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.

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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.

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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.


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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.


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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.


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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.

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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.


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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.

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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.


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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.”

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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.

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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.


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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.

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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.

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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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