
A new program in Culver looks to improve the look of some of its buildings.
The Town’s Plan Commission says applications have been available for almost a month for façade improvement grants.
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A new program in Culver looks to improve the look of some of its buildings.
The Town’s Plan Commission says applications have been available for almost a month for façade improvement grants.
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A popular children’s author’s birthday was this month, and the Culver-Union Township Public Library is celebrating it for him.
The Library is hosting a “Seuss-a-Bration” to help honor the work of Dr. Seuss. The author’s birthday is celebrated March 2nd around the country.
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The South Bend Indiana National Guard Armory will soon be making an addition to its site.
Indiana’s third STARBASE program will be hosted at the Armory. It’s expected to open in early 2016. Two other STARBASE locations currently operate in Indianapolis and Fort Wayne.
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New Prairie High School in LaPorte County went on lockdown again this morning, and for a similar reason.
According to information released by the LaPorte County Sheriff’s Office, administrators at the school said a bullet had been found in their building. The building was placed on lockdown around 9:15 a.m.
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A program designed to promote information about the Court of Appeals in Indiana will make an appearance at Culver Academies.
Three judges from the court will hear oral arguments from a criminal case on appeal from Vanderburgh County. This is the courts’ fifth appearance for their Appeals on Wheels program this year.
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Marshall County Superior Court No. 2 Judge Dean Colvin asked the commissioners this week to assist him in improving the video conferencing system between the courthouse and the Marshall County Jail.
A system was put in place years ago, but it’s time to upgrade, according to Judge Colvin.
“Over the last several years, we’ve run into a couple of issues with the video conferencing as a result of, as I like to call it, planned obsolescence with the regards to technology,” said Judge Colvin. “We’ve worked through the lifetime expectancy of the video conferencing and we’re having technical problems with video conferencing. We need to address those and bring them back up to date and back up to speed.”

Winter weather occurring earlier this week affected schools in more ways than canceling classes.
The wintry mix that descended on the area also delayed ISTEP testing for several schools. The ISTEP test has been discussed for some time in the General Assembly with reforms to the test approved by lawmakers.
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The Plymouth School Corporation has agreed to provide assurances that allow grant funds to continue for adult education.
During last night’s Plymouth School Board meeting, the Adult Education Program – hosted in Plymouth – was reviewed. The Indiana Department of Workforce Development oversees the program.
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Estimates under Indiana’s proposed school funding formula have Culver schools taking a hit on revenue.
Representatives of the school corporation were invited to the statehouse for the third reading of House Bill 1001 in February. That bill deals with the state’s biennial budget, but includes allocations for education.
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The Marshall County Commissioners held a public hearing on the proposed increase in building permit and improvement location fees Monday morning.
Several of the fees increased by $5 while others jumped considerably. Plan Director Ralph Booker explained that the fees will help cover costs. The fees haven’t been amended for several years.
Permit fees for accessory structures larger than 1,601 square feet rose from $80 to $100 for structures up to 2,000 square feet. Permit fees for accessory structures larger than 2,000 square feet will be $150.

A bit of time has passed since Culver introduced its new Town Manager, and learning the position while meeting a few of the Town’s challenges is presenting an opportunity.
Jonathan Leist accepted the position in December of 2014. That’s after a month’s long search for a replacement for previous Town Manager Dave Schoeff.
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LaPorte Police are investigating after several items were vandalized at the High School.
Officers were notified by LaPorte Schools Superintendent Mike Fraze. He claims that sometime between Friday and Monday, six LaPorte High School Marching Band signs were defaced.
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The Marshall County Commissioners and EMA Director Clyde Avery have upgraded Marshall County to a “watch” level travel advisory.
Snow, sleet and freezing rain will affect the morning commute to work and school. Snow covered and icy road conditions will cause hazardous driving conditions. Temperatures will increase in the afternoon which will cause the precipitation to change to rain.

The Indiana Department of Homeland Security is providing a few tips as rain comes into the state.
Rain can often add to problems caused by snow accumulation such as making the burden heavier on area roofs. Others include the potential for flooding in the state.
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The Marshall County Commissioners held a public hearing Monday morning to take comments on the proposed ordinance amendment on the Commercial Overlay District.
The ordinance encompasses all of Marshall County, but some LaPaz citizens spoke out about the ordinance as they’re worried about commercial development with the overpass on U.S. 6 and the new U.S. 31.
Residents are concerned about existing businesses that were “displaced” when the new U.S. 31 was constructed. Most traffic now passes by LaPaz instead of through LaPaz and taxpayers are concerned about those establishments. Agriculture ground was also a focus of concern as commercial developments could dig into the county’s agribusiness district.

The Plymouth School Board is looking to be cautious about one of its services.
According to the agenda for tonight’s Board of Education meeting, members plan to share information about the summer school programs for the 2015 school year.
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Funds promised in November of last year have received approval by the Culver School Board.
The group reviewed donations to be received during their meeting last night. Among the donations was $50-thousand that will help with the start-up costs for Project Lead the Way. Funds were given by the Culver Redevelopment Commission.
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Riverside Intermediate School administration, staff and students took part in an assembly yesterday afternoon to recognize the school’s state award as a “School to Watch”.
The Plymouth school is one of 350 in the United States that received the designation.
The designation was recently announced by the Indiana Middle Level Education Association and the National Forum to Accelerate Middle Grades Reform. Shirley Wright, Executive Director of the Indiana Middle Level Education Association, spoke about the uniqueness of the award and the fact that Plymouth’s school is the only “intermediate” school to be re-designated for this status. She invited the school’s administration to go to Washington, D.C. to accept the award on a national platform.
In order to be eligible, the school needs to meet the criteria of academic excellence, developmental responsiveness, social equity, and organizational support with evidence from the curriculum and schedule.
Meredith Perks, a representative of Senator Joe Donnelly’s office, and 17th District State Representative Tim Harmon gave words of encouragement as did Plymouth Mayor Mark Senter and Plymouth Community School Superintendent Dan Tyree.
Riverside Intermediate School Principal Jeni Hirschy accepted the school to watch re-designation award.
The celebration ended with a short video presentation and a rally for the start of I-STEP exams that begin today.
Photo caption: Principal Jeni Hirschy (right) accepts the re-designation plaque from Shirley Wright.

Plymouth High School teachers are sending in nominations for Hoosier State. Two boys and two girls will be sponsored by the American Legion Post 27 to serve as Plymouth’s delegates this summer.
Nominations of these 11th-grade students will be accepted in the Plymouth High School Guidance office until Wednesday at 3:15 p.m. ET.

U.S. Senator Joe Donnelly is urging members of the House of Representatives to approve appropriations for a federal department through September of this year.
A stopgap bill designed to fund the Department of Homeland Security for one week passed the House on Friday evening. That followed a failed House vote to fund the DHS for three weeks.
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