Chicago brings Christmas to Mount Pleasant's Soaring Eagle

It was nearly 45 years ago when Walt Parazaider and five friends say around the kitchen table at his apartment in Chicago, talking about putting together a sound they called the Beatles with horns. And Saturday, Dec. 3, four of the original six — Robert Lamm, Lee Loughnane, James Pankow and Parazaider — along with Lou Pardini, Keith Howland, Tris Imboden, Drew Hester and Jason Scheff, "our newcomer of 25 years," Parazaider quipped, will bring that signature sound again to Soaring Eagle Casino and Resort in Mount Pleasant. Playing on Chicago's new Christmas album, "O Christmas 3," it offers holiday favorites along with the songs that put it in the history books as the first American band to chart Top 40 albums in five decades.

Motorcycle helmet law one step closer to repeal

Jeff Browne has strong feelings about the potential repeal of Michigan’s motorcycle helmet law. Browne, Mount Pleasant Police public information officer, said he likes the law because he was once struck on duty while on a motorcycle. “Had it not been for my helmet, I’m not sure how much of my head would have been left,” Browne said. “I got hit and then bounced off the cement several times, and it left a pretty big patch in my helmet.” Earlier this month, the state House approved to repeal the current law with legislation that gives motorcyclists older than 21 the right to drive without a helmet if they have at least two years of experience and at least $20,000 worth of medical insurance.

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CMU Music School's Opus on the move to Midland

For the first time in 14 years, Central Michigan University's annual School of Music fundraiser, Opus, will not be held in Mt. Pleasant. The upscale fundraiser will be taking the show to the Midland Center for the Arts next year for Opus XV and features some of the most talented music students at the university. The students must compete to be part of the concert. "We wanted to profile the music students in another location in order to provide additional opportunities," Christine Alwood CMU director of stewardship and donor relations said. CMU School of Music students perform at this annual event which usually attracts close to 300 donors including state and local politicians. The event is an opportunity for the university to thank contributors with a showcase of talent. Proceeds go towards the School of Music endowment funding scholarships, equipment and travel for music students.

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Former Saginaw police K-9 handler discusses 9/11 rescue effort with CMU crowd

Brittney Lohmiller | The Saginaw News archives

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A retired Saginaw police officer who traveled to Ground Zero with his K-9 partner after 9/11 recently spoke to a Central Michigan University crowd. A Central Michigan Life video shows Joaquin Guerrero, who retired from Saginaw’s police force in June after 22 years, talking to the Mount Pleasant crowd about his experience in September 2001 with Rookie, the K-9 who Guerrero said in 2004 likely died from cancer caused in part by inhaling carcinogens from the World Trade Center’s rubble. The video also shows Guerrero promoting a book he co-authored about his career with Rookie called “Michigan and Rookie: Guardians of the Night.”

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CMU faculty could strike next week

Central Michigan University's administration and faculty union have rejected what each side characterized as "last, best offers" in a contract dispute that could lead faculty to strike as early as next week. The union would not say Wednesday whether it planned to strike, as it did for one day at the start of the semester. A judge ordered faculty back to work and forbade a strike. That order expires Nov. 30. On Tuesday night, the union presented an offer for a one-year tentative contract that included a wage freeze, something the university wants. The offer would provide a necessary cooling-off period and allow both sides to work on a new three-year deal for next year, union President Laura Frey said in a news release. Administrators rejected the terms, saying the university would stick to its latest offer of a three-year contract that includes no raise the first year, a 2.25% raise the second year and a 2.5% raise the third year.

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Chris Young rides rising star to Mount Pleasant's Soaring Eagle

Overnight success doesn't exist, "at least in my opinion," says country singer Chris Young. But anyone watching Young's career in recent years – four No. 1 singles on the Billboard charts, numerous awards and nominations among the majors, including bids for Grammy and County Music Association nods, and a gold album with "The Man I Want to Be" – knows he's on the fast track to something big. "It's been a lot more exciting lately," he admitted, calling to talk about his show with Mark Chesnutt on Friday, Dec. 2, at the Soaring Eagle Casino and Resort in Mount Pleasant.

