Olson breaks his silence

Marshall Public Safety Chief Mike Olson, who has been absent since he was placed on administrative leave Jan. 22-25, followed by an undisclosed status, broke his silence Friday when he returned a phone call from Chronicle Editor Shelly Sulser. Olson, whom city officials have said no longer works for the city (which is now advertising for a new director of public safety) has made a request of the city. See the Saturday, Feb. 16 Chronicle for what it is Olson is seeking and when that request could be granted. The Chronicle is delivered free, door to door to 11,000 homes and businesses in central Calhoun County and is available on newsstands all over Marshall and at the offices of the Battle Creek Shopper, 1361 E. Columbia Avenue.

At least five accidents close I-94

At least five accidents, some of which appear here, closed I-94 on both east and westbound sides between Helmer Road and 11 Mile Road Tuesday afternoon during slick road conditions and poor visibility. The wind caused brief white out conditions while snow that began earlier in the afternoon dumped heavy amounts causing roadways to become snow covered and hazardous. Traffic was running between 50 and 65 mph between Marshall and Battle Creek at 4 p.m. but numerous accidents starting at 11 Mile Road and continuing west reduced speeds to 5 mph. Police reportedly diverted westbound traffic onto Capital Avenue at about 4:30 p.m. Chronicle Editor Shelly Sulser witnessed numerous slide-off scenes in the median and on the shoulder and one pickup truck with front end damage. No reports of injuries are available at this time.

Blood drive Feb. 18 at Wright Building

A Red Cross Blood Drive is scheduled for Monday, Feb. 18 at Oaklawn Hospital from 11 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. in the Wright Medical Building on the third floor.
Anyone in good health who is at least 17 and weighs at least 110 pounds may give blood. There is no upper age limit. There must be at least 56 days since the last donation. It is important to eat a good meal and drink plenty of fluids before giving blood. There are a few medical restrictions such a recent surgery, taking certain medications, recent cancer, a non-sterile tattoo or body piercing in the past year or travel to certain foreign countries. The Red Cross head nurse at the drive can answer questions and is now encouraging donors to make appointments which will be given preference over walk-ins.
Call 1-800-GIVELIFE.
Donors must have a photo ID or donor card to donate.

Franke to award ultimate vacation

Area residents who would like to vacation in England, Tampa,
FL, or Chicago will have one last chance to win an
extravagant trip to one of these destinations this week.
The prizes are to be given away at a Valentine's party at
the Franke Center for the Arts, 214 East Mansion Street,
Marshall. The party, which will feature entertainment by
singer Randy Lake, begins at 7 p.m. with the drawing to be
held at 7:30 p.m.
A maximum of 500 tickets will be sold for the drawing,
according to Kathie Boyer, Franke Center Executive Director.
"That means the chance of winning is excellent."
The prizes include a week at one or more of three wonderful
bed and breakfast establishments in England plus a $5,000
cash card "that will easily cover your travel to England,"
two weeks at Saddlebrook Resort in Tampa, FL, with a $1,000
cash card, and a weekend in Chicago, IL, with a $500 cash
card. Also to be given away will be season tickets to both
the Franke Center series and the Marshall Civic Players'
season, and season tickets to the Franke Center. "Both
ticket packages are worth more than the price of the
ticket," Boyer said.
Tickets may still be purchase from members of the Franke
Center Board of Directors and at the Franke Center, 789-9677
between 1 and 5 p.m. daily.
For further details, please call the Franke Center for the
Arts.

Victorian Nesting party at Honolulu house

The Honolulu House will be the setting for a unique Valentine's Day exhibit Saturday February 16th from 12-5 p.m. Exhibits will include a Victorian "Nesting" party, how to host a Valentine's Day high tea and a unique floral display explaining the definition of each bloom to help you choose the perfect bouquet of affection. Also on display will be the wedding collection of Carrie Cameron who lived in the Honolulu House and the museum's own collection of Valentine's Day cards. The gift shop will be open and will include special markdowns on Valentine's Day merchandise. Admission is $5 per person. Visit the website at www.marshallhistoricalsociety.org for more details about this special Valentine's Day event.

