Former CMU running back Ontario Sneed, 25, dies

Former Central Michigan running back Ontario Sneed died at the age of 25 on Tuesday.
The Decatur, Ill. native died at John Warner Hospital in Clinton, Ill. Ccause of death remains unknown.

Read more at WNEM

Mt. Pleasant Discovery Museum hires executive director

Nate Lockwood, of Mt. Pleasant, will assume the role of executive director as the organization completes the final phase of its capital campaign and the opening of the facility to the general public.

“Our board is very excited to have an executive director with such an extensive background and feel his passion and enthusiasm is the perfect fit for the museum as we prepare to open the facility,” said Jennifer Fields, a member of the Museum board of directors. “Nate shares our vision of creating a fun, unique, hands-on and educational experience for children 0-12.”

Nate will oversee the final stage of the Museum’s capital campaign and is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the Museum, all programming activities and the hiring and leading of all staff members. In addition, he will oversee site development of the Museum, including project management, design, architecture and construction of the facility. Lockwood previously served as the Director of PEAK, an after school program designed to provide school-age children with education, enrichment and recreational activities. Nate also served as an adjunct instructor at Central Michigan University and was an event coordinator for the Public Assembly Facilities Division in Portland, ME. He holds a bachelor’s of science degree in Exercise Science from The George Washington University in Washington, DC, and resides in Mt. Pleasant with his wife, Dr. Lesley Withers, and their two children, Ethan and Elise.

CMU quarterbacks coach Morris Watts answers questions

As the current Central Michigan University quarterbacks coach, Watts’ responsibilities include working with and developing all of the Chippewa quarterbacks from third-year starter Ryan Radcliff all the way through the rest of the depth chart at the position.

Read more at Morning Sun

Grease fire that started in Mount Pleasant restaurant destroys several businesses

A grease fire that started in Hunan House Chinese restaurant destroyed the building and several others in the same strip mall Monday afternoon.

Read more at MLive

New lung clinic identifies risk for cancer

There is new hope for improving survival from the number one cancer killer in the U.S. MidMichigan Gratiot Cancer Center has launched a new lung clinic, offering patients a comprehensive approach to screening individuals at high risk for lung cancer.

Read more at the Morning Sun

Central Michigan's Non-Conference Men's Basketball Schedule Released

Three contests against Big Ten schools and a pair of tournaments highlight head coach Keno Davis’ first non-conference schedule, released Monday.

Read more at BOXSCORE NEWS

MMCC hires Kaleb House as men’s basketball coach

Finding that dream job in life often means a move away from home. For Kaleb House though, that dream job is just right down the road. House was recently announced as the new Mid Michigan Community College men’s basketball head coach. The Mt. Pleasant native and Mt. Pleasant High School graduate, House spent the previous four seasons as the Beal City boy’s basketball head coach, leading the Aggies to an impressive 57-28 record.

Read the full story at The Morning Sun!

2012 Olympic success of John Geddert, Jordyn Wieber becomes personal for CMU gymnastics coach Jerry Reighard

Normally, Central Michigan University gymnastics coach Jerry Reighard battles red eyes and perpetual yawns during the Olympic season. For the 2012 Olympics, Reighard can add a hoarse voice to the maladies accompanying round-the-clock cheering. Reighard has a special interest in this year's Olympics, especially in the United States women's gymnastics team. The coach, John Geddert, is from Alpena and starred as a gymnast at CMU, specializing on horizontal bars from 1976 to 1980.

Read the full story at MLive!

Wood receives Michigan Retailers Association scholarship

Connor Wood, of Mt. Pleasant, was awarded a Michigan Retailers Association college scholarship for the 2012-13 academic year. He is a graduate of Mt. Pleasant High School and will be a freshman at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor in the fall. He is the son of Kristin Moutsatson. Kristin is the owner of Book Shelf LLC, an MRA-member business in Mt. Pleasant.

Read the full story at The Morning Sun!

Green Bay Packers keep waiting on Frank Zombo to recover from hamstring injury

Former Central Michigan University star Frank Zombo is having a difficult time getting on the field during Green Bay Packers training camp. It may hurt his chances of getting on the field for the Packers during the regular season. Zombo has not passed his physical because of a hamstring injury that kept him out of spring minicamp. Injuries have hampered Zombo his entire NFL career. In 2011, he missed time because of a broken scapula, a knee injury and hamstring injury. In his rookie season, he missed six games with a knee injury.

Read the full story at MLive!

CMU Athletics Hall of Fame welcomes six new members, including basketball player David Webber

Central Michigan University will induct six new members into the CMU Athletics Hall of Fame. The new class includes soccer player Allison Campbell (2000-01), cross country/track coach Craig Fuller (1982-86, 1990-2008), wrestler Carleton Kinkade (1984-88), softball player Hope Robertshaw (1998-2001), basketball player David Webber (1999-2002) and baseball player Kevin Young (1992-94). The induction ceremony is 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 26, at the CMU Events Center. CMU will also recognize the class at halftime of the Oct. 27 game against Akron.


Read the full story at MLive!

CMU to add Subway franchise to Towers residence hall in $810,000 expansion

Central Michigan University students living in the Towers residence halls in coming months will be able to grab a Subway sandwich in their way to class. Central Michigan Life reports CMU is spending $860,000 to renovate the C3 convenience store in the Towers, add 700-square-feet of space and obtain Subway franchise rights. The project's target completion date is Nov. 1, CM Life reported. About 2,000 students live in the Towers cluster of residence halls.


Read the full story at MLive!

Central Michigan University utilizes Facebook Timeline to celebrate 120th anniversary

Central Michigan Normal School and Business Institute opened Sept. 13, 1892 with 31 students in a rented building in Mount Pleasant. Nearly 120 years later, the school is now Michigan’s fourth largest public university with 22,000 students studying on a 440-acre campus. CMU’s University Communications has embarked on a project using social networking site Facebook and the Timeline tool to show that growth, to share photos and stories and celebration the upcoming anniversary. On Monday, the university released the first five decades of CMU, 1890s to the 1930s. Each decade has photo albums showing significant events.


Read the full story at MLive!

Mt. Pleasant Chamber president resigns, to begin new job creating Area Health Education Center for Central Michigan University

Mt. Pleasant Area Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Lisa Hadden has announced her resignation at the Chamber to accept a new position creating the mid-Michigan Area Health Education Center at Central Michigan University. Hadden will begin her new position August 20. “I honestly didn’t dream I’d be called in for an interview, but they really liked my background,” Hadden said. “Next thing I knew, they were offering me the position.” Hadden said she has past experiences both in health profession education and community development, two sectors she will be combining at her new position.

Read the full story at The Morning Sun

Art Walk Central to host 194 artist pieces in Mount Pleasant

This August, Mount Pleasant residents will be able to view the endeavors of community artists during the first ever Art Walk Central. Art Walk Central is an art competition that will take place from Aug. 1 to Aug. 25. The entries will be featured in 45 venues around Mount Pleasant. Kathryn Hill, executive director of Art Reach of Mid Michigan, said, as of Monday, 194 artists will be participating. “We’re very happy with 194,” she said. “It’s a perfect size for the competition.” Lake Isabella resident Sue Brenner will show her piece titled “Wild Flowers.” Brenner said she made flowers from hand-cut, flat glass melted in a kiln and formed in custom-made molds. “Wild Flowers” will be shown at Isabella Bank, 139 E. Broadway.


Read the full story at CM Life!

Mt. Pleasant City Commission passes emergency ordinance aimed at firework control, sets public hearing

The Mt. Pleasant City Commission voted Monday night to immediately enact an emergency ordinance to regulate the ignition, discharge, use and sale of consumer fireworks with only one dissenting vote. The emergency ordinance also regulates articles pyrotechnic and display fireworks in the city limits, and repeals two sections of the existing ordinance that were invalidated by the recent legislation enacted by the Michigan legislature. The emergency ordinance was established to counter the new law governing fireworks that lifted several decades-old restrictions on consumer fireworks.

Read the full story at The Morning Sun!

