PLYMOUTH — It may still be early November, but snow is in the forecast for this weekend. While meteorologists are not predicting the “storm of the century”, any amount of snow, ice, or freezing rain can disrupt travel and risk public safety.

Marshall County EMA, along with our county partners at the Marshall County Highway Department and the Marshall County Sheriff’s Department, are ready to take on what looks to be a wetter winter than normal. Your local first responders are ready for winter operations, but are you?
Here are a few action items for YOU to take in order to keep yourself safe in winter conditions.
•Have a Way to Receive Alerts
Extreme winter weather events can take us by surprise. Having a method of receiving alerts is critical to ensuring your safety. EMA highly encourages local residents to download the Marshall County App, which is available on Apple and Android devices. Once in the app, you can toggle on push notifications from the National Weather Service, EMA, and others. When an advisory, watch, or warning is issued, county app users will be notified.
Additionally, you can follow EMA on Facebook for forecasts and other safety messages. It is important to receive your weather alerts from viable sources, such as the National Weather Service or licensed meteorologists. Amateur meteorologists and bad actors love to post inaccurate or misleading information to gain more clicks and fame. For updated road conditions and live snow plow cameras, Hoosiers can visit INDOT’s TrafficWise website, at 511in.org.
•Know Your Terms
Winter weather messaging can be confusing. There are several products the National Weather Service issues to alert us of incoming hazardous weather.
The most frequently issued products include a Winter Weather Advisory, Winter Storm Watch, and Winter Storm Warning. An Advisory is issued for lower-level winter events. A Watch is issued in advance of a more significant winter event. A Warning is issued when confidence is high that a significant winter event will occur/is occurring.
Following the winter storm model, the National Weather Service also issues Cold Weather Advisories, Extreme Cold Watches, and Extreme Cold Warnings.
Know the difference between different levels of travel advisories! A basic Travel Advisory means that routine travel or activities may be restricted because of hazardous situations. It urges people to use caution when navigating the roads. A Travel Watch means that conditions are threatening the safety of the public. Only essential travel is recommended during a Travel Watch.
A Travel Warning, also known as a “travel ban”, is issued when travel is restricted to emergency workers only. Do NOT endanger yourself, your neighbors, or first responders and stay off the roads during a Travel Warning.
The public can check the latest travel status by visiting in.gov/dhs/travel-advisory-map.
•Prepare Yourself for Freezing Temperatures
When temperatures and wind chills drop, dress appropriately by wearing multiple layers and covering as much skin as possible. Frostbite, hypothermia, and overexertion can cause medical emergencies and even death. Know the symptoms and be vigilant.
Consider placing additional items in your car for winter travel, including spare clothes, an ice scraper, food and water, a flashlight, jumper cables, and other materials needed in case your vehicle gets stranded for an extended period of time. Try to keep your gas tank full throughout the winter. Sand and kitty litter can be used to gain traction to get you back on the road if you slide off.
In your house, use insulation, caulking and weather stripping to not only keep the cold air out, but also to save on energy bills. Keep pipes from freezing during extreme cold snaps by insulating your pipes, opening cabinet doors, and letting your faucets have a slow drip. Bring pets inside during extreme cold or ensure they have a warm shelter outdoors.

PLYMOUTH — Marshall County Sheriff Matt Hassel has released his jail and arrest report for the month of September.

Out of a total of 233 beds, the average population for the jail was 139 — 113 men and 26 women.
Of those, 95 were awaiting trial, 25 were sentenced inmates, 21 of those on felony charges.
There are 1341 active warrants in Marshall County.
The top five offenses for the month of September were:
•Failure to appear (28)
•Operator never licensed (26)
•Operating while intoxicated (25)
•Possession of marijuana (21)
•Domestic battery (7)
Law enforcement agencies made 153 arrests in September. The Sheriff’s Department made 72 arrests, followed by Plymouth Police with 51, and Indiana State Police with 10.