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State trooper accused of improper strip search, cavity search; attorney criticizes vague warrant

State police Trooper Douglas Hunt is charged with two search-related misdemeanors in connection with a November 2009 traffic stop. Hunt, 38, is charged with conducting a strip search and a cavity search Nov. 2, 2009, in Saginaw County. What’s not clear is whether the state Attorney General’s office, which is handling the prosecution of Hunt, is accusing the 12-year trooper of acting improper during the alleged search or whether the search itself was improper. Hunt’s arrest warrant is vague, not listing a victim, witnesses, or location other than Saginaw County. “We look forward to seeing what the accusation is, because we don’t understand it,” said Hunt’s Saginaw-based attorney, James F. Piazza. “(The warrant) is incomprehensible as written.”

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CMU faculty union to present contract offer to administration

The Central Michigan University Faculty Association will present a contract offer to the administration. CMU's student newspaper, Central Michigan Life, reports the union, after rejecting the administration's final offer last week, now has a counter offer. The administration proposed a contract more generous than state-appointed fact finder Barry Goldman recommended, which included allowing the faculty to keep their current health care. Faculty Association President Laura Frey said the contract was "unacceptable." Goldman sided with the university on the matters of health care insurance and salary. The administration offered a wage freeze for one year with increases equal to 4 percentage points over three years.

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Mount Pleasant woman accused of stealing $1,000 worth of prescription drugs

A 33-year-old Mount Pleasant woman is facing drug charges in federal court in Bay City. Jamie H. Gibisas allegedly stole more than $1,000 worth of prescription drugs from a location on the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Reservation in Isabella County on Aug. 10, said U.S. Attorney Barbara L. McQuade. Gibisas allegedly altered the label on the medication, making it appear that the cost was covered by insurance when it was not, said McQuade.

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Man arraigned in slaying of wife in Isabella Co.

An Isabella County man whose 4-year-old son was the subject of a weekend Amber Alert has been arraigned on a murder charge in the slaying of his wife. Thirty-five-year-old Jason Fish was arraigned Monday on open murder and other charges in Friday's shooting death of 34-year-old Stephanie Fish. He had been found Sunday with the couple's child during a traffic stop in Genesee County. The child was safe. Jason Fish was held without bond. A preliminary hearing is Dec. 1. A message seeking information on whether he had a lawyer was sent Tuesday to the county sheriff.

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Isabella County man wanted in Amber Alert now accused of killing wife

A man who was wanted Sunday as part of an Amber Alert for his 4-year-old son is now accused of killing his wife, possibly with a rifle. Police today said they had arrested Jason Lantz Fish, 34, of Weidman, on a charge of open murder for the death of Stephanie Rochelle Fish, 34. Her body was found inside the family's home in the 900 block of North Rolland Road in Sherman Township. Police seized a .22-caliber rifle as evidence, but did not say it was used to kill Stephanie Fish.

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Thanksgiving Dinner at Isabella Community Soup Kitchen provides extra meal for local residents

Anyone in need of a warm meal could walk through the doors of the soup kitchen Sunday and be handed a plate piled full of food. Sunday marked the second Thanksgiving dinner held at the Isabella Community Soup Kitchen, 621 S. Adams St. “This is a great time to remind people you care and it’s like an extra gift for them,” said Danielle Ismirle, assistant service director for Aramark at Central Michigan University. Ismirle said the Isabella Community Soup Kitchen did not require a proof of income or Isabella County residency. The meal was also provided at no cost. Volunteers served about 175 patrons a traditional meal of turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes and green bean casserole. Raffle tickets were also handed out upon entrance to each guest. The prize for each number called was a turkey.

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Toledo Vs. Central Michigan Game Time, TV Schedule, Spread And More

Toledo will try to stay in the race for the MAC Championship as it travels to Mount Pleasant to take on Central Michigan in a Friday night matchup. Toledo is tied for the lead with Northern Illinois in the West Division of the MAC with a 5-1 conference record after topping Western Michigan 66-63 in the highest scoring game in the history of the league. Northern Illinois holds the tie-breaker with the Rockets, after Toledo fell to the Huskies 63-60 the week before the shootout with the Broncos. Central Michigan enters its final game of the year with a disappointing 3-8 record. The Chippewas have a chance to improve from last year's 3-9 finish with a win over the Rockets.

