The Culver School Corporation is preparing itself for reduced funding levels.
Now that the state of Indiana has determined new school funding formulas, the Culver School Corporation stands to lose revenue. Many rural school districts are facing a similar predicament due to reduced student populations.
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Marshall County will act as a funding pass-through point to deliver transportation funding from the Indiana Department of Transportation to the Marshall County Council on Aging.
Executive Director Jackie Wright explained to the Marshall County Commissioners Monday morning that she is submitting grant paperwork to INDOT for the annual request for transportation funding. She requested that the County be the pass-through point for the funds. She anticipates the reception of $277,000 this year.
The county approved a resolution to sign the contracts as presented for the necessary action. All signed paperwork needs to be submitted to INDOT by June 1.
A “recent trend of strong financial performance” has caused Standard and Poor’s to upgrade the City of Plymouth’s bond rating from A to A+. The higher the bond rating, the more favorable the interest rate the city will get when it sells bonds to fund public works projects.
The assessment comes just as the city prepares for the refunding of sewage works revenue bonds and for the sale of waterworks revenue bonds later this week.
The city is looking to finance comprehensive renovations of the Ledyard Water Treatment Plant and water main extensions. The bond sale looks to gather $5.5 million for the projects.
The Culver School Board may be able to help improve some summer programs.
Tom Kearns, a member of the Culver Park Board, addressed school board members on Monday night. The aim was to improve communication between the two bodies, especially in the areas of youth offerings.
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The People’s University of Marshall County is a learning center that teams up with local businesses to offer specialized classes for interested individuals of all ages. Currently, People’s U is seeking potential students and instructors as well as new ideas for desired courses. Continue reading
The Marshall County Commissioners will consider a change order request from USI Consultants’ Bart Trester when they meet today. Trester oversees the 7th Road project and the roundabout project on North Michigan Road in Plymouth. Trester indicated earlier this month that crews are waiting for word from the state to move ahead, barring any more issues with the HMX mix design. The mix of aggregate and asphalt binder is causing buckling pavement in other locations across the state. Crews are awaiting final approval of the combination to install the mix.
The Culver School Board will be considering changes to one of their policies this evening.
According to the school corporation’s agenda, board members will discuss an amendment to the Rainy Day Fund Resolution. Those funds are typically used to address emergency budget concerns.
Specialty crop producers who applied for enhanced crop insurance this year have a deadline approaching to turn in necessary paperwork. Conservation compliance forms must be filed with the U.S. Department of Agriculture by June 1. Farmers who do not complete the form will not be eligible for federal crop insurance payments. The 2014 farm bill gave specialty crop producers the option to apply for enhanced crop coverage through the federal Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program, commonly known as NAP. In order to receive payments, farmers must certify they will not plant crops on erodible land unless previously approved by the Natural Resources Conservation Service. Applicants must also agree not to drain, dredge, level or fill any wetlands on their property. Continue reading
The City of Plymouth will pick up grass clippings and a branch or two from residential yards but will not haul off waste from professional contractors. Street Superintendent Jim Marquardt says doing so costs the city too much money. He adds it’s still a perennial fight with some property owners. Marquardt told the board of works this week a resident asked him why the city cut down a chipped a tree two blocks from her house but couldn’t do hers. He explained the tree the street department cleared was owned by the city. Continue reading
Students achieving academic success at Plymouth High School will be recognized this weekend.
U.S. News and World Report recently recognized the high school for the college readiness of students.
The Indiana Attorney General’s Office says IRS phone scams are leading their list of complaints in 2015.
Hoosiers may be familiar with the scam if they receive a call from the IRS demanding payment for past-due taxes. According to the Attorney General’s office, scammers might threaten arrest and jail time if payment is not received. Investigators largely say victims take drastic steps, fearing possible IRS action.
The state of Indiana will be allowing those without a fishing license the opportunity to cast into public waterways.
Normally, anglers would need a license or a trout/salmon stamp in order to fish in Indiana. The state’s Free Fishing Day, however, will take place on Saturday. Indiana residents do not need a fishing license or a trout/salmon stamp to fish for the day.
