Art is in the Eye!

3 Arcs with Equal Radii is just one of 17 original fine art sculptures erected around Marshall Wednesday as Vee Kalnins' brainchild, Art in the Eye entered the public's vision, life sized and in living color. The year-long exhibit includes this piece on Fountain Circle by James Havens of Woodville, Ohio. See today's Ad-Visor and the July 4 Ad-Visor for more information on this exciting new project. Or, follow the Art in the Eye link, right. And, see the Saturday, June 30 Chronicle for an action photo of another sculpture being erected at Monarch Bank.

This week's front page. Click for larger view.

Double homicide trial starts July 10

The trial of a man accused of shooting to death his ex wife and her live-in boyfriend in their Ceresco home Oct. 21, 2006 will begin July 10 after jury selection July 3, according to Calhoun County Prosecutor John Hallacy. Timothy Brownell is accused in the double homicide which occurred in front of his 12-year-old daughter. See this week's Chronicle for background on this continuing case.

Smoking ban proposed in Calhoun County

The Calhoun County Health Department has proposed a possible county-wide ordinance to promote good health by banning cigarette smoking inside and outside private businesses and public places, with the exception of restaurants and bars. See this week's lead story by Corinne Kellogg on how the county health officials are proposing to pass this local legislation.

Cruise to the Fountain rolls into town

Larry VanWormer's 1948 Chevy pickup truck will be among some 1,000 restored, classic rides expected to converge on Marshall this weekend for the Sixth Annual Cruise to the Fountain. See the story behind VanWormer's passion for restoring old vehicles by Chronicle intern, Corinne Kellogg on the front page of this week's edition.

Mary Lands boyfriend arrested, arraigned on unrelated charges

The boyfriend of missing Marshall woman Mary Denise (Marshall) Lands - Christopher Pratt - was arrested and arraigned today (Monday) on charges related to domestic violence and sexual assault against his current, live-in girlfriend, according to authorities. Mary Lands has been missing for 40 months, last seen March 12, 2004 before disappearing from her Marshall apartment. Pratt's preliminary exam on the charges, one of which carries a maximum possible penalty of 15 years in prison, is Monday, July 2 at 11:30 a.m. in Calhoun County District Court. See the June 30 Chronicle for more on this developing story.

Spc. Adam Lafferty home on leave

Spc. Adam Lafferty, (right) son of Tracy Reuss and Lemo Lafferty of Marshall, is home on two weeks' leave from service as a cavalry scout with the Army's 1-4 Cavs Raiders B-Troop stationed in Baghdad. Lafferty, a 2004 Marshall graduate, sat down with the Chronicle at his mother's home Tuesday to talk about how his troop is working to capture high level terrorist targets, the good the U.S. troops are doing for the Iraqi people and the shocking culture of the war torn neighborhoods in which he lives and works. He rejoins his troop next week for an 11-month continuation of the U.S. troop surge. See Saturday's Chronicle to learn what he had to say about the U.S. prospects for leaving Iraq and his thoughts on from where the terrorists are getting their weapons.

Spc. Adam R. Lafferty
1-4 Cavs Raiders B-Troop
Unit #42535
APO AE 09361

lafferty_recon1@yahoo.com

City manager, council members urge protest against SOS consolidation

Marshall City Council members and City Manager Chris Olson expressed at tonight's meeting that a letter writing campaign may be needed among "John Q. Public" to the Michigan Secretary of State's office to object to her planned, 2008 consolidation of the Marshall and Battle Creek Secretary of State branch offices. See the June 23 Chronicle for more on the discussions that took place at tonight's regular council meeting.

Marshall House water infiltration problem hot topic

Concerns raised by At Large Trustee Ron Goodwin and citizen Kathy Miller led to much discussion about the water infiltration problem that occurs at the city's Marshall House Apartments when the Marshall City Council met tonight. While the council again said they are working diligently on the issue, Third Ward Trustee Brent Williams also noted that the city needs to decide whether it wants to stay in the business of operating the subsidized housing facility in because the enterprise fund has been operating at a loss for several years. Mayor Bruce Smith, however, believes the Marshall House remains a good idea for housing low income senior citizens. See the June 23 Chronicle for more on how this ongoing problem, that has led to the discovery of mold, is being handled.

Michigan Secretary of State Terri Lynn Land announces branch consolidation

Secretary of State Terri Lynn Land visited the Chronicle and Ad-Visor offices Wednesday to announce consolidation of the Marshall and Battle Creek branch offices expected to occur next year as part of her modernization plan. See today's paper for more information.

