Friday, September 30, 2011

Goal of protest at U.S. Rep. Camp's Midland office? Jobs

via Midland Daily News

Growing unrest with a sputtering economy that lacks jobs and Republican policies they say favor corporations and the wealthy sparked some 65 citizens to stage a protest Thursday afternoon outside of U.S. Rep. Dave Camp’s downtown Midland office. Chanting slogans like “Where are the Jobs?” and “Tax the Rich, Create Jobs,” the protesters didn’t let a steady rain dampen their zeal for putting elected officials on notice that people are hurting and that job creation needs to happen. Now. James Moreno, one of the protest leaders, said, “This is a rally for jobs. If we want to change America we need more jobs and less divisive government.

Thatcher biographer celebrates America’s lady leaders; speaking Monday in Midland

via Midland Daily News

A British author who chronicled Margaret Thatcher’s emergence as a world leader thinks it’s time for American women to get their due as well. John Blundell, author of 2008’s “Margaret Thatcher: A Portrait of the Iron Lady,” will visit the Doan History Center Monday night at 7 p.m. Blundell’s appearance is jointly sponsored by Northwood University and the “VOICES: Extraordinary Women of Midland County,” and coincides with the release of his new book, “Ladies for Liberty: Women Who Made a Difference in American History.” The Mackinac Center also is a co-sponsor.

Wednesday, September 28, 2011

Swede bike lane proposed, with parking still allowed most hours

via Midland Daily News

After months of discussion, the Midland Planning Commission has recommended adding a bicycle lane to Swede Avenue from Wackerly Street to Patrick Road with partial parking restrictions. If the proposal gains final approval of the Midland City Council, parking would be restricted from 6 to 9 a.m. and 3 to 6 p.m. on weekdays to encourage bicyclists to commute to work. Five commissioners supported the plan, while three were opposed. Commissioner Lowell McLaughlin said creating bike lanes adds to Midland's quality of life, encouraging people to bicycle and improving the safety of those who do ride.

Despite opposition, Eastman apartment plan moves forward

via Midland Daily News

A plan to allow a 49-unit, three story senior living facility at 5510 Eastman Ave. gained Midland Planning Commission support Tuesday night despite strong neighborhood opposition. The commission recommended approval of a conditional use permit to allow the multiple-family residential use in an office service-zoned parcel. The parcel is subject to a court judgment from 1991 prohibiting several uses, including schools, churches, rooming houses, fire stations, public utility facilities and radio broadcasting studios. The city said the ruling did not prohibit the proposed apartment building. Midland Planning Director Keith Baker recused himself from the discussion because his home is near the proposed building, so planning consultant Cindy Winland handled the proposal.

Saturday, September 24, 2011

Designer drugs moving into Midland County

via Midland Daily News

The Midland Area Partnership for Drug Free Youth continues to work toward preventing and reducing substance abuse by youth, and learned about designer drugs beginning to take hold in Midland County at a coalition meeting this week. Speaking at the meeting, conducted Wednesday at the Midland Law Enforcement Center, was Bay Area Narcotics Enforcement Team Detective Lt. Mark Uribe, who brought along drugs seized during investigations and spoke about the current local drug situation. He said it's important to know about what drugs are out there, and to help the community's youth get ahead of the problem.

Emotional victory: Johnson, Chargers defeat Arthur Hill 20-13

via Midland Daily News

An emotional week turned into an emotional victory Friday night for the Dow High Chargers. Just days after tailback Nick Johnson's father, Erric, 57, died from complications from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, the Chargers dealt with the emotions of his death, as well as it being Senior Parent Night, to hold off a determined Saginaw Arthur Hill team, 20-13. Johnson, a senior, scored a touchdown and rushed for 74 yards as the Chargers (2-3 on the season) dodged a late comeback bid from the Lumberjacks at Midland Stadium.

Wednesday, September 21, 2011

Dow Corning pledges $5M support to Global Alliance for clean cookstoves

via Midland Daily News

Dow Corning has committed $5 million to the Global Alliance for Clean Cookstoves’ efforts to create a global marketplace for clean and efficient household cooking solutions. As the Alliance celebrates its one-year anniversary, Dow Corning’s donation — the largest contribution of unrestricted funds pledged to date — will enable the Alliance to significantly ramp up its global efforts to prevent millions of deaths per year — and millions more sicknesses and injuries — from exposure to toxic smoke from cooking and heating with traditional cookstoves or open fires. Dow Corning is also dedicating technical and human resources to the project. Dow Corning will work with the Alliance to explore how to improve the quality of stoves, as well as how to lower the cost of production to make the stoves more affordable to families.