CMU's Non-Conference Men's Basketball Schedule Released

Three contests against Big Ten schools and a pair of tournaments highlight head coach Keno Davis' first non-conference schedule, released Monday. Standing out among the schedule, which includes 13 games, are contests at Big Ten foes Iowa, Nebraska and Michigan. The Chippewas will open the regular season Nov. 12 at Davis' alma mater, Iowa, in what will be the first head-to-head matchup for the two programs. Tom Davis, Keno's father, coached at Iowa from 1986 to 1999, during which time Keno started his coaching career as an undergraduate assistant.


Read the full story at NBC 25!

Mt. Pleasant’s Brehm moves on at Michigan Am

Mt. Pleasant’s Natalie Brehm advanced to the round of 16 at the Michigan Women’s Amateur hosted by Forest Akers West Wednesday as she beat Ella Pendy 3&2. With the win Brehm advances to Thursday’s second round of match play where she will face Elle Nichols at 9 a.m. "I don’t think either Ella or I played our best game today,” said Brehm in a press release. “I won 18 with a bogey so that just shows you what the match was like. It was just a tough day for both of us.”

Read the full story at The Morning Sun!

Central Michigan adding seats for football game against Michigan State

Central Michigan officials explored purchasing temporary stands that would increase seating at Kelly/Shorts Stadium from 30,000 to 50,000 in time for the Sept. 7 game against Michigan State. But at a cost of $100 a seat, officials believed the cost was not justified, even for the biggest sporting event to hit Mount Pleasant. Instead, officials have approved the construction of five temporary suites that will seat 1,000 people, as well as adding 3,000 seats to boost capacity to around 34,000. That's less than half the seating capacity (72,000) of Spartan Stadium.


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Santana performs at Soaring Eagle Casino in Mt. Pleasant

Santana performed on the outdoor stage of Soaring Eagle Casino on Friday Night. The venue was full early, as Carlos hit the stage at 8pm with no opening acts. Carlos Santana is currently touring in support of his 36th album, entitled Shape Shifter. This 13 song, Latin rock instrumental masterpiece is the guitarist's first album on his Starfaith Record label. Santana has invited various vocalists to accompany his albums in the past, but not this time. This new album is dedicated to Native American Culture, and features songs that Carlos has been saving for a special release. Carlos Santana's virtuoso guitar riffs do the singing, along with sounds of wild animals and chanting.

Read the full story here!

Family of Carnel Chamberlain creates video, slideshow of his childhood

Nearly one month after his disappearance, Carnel Chamberlain's family is finding ways to remember the four years they had with the boy. The family held a memorial service on Sunday at the Soaring Eagle Casino Entertainment Hall. Hundreds of people attended the memorial to share prayers and stories of Carnel Chamberlain. Family spokesman Kevin Chamberlain put together a video and slideshow that recaps Carnel Chamberlain in various moments. The slideshow includes pictures from throughout Carnel's life including things like the boy hiding in a cabinet and playing in the woods. There are short videos of him learning how to talk, celebrating a birthday and opening gifts.


Read the full story here!

Anthony Bennett arraigned in Bay City on federal indictment of assaulting Carnel Chamberlain

For the second time in three weeks, Anthony M. Bennett has been charged in federal court with assaulting Carnel Chamberlain, an Isabella County 4-year-old who went missing in Bennett’s care and was later found dead. Bennett, his hair slicked back with gel and clad in orange from his neck to his feet, appeared before U.S. District Magistrate Charles E. Binder this afternoon for arraignment on a charge of assaulting a person younger than 16 causing substantial bodily injury. The charge is a felony punishable by up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

Read the full story here!

CMU uses $6.1 million in reserves to fund $442 million budget

To fund this year’s $442 million budget, Central Michigan University administrators dug in to the school’s reserve accounts. CMU leaders at Thursday''s Board of Trustees meeting budgeted $6.1 million from the contingency fund to make up for a decrease in enrollment and a $1 million shortfall. President George Ross described it as one-time use, Central Michigan Life reported. In April, CMU raised tuition by1.96 percent and earned $69.5 million from the state, a 2.2 percent increase from last year. CMU should receive $205.6 million from tuition and fees.


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Man charged in assault of 4-year-old

A federal grand jury has charged a man with assaulting 4-year-old Carnel Chamberlain weeks before the boy's remains were found buried and badly burned under his house on the Saginaw Chippewa Indian reservation near Mt. Pleasant. Anthony Bennett, 20, is not charged in the boy's death. The indictment filed Wednesday replaces a temporary assault charge that has kept him in jail since late June.

Read the full story here!

Family of Aaron Ullom, Midland sailor killed by enemy fire in Afghanistan, plans balloon release on 1-year anniversary of his death

One year ago, U.S. Navy Corpsman Aaron Ullom was helping a wounded Marine while his patrol was under fire in Afghanistan. The 20-year-old Midland native was lying on top of the Marine to apply a tourniquet. He then suffered a fatal gunshot wound fired by the enemy. Ullom died July 12, 2011. His family and friends plan to celebrate his life on the 1-year anniversary of his death. There will be a balloon release at 7 p.m. Thursday in the back section of Midland Cemetery, 3017 Orchard Drive. 


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New assault charge in Mt. Pleasant boy's death

A mid-Michigan man in jail on a charge of assaulting a 4-year-old boy weeks before he died has been indicted by a federal grand jury. Anthony Bennett is not charged with the death of Carnel Chamberlain. The indictment filed Wednesday replaces a temporary assault charge that has kept him in jail since late June. The one-sentence indictment says Bennett "caused substantial bodily injury." A search for Carnel ended June 28 when his remains were found under his house on the Saginaw Chippewa Indian reservation near Mount Pleasant. The body was buried and extensively burned.


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CMU announces second associate dean resigns from College of Medicine

Before the Central Michigan University College of Medicine has opened, two associate deans have resigned. Central Michigan Life reports Dr. Lori Arviso Alvord, associate dean of student affairs, will resign as of Aug. 31 for a position at the University of Arizona College of Medicine. The University of Arizona established its medical school about 40 years ago and has graduated 3,000 physicians. In January 2011, Nehad El-Sawi, associate dean of medical education and faculty development, resigned after less then a year at CMU.


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CMU's plans for $89.5 million biosciences building include 26 research labs, 40 faculty offices

Preliminary plans are in for Central Michigan University's future $89.5 million Biosciences building. Central Michigan Life reports the 157,000-square-foot, four-floor building will have three classrooms, a 200-seat auditorium, a herbarium, a facility to house animals for testing, 26 open research labs, office space for 40 faculty and open study space for students. Last month, Gov. Rick Snyder signed into law a bill that will grant CMU $30 million in capital outlay for the project contingent on the university first raising approximately $60 million first.

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Anthony Bennett, man charged with abusing Carnel Chamberlain, due back in court in Bay City on Friday

The next court date has been set for an Isabella County man charged with abusing 4-year-old Carnel Chamberlain, a boy later found dead. Anthony M. Bennett, 20, is to appear for a preliminary examination before U.S. District Magistrate Charles E. Binder in federal court in Bay City at 10 a.m. Friday. Bennett remains jailed without bond on a five-year felony count of assault resulting in substantial bodily injury to a child younger than 16. Bennett was baby-sitting Carnel, the son of now ex-girlfriend Jaimee Chamberlain, when he disappeared June 21, Chamberlain told police. After a week-long search by numerous police agencies and volunteers, on June 28 the child’s charred remains were found under the porch of his home, located on Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe reservation land.


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Shinedown, Godsmack and Finding Clyde get ready to rock Soaring Eagle Casino and Resort

With Shinedown touring in support its new album, “Amaryllis,” guitarist Zach Myers headed home for a minute, he said, before joining Godsmack and Bay City's Finding Clyde on Saturday, July 21, at Soaring Eagle Casino and Resort. But even on break, he was on the phone, talking about the latest twist on the Shinedown story. While “The Sound of Madness” was a deeply personal album for lead singer Brent Smith, “Amaryllis” found Smith teaming up with Myers and bass player Eric Bass on the songwriting.


