Culver-Union Township Fire Chief Looking for Firefighters

Posted on Author Anita Goodan

Culver-Union Township Fire Chief Terry Wakefield is in need of firefighters.

He told the Culver Town Council last week that one more volunteer firefighter has left so the department is down to 17 firefighters. The department used to see around 23 to 25 firefighters on staff.

Wakefield is nearly set to hire one firefighter after the applicant passes drug testing and other requirements before hire. He previously served as a firefighter with Culver, but all of the procedures need to be followed before he is officially hired. The town council unanimously approved Wakefield’s request to move forward with testing.

Continue reading →

Monterey Deaths Under Investigation with Sheriff’s Department

Posted on Author Anita Goodan

Detectives and officers from the Starke County Sheriff’s Department are investigating the deaths of two Monterey residents.

According to Starke County Sheriff Bill Dulin, a caller notified police around 9:30 p.m. on Friday, June 17 that there was a cause for concern when a co-worker did not check in for work that day. The responding officer arrived at the home and talked to a family member who told the officer that two people were deceased inside the residence. The responding officer entered victim’s residence at 8893 S. Elm Street in Monterey where two people were found dead.

The initial investigation revealed that Lynn Foster, 52, and Clifford Foster, 53, both of Monterey, were found with single gunshot wounds. The manner and cause of death will be determined by forensic autopsies scheduled for Monday, June 19.

Indiana State Police Crime Scene Technicians assisted to help gather evidence and process the scene. The Starke County Sheriff’s Department was also assisted by the Knox City Police Department, North Judson Police Department and the Starke County Coroner’s Office.

Plymouth Board of Works and Public Safety Takes Lease Proposal Under Advisement

Posted on Author Anita Goodan

Emanuel Reese submitted a proposal to the Plymouth Board of Public Works and Safety for his business this week.

According to Plymouth City Attorney Sean Surrisi, Reese has added new BBQ grills to his operation at Reese’s Family Ribs at 208 Water Street. He asked the city to formally lease the two parking spaces that he is currently using for his grills. Surrisi says Reese has agreed to pay $10 a month to rent the parking spaces plus semi-annual taxes, as the city-owned property becomes taxable once it is put to commercial use. He asked that the lease begin July 1.

Continue reading →

Culver Town Council Approves Culver Lake Fest Event

Posted on Author Anita Goodan

The Culver Town Council received an official permit request for the annual Culver Lake Fest event.

The annual celebration is scheduled for July 14-16 at the Culver Town Park. Town Manager Jonathan Leist explained to the council that a trolley will be taking visitors to and from the event which is a new feature this year. Residents will park at the Culver Community High School and be transported to the location of the festivities.

Continue reading →

Ancilla College Schedules July Open House

Posted on Author Anita Goodan

An open house for high school athletes, adults and military veterans is set for Thursday, July 20 at Ancilla College.

Prospective students interested in earning a college degree can visit the campus from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.

Counselors, faculty and staff will be on hand to answer any questions about a wide variety of degree options, scholarships, classes, plus campus programs and activities.

Continue reading →

State Road 17 Project on Schedule

Posted on Author Anita Goodan

The State Road 17 resurfacing project in Marshall County is on schedule.

According to INDOT Media Relations Director Doug Moats, the project manager indicates that side street approaches will be done by the end of the day today and all main line paving in Plymouth city limits is complete.

The surface paving project south of Plymouth will resume on Monday, June 19 and will be complete by Friday, June 23.

Parking space striping will soon be done by the Plymouth Street Department.

Marshall County Council Discusses Pay Increases

Posted on Author Anita Goodan

The Marshall County Council will be entering into budget negotiations soon and discussed the potential for full-time employee salary increases.

Historically, the council has always recommended a three percent raise each year. Councilwoman Penny Lukenbill said it’s not known where the county will sit at the time the budget discussion begins and the three percent increase may not be met.

Continue reading →

Culver Town Council Approves Beach Lodge Renovation Plan Resolution

Posted on Author Anita Goodan

The Culver Town Council this week reviewed a resolution for renovations to the Culver Beach Lodge.

A Community Development Block Grant of $15,000 was awarded to the town with a local match of $3,500 for the renovations. Officials with the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs have reviewed the plans and are satisfied with how the grant money will be utilized.

Continue reading →

Triton School Board to Move Forward with Building Projects

Posted on Author Anita Goodan

The Triton Community School Board held a public hearing concerning a few projects planned that will be under construction in 2018.

Superintendent Donna Burroughs said a new HVAC system will be installed at the elementary school as part of this project.

“We’re looking at replacing the heating and cooling system at the elementary school,” said Burroughs. “It’s over 25 years old now and not working properly and it’s hard to get parts. The elementary project will be about $800,000 or a little more.” Continue reading →

Plymouth Board of Public Works and Safety Accepts Land Sale Proceeds

Posted on Author Anita Goodan
Mayor Mark Senter (L) accepts a check on behalf of the city from David Miller and Patty Van Vactor Wright

Representatives from Van Vactor Farms, Inc. presented the Plymouth Board of Public Works and Safety a check this week for their portion of the proceeds of the land sale at the techFarms site.

Patty Van Vactor Wright and David Miller presented a giant check in the amount of $111,493 for the city’s Monetary Gift Fund.

The techFarm is located on Miller Drive and Pioneer Drive on the west side of Plymouth and consists of 20 acres zoned industrial and 11.3 acres zoned as commercial land. The city helped extend infrastructure to the park in 2010 so the site is ready for development.

Continue reading →

Students Take Advantage of Free Breakfast and Lunch at Culver Sites

Posted on Author Anita Goodan

The staff at the Culver School Corporation and staff at locations throughout the Culver area are offering free breakfast and lunch as part of the federal Summer Food Service Program.

Culver’s efforts began on June 5 and just a few students have accepted meals at the Culver High School, 30 students for breakfast and 60 students for lunch at the Culver Elementary School, 15 students for lunch only at the Monterey Public Library, 20-25 students for lunch at the Leiters Ford Community Building, 15-20 children at the Ora Gospel Church and 15-20 kids for lunch only at the Culver-Union Township Public Library.

Continue reading →

Marshall County Courthouse Art Contest Entries on Display

Posted on Author Anita Goodan

Five area artists have entered paintings to compete in the Marshall County Courthouse art contest. The winner of this contest will have their painting on permanent display as part of the courthouse collection belonging to the Indiana State Bar Association.

Oil, pastels, watercolor and charcoal were used to make up the artists’ vision of the historic Marshall County structure.

Continue reading →

Plymouth City Engineer Presents Preliminary Pavement Asset Management Plan

Posted on Author Anita Goodan

The preliminary Pavement Asset Management Plan was presented to the Plymouth Board of Public Works and Safety on Monday.

City Engineer Rick Gaul explained that one goal is to improve the overall weighted average ratings of existing streets. The expected pavement level of service is to maintain 50 percent of the street rating as “Good”. According to the preliminary plan, the PASER rating will be equal to or greater than eight. Those include roads that are newly paved, crack seal coated or overlaid. Anything less will be deemed fair to poor. Several other criteria will be assessed in the plan including street traffic types, street traffic volume, utilities, and right-of-ways. A final plan will be submitted at the board’s next meeting.

Continue reading →