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CMU Opens Dual Season at Chattanooga

Central Michigan's wrestling program opens the dual meet season on the road this weekend, visiting Chattanooga for a pair of nonconference matches. The Chippewas will face Stanford at noon Sunday, then wrestle Chattanooga at 3 p.m. "Stanford has a really good team with two wrestlers who are ranked in the top five in the country," said CMU head coach Tom Borrelli. "Chattanooga won the Southern Conference last year and is probably the best program in the South. Our guys are going to have to be ready to perform." Sunday's duals will mark the first official competitions for CMU this season after a contingent of Chippewas competed unattached at the Eastern Michigan Open and Michigan State Open the past two weekends.

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Great Alaska Shootout to be Televised Nationally

Chippewa fans will have several options for following the Central Michigan University men's basketball team in the Carrs/Safeway Great Alaska Shootout during Thanksgiving weekend. Eight of the tournament games are scheduled to be televised nationally while all games are available online courtesy of Alaska Anchorage's subscription web streaming service. The games selected for national broadcast will air on Fox College Sports, YES Network, DIRECTV Sports Pak and Dish Network Multi-Sport Pak. CMU's opening-round game against New Mexico State on Thanksgiving, Nov. 24, will air nationally at 10:30 p.m. (6:30 p.m. AST). It also will air on regional networks, including MASN, NESN, Comcast SportsNet California, Comcast SportsNet Southeast and Altitude Sports.

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Chippewas Maintain Fight but Fall in Double-OT, 77-75

Central Michigan overcame obstacle after obstacle but couldn't overcome its own shooting at the line as Charlotte outlasted the Chippewas, 77-75, in double overtime. The 49ers (2-0) hit their final field goal with 2:15 left the second extra period to go up 73-72, and hit four of their next six free throws to take a 77-72 lead with just under a minute to play. A three-pointer by the Chippewas' (1-1) Austin McBroom cut the deficit to two, and, after a pair of missed free throws by Charlotte, CMU had one final opportunity. In front of their own bench with eight seconds left on the clock, they had trouble inbounding the ball and a desperation attempt on the baseline by Trey Zeigler fell short at the buzzer. "It's unfortunate that we didn't come out on top of this one, but there were a lot of good things that we were able to overcome," said head coach Ernie Zeigler. "We gave ourselves a chance, but just couldn't get over the top."

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CMU to start planning Saginaw medical school campus this fall

Construction costs for the Central Michigan University College of Medicine Saginaw campus could be $16 to $18 million. This fall, a task-force will start planning the Saginaw campus, which includes two buildings near Covenant HealthCare and St. Mary’s of Michigan, according to CMU’s information database for the medical school. The partners will announce full cost projections in the spring. The Saginaw campus will open in the winter of 2015. On Friday, CMU officials released 10, inch-thick volumes of the university’s self-study and database for an accrediting organization after three Freedom of Information Act requests from student newspaper Central Michigan Life and faculty organizations Academic Senate and Faculty Association.

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Meijer president, poet, professor to speak at CMU's three fall commencement ceremonies Dec. 10

The president of Meijer Inc., a world-renowned scholar and a professor will speak at the fall commencement at Central Michigan University. There are 2,512 graduates in three ceremonies on Dec. 10 in McGuirk Arena in the CMU Events Center. At 9 a.m., Meijer President and business leader Mark A. Murray will speak to the business, education and information technology graduates. Murray, who leads the Grand Rapids-based hypermarket chain with more than 190 stores in five states, will receive a doctor of humane letters honorary degree. Speaking to the 1 p.m. ceremony graduates in art, fine arts, music, social work and science administration is poet and scholar Herbert Woodward Martin. For nearly 40 years, Martin has been an educator and wrote right volumes of poetry for which he won awards. He will receive an honorary doctorate of letters.

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Welcome to Alice Cooper's nightmare, coming soon to Mount Pleasant

Alice Cooper was a few minutes late calling about his upcoming show at the Soaring Eagle Casino and Resort in Mount Pleasant. The master shock-rocker was in Toulouse, France, and his calling card wasn't cooperating. But within minutes, we were off and running, talking about the Halloween show he put on days before at a palace in London. "It was too good," he said, chuckling. "The New York Dolls opened for us, and with the theme of Halloween, we had street performers doing tricks with fire. "That's when I thought we've got to get Arthur Brown to close the show. He's like 70 now but he came up with his head on fire, and my band behind him."