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Detroit Tigers rookie and Beaverton product Ryan Longstreth hitting his stride

It has been a little over a month since Ryan Longstreth was drafted by the Detroit Tigers. And its been a busy one for the former Beaverton standout. Longstreth, who was picked in the 40th round, has made eight appearances out of the bullpen for the GCL Tigers of the Rookie Gulf Coast League and sports a 1-0 record with nine strikeouts allowing four earned runs for a 5.14 ERA. After allowing four earned runs in his second professional appearances on June 20 against the Pirates, Longstreth has settled in to pitch 5 1/3 innings in relief without allowing an earned run.


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Mount Pleasant's Doug LaBelle hoping for return to PGA Tour

Doug LaBelle spent two years in golf's promised land. After nearly five years out of it, he's ready to get back there. LaBelle spent the 2006 and 2007 seasons on the PGA Tour, and has played in 60 total PGA tour events. He's spent the past five years on the second-tier Nationwide Tour (recently renamed the Web.com Tour). With a taste of life in the top tour, his devotion to get back there is singular. "That's the only goal for me, to get back on the PGA Tour and to win on the PGA Tour," LaBelle said. "The Nationwide tour, that's not going to feed my family. It's PGA Tour, or get another job."

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Family of Carnel Chamberlain must wait at least a month to hold funeral for 4-year-old

Family members of Carnel Chamberlain desperately seeking closure that a funeral for the 4-year-old boy might offer reluctantly announced today that the ceremony will have to wait. "After a lengthy discussion with our liaison with the FBI... we are probably looking at one to three months before we can even think about a funeral!" family spokesman Kevin Chamberlain wrote about 7 p.m. Monday on the family's Facebook page, Carnel's Hope for Tomorrow. "I cannot divulge too much info...you have to trust me but how it was explained makes perfect sense why it has to be that long."


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Anthony Bennett, man charged with abuse of Carnel Chamberlain, back in federal court in Bay City today

Anthony M. Bennett, charged with abusing deceased 4-year-old Carnel Chamberlain, is due back in U.S. District Court this afternoon in Bay City. Bennett, a 20-year-old member of the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe, was arraigned Friday on a four-year felony count of assault resulting in substantial bodily injury to a child. Court records indicate Bennett had been living with Carnel and his mother, 21-year-old Jaimee Chamberlain, when he punched, choked and dragged the boy several times in late May and early June.


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Trey Zeigler called one of top shooting guards in country after transfer from CMU to Pitt

Former Mount Pleasant High School and Central Michigan University star Trey Zeigler was ranked as one of the top shooting guards in the country, according to a preview by foxnews.com. Zeigler averaged 15.8 points per game for the Chippewas last season, but only shot 49.5 percent from the free-throw line. Zeigler shot 46 percent from the floor and 28.9 percent from the 3-point line. Zeigler played two seasons with CMU but transferred after the 2011-12 season to Pitt after his father, Ernie Zeigler, was fired as the CMU head coach. The list included just one Big Ten player, Northwestern's Drew Crawford. Michigan's Tim Hardaway and Illinois' Brandon Paul were honorable mention picks.


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Mother of Carnel Chamberlain told FBI she believes her boyfriend assaulted 4-year-old on two occasions

In a criminal complaint filed in U.S. District Court Friday, Carnel Chamberlain's mother, Jaimee Chamberlain, said her boyfriend was violent with the now-missing 4-year-old boy. She alleges the boy was injured on two occasions. Anthony Bennett was taken into police custody Thursday and was arraigned in U.S. District Court Friday on a charge of assault resulting in substantial bodily harm to a child under 16, according to court documents. Law enforcement investigators have interviewed Jaimee Chamberlain several times since June 21, during the search for the missing 4-year-old, according to court documents. 


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Soaring Eagle RV Park cancels grand opening ceremony in respect for Carnel Chamberlain’s family

The Soaring Eagle Hideaway RV Park cancelled the grand opening ceremony that was scheduled for 3 p.m. Friday to pay respect to the family of 4-year-old Carnel Chamberlain. The ribbon-cutting was cancelled Friday morning. A new date has not been determined, according to marketing manager Jennifer Jones. "On behalf of the staff at the Soaring Eagle Waterpark and Hotel, Waabooz Run Golf Course, the Green Suites and the Soaring Eagle Hideaway RV Park, we wish to extend our condolences to Carnel's family and friends," Jones said in a press release. Carnel Chamberlain's family said his body was found under the porch of his home Thursday night, one week after his mother reported him missing.


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Candlelight vigil tonight for missing Mount Pleasant 4-year-old Carnel Chamberlain

A candlelight vigil at 9 p.m. tonight Saginaw Chippewa Tribal Center at Brockway and Leaton will mark one week since 4-year-old Carnel Chamberlain was reported missing. Attendees can offer support Chamberlain's family including his mother, Jaimee, who plans on attending. Carnel's aunt, Cheryl Chamberlain, said the family is holding out with hope that the 4-year-old will be found safely. "You can only look so much and talk about it so much," she said. "You just keep hoping and praying he's safe. You don't like to think about the bad things, what might have happened. 


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Fireworks bring revenue, debate to Mount Pleasant

A collection of white tents housing small armories of sparklers, 500-gram cakes and mortars have popped up all over Mount Pleasant. They are here because Michigan has removed its ban on consumer-grade fireworks. The bill, known as the Michigan Fireworks Safety Act and signed by Gov. Rick Snyder, took effect Jan. 1. It allows for the sale and use of all class C consumer-grade fireworks throughout the state. Shari Hall of Newaygo is running the Jake’s Fireworks tent on Mission Street. “I’m just glad they opened it here,” Hall said. “Everyone was just going out of state to buy them anyways.”


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Nancy Grace to interview MLive reporter about missing Mount Pleasant 4-year-old boy

An MLive reporter is joining television host Nancy Grace to discuss the case of the missing 4-year-old boy in Mount Pleasant. At 8 p.m. today or Thursday, Public Safety Reporter Erica Perdue will be interviewed by phone on "NewsHour with Nancy Grace" on Nancy Grace's show on CNN Headlines. Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe Spokesman Frank Cloutier also will be interviewed. Perdue has covered the search for Carnel Chamberlain since he went missing on Thursday in Mount Pleasant.


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Search for missing Mount Pleasant boy now a criminal investigation

The Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe said Tuesday that the search for Carnel Chamberlain, who has been missing since Thursday, is now a criminal investigation. Authorities have been searching the Isabella Federal Reservation for 4-year-old Carnel Chamberlain for five days. On Tuesday, police began searching a wooded area near a wastewater treatment plant. They said the search is now being conducted as a criminal investigation into the boy's disappearance. Thy boy's mother, Jaimee Chamberlain, left her son with her boyfriend on Thursday while she was at work. 


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CMU to raise $60 million for bio-sciences building to receive $30 million in state capital outlay

Central Michigan University officials will meet this summer to determine a fundraising plan for the bio-sciences building. On Monday, Gov. Rick Snyder signed into law legislation that grants $300 million to Michigan universities and community colleges, including $30 million to CMU for the bio-sciences building. "We're very pleased. We're very excited to be able to initiate the work we need to do now. It will take some time," said Kathleen Wilbur, vice president of Government Relations and Public Affairs. The $30 million funding is the maximum amount the legislature will award higher education institutions. CMU must raise and spend about $60 million before the state grants the university the funding for the $89.5 million bio-sciences building.


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More searches planned for missing 4-year-old Mt. Pleasant boy

Additional searches are planned for a 4-year-old boy reported missing last week from a mid-Michigan Indian reservation. Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe spokesman Frank Cloutier says authorities planned to regroup on Monday after search teams, the FBI, police dogs and more than 100 volunteers scoured a densely wooded area Sunday for Carnell Chamberlain off the reservation near Mt. Pleasant. Cloutier says crews on Sunday also searched ponds at a wastewater treatment plant near the child's home, but nothing significant was found.