CULVER — On Sunday, Nov. 9, several riders from the Culver Academy horsemanship program will

depart campus at 11:30 A.M. and ride to the Masonic Cemetery to honor Gen. Leigh R. Gignilliat, Culver Academy’s longest-serving superintendent.
The Academy wants the public to be aware that their route will take them along Academy Road and Lake Shore Drive, and your patience would be greatly appreciated if you encounter them while driving.

PLYMOUTH — On Nov. 2, at 9:56 p.m., Officers with the Plymouth Police Department stopped a vehicle in the area of N. Michigan Street and Klinger for a stop sign and equipment violation.

During the course of the traffic stop, a DUI investigation was conducted on the driver, twenty-three-year-old Ayman Abdullah of Dearborn, Michigan. Abdullah was later transported to the Marshall County Jail where he was booked and lodged for: Possession of Marijuana, Possession of Paraphernalia and Operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated.

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

PLYMOUTH — A new Dollar General store on Queen Road has passed a pair of hurdles for the Plymouth Plan Commission and one for the Board of Zoning Appeals on Tuesday.

The owner of the property, Lawrence Katz, and HDJ Investments of Nappanee, brought two matters before the Plan Commission seeking a two-lot subdivision — which was merely a movement of a current lot line — and asking for a waiver of the city requirement for sidewalks with new developments.
The lot line change was quickly approved, with more discussion about sidewalks. The main question surrounding the sidewalk issue was why the Plymouth ordinance requires sidewalks when the waivers for developers to omit them have been routinely granted.
Plymouth Plan Director Ty Adley told the board that, in this case, the comparison with the current development taking place on Oak Drive is not an equal comparison since the location on Queen Road is unlikely to see any more significant development in the foreseeable future, while Oak Drive is currently under design for future growth.
That measure passed with three no votes.
During the BZA meeting, the request to allow a pole sign for the proposed building was also unanimously approved and sent on to the Plan Commission.

PLYMOUTH — On Thursday,​ Oct. 30,​ at 11:05 P.M., Deputy Ash with the Marshall County Sheriff’s Department conducted a traffic stop with a vehicle in the area of N Michigan St and Harrison St.

The driver of the vehicle was identified as 46-year-old Todd Whitteberry of Lakeville,​ IN. Todd was found to have an Indiana Driver’s License with the status of Suspended with a Prior Conviction.
Whitteberry was subsequently arrested and transported to the Marshall County Jail, where he was ​booked for Driving While Suspended with a Prior Conviction – Class A Misdemeanor.

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

CULVER — The Culver Community Food Pantry is hosting a turkey giveaway at Trinity Lutheran Church on Nov. 12, from 9-10:30 a.m.

This will be a mobile distribution, and they are looking for a few volunteers to help distribute. Please contact only me at gmorangias@gmail.com or message to 574-835-2502.

INDIANAPOLIS — The Indiana Department of Veterans Affairs (IDVA) has announced the launch of a new short-term initiative designed to provide critical food assistance to veterans and their families in Indiana.

This program, Operation Emergency Food, is an extension of the Military Family Relief Fund (MFRF) and aims to address the immediate needs of those affected by the recent changes in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. Operation Emergency Food will remain in place for the duration of the current SNAP circumstances.
Recognizing the challenges faced by the veterans and their families who depend on SNAP, the IDVA has crafted this emergency food assistance program to ensure that no MFRF-eligible veteran families go hungry. Eligible participants will receive support ensuring they have access to essential food resources.
“Indiana stands with our Hoosier veterans, especially in times of uncertainty as federal changes to SNAP and furloughs impact families across our state,” said Jake Adams, IDVA Director. “Our commitment remains firm: no veteran should face these changes and challenges alone. Indiana is here, ready to support those who have served us with the same dedication they have shown to our nation.”
To qualify for this emergency food assistance, applicants must be eligible for the MFRF program and directly affected by the changes of SNAP benefits. Interested veterans and their families can apply by visiting the MFRF Application Webpage, contacting IDVA by phone (317) 232-3910, or contacting their local County Veteran Service Officer (CVSO) for more information.
The IDVA encourages all veterans facing food insecurity to reach out for support from the MFRF Program. Veterans and their families who are not currently receiving SNAP benefits and who face food insecurity are encouraged to apply to the MFRF Standard Application for food assistance. The Standard MFRF program can provide financial assistance for Housing (Rent/Mortgage), Utilities, Food, Current Medical Expenses, Basic Transportation, Education, and Childcare.

