Experience Kool and the Gang at Mount Pleasant's Soaring Eagle

Robert "Kool" Bell has plenty of reason to celebrate the good times these days. "Have you heard the news?" he said, calling to talk about Kool and the Gang's upcoming show at the Soaring Eagle Casino and Resort.
A week to the day after they join The Commodores in Mount Pleasant, Bell and his bandmates hit the road with Van Halen on its 40th anniversary reunion tour with David Lee Roth. "You know there are a lot of people scratching their heads over that one," he said, chuckling. "We were playing the Glastonbury Festival in London – it's a big one, with rockers like U2 and Coldplay – and David Lee Roth saw us there."

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CMU to Host Texas A&M-Corpus Christi on Feb. 18

Central Michigan men’s basketball will host Texas A&M-Corpus Christi on Saturday, Feb. 18. Tipoff in McGuirk Arena will be 7 p.m. The matchup is a result of the pairings for the 10th Annual Sears BracketBusters event presented by ESPN. All 12 Mid-American Conference teams are competing in the 142-team extravaganza and three MAC programs were selected for nationally televised games. Texas A&M-Corpus Christi is 4-16 overall, 3-5 in the Southland Conference. Longtime Rice head coach Willis Wilson is in his first season as head coach of the Islanders. Junior guard Terence Jones is averaging 14.1 points per game to lead team in scoring while junior forward Myron Dempsey is averaging 8.8 points and a team-high 7.6 rebounds per contest.

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Memories open a new chapter in Bill Cosby's career as he heads for Mount Pleasant

So who's this Bernadette Johnson? It was a short question with a long answer a few days ago, when Bill Cosby answered his phone with an enthusiastic "Come in!" Those of us who've known Bill Cosby for years, as much as you can know someone through television and movies, have already met Fat Albert and Little Bill and Alice the Great. But Bernadette pops up in his more recent shows, especially the ones he calls his wheelhouse, speaking at colleges where parents and children come together to hear his insightful commentaries on life. "Parents, mothers and fathers and their kids sit with each other, laughing together and pointing fingers," he said. "It's wonderful to have that time together."

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Indoor Track to Compete at Penn State, SVSU this weekend

Central Michigan indoor track and field student-athletes will be scattered throughout the region this weekend representing the university at two different meets. A contingency of multi-event student-athletes will travel to University Park, Pa., for the Penn State National beginning Friday, while the throwers will on Friday take the much shorter trip to Saginaw for The Cardinal at Saginaw Valley State University. The Penn State National begins at 4:45 p.m. Friday, and resumes at 10 a.m. Saturday. Field events at the Cardinal begin at 3 p.m. Friday.

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Collectors gather to swap stamps, stories at monthly meeting

Tom Culver can attest to the fact that much can be learned from an avid philatelist. Better known as stamp collectors, Culver said he has learned about global politics by what countries print on their stamps. “You’ll know all the answers on ‘Jeopardy!’ if you collect stamps,” Culver said. He has been attending the Mid Michigan Stamp Collecting meet-up for more than 50 years. Tuesday at the Isabella County Commission on Aging, 2200 S. Lincoln St., three of the about seven members sifted through thousands of stamps Culver bought by the pound from a stamp dealer.

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Former officer enters plea in breast-baring case

 A 34-year-old former campus police officer has pleaded guilty to misconduct for persuading two Central Michigan University students to bare their breasts. The Morning Sun in Mount Pleasant says that http://bit.ly/AhjsPa ">Jeffrey Card faces up to five years in prison at his Feb. 24 sentencing. Card entered the plea Monday in Isabella County Trial Court. Card was on patrol when he gave the women a ride in September from a bar. He's accused of betting them that their blood alcohol levels were higher than 0.05 percent. They briefly flashed their breasts when Card won the bet.

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http://www.mlive.com/news/bay-city/index.ssf/2012/01/dow_bay_area_family_y_to_hold.html

Sherry Ruckman decided to combine her love of clothes with her love of family by opening and running a secondhand clothing store. City Closet opened two weeks ago at 888 S. Mission St. The new store sells new and gently used clothing from brand names like Hollister, American Eagle, Abercrombie and Fitch, Pink and Lucky. “It’s definitely more of a variety than what we’re used to,” said Hastings senior Stephanie Lukas. “The clothes are cheap and in great quality. Plus, I’m always up for some new stores coming into Mount Pleasant. It gives us more options and places to shop.”

