County Commissioners, Council approve Sewer District dissolution agreement

PLYMOUTH — It’s official now. The Marshall County Sewer District Board will conclude any current

business and then dissolve by a unanimous vote of the County Commissioners and Council on an agreement to end the dispute between the bodies.
In an agreement outlined for the County Commissioners and Council on Monday by Commissioners’ Attorney Sean Surrisi, the Sewer Board will conclude any business within a 60-day timeframe. All legal claims held by either side in the dispute will be released, including the current action by the county against Sewer Board President Tom McFadden and the Sewer Board appeal of the Indiana Department of Environmental Management’s action dissolving the District, and no future actions will be considered.


If any actions of any of the parties involved were to be investigated and found to be illegal, the agreement would allow the other to pursue civil action.
The county also agreed to cover the $5000 deductible for 6 years of insurance coverage for litigation against any individual member of the board.
Neither side in the dispute admits any wrongdoing as part of the agreement.
Both Commissioners and Council also voted unanimously to purchase the current bond of the district, which could be in the neighborhood of $1.6 million.

OWI arrest after accident

On Friday,​ Dec. 19th,​ at 12:54 AM,​ Marshall County Police were dispatched to the intersection of King

Road and 11th Road for reports of a single vehicle property damage involving a utility pole.
Deputies arrived on scene and located a 1993 Lexus passenger car at the southeast corner of the intersection against an REMC utility pole. The vehicle appeared to have been traveling southbound and left the east side of the roadway for unknown reasons.
During the investigation,​ the driver,​ Sean M. Janda,​ 21, was suspected of being under the influence of alcohol. Field sobriety tests were completed, and a later certified test showed his blood alcohol to be over two times the legal limit of alcohol. He received medical clearance and was transported to the Marshall County Jail.

Suspects are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Accident leads to arrest

PLYMOUTH — On Wednesday,​ Dec. 17,​ at 12:46 pm,​ ​Marshall County Dispatch broadcast a report of a

single-vehicle accident on the US 31 southbound on the ramp from eastbound US 30.
The report was of a vehicle that had left the roadway,​ into an embankment,​ and the woman driving was incoherent and possibly intoxicated, according to the initial reporter. Marshall County and Plymouth Police Officers responded along with Plymouth Fire/EMS.
During the crash investigation, it was discovered that the driver,​ Pamela Overmyer, was exhibiting signs of alcohol intoxication. She was transported to the Marshall County Jail for operating a vehicle with a BAC ​of .15% or more,​ operating a vehicle while intoxicated,​ and endangering.

Suspects are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Special Monday meetings about the sewer district

PLYMOUTH — There will be a pair of special meetings to discuss the Marshall County Regional Sewer

District on Monday.
The Marshall County Commissioners will convene a special meeting at 8:30 a.m. on Monday, Dec. 22, in room 203 of the county building at 112 W. Jefferson Street in Plymouth to discuss the Sewer District.
Then, at 9 a.m., the Marshall County Council will conduct a special meeting in the same location for the same purpose.
Both meetings will be live-streamed on YouTube @MarshallCountyIN

Bremen man arrested at Walmart

PLYMOUTH — On Dec. 17 at 9:21 p.m., Plymouth Officers were dispatched to the parking lot of

Walmart for a man in a vehicle being hit by the driver of the vehicle.
Upon arrival, it was determined that the two men had a verbal argument. It was then reported that the driver, Trevor Lucas, of Bremen, had hit the passenger several times on the left arm.
The passenger had visible marks on his left arm and was complaining of pain. Trevor Lucas was detained and transported to the Marshall County jail and booked for the charge of Domestic Battery.

Suspects are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Domestic battery arrest

PLYMOUTH — On Dec. 17, Officers responded to the 400 block of Pennsylvania for the report of a

Domestic Disturbance.
After investigation, it was determined that a Battery occurred. Tanya Hisey-Kujath, 49 of Plymouth, was taken into custody and booked into the Marshall County Jail for Domestic Battery and Intimidation.

Suspects are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

City of Plymouth meetings on Monday night

PLYMOUTH — The City of Plymouth will have its regular meetings on Monday night, starting with the

Board of Public Works and Safety at 6 p.m.
On the agenda is the opening of bids for an ambulance.
Immediately following the Board of Works will be the Common Council meeting.
On that agenda are appointments to the various boards and commissions, as well as the Mayor Pro-Tempore.
There will also be resolutions for investment of public funds and a transfer of appropriations.
Both meetings will be held in the Council Chambers on the second floor of the city building. Those attending should enter by the Garro Street entrance.
If you need special accommodation to attend the meeting, please contact the ADA Coordinator at 574-936-2948. The meetings will be live-streamed on YouTube @CityofPlymouth.