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Police, volunteers search for missing 4-year-old Michigan boy Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/us/2012/06/22/police-volunteers-search-for-missing-4-year-old-michigan-boy/#ixzz1yYPT6ybA

Police and volunteers are searching for a 4-year-old from the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe who was reported missing by his family in mid-Michigan. Tribal Public Relations Director Frank Cloutier tells The Associated Press that the search was ongoing Friday in the Mount Pleasant area after Carnal Chamberlain was reported missing Thursday night. More than a dozen agencies were involved in the search, which was led by tribal police. In some reports the child's first name was spelled Carnel. Cloutier says the circumstances surrounding his disappearance were under investigation.

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Anna Nicole Smith's half-brother, charged with illegal marijuana sales, uses pot as pill alternative

A mid-Michigan man who was arrested and charged with illegal marijuana sales last week said he uses marijuana to manage chronic pain and wants to help others who are in pain gain access to the plant. The half-brother of Anna Nicole Smith, Donnie Hogan said he believes marijuana is a safe alternative to narcotic painkillers. “I’ve got nothing to hide,” said Hogan, 38. He and his wife, Billie Jo, owners of Mid-Michigan Care Givers Club, were arrested Thursday, June 14, and charged with the illegal sale of marijuana. Hogan said he has a hereditary condition that causes chronic pain, and he suspects his half-sister, Anna Nicole Smith, could have had the same illness.


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Helmet prevents serious injury in Union Township motorcycle crash

Police said a 39-year-old Mount Pleasant man's helmet is credited with saving him from extensive injuries after he hit a whitetail deer on his motorcycle. The man was riding his 2004 Harley Davidson Road King north on U.S. 127 at 9 p.m. Saturday when he collided the deer. He was thrown from the motorcycle, according to the Michigan State Police.  The man was wearing a Michigan Department of Transportation-approved helmet. Police said the helmet played a key factor in preventing severe injuries. The helmet was severely damaged form the impact of the man being thrown. He was transported to a hospital for treatment.


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Protesters greet Rick Snyder at Kevin Cotter fundraiser

Gov. Rick Snyder was greeted by more than 100 protesters waiting in the hallway of the Bovee University Center when he appeared for a fundraiser for Republican Rep. Kevin Cotter of Mt. Pleasant. The protesters, mainly women and mainly wearing pink, were demonstrating in support of a Democratic Michigan lawmaker barred from speaking in the state House after she used the word “vagina” during a debate on an anti-abortion bill. Republicans who control the chamber said West Bloomfield Democrat Lisa Brown violated decorum last week while speaking against a bill requiring doctors to ensure women aren’t coerced into ending their pregnancies. Brown told Republicans she was flattered they were “all so concerned about my vagina. But no means no.”

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Dan LeFevour impresses Hamilton Tiger-Cats, who release former Michigan quarterback Tate Forcier

Former Central Michigan University quarterback Dan LeFevour made a strong enough case in one preseason game to force the Hamilton Tiger-Cats' hand. LeFevour completed 8 of 15 passes for 99 yards and one touchdown in Hamilton's 29-24 preseason loss to the Toronto Argonauts. After that game, Hamilton released former Michigan quarterback Tate Forcier, essentially awarding the third-string job to LeFevour. Forcier was 0-for-4 with an interception. CFL veteran Henry Burris is Hamilton's starting quarterback. 


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Mt. Pleasant-based Beard Oil withdraws from Michigan International Speedway ARCA race

When the starting field takes the green flag in Friday afternoon's RainEater Wiper Blades 200 ARCA race at Michigan International Speedway it is going to be one car short. A last-minute rule change has forced the Mt. Pleasant-based Beard Oil racing team to withdraw its No.45 Beard Oil / Conoco Phillips Lubricants Chevrolet from the race. The team and driver Clay Rogers pulled out earlier this week after determining the new rules package would have left their team with no chance of winning. “When they changed the rules we decided not to run,” team owner Mark Beard said. “We go there to win.” Before the 2012 racing season the track surface at MIS was repaved. The new asphalt has resulted in the highest speeds ever at the track for stock cars with NASCAR Sprint Cup drivers clocking speeds upward of 210 miles per hour at points around the 2-mile tri-oval, the Detroit Free Press confirmed racer Martin Truex, Jr. posted the track's first-ever 200 mile per hour lap on Thursday during a test session.


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Mt. Pleasant-based Beard Oil withdraws from Michigan International Speedway ARCA race

When the starting field takes the green flag in Friday afternoon's RainEater Wiper Blades 200 ARCA race at Michigan International Speedway it is going to be one car short. A last-minute rule change has forced the Mt. Pleasant-based Beard Oil racing team to withdraw its No.45 Beard Oil / Conoco Phillips Lubricants Chevrolet from the race. The team and driver Clay Rogers pulled out earlier this week after determining the new rules package would have left their team with no chance of winning. “When they changed the rules we decided not to run,” team owner Mark Beard said. “We go there to win.” Before the 2012 racing season the track surface at MIS was repaved. The new asphalt has resulted in the highest speeds ever at the track for stock cars with NASCAR Sprint Cup drivers clocking speeds upward of 210 miles per hour at points around the 2-mile tri-oval, the Detroit Free Press confirmed racer Martin Truex, Jr. posted the track's first-ever 200 mile per hour lap on Thursday during a test session.

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Unseasonably cool weather won’t last

The official temperature low in Mt. Pleasant came within two degrees of breaking a 106-year-old record. It got down to 28 degrees in Leota in northwestern Clare County, and scattered reports of frost came in from across mid-Michigan. The official low temperature recorded at Central Michigan University’s weather station was 45 degrees. The record low for June 13 was set in 1906, when temperatures got down to 43. But it was colder in other places. The automated weather observing station at Mt. Pleasant Municipal Airport dropped to 41; Gratiot Community Airport recorded a low of 43. Big Rapids dropped to 35 while it got down to 33 in Cadillac.

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Mt. Pleasant City Commission denies conditional rezoning request for Main Street property

The 714 S. Main St. property was denied conditional rezoning into a multi-family residential property following the decision of the Mt. Pleasant city commission. The commission held a public hearing at its June 11 meeting following April’s debate, public hearing and decision of the city’s planning commission. Vice Mayor Kathleen Ling made the motion to affirm the planning commission’s decision to deny the request for a conditional rezoning, saying she did not think the rezoning was in the best interest of the city. “I certainly understand the arguments of the developer, but I think that the planning commission made a very good decision when they said right now, our future land use plan does not call for multiple family housing north of High,” she said. “Our current master plan makes it clear that the community wants that community to remain residential.”

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Coneys for a Cause set for Wednesday

Big Brothers/Big Sisters in the Heart of Michigan and the Mt. Pleasant Police Department Youth Services Unit are gearing up for their annual coney dog fundraiser. “Coneys for a Cause” is being held Wednesday, with LaBelle Management donating all proceeds from the sales of 99-cent coney dogs to the two entities. Coneys will be on sale on Wednesday, and anyone pre-ordering will get their coneys delivered from a YSU officer or a representative from Big Brothers/Big Sisters in the Heart of Michigan, Mt. Pleasant Police Public Information Officer Jeff Browne said. For pre-orders, there is a minimum of $15, and the annual “Pixie Pig Out” will be at the restaurant at 7 p.m.

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CMU College of Medicine accepting online applications for 2013 class of 60 students

The admission process for future Central Michigan University College of Medicine students is underway. CMU on Wednesday opened online admissions through the American Association of Medical Colleges. The $30 million school is scheduled to accept its first class of 60 students in 2013, eventually growing to a class of 100 students. “Our curriculum will be focused on addressing the growing need for physicians nationally and regionally, particularly in small towns and rural communities,” said Ernie Yoder, College of Medicine dean in a statement. “We will prepare students to practice patient-centered health care and focus on the health problems most prevalent in mid- and northern Michigan.”

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Michigan State-CMU football kickoff scheduled for 3:30 p.m., Sept. 8

Central Michigan University announced Thursday that its football game against Michigan State at CMU's Kelly/Shorts Stadium will kick off at 3:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 8. The Mid-American Conference and Big Ten Conference also announced the game, called the Clash at Kelly/Shorts, will be televised on ESPNU. Gametimes for three more of CMU's 2012 football games were also announced Thursday.