An initiative designed to get youth to visit state, local, and national parks has received the backing of Governor Mike Pence.
Indiana middle and high school students with an interest in law enforcement can learn more about it during one of several Indiana State Police summer youth camps. You can also get more information in this post related to bail bonds and law enforcement.The co-ed “Respect for Law” offering for 5th and 6th grade students includes demonstrations by emergency response team members, bomb squads, underwater search and rescue teams and police dogs.
Law Camps give students entering the 7th and 8th grades a behind the scenes look at the criminal justice system. During the four-day camp participants take field trips and learn more about the law enforcement field. Continue reading
The new shell building in Plymouth is ready for occupancy.
Plymouth Mayor Mark Senter, Dan Zuerner from Garmong Construction, PIDCO Board President James Faulstich, and Mike Miley, Vice President of the Plymouth Redevelopment Commission spoke about the city’s bright future with economic development in a ribbon cutting ceremony yesterday. Officials officially welcomed the opening of the expandable 45,000 square foot building on the corner of Pioneer Drive and Commerce Street in Plymouth.
Bill Davis, Board Chairman of the Marshall County Economic Development Corporation, says the board realized that there weren’t a wealth of facilities available for potential business or industry leaders looking to begin business in the county. That’s when the shell building concept was born.
“PIDCO had the land, we had the concept, and we met with Garmong [Construction] and researched them pretty thoroughly,” said Davis. “They had done 40 or 45 of these throughout the state. We just said we’re going to have some place for a prospective client to come in and create jobs for Marshall County. Three-and-a-half years later, here we are!”
Davis says they’re getting closer to finding an occupant for the building.
“We have many prospects. They’re varied with all different kinds of industries and different pay scales. We’re pretty confident that there’s not going to be an issue with us getting a prospect into the building pretty quickly.”
Davis believes that this just a start of the potential for more economic development in Marshall County.
“We’ve already seen this happening in Argos. They bought 80 acres of land. We’ve helped them get that shovel ready, according to the state criteria. If we could get every community as engaged as Plymouth and Argos have been, I think that you’re going to see Culver, Bourbon or Bremen doing the same thing, conceptually, as what we did here.”
Flags should be flown at half-staff from sunrise until sunset today in observance of Peace Officers Memorial Day. It honors federal, state and local officers killed or disabled in the line of duty. President Obama signed a proclamation ordering flags nationwide be lowered in observance of the somber celebration. Gov. Mike Pence also asks businesses and residents to lower their flags to half-staff to pay tribute to the brave men and women in law enforcement across the state and nation.
Police officers across the country and close to home will be on the lookout for drivers and passengers who aren’t buckled up. The Marshall County Sheriff’s Department and Indiana State Police are among the agencies taking part in the Click It or Ticket enforcement blitz that starts today. Over the next two weeks, officers and troopers will be on the lookout around the clock for violators. Continue reading
Three years of planning and construction of a 45,000 square foot shell building in Plymouth will be celebrated with a ribbon cutting ceremony today.
The building is the first of its kind in Marshall County. According to the Marshall County Economic Development Corporation, businesses today are searching for a site that is readily available to begin operations in a more timely manner. The shell building in Plymouth offers that opportunity. Construction of the shell building began last year.
The building can be expanded to 135,000 square feet to accommodate the needs of an interested business. The interior can easily be adapted in a short timeframe that reduces permitting and construction costs.
The Town of Culver may be waiting for another attempt before additional revenue is gained.
A letter was sent by the Town to the Marshall County Council expressing their support for a Local Option Highway User Tax and Wheel Tax. Due to stagnant funding from the state of Indiana, local entities are considering the tax as a way to raise revenue for road maintenance and repairs.
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The Marshall County Health Department will be doing more to promote breastfeeding programs and support in the community due to a state mandate.
Annette Osborn from the health department explained to the Marshall County Council this week that a part-time WIC employee will need to increase work hours by four hours per week due to the new mandate for breastfeeding education.
