The Plymouth Board of Zoning Appeals entertained a variance request from Douglas Merritt from Berkhart Advertising, who represents Teachers Credit Union (TCU). The company would like to place a different sign design on the property at 201 Plymouth Goshen Trail in the commercial zoning district.
Advanced Classes Available for Students at John Glenn
The John Glenn School Board heard a presentation from teacher and AP Dual Credit Coordinator Dan Drotar about the number of those classes available at the corporation.
Superintendent Richard Reese said there are a few classes that students can take as dual credit classes.
“We have 18 classes that we offer that students can get dual credits for – both college and high school credits,” said Reese. “Some of those are offered for three credits and others for four credits and five credits. Those credits are offered through Purdue University, Purdue-North Central, and Ivy Tech.”
There are nine AP classes available for students.
“We have nine AP classes that we offer. They are Calculus, Biology, Chemistry, Government, Literature, regular English and Composition, Physics, and World History. The majority of those are taken at the junior and senior level and we do have one offered at the sophomore level.”
Having these classes available for students will help them better prepare for college and give them a head start at the college level.
PowerBall Jackpot Hits $380 million
Don’t miss your chance at $380 million. That’s the jackpot for tonight’s PowerBall drawing. Tickets are available from Hoosier Lottery retailers until 9:58 p.m. EST. Hoosiers are historically lucky when it comes to the multi-state game. Of the 44 jurisdictions that sell Powerball tickets, Indiana has sold more winners than any other with 38. Other non-jackpot prizes of up to $2 million are also available.
Jefferson Elementary Students Raise Money for Marshall County United Way
Pennies add up to dollars – $263 of them to be exact. That’s how much money students at Jefferson Elementary School in Plymouth raised for United Way of Marshall County during the month of November. Continue reading
Koscuisko County Lake Contaminated By Chemicals After Plant Fire
A chemical plant in Warsaw caught fire on Friday, prompting a response by multiple police and fire agencies.
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Kankakee Valley Broadcasting Celebrates MAX 98.3 FM Launch
Join the staff of Kankakee Valley Broadcasting for today’s ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate the launch of WYMR-FM, MAX 98.3. The 6,000 watt radio station is licensed in Culver and Plymouth and is a sister station to K99.3 WKVI FM and Kountry KVI 1520 AM, both of which are licensed in Knox. The stations share an air staff and news department and play a similar mix of hit music from the 1970s through present day. Continue reading
Today is Final Day to File for Plymouth Election
Today is the last day to file for the City of Plymouth Municipal Election.
In the City of Plymouth, municipal offices up for election include the mayor of Plymouth, all five city council seats as well as two additional at-large seats. The primary election will be held on May 5.
Any town under 3,500 in population will have town conventions if there are opposing party candidates in the seats up for election rather than a primary election. Otherwise, the candidates will be featured on the ballot in the General Election in November.
John Glenn School Board Adopts 2015-2016 School Calendar
The John Glenn School Board voted 5-1 to approve a calendar for the 2015-2016 school year.
Superintendent Richard Reese said it’s not much different than this year’s calendar. Reese said the board did not choose to go with a balanced calendar at this time.
“We took some surveys of our staff and parents and there were a variety of viewpoints. Our school board made a decision for this year to kind of see what’s going on and test the waters. We are just going to go with a similar calendar to this year’s calendar,” said Reese.
Culver Town Council Irons Out EMS Issues in Work Session
The Culver Town Council continues to discuss its EMS Department.
During a work session meeting on Wednesday, the Council held talks that involved a few of the problems facing the Emergency Medical Services Department. Previous reports have indicated that a lack of volunteers may be preventing adequate operations.
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Marshall County Commissioners Get Update on Pug Mill Purchase
The Marshall County Highway Department discussed pug mill quotes with the commissioners this week.
The highway department would need to commit 10 percent for a down payment for a pug mill. The down payment would be $28,500. Supervisor of County Highways Jason Peters will be going to look and test the equipment soon.
Plymouth Plan Commission President Recommends Discussion on Garage Sizes
The Plymouth Plan Commission President proposed an idea for future discussion that includes housing standards.
