Wednesday, May 23, 2007

Budget may pinch custodial staff out of local schools

Monday's school board workshop has sent the district in search of an outside firm to maintain the school district buildings and grounds. That consensus has the support staff worried about lost jobs. We are working on this story. If you have an opinion on this method and other potential methods for saving the district money, send us a letter to the editor, chronicle@jasnetworks.net with your name and phone number.

Monday, May 21, 2007

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

Marshall celebrates Michigan Week

After a busy Saturday filled with fun and the annual Oaklawn Hospital Hospitality Classic in which our own sports writer, John Hendler was a participant, today kicks off the work week celebration of Michigan Week. Commerce Day recognizes the local businesses that help keep Michigan working. Today is the Manufacturer's Appreciation Luncheon at Schuler's, presented by Marshall Economic Development and the Marshall Area Chamber of Commerce. Today also marks the delivery of this week's Chronicle, featuring the sobering story of rising gas prices, the variety of science projects entered into the Gordon Elementary Science Fair and the disturbing testimony of a 15-year-old Marshall High School student who was sexually assaulted at least three times on school property during school hours by the same boy. The boy was bound over for trial on the most serious of sexual assault charges, first degree CSC. A second victim was also to testify about her own alleged victimization by the same boy at school one week after the other victim reported the incidents to police. Also in today's Chronicle, you'll read about what new Marshall City Manager Chris Olson did during his first week on the job, about the retirement of Marshall Middle School science teacher Bob Crandall after 38 years in the profession and see what happened when a large sign truck rolled over three times on southbound I-69. See where Calhoun Intermediate School District Superintendent, Chris Wigent, is going for his next, new job and read about what Parrish Excavating told the downtown merchants and building owners about the north and south alley repaving, storm sewer repair project that also includes conduits and vaults for the burial of downtown utility wires.
The project is set to begin today. The Chronicle is on sale all over town and at our offices, 514 South Kalamazoo Avenue. If you want to respond to anything we've written, please either post your anonymous comment here or email us at chronicle@jasnetworks.net.

Thursday, May 17, 2007

Spaghetti dinner for Relay for Life is Saturday

The Joseph Campbell Company's Relay for Life team is having a spaghetti dinner on Saturday, May 19 at the Marshall Moose Lodge, 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. The cost for adults is $6, children $3 and five and under are free.

Gas prices up, temperatures down

The same day the gas prices shocked motorists by shooting up to $3.49 per gallon for regular unleaded, a west Michigan storm swept through the area and took the temperatures from 85 degrees down to the mid 40s for the morning and 61 in the afternoon. That storm brought high winds to Marshall, toppling a large tree limb into a North Liberty Street power line, knocking out electricity to the northeast quadrant of the city, from 7:30 p.m. Tuesday to 12:30 a.m. Wednesday as citizen Paul Davis of Marshall reports. Thanks to Paul, we'll have his spot news photos of Marshall's electric crews working to restore power to the neighborhoods and businesses.
If you would like to offer your comments and quotes for our report on how the local gas prices are impacting citizens, please send your comments with your name and phone number to us at chronicle@jasnetworks.net.

Wednesday, May 9, 2007

Operational, debt millage bond proposals pass



The voters have approved both the operational millage and the bond debt renewal millage in the Marshall Public Schools. Proposal II will allow the district to make ADA, security and building HVAC improvements, along with technology upgrades with the $8.7 million the continuation of 4.45 mills still being levied from the 2001 bond issue will provide. The image above is courtesy ElectionMagic.com

Monday, May 7, 2007

And on page 4....


Pfc. Adam Lafferty, right, sent along this photo during a break in the action in Baghdad. Lafferty included a message about having been shot in the chest by a sniper when his humvee overturned but thankfully, his body armor saved his life. You can write to Adam at lafferty_recon1@yahoo.com.