NWS special weather statement

Special Weather Statement issued December 18 at 11:55AM EST by NWS Northern Indiana


Southerly winds will gust up to 40 mph this afternoon into early this evening. Isolated wind gusts up to 50 mph will also be possible in heavier rain showers. Be sure to secure outdoor objects.

Flash Freeze Tonight

PLYMOUTH — Temperatures will rapidly decrease this evening, dropping below the freezing point

sometime after sundown.
Rain (and possibly snow) is on the way, which will freeze to untreated pavements and cause slick conditions.
Marshall County EMA has left the Travel Advisory in place as a precaution. Please be safe if you have to travel late tonight or early tomorrow morning.

January move-in in still projected for Water Street townhomes

PLYMOUTH — The Plymouth Redevelopment Commission heard an update on the Water Street

Townhomes project in downtown, and the projection is still that tenants will be able to move in beginning in January.
Plymouth City Attorney Jeff Houin told the Board that work has moved indoors at the site currently, with most of the outside work complete. Houin said that significant progress was being made on the interiors of the units.
One spot that is running behind schedule is the paving of the parking lot. The initial coat of asphalt has been applied, but with the cold weather, the final coat will have to wait until the spring. In the meantime, developers are making arrangements for temporary striping to be done before tenants begin to take occupancy.

Plymouth man jailed on neglect charge

PLYMOUTH —The Marshall County Sheriff’s Department, along with the Division of Child Services,

obtained information about a 3-year-old female child ​who sustained an injury that appeared to be ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​non-accidental,​​ suspicious, or inconsistent with the explanation of the injury to the child’s face. A case report was completed and presented to the Marshall County Prosecutor’s Office for review.
After an extended and painstaking investigation,​ Lt. Detective Les McFarland sought a warrant for the arrest of Kevin Corona, 33, of Plymouth, for Neglect of a ​Dependent,​ Resulting in Bodily Injury,​ a Level 5 Felony. Corona was arrested and booked into the Marshall County Jail.

County BZA approves findings of fact

PLYMOUTH — In a special meeting on Tuesday night, the Marshall County Board of Zoning Appeals

reviewed and approved findings of fact from their meeting in December of last year, denying a variance of use for Tamarack Solar to use land in the Culver area to construct a solar farm.
The denial of the variance led to Tamarack filing suit against the Board and asking for a venue change to Fort Wayne and Allen County Superior Court. The meeting on Tuesday was to allow the BZA to review their findings of fact and make any changes before presenting the findings to the Judge in the case.
In a discussion that lasted less than half an hour, the BZA approved those findings of fact for presentation.
The Board made several slight changes and added points of emphasis.
One such was emphasizing the comprehensive plan for the county called for the preservation of farmland and open space in the county and the concern the installation would have on wildlife in the area.
A second was another item in the comprehensive plan stating that villages in the county should have the ability to grow larger in the future, and the BZA felt the growth of Burr Oak would be inhibited by the facility surrounding it.
The plight of one resident of the area was also highlighted, as the family had purchased land in the area before talk of the solar facility and had not been informed of its possibility. The land purchased would be surrounded by solar panels instead of farmland.
Concerns for groundwater contamination from lead and cadmium were also pointed out.
Only three members of the board — President Jeff Gustafson, Trent Bennett, and Tim Pletcher — were present since there was some dispute over paperwork on the two alternate members that had been appointed.

National average to be $2.79 on Christmas; weekly savings of $521M vs. last year

GasBuddy, North America’s trusted source for fuel savings for more than 25 years, today reported