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Zeigler's Double-Double Helps CMU Win Opener, 65-60

Trey Zeigler recorded a double-double, scoring 11 points and grabbing a game-high 12 rebounds, to help Central Michigan past Ferris State, 65-60, in the season opener. The Chippewas (1-0) were able to jump out to an 18-2 lead, holding the Bulldogs (0-2) without a field goal for nearly the first 10 minutes. After a pair of free throws tied the game at 2-2, Ferris missed its next nine attempts from the field as Central pulled away to its largest lead of the night, 16, nine minutes into the game. The Bulldogs were able to recover, coming within seven twice in the half and outshooting the Chippewas most of the last 10 minutes. Five Chippewas saw their first official action within the first 10 minutes of the game, including Austin McBroom and Olivier Mbaigoto who both earned a spot in the starting lineup. Additionally, Zach Saylor returned to the court for the first time since the 2009-10 season, quickly grabbing a career-best five rebounds by the second media timeout.

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Late rallies not enough as Central Michigan falls to Ohio in 43-28 football loss

Central Michigan had no answer for Ohio's ground game Thursday night at Kelly Shorts Stadium as the Chippewas fell in a Mid-American Conference game at home, 43-28. Ohio (7-3, 4-2 MAC) finished with 309 yards rushing and 527 yards of total offense. The Bobcats also were 12 of 20 in third down conversions. The loss was Central Michigan's fifth in its last six games. The Chippewas stand at 3-8 overall and just 2-5 in MAC play. The Chippewas fell behind 14-0 in the first quarter and trailed just 17-14 at halftime, but Ohio outscored CMU 12-0 in the third quarter. The Chippewas rallied to within one score twice in the fourth quarter, but the Bobcats clinched the victory with Beau Blankenship's 48-yard run with just 2:03 left in the game.

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Antonio Brown serves as example of Butch Jones' sincerity, coaching ability

Former Central Michigan University star Antonio Brown has worked his way up the depth charts for the Pittsburgh Steelers and has had a breakout season this year. An interested onlooker is his former coach at Central Michigan University, Butch Jones. When Jones left for Cincinnati, Brown announced that he would leave a year early to enter the NFL. Brown was a sixth-round pick by the Steelers in 2010 and has surprised many draft experts. But not Jones, who uses Brown as an example to his Cincinnati players about the benefits of hard work.

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CMU suspends journalism student, saying it takes 'possible threat seriously'

Saying it is “committed to the safety of its students, faculty, staff and community,” Central Michigan University announced this evening that it has suspended a journalism student. In an email sent from university Provost E. Gary Shapiro to CMU students and obtained by The Saginaw News, Shapiro stated “We take any possible threat seriously and use appropriate measures to investigate or otherwise address the situation.” The email didn’t identify the student or specify the nature of the “possible threat,” but stated an incident was reported recently to CMU authorities about the actions of a student in the journalism department. CMU officials, including the CMU Police Department, “have fully investigated these allegations and the investigation has resulted in the suspension of the student,” the email stated.

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Pastor Terry Jones tells CMU students he will not apologize for violence after Quran burning

After listening to Rev. Terry Jones for about a half hour, one student asked the Florida pastor whether he felt he should apologize for more than 30 who died in the wave of violence and killings sparked in Afghanistan when he burned a copy of the Quran this March. Jones batted the question back with one word: “No.” “I did not kill them. I burned a book,” Jones said at Central Michigan University on Wednesday, there to discuss the First Amendment with professor Timothy Boudreau’s media law class.

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Indianapolis Colts sign Dan LeFevour to practice squad

Former Central Michigan University quarterback Dan LeFevour was signed to the Indianapolis Colts practice squad. LeFevour will immediately step in as the No. 3 quarterback behind Curtis Painter and former Detroit Lion QB Dan Orlovsky. Peyton Manning, out with a neck injury, remains on the active roster, while Kerry Collins is on injured reserve and is out for the season. LeFevour was drafted in the sixth round of the 2010 draft by the Chicago Bears, but was cut before the season started. He was signed to the Cincinnati Bengals practice squad for the 2010 season, but did not play.

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Four newcomers to take seats on Tribal Council

Four newcomers will take seats on the Saginaw Chippewa Tribal Council in December. First-time council members Stephanie M. Peters, Steven James Pego and Courtney Wemigwans (Kahgegab) join former council member Lorna Kahgegab Call as the new faces on the Tribal Council. All will represent District 1, the Isabella Reservation. Voters picked the top 10 candidates from a field of 20. Incumbent District 1 representatives Diana Quigno-Grundahl, Charmaine Marjorie Benz and Sheila A. Leaureaux finished out of the running in Tuesday’s vote. Incumbent council member Keith Mandoka did not make it past the primary. Incumbents representing districts 2 and 3 were returned to office. In District 2, Saganing, incumbent council member Ron Nelson ran unopposed; in District 3, representing at-large members, incumbent Michelle Stanley defeated challenger Frank Cloutier.