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Norovirus confirmed in Mount Pleasant illnesses

Authorities say strain of norovirus was responsible for sickening more than 200 students in the Mount Pleasant School District earlier this month. The Morning Sun reports (http://bit.ly/yxYwvf) Tuesday that health officials confirmed that one of the most common strains of norovirus was found. The district cancelled classes Jan. 12 and 13 because of illnesses. Norovirus is part of a family of viruses that are spread person-to-person and cause flu-like symptoms including nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and stomach cramping.

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Dog Central late-night hot dog restaurant expected to open in March

A recent Central Michigan University graduate is a step closer to opening his hot dog restaurant in downtown Mount Pleasant. Dog Central was originally scheduled to open in fall 2011, though Owner Paul McFall said the project took a little longer than planned. “I recently spoke to the builder (and) it’s looking like the second week of March,” McFall said. Opening the restaurant has taken longer because of setbacks with the planned building, he said. “There was just lots of red tape,” McFall said. “It’s an old building that wasn’t quite up to code anymore.” Dog Central will be located at 111 E. Michigan St., near Marty’s Bar, 123 S. Main St., and The Bird Bar & Grill, 223 S. Main St.

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Student creates art celebrating beauty of natural imperfection

Mount Pleasant senior Meghan Borland says the modern, cookie-cutter lifestyle filled with Facebook, Twitter and microwavable meals leads people too far from what is actually important. “There’s this beauty in imperfection,” Borland said. “To see it is refreshing.” Borland has been spending 12-hour days working on pieces for her next big show. April 21, her BFA thesis exhibition will be held in the Central Michigan University Art Gallery’s main gallery. She said she hopes people will come see it and bring their thinking caps. Her gallery will feature ceramic recreations of clay in nature. Viewers will get to see thousands of intricate ceramic leaves, faux trees that smell like honey and a hydroponic garden to support her living exhibit. She said some who have seen her recreations have called them man-made fossils.

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Report: More officials oppose Central Michigan University leadership

More Central Michigan University officials are indicating displeasure with campus leadership, the college’s student newspaper reports. Both the sociology, anthropology and social work department and the philosophy and religion department this month voted to endorse the school’s Academic Senate vote in December indicating “no confidence” both in CMU President George E. Ross and Provost Gary Shapiro, Central Michigan Life reports. The Academic Senate, a faculty-led curriculum policy-making body, last month pointed to divisive contract negotiations between administration and faculty — along with November’s announcement that officials underestimated the College of Medicine’s development costs by about $5 million — as reasons for its vote. Members of the endorsing college departments echoes some of those sentiments in the student publication's report.

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Five Chippewas Earn First-Time Academic Honors

Central Michigan University junior Lindsey Dulude was one of 18 Mid-American Conference standouts to earn volleyball academic All-MAC honors for the 2011 season, the league office announced on Thursday. Juniors Samantha Brawley and Val DeWeerd, along with sophomores Kelly Maxwell and Jenna Coates, were named to the Academic All-MAC Honorable Mention Team. Dulude, a language arts major with a 3.96 grade-point average, earns a spot on the squad for the first time in her career. The outside hitter was named to two all-tournament teams, while finishing the season third on the team in kills per set with 2.62. She appeared in 125 out of the team's 128 total sets and was second on the team in aces with 26.

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Student models balance school, runway aspirations

Some Central Michigan University students make hard decisions about their education in order to advance in the modeling world. Howell sophomore Krissy Salenik said she is transferring to a college closer to home so she can become a signed model. “I always get emails with people saying, ‘When will you be home next?’” she said. “And with working at La Senorita’s, it’s hard to know when I’m going to have the time off.” Salenik said modeling is an easy way for her to make money. “I am paying for my own school, so everything I can do to make money is a plus,” she said. Once she finds the time to go home, she said modeling is the only thing she has time to do.

