One Dies in Marshall County Car Accident

A Bremen woman lost her life in a single vehicle accident in Marshall County.

The accident happened on U.S. 6 near Rose Road Friday evening. According to the Indiana State Police, the vehicle that Mary E. Durlin, 62, was driving struck a deer, left the roadway and hit a tree. The highway was closed so medical personnel could assist at the scene while police conducted a crash reconstruction and investigation.

Durlin died from her injuries. Police say two small children in the vehicle were not injured.  They were in car seats in the rear passenger seat.

The Indiana State Police troopers were assisted at the scene by the Walkerton Police Department.

October Crash Brings Reckless Homicide Charges

A multi-vehicle crash in Marshall County in October of this year has led to charges against a Culver man.

According to a press release from the Marshall County Prosecutor’s Office, a grand jury from Superior Court No. 1 returned an indictment earlier this month against 54-year-old Jon McFarland. He’s the man accused of traveling westbound on State Road 10 when he allegedly struck 25-year-old Alexander Hutchins’ vehicle.

The grand jury’s charge of Reckless Homicide stems from a crash that occurred at the intersection of US 31 and State Road 10 on the west side of Argos.

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Marshall County Commissioners to Discuss Changes in Juvenile Detention Contract

The Marshall County Commissioners will be taking a closer look at a contract for housing juvenile delinquents.

The county had a prior contract with the juvenile detention center in Muncie which moved operations to Evart, Indiana in the name of Muskegon River Youth Home Inc. The new contract for 2015 does not include transportation in the expense to the county which is $41,650 up front for 350 bed days. The prior contract also included sexual abuse evaluation and substance abuse evaluation where they are included as additional services in the 2015 contract. Personal property damage would also be the county’s responsibility.

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Marshall County Auditor Recognized for Years of Service

Marshall County Auditor Penny Lukenbill was recognized for her efforts as a county auditor and as a county employee during the Marshall County Commissioners meeting Monday morning.

David Bottorff, the executive director of the Association of Indiana Counties, said Lukenbill served as president of the association and talked to legislators about county issues. To recognize her efforts, Congresswoman Jackie Walorski mentioned Lukenbill’s accomplishments into the congressional record. Ben Falkowski presented Lukenbill with a plaque.

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Marshall County Solid Waste Director Resigns

The director of the Marshall County Solid Waste District has resigned.

Michael T. Good tendered his resignation effective immediately. The Marshall County Solid Waste District met Thursday and accepted his resignation.

Good was indicted by a Marshall County grand jury this week on counts of theft as a Class D felony and official misconduct as a Class D felony.

The two-count indictment alleges Good exerted unauthorized control over property of the Marshall County Solid Waste Management District totaling $9,017.12. He allegedly sold scrap in 2012, 2013 and 2014, according to a Marshall County Prosecutor’s Office press release.

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Marshall County Commissioners Approve Resolution for Tax Certificate Sale

The Marshall County Commissioners will be moving forward with a tax certificate sale.

Joe Edwards from SRI, Inc. said there were about 30 properties that were not sold in the property tax sale. Those particular properties have not been sold in several years. The redemption period is a little quicker so the properties can be included in the tax rolls in 120 days.

The certificate sale would be held in March in the commissioners meeting room in the Marshall County Building. Proper advertising will be done prior to the sale.

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Marshall County Jury Indicts Marshall County Solid Waste Management Director

A Marshall County grand jury has returned counts of theft as a Class D felony and official misconduct as a Class D felony against Michael T. Good.

The two-count indictment alleges Good exerted unauthorized control over property of the Marshall County Solid Waste Management District totaling $9,017.12. He allegedly sold scrap in 2012, 2013 and 2014, according to a Marshall County Prosecutor’s Office press release. Good is currently the director of the Marshall County Solid Waste Management District.

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Marshall County to Join Lawsuit over Theft of Documents

Marshall County Attorney Jim Clevenger and Marshall County Recorder Marlene Mahler discussed with the commissioners this week the theft of 2,700 documents totaling 39,000 pages out of the county’s computer system.

Clevenger noted that several other counties are facing the same issue with the same company and have been asked to join a multi-county action against the company. Representatives of LPS Real Estate Data Solutions reportedly went in and took data out of the recorder’s office without going through the proper channels to pay for the data wanted. A civil action will be filed against LPS to recover damages for the stolen data and punitive damages.

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