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Three arrested in meth lab bust in Pine River Township Monday

Another meth bust in Pine River Township Monday night resulted in the arrests of three Alma people. Carl Wayne Reed, 52, and Richard Dean Donley, 54, were each charged with maintaining a methamphetamine lab and, with possession of meth, said Gratiot County Prosecutor Keith Kushion. Pamela Dee Ferguson, 34, also of Alma, was charged with maintaining a meth lab only, he said. She had no methamphetamine on her person. Kushion said that members of the Mid Michigan Area Group Narcotics Enforcement Team (MAGNET) received a tip that meth was being manufactured in a camper on West Madison Road. Police put the property under surveillance and when a vehicle pulled away from the camper, police stopped the car and found methamphetamine among the occupants. A search warrant was then issued and police found a meth lab in the camper, Kushion said. No one was living in the camper at the time, but Kushion said it is alleged that Reed and Donley used the camper to cook the meth.

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Mount Pleasant man pleads guilty to 2nd-degree murder in shooting death of wife

Gary J. Reen faces up to life in prison after pleading guilty to second-degree murder in the April shooting death of his wife. Reen, 56, accepted prosecutors’ plea agreement on Monday, in which prosecutors will drop the initial open count of murder that Reen faced. Reen shot and killed his wife, 51-year-old Cheryl Reen, on April 1 in the couple’s pole barn at East River near South Leaton in Chippewa Township. Gary Reen’s son, Gary Reen II, testified at Reen’s preliminary hearing that the father confessed to the son regarding the shooting. Reen turned himself in to police the night of the shooting. If Reed had been convicted of first-degree premeditated murder, he would have faced a mandatory sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole. Reen also pleaded guilty to possessing a firearm during the commission of a felony, which carries a mandatory two-year consecutive sentence.

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Tribal council tightens requirements for membership

A deeply divided Saginaw Chippewa Tribal Council has voted to change the requirements to become a member of the Tribe. In a 6 to 5 vote, the council voted to tighten the source of the Indian blood quantum requirement for members. The Tribe's constitution, adopted in 1986, requires that members be descended from a person on one of three lists compiled in the 19th century, or from a Tribal base role compiled in 1982, plus be at least one-quarter "Indian blood." The constitution does not, however, define what is meant by Indian blood. Early version of the Tribe's enrollment ordinance also left it largely undefined, and it was interpreted to mean descent from most North American indigenous people. The council then tightened that to define it as descent from a member of any federally recognized Tribe. The newest version, adopted at a special session of the Tribal Council Oct. 26, specifies that only "Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe of Michigan" blood counts toward the one-quarter Indian blood.

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Mt. Pleasant leaf pickup under way

The city of Mt. Pleasant's leaf pickup is under way. Residents will have full weeks of leaf pickup opportunities, with a full week in between each pickup to rake leaves. According to the city, each collection week will encompass the entire city.

Week of Oct. 31: Staff will collect leaves in a city-wide sweep.

Week of Nov. 7: Residents to rake leaves.

Week of Nov. 14: Staff will collect leaves in a citywide sweep.

Week of Nov. 21: Residents to rake leaves.

Week of Nov. 28: Final collection of leaves. citywide.

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Market on Main brings fine deli food downtown

Downtown Mt. Pleasant has undergone a major transition in just a few short weeks. “In the past few weeks we’ve had a flurry of terrific new businesses open up in downtown – Midori, Camille’s on the River, Edward Jones, Gingko Tree Inn and Riverbluff Bistro. Each of them have its own distinct style and focus, from specialty grocery items to fine dining to financial services,” Mt. Pleasant Downtown Development Director Michelle Sponseller said. “I’m thrilled at the businesses that are choosing to be located downtown. They offer a variety for customers and expands the visitor base that may not have spent a lot of time downtown in the past.” Downtown Mt. Pleasant’s newest establishment is The Market on Main, located at 120 S. Main St., which opened in the last week of October.