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Chippewas Host NIU, Visit Michigan This Weekend

Central Michigan's wrestling program is in action twice this weekend, hosting Northern Illinois in a Mid-American Conference dual meet on Friday before visiting Michigan on Sunday. Friday's dual begins at 7:30 p.m. at McGuirk Arena, while Sunday's nonconference matchup with the Wolverines gets underway at 2 p.m. in Ann Arbor. The Chippewas (11-2 overall, 3-0 MAC) have won six straight duals following Friday's 21-12 victory at Eastern Michigan.

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LETTER: Parking solutions already in place

As the provider of transportation services to Central Michigan University, the off-campus apartment complexes, as well as the greater Mount Pleasant area and the Isabella County Transportation Commission, I-Ride shuttle services provide more than a quarter of a million rides annually to and from the CMU campus. In addition, these same services connect campus to most of Mount Pleasant. Central Michigan Life’s recent editorial touting the idea that parking permits issued should never exceed the number of available parking spaces on campus is simply wasteful for the reasons given by CMU’s parking services spokesperson. Busing services are the primary methodology used by universities across the country to make the best use of available parking resources.

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Kylie Fagan Named MAC Specialist of the Week

Freshman gymnast Kylie Fagan has been named the Mid-American Conference Specialist of the Week, becoming the second Chippewa to earn the award in as many weeks. Fagan (Commerce, Mich./Walled Lake Northern) claimed a pair of second-place finishes at Bowling Green Saturday, while posting a season-best mark on the uneven bars. After an impressive showing in her collegiate debut at the CMU Quad on January 8, Fagan followed up her performance by scoring a 9.700 on bars before going on to score a 9.750. She finished second in both events. Fagan is currently tied for first in the MAC in balance beam with her 9.775 mark from the CMU Quad.

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Students, community come together for march, peace vigil in honor of Martin Luther King Jr.

Central Michigan University students and Mount Pleasant residents came together Monday afternoon to participate in the commUNITY march and vigil held in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The march, which began at Bovee University Center and ended downtown at Mount Pleasant Town Square, was held by CMU’s Multicultural Academic Student Services. Assistant Director of MASS Keisha Janney said she was slightly surprised by the turnout of people who came to show their support of King. “I was surprised because I am always humbled by the number of people who show up,” Janney said. “But also no, because by honoring him, students are showing they value him.” Marchers carried paper signs with quotes and pictures of King as they made their way downtown where a vigil was held and an opportunity was given to talk about the importance of King’s life work.

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Central Michigan 3-year contract details released

Details have been released of a new three-year contract between faculty members at Central Michigan University and the Mount Pleasant school. The university said in a statement issued Friday that the deal includes no salary increase during the first year, a 1.25 percent plus $830 increase during the second year and a 1.5 percent plus $835 increase during the third year. The school's medical health insurance contribution is fixed at levels in effect for 2010-2011. The university and the CMU faculty association announced Thursday that faculty members voted to approve the deal that runs through June 30, 2014.

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Jessica Schroll joins Central Michigan University women's basketball team

Former Midland Dow standout Jessica Schroll transferred to Central Michigan University to join the Central Michigan University women's basketball team. Schroll played 2 1/2 seasons at Iowa State and must sit out two semesters to become eligible. She will be eligible to play for CMU after the 2012 fall semester and will have one semester of elgibility remaining. "We are very pleased and happy to add Jess to our program,” said head coach Sue Guevara in a CMU press release. “She brings instant experience due to playing against tough opponents in hostile arenas. She is athletic, strong and a tough hard-nosed player who is a perfect fit for our offense.

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Central Michigan women's basketball tops Ball State to improve to 3-1 in Mid-American Conference

Central Michigan knocked down more than half of its shots and used a balanced effort Saturday in a 84-66 win over Ball State at McGuirk Arena. With the victory, the Chippewas improved to 3-1 in the Mid-American Conference. The Chippewas were efficient from the field, hitting 51.6 percent of their shots. Eight different players scored at least seven points for Central Michigan (11-7 overall). Central Michigan led 40-32 at halftime and followed it up with a 44-point effort in the second half. The Chippewas used a 19-4 run in the first part of the second half to build a 71-45 lead with 11:41 remaining.

