Indiana Hosts Second Free Fishing Day

The state of Indiana will be allowing those without a fishing license the opportunity to cast into public waterways.

Normally, anglers would need a license or a trout/salmon stamp in order to fish in Indiana. The state’s Free Fishing Day, however, will take place on Saturday. Indiana residents do not need a fishing license or a trout/salmon stamp to fish for the day.

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Indiana State Police Host Various Summer Youth Camps

Indiana middle and high school students with an interest in law enforcement can learn more about it during one of several Indiana State Police summer youth camps. You can also get more information in this post related to bail bonds and law enforcement.The co-ed “Respect for Law” offering for 5th and 6th grade students includes demonstrations by emergency response team members, bomb squads, underwater search and rescue teams and police dogs.

Law Camps give students entering the 7th and 8th grades a behind the scenes look at the criminal justice system. During the four-day camp participants take field trips and learn more about the law enforcement field. Continue reading

New Shell Building Ready for Business

The new shell building in Plymouth is ready for occupancy.

Plymouth Mayor Mark Senter, Dan Zuerner from Garmong Construction, PIDCO Board President James Faulstich, and Mike Miley, Vice President of the Plymouth Redevelopment Commission spoke about the city’s bright future with economic development in a ribbon cutting ceremony yesterday. Officials officially welcomed the opening of the expandable 45,000 square foot building on the corner of Pioneer Drive and Commerce Street in Plymouth.

Bill Davis, Board Chairman of the Marshall County Economic Development Corporation, says the board realized that there weren’t a wealth of facilities available for potential business or industry leaders looking to begin business in the county. That’s when the shell building concept was born.

“PIDCO had the land, we had the concept, and we met with Garmong [Construction] and researched them pretty thoroughly,” said Davis. “They had done 40 or 45 of these throughout the state. We just said we’re going to have some place for a prospective client to come in and create jobs for Marshall County. Three-and-a-half years later, here we are!”

Davis says they’re getting closer to finding an occupant for the building.

“We have many prospects. They’re varied with all different kinds of industries and different pay scales. We’re pretty confident that there’s not going to be an issue with us getting a prospect into the building pretty quickly.”

Davis believes that this just a start of the potential for more economic development in Marshall County.

“We’ve already seen this happening in Argos. They bought 80 acres of land. We’ve helped them get that shovel ready, according to the state criteria. If we could get every community as engaged as Plymouth and Argos have been, I think that you’re going to see Culver, Bourbon or Bremen doing the same thing, conceptually, as what we did here.”

Flags to Be Flown at Half-Staff for Peace Officers Memorial Day

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.

Click It or Ticket Enforcement Blitz Starts Today

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

Ribbon Cutting Ceremony Set for New Shell Building

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.

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Culver Continues Support After Failed LOHUT Attempt

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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Marshall County Health Department to Implement Breastfeeding Education Programs

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.

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Officials Break Ground for Runway Project

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.”

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E-Poll Books to be Used in November Election

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.

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Marshall County Sheriff’s Department to Participate in Click it or Ticket

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

Plymouth High School Ranked Among Best in Indiana by U.S. News & World Report

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

Marshall County Council Does Not Act on LOHUT Recommendation

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.

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Plymouth Councilman Predicts Return of Highway Tax Talks

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

Marshall County Council to Consider LOHUT Recommendations

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.

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Spring Property Tax Payments Due Today

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.

Plymouth BOW, Common Council to Discuss Conflict of Interest Disclosure

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