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2012 College Football Season Preview: Central Michigan Chippewas

It's been a rocky two years for Dan Enos in Mount Pleasant. Dan Enos has won just 25% of his games. Butch Jones had a 59% winning percentage in his first two years and Brian Kelly won 45% in his first two campaigns. In the third season, Kelly took the next step by going 9-4 and Jones went 11-2. They both posted their best records in their third seasons (and then promptly moved on to a different job). If Enos is to turn it around, it needs to be this year.

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Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe to hold day of remembrance for students of Mt. Pleasant Indian Industrial Boarding School

The Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe of Michigan will hold the second annual “Honoring, Healing and Remembering” day of remembrance in honor of the students who died while attending the Mt. Pleasant Indian Industrial Boarding School on Wednesday June 6. Over 179 children died at the school, which was open from 1855 to 1934, said Frank Cloutier, Public Relations Director for the tribe. The day-long event will begin with a sunrise ceremony at Mission Creek Cemetery at 1475 S. Bamber Road at 7 a.m.

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Mount Pleasant man sentenced for witness tampering

A 24-year-old Mount Pleasant man was sentenced today to 35 months in prision for witness tampering in a case police began tracking in late 2011. U.S. District Judge Thomas L. Ludington also imposed 2 years of supervised release on Aaron Scott Hendrickson, who pleaded guilty on Feb. 9, 2012.  "Tampering with witnesses is a serious crime because it goes to the heart of our criminal justice system," United States Attorney Barbara L. McQuade said. "We will work vigilantly to protect the security of federal witnesses."

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City of Mt. Pleasant sets public hearing for anti-discrimination ordinance

A public hearing for the City of Mt. Pleasant’s proposed anti-discrimination ordinance will be held at the city commission’s June 11 meeting following a unanimous vote by the commission. A presentation by city attorney Scott Smith highlighted the proposed human rights ordinance at the commission’s May 29 meeting, letting the commissioners know how far along it had progressed. The intent of the ordinance is to provide basic employment, public accommodation and housing rights to all people, Smith said. The ordinance was drafted to supplement existing federal and state civil rights laws that protect race, national origin and religion.

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Mt. Pleasant’s Paint the High St. Bridge project kicks off fundraising drive

The view coming into Mt. Pleasant from the west is about to get friendlier. What started as a dream - to turn a local eyesore into an attractive community gateway - is coming to fruition for Mt. Pleasant’s Kurt Feight and his father Keith Feight. “The project is a go,” said Kurt Freight. “The vision and mission is to promote the community; to make it a welcoming and thank you sign for greeting guests to our community.” The father and son began action in late 2011 on the idea of improving the appearance of the High St. railroad bridge trestle at M-20 after noticing the view along that portion of M-20 could be more welcoming. “Every time I drove into town, I kept looking at that lousy bridge,” said Keith Freight.

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CMU communications vice president Renee Walker resigns

After four years at Central Michigan University, Renee Walker resigned from her position leading University Communications. The associate vice president of communications' final day was Friday after she and University President George E. Ross came to a mutual agreement, according to a letter Ross said to faculty and staff. “She has established a solid communications platform on which we will continue to build," Ross wrote. Ross hopes to have a fresh perspective on communications, he wrote.

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Grand Funk cranks up the rock at Mount Pleasant's Soaring Eagle

Grand Funk drummer Don Brewer was catching up with Bob Seger’s manager Punch Andrews the other day, the two veterans of the Michigan rock scene talking about how life has changed since the days their bands played Sherwood Forest in Davison and Saginaw’s Daniels Den. “We’ve both noticed that places are expanding the wheelchair sections when we come to play now,” Brewer said, laughing. “I guess when we have people our age showing up to see us again, well, they’re not always in the greatest shape.”

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Former Bay City Times-area standouts and Central Michigan University head into MAC baseball tourney

Central Michigan University capped off its baseball season by taking two of three games in a weekend series against rival Western Michigan University to earn a No. 3 seed heading into the Mid-American Conference Tournament. The Chippewas take on No. 6 Eastern Michigan in the opening round Wednesday at 12:30 p.m. at All Pro Frieght Stadium in Avon, Ohio. A quartet of Bay City Times-area player have suited up for the Chippewas this season, including senior Ryan Longstreth.

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CMU NASCAR Kinetics team wins national competition

via Midland Daily News


Central Michigan University students won first place in the national NASCAR Kinetics: Marketing in Motion competition. Five students, including one from Freeland, represented CMU in the semester-long competition with 18 other schools, including the University of Oregon and The Ohio State University. The team won an all-expense paid trip to Charlotte, N.C., for the NASCAR All-Star Race Weekend May 18-20. Grand Rapids junior Samantha Reed said the experience will make her more marketable to employers when looking for jobs after graduation. “This was an incredible hands-on experience,” she said. “We learned so much about sales, event planning and networking. It was a once in a lifetime opportunity.”

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Dominic Sheahan-Stahl addresses Sacred Heart Academy class of 2012

Dominic Sheahan-Stahl got his chance to address the Sacred Heart Academy class of 2012 Sunday, although it was before their commencement ceremony and at a different venue. Sheahan-Stahl, 32, is an alumnus of the school and is now an actor living in New York City. He had been invited to give the commencement address, but was disinvited when school officials learned he was gay after seeing his engagement photos on Facebook.
Wearing a white t-shirt with the light blue words “Live Through Love” on the front, he read the speech he had written for the commencement in Central Michigan University’s Plachta Auditorium at 1 p.m., two hours before the official commencement.

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CMU charter schools panel: 'Time to break children free from monopoly of unions, public schools'

Charter schools save lives and futures, says Detroit News editorial editor Nolan Finley.
"We have to break our children free from the monopoly franchise of the education unions and public school bureaucracy," he said Monday morning in a panel discussion about charter schools at Central Michigan University. The discussion was a part of the dedication of the John Engler Center for Charter Schools at CMU. The university is the largest authorizer of charter schools in Michigan with 56 schools with nearly 30,000 students. After Engler in 1994 signed into law the Charter School Act, CMU became the first university in the nation to authorize charter schools.

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Mount Pleasant native Dominic Sheahan-Stahl writes open letter to Saginaw Bishop Joseph Cistone

Dominic Sheahan-Stahl invites the Saginaw Diocese Bishop to hear the message he has for Sacred Heart Academy graduates. After Mount Pleasant's Sacred Heart Academy officials invited the 1998 graduate and actor Manhattan to speak at the May 20 commencement, they canceled his address once they learned he is gay. The 32-year-old has been openly gay for 14 years. The Saginaw Diocese stated individuals who deny Catholic beliefs should not be given platforms at places that suggest diocesan support for their actions.

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Soaring Eagle Waterpark hopes to attract local families for "fun-cation" close to home

Guests at the newly opened Soaring Eagle Waterpark and Hotel in Mt. Pleasant will never forget that they are near water. Splashes of bright turquoise and blue are prominent among the otherwise warm, earth-toned décor of the hotel. From a turquoise velvet chair in a guest suite to wavy blue glass panels in the lobby and the subtle wave patterns on the carpet, water is everywhere. Hotel management say the resort was designed to complement the existing Soaring Eagle Casino and Resort down the road to create a one-stop vacation destination for families. “We are very excited to be offering a family fun-cation destination in Mid-Michigan,” said Bonnie Sprague, general manager of the hotel and water park.

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Dick's Sporting Goods Announces Grand Opening Celebration At Indian Hills Plaza in Mt. Pleasant, MI

Dick's Sporting Goods, the largest U.S. based full-line sporting goods retailer, invites the community of Mt. Pleasant to their three-day grand opening weekend. The store will open its doors on Wednesday, May 16 and begin the celebration with a ribbon cutting ceremony on Friday, May 18 at 8:00 a.m. at the retailer's new location at Indian Hills Plaza, 4228 East Bluegrass Road, Mt. Pleasant, MI 48858, (989) 772-1990. Special extended store hours will also be in effect for Friday (8:00 a.m. to 10), Saturday (8:00 a.m. to 10) and Sunday (9:00 a.m. to 8). Dick's Sporting Goods also has a variety of special athlete appearances and giveaways scheduled to celebrate the grand opening festivities. On Friday, the first customers through the door will receive a free Reebok t-shirt while supplies last.

