Art in the Eye piece destroyed by vandals

The person or people responsible for smashing a $630, original sculpture in the Art in the Eye outdoor exhibit in downtown Marshall Dec. 26 could be facing a criminal charge for malicious destruction of property. "Sorrow Monk" in front ofthe Mole Hole in downtown Marshall was found early Wednesday in small pieces scattered on the sidewalk. Police are investigating.

Eaton demolition of long time assembly plant tops Marshall 2007 stories

An informal poll of the year's top 10 stories of 2007 revealed that readers believe the demolition of the 300,000 square foot, 70-year-old Eaton Corporation Hanover plant was the top story of 2007. The disappearance of the massive building changed the Marshall landscape and the way hundreds of people earn their living. See the Dec. 29 Chronicle for more on the year's top stories.

Tradesman picket in Marshall

A group of skilled trades workers picketed in front of the Consumer's Energy training center in Marshall Thursday saying a subcontractor on the job pays substandard wages to out of town workers. See the Dec. 29 Chronicle for more on this story.

Christmas tree disposal CHANGED

The City of Marshall Public Works Department notified The Chronicle Wednesday, Dec. 26  that the pickup dates for Christmas trees has changed: The city will now be picking up Christmas Trees placed at the curb on Monday, January 7 and Tuesday, January 8, 2008 (pending any snow plowing.) Do not place the tree in the street, said Deputy Director of Infrastructure, Tim Eggleston.
"There will be no pick-up after these dates," he said. "Remove all nails, decorations, or any other hazardous materials on or in the tree." Call (269) 781-3985 or email teggleston@cityofmarshall.com with questions.

Marshall beats Lakeview at buzzer, 52-50

The Marshall High School boys' varsity team remained unbeaten at 6-0 after senior center Matt Roberts hit a shot as time expired to give the Redhawks a 52-50 victory at Lakeview Friday night.

Following his shot, Roberts was greeted by teammates Bobby Feight, B.J. Konkle, No. 4 and Jake Fox, No. 44.

After holding a double digit lead for most of the contest, Marshall saw the Spartans comeback to tie the game, 50-50 after a Bobby Perry three-pointer.

Following a Marshall timeout with 2.4 seconds to play, junior guard Konkle hit Roberts with a pass in the lane and Roberts hit the shot off the glass as the buzzer sounded.

With  the victory, Marshall is alone at the top of the Southwest Michigan Athletic Conference's East Division with a 4-0 mark.

Lakeview fell to 3-1 in the division and 3-3 overall.

The Redhawks next play Saturday, Dec. 29 when they host Olivet.

Walberg announces $11,794 grant for Marshall police dept.

U.S. Congressman Tim Walberg (R-MI) today announced the Marshall Police Dept. will receive a $11,794 grant from the Dept. of Homeland Security as part of the Commercial Equipment Direct Assistance Program. The grant will pay for a TacSight SE35 Advanced Thermal Imager.

"I am pleased to announce this grant which will greatly benefit the outstanding Police Dept. in Marshall and improve law enforcement and emergency response services in Marshall," Walberg said.

See this Saturday's Chronicle for more information.

(* Note to commenter: See the link, about half way down the list to the lower right, to Walberg's running voting record.)

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Oaklawn accepts child patients

Oaklawn does admit children of all ages for many conditions. 

"We are not a 'Children's Hospital' that specializes in high-risk pediatric cases. When we run into those cases we stabilize the patient and make immediate arrangements to transfer to a tertiary care facility (such as they have in Kalamazoo or Ann Arbor). But for non-critical childhood ailments where hospitalization is called for, we do admit young children and have beautiful new pediatric rooms that are designed to provide space for a parent to stay overnight, should conditions allow," said Marketing and Public Relations Director Dan Stulberg.

His comments are in response to an announcement this week that Battle Creek Health System is not admitting children under the age of eight due to a shortage of pediatric nurses.

"We do not have pediatricians on staff, but Oaklawn/Marshall physicians see sick children virtually every day and have taken additional training in the care of pediatric patients. Our Emergency nurses have Emergency Nurse Pediatric Certification and we have 20 RNs with PALS training (Pediatric Advanced Life Support)."

 In short, we admit pediatric patients that we feel certain we can meet all of their healthcare needs. Cases that require pediatric specialists are transferred.

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Smoking ban goes into effect Jan. 1

The county's ban on smoking in public places (except bars and restaurants) takes effect Jan. 1. See this Saturday's Chronicle (Dec. 15) for more on what employers and employees will be expected to do to avoid being reported to the Health Department and fined.

Will Marshall have to go back to the drawing board?

The City of Marshall is banking that an amendment to Public Act 448 will be passed by state legislators in time for the city to follow through with its intent to sign three, 50-year contracts with AMP Ohio for future electricity purchases for city customers. But should the amendment, HB 5384, fail to allow the city to participate in the outside power plant construction projects, the city will be forced to look elsewhere for the needed megawatts to round out the city's 8 megawatt need when Constellation supplemental energy contract expires at the end of 2008. The state will require municipalities to diversify their energy source portfolio so this could create a serious problem for the city should 448 remain intact. See the Dec. 8 Chronicle for more on this issue.

Pratt guilty on all four counts

After listening again to the victim's testimony, the jury in the Christopher Luke Pratt assault with a dangerous weapon, unlawful imprisonment, domestic violence and interfering with a telephone communication trial found him guilty on all four counts at 10:12 a.m. today. Pratt reportedly sat emotionless as the foreman read the verdicts. He could get up to 15 years in prison at sentencing Jan. 7.

"Marshall's a lot safer place now with him off the streets," said father of missing Marshall woman and former Pratt girlfriend, Mary Lands. "Mary was treated the exact same way as these women (current victim and former wife who testified.) She had broken bones - broken toes and broken fingers."

Marshall said after leaving court this morning after the verdicts, he stopped at the sign asking Where is Mary? on Michigan Avenue, got out, jumped up and down and said, "Justice is coming for you, babe."

Marshall beats Albion, 48-38

The Marshall High School (MHS) boys' varsity basketball team opened their season with a 48-38 victory over Albion Tuesday night at MHS. Matt Roberts led the Redhawks with 12 points as eight players scored for Marshall. Trailing after the first quarter, 11-9, the Redhawks held the lead at halftime, 26-20 and held Albion to just four points in the third quarter. In the fourth quarter Albion pulled to within six points, 37-31, but two Roberts' free throws and a layup extended the lead to 10 points, 41-31 with just under three minutes to play. The boys are back in action Friday when they host Sturgis at MHS.

Pratt takes stand

Chris Pratt demonstrates how he held the alleged assault victim in a bear hug on June 24, 2007 when he took the stand in his own defense Tuesday. Closing arguments are set for Wednesday morning.

Prosecution surprises defense with new evidence

The jury on day four of the Christopher Luke Pratt unlawful imprisonment, domestic violence and phone destruction trial heard only two witnesses today who spoke only for about five minutes each. The two women are co-workers of the alleged victim, a 35-year-old Marshall woman. After their testimony, Chief Assistant Prosecutor Dan Buscher told the judge outside the presence of the jury that over the weekend, he came into possession of 20.8 hours of recorded telephone conversations that  Pratt had from jail with various family members involving 95 calls. He said five of those calls contain incriminating comments about the alleged crimes for which he is on trial. Defense attorney J. Thomas Schaeffer objected on the grounds that the prosecution had plenty of time to obtain and transcribe those records since Pratt has been lodged in jail since June 24. Judge Stephen Miller ruled only one call could be heard by the jury but references to other cases must first be redacted. The case continues tomorrow at 9 a.m.

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