Doug Feece proposed the elimination of the garage door size and to allow only a 12-foot door. Feece noted that this would eliminate “storage barns” in a residential area, especially in the historic district. He also would like to see something that would regulate garage sizes. Feece said he would like to have a formula that doesn’t allow a garage that’s bigger than a house. If the house is a certain size, then the garage should only be 30 to 40 percent the size of the house. Garage doors should be made likewise. You can learn this here now.
Feece’s opinion expressed was that if the practice continues, the residential districts are going to turn into a problem. They could turn into commercial districts. Continue reading
Starke County Health Department Recommends Vaccinations To Combat Measles
A recent measles outbreak has the Starke County Health Department reminding area residents to have up-to-date vaccinations.
According to the Centers for Disease Control, 102 cases of the disease were reported in the U.S. in January. Measles is considered highly contagious.
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Empty Bowl Project Continues Education and Volunteerism
MoonTree Studios near Plymouth is asking the public to raise its awareness of hunger in local communities.
The art studio, along with several other local organizations, is hosting their Empty Bowl Project again this year. The event highlights food insecurity by helping to raise money for organizations that provide food to those in need.
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Dr. Zirkle to Stay at Ancilla College
The Board of Trustees at Ancilla College recently voted to name Dr. Ken Zirkle as president of Ancilla College. He held the interim president position for the past seven months. Dr. Zirkle’s contract is for another year.
In a news release from the facility, the board also voted to approve a new residence hall for the 2015 Fall semester. Dr. Zirkle stated that he’s looking forward to assisting in the future growth and development of the college.
Dr. Zirkle has executive post-secondary experience in a career that spans decades including State University of New York, University of Findley, Becker College, Post University, and Mercyhurst University.
Marshall County Commissioners Move Forward with Tax Certificate Sale
The Marshall County Commissioners approved an agreement this week to hold a tax certificate sale. A resolution was also adopted in order to move the process forward.
The county will be working with Joe Edwards from SRI, Inc. Approximately properties would be included in the sale. Thirty-six properties will be featured in the sale. Some will not be included as the City of Plymouth and North Township has expressed interest in a few parcels for development.
Plymouth BZA Members Approve Monopole Construction
The Plymouth Board of Zoning Appeals discussed a request to place a 164-foot monopole communications tower at 12091 Plymouth Goshen Trail.
Mike Howley represents Central States Tower and co-applicant Verizon Wireless and presented information to the quorum of BZA members on Tuesday night. Verizon Wireless officials have paperwork filed to construct a tower on the Read Fields, LTD property near U.S. 30 and U.S. 31. They want to fill a gap in cell phone and wireless coverage for businesses, homeowners and industry in that area. The capacity level would also improve. Four antennas could be placed on the tower. It would not need to be lighted.
Charbonneau Focuses on Indiana’s Water Resources
State Senator Ed Charbonneau is touting two bills that received unanimous approval in the Indiana Senate.
Both bills attempt to analyze and secure the Hoosier State’s water resources. Senate Bill 473 requires the Indiana Department of Natural Resources to monitor water resources and provides an avenue for volunteers to conduct the work. It would focus on areas where water withdrawals could exceed the natural replenishing rate.
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Plymouth Schools Adopt Balanced Calendar
Plymouth Schools have decided to make a move that will limit the number of days students receive off in the summer.
The Plymouth School Board voted unanimously last night to adopt a balanced calendar – something the school corporation has been discussing for the last year or so.
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Ancilla College Hosts Financial Aid Night in Culver
Students looking to receive financial assistance paying for college have an opportunity to learn more tonight at Culver High School.
Ancilla College has been hosting financial aid workshops on a weekly basis to help parents and students better prepare to enter college, and receive tips on properly applying for financial aid.
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Kidney Transplant Brings Culver Students Together
Students at Culver Elementary hope to help a former classmate with a bit of fundraising.
The student is currently thought to be in 3rd grade at Plymouth Community Schools, but is in need of a kidney transplant. A “GoFundMe” account has been set-up to help raise funds which will assist the student in meeting certain financial obligations.
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