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Pure Michigan kicks off Mt. Pleasant campaign

“Pure Michigan” is the sixth most recognized state tourism advertising campaign in the world. Michigan.org is the top state tourism website in the nation. Now, Mt. Pleasant is benefiting from both. Several community partners have joined with the Mt. Pleasant Area Convention and Visitors Bureau to create a radio advertising campaign for the area. Actor and Michigan native Tim Allen lends his voice to the campaign, which is airing in Grand Rapids, Flint and Kalamazoo, as well as Toledo, Ohio, and Ft. Wayne and South Bend, Ind.

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Keno Davis embraces fresh start at Central Michigan

The only career mementos that mark Keno Davis’ new, windowless office at Central Michigan University are three coaching awards from the year that changed his life. That dream season of 2007-08 at Drake University earned Davis national coach of the year honors. Now, after three tumultuous years at Providence College of the Big East Conference and a year in broadcasting, the son of former Iowa coach Tom Davis is out to prove himself again at the mid-major level. Keno Davis takes over a Central Michigan program that has only four winning seasons in the last 33 years.

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Motorless Motion owner talks cycling

Allison Quast is about to start her fourth summer as owner of Motorless Motion, the bicycle shop in downtown Mt. Pleasant previously owned by her father. In March, she purchased a property containing a carriage house and a main house that was a rental property until deemed unfit for human occupancy by the fire department, and is in the process of restoring it so she and her fiancé can use it as a home. While not running Motorless Motion and restoring the old house, she also serves as the liaison between the planning commission and zoning board of appeals; vice president of the Downtown Development Board; vice chairwoman of Mid-Michigan Pathways Group, which hopes to create a rail trail from Clare to Ithaca; and participating in Talk Around Town, the Mt. Pleasant Toastmasters club she started.

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CMU freshman contracts bacterial meningitis

A Central Michigan University freshman has bacterial meningitis. Central Michigan Life reports Livonia resident Nicholas Collins tested positive for meningitis between April 30 and Monday. He lived in Trout Hall on campus and moved out Thursday. School officials alerted students, CM Life reported. Anyone who has been in close contact with Collins should call CMU Health Services at 989-774-6577. Bacterial meningitis is a bacterial form of the infection that causes inflammation in fluids surrounding the brain and spinal cord, according to the Centers for Disease Control. It can cause hearing loss and brain damage, although it is treatable.

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Kathy Griffin ready to make grown-ups laugh at Mount Pleasant's Soaring Eagle Casino and Resort

Kathy Griffin says she would have been merciless on someone like herself a few years ago. “I mean, I lived with my parents in a two-bedroom apartment in Santa Monica until I was 28,” she said. “I was the person who wouldn’t leave. It was quite pitiful; I’d go on a date and couldn’t take the guy home.” But her mother and dad’s investment in their daughter’s dream paid off — “They wanted to retire in California, anyway,” said the Chicago native. “I just told them Los Angeles had great golf courses” — and she’s moved up from the D-list with her sharp-witted insights on the celebrity world.

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Student housing under study by Mt. Pleasant planners

A generation ago, Central Michigan University students celebrated the end of spring semester with something they called the End of the World party, a massive, drunken street party that brought thousands of people to Mt. Pleasant’s South Main Street. After a court order and a massive police presence, the party faded away about a quarter-century ago. Students now leave town for the summer fairly quietly, but South Main Street and its concentration of student housing remains a concern for the city of Mt. Pleasant. “About 80 percent of the incidents (police) track are in the student area,” said Jeff Gray, the city’s director of planning and community development.

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Jacksonville Jaguars release former CMU quarterback Dan LeFevour

Former Central Michigan University quarterback Dan LeFevour was released by the Jacksonville Jaguars, the team announced Monday. LeFevour was a sixth-round pick by the Chicago Bears in 2010, but has spent the last two seasons bouncing from team to team as a third quarterback. When the Bears cut LeFevour, the Cincinnati Bengals picked him up for the 2010 season. The Bengals cut LeFevour before the 2011 season. The Indianapolis Colts signed LeFevour to their practice squad, but Jacksonville signed LeFevour off the practice squad.

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Psychic Sylvia Browne to entertain Mother's Day crowd in Mount Pleasant

Who could have foreseen what life had in store for the good little girl encouraged by the sisters at her Catholic school to share her gift with the world? “The nuns were so good to me,” remembered Sylvia Browne, the renowned psychic coming on Mother’s Day to Soaring Eagle Casino and Resort in Mount Pleasant. “They protected me, and when I was 18, they encouraged me to help people full-time. “I was only 5 years old when I sensed that both of my great-grandmothers were going to die, and within weeks, both did. Thank God I had a grandmother who was psychic, too. It scared me — this was in the 1940s in the Midwest — but she helped me see ways to put it to good use.”

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Mt. Pleasant Meadows ready to open

Horse racing and the state of Michigan haven’t been seeing eye to eye for some time now. As to why it would take a serious sojourn and hours-long dissertation to discuss the specifics as to why horse racing has left this state at such a fast gallop. However there’s some good news for horse racing fans in the mid-Michigan area in that Mt. Pleasant Meadows opens this weekend coinciding with the running of the Kentucky Derby.

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CMU Research Corp., Mt. Pleasant Chamber Launch Startup Support Program

The Central Michigan University Research Corp. and the Mount Pleasant Area Chamber of Commerce announced a partnership called the Prelaunch Passport Program to provide local resources such as accounting services and marketing consulting to startup businesses. Already, nearly 20 CMU-RC clients are enrolled in the program. “The Prelaunch Passport Program is aimed at stimulating the local business community and fostering an environment to help new ventures plant roots in the community,” said Erin Strang, president and CEO of CMU-RC.

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Mount Pleasant Sacred Heart grad Dominic Sheahan-Stahl: 'It gets better'

Dominic Steahan-Stahl wants people to know despite discrimination, it gets better. The 32-year-old former Mount Pleasant resident and 1998 Sacred Heart Academy graduate made a video supporting people who have experienced discrimination. Sacred Heart officials uninvited Sheahan-Stahl from giving the commencement speech on May 20 after they learned he is openly gay. The graduating class, which includes Steahan-Stahl's brother William, supported Dominic Sheahan-Stahl. In the video, he encouraged people to not point fingers. "I, my family and my community are all going to make sure that when you are my age, this will be a thing of the past," he said.

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Mt. Pleasant woman injured in car-pedestrian accident

A 50-year-old Mt. Pleasant woman was treated for minor injuries at a local hospital after being hit by a car on the campus at Central Michigan University Wednesday. The woman, who sustained minor injuries, was walking across Preston Street at about noon when a 20-year-old Pinckney woman pulled east on the street from Franklin, hitting the woman near the crosswalk, Mt. Pleasant Police Public Information Offcer Jeff Browne said. Police blocked Preston Street from East Campus to Washington after the accident, as a crowd gathered in front of Park Library.

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Mt. Pleasant schools to update sex ed curriculum

The Mt. Pleasant school district’s sexual education materials are older than most of its students but many of the district’s sex ed informational videos, created in the late ‘80’s and early ‘90’s, could be replaced with newer versions. “There’s not a lot changing content wise, most of it just has to do with updating it so that people in the videos and the examples we have are dressed in clothing that we see today,” superintendent Mike Pung said.
He said the video updates would be the only changes that will be made to the program, and it will still fit state requirements. The school board is reviewing the materials and information. The board will again be presented with material at the Committee of the Whole meeting in May, and will decide if more review is needed or if action will be taken later in the month.