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Report: $10K in equipment stolen from CMU

Central MIchigan University's campus police are offering $250 for information that could help authorities nab those responsible for an estimated $10,000 worth of missing equipment from a campus building, the student newspaper reports. Authorities say thieves likely broke into Moore Hall between midnight and 3 a.m. this morning and stole 19 or 20 camera lenses, headphones, PocketWizards, tripods, strobe lights, wireless microphones and a reflector, the Central Michigan Life reported today.

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CMU plans Martin Luther King Jr.-inspired events next week; Civil Rights activist Guinier to appear

Central Michigan University officials next week plan to host several events celebrating Martin Luther King Jr. The college’s Multicultural Academic Student Services department is organizing the schedule, which includes a march across Mount Pleasant, a peace vigil and an appearance by Civil Rights activist Lani Guinier. The celebration kicks off at 10 a.m. Monday with a brunch event with CMU President George E. Ross at the Bovee University Center. Mount Pleasant Area Chamber of Commerce President Lisa Hadden will present the keynote address at the gathering, where seating is limited and on a first-come, first-serve basis, college officials say.

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Central Michigan men's basketball goes to 2-0 in MAC play after 60-56 win at Eastern Michigan

Two late free throws by Austin McBroom helped Central Michigan get a 60-56 win at rival Eastern Michigan Wednesday night. Central improves to 2-0 in the Mid-American Conference and 7-8 overall. It’s only the third time in the last 20 years that the Chippewas have started out at least 2-0 in the MAC. Central was 2-0 in 2009-10 and 3-0 in 1991-92. After Eastern Michigan cut Central’s lead to 58-54, McBroom nailed a pair of free throws with nine seconds left to put the Chippewas up four at 60-56. Central’s defense prevented Eastern from making a basket in the final few seconds.

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Central Michigan women's basketball knocks off rival Western Michigan, 93-85

In a high-scoring contest, Central Michigan outlasted rival Western Michigan for a 93-85 win Wednesday night at McGuirk Arena. The Chippewas improve to 2-1 in the MAC, 10-7 overall. With the win, Central head coach Sue Guevara is now 6-3 against the Broncos in her five seasons at the helm. Jessica Green led Central with 26 points to go along with seven rebounds, six assists and four steals. She was one of five Chippewas in double figures. Crystal Bradford finished with 20 points, six rebounds, five assists, five steals and five blocks. Jordan LaDuke had 13 points and seven rebounds, while Jalisa Olive added 12 points and four steals. Taylor Johnson followed with 11 points.

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Breaking News: Mount Pleasant Public Schools closed due to Norovirus outbreak

The Mount Pleasant Public School District is closed from 3:00 p.m. today until Monday, Jan. 16. The reason for the two-day closure is due to illness — a possible Norovirus outbreak, which causes stomach flu. Jim Conway, athletics director for Mount Pleasant Public Schools, said one building in the district had more than half of its students missing today. All sporting events involving Mount Pleasant are canceled until Monday.

CMU newspaper next to give president 'no confidence' vote following financial moves

Another Central Michigan University institution is giving a vote of “no confidence” to CMU President George E. Ross and Provost Gary Shapiro. In a Monday editorial in the Central Michigan Life, the student newspaper joined the Academic Senate as another organization expressing a lack of confidence in the school’s leadership following months of turmoil that included a faculty contract dispute. The Academic Senate, a faculty-led curriculum policy-making body, announced its opinion following a December vote. In Monday’s editorial — with the headline, “No confidence in Ross, Shapiro” — the student newspaper seemed to side with the criticisms voiced in the Academic Senate’s opinion.

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Arachnid love: Alma College professor finds spiders can be homewreckers, too

A college professor here is gaining national attention for his research on how a certain kind of spider finds -- and steals -- dating partners from rival arachnids, officials say. David Clark, a biology professor at Alma College, shed new light on male wolf spiders’ courtship behavior, finding the “spiders eavesdrop on their male counterparts and copy courtship signals as a likely means of stealing their mate,” his research reads. Clark leads a group of researchers supported by a National Science Foundation grant.

