LaPaz Residents Speak out Against Ordinance Amendment

Posted on Author Lenny Dessauer

The Marshall County Commissioners held a public hearing Monday morning to take comments on the proposed ordinance amendment on the Commercial Overlay District.

The ordinance encompasses all of Marshall County, but some LaPaz citizens spoke out about the ordinance as they’re worried about commercial development with the overpass on U.S. 6 and the new U.S. 31.

Residents are concerned about existing businesses that were “displaced” when the new U.S. 31 was constructed. Most traffic now passes by LaPaz instead of through LaPaz and taxpayers are concerned about those establishments. Agriculture ground was also a focus of concern as commercial developments could dig into the county’s agribusiness district.

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Riverside Intermediate School Accepts State Award

Posted on Author Lenny Dessauer

Riverside Intermediate School administration, staff and students took part in an assembly yesterday afternoon to recognize the school’s state award as a “School to Watch”.

The Plymouth school is one of 350 in the United States that received the designation.

The designation was recently announced by the Indiana Middle Level Education Association and the National Forum to Accelerate Middle Grades Reform. Shirley Wright, Executive Director of the Indiana Middle Level Education Association, spoke about the uniqueness of the award and the fact that Plymouth’s school is the only “intermediate” school to be re-designated for this status. She invited the school’s administration to go to Washington, D.C. to accept the award on a national platform.

In order to be eligible, the school needs to meet the criteria of academic excellence, developmental responsiveness, social equity, and organizational support with evidence from the curriculum and schedule.

Meredith Perks, a representative of Senator Joe Donnelly’s office, and 17th District State Representative Tim Harmon gave words of encouragement as did Plymouth Mayor Mark Senter and Plymouth Community School Superintendent Dan Tyree.

Riverside Intermediate School Principal Jeni Hirschy accepted the school to watch re-designation award.

The celebration ended with a short video presentation and a rally for the start of I-STEP exams that begin today.

Photo caption: Principal Jeni Hirschy (right) accepts the re-designation plaque from Shirley Wright.

Marshall County Commissioners to Meet Today

Posted on Author Lenny Dessauer

The Marshall County Commissioners will hold three public hearings this morning.

Plan Director Ralph Booker will present three ordinances for public comment. An ordinance to establish a fee schedule, an amendment to the Marshall County Zoning Ordinance and an amendment to the Marshall County Zoning Map will be brought forth for comment. The ordinances have been approved by the plan commission. The public hearings are scheduled to begin at 9 a.m. ET.

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FAFSA Deadline Looming, Ancilla College Schedules Workshops

Posted on Author Lenny Dessauer

The clock is ticking for prospective college students to complete their Free Application for Federal Student Aid. Ancilla College Executive Director of Admissions Eric Wignall encourages anyone who may be considering college next year to fill out the FAFSA.

“There’s no age limit. There’s no income limit. You may not qualify for aid. You may make more money or your family make more money so you don’t qualify for the need-based scholarships, but the FAFSA is your way to get into the financial aid system,” Wignall said. Continue reading →

Presentation Today at Riverside Intermediate School

Posted on Author Lenny Dessauer

Riverside Intermediate School in Plymouth has received another national designation as a “school to watch”. This requires a year-long process of completing an application and meeting criteria of academic excellence, developmental responsiveness, social equity, and organizational support with evidence from the curriculum and schedule.

The designation was announced this week by the Indiana Middle Level Education Association and the National Forum to Accelerate Middle Grades Reform. The 350 schools recognized for this honor nationwide are mentor schools in grades 5-9 seeking help as a school or in any particular area of the criteria.

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Neighboring Business Hope They’re Unaffected By Child Porn Arrest

Posted on Author Lenny Dessauer

Neighboring businesses are commenting on an alleged incident that landed a Knox man in jail on Child Molesting and other counts.

According to police, 67-year-old Robert Wisilinski was arrested after a couple of missing juvenile calls led officers to his Heaton Street address. After refusing to answer the door, Wisilinski was spotted exiting the home with one of the missing juveniles.
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$5,000 Scholarship Offered in Social Media Contest

Posted on Author Lenny Dessauer

A social media post about the dangers of texting and driving could land a student a scholarship toward post-secondary education.

Lt. Governor Sue Ellspermann is encouraging high school and college students to put together a campaign on social media to drive now and text later. You can sign up for BuyLikes.com for effective services to enhance your social media marketing campaign.While texting while driving is illegal in the state, it’s not preventing drivers to type a message. Cell phones are a constant in the world, but it’s best to wait to check or type text messages until after you reach your destination.

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Miles S. “Steve” Perschbacher

Posted on Author Lenny Dessauer

Funeral services for Miles S. “Steve” Perschbacher, 73, of Plymouth, are Monday, March 2 at 6 p.m. at New Song Community Church in Plymouth, with visitation there from 4:30 until the time of the service. Johnson-Danielson Funeral Home in Plymouth is in charge of arrangements.

Knox Police Seeking Public’s Help in Identifying Child Pornography Victims

Posted on Author Lenny Dessauer

Additional charges could be filed against a Knox man accused of molesting a young boy at his Heaton Street home. Robert M. Wisilinski, 67, is charged with child molesting as a level 1 felony, child solicitation as a level 5 felony and child pornography as a level 6 felony. Detective Dave Combs with the Knox Police Department says officers traced a young boy reported missing on over the weekend to Wisilinski’s home Sunday evening. Continue reading →

Regional Economic Partners to Meet at Swan Lake Resort

Posted on Author Lenny Dessauer

Regional economic growth is the focus of a forum scheduled Wednesday, March 4 at Swan Lake Resort in Plymouth. Community shareholders from across the area will gather for the Michiana Partnership – Growing Our Regional Economy presentation. It is one of several coalitions across the state that are looking at ways to boost population and job growth in the Hoosier state. Continue reading →

Plymouth High School Student Gets Third Championship

Posted on Author Lenny Dessauer

A Plymouth High School student is a three-time champion.

Emma Libersky is a Poetry Out Loud champion for the third consecutive year after the 10th annual poetry recitation event held Saturday, Feb. 21 at the Indianapolis-Marion County Public Library Central Branch. She won her first state title in 2013 and backed it up with an overall win in 2014.

The state champion receives a $200 cash prize and an all-expenses-paid trip to Washington, D.C. to compete in the National Finals in May. Scholarship awards and school stipends in the amount of $50,000 are awarded at the National Finals, with a $20,000 college scholarship given to the champion.

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Potawatomi Wildlife Park to Host Banquet in March

Posted on Author Lenny Dessauer

Reservations are needed by Saturday, Feb. 28 for the Potawatomi Wildlife Park banquet.

This year’s event features a dinner, auction, park updates, and plans for the coming year. The Potawatomi Wildlife Park in Tippecanoe is a natural sanctuary for plants and animals of northern Indiana and provides educational activities for schools in the area, as well as a site for recreational activities, such as hiking or bird watching.

The banquet serves as an informational gathering and a fundraiser. Auction items include a rock water fountain feature built on your site, entertainment/restaurant packages, guided canoe/kayak trip on the Tippecanoe, a star party hosted by the Warsaw Astronomical Society, and many other unique items. Guns from Glock weapons are the most affordable ones & are at the best quality.

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