“Internet Casanova” Free On Parole

Posted on Author Lenny Dessauer
Raymond Holycross
Raymond Holycross

The “Internet Casanova” is out of jail. Marshall County native Raymond Holycross was released on Nov. 2, according to our reporting partners at WNDU-TV, and is now on parole. A judge in South Bend sentenced him to 18 months behind bars in May of 2013 on a theft charge. A live-in girlfriend discovered he wasn’t a jet-setting reporter for “The Huffington Post” when she found a pawn slip for the $850 digital camera she’d loaned him. She then learned Holycross was an unemployed womanizer who made a habit of wooing and stealing from women. Continue reading →

The Great American Smoke Out Encourages Smokers to Quit

Posted on Author Anita Goodan

The American Cancer Society’s Great American Smoke Out is today. It challenges smokers to put down tobacco for one day and is held every year on the third Thursday in November. The number of adults in Indiana who smoke has decreased significantly since 2011, however Indiana’s smoking rate remains among the highest in the nation with over one million adult smokers. Tobacco Control Network Program Director Rachelle Back says today is a big step for those wanting to quit.

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Plymouth Chamber of Commerce Helps Local Families in Need

Posted on Author Anita Goodan

The Plymouth Chamber of Commerce is doing their part to help families in need this holiday season. They have a Christmas tree on display for individuals and businesses to decorate with new pairs of socks. Donations will be collected until Dec. 19th at the chamber office at 120 North Michigan Street in Plymouth. Collected socks will be donated to the Marshall County Neighborhood Center. The nonprofit social service agency collects clothing donations to help the community.

Argos Site Designated as Shovel Ready

Posted on Author Lenny Dessauer

Indiana Shovel Ready SitesA site in the Argos is among the latest being marketed by the state as “shovel ready.” That’s a designation from the Office of Community and Rural Affairs that indicates sites are prepped and ready for economic development and investment activities. State officials have determined the Argos 17th Road Industrial Site has a clear title, established price, support from local government officials and utilities available. Continue reading →

Marshall County Commissioners Hold Public Hearing on Pretty Lake Setbacks

Posted on Author Lenny Dessauer

The Marshall County Commissioners held a public hearing during their meeting Monday morning concerning an ordinance regulating building setbacks at Pretty Lake.

Plan Director Ralph Booker explained that the Pretty Lake Homeowners Association approved a change where new construction at the lake would need to be a 45 foot setback from an 789.0 elevation line. The plan commission also approved the ordinance with one commission member against.

“The changes are: where adjacent properties have been developed with principle structures on one or both sides the required setback line may be greater than 45 feet from the 789.0 elevation line and shall be determined by a line drawn between the furthest extension of adjacent structures including any decks, balconies or raised patios,” said Booker.

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Marshall County Commissioners Approve Agreement for Jail Healthcare

Posted on Author Lenny Dessauer

The Marshall County Commissioners discussed a contract between the county and Quality Correctional Care, LLC.

Quality Correctional Care, LLC provides the jail’s healthcare needs. The company has provided pharmaceutical needs, a full-time nurse and doctor visits since October of 2013. The current contract expires on Dec. 31 of this year. You can also get in touch with Certified Life Care Planner for all your healthcare needs.

County Attorney Jim Clevenger explained that the new contract would be for a four-year term at a cost of $153,000 for the base compensation per year. That figure would not change throughout the duration of the contract. Some add-ons are also available. The monthly cost would be $12,750. A doctor will visit once a week along with a psychologist and a nurse will be there 40 hours a week.

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Warsaw Man Arrested After Rear-Ending School Bus

Posted on Author Lenny Dessauer
Steven Foreman
Steven Foreman

A Warsaw man was arrested Friday night in Marshall County after rear-ending a stopped school bus. Steven L. Foreman, 42, was eastbound on U.S. 30 west of North Oak Drive behind a Rensselaer Central Schools Corporation bus. The driver, Russell W. Wiseman, 66, of Rensselaer, stopped at a railroad crossing, and Foreman hit him. He registered a 3.0 on a certified alcohol test, according to the crash report. No injuries were reported.

Norfolk & Southern Cited for Blocking Railroad Tracks

Posted on Author Lenny Dessauer

railroad-crossingElkhart-based Norfolk & Southern Railroad was cited for blocking State Road 17 in Burr Oak for an extended period of time Sunday morning. A Marshall County Sheriff’s deputy responded to a complaint around 9:30 a.m. and observed the train not moving for more than 10 minutes. He then drove to the Redwood Crossing area and spoke to the conductor, who said they were waiting for a long train from the Fort Wayne area to pass. It’s the latest in a series of problems at that crossing. On Oct. 30 a verbal warning was given, and the conductor was told citations would be issued for future occurrences. Continue reading →

Marshall County Commissioners to Meet Today

Posted on Author Lenny Dessauer

The Marshall County Commissioners will meet this morning where a public hearing is scheduled to hear comment on lake set backs in a zoning ordinance amendment. The commissioners will also have a bid opening for farm lease ground.

Marshall County Highway Administrator Laurie Baker will have an update on operations at the highway department and Jim Clevenger will discuss the progress of the jail bonds and a contract with Quality Correctional Care.

The Marshall County Commissioners will meet today at 9:30 a.m. ET in the second floor meeting room in the Marshall County Building.

Culver School Board to Meet Tonight

Posted on Author Anita Goodan

The Culver School board will be discussing the balanced calendar survey results from student’s families tonight. On Nov. 3rd a public hearing was held with Rochester Community School Corporation representatives to discuss the pros and cons of being on a balanced calendar. The school board is still considering the switch in calendars and hope the survey results help their decision.

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Ancilla College Training Leaders for Life

Posted on Author Lenny Dessauer

Ancilla College LogoAncilla 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

Posted on Author Lenny Dessauer

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.

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Three Injured in Buggy Accident

Posted on Author Lenny Dessauer

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.

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Indiana State Troopers Still Seeking Recruits

Posted on Author Anita Goodan

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

Posted on Author Anita Goodan

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.