the first of its kind in Marshall County. According to the Marshall County Economic Development Corporation, businesses today are searching for a site that is readily available to begin operations in a more timely manner. The shell building in Plymouth offers that opportunity. Construction of the shell building began last year.
The building can be expanded to 135,000 square feet to accommodate the needs of an interested business. The interior can easily be adapted in a short timeframe that reduces permitting and construction costs.
The Town of Culver may be waiting for another attempt before additional revenue is gained.
A letter was sent by the Town to the Marshall County Council expressing their support for a Local Option Highway User Tax and Wheel Tax. Due to stagnant funding from the state of Indiana, local entities are considering the tax as a way to raise revenue for road maintenance and repairs.
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The Marshall County Health Department will be doing more to promote breastfeeding programs and support in the community due to a state mandate.
Annette Osborn from the health department explained to the Marshall County Council this week that a part-time WIC employee will need to increase work hours by four hours per week due to the new mandate for breastfeeding education.
The Plymouth Board of Works hopes to award a bid for mill and fill work at the south entrance to Centennial Park and on the two short streets to the cemetery at their next meeting. They received five bids for the work, ranging from a low of $488,000 to a high of more than $696,000. Those bids are under advisement. Continue reading
The Plymouth Board of Aviation Commissioners, project engineers and city dignitaries, helped break ground on a $2.5 million runway project at the Plymouth Airport last night.
Mark Shillington, the project manager, and engineer, says the Indiana Department of Transportation Office of Aviation found that the runway did not meet minimum standards for service in a pavement condition report.
“They gave us the indication that they would support us going for federal funds to repave the runway,” said Shillington. “Because of the soils underneath the runway, we have to go through and dig up the entire runway and work underneath it as well.”
E-poll books will be used in this November’s Municipal General Election in Marshall County.
The county council Monday morning approved an additional appropriation for the purchase of 15 iPads at a cost of $35,010. The appropriation was advertised prior to the council’s unanimous approval. The iPads will be outfitted with the necessary software to be used for voters to sign in at the polls.
A local law enforcement agency is taking part in a national and statewide driver safety initiative. The next Click It or Ticket enforcement effort kicks off Friday and continues through May 31. Officers from the Marshall County Sheriff’s Department will join more than 250 state and local law enforcement agencies on the lookout around the clock for drivers and passengers who aren’t wearing seat belts. Continue reading
A local high school ranks among the top-performing in the state, according to a national magazine. The 2015 U.S. News & World Report Best High School rankings evaluate students on college readiness. Plymouth High School ranks 15th in the state on the list and earns a silver medal. Visit http://www.usnews.com/education/best-high-schools/indiana/districts/plymouth-community-school-corp/plymouth-high-school-7361 for details. Continue reading
The Marshall County Council has decided to step back and gather more information before moving forward with a Local Option Highway User Tax (LOHUT).
The LOHUT contains a surtax of the vehicle excise tax as well as a wheel tax. That money can be used to reconstruct, construct, repair or maintain streets under county, city or town jurisdiction.
Highway Administrator Laurie Baker and Supervisor of County Highways Jason Peters Monday morning spoke to the council about the funding they currently have for road projects this year. Of the $1.2 million available, the county plans to pug 13.5 miles of road and pave at least five miles of road that totals just over $500,000. The rest of the funds will be used for materials, dust control, and other actions conducted by the highway department.
At least one elected official in Marshall County believes the controversial topic of vehicle excise and wheel taxes to pay for road repairs will return. Plymouth Common Councilman Mike Delp says taxpayers need to keep the proposed user fees in perspective. He told his fellow council members last night people are concerned about paying $25 per vehicle but are willing to pay an average of $71 per month for cell phone service or $86 per month for cable TV and Internet service. Continue reading
The Culver Town Council will be considering an item that has been discussed for several months, this evening.
Prior to the regularly scheduled meeting at 5:30 p.m. EDT, Culver Town Council members will review an ordinance that will establish a new brand of EMS service in the town.
The Marshall County Council members will review a recommendation by the commissioners to implement a Local Option Highway User Tax (LOHUT) to gather revenue for the county for local roads.
State revenue for motor vehicle highway budgets has flatlined. Expenses continue to rise which has left Marshall County with an option to implement a LOHUT. A LOHUT contains a vehicle excise tax and a wheel tax that is payable at the Bureau of Motor Vehicles when registrations are due. The revenue generated, which will double what the county highway department currently has available, can be used to construct, reconstruct, repair or maintain streets under county, city or town jurisdiction.
The spring installment of property taxes is due today. The Marshall County Treasurer’s office will be open until 6 p.m. to accept payments. They can also be dropped off at all branches of The Teacher’s Credit Union or at the IAB Bank in Bourbon. Payments not made by the close of the business day will be subject to late fees and interest.
The Plymouth Board of Works and Common Council will discuss a conflict of interest disclosure for a government officials during their respective meetings this evening. Counclman Mike Delp owns Plymouth-based Michiana Contracting, Inc., which was awarded the bid for the storage building at the Ledyard Water Treatment Plant. State law requires a conflict of interest disclosure be filed within 15 days. The complete text of the law can be found at http://www.in.gov/legislative/ic/archive/2013/ic/2013/title36/ar1/ch21.pdf Continue reading
Ancilla College graduated its 48th class in school history on Saturday, with 65 students awarded degrees. “This is an excellent graduating class,” said Ancilla College President Dr. Ken Zirkle. “I am very proud of the graduates; a number of whom are already accepted and enrolled in four-year programs or are already placed in jobs that came as a result of their education here at Ancilla.” Continue reading
Marshall County Attorney James Clevenger has drafted an agreement between the County and the City of Plymouth concerning the maintenance of the roundabout. Further discussion by the Commissioners has prompted its return to a meeting for approval.
The agreement calls for all expenses and improvement of the roundabout be the sole obligation of the City of Plymouth. The city has plans for signs as well as landscaping. Whatever improvements are planned would be approved by the Commissioners before any action is taken. Any planned landscaping would also need to comply with the proper navigation of vehicles around the roundabout. The city must also comply with all federal, state and local regulations.
Another academic year is in the books at Ancilla College. President Ken Zirkle took over leadership of the two-year, private, Catholic school last fall and has accomplished quite a bit in a short amount of time. During his tenure, school officials broke ground on Ancilla’s first residence hall. It’s on schedule to be finished Aug. 1 and will provide housing for about 100 first-year students. Continue reading
Students participating in an extracurricular at Culver High School were able to raise a considerable amount of cash in a short amount of time.
It was announced during Monday night’s Culver School Board meeting that Business Professionals of America students will be able to attend a national competition this month.
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