holiday travelers may find a welcome gift at the pump this Christmas. GasBuddy expects the national average on Christmas Day to land near $2.79 per gallon, below last year’s price of $3.00, saving motorists over half a billion dollars during the Christmas week compared to last year. While 2024 previously represented the lowest Christmas Day price since 2020, this year continues that trend and marks another year of modest improvement for holiday drivers.
Locally in Marshall County, the most expensive gas was in Bourbon at $2.99 a gallon, and the least expensive in Plymouth at $2.59 a gallon. In Starke County, the most expensive was in North Judson at $2.91, and the cheapest was in Hamlet at $2.69.
The softer holiday pricing comes as refinery maintenance winds down and gasoline supplies rise, easing some of the pressure that typically builds earlier in the year. In addition, OPEC has been increasing oil production for much of 2025, pushing crude prices to multi-year lows in the weeks leading up to Christmas.
Even with millions of Americans traveling for the holidays, winter gasoline demand remains far lower than in the summer, helping keep a natural lid on prices. While unexpected refinery issues or international tensions could still introduce volatility, the overall backdrop is far more favorable for Christmas travelers than it was a few years ago when the re-opening economy surged prices.
“Christmas is often when gas prices settle near the lowest levels of the year, and 2025 is no exception,” said Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy. “Refinery maintenance has wrapped up, supplies are rising, and winter demand is much lower than in summer — all of which help keep a lid on prices. Provided there are no surprises; holiday travelers should see pump prices that come in a bit lower than last Christmas. We’re also seeing encouraging early trends as we prepare to release our 2026 Fuel Outlook in January, with signs that lower prices could continue into next year. For those traveling across state lines, keep in mind the extreme volatility in prices that can occur between states and save yourself 20-80 cents per gallon by filling up on the cheaper side.”
Holiday Travel Tips for Drivers
•Check the GasBuddy app to find the best price: Gas prices can vary 10 to 25 cents per gallon nearby and over 50c/gal on longer trips. Always compare prices before deciding where to fill up.
•Watch state lines: Tax differences can swing prices 20 to over 80 cents per gallon — plan fill-ups before crossing into higher-priced states.
•Take advantage of loyalty programs: Many gas stations offer discounts for joining their loyalty programs. Stack your savings with GasBuddy offers for the lowest price.
•Drive efficiently: Using cruise control and maintaining steady speeds can improve fuel economy by up to 15% on long holiday drives.
GasBuddy, North America’s trusted fuel savings platform for more than 25 years, empowers consumers to fuel up for less. With over 100 million app downloads, GasBuddy is reimagining everyday mobility with real-time gas prices at 150,000+ stations. To learn more about GasBuddy, visit gasbuddy.com.

Lilly Scholar in Marshall County named

PLYMOUTH — The Marshall County Community Foundation is pleased to announce the

recipient of the 2026 Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship for Marshall County: Rongtian (“Ray”) Ye of Plymouth High School. Lilly Endowment Community Scholars are recognized for their community involvement, academic achievement, character, and leadership.
“Ray is a true reflection of the Lilly Scholarship. He embodies academic excellence, service-oriented leadership, perseverance, and character. His achievements and dedication uphold the core values and high standards of the award, demonstrating not only personal success but also a lasting commitment to strengthening his community.” said Beth Styers, MCCF Scholarship Committee Chair.
Each Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship provides full tuition, required fees, and up to $900 per year for required books and equipment for four years of full-time undergraduate study leading to a baccalaureate degree at any eligible Indiana public or private nonprofit college or university. Scholars also join the Lilly Scholars Network (LSN), which connects them with resources and opportunities to lead on campus and in their communities. Both the scholarship program and LSN are supported by grants from Lilly Endowment to Independent Colleges of Indiana (ICI).
“When I am remembered by my community, I want my legacy to be one that radiates passion and a commitment to giving back, showing just how much I appreciate all that this community has done to raise and support me,” said Ray Ye (Lilly Endowment Community Scholar).
In nominating Marshall County’s Lilly Endowment Community Scholar, the committee considered 1) academic performance; 2) community service, work experience, and leadership; 3) school activities; and 4) an application essay and interview by the Lilly Scholarship Selection Committee. After narrowing the field of applicants, nominees were submitted to Independent Colleges of Indiana (ICI), the statewide administrator of the program, for final selection.
“Each year the applicants from Marshall County are amazing and it is always a difficult selection process because their high school careers are so full of excellence!” said Linda Yoder, MCCF Executive Director.
Since its inception in 1997–98, Lilly Endowment has supported this program with tuition grants totaling more than $505 million, benefiting over 5,400 Indiana students. The program’s primary purposes are:
To raise the level of educational attainment in Indiana.
To increase awareness of the beneficial roles Indiana community foundations play.
To encourage and support Lilly Scholars’ engagement with Indiana leaders to improve quality of life statewide.
About Marshall County Community Foundation:
The Marshall County Community Foundation is a public charity with local roots that helps great ideas take flight through endowment philanthropy. Since 1991, donors to the Marshall County Community Foundation have built the community’s assets currently valued at more than $50 million and have returned over $30 million to Marshall County communities in grants and scholarships, $5.6 million from Community Funds. For more information about the MCCF, call 574.935.9159, or visit www.marshallcountycf.org.