Slight Warmup in the Midwest with More Snow to Come

AccuWeather.com News Forecast
State College, Pa. -- February 12, 2008 -- AccuWeather.com reports that as the major Eastern storm moves off toward the Atlantic, the Midwest will pick up 1 to 3 inches of snow and possibly ice and sleet to the south. Another storm system will bring a few snow showers to the northern Plains and Upper Midwest.

There will not be much of a break before the next storm system arrives Tuesday night to Wednesday with more snow and cold temperatures. The slightly milder temperatures will be a welcome change compared to the dangerous cold that affected the area last weekend and early this week.

Scam Alert issued today

PRESS RELEASE
February 12, 2008
For Immediate Release

SCAM ALERT

Today, Anne Norlander, Calhoun County Clerk and Register of Deeds, issued a Scam Alert. She received a faxed copy of a letter from the National Deed Service, Inc., 3330 Dundee Road, Suite S-5, Northbrook, Illinois 60062. The letter, addressed to Joseph and Mary L. Hepp of Battle Creek contained their Property Deed Document number and the date it was recorded in the Calhoun County Clerk and Register of Deed’s office. The letter stated that the U.S. Government Federal Citizen Information Center website recommends that property owners should have a certified copy of their deed and to obtain a certified copy of their deed they must complete the order form at the bottom of the letter and return it in the enclosed postage paid envelope with their payment of “$69.50”!

THIS IS A SCAM! even though there is a disclaimer on the form that states: many government records are available free or at a nominal cost from government agencies.

If Joe and Mary Hepp wanted a copy of their deed from the Calhoun County Clerk and Register of Deeds office, it would cost them $1.00 for their one page deed and $1.00 to certify the document. For $2.00 the Hepps would have their certified deed.

Please don’t be misled by this unscrupulous solicitation. Anne Norlander appreciates receiving a copy of this Scam Letter from Joe and Mary Hepp. Because of them, Norlander is alerting the citizens of Calhoun County and hopefully saving them a great deal of money. Please call the Calhoun County Clerk and Register of Deed’s office in Marshall at (269) 781-0707 for further information.

Anne Norlander
Calhoun County Clerk and Register of Deeds

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

Allman's Marshall Retail Center conceptual site plan to get review

Though it's not on the meeting notice and is only meant to gauge community support, Trae Allman and Kevin Nielsen's proposed site plan for the 63 acres they purchased at I-94 and Old US 27 North known as The Crossings will be a topic at the Feb. 14 Joint Planning Commission Meeting at Marshall City Hall at 7 p.m. said City of Marshall Zoning Administrator Natalie Dean. The drawing shows a 40-foot buffer zone along 16 1/2 Mile Road and is labeled the Marshall Retail Center.

City will put deputy chief hiring on hold until new chief found

City officials have said they are waiting for a decision from Public Safety Director Mike Olson before moving forward with the release of more but still limited information and with the search for his replacement in the wake of his sudden and unexplained departure Jan. 22. Olson was place on administrative leave that day until Jan. 25 and has been on an undisclosed status since. Det./Sgt. Scott McDonald is serving as acting chief while the fire service is being operated by its three, assistant fire chiefs. The deadline for deputy chief applications, to fill the vacancy left by the Jan. 6 departure of Brett Pehrson to accept a new job as chief in Coldwater, was Feb. 1. City Manager Chris Olson said the new public safety director will have a role in to play in the hiring of the new deputy chief.

Still no sign of missing Marshall woman

Police said Thursday they still have no clues as to the whereabouts of mentally disabled person, 28-year-old Courtney Helen Cook who walked away from her North Eagle Street home early on Jan. 19. Police are continuing the search.

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

Jan. 26, 2008 front page

Jan. 19, 2008 Front Page

Mike Olson is out

Marshall Public Safety Chief Mike Olson will not be returning to the City of Marshall staff, according to Marshall City Manager Chris Olson. Olson told the Chronicle this week that while Mike Olson's status currently has no description, the city will be seeking a new public safety director. Meanwhile, with the deputy chief position also vacant, Det./Sgt. Scott McDonald is filling a leadership position, along with Sgts. Josh Lankerd and Tim Bryant. Neither Mike Olson nor city council members will comment on the reason for the chief's departure but more information on his status could be forthcoming at Monday night's council meeting depending on the outcome of "a meeting" he is having today, Chris Olson said Friday. For an in depth story on this issue, see today's Marshall Chronicle, on news stands now.