To learn more about all MFRF eligibility criteria, required documents, types of assistance, and FAQ, please visit the MFRF Webpage: https://www.in.gov/dva/about-idva/links/military-family-relief-fund/.

The show runs from November 7–December 31

INDIANAPOLIS – Christmas Nights of Lights returns to the Indiana State Fairgrounds & Event Center, bringing one of the most popular holiday traditions in Indianapolis back for another season.

The drive-thru light show will run from Nov. 7 through Dec. 31, featuring more than a million LED lights synchronized to classic holiday music.
“This event continues to be a favorite for families across Indiana,” says LeRoy Lewis III, Director of Community & Media Engagement. “We’re excited to add new elements this year that make the show even more memorable.”
Event Highlights
New: Three giant RGB Christmas trees with thousands of color-changing lights creating a dazzling new centerpiece
The 180-foot-long Cosmic Wall of Lights
Life-sized Nativity and Candyland scenes
A patriotic giant American Flag display
Giving Back
This year’s Christmas Nights of Lights will also support several community organizations through special discounted codes. From November 7-22, a portion of the proceeds will go back to:
Mozel Sanders Foundation: MOZEL25
Riley Hospital for Children: RILEY25
WRTV Toy Drive: WRTV25
Salvation Army: SALARMY25
Muscular Dystrophy Family Foundation: MDFF25
National Ovarian Cancer Coalition: NOCC25
Special Olympics: OLYMPICS25
Shepherd Community Center: SHEPHERD25
Boys and Girls Clubs of Indianapolis: BGCI25
Gleaners Food Bank: GLEANERS25
Second Helpings: SECHELP25
The Parks Alliance: PARKALL25
Ascension: ASCENSION25
Mirror Indy: MIRROR25
A Kid Again: AKIDAGAIN25
Event Details
Dates: November 7 – December 31
Hours: 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM (extended hours on weekends)
Location: Indiana State Fairgrounds, 1698 E. 42nd St., Indianapolis, IN 46205 (enter through Gate 3 on 42nd Street)
Ticket Information (Online reservations are required and can be modified up to five days in advance.)
$38 per car (up to 8 passengers)
$58.50 for 9–15 passengers
$84 for 16+ passengers
Safety Measures:
Attendees must remain in their vehicles and turn off headlights upon entering the show.
Portable toilets are available at the entrance and exit.
Pets are welcome as long as they remain inside the vehicle.

PLYMOUTH — The Marshall County Commissioners heard from resident Don Nunemaker on Monday

regarding the county adopting a resolution to make it a “Second Amendment Sanctuary” county.

A “Second Amendment sanctuary” is a state, county, or city that passes resolutions or laws to oppose or limit the enforcement of state or federal gun control measures they consider unconstitutional. These “sanctuaries” often limit funding for gun law enforcement or state that local officials will not comply with certain state and federal gun laws.
Historically, the movement grew as a reaction to increased gun control efforts at the state level, with some resolutions being primarily symbolic expressions of opposition. In contrast, others aim to restrict enforcement actions.
Nunemaker presented the proposal to the Commissioners several years ago. This time, Commissioner Jesse Bohannon told Nunemaker he would like to move the proposal forward.

