The Mentone Town Council approved hiring Keaton Schopf as the town’s new marshal at one of two special meetings held on Thursday, Nov. 9, at Mentone Town Hall. From left: Town Council Member Shelly Krueger, Schopf, Town Council President Jill Gross and Town Council Member Tim Croy. InkFreeNews photo by Leah Sander.

By Leah Sander
InkFreeNews

MENTONE — Mentone has a new town marshal.

At one of two special meetings for the Mentone Town Council on Thursday, Nov. 9, Keaton Schopf was selected to head up the Mentone Police Department.

He will fill the vacancy made by Jim Eads retiring and moving to Tennessee.

Schopf, who lives in Mentone, has worked as a correctional officer at the Kosciusko County Jail for the last four years and is a current reserve officer for the Winona Lake Police Department.

He should start as marshal in December and will be sworn in at a future Mentone Town Council meeting.

The council agreed Thursday to set Schopf’s salary at $52,000. As for other town employees, the council also agreed Thursday to give Town Clerk-Treasurer Amanda Yaprak a raise of $4,500 for the next year and Utilities Superintendent Josh Shepherd and Assistant Utilities Superintendent Corbin Hudson raises of $5,000 each.

As for the second meeting on Thursday, a public hearing was held during it for the redesign of Mentzer Park.

Through its participation in the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs’ Hoosier Enduring Legacy Program, Mentone is gaining special grant money to add to its American Rescue Plan Act funds from the federal government and plans to use them on the park revamp.

Mentone has around $700,000 to spend on the redesign between receiving several grants and its ARPA money.

Elements of the park redesign include adding another pavilion, putting in a disc golf course and upgrading playground equipment.

Factoring in feedback from citizens who attended the public hearing Thursday, the park revamp plan now calls for the pavilion to be larger than others currently at the park with a kitchenette and restroom facilities, natural-looking playground equipment and walking paths to park amenities.

There will be a second public hearing in the future before the council will vote on the park plan.