Statewide Winter Moratorium Ends, Utility Payment Assistance Still Available

Posted on Author Lenny Dessauer

The state-mandated moratorium on utility service disconnection during the winter months is over. However, several forms of payment assistance are still available for low-income families who need help paying their heating bills. These include assistance through the Low Income Home Energy Assistance (LIHEAP) Program. It is available to households that fall within 150 percent of federal poverty guidelines and is administered through local community action agencies. LIHEAP-eligible NIPSCO customers may also qualify for additional discounts through the NIPSCO Customer Assistance for Residential Energy, or CARE, program. Applications are made at the same time as those for LIHEAP assistance. Continue reading →

Solar Farm Considered in Argos

Posted on Author Lenny Dessauer

Indiana Municipal Power Agency officials think that a solar power project would work well in the town of Argos.

The Argos solar power project would include 3,000 solar panels mounted 24 inches above the ground and tilted at a 25-degree angle, according to our reporting partners at WNDU-TV.  Dan Worl from the IMPA says the companies provide power for 60 towns including Bremen and Argos but the construction of the solar farm requires a unique location where no obstructions are present.

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Former Marshall County Resident Sentenced to 32 Years

Posted on Author Lenny Dessauer

A former Culver resident was sentenced to 32 years in prison on charges of serious violent felon in possession of a firearm with an enhancement of habitual offender.

Russell Prosser, 44, was found guilty of those charges in a trial in February.

The case began in December of 2013 when officers found Prosser sleeping in a truck in the McDonald’s parking lot in LaPaz. He was a suspect in a case where several thefts occurred from vehicles in Culver. Guns were spotted by police inside the vehicle. A warrant to search the vehicle was obtained, and the weapons were confiscated. He was known by police to have been convicted of an armed robbery, and it was illegal for Prosser to possess any firearm.

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Three Arrested On Dealing and Possession Charges

Posted on Author Lenny Dessauer

Plymouth police made several arrests after a search warrant was executed Thursday afternoon.

In conjunction with the Indiana State Police, Plymouth officers responded to the 900 block of North Michigan Street. Authorities allegedly located what they’re describing as “acid” and cannabis on the scene. The amount of illicit substances located is not known at this time.
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Funeral Services Tomorrow for Former Plymouth Mayor

Posted on Author Lenny Dessauer

Former Plymouth Mayor Jack Greenlee will be laid to rest tomorrow. He died Monday at his Rex Street home. Greenlee was 85. He served as mayor from 1992-2000. He’s credited with establishing the Annual Prayer Breakfast and Christmas Parade. He also served on the county board and city council. Mayor Mark Senter recently presented Greenlee a Key to the City. Many regard him as Plymouth’s biggest cheerleader. Continue reading →

Charges Filed in Runaway Case

Posted on Author Lenny Dessauer

Formal charges were filed Thursday in Marshall Superior Court 1 against a man suspected of participating in sexual misconduct with a minor and helping a minor run away from home.

Marshall County Prosecutor Nelson Chipman filed felony charges against Rigoberto Calix Reyes, 21, that include sexual misconduct with a minor and forgery, as well as a misdemeanor charge of contributing to the delinquency of a minor. A warrant has been issued for his arrest. Bail is set at $100,000 cash.

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Check for Unclaimed Property

Posted on Author Lenny Dessauer

Indiana residents are encouraged to see if they are eligible to claim unclaimed property totaling $66 million.

Unclaimed property includes investment earnings, insurance proceeds and benefits, wages, and money from savings and checking accounts. Attorney General Greg Zoeller said making a claim with the Attorney General’s Unclaimed Property Division is free. Visit www.IndianaUnclaimed.gov search for your name, relatives, neighbors and friends names. Business owners and charitable organizations should also check annually for unclaimed property.

The state holds these assets for 25 years after they are reported.

In Marshall County, $1,370,156 is claimable while in Fulton County $596,995 is claimable.

In 2014, the Attorney General’s Office returned a record 95,000 properties totaling more than $66 million in unclaimed property.

