Ancilla 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.
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.
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
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
Culver Council Extends Search for Town Manager
Culver officials have extended the search for a town manager until Dec. 1st. Manager Dave Schoeff resigned last month and finished his duties on Oct. 17th. Council President Ginny Bess Munroe says the town has been working with a consultant to help the process.
United Way Accepting Fund Request Applications
Nonprofit organizations are invited to submit requests for funding through the United Way of Marshall County.
The United Way receives nearly $500,000 a year to help organizations with funding needs. A focus on education, health and financial stability help distribute funds to where they are needed the most.
Volunteers visit United Way member agencies and conduct an annual in-depth review. The volunteers and board members have careful deliberation to ensure that funds are distributed fairly and objectively so the they are being used in the best way to serve the community.
Plymouth School Corporation Adds Another Preschool Classroom
A local elementary school is adding another preschool classroom. The Plymouth Community School Corporation recently got Title I approval to add a new classroom at Jefferson Elementary School. It will ensure preschoolers between ages four and five in Plymouth have access to a free early childhood education. Continue reading
Proposed Culver Water Treatment Plant Moves Forward
The Town of Culver is on track to build a new water treatment plant. On Tuesday the council passed an ordinance to raise water and sewer rates. They also approved an agreement with accounting firm Umbaugh and Associates. Continue reading
Marshall County Sheriff’s Department Prepares for OPO Blitz
The Marshall County Sheriff’s Department is one of several law enforcement agencies across Indiana are taking part in an Operation Pull Over blitz through the end of the month. Patrol officers will be looking for drunk drivers and seatbelt violators.
Last November 490 alcohol-related crashes occurred in Indiana, resulting in 224 injuries and 13 fatalities. A total of 735 drivers were arrested statewide for driving under the influence, and 9.504 seatbelt citations were issued to drivers and passengers who were not buckled up.
Jefferson Street Bridge to Open Today
The Jefferson Street bridge in Plymouth will open to traffic today.
Marshall County Supervisor of County Highways Jason Peters told WKVI News that the bridge will open at 6:30 a.m. ET. Crews from Beer and Slabaugh will continue to work on the northeast corner of the bridge but traffic will be allowed to pass.
The bridge closed as emergency was declared for repairs. The Marshall County Commissioners approved the closure on Oct. 9 after it was determined that the concrete slabs by the bridge were not stable and the sidewalk was not reinforced. A majority of those repairs are complete with only a few minor issues to finish.
Culver Council Votes to Raise Water and Sewer Rates
The Culver Town Council approved two-tiered increases to the town’s water and sewer rates last night after no comments or questions were received during a public hearing.
The increases will occur in two phases. The first will take effect in December. Average and will increase the average residential water bill by $4.20 per month, and sewer bills will go up by $2. Water bills will go up again on May 1 by $5.04, while sewer bills will increase by $2 next December. Continue reading
Check for Excise Tax Eligibility on the BMV Website
You can check to see if you are eligible for an Excise Tax refund on the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicle’s website.
BMV Commissioner Don Snemis said letters have been sent to those who are eligible but in case you didn’t receive a claim form, access the refund eligibility page at www.myBMV.com. A “Check Your Excise Tax Refund Eligibility” icon can be found on the right side of the page and users will be asked for a Social Security Number or Driver’s License Number in order to check eligibility.
Two Arrested in Alleged Armed Robbery in Plymouth
Two Illinois men were arrested on Sunday after reportedly being involved in an armed robbery incident in Plymouth.
An employee at the Cellular Connection told Plymouth officers that two men entered the store and ordered him to open the safe. A knife was reportedly brandished when the demand was made. He said the suspects took high value phones from the safe, according to the news release from the Plymouth Police Department. Before the suspects left the store, the employee told police that he was restrained. The victim was able to get free and call 911.
Weather Delays Jefferson Bridge Opening
It will take a couple of more days to open the Jefferson Street bridge in Plymouth.
Marshall County Supervisor of County Highways Jason Peters told WKVI News that weather has delayed the completion of bridge work. The projected reopening date is now Wednesday.
Bart Trester from USI Consultants told the Marshall County Commissioners last week that the remaining items on the checklist include sidewalks and curbs. Crews also want to reseal the bridge deck to complete the project.
Marshall County Council to Meet Tonight
The Marshall County Council will meet tonight where several additional appropriation requests are on the table for approval.
A representative from the Argos Community School Corporation will request money from the rainy day fund for stipends, health insurance and utilities totaling $140,000. A request will also be made for a reduction in General Fund appropriation for health insurance and utilities in the amount of $120,360.
The Superior Court 1 judge will request addition appropriations in the amount of $13,000 while the highway department will request $175,000 will be requested from the Cumulative Bridge fund for the 7th Road project.
Marshall County Community Foundation Offers Special Grant to Celebrate Indiana Bicentennial
The Marshall County Community Foundation has set aside up to $10,000 to assist organizations with programs and projects specifically related to the bicentennial celebration in 2016.
This special grant round will help recognize this milestone in the state’s history and to encourage local participation in the celebration.
INDOT Worker Assaulted
A man assaulted an INDOT worker after being confronted about driving around a barricade on Friday morning.
The INDOT worker was sitting in his truck on a lunch break when he saw a man in a maroon pickup drive around barricades that were blocking the road in the southbound lane of State Road 331 just south of Bourbon in a construction zone.
According to a report from the Indiana State Police, the worker got out of his vehicle and attempted to stop the driver. The worker told police that the driver struck him with the driver’s side mirror and then exited the truck and yelled profanities at him. The driver then proceeded to punch him several times in the face, according to police.