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Mt. Pleasant restaurant changes name and offerings

If you're in Mt. Pleasant and you're looking for CoCo Joe's Beach House restaurant, you're going to end up empty handed. The restaurant, located at 4855 East Blue Grass Road, changed its name and its menu recently. It is now known at Hunter's Ale House. The restaurant is headed in a completely new direction and will no longer resemble the beach-house theme it was once known for. The pianos are also headed out the door, eventually. "Over time, some of that will come out and some other things will come in," says Pat Simons, the general manager of Hunter's.

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Members First's Mt. Pleasant branch is now open

A new credit union is joining the financial scene in Mount Pleasant, as Members First Credit Union recently opened its doors at the corner of Bluegrass Road and Encore Drive. President and CEO Eric Brubaker says the credit union already has members in Mount Pleasant, from its existing branch office and headquarters in Midland. "We already have a strong group of members in Mount Pleasant. This building will allow us to give them an even higher level of service while welcoming in their family, friends and businesses," says Brubaker.

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Dominic Sheahan-Stahl says Sacred Heart Academy students inspire him, hopes to make a difference

When Dominic Sheahan-Strahl found out he couldn't speak at his alma mater's graduation because he is gay, he didn't get mad or upset. He wanted to let the whole world know about the discrimination and spread a message of love and equality. "We are all equal individuals," he said. "Growing up in a Catholic school, I was taught that God is love. Right now, this is contrary to that." The school invited the 32-year-old former Mount Pleasant resident, an actor in New York, to return May 20 and deliver the graduation address, but when officials found Sheahan-Stahl's engagement photos in his Facebook, rescinded the offer. Sheahan-Stahl found out through his mother. Sacred Heart Academy Principal Denny Starnes spoke to the student body, staff, parents and media Friday afternoon, and spoke up in support of the graduate, who he's known for many years.

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Mount Pleasant's Sacred Heart Academy commencement speech controversy earning international media attention

All across the U.S and even into Great Britain, people are reading about the commencement at a small, Catholic school in mid-Michigan. Sacred Heart Academy alumnus Dominic Sheahan-Strahl, 32, was supposed to deliver the keynote address at graduation on May 20. But the administration uninvited him when they learned he was openly gay. Sacred Heart lead administrator Denny Starnes told the student body, which includes Sheahan-Stahl's brother William, that he stands in support of the graduate. The Saginaw Diocese responded the school did not contact the diocese, and the diocese does not believe individuals who deny the Catholic beliefs should not have a platform to speak.

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Mount Pleasant Sacred Heart Academy principal: 'How can I not support Dominic Sheahan-Stahl?'

Whatever the Diocese of Saginaw decides, Sacred Heart Academy Lead Administrator Denny Starnes stands by alumnus Dominic Sheahan-Stahl. The 1998 graduate was supposed to be the speaker at the May 20 commencement. That was until staff members, including Starnes, learned Sheahan-Stahl is openly gay. They saw Sheahan-Stahl's recent engagement photos on Facebook. The Mount Pleasant native and Manhattan resident has been openly gay for 14 years. Starnes called Sheahan-Stahl's mother, Kathleen Sheahan-Stahl, to tell her what was coming, that her son likely would not be able to speak. That's how Dominic Sheahan-Stahl learned he couldn't speak at the graduation of his youngest brother, William. While the Catholic Diocese of Saginaw has not yet issued a statement, Starnes issued his words of support and apologized for reacting too quickly.

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Two Mt. Pleasant physician assistants indicted on fraud charges

A federal grand jury has indicted two Mt. Pleasant physician assistants for alleged Medicare fraud. Clinton James Cornell, owner of Central Michigan Urgent Care and Cornell Health and Wellness at 520 N. Mission St., and John Eric Roberts, formerly of the same clinic, were indicted Thursday in U.S. District Court Western District of Michigan, according to court records. Cornell is a previous employee of Lakeshore Spine and Pain, which was the site of a federal raid earlier this year. Cornell is alleged to have referred one or more patients to Lakeshore Spine and Pain and/or other medical clinics operated by Babubhai Rathod in return for illegal kickbacks, according to the indictment.

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Gay graduate says Mount Pleasant's Sacred Heart canceled his commencement address

A graduate of Mount Pleasant's Sacred Heart Academy cannot speak at the school's commencement because officials learned he's gay, he said. "I am upset, I am bothered. I am not here to fight. I'm here to inform that discrimination is wrong," said the Mount Pleasant native and New York resident Dominic Sheahan-Stahl in a video. He said he was taken back and shocked by the news. This year is his youngest brother's graduation, Sheahan-Stahl said, and he is part of the family's third generation to attend the academy.

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Attorney for Austin White says allegations are ‘not true,’ questions CMU police investigation

The attorney for Austin White said allegations against the former Central Michigan football player are “not true” and “unfounded.” Mary Chartier, of Lansing-based Alane & Chartier, P.L.C., told Central Michigan Life Tuesday that the sophomore running back will not enter a plea agreement and plans to fight the three-count drug charge. “I think the charges are unfortunate, unfounded and I have a lot of faith in the justice system, and I know Austin and his family do as well,” Chartier said. “Ultimately, whether it’s dismissed or a not guilty verdict by a jury, I think Austin will be vindicated of the charges.” White, from Livonia, turned himself in to CMU police Wednesday after the department issued a warrant for his arrest on April 17. An investigation into a larceny from a vehicle, that netted the arrests of CMU football players Danel Harris and Deon Butler, led police to a terrace-level Celani Residence Hall dorm where White and roommate Joe Sawicki were allegedly growing and selling the hallucinogenic psilocybin.

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Mount Pleasant woman appointed to Governor's Commission on Community Action and Economic Opportunity

Gov. Rick Snyder has announced the appointments to the Commission on Community Action and Economic Opportunity. Established in 1981, the council seeks to mitigate the causes and effects of poverty as well as promote self-sufficiency and economic opportunity. Snyder appointed Jill Edwards-Sutton of Mount Pleasant, Nancy Macfarlane of Battle Creek and Douglas J. Williams of Clarkston to the commission last week. Edwards-Sutton is executive director of the Mid Michigan Community Action Agency in Farwell, where she has worked since 1989.

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Midland resident on Westboro Baptist Church members CMU visit: 'Jesus didn't preach hate'

The members of the Westboro Baptist Church preach a version of the Bible they "kind of made up," says one person who heard them speak at Central Michigan University. Joseph Blackmore, a 20-year-old Midland resident attended with a friend one of the three sessions where four members of the church discussed their beliefs with students. "I am a follower of Christ," said the former Delta College student who served in the U.S. Air Force in 2010. "It scares me what they are doing." Four members of the church came to speak to three of Associate Journalism Professor Tim Boudreau's classes. Each semester, Boudreau invites controversial speakers to his classes to demonstrate the protection of the First Amendment.

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Suspended Central Michigan football player is charged with possessing stolen cellphone

A Central Michigan football player suspended from the team has been charged with possessing a stolen cellphone. Campus police Chief Bill Yeagley says Deon Butler turned himself in Monday. Campus police Chief Bill Yeagley says Deon Butler turned himself in Monday. He's accused of possessing a phone that was stolen from a car by another football player. It was not immediately known if he had a lawyer. Butler's suspension was announced this month, along with the suspensions of four others. Three of the five were kicked off the team last week after they were charged with crimes.

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New Central Michigan coach Keno Davis lands pair of PG commits

Keno Davis was introduced as the head coach of the Central Michigan basketball team on April 3. In the 19 days since, he has already added two players to the Chippewa roster for next winter and both are point guards. On April 14, CMU picked up a commitment from Ypsilanti (Mich.) point guard Derrick “DJ” Richardson, who stands 6-foot-3 and weighs 180 pounds. This weekend, the Chippewas added to next season’s roster again when they landed Kyle Randall, a 5-foot-10, 172-pound point guard. Richardson is the second member of the class of 2012 for CMU, along with Cadillac (Mich.) forward John Simons. Randall has played three years at UNC-Greensboro, but will graduate this summer with one year of eligibility remaining, so he can take advantage of the NCAA rule that allows him to transfer to a different school if he can find a graduate program at that school that UNCG does not offer.

