Expert Offers Turkey Prep Tips

RoastTurkeyWithCranberryOrangeGlaze_710_376_s_c1_c_cAmericans will consume an estimated 736 million pounds of turkey tomorrow, according to the National Turkey Federation. Preparation methods vary and are largely a matter of personal preference. One that’s gained tremendous popularity in recent years is deep frying. Experts from the Butterball Turkey Tip Line offer suggestions to do so safely.

If you use an outdoor propane fryer, turn the gas off before putting the turkey into the oil in order to prevent fires. Also, make sure the turkey is completely thawed out and thoroughly dry before cooking it. Continue reading

Marshall County Commissioners Approve Agreement for Meals on Wheels

The Marshall County Commissioners recently discussed a Memorandum of Understanding to continue the Meals on Wheels program at the Marshall County Council on Aging.

County Attorney Jim Clevenger stated that the current agreement expires Dec. 31 of this year and it needed to be renewed. The agreement allows the meals to be cooked at the Marshall County Jail at a cost of $3.25 per person. The personnel at the Marshall County Council on Aging pick up the meals at the jail and deliver them to those in need.

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RoboNinjas Continue Winning Ways

A pair of robot enthusiasts at Plymouth High School continues to trounce the competition. Josh Kuhn and Kennedy Schneiders, seniors at Plymouth High School traveled to Crown Point Saturday, Nov. 8 to compete in their first VEX Robotics competition for the 2014-15 season. The two time reigning state champions unveiled their robot and quickly discovered they had an advantage over the competition. They toppled their opponents and grabbed the title of Tournament Champions giving them an invitation to the Indiana State Tournament in March. They will next compete at the Warren Central Tournament on Dec. 6.

In the VEX Robotics Competitions, teams of students are tasked with designing and building a robot to play against other teams in a game-based engineering challenge. Classroom STEM concepts are put to the test on the playing field as students learn lifelong skills in teamwork, leadership, communications, and more. Tournaments are held year-round at the regional, state, and national levels.

BMV Announces Holiday Branch Closings

BMV LogoIf you have business to take care of at the BMV, you may want to do it during the first part of the week. Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles branches will be closed Thursday, Nov. 27 and Friday, Nov. 28 in honor of the Thanksgiving holiday. All license branches with Saturday hours will return to their regular schedules on Saturday, Nov. 29. Visit myBMV.com for more information.

“Internet Casanova” Free On Parole

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

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

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

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

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

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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