Marshall County Officials Honor Retiring Merit Board Members

merit officers presentationTwo retiring merit board officers were honored this week for their dedicated years of service to Marshall County.

Marshall County Sheriff’s Captain Dan Butts presented plaques to Dr. Jim Bottorff and Orion “Bud” Treat who served on the Marshall County Merit Board for 44 years apiece. The recognition ceremony was held during the Marshall County Commissioners meeting on Monday.

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Motorcycle Passenger in Critical Condition After Crash

 
 

A Walkerton woman is in critical condition following a motorcycle crash Tuesday night in Marshall County. It happened at 8:45 p.m. on 6th Road east of Olive Road, according to a news release from the Marshall County Sheriff’s Office. Lukas J. Moren, 24, of Walkerton, was westbound on 6th Road approaching the turns east of Olive Road on a 2006 Kawasaki Ninja and lost control of the bike while trying to pass another motorist in a no-passing zone. He lost control of the bike and hit a wood fence. Lindsey R. Hall of Walkerton was on the back of the bike prior to the wreck. The news release does not specify whether they were wearing helmets.

Formal Charges Pending Against Accused Child Molester

 

Joshua Sanders
Joshua Sanders

Deputies from the Marshall County Sheriff’s Office arrested an accused child molester following a joint investigation with the Department of Child Services. Formal charges are pending against Joshua Sanders. He’s accused of inappropriately touching a juvenile in Marshall County during the past six weeks.

Train Hits Car, Driver Arrested

 
 

A North Liberty woman faces drunk driving charges after her abandoned car was struck by a train Monday night in Marshall County.

The 2001 Honda registered to Malory K. Schmucker, 30, crashed into the tracks on southbound Redwood Road north of 1st Road just after 10 p.m., according to a report from the Marshall County Sheriff’s Office.

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Marshall County Deputies Arrest Knox Residents on Drug Charges

Crystal Singleton
Crystal Singleton

Earl Beem Jr.
Earl Beem Jr.

 A man and woman from Knox face felony drug charges in Marshall County after being pulled over for speeding Tuesday.

A sheriff’s deputy stopped their SUV near the intersection of Harrison Street and Oak Road. The police report indicates Marshall County K9 Jax indicated the presence of narcotics inside the vehicle. Officers reportedly found Crystal Singleton of Knox to be in possession of heroin and found drug paraphernalia in the vehicle. The officers reportedly found heroin on passenger Earl Beem as well. He also had two outstanding arrest warrants, including one for a felony parole violation.

Singleton and Beem both face numerous charges in Marshall County.

Victims Airlifted After Marshall County Crash, Investigation Continues

 
 

Authorities in Marshall County believe speed and possibly alcohol were factors in a Saturday afternoon wreck that sent the driver and a front seat passenger to South Bend Memorial Hospital via helicopter. A 1995 Mercury driven by Nicholas Walker, 22, of Plymouth was northbound on Tulip Road from 9C road in Plymouth, lost control and hit a tree, according to a crash report from the Marshall County Sheriff’s Office. Walker was pinned in the car but conscious when sheriff’s deputies arrived. A passenger, Matthew Gaines, was also in the vehicle and was in and out of consciousness, according to authorities. Both had to be cut from the wreckage. A young girl in the back seat was not hurt. A formal criminal case is being prepared and will be sent to the Marshall County Prosecutor’s Office for review.

Driver Loses Control of Truck, Blames Rutted Road

 
 

An Argos man says chuck holes on Oak Road south of 6A road are to blame for the single vehicle Monday afternoon accident that sent him to the hospital. Robert Dille, 53, was southbound on Oak Road south of 6A road and lost control of his 1988 Ford Ranger, according to information from the Marshall County Sheriff’s Office. Dille’s truck veered off the east side of the road, hit a tree and spun around 180 degrees before coming to rest. He was treated and released from the Plymouth hospital.

Single-Vehicle Crash in Plymouth Sends South Bend Woman to Hospital

 

 
 

A South Bend woman who lost control of her vehicle while merging onto U.S. 31 northbound from U.S. 30 westbound late Friday morning was taken to St. Joseph Hospital. Sarah K. Thrasher, 22, hit a light post before her vehicle rolled over and came to rest on its roof, according to a news release from the Marshall County Sheriff’s Office. She sustained a head injury and complained of pain.