Plymouth Woman Injured in Two-Vehicle Wreck

Posted on Author Lenny Dessauer

A Plymouth woman was injured Wednesday night when the vehicle she was riding in was rear-ended by another motorist. Mary Holtrop, 58, was riding in a 2009 Chevrolet that was eastbound on State Road 17 at Carriage Drive and stopped to for westbound emergency vehicles with lights and sirens on. A 2007 Kia driven by Alberta Huff, 77, of Plymouth, struck the Chevy, according to a report from the Marshall County Sheriff’s Department. Huff told the investigating officer she was slowing for the passing vehicles and did not realize the other car, driven by Joseph Holtrop, 77, of Burbank, Ill. had stopped.

 

Missing Plymouth Teen Found in Another State

Posted on Author Lenny Dessauer

A Plymouth teen who ran away has been found in Texas along with the man who reportedly took her with him.

Alyssa Tapia was reported missing on March 6 and was believed to be with Rigoberto Calix-Reyes. It is alleged that Reyes falsified his identity to get into Plymouth High School two years ago, according to a WSBT-TV report.

The report also states that Alyssa Tapia is pregnant. Arrangements are being made to have the pair transported back to Indiana.

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Marshall County Commission President to Ask for Appropriation for MCEDC Contract

Posted on Author Lenny Dessauer

The Marshall County Council will consider an additional appropriation request made by Commission President Kevin Overmyer in an upcoming meeting.

He explained to the council members this week that the council cut $20,000 from the budget and that is needed to satisfy a contract with the Marshall County Economic Development Corporation. Overmyer said the contract is for $150,000 and the additional appropriation is needed for the rest of the year.

Overmyer said Executive Director Jerry Chavez has been working with the towns in Marshall County to improve economic development, which is a vision with both the Marshall County Economic Development Corporation and the county.

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Ancilla Officials Break Ground on New Residence Hall

Posted on Author Lenny Dessauer

Ancilla College officials broke ground on the new residence hall Tuesday afternoon.

The three-story facility and student life dining center is expected to open on Aug. 1, just in time for the fall semester. The residence hall will be home for nearly 100 new students. The project includes a separate dining facility, fitness area, media center, two-story lobby with fireplace and prayer rooms.

Ancilla College President Dr. Ken Zirkle told those in attendance yesterday that this is just the beginning of great things to come at Ancilla.

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Old Firehouse Renovation Discussed by Plymouth Board of Public Works

Posted on Author Lenny Dessauer

The Plymouth Board of Public Works received an update on what is needed to preserve the historic firehouse on Center Street.

Brent Martin from SRKM said the building was built in 1875 and renovated in 1993. When the contractors renovated the building, they sealed the brick in such a way that the condensation could not expel from the interior part of the structure that caused them to deteriorate. The trapped water also froze and expanded that caused even further damage.

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Plymouth City Council Considers Tax Abatement Change

Posted on Author Lenny Dessauer

Marshall County Economic Development Corporation Executive Director Jerry Chavez presented a proposal for a change in tax abatement guidelines to the Plymouth City Council Monday night.

Chavez explained that the bedrock of tax abatement remains. Companies can fill out an application form to discuss what type of economic development will be occurring at the facility. Real property and personal property is evaluated for capital investment. An annual report is required as to the progress of the business.

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Highway Department to Get New Pug Mill

Posted on Author Lenny Dessauer

The Marshall County Council discussed several additional appropriation requests at their meeting Monday morning.

The highway department had a request for a $310,000 additional appropriation for a new pug mill. Highway Superintendent Jason Peters discussed looking into a used pug mill in Missouri but decided against the purchase. Peters previously said the pug mill had been used for a different need. It was decided to go with a new pug mill for the requested amount that the council approved.

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LaPorte Woman a Victim of Tax Fraud

Posted on Author Lenny Dessauer

A 75-year-old LaPorte woman was unable to file her taxes because someone else used her personal information to file a claim.

LaPorte City Police Department officers were made aware of the fraud incident this week. The victim told police that her nephew attempted to file her taxes, and the filing was rejected. She added that she was an Anthem Health Care customer, and her information was among those stolen in a recent massive hacking incident.

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Walorski Talks Agriculture At Farm Bureau Luncheon

Posted on Author Lenny Dessauer

2nd District Congresswoman Jackie Walorski is looking for ways to enhance agricultural industries.

The South Bend Republican appeared in Plymouth yesterday as part of an agriculture tour. The congresswoman is visiting nearly a dozen businesses, farms, and venues in two days in an effort to learn more about the industry and perhaps garner sufficient information to influence policy.
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