Charges Filed After Investigation Into Infant Suffering Frostbite

Charges have been filed, and more information is being released after an early February incident that left an infant suffering alone in the cold.

The Starke County Sheriff’s Office was called to the area of 250 W. and 500 S. in Starke County on February 5th. According to the Sheriff’s Department, the call notified authorities of a vehicle accident.
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Marshall County Commissioners Approve Funding for Fairgrounds Feasibility Study

There have been discussions on how to improve the property for the Marshall County 4-H program, and now a professional firm will step up and help.

While long-range plans have been discussed individually with the Marshall County Fair Board, there needs to be a focus of the board. Principal Architect Stephen Kromkowski from the DLZ Corporation in South Bend explained what would be in the feasibility study.

“We would meet with the primary users and understand your current operation and the site,” said Kromkowski. “There have been some discussions about some improvements on the fairgrounds itself. We’ll gather all of the information, so we understand what your needs are. We will document what you have now. We also do a site analysis to make sure that you don’t place a new building on an area that will cause some other difficulties down the road.”

A report will be produced to decide what the improvements can be and dollar amounts for those improvements. A priority list will be provided as Kromkowski said the improvements will most likely cost more than what funds are available.

Fair Board President Tammy Dickson said the board and others are excited to have a professional direction of how to improve the grounds for the successful program.

“The Marshall County program is a hugely successful program,” commented Dickson. “I know at the fair itself the judges come from all over and comment on the quality and level that Marshall County and it is very commendable. We want to continue to grow that program.”

Sponsors have donated money toward improvements, but an agreement couldn’t be reached on projects, but that is about to change.

Kromkowski commented that the report would take about 14 weeks to complete.

County Attorney Jim Clevenger suggested an inter-local agreement between DLZ and the county on behalf of the fair board be signed. The Commissioners approved funding for the study with the understanding that the fair board will need to follow through with the plan.

Marshall County Commissioners Review Airport Comprehensive Plan

Plymouth Airport Manager Dave Lattimer presented the Marshall County Commissioners with the board’s comprehensive plan this week.

One of the projects that the board is anticipating is the widening of the runway, which Lattimer says is set to begin in the next several months.

“That involves widening our runway from 60 feet to 75 feet and rebuilding 4,400 feet of pavement,” Lattimer explained. “The next phase is to lengthen the runway. The magic number for an airport our size is 75 feet wide and 5,000 feet long.”

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Sen. Charbonneau Hopes Bills Improve Government Ethics

State Senator Ed Charbonneau has introduced three bills in the Indiana Senate and hopes all three will play a role in improving ethics in Indianapolis.

According to a press release from Charbonneau’s offices, the bills authored by the Valparaiso Republican will promote stronger ethics by ensuring a quicker recovery for misappropriated funds, providing protections for whistleblowers, and giving greater options for filling clerk-treasurer seats at the local level.
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Congresswoman Promotes Tax Deduction Incentive to Combat Food Insecurity

Congresswoman Jackie Walorski was in Mishawaka yesterday to promote a tax deduction sought for permanent extension.

According to a press release, the U.S. House of Representatives passed legislation that encourages donations. The bill, also known as the Fighting Hunger Incentive Act permanently extends the deduction for businesses to donate food inventory to local food pantries.
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Wind Chill Advisory Takes Effect This Afternoon

A wind chill advisory will take effect this afternoon and remain in place through midday tomorrow. Dangerous wind chill values between 10 and 25 below zero are expected late this afternoon through tomorrow morning. Prolonged exposure to extreme cold can lead to hypothermia and frostbite in 30 minutes or less. If you have to be outside, wear a hat and gloves and protect exposed skin.

Marshall County Commissioners Approve Move to E-Poll Books

Marshall County voters will soon have a new way to sign-in to vote at the polls.

Steve Shamo from KnowInk gave the commissioners a demonstration of how e-poll books can save a lot of hassle at voting sites. The voter’s Driver’s License is swiped into a reader that confirms the voter’s identity on an iPad screen. The voter then signs with a finger or iPad writing device. The poll worker can confirm that the Driver’s License signature matches the handwritten signature. The voter can also be manually input into the system. A receipt will print to show that the voter did sign in at the polls. Once that process is done, a legal ballot may be filled out and submitted.

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Area RadioShack Locations Untouched by Bankruptcy Filing

Two retail electronics locations in the immediate area will not be closed despite hundreds of locations shutting their doors around the country.

The company announced February 5th they filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protections with the help of New Bedford bankruptcy lawyers. Right now, an asset purchase agreement has been signed with General Wireless to acquire up to 2,400 company-owned stores.
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Ancilla Schedules Financial Aid Night at Oregon-Davis

Ancilla College officials will be at Oregon-Davis High School in Hamlet tonight to share information about applying for college financial aid. They’ve scheduled a presentation about completing the FAFSA at 6 p.m. and will remain to help parents and students complete the form. It’s due March 10 and must be submitted in order to be considered for any federal grants, low-interest loans or scholarships. Continue reading

Disturbance Call Leads to Two Arrests

A Plymouth man and a Walkerton woman spent the night in the Marshall County Jail after officers from the Plymouth Police Department responded to a disturbance call. Officers arrived at the home in the 2400 block of Lake Ave. around midnight and arrested Elizabeth A. Keller, 24, of Walkerton, on a battery charge. Steven Cogswell, 21, of Plymouth, faces criminal confinement, intimidation with a deadly weapon and criminal mischief charges.

Advisory Travel Levels Remain in Effect

Marshall County is now under an advisory level travel status. That means routine travel or activities may be restricted in areas because of a hazardous situation, and individuals should use caution or avoid those areas.

While most of the main roads are clear, secondary county roads may remain snow-covered, icy and hazardous. Emergency officials urge you to allow plenty of time to get to your destination and allow snow plow drivers enough room to work.

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