Change Orders Approved for 7th Road Project

Posted on Author Lenny Dessauer

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.”

Continue reading →

Video Conferencing, Technology Upgrade Approved

Posted on Author Lenny Dessauer

Marshall County Superior Court No. 2 Judge Dean Colvin asked the commissioners this week to assist him in improving the video conferencing system between the courthouse and the Marshall County Jail.

A system was put in place years ago, but it’s time to upgrade, according to Judge Colvin.

“Over the last several years, we’ve run into a couple of issues with the video conferencing as a result of, as I like to call it, planned obsolescence with the regards to technology,” said Judge Colvin. “We’ve worked through the lifetime expectancy of the video conferencing and we’re having technical problems with video conferencing. We need to address those and bring them back up to date and back up to speed.”

Continue reading →

Proposed Permit Fee Amendment to Zoning Ordinance Passes on First Reading

Posted on Author Lenny Dessauer

The Marshall County Commissioners held a public hearing on the proposed increase in building permit and improvement location fees Monday morning.

Several of the fees increased by $5 while others jumped considerably. Plan Director Ralph Booker explained that the fees will help cover costs. The fees haven’t been amended for several years.

Permit fees for accessory structures larger than 1,601 square feet rose from $80 to $100 for structures up to 2,000 square feet. Permit fees for accessory structures larger than 2,000 square feet will be $150.

Continue reading →

Marshall County Officials Upgrade to Watch Level Travel Advisory

Posted on Author Lenny Dessauer

The Marshall County Commissioners and EMA Director Clyde Avery have upgraded Marshall County to a “watch” level travel advisory.

Snow, sleet and freezing rain will affect the morning commute to work and school. Snow covered and icy road conditions will cause hazardous driving conditions. Temperatures will increase in the afternoon which will cause the precipitation to change to rain.

Continue reading →

LaPaz Residents Speak out Against Ordinance Amendment

Posted on Author Lenny Dessauer

The Marshall County Commissioners held a public hearing Monday morning to take comments on the proposed ordinance amendment on the Commercial Overlay District.

The ordinance encompasses all of Marshall County, but some LaPaz citizens spoke out about the ordinance as they’re worried about commercial development with the overpass on U.S. 6 and the new U.S. 31.

Residents are concerned about existing businesses that were “displaced” when the new U.S. 31 was constructed. Most traffic now passes by LaPaz instead of through LaPaz and taxpayers are concerned about those establishments. Agriculture ground was also a focus of concern as commercial developments could dig into the county’s agribusiness district.

Continue reading →

Riverside Intermediate School Accepts State Award

Posted on Author Lenny Dessauer

Riverside Intermediate School administration, staff and students took part in an assembly yesterday afternoon to recognize the school’s state award as a “School to Watch”.

The Plymouth school is one of 350 in the United States that received the designation.

The designation was recently announced by the Indiana Middle Level Education Association and the National Forum to Accelerate Middle Grades Reform. Shirley Wright, Executive Director of the Indiana Middle Level Education Association, spoke about the uniqueness of the award and the fact that Plymouth’s school is the only “intermediate” school to be re-designated for this status. She invited the school’s administration to go to Washington, D.C. to accept the award on a national platform.

In order to be eligible, the school needs to meet the criteria of academic excellence, developmental responsiveness, social equity, and organizational support with evidence from the curriculum and schedule.

Meredith Perks, a representative of Senator Joe Donnelly’s office, and 17th District State Representative Tim Harmon gave words of encouragement as did Plymouth Mayor Mark Senter and Plymouth Community School Superintendent Dan Tyree.

Riverside Intermediate School Principal Jeni Hirschy accepted the school to watch re-designation award.

The celebration ended with a short video presentation and a rally for the start of I-STEP exams that begin today.

Photo caption: Principal Jeni Hirschy (right) accepts the re-designation plaque from Shirley Wright.