How will City Manager Chris Olson's upcoming departure impact Marshall?

With Marshall City Manager Chris Olson informing the City Council late Monday of his intention to resign from office next June, how will the city fare in the next six months? Will his impending departure impede city business and progress or will the coming months usher in a new attitude and working relationship within the council and the city? We'd appreciate your comments and also like to hear who you think should be the next city manager.

Hughes students brave elements for Toys for Tots

Despite single-digit wind chills, first-graders from Hughes Elementary didn't let the elements stop them from dropping off presents at Wacky Willy's for "Toys for Tots" Monday.

MHS varsity girls' basketball fall in OT

The Marshall High School girls' basketball teams opened their 2008-09 seasons on Tuesday at home against Loy Norrix. The varsity squad lost to the Silver Knights in overtime, 65-60. PIctured are Brittani Mackey driving to the hoop and Emily Townsend puts up a shot. Both the MArshall freshman and junior varsity teams were victorious.

Marshall High School Media Center ribbon cutting

The newly renovated and expanded Marshall High School Media Center had its official opening Tuesday evening. On hand for the ceremony were Marshall PUblic School Superintendent Dr. Joyce Phillips, Media Center Director Shannon Clark. Board of Education President Vic Potter as well as representatives from Kingscott Architecture and CSM, who helped design and construct the new media center that was part of the May 2007 school bond issue.

Marshall Holiday Parade

Parade-goers braved below freezing temperatures and icy sidewalks to watch the 44th Annual Marshall Holiday Parade Monday night. The event emcees were Dottie Brown and John Marsh. For Brown, this was her last parade before she leaves Marshall in the coming weeks. A host of bands, floats and organizations made their way down Michigan Ave. Also pictured are the Mar Lee School Marching BAnd and Brownie Troop 265.

Happy Thanksgiving

This week's Public Opinion question asks what you are thankful for in your life. Feel free to send in your comments on wha's important to you as we celebrate Thanksgiving and enter the Holiday Season.

A search for a new MPS superintendent

In a school board workshop and community forum on Wednesday, representatives from Michigan Leadership Institute or MLI, spoke with board members and community citizens about what they'd like to see in the new superintendent for Marshall Public Schools. Wednesday's dialogue was the kickoff of several that will take place next week between MLI and various focus groups throughout Marshall. In mid-November, MLI will present the board with a brochure about the school district that potential candidates will receive if they apply for the position. THe job is expected to be posted in late November through the first week in January.

MHS hosts Pennfield in playoff football Saturday at 1 p.m.

THe Marshall High School varsity football team will host Pennfield at 1 p.m. Saturday in the first round of the Div. 4 playoffs.
The Redhawks had a 6-3 regular season record, while the Panthers were 7-2. The winner will play the winner of the Williamston-Goodrich game that takes place Friday.

Sam Bosserd laid to rest

Longtime Marengo Fire Chief Sam Bosserd was laid to rest Monday. Following a funeral service at the United Methodist Church, more than 50 fire trucks from area fire companies made their way through downtown Marshall and headed passed the Marengo Town Hall. The final fire truck, carrying Bosserd's casket, was draped in black and purple, the traditional colors for a fallen firefighter.
See today's Ad-Visor and Saturday's Chronicle for more photos.

Woman with HIV and her husband at MAHS

Barb Wise, who is HIV positive and her husband, Rick, returned to Marshall on Monday and spoke to students at the Marshall Alternative High School about making "Wise Choices" and the consequences of making bad choices. Over the past week, Barb and Rick spoke to students at more than a dozens area schools.

Dramatic Action Theatre fundraiser

Let’s talk Broadway: 75 years from Gershwin to Sondheim in performance this weekend
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Dramatic Action Theatre Company is preparing for a fundraiser concert celebrating 75 years of Broadway Musicals. Plans are underway for this exciting concert as Executive Directors, Laura and Brian Dirschell and Randy Lake prepare selections from favorite Broadway musicals taking the audience back in time to 1930 right on through musical numbers of modern day.
Some musical numbers performed are “Oh What a Beautiful Mornin’” “Summertime”, “My FunnyValentine”, “Some Enchanted Evening”, “Promises, Promises”, “What I Did For Love”, and “Buenos Aires” to name a few.
Joining the Dirschell’s and Randy Lake are Tim Lake as Emcee, Kerry Wilson as guest singer and Dr. David Sly as piano director.
Dramatic Action Theatre Company is an artist-driven
professional organization that exists to bring innovative, affordable and exciting theatrical productions to Southern Michigan.
“One of our main goals is to promote the theater as an essential art form by presenting a wide range of both musical and non-musical works and strive for the highest caliber of artistic excellence”, states RandyLake.
“We are so excited to put together a show that we hope everyone will love: you can’t go wrong with Broadway. This fundraiser
is a show for all ages”, states Laura Dirschell.

Marshall Brass may close its doors

Marshall Brass, which has laid-off dozens of workers in recent weeks may be sold or put on the auction block.
Tuesday morning, the Chronicle received word that the company, located at 450 Leggitt Rd might be sold or put up for auction.

Marshall Public Schools hosts community forum tonight

The Marshall Publics Schools Board of Education will host a community forum tonight at Marshall High School from 7-9 p.m. in the cafeteria. At 6:50 p.m., the board is expected to approve Michigan Leadership Institute as the firm that will conduct the search to find a new superintendent. The board is also expected to approve the hiring of interim administrators to fill the positions of assistant superintendent and director of finance and operations.

Marshall football wins first of season

The Marshall Redhawks varsity football team got into the win column Friday night beating Loy Norrix, 35-6 on Marshall to improve their season record to 1-2. Next up is Niles next Friday in the Homecoming game. Running back Jamar Wimberly had 82 yards on 15 carries and scored one touchdown. At halftime, sponsors of the new football scoreboard were honored.

Marshall area citizens attend Obama rally at C.O. Brown Stadium Aug. 31

Marshall Chronicle/Battle Creek Shopper staff photos

Barack Obama and Joe Biden

Marshall eighth grade teacher Leslie Hagelgans (right)

Campaign volunteer, Ian Schnaitman of Marshall

63rd Dist. State Rep. Candidate Phyllis Smith (D-Battle Creek)

7th Dist. U.S. Rep. Candidate Mark Schauer (D-Battle Creek)

Calhoun County Board Chair/62nd Dist. Candidate Kate Segal