Man awaiting armed robbery trial nabbed in Marshall

A 27-year-old drifter arrested and arraigned recently on an armed robbery charge for allegedly holding up a Delhi Township gas station in April was apprehended by Marshall police officer Adam Ottjepka as he drove away with a tank of stolen gasoline from the Winston Park Shell. See more on this bust of a suspect still wearing a tether he received as an Ingham County bond condition in today's Chronicle.

Progressive Dynamics sold to investor group

A group of private investors, who formed Progressive Dyanmics Holding Company to purchase the 42-year-old diversified manufacturing firm in Marshall, assumed ownership last week. Ralph McGee of Holly, along with David Mead of Marshall, Jeff Smith of Alma and one silent partner from Florida are the new owners. They plan to retain the 100-strong workforce and place their initial emphasis on marketing the company's patented medical warming blankets. See page 1 of today's issue for more information.

New York Times bestselling author Ann Rule writes about missing Marshall woman

Too Late to Say Goodbye by Ann Rule hit the New York Times best selling list at 13 on Wednesday. It's a book that not only tells the story of a prominent Atlanta dentist who confessed to killing his wife and one other woman, but it also connects him to Mary Denise Lands who has been missing from Marshall since March 12, 2004. Mary Lands and her then husband, Gary Lands, were friends with Bart and Jenn Corbin. Rule told the Chronicle Thursday that she mentioned Mary's case in her latest book because she was struck by the fact that four women in Bart's life have either been killed or disappeared though she does not think he was connected to her disappearance. Police still probe Mary's as yet unsolved disappearance. Rule told the Chronicle she is willing to help in any way she can. See today's front page for more on what this author of 27 best selling true crime books had to say about this puzzling Marshall case.

Marshall defeated by Orchard Lake St. Marys, 3-0

Marshall’s varsity baseball team had high hopes going into Friday’s MHSAA Division II State Semi-Final tournament but Orchard Lake St. Mary’s dashed them 3-0 in seven innings at the contest played at C.O. Brown Stadium in Battle Creek's Bailey Park June 15. The Region 12 champion Redhawks defeated Gull Lake in the quarterfinal to earn the Friday appearance. Orchard Lake St. Mary's goes onto the state title game Saturday in the same venue. Their opponent was unavailable.

Arrow removed from injured swan

A message from Jim Carlin:
"Late this afternoon (Tuesday,) representatives of All Species Kinship in Battle Creek, Sophia
and Mike responded a 2nd time to meet with us at the Kalamazoo River.
They were not able to totally secure the large male swan, Dale, however were able to
remove the 28 inch arrow. Dale and his family then headed for a more quieter spot on
the Kalamazoo River, but it appears the swan will not even be in need of medical
treatment.
"The officials told local residents to monitor the behavior of the swan over the next
few days but the removal of the arrow clearly seems to have improved Dale's
disposition. They have offered to return if the swan appears lethargic and transport
him to a Kalamazoo veterinarian if medical treatment is required.
"Thank you to our friends in the media and to the many people who called offering
assistance. We heard from individuals all over Michigan and northern Indiana.
We will put up some additional information on the YouTube swan video. If you have
any questions, feel free to call All Species Kinship or myself.
Thank you again."

Jim Carlin
Justinian Investigative Services

Marshall beats Gull Lake in State Quarterfinal, 5-3

The Marshall Redhawk varsity baseball team has just knocked off another obstacle on their way to the state Division 2 baseball championship. Under the coaching of Jerry Triece, Marshall defeated Gull Lake in the state quarterfinal this afternoon 5-3 to advance to the state semi final game Friday against either Chelsea or St. Mary's at Battle Creek's C.O. Brown stadium in Bailey Park. Pitcher Ryan Sharpley relieved starter Darren Langford with one out and two men on in the sixth. After throwing two strikes to Gull Lake's Taylor Schultz, Sharpley's next pitch was drilled back to first baseman Ryan Underhill who caught the drive and stepped on first for the double play to end the inning with Marshall leading, 5-2. In the last of the seventh, with two outs, Sharpley walked the bases loaded and then walked in a run to make it 5-3. Facing Gull Lake pitcher Rob Frost at the plate, Sharpley struck out Frost on three pitches to earn the save and return the Redhawks to the semi-finals for the second straight year.Frost suffered his first loss of the season; he entered the game with a 14-0 record.
Following the game, coach Triece was doused with a cooler full of water for the third time this post-season.

