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