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Report: CMU officials began recalculating medical school costs month before $5M miscalculation made public

Central Michigan University officials knew a month before going public that planners underestimated the startup cost for the College of Medicine because the new school lacked requirements set by the nation’s accrediting agency for M.D.-granting medical schools, the college’s student newspaper reports today. In November, officials raised the estimated cost of the College of Medicine to more than $30 million from an earlier $25 million projection. Central Michigan Life’s Theresa Clift reported in today’s issue that administrators knew the original projection was low in October but wanted a month to investigate the size of the miscalculation before announcing the news. The recalculation came after officials realized the school wouldn’t meet Liaison Committee on Medical Education standards, the newspaper reports. CMU officials hope the national committee accredits the medical school.

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Chippewas Sweep Weekly MAC Gymnastics Honors

Central Michigan gymnasts Brittany Petzold and Kari Dieffenderfer swept the Mid-American Conference's weekly honors Monday, being named Gymnast and Specialist of the Week. Petzold earned Gymnast of the Week honors after taking first in the uneven bars with a score of 9.825, just 0.50 off her career high, and first in the all-around with a 38.625 at the CMU Quad Sunday inside McGuirk Arena. The sophomore's scores were tops among MAC programs competing over the weekend as the season kicked off for all but Eastern Michigan and Kent State.

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Chippewas Take First in Season-Opener with a 192.525

Central Michigan performed impressively in its season opener Sunday, claiming a quad meet victory over Wisconsin-La Crosse, Wisconsin-Eau Claire and Centenary. The Chippewas (3-0), who featured five freshmen in their opening-meet lineup, scored a 192.525 to easily surpass the Ladies' (0-2) 187.500, the Eagles' (2-1) 182.375 and the Blugolds' (0-1) 178.00. "This is one of the better moments for CMU gymnastics," head coach Jerry Reighard said. "I was very happy with (our score). If you knew anything about what we've gone through in the last month in terms of injuries, we really did well today. We are really pleased to start out the season like this."

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Ginkgo Tree Inn & Riverbluff Bistro opens; first overnight occupancy facility downtown in decades

Just over a year ago, Jean Prout’s newly-opened inn wasn’t much more than what she called “a little white box” at the north end of downtown Mount Pleasant. Owner of the building that houses the district’s Centennial Hall, 306 W. Michigan St., the Shepherd resident wasn’t quite satisfied with her 23 years in the banqueting business and was in need of a new project. She said a now former city employee showed her the early 20th century residence, 309 N. Main St., when everything clicked. “I’ve always wanted to run a (bed and breakfast). I guess that’s the main point,” Prout said. “I love B & B’s. This house came along, and I thought this would be perfect. But I took it the next step. Why just do a bed and breakfast? So we did the bed and bistro.”

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Former Chippewas Prepare for NFL Postseason

For the second consecutive year, Central Michigan football fans will have an opportunity to follow several of their favorite former Chippewas during the National Football League Playoffs. Just last year, four former Chippewas were part of the Pittsburgh and Green Bay squads that squared off in Super Bowl XLV in Dallas. That tied CMU with LSU, Ohio State and Tennessee for the most former players on active rosters for Super Bowl XLV. Green Bay's victory meant that three former Chippewas—Cullen Jenkins, Frank Zombo and Josh Gordy—each won Super Bowl rings. This season, four former Chippewas are part of teams that have qualified for the NFL postseason. Zombo returns with the Packers and is joined by Pittsburgh Steelers receiver/return specialist Antonio Brown, Houston Texans punter Brett Hartmann and San Francisco 49ers left tackle Joe Staley.

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Reception for CAF Members to be Held Saturday

The Chippewa Athletic Fund is extending a special invitation for all CAF members this Saturday. One hour prior to the men's basketball game versus Toledo, the CAF will host a reception in the Dick Parfitt Gymnasium, free of charge. The Parfitt Gymnasium, located off the southwest corner of McGuirk Arena, will open at 6 p.m. on January 7 for the pregame gathering, and will also be open during halftime. The Chippewas return home to open the Mid-American Conference season against the Rockets at 7 p.m. Saturday after having played 10 of their last 11 games on the road.