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Mount Pleasant Discovery Museum has raised more than $2 million, structure starting

The Mount Pleasant Discovery Museum is beginning to take shape. More than $2 million has been raised for MPDM toward filling the museum with exhibits and covering operating expenses. “The building is well underway,” said Jennifer Fields, co-founder of MPDM and member of the board of directors. “We’re still in the second phase of the campaign.” The second phase of the MPDM campaign, called “let’s build a museum,” involves raising money to build exhibits, first-year operating expenses and an endowment. As previously reported by Central Michigan Life, the goal of the capital campaign was to raise $1.8 million and $250,000 to cover the first-year operating budget.

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CMU police investigating two more unidentified football players

After the Central Michigan University football team suspended five players, police and the Isabella County prosecutor are investigating two more. Central Michigan Life reports CMU Policy Chief Bill Yeagley acknowledged the investigations but did not identify the students. The university announced Saturday five football players, Deon Butler, Kevin King, Danel Harris, Joe Sawicki and Austin White are suspended for violating team rules. CMU released White, Sawaski and Harris from the team. None of the three athletes played in games for CMU, the athletic department stated.

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Court of Appeals upholds Mt. Pleasant man's assault conviction

Michigan Court of Appeals judges have upheld the conviction of an Isabella County man who assaulted his wife with a baseball bat. Judges ruled that Stephen Lyttle’s attorney opened the door for testimony about his substance abuse and admission to a “psych ward.” Lyttle, 61, of Mt. Pleasant is serving a 57-month to10-year sentence in the Lakeland Correctional Facility for the July 10, 2010 beating of his estranged wife, Tracy. In his appeal, Lyttle said testimony about his addiction to prescription pain killers and religion was “erroneously” admitted into evidence.

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Austin White turns himself in, CMU police confirm

Central Michigan running back Austin White, facing an arrest warrant that includes three drug charges, has turned himself into police, CMU police chief Bill Yeagley has confirmed. White met with a CMU police detective Wednesday afternoon and was arrested “without incident” on a three-count felony warrant, Yeagley wrote in a release. He is being lodged at the Isabella County Jail pending arraignment. Yeagley told Central Michigan Life Wednesday afternoon detectives were able to negotiate a time, 2:30 p.m., with an attorney representing White for the Livonia native’s surrender. The department was contacted by White’s attorney Wednesday after reading news reports saying White was wanted by police. The 6-foot, 200-pound back from Livonia faces charges of delivering and manufacturing narcotics, possession of narcotics and maintaining a drug house. Yeagley said White is not expected to face any additional charges.

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A joint investigation leads to the arrest of Nigerian graduate student

A Central Michigan University graduate student is facing federal wire fraud charges for his alleged involvement in an internet scam. On April 10, a joint investigation between the U.S. Secret Service and the Michigan State Police Mount Pleasant Post led to the arrest of Nnamdi Ezeli, a 30-year-old Nigerian native studying at CMU. Ezeli was arrested in Union Township after being investigated for his involvement in an internet fraud scheme. A press release from the Michigan State Police states Ezeli was arrested for violation of US Code 18USC 1343, Wire Fraud. The maximum penalty carries a fine of not more than $1 million and confinement not to exceed 30 years in federal prison or both. Ezeli was allegedly posting items for sale on Craigslist, though he did not have the items in his possession.

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Football player Austin White wanted by police for alleged drug offenses, two players also arrested

Two Central Michigan University football players were jailed Tuesday, while sophomore running back Austin White remains wanted by police. Sophomore tight end Joe Sawicki and freshman receiver Danel Harris were arrested by CMU police inside a residence hall on campus, Police Chief Bill Yeagley confirmed to Central Michigan Life. Yeagley said both men were arrested “without incident.” Yeagley said the arrests stem from an investigation into stolen property that began last week. “When we went to the room to locate the property, we discovered drugs,” Yeagley said. “Once we discover those things, we have to conduct a further investigation.”

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CMU police begin adding new decals to vehicle fleet

The Central Michigan University Police Department is in the process of giving its patrol cars a new look. Three department vehicles have already added a new side decal and the other five are expected to be transformed over the next few weeks, according to CMU Police Captain Fred Harris. “It has been a number of years since we added new graphics to the cars,” Harris said. “We just thought it was time to give our cars a fresh, new look.” Sgt. David Coffman proposed the idea of updating the car graphics and a group of officers came together to choose the decal that would be used by the department. The new look includes “POLICE” in large, bold font with a horizontal red strip above reading “Central Michigan University.”

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Soaring Eagle Waterpark and Hotel opens doors with soft opening next week, opens to public on May 21

The Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe is looking to make a big splash in the mid-Michigan area. The Tribe announced that it'll open the Soaring Eagle Waterpark and Hotel, 5665 E. Pickard in Mount Pleasant, on Monday, April 23. To start, the Tribe will open the water park with a series of soft openings, to business constituents, VIPs, members while they train the staff, said Frank Cloutier, spokeman for the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe. The hotel and water park is set to open to the public on May 21. Interested guests, however, can start making reservations now at the new hotel and water park. Cloutier said that the hotel and water park combined is 110,000 square feet and there are 243 guest rooms in the hotel. He said that its close to 6,000 square feet larger than Great Wolf Lodge in Traverse City.

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Meet The 14-Year-Old Girl Building A Car For Her Sweet Sixteen

Plenty of boys begin lusting after cars at an early age, ready either to dive into a project car or a brand new performance car (depending upon levels of means and motivation). But you don't often hear about those Mona Lisa Vito gals so into cars they can do everything from rebuilding V8 engines to distinguishing the minute year-to-year differences in headlamp bezels. This is the story of one such girl from Mt. Pleasant, Michigan. She's the girl who played with Fieros. Michhiker, a poster on Pennock's Fiero Forum from Mount Pleasant, Mich., began chronicling his daughter Kathryn's hands-on car restoring experience ever since she asked him, at the age of 12, if she could use her babysitting money to buy a Pontiac Fiero and spend the next four years getting it ready for her 16th birthday.

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Soaring Eagle Waterpark and Hotel prepares to open

Construction on the Soaring Eagle Waterpark and Hotel in Mt. Pleasant has been under way for more than a year. On April 23, the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe plans to host a soft opening with different waves of people come at different times. “This is an attractive attribute that we haven’t had a chance to market yet. We have always catered to the entertainment aspects and hospitality,” Tribal spokesman Frank Cloutier said. The Tribe now has the opportunity to bring a family-oriented property to the community. “We are going to have members, associates and then of course VIPs during our Golden Eagles Week,” Cloutier said. “All chamber members will be invited as well as legislators and people that we do business with. The soft opening starts on April 23 with the membership.

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Zombies invade campus for Survive Mount Pleasant fundraiser run benefitting Special Olympics Michigan

The undead roamed the campus of Central Michigan University Friday as part of the Survive Mount Pleasant Zombie Run. The event raised money for Special Olympics as runners had to make their way through campus from check point to check point while being chased by zombies. Prizes where awarded to the zombie with the most ‘bites’ or tags, and to the top three runners. “I can run as fast as I want; this is ‘28 Days Later’ rage virus zombies,” said Kyle Hallman, a Traverse City sophomore. Runners were given clues as to where the checkpoints were, but not all clues where accurate. After making it to two of the three checkpoints, runners could head to the final checkpoint, ending the run. Zombies were not given any information about checkpoints.

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CMU raises undergraduate tuition 1.96 percent, $7 per credit hour

Central Michigan University raised undergraduate tuition by 1.96 percent. The tuition increased $7 per credit hour to $365 per credit hour for the 2012-13 school year from $358. CMU remains the fourth most expensive of Michigan's 15 public universities. No other universities have set tuition rates for the fall. Traditionally, the board sets tuition rates in the summer. Last summer, CMU had the lowest percentage point tuition increase among the state's public universities at 3.47 percent. Out-of-state tuition is raised to $789 per credit hour; About 4 percent of students are from outside Michigan. The board also raised graduate tuition, CMU's Global Campus courses and room and board rates by 2 percent.

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