Marshall 300 020 0 - 5
GullLake 010 010 1 - 3

Dark Horse Brew Pub goes smoke free

The Dark Horse brewery and tap room have joined other eateries around Marshall in going smoke free in anticipation of pending legislation being passed to make all public gathering spots free of cigarette smoking. See what owner Aaron Morse had to say as well as his patrons reactions in the Saturday, June 9 Chronicle, page 3, on newsstands now.

Marshall men taking school supplies to Peru

Marshall High School graduates Aaron Ebner and Dave Scott will be traveling to Choquencanha, Peru in July to renovate a library for school children through the Becky Fund, named for Ebner's late cousin Becky Prichard in order to carry on her work. See the touching story by intern Corinne Kellogg of how these two young men are setting aside their summer off from college to help the destitute children of Peru get their education in the Saturday, June 9 Chronicle, page 3, on newsstands now.

City schedules spring clean-up for June 25-29

After some question about whether the City of Marshall would follow through with budgeted plans to conduct curbside 'Spring Clean Up,' yet this year, council members Monday gave it the thumbs up.
Republic Waste Services will start 7 a.m. June 25 and finish spring clean up on June 29, according to city officials who urged residents to get their materials out to the curb no sooner than June 18 to prepare for the one-round only pickup effort.
The city allocated $14,000 in the 2006-2007 budget for spring clean up but due to the uncertainly of the material volume residents will put out this year, that figure could be exceeded, reported Deputy Director of Utilities and Infrastructure Tim Eggleston.
For more information on what the city will and will not accept at the curb, see the Saturday, June 9 Chronicle, page 2.

Your subscription balances...

We believe we have worked out a fair way to reimburse those who have unfulfilled Chronicle subscriptions who wish to have their money returned now that we are delivering the paper to your house free of charge. We will be issuing a Credit Voucher that will be good for either paper for classified ads, birthday ads, thank you ad, or whatever type of ad you choose. It will be good "forever" until you use it up. Also, you can transfer the voucher to someone if you like. However, we also hope you will want to contribute the balance to us to apply to the expenses of expanding our readership tenfold with this free delivery transition. It's your choice. We hope this helps clear up any confusion. Thank you for reading the Chronicle and Ad-Visor! Once again, please, keep those news tips coming! And of course, always let us know how we're doing.

This week's front page. Click for larger view.

Redhawks beat Mattawan, 4-2 and Dowagiac, 14-4 to win the region 12 title; take on Richland Gull Lake Tuesday in Battle Creek in state quarterfinal

Thank you for your patronage!

Thank you so very much to our loyal readers for your support. Our mission is to continue to work very hard in your behalf. We are not immune from the economic pressures that every Michigan business is facing and if we all work together to support one another, we can survive these tough times. We are thankful for every expression of support, whether it be monetary, written or verbal. They are not taken lightly.

Subscriptions...

We are getting questions from current subscribers about whether they will receive refunds. We are still working out the details of how to handle those paid subscriptions...please bear with us as we strive to iron out the details of this transition. Thank you for your patience. The first comment below is from Marshall Mayor Bruce Smith, who asked that his name be revealed in connection with the posting.

This week's front page. Click for larger view.

Door-to-door

Hello, readers! Just a little message here, from me to you...first, thank you for being readers! For those of you regular Saturday newsstand buyers of The Chronicle, buy no longer! Starting with the next issue, not only will we no longer have a Monday publication date, you will have only to step onto your front porch to get your paper - on Saturday. Yes, we have answered the call of our readers and our advertisers to take the leap and become a Saturday paper. But we've taken it a step further by expanding our distribution from 1,700 paid subscribers/buyers weekly to 10,000 homes and businesses across central Calhoun County. We will hand deliver the paper to you, where you live with your weekly Felpausch flyer, formerly delivered by the Ad-Visor. For those just passing through, you can pick up the paper at all of the current newsstand locations. Of course, for those outside the new coverage area, you can still purchase a subscription. With this change, we will be a reader supproted newspaper, much like NPR is a listener supported radio station. We hope you enjoy the convenience of getting your ONLY completely local news source free and at your doorstep. We pledge to continue offering the same quality local news reporting you've come to expect and rely upon, tackling the tough issues, hailing your successes and simply carrying the facts from the newsmakers to the citizens. Let us know what we can do to continue to strive to serve you better!