(SANILAC COUNTY) – If you are looking for something fun and different to do during the long, cold winter this may be a chance to get out for an evening of fun. A creative Paint-In-Party is planned in Port Sanilac where hand-painters of all skill levels will gather to paint the Port Sanilac Lighthouse in the beautiful Loop-Harrison Mansion, January 19 beginning at 6:00pm. The class, requiring pre-registration and a minimum of 20 people, will be taught by renowned artist Jane Weiss. For more information, call 810-622-9946
(SANILAC COUNTY) – In observance of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, The Stone Lodge Restaurant & Tavern of Port Sanilac hosted a month-long fundraiser to benefit the Breast Cancer Understanding, Prevention and Screenings program at Marlette Regional Hospital. Throughout October, Stone Lodge held various fundraisers and were pleased to present the Marlette Regional Hospital Foundation with a check for $1,500 to benefit the B.C.U.P.S. program. Marlette Regional Hospital extends its sincere thanks to The Stone Lodge family and its patrons for supporting this worthy cause and patients in the local communities!
(SANILAC COUNTY) – A 25-year-old Michigan State Police trooper, formerly of Sandusky, has been charged with operating while intoxicated following a crash early Thanksgiving day. Officials said Sandusky graduate Cody Gueldenzopf was off duty at the time of the crash in Sanilac County’s Greenleaf Township. A hunter reported seeing a vehicle drive half a mile across a field and strike a tree a quarter mile west of Germania Road, according to police reports. Gueldenzopf was arraigned December 22nd with a personal recognizance bond set at $1,000. MSP officials said the trooper is assigned to the Flint Post and is on sick leave recovering from injuries. MSP Lt. David Kaiser said once the criminal proceedings are complete, the Michigan State Police will conduct an internal investigation and even if Gueldenzopf is found not responsible in criminal court, he could still be found in violation of conduct expected of troopers.
(LAPEER COUNTY) – A farming accident last Saturday afternoon claimed the life of a 44-year old North Branch Township man. According to Lapeer County sheriff deputies, John Pung, dressed in loose clothing, was pulled into a corn picker after reaching in to fix something prior to harvesting a field on Slattery Road. Sheriff department officials said it appears Pung passed away from asphyxiation and was extricated from the farm equipment by North Branch firemen. Pung and his wife were expecting their first child later this year.
(LAPEER COUNTY) – A Lapeer County woman gave her bank account a boost after winning $10,000 in the Michigan Lottery’s Go-To Gift Giveaway. Rhonda Simeneta, of Lapeer, won the $10,000 prize in a random drawing. Simeneta earned entries into the Go-To Gift Giveaway by visiting Michigan Lottery.com to play an interactive game. Michigan Lottery players have a chance to win up to $500,000 instantly playing online. Through its online platform, the Lottery offers players more than 40 different games where nearly $337 million dollars has been won.
(TUSCOLA COUNTY) – Voters in the Vassar school district may be asked to go back to the polls in May to consider a request from the school to approve bonding for several improvements. School officials have until the end of this month to submit ballot language. The board is considering a proposed two-series bond totaling over $11 million over 25 years. That would mean an additional 1.20 mills over the 2.44 mills for taxpayers. 1.9 mills is scheduled to be eliminated in 2019 with the repayment of the Central School bond. Previous millage requests failed in the Vassar district last year.
(TUSCOLA COUNTY) – Following months of discussion and fine tuning plans, Cass City School District officials will soon be ready to move forward with what they hope is a way to fund school improvements. School officials said they expect the board to move forward with a resolution to put a funding extension on the May ballot. If approved, the millage would generate around $8.5 million over the next 16 years and would not increase taxes throughout the school district. If voters give their ok, one of the first improvements would be replacement of the heating and cooling system in the 50-year old high school building.
(HURON COUNTY) – Huron County sheriff deputies continue to investigate a two-vehicle accident around 3:30 p.m.Thursday afternoon west of Bad Axe. According to police, 26-year old Brittany Thorn of Cass City was driving her vehicle that collided with a semi-truck driven by 48-year old Donald Chambers of Warren, near the intersection of Pinnebog and Soper Roads. Emergency personnel were called to the scene to treat the victims. Thorn’s vehicle skidded off the roadway while the semi-truck rolled over in a ditch after impact. The accident remains under investigation.