Midland Police encourage people to call 911

via Midland Daily News

Midland Police are beginning a new effort aimed at assuring residents it's okay -- and necessary -- to call 911 when they see something suspicious. "We all play a role in keeping our community safe," Community Relations Officer Chris Wenzell said, adding 80,000 sets of eyes and ears are an important local asset. Wenzell is launching a local take on the Department of Homeland Security "If You See Something, Say Something" program, which began at the national level in July 2010. The campaign is to raise public awareness of suspicious activity and to emphasize the importance of reporting it, he said.

Monday, September 19, 2011

Former Saginaw firefighter stepping down as Midland chief

via MLive.com

A former Saginaw firefighter is calling it a career here, media reports indicate. Midland Fire Chief Leonardo Garcia will retire on Dec. 16, 9 years after leaving the Saginaw Fire Department for the nearby community, WSGW reports. Garcia in Saginaw served as assistant fire chief before departing in 2002.

10 Dow Corning employees headed to India to gain innovation insights

via Midland Daily News

Ten Dow Corning employees from around the world will spend four weeks working to improve nut farming, solar energy and garment production in Ujire, India, as part of the company’s second Citizen Service Corps project. These projects are designed not only to serve developing communities, but also to gain strategic insights into developing markets, which has become an important part of the corporate innovation process. The team includes staff based in both Midland and Hemlock.


Wednesday, September 14, 2011

Sanford man sentenced for killing his own father in Gladwin County

via MLive.com

A Midland County man who pleaded guilty in the death of his father has been ordered to serve 25 to 50 years in prison. Harold N. “Nick” Martin was sentenced Monday by Gladwin County Circuit Judge Thomas R. Evans, who gave the defendant credit for 557 days already served. In July, Martin pleaded guilty but mentally ill to second-degree murder. Authorities did not reveal how Harold L. Martin, 61, died in his Billings Township home Feb. 28, 2010.

Midland Center for the Arts celebrates 40 years

via Midland Daily News

Nearly 240 people helped celebrate the Midland Center for the Arts 40th birthday with the "Art Colors Life" event Saturday evening. Museum supporters raised about $36,000 for the museum, not including end of the night auction results. Guests were greeted by a cellist as they entered the lobby to socialize and enjoy drinks. Outside the auditorium two artists created work at their easels. President and CEO Mike Hayes said the event is fundraiser for the center, but also an opportunity to celebrate the museum's past and look forward to its future. Hayes said the variety of art forms represented at the event (music, visual art, acrobatics) showcases the assortment of things MCFTA offers. "We wanted it to be what we are," he said. Hayes said there aren't that many museums that offer what MCFTA does all under one roof.

Tuesday, September 13, 2011

Minnesota forest fire can be smelled in Mid-Michigan

via Connect Mid-Michigan

Mid-Michigan residents are smelling smoke stemming from a forest fire in Minnesota. Pioneer Press, a Minnesota media outlet, says firefighters from as far away as Nevada were battling the blazes near the Superior National Forest. Below is a map showing how far the smell of smoke has traveled from its original point in Minnesota to the NBC25 viewing area.

MPS administration unveils reorganization plan

via Midland Daily News

Midland Public Schools could save about $100,000 if the board of education approves an administrative reorganization proposed by Superintendent Carl Ellinger. Ellinger told the board Monday night that the plan calls for not replacing former Director of Administrative Services Jeff Hall, who left in the summer to become superintendent of Swartz Creek Community Schools. "This was not an easy decision to make," Ellinger said after the meeting. "It will mean more work for folks who have little time to do it." Under the plan, Human Resources Director Gary Verlinde will become assistant superintendent, while Finance Director Linda Cline and Curriculum and Instruction Director Kathy Ellison will become associate superintendents.


Monday, September 12, 2011

Plea to be entered in Midland County meth case

via Midland Daily News

Another man charged in connection with methamphetamine in Midland County is set to make a plea today. Jessie Lee Allen, 28, Coleman, is charged with delivery of methamphetamine, a felony punishable by up to 20 years in prison, and the case against him was bound over to the Midland County Circuit Court after a preliminary hearing conducted before District Judge Stephen P. Carras. The transcript of that hearing reveals a confidential informant approached Bay Area Narcotics Enforcement Team detectives after being caught in possession of methamphetamine in Clare County. That meth came from Allen, the informant testified.