Reckless driving arrest

PLYMOUTH — On Dec. 4 at 8:32 p.m., an Officer with the Plymouth Police Department was traveling

South on Michigan Street in the area of Harrison Street when he noticed a vehicle traveling North on Michigan Street that appeared to be going greater than the posted speed limit of 35 mph.
The officer activated his radar unit and got a radar reading of 70 mph. The Officer turned around and attempted to catch up with the vehicle, but it had accelerated. The car finally pulled over in the parking lot of McDonalds in Plymouth.
The driver was later identified as Jose Perez, 28, of Plymouth. Perez was taken into custody for reckless driving. Perez said the truck next to him was challenging him to race them. Perez was transported to Marshall County Jail, where he was booked in for reckless driving.

Suspects are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Forklift collision sends one to hospital

PLYMOUTH — On Tuesday,​ Dec. 9, at 7:28 p.m.,​ Marshall County Dispatch broadcast a report of a two-

vehicle personal injury accident near the intersection of Queen Rd and 7th Rd in Plymouth.
Marshall County Sheriff’s deputies and Plymouth Fire and EMS responded. Once on scene, officers discovered that a forklift had been in the roadway and not properly illuminated ​, and was in the wrong lane of travel. A ​vehicle traveling southbound​ struck the vehicle.
Christopher Textor, 35, ​was taken to the hospital for immediate medical care. Vernon Miller, 24 was released from the scene. Alcohol/drugs do not appear to be a factor. ​
Agencies Involved: MARSHALL CO SHERIFF,​ PLYMOUTH FIRE/EMS ​

Settlement in the Regional Sewer District dispute could be close

PLYMOUTH — During their meeting on Monday, the Marshall County Commissioners heard from County

Attorney Sean Surrissi regarding the upcoming appeal of the Marshall County Regional Sewer District of the Indiana Department of Environmental Management’s ruling that the District should be disbanded.
Surrisi told the Commissioners that a recent meetin had been held in his office with Sewer Board members Dean Colvin and Don Ecker, President of the Commissioners Stan Klotz, Marshall County Council President Tim Harmon, and Councilperson Nicole Cox, Marcel Lebbin attorney for the Council and attorney’s for the Sewer District Chris Nussbaum and Andrew Boxburger, to discuss a settlement for the end of the dispute between the county and the Sewer Board.
Surrisi called the discussion productive and noted that the Council would hold an executive session later in the day to discuss the meeting.
He told the Commissioners that he had filed a motion on Monday morning to intervene in the IDEM appeal, stating that he felt that every party involved in the dispute should be allowed to be part of the suit, saying that it was the Commissioners and the Council that had filed the petition to dissolve the district and should be allowed input in the appeal.

Argument leads to OWI arrest


PLYMOUTH — On Dec. 14, at 1 a.m., Plymouth Police were dispatched to a residence on West Jackson Street for an unknown problem.


Upon arrival, officers discovered that a verbal argument had occurred between the residents at the home. During the investigation, Jorge Meda, 48, of Plymouth, was found to be operating his vehicle while intoxicated.
Meda was taken into custody without incident and transported to the Marshall County Jail.

Suspects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Reckless driving arrest


PLYMOUTH — On Dec. 10, at 2:30 pm, Plymouth Police Officers were conducting speed enforcement on

N. Michigan St, just south of Plymouth Goshen Trail, when a vehicle was captured on radar traveling northbound on N. Michigan St, passing vehicles at 70 mph, which is double the speed limit.
A traffic stop was conducted on that vehicle, and the driver, 18-year-old Mario Galvan Torres Jr., of Plymouth, was taken into custody for Reckless Driving.
Galvan Torres Jr. was transported to the Marshall County Jail where he was booked and lodged.

Suspects are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Plymouth Redevelopment to meet


PLYMOUTH — The Plymouth Redevelopment Commission will meet on Tuesday, Dec. 16.


On the agenda is an update on the Water Street Town Homes project in TIF #8, and agreements with enFocus.
The meeting will be held in the Council Chambers at the City of Plymouth Building, at 5:30 p.m. Enter at the Garro Street entrance. The meeting will be live-streamed on YouTube @CityofPlymouth.