Get a Free NOAA Weather Radio Next Week

There’s a chance for you to get a free NOAA Weather/All Hazard Alert Radio next week.

Marshall County Emergency Management Agency Director Clyde Avery says the effort is part of Severe Weather Preparedness Week next week.

“We’re going to be giving away a limited number of all hazard emergency alert radios that were provided to us by the Indiana Department of Homeland Security, as well as some that I was able to purchase through some grant funds that were available,” said Avery.

These radios allow residents to get immediate weather information.

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Watch for Rising Water Levels

Rapid melting of snow could lead to minor flooding issues as temperatures warm up this week.

Snow melt and frozen ground will prevent the water from being absorbed. The National Weather Service says this combination will result in flooding of low lying areas, ponding on roads, and a rise in water levels in ditches, creeks and retention ponds.

Weather officials believe that river flooding will not be a concern at this time.

Marshall County EMA Director Clyde Avery said that no flood watches or warnings have been issued. He does encourage those who live in flood-prone areas to take precautions to prevent flooding. Never allow children to play near flooded areas. Do not drive around barricades that are blocking roads that are flooded. Road beds may be washed out by flood waters.

Marshall County residents can pick up sand and sandbags at the old EMA office located just north of the Marshall County Highway garage at 9515 King Road. For more information, contact the Marshall County Management Agency at (574) 936-3740.

Culver Town Council Plans Additional Work To EMS Department

The Culver Town Council will continue discussions for reshaping its EMS Department this evening.

At their previous work session, the Town Council considered adequate salaries for possibly hiring a full-time director for the department. Currently, the EMS Department is reliant on volunteers, but discussions have centered on reshaping the department to possibly pay staff wages commensurate with their experience.
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Marshall County Clerk Requests Money for E-Poll Books

The Marshall County Council members held a lengthy discussion about the purchase of e-poll books for the November election.

Clerk Deb Vandemark explained that 15 iPads would be purchased to be placed at all of the voting sites for the purpose of signing in voters at the polls. There are 14 poll sites for the county’s 29 precincts. One extra iPad would be on hand as a backup.

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Woman Arrested in Alleged Domestic Violence Incident

Officers from the Marshall County Sheriff’s Department responded to a domestic issue on Friday, March 6.

They arrived at a home in the 14000 block of 7th Road in Plymouth just after 3 p.m. ET where an investigation found a woman had reportedly strangled a man, according to a news release.

Jamie L. Mattke, 36, of Plymouth was taken into custody and booked into the Marshall County Jail on preliminary charges of domestic battery and strangulation.

Quotes Awarded for Plymouth Utility Department Equipment

The Plymouth Board of Works members approved several quotes for new pieces of equipment for the utility department.

A half-ton truck quote for $25,540 was approved from Country Auto for the wastewater department. The alternate for $1,150 for a built-in toolbox was also approved for the truck.

A chassis in the amount of $26,435 from Oliver Ford and the service body for $11,465 from WA Jones was unanimously approved. The deal includes a trade-in value. A quote for a one-ton truck for the street department was approved for $24,015 from Oliver Ford.

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Marshall County Council to Meet Today

The Marshall County Council members will be discussing an additional appropriation for the highway department for equipment.

Jerry Ambrose and Highway Superintendent Jason Peters explained to the Marshall County Commissioners last week that they would like to purchase a more expensive loader that will guarantee better service and reliability. The loader is a Caterpillar brand and is higher than two other bids sent in for consideration.

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Sunday Time Change Brings Recommendation To Change Batteries

Daylight savings time will begin Sunday, and area emergency management agencies are asking residents to make changes to more than just their household clocks.

The time change officially occurs at 2:00 a.m. when clocks will move ahead by one hour. Emergency Managers from Indiana’s various counties are also advising that residents use the occasion to replace the batteries in their smoke detectors.
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Loader Purchase Approved by Marshall County Commissioners

The Marshall County Highway Department is getting closer to purchasing a new loader.

Jerry Ambrose and Highway Superintendent Jason Peters reviewed several bids and told the commissioners this week that a more expensive brand may be the best route to go. They are looking at a Caterpillar loader and Decoiler Straightener Feeder Machine are more reliable machines, according to Ambrose. Ambrose said the two lower bids were for Hyundai brands, but those machines don’t last long as parts wear out faster.

The highway department currently has a CASE loader, but they are having trouble with parts and keeping it running.

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Change Orders Approved for 7th Road Project

The 7th Road construction project has been on hold all winter, but once the weather breaks workers will be busy to finish the project. It was anticipated to be complete last year.

Bart Trester from USI Consultants told the Marshall County Commissioners that several issues delayed the project including unsuitable soils and piling issue for the bridge. He presented a change order for the project once things get moving again.

“Change order seven is additional mobilization for the bridge contractor for $11,107.60,” explained Trester. “We had the bad soil issues, delays and we had to coordinate with INDOT how to go about piling, and they had to pull off the project and then came back.”

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