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2011 Season Review: Future Bright for Young Chippewas

A young Central Michigan squad battled through injuries and inexperience throughout the 2011 season. A remarkable 24 different players made their first collegiate start in 2011, while 10 true freshmen played significant roles during their first season in the maroon and gold and eight or fewer seniors were available to see playing time during the second half of the season. The impact of the freshman class was most noticeable in the offensive skill positions. Titus Davis caught 40 passes for a team-high 751 yards and scored a team-leading eight touchdowns, while Courtney Williams tied for second on the team with five touchdown catches. CMU was the only team in the country featuring two freshmen with at least five touchdown receptions, and both Davis and Williams scored touchdowns on their first career receptions—Davis on a 67-yard catch against South Carolina State and Williams on a 79-yard catch on the first play of his college career against Northern Illinois.

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Musician returns home to Shepherd to perform benefit concert

Musician Anna Mae Mitchell will be celebrating a homecoming with the community next week. On Tuesday evening, Mitchell and her musical partner, G. Pat Harris, will present a concert at the Performing Arts Center at Shepherd High School. The performance is a benefit concert for the Shepherd school district’s performing arts. Mitchell, the daughter of Kevin and Angela Mitchell, graduated from Shepherd in 2002 and from Central Michigan University in 2007. Harris attended high school in Bay City and also graduated from CMU. Now based in Austin, Texas, Mitchell and Harris are working on their musical careers. Their CD “Traveling by Midnight” was released in November.

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Central Michigan University student newspaper website gets makeover

Central Michigan University’s student publication last week redesigned its online site. The website, www.cm-life.com, now features a lineup of news stories that rotates along the top of the main page. The page breaks up its content into several categories including “top stories;” “university,” which follows the Mount Pleasant college’s internal happenings; “student life,” featuring stories about those enrolled at the school; “metro,” which deals largely with Mount Pleasant-based news; “voices,” which contain the publication’s opinion content; “vibe,” which focuses on arts and entertainment; and “sports.” Eric Dresden, a former Saginaw News reporter intern, serves as editor-in-chief of Central Michigan Life, which publishes three times a week during the school semester. The winter semester begins Monday, Jan. 9.

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Jory Melancon's career-high 25 points helps lead Mount Pleasant past Flint Southwestern, 60-37

Jory Melancon scored a career-high 25 points to help lead Mount Pleasant to a 60-37 victory Tuesday over Flint Southwestern. Jordan Wilson and Aaron Leasher each added nine points for the Oilers, who led 30-15 at halftime. "It was a good win for us," Mount Pleasant coach Sam Taylor said. "I'm very happy with how we defended. They are a good team. I was ecstatic with how we guarded tonight." Melancon, a 6-foot-4 post player, had an efficient night. "Tonight, he played within himself," Taylor said. "He only missed I think two shots the whole night. He had a couple of offensive put-backs."

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WPBA Masters at Soaring Eagle Casino January 26-29

The Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort will again host the best female billiard players in the world January 26-29, 2012, when the Women's Professional Billiard Association WPBA Masters 9-Ball Championship kicks off the 2012 Women's Pro Billiard Tour season. Preliminary rounds begin Thursday, January 26, through Saturday, January 28 with 40 top players and 8 WPBA Regional Tour representatives. There will be two sessions each day in double elimination play. The tournament will conclude on Sunday, January 29 beginning at 1 p.m., when the final four players remaining will compete for the title of 2012 WPBA Masters Champion. These three final-round one-hour matches will be taped by ESPN for future television broadcasts. Tickets are available via startickets.com.

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Courthouse roundup: Man accused of using gun to assault woman

A Mount Pleasant man is facing charges of felonious assault and domestic assault after a Nov. 3 incident involving a pistol. Kurt Roger Nitschke, 47, was arraigned on the charges on Nov. 4 by Midland County District Court Judge Stephen P. Carras, who set bond at $50,000 cash or surety, which has been posted. Bond conditions include no contact with the victim, no firearms or dangerous weapons, and drugs or alcohol. Police omitted the case from the daily media log, so it was not reported until now. The case was bound over to the circuit court on Dec. 12, after Nitschke waived a preliminary hearing. He stood mute and a plea of not guilty was entered by the court.

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