The Plymouth Board of Public Works received an update on what is needed to preserve the historic firehouse on Center Street.
Brent Martin from SRKM said the building was built in 1875 and renovated in 1993. When the contractors renovated the building, they sealed the brick in such a way that the condensation could not expel from the interior part of the structure that caused them to deteriorate. The trapped water also froze and expanded that caused even further damage.
Marshall County Economic Development Corporation Executive Director Jerry Chavez presented a proposal for a change in tax abatement guidelines to the Plymouth City Council Monday night.
Chavez explained that the bedrock of tax abatement remains. Companies can fill out an application form to discuss what type of economic development will be occurring at the facility. Real property and personal property is evaluated for capital investment. An annual report is required as to the progress of the business.
The Marshall County Council discussed several additional appropriation requests at their meeting Monday morning.
The highway department had a request for a $310,000 additional appropriation for a new pug mill. Highway Superintendent Jason Peters discussed looking into a used pug mill in Missouri but decided against the purchase. Peters previously said the pug mill had been used for a different need. It was decided to go with a new pug mill for the requested amount that the council approved.
A 75-year-old LaPorte woman was unable to file her taxes because someone else used her personal information to file a claim.
LaPorte City Police Department officers were made aware of the fraud incident this week. The victim told police that her nephew attempted to file her taxes, and the filing was rejected. She added that she was an Anthem Health Care customer, and her information was among those stolen in a recent massive hacking incident.
2nd District Congresswoman Jackie Walorski is looking for ways to enhance agricultural industries.
The South Bend Republican appeared in Plymouth yesterday as part of an agriculture tour. The congresswoman is visiting nearly a dozen businesses, farms, and venues in two days in an effort to learn more about the industry and perhaps garner sufficient information to influence policy.
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Indiana’s Democratic U.S. Senator recently participated in what some are calling a civil rights pilgrimage.
Senator Joe Donnelly traveled to Selma, Alabama on Sunday with other state residents to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Bloody Sunday.
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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.
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.
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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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.
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.
Plymouth High School students experienced a bit of success over the weekend at a state robotics competition.
The High School has six robotics teams – three of which qualified for the Indiana State VEX state tournament.
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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.
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.
Indiana’s Senate Democrats are touting the results of a survey recently conducted by the caucus.
Questions were asked in each of the Senate Democrats individual districts. The survey was conducted this year prior to the start of the long session of the Indiana General Assembly.
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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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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.
Third grade students across Indiana are encouraged to interview county government officials as part of an essay contest. April is National County Government Month. The Association of Indiana Counties is sponsoring the”Counties Moving Indiana Forward: The Keys are Transportation and Infrastructure.” Continue reading
Indiana saw an uptick in the number of fish being stocked in water systems last year.
A report from the Department of Natural Resources says their department and organizations with proper permits stock nearly 32-million fish in 2014. The DNR says that typically, between 22-million and 24-million fish are stocked each year.
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The Indiana Dunes State Park is in the running for one of the top 10 best state parks in the United States.
The USA Today received the nomination of the Indiana Dunes State Park in Chesterton as part of a list submitted by a panel of travel experts. Twenty locations have been nominated.
