Plymouth Chamber of Commerce Helps Local Families in Need

The Plymouth Chamber of Commerce is doing their part to help families in need this holiday season. They have a Christmas tree on display for individuals and businesses to decorate with new pairs of socks. Donations will be collected until Dec. 19th at the chamber office at 120 North Michigan Street in Plymouth. Collected socks will be donated to the Marshall County Neighborhood Center. The nonprofit social service agency collects clothing donations to help the community.

Argos Site Designated as Shovel Ready

Indiana Shovel Ready SitesA site in the Argos is among the latest being marketed by the state as “shovel ready.” That’s a designation from the Office of Community and Rural Affairs that indicates sites are prepped and ready for economic development and investment activities. State officials have determined the Argos 17th Road Industrial Site has a clear title, established price, support from local government officials and utilities available. Continue reading

Marshall County Commissioners Hold Public Hearing on Pretty Lake Setbacks

The Marshall County Commissioners held a public hearing during their meeting Monday morning concerning an ordinance regulating building setbacks at Pretty Lake.

Plan Director Ralph Booker explained that the Pretty Lake Homeowners Association approved a change where new construction at the lake would need to be a 45 foot setback from an 789.0 elevation line. The plan commission also approved the ordinance with one commission member against.

“The changes are: where adjacent properties have been developed with principle structures on one or both sides the required setback line may be greater than 45 feet from the 789.0 elevation line and shall be determined by a line drawn between the furthest extension of adjacent structures including any decks, balconies or raised patios,” said Booker.

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Marshall County Commissioners Approve Agreement for Jail Healthcare

The Marshall County Commissioners discussed a contract between the county and Quality Correctional Care, LLC.

Quality Correctional Care, LLC provides the jail’s healthcare needs. The company has provided pharmaceutical needs, a full-time nurse and doctor visits since October of 2013. The current contract expires on Dec. 31 of this year. You can also get in touch with Certified Life Care Planner for all your healthcare needs.

County Attorney Jim Clevenger explained that the new contract would be for a four-year term at a cost of $153,000 for the base compensation per year. That figure would not change throughout the duration of the contract. Some add-ons are also available. The monthly cost would be $12,750. A doctor will visit once a week along with a psychologist and a nurse will be there 40 hours a week.

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Warsaw Man Arrested After Rear-Ending School Bus

Steven Foreman
Steven Foreman

A Warsaw man was arrested Friday night in Marshall County after rear-ending a stopped school bus. Steven L. Foreman, 42, was eastbound on U.S. 30 west of North Oak Drive behind a Rensselaer Central Schools Corporation bus. The driver, Russell W. Wiseman, 66, of Rensselaer, stopped at a railroad crossing, and Foreman hit him. He registered a 3.0 on a certified alcohol test, according to the crash report. No injuries were reported.

Norfolk & Southern Cited for Blocking Railroad Tracks

railroad-crossingElkhart-based Norfolk & Southern Railroad was cited for blocking State Road 17 in Burr Oak for an extended period of time Sunday morning. A Marshall County Sheriff’s deputy responded to a complaint around 9:30 a.m. and observed the train not moving for more than 10 minutes. He then drove to the Redwood Crossing area and spoke to the conductor, who said they were waiting for a long train from the Fort Wayne area to pass. It’s the latest in a series of problems at that crossing. On Oct. 30 a verbal warning was given, and the conductor was told citations would be issued for future occurrences. Continue reading

Marshall County Commissioners to Meet Today

The Marshall County Commissioners will meet this morning where a public hearing is scheduled to hear comment on lake set backs in a zoning ordinance amendment. The commissioners will also have a bid opening for farm lease ground.

Marshall County Highway Administrator Laurie Baker will have an update on operations at the highway department and Jim Clevenger will discuss the progress of the jail bonds and a contract with Quality Correctional Care.

The Marshall County Commissioners will meet today at 9:30 a.m. ET in the second floor meeting room in the Marshall County Building.

Culver School Board to Meet Tonight

The Culver School board will be discussing the balanced calendar survey results from student’s families tonight. On Nov. 3rd a public hearing was held with Rochester Community School Corporation representatives to discuss the pros and cons of being on a balanced calendar. The school board is still considering the switch in calendars and hope the survey results help their decision.