Average gasoline prices in Indiana have fallen 15.3 cents per gallon in the last week, averaging $2.89/g today, according to GasBuddy’s survey of 3,271 stations in Indiana. Prices in Indiana are 13.6 cents per

gallon lower than a month ago and stand 11.3 cents per gallon lower than a year ago. The national average price of diesel has increased 2.5 cents compared to a week ago and stands at $3.663 per gallon.
According to GasBuddy price reports, the cheapest station in Indiana was priced at $2.49/g yesterday, while the most expensive was $3.88/g, a difference of $1.39/g.
The national average price of gasoline has fallen 1.4 cents per gallon in the last week, averaging $2.99/g today.
“The national average once again briefly dipped below the $3 per gallon mark, but the drop will be short-lived,” said Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy. “Gas prices are likely to rebound soon in the Great Lakes states due to ongoing refinery challenges, while a new snag at a California refinery may slow the pace of declines on the West Coast. To top it off, OPEC+ announced another boost to oil production for December over the weekend, though they also signaled a pause in further increases from January through March. For now, expect the national average to hover in the low-$3 range, potentially drifting lower once refinery issues are resolved.”
GasBuddy’s averages, graphs, maps and historical pricing data covering the U.S. and Canada is available 24/7 at http://prices.GasBuddy.com.

PLYMOUTH — Marshall County Council President Tim Harmon came before the Marshall County

Commissioners officially informing them of the decision last week by the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) to dissolve the Marshall County Sewer District.

The question now is who and how the debt incurred by the District will be paid.
Harmon reminded the Commissioners that a joint resolution with the Council said the County would take on the debt, but Harmon said that he’s asked Marcel Lebbin, the counsel for the Council, to look at the implications and options for paying that debt of approximately $1.3 million.

Each day the debt remains unpaid, an additional $500 is incurred, and it is currently unclear whether the Sewer District Board will exercise its option to seek judicial review of the decision. If so, the legal tie-up could go on for an unforeseen amount of time until all appeals are exhausted.
Harmon urged the Commissioners to reach out to the Sewer Board and urge them to accept the decision to save the additional cost. He also said that Lebbin would investigate any options available, stating that the bulk of the current debt was for consulting services, and he felt that they had given poor advice to the board.

PLYMOUTH — The Annual Lighted Holiday Parade and Christmas Tree Lighting in Downtown Plymouth and River Park Square is almost here.

Mark your calendars for Saturday, Nov. 29, at 6 p.m., when the procession begins its journey from Michigan and Adams Streets. The floats will make their way south to Laporte Street before turning east towards River Park Square.
Mayor Listenberger and the jolly man himself, Santa Claus, will lead the countdown to illuminate the City’s Christmas Tree. To add to the festive atmosphere, enjoy complimentary music, cookies, warming hot chocolate, and photos with Santa – all offered free of charge.
You can be a part of the magic by submitting an entry for the parade. The only requirement is that it must be lit. Embrace the spirit of the season with this year’s enchanting theme: ‘Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree.’
There is no fee to enter a unit into the parade. To secure your spot in this spectacular event, please complete an application form and submit it to the Mayor’s Office no later than November 25th.

PLYMOUTH — On Nov. 1 at 7:39 p.m., Officers with the Plymouth Police Department were called to 301 Skylane Drive, the Skylane Apartments, 5 separate times throughout the day for a man identified as

Isaac Sellers, 32, of Plymouth, who kept calling 911 and hanging up.
He then requested an Ambulance and disregarded it, and later called the police.
Sellers was then taken into custody for abuse of 911. He was taken to the Marshall County Jail.

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

BREMEN — On Wednesday,​ Oct. 29th,​ at approximately 12:34 p.m.,​ Marshall County Dispatch broadcast a report of a two-vehicle personal injury crash at the intersection of US 6 and Miami Trl in Bremen.