Marshall County Sheriff’s Office Investigating Lake of the Woods Burglaries

 
 

Detectives with the Marshall County Sheriff’s Department are investigating five recent burglaries in the Lake of the Woods are. All five occurred in the 3000 block of West Shore Drive and were reported between Feb. 11 and 14. Items reported stolen include food from refrigerators and freezers, televisions, coins, silver and cash, cordless drills, compact discs and movies, an iTunes radio, a game cube and games, a BluRay player, a Craftsman tool box and tools, a Lawn Boy push mower, a Dell laptop, a Wii game console and games, a Craftsman charger and batteries and an impact socket set. Continue reading

More Burglaries Reported in Lake of the Woods Area

 
 

Burglars apparently struck again late last week in the Lake of the Woods area of Marshall County. Officers from the sheriff’s department were called to a home in the 3,000 block of West Shore Drive in Bremen around noon to take a burglary report. While they were there, they also learned of another break-in at a nearby home. Electronics were stolen from both residences. Citizens are urged to to report any suspicious activity and to take precautions to make it look like someone is home such as setting timers for lights and having someone pick up your mail and newspapers. Motion sensors and alarms can also be effective deterrents.

Marshall County Will Enact Warning Level Travel Advisory Later Tonight

  
 
Marshall County officials will be issuing an emergency declaration today, Tuesday, Feb. 4. The emergency declaration will include a “Warning Level” travel advisory for travel upon roadways in the un-incorporated areas of Marshall County.

According to Emergency Management Agency Director Clyde Avery, the “Warning Level” advisory will go into effect at 7 p.m. ET tonight. If the weather and road conditions become a safety concern, the declaration may be put in place earlier than 7 p.m. ET.

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Driver Arrested After Head-On Collison With Snow Plow

Snowplow crash 2
First responders had to cut Juan L. Ruiz, 22, from the wreckage of his 2003 Chevrolet TrailBlazer.

An Akron man faces multiple charges following a head-on collision with a Marshall County snow plow truck Saturday night. It happened just after 10 p.m. on Michigan Road just north of 18C Road, according to the crash report provided by the Marshall County Sheriff’s Office. A 2003 Chevrolet TrailBlazer driven by Juan L. Ruiz, 22, was reportedly southbound on Michigan Road, crossed the center line and struck the plow truck driven by Jon A. Bates, 51, of Bourbon. The impact of the crash caused the TrailBlazer to spin counterclockwise before coming to rest facing east in the southbound lane. Ruiz and his front seat passenger were trapped in the SUV and had to be cut from the wreckage by members of the Argos Fire Department. Both were treated at St. Joseph Regional Medical Center in Plymouth. Police say alcohol was a factor in the crash. Ruiz faces charges of operating while intoxicated, public intoxication and operation of a motor vehicle having never obtained a license.

 

Formal Charges Pending in Marshall County Drug Arrest

 
 

A motorist’s erratic driving early Sunday morning led to a traffic stop and subsequent arrest for drug possession after a patrolman from the Marshall County Sheriff’s Office reportedly recovered drugs that were thrown from the vehicle. The officer pulled the car, driven by Matthew C. Cadwell, over on U.S. 30 east of Oak Road. Prior to the stop, the officer saw Cadwell toss items from the window, according to the incident report. Another officer retrieved the baggie, which reportedly contained two white pills identified as a controlled substance. Officers searched the vehicle and reportedly found more drug paraphernalia and evidence of recent drug use. Cadwell appeared nervous, according to the arresting officer. During a search at the Marshall County Jail, employees there reportedly found seven small baggies of white powder that field-tested positive for heroin. Formal charges against Cadwell are pending.

Weapons Reported Stolen from Marshall County Residence

 
 

The Marshall County Sheriff’s Department is investigating the theft of two handguns and a rifle from a home in the 14-thousand block of 20A Road. The owner called the police on Thursday, Aug. 8 to report that someone had gained entry into his house within the past 24 hours. In addition to stealing the guns, the burglar ransacked most of the house and garage and keyed a vehicle. Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact the Marshall County Sheriff’s Department at 574-936-3187.

Two Arrested After Warrant Service Incident

 
 
A warrant arrest situation could have been a lot worse if not for quick action by deputies from the Marshall County Sheriff’s Department.

Three deputies arrived at the Cale Street Apartments in Lapaz to take a wanted felon into custody Sunday afternoon. When the officers arrived at the scene, they witnessed the suspect, Christopher Bunch, flee on foot and enter a pickup. Continue reading

Plymouth Firefighters Battle Blaze at Dentist’s Lakefront Home

 
 

Multiple fire departments responded to a house fire on Pretty Lake Road in Marshall County this morning. Dispatchers with the Marshall County Sheriff’s Office say they were called to a home at 16598 Pretty Lake Road. A check of property tax records confirms the home belongs to Dr. Jeffrey Starr, who is a dentist in Plymouth. The property carries an assessed value of $602,000. The state fire marshal’s office has been contacted, and an investigator will be in Marshall County tomorrow.