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Central Michigan men's basketball thumps Marygrove in exhibition opener, 93-36

The bright, talented freshmen shined Wednesday night as they helped lead Central Michigan to a 93-36 victory over Marygrove in its exhibition opener at McGuirk Arena. CMU freshmen Austin Keel and Austin McBroom each played strong in their first action for the Chippewas. Keel scored a game-high 16 points off the bench in 19 minutes of play and McBroom, who started, hit all three 3-pointers for CMU. Five players finished in double figures, led by Austin Keel's 16 points. Olivier Mbaigoto had 14 points and McBroom, Trey Zeigler and Finis Craddock each tallied 10 points for Central Michigan. Central Michigan was deadly shooting the ball Wednesday, going 36-for-61 for the game or 59 percent. The team also hauled down 52 rebounds, led by Colin Voss' game-high 11 rebounds.

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MAC Championship Would Be Icing on Cake for Lee

Some might say that Paulina Lee of the Central Michigan field hockey team takes on too much. She will beg to differ. "I have an interest in everything," Lee said. "I've always had an extreme interest in doing as much as I can. I don't want to be the best at everything, but I would love to know how to do everything. If I had the time I would love to join a singing group or join the adventure club. It has a lot to do with my upbringing." A co-captain of the Chippewas, she has taken on the role of a leader not only on the field, but off it as well. She has become a student-athlete that not only her teammates, but also fellow student-athletes can model themselves after. Lee partakes in several extracurricular activities, including Phi Kappa Psi, a co-ed business fraternity on the campus of Central Michigan. She also serves as the vice president of CMU's Student-Athlete Advisory Committee and represented Central Michigan Athletics at the inaugural NCAA forums in Indianapolis, Ind., last spring.

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State fact-finder sides with university on pay and health care coverage in CMU Faculty Association contract dispute

After two months of anticipation, a state-appointed fact finder has released his report on the labor dispute between Central Michigan University administration and its faculty association. There were eight issues where the two sides presented their arguments to the fact finder, Barry Goldman. The two biggest issues are salary adjustments and health care benefits; Goldman recommended the university’s proposal on both issues. “There are two brute facts in this case,” Goldman said. “The first is that we are in Michigan in 2011. Politically and economically there has never been a worse time for public sector collective bargaining.” While admitting that CMU has cash reserves, (then $228 million in unrestricted assets) Goldman said this isn’t the time to spend them. “Circumstances are bad and getting worse,” he wrote. “It would be extremely unwise for CMU to eat its seed corn.”

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Mt. Pleasant preparing for new style that Petoskey plays

When you have been around the game of football as long as Mt. Pleasant coach Jason McIntyre has, you feel like you have seen everything there is to see. But that is exactly what has McIntyre worried about Saturday's Division 3 district championship game with Petoskey, as the Northmen's offense is something McIntyre has never seen before. "Their offense is something I have never seen before. They run a grind-it-out offense with a lot of blockers and they do a lot of off tackle. It is a real physical style," McIntyre said of Petoskey. "It is a little nerve-racking because we have just a week to prepare for the game." Petoskey is now 9-1 on the season after a 31-14 win over Bay City John Glenn last week. The Northmen have been led by back Joe Robbins, who rushed for 206 yards and a touchdown last week and also has many of the school's career rushing records.

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Beaverton youths injured after darting in front of vehicle in Mount Pleasant

The driver of a car that struck two Beaverton teens in Mount Pleasant was not at fault, an investigation has revealed. The juveniles, whose names were not released, ran into the path of the westbound car that a 21-year-old Fenton man was driving on East Broomfield Road near Johnson Road about 3:15 p.m. Saturday, said Mount Pleasant Police Officer Jeff Browne. Both victims were transported to Central Michigan Community Hospital. One was transferred to Covenant Medical Center in Saginaw. Additional details were not released.

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Mt. Pleasant’s Salvation Army collects coats for kids in need

Salvation Army Capt. Brian Reed of the Mt. Pleasant Corps Community Center wants to see every area child in need have a warm winter coat in the coming months. This year is the first the local Salvation Army is collecting “Coats for Kids,” a campaign that has been held annually for several years in some other Michigan cities. Coats can be dropped off at the Mt. Pleasant Tim Horton’s on East Pickard Street near North Mission Street. Donations of coats or monetary donations in cash or check form can also be donated to the Salvation Army at 1308 Burch St. in Mt. Pleasant.

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