Class of 2012 grew up with 9/11 aftermath

via Midland Daily News

Students in the class of 2012 spent nearly all of their in-school life in a country dealing with the aftermath of the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. Grace Kendall, a senior at Midland High School, remembers the two second grade classes at Adams Elementary gathering together to hear the news -- and teachers crying. "They said something about planes crashing into the Twin Towers in New York as an attack," she said. "We were 7; we didn't really understand it."

Saturday, September 10, 2011

Fulbright scholar: Midland native heading to Iceland

via Midland Daily News

Midland native Kimberly Cannady is heading to Iceland this month as a Fulbright scholar – the latest award for the 2002 Midland High School graduate. “I’m grateful. I’m really excited about the opportunity,” Cannady said in a recent interview. The Fulbright program, funded by the U.S. State Department, is an international education exchange program designed to increase understanding between the people of the U.S. and the people of other countries. Cannady is one of more than 1,600 U.S. citizens who will travel to other countries for the 2011-12 academic year.

Bay City, Saginaw mayors visit Midland, discuss regionalism


The mayors of Bay City and Saginaw addressed challenges their cities face and opportunities they have to work together during a stop at Wake Up! Midland Friday morning. The Midland Area Chamber of Commerce event brought together Chris Shannon of Bay City and Greg Branch of Saginaw, but the two already have been collaborating with Midland Mayor Maureen Donker to address issues in each community. “They love their cities, they see the value of regionalism and they understand to be a successful region, you have to have strong cities,” Donker said. “They’re working hard with others to make that happen.

Wednesday, September 7, 2011

Dyste envisions continued growth at Dow Corning as new site manager

via Midland Daily News

Tim Dyste is getting settled after moving back to Midland from China to fill a role his father had decades earlier managing Dow Corning's Midland Site. "Somebody said to me being a site manager of a site like this is sort of like being the mayor of a city," Dyste said. "I think it is somewhat that way because there's a lot of different things you're dealing with." In a recent week he checked the safety of processes at the site, advocated for capital projects, promoted employees and helped with United Way fundraising.

22nd annual Cruise 'N Car Show planned in downtown Midland

via Midland Daily News

The 22nd annual Cruise 'N Car Show will be held from 7 to 11 p.m. Friday, Sept. 16, and from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 17, in downtown Midland. The parade of vehicles and car show -- with free admission for spectators -- will feature hot rods, street machines, customs, antiques, trucks and motorcycles.

Tuesday, September 6, 2011

Hundreds cross the Tridge in annual Labor Day bridge walk

via MLive.com

Bill Crozier remembers tooting his own horn with his bandmates but their audience got left behind. A large crowd couldn'™t keep up with the no-name band with pep in its step to get across the three-sided Tridge on a past Labor Day. "They had to send a runner up to tell us to slow down so they could catch up," said Crozier, an 83-year-old Midland clarinet player.

Teachers in one district working without a contract again

via WNEM.com

While some students are excited to go back to school, some local teachers are heading back to the classroom without a contract. Educators at Midland Public Schools are still at the bargaining table, that's according to Booth Mid-Michigan.

Loons lose season finale

via Midland Daily News

The Great Lakes Loons finished their season Monday afternoon with a 5-3 loss to the South Bend Silver Hawks in Midwest League baseball at Dow Diamond. The Loons finished 33-37 in the second half of the season, tied with South Bend for sixth place, 15 games behind first-place Dayton (48-22). Great Lakes finished six games out of the final Eastern Division playoff spot in the second half, after missing a playoff berth in the first half by percentage points to Lansing.

Sunday, September 4, 2011

Deputies arrest suspect in stabbing of 73-year-old Edenville Township man

via MLive.com

A 26-year-old Jerome Township man is spending his Labor Day weekend in the Midland County Jail, waiting to be arraigned on charges of stabbing a man with a pair of scissors. Around noon Friday, a 73-year-old Edenville Township man was carrying some belongings into his home when he was approached by the Jerome Township man, who accused him of stealing. The older man denied the accusations and asked the younger man to leave, report Midland County Sheriff’s deputies.

Midland Area Farmers Market hosts chef demo day

via Midland Daily News

On Wednesday, the Midland Area Farmers Market will be hosting three chefs to show how to create a tasty, healthy meal entirely from market products. While the Midland Area Farmers Market always opens at 7 a.m., the chefs will be there from 10 a.m. until noon. The chefs are from Molly’s Bistro, The Menu Manager and Funktified Food - with Dan Vaillancourt. The chefs have different styles and backgrounds. The chefs will be doing their individual presentations throughout the morning and providing tips and samples the rest of the time.