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Ancilla College Training Leaders for Life

Ancilla College LogoAncilla College students have an opportunity to hone their life skills through the Leaders for Life Program. Director of Student Events and Activities Ericka Taylor-Joseph says community and business leaders interact with the students during the 10-week program to help them develop skills in various areas. The Leaders for Life Program is open to both tradition and non-traditional students. Taylor-Joseph says leaders typically take initiative, are organized and outgoing and have a drive or passion to do something for the community. Continue reading

This Week is Winter Weather Preparedness Week

This week has been designated as Winter Weather Preparedness Week in Indiana.

Winter does not officially arrive until Dec. 21 and although snow has arrived in parts of Northern Indiana this season it’s never too late to craft an emergency plan.

Marshall County Emergency Management Agency Director Clyde Avery suggests that you stay informed about potential severe weather. If snow begins to fall in the area, slow down if you plan on driving. Give yourself plenty of extra travel time to reach your destination.

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Three Injured in Buggy Accident

Three people were injured in a crash involving a horse drawn buggy and pickup truck in the Bremen area.

Indiana State Police troopers from the Bremen Post went to the scene at U.S. 6 near Dogwood Rd. in Bremen shortly before 2 p.m. ET. According to police, found that Laurie Bope, 44, of Goshen fell asleep while traveling east on U.S. 6 and didn’t see the horse-drawn buggy. Her pickup rear-ended the buggy.

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Indiana State Troopers Still Seeking Recruits

The opportunity to apply for the Indiana State Police 75th Recruit Academy is quickly coming to an end. Applications must be received via email by 11:59 p.m. ET on Sun. Nov. 30. You must be a United States citizen in order to be considered for a position with the Indiana State Police as a trooper. You must also be at least 21 years of age and less than 40 years of age, meet minimum vision standard requirements, possess a valid driver’s license, be willing to serve anywhere in the state, and be a high school graduate or have a general equivalency diploma.

The Indiana State Police Department is competitive with its salary wage, according to the department’s news release. A recruit is paid $1,417 bi-weekly during the academy training. When training is successfully completed, the starting salary is $38,444 a year. Benefits are also included.

Anyone interested in a career as an Indiana State Trooper can visit http://www.in.gov/isp/2368.htm for detailed information on the application process.

Trees Coming Down in Culver

The town of Culver will have a total of 24 trees being cut down this month. Town Tree Commission representative Tom Kearns told the town council Tuesday evening they had 6 bidders and went with the least expensive. Pro Tree Services had the winning bid of just over $6,500. Kearns said all 24 trees will be taken down by the end of the month.

Culver Middle School Lock-in Scheduled

The Culver Community Middle School will be holding a lock-in this month to raise money for the 8th grader’s end of the year field trip to Kings Island. Both 7th and 8th grade students from the middle school will be able to participate in the evening’s activities. Games and food will be available during the lock in which starts at 6 p.m. ET and runs until 11 p.m. Middle and High School Principal Brett Berndt says although it’s not a traditional all night lock-in students will still be able to have fun and raise money for the trip.

“It takes them to a place where they can have fun and it’s a safe place they can have fun. That’s the biggest thing about it. We are going to have different rooms open doing different things so we are going to have plenty of activities to choose from which is nice for them. Add the factor of playing a dodgeball tournament, basketball tournament and getting an extra dollar out of each team is just a way for them to have fun and still raise money for themselves. It’s a double win for them so to speak. It’s a good idea by the 8th grade class. They did a great job of coming up with this so hopefully it turns out to be a successful one for them,” said Berndt.

Berndt added it has been awhile since the 8th graders went on an end of the year trip.

“Unfortunately I know in the past couple of years they haven’t had a chance to go to Kings Island because they didn’t get enough funds to do so. So here is a good incentive for the kids to try to participate, raise those funds so they can lower their cost per individual to go to that trip,” said Berndt.

The lock-in is scheduled for Nov. 21st and will cost $5 per student for entry.

Trespassers Arrested After Fleeing from Police

Police say this SUV was previously reported stolen in Marshall County.
Police say this SUV was previously reported stolen in Marshall County.

A pair of Bremen break-in suspects face numerous felony charges in Marshall County after leading police from multiple agencies on a high-speed chase this morning. The caretaker of a vacant residence in the 400 block of Kenilworth Road in Bremen found a man and woman sleeping in the upstairs bedroom, went outside and called the police. She tried to block their SUV to keep them from leaving until officers arrived. She told police the man pulled a gun on her before he sped off through an adjacent field. Continue reading