Brent J Lineberry, 69 years old,​ of Bremen, was transported to the Hospital for minor injuries. 56-year-old Julie M Fino of Florida did not complain of injuries at the scene. Alcohol impairment ​is not considered a factor. ​
​
Agencies Involved: Marshall County Sheriff,​ Bremen Police,​ Fire, and EMS

The Culver Academies Department of Theatre will present “The Rehearsal” by Don Zolidis
Friday and Saturday, Nov. 7-8 at 7:30 p.m. in the Eppley Theater on the campus of the Culver Academy.

Admission is free.
Doors open at 7:00 p.m. There is open seating, but seating is limited.
“The Rehearsal” is the story of a high school teacher who tries to put on a production of “Guys and Dolls”, but they have a megalomaniacal stage manager, a lead who’s convinced that Wicked is a much better choice, and a chorus member who is clinically incapable of following directions and she has a doctor’s note to prove it. And can you even do a production of Guys and Dolls if there aren’t enough guys to be the Guys?
If you have questions or concerns, contact the Eppley Auditorium cruise director, Stacy Joyce at stacyjoyce9@gmail.com

PLYMOUTH — The Marshall County Commissioners will meet on Monday morning at 8:30 a.m. in the second-floor meeting room of the Marshall County Building in Plymouth.

Superior Court I Judge Tami Napier will make a request to apply for a Family Court grant, and Plymouth Fire Chief Steve Holm will make a Public Safety Grant request. Andrea Turnage of the Probation Department and Karen Richey of Purdue Extension will seek agreement ratifications.
The Commissioners will hear reports from Veterans Service Officer Pam Schweizer-Betz, Highway Superintendent Jason Peters, County Attorney Sean Surrisi, and County Auditor Angie Birchmeier.
The meeting will be live-streamed on YouTube @MarshallCountyIN.
ADA Notice: For special accommodations, please contact the ADA Coordinator at (574) 935-8720 at least two business days prior to the scheduled meeting to request an accommodation.

PLYMOUTH — On Oct. 29, Plymouth Officers observed a vehicle traveling on US 30 with no taillights on.
A traffic stop was conducted on the vehicle.

Plymouth Police K9 Castor was on scene and gave a positive indication on the vehicle. During the investigation, officers discovered a large amount of marijuana.
The driver, James Albaugh, 35, of Philo, Ohio was taken into custody and transported to the Marshall County Jail without incident.

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

PLYMOUTH — On Oct. 24, officers with the Plymouth Police Department responded to the area of Jefferson Street and Fifth Street for the report of a single vehicle accident.

During the investigation, it was determined that Amahirani Vargas, 31, of Plymouth, was intoxicated.
Vargas was lodged in the Marshall County Jail for operating a vehicle while intoxicated, neglect of a dependent, and operating a vehicle without ever obtaining a license.

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

PLYMOUTH — The Plymouth Aquatic Center will need to find another funding source for a proposed energy study, after the Plymouth Common Council said no to a Plan Commission resolution.

The path of the request started with the Aquatic Center approaching the Plymouth Redevelopment Commission to fund the $16,000 energy study that could help the Center cut its energy bills by as much as 50 percent.
In order for the Redevelopment Commission to fund the study, the project would have to be added to the plan for the Aquatic Center’s TIF (Tax Incremental Financing) district. In order for that to happen, the Plymouth Plan Commission would have to rule that the Aquatic Center fits into the City of Plymouth’s Comprehensive Plan.
City Attorney Jeff Houin informed the Council that while the Aquatic Center wasn’t specifically mentioned in the Comprehensive Plan, it was an example of the type of cooperation between public and private interests that is mentioned in the Plan.
The Plan Commission ruled that the Aquatic Center did fit in the Comprehensive Plan and moved the matter on for final approval by the city Council.
Council person Randy Longanecker, also a member of the Plan Commission, stated that he had voted against the proposal. Council Person Kayla Krathwohl voiced her concerns as well.

Longanecker moved to deny the request, which the Council voted for unanimously.