Police seek Ceresco attacker

A prowler who shot at a Ceresco homeowner Monday, July 28 is being sought by the Battle Creek Post of the Michigan State Police. Troopers said they were called to Mansie Street near Marshall Street at 12:50 a.m. when a 23-year-old homeowner reported having been shot at by one subject while investigating another subject, a prowler, in his yard.
The suspects were described as a tall, slender male with a dark complexion and a short, heavy set white male. The investigation is ongoing. If anyone has information about this incident they are asked to call the Battle Creek State Police Post at (269) 968-6115.
Troopers were assisted by the Calhoun County Sheriff's Department and Springfield Township Public Safety.

This week's front page. Click to enlarge.

Eddie Shaw at Marshall Blues Fest

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

Reubenfest, Blues take place in spite of rain

More than $4,000 was raised for the Fountain Clinic, a free medical care clinic in downtown Marshall, by professional and amateur eaters in Saturday's Third Annual World Reuben Eating Competition sponsored by Pastrami Joe's restaurant in downtown Marshall despite rain that was heavy at times. And, headliner Eddie Shaw appeared Saturday evening for the fifth annual Blues Festival See this week's papers for more on these and other stories.

Deputies seek help recovering property

On Tuesday, July 15, 2008 Calhoun County Sheriff's Investigators responded to a B&E
of a Pole Barn in the 22000 Block of 14 Mile Road, Convis Twp. Investigators are
attempting to recover a Mini Monster gas powered go cart that was stolen in the B&E.
The public can call 911 or Sgt. Art Draper at (269)781-0948 for suspect information
or investigative leads.

Tennessee wins VW plant

City Manager Chris Olson has announced that Marshall/Marshall Township did not win the anticipated VW assembly plant that had been proposed for the Gerholz property on C Drive. "We're obviously very disappointed," he said in a preliminary interview. The plant is reportedly going to Tennessee. "We heard the news," said Marshall Township Planning and Zoning Administrator Susan George. "I wasn't really expecting it but it is disappointing, nonetheless."
Gov. Jennifer Granholm issued this statement shortly after the news broke at 10:30 a.m. “We aggressively made a case for why Volkswagen should choose Michigan. Our highly skilled workforce and an unprecedented incentive package capped a full-court press to bring the company’s investment to Michigan. We will continue going anywhere and doing anything to bring jobs to Michigan. In fact, today we’re heartened by the announcement that Dow Chemical Company has chosen Michigan for the headquarters of its new joint venture, K-Dow that will bring hundreds of jobs to Michigan, and the approval of 13 other new projects in communities around the state. Together, these announcements will result in more than 7,500 jobs for Michigan workers.”
Volkswagen AG is headed to Tennessee to build cars in the U.S. after picking the southern state as the site for its new plant, according to the Associated Press.
Lower Saxony Minister President Christian Wulff, who sits on the supervisory board of Europe's largest automaker, said today the company picked the city after the board debated the merits of the location and its benefits.
Chattanooga, Tenn., beat out bids by Alabama and Michigan for the plant, which is part of the Wolfsburg-based company's strategy to increase its presence in America. See this weekend's Chronicle for more.

40 dogs rescued from Marengo Township home

Calhoun County deputies Friday night removed some 40 dogs living in their own feces from the home of a 66-year-old Marengo Township woman Friday night, according to a press release. The dogs, many of them puppies, were taken to the county animal shelter. The woman, living on 23 Mile Road near J Drive North, could be charged with felony animal cruelty. The case remains under investigation.

Mayor proclaims Relay for Life Week July 14

Marshall Mayor Bruce Smith last week declared the week of July 14 as Relay for Life Week in the City of Marshall. "Where the American Cancer Society is the nationwide community based voluntary health organization dedicated to eliminating cancer as a major health problem by preventing cancer, saving lives, and diminishing suffering from cancer through research, education, advocacy and service; and whereas by these efforts the overall, age-adjusted cancer mortality rate is declining and will continue to do so and whereas Relay for Life is the national signature event of the American Cancer Society and has raised more than $2.6 billion in funds since the first Relay for Life held in 1985; and whereas the Relay for Life is unique in this community in that it blends fundraising, cancer awareness and prevention activities, fellowship and support for cancer survivors and whereas the American Cancer Society will hold its 12th Annual Relay for Life of Calhoun County-East on July 18 and 19 with the goals of raising more than $135,000, honoring more than 450 cancer survivors and bringing together more than 2,000 community members to participate and whereas Relay for Life offers our community the chance to celebrate cancer survivorship, remember loved ones lost and fight back against a disease that takes too much from too many."

Pictured: Marshall Mayor Bruce Smith presents the proclamation to Calhoun County East Relay for Life Co-Chairs, Barb and Linn Osborn at the city council meeting July 7.

Monday fatal crash believed caused by distraction

Driver: Janice M. Merzweiler 69 years of age. Resident of St. Louis, Missouri
Passenger: Ronald R. Merzweiler 70 years of age. Resident of St. Louis, Missouri

On Monday, July 14, 2008 at 0919 hours Calhoun County Deputy Investigators were dispatched to a Personal Injury Accident located on I69 NB/Verona Road Overpass. The rollover accident involved one motor vehicle with two occupants. The male passenger was unresponsive and was later pronounced dead at the scene.

The preliminary investigation has revealed at the time of the accident Janice Merzweiler was driving and her husband, Ronald Merzweiler was positioned in the right front passenger seat. The couple reside in St. Louis, Missouri and they were en route to a conference in Troy, Michigan. The Merzweilers were wearing their seatbelts. Speed and alcohol are not a factor in this case.

Janice Merzweiler stated she was traveling in the passing lane and became distracted momentarily as she attempted to reach down to pickup a water bottle from between the front seats of the minivan. Janice indicated she looked down briefly. Janice then refocused her attention back to the highway and realized her vehicle left the roadway. The vehicle began to travel onto the shoulder of the roadway towards the median and an orange construction sign. Janice attempted to correct, however, was unable to maintain control of the vehicle. The vehicle rolled several times in the median and then came to rest on its wheels.

Despite rapid emergency personnel response and medical treatment, Ronald Merzweiler died at the scene. Ronald Merzweiler was transported to Sparrow Hospital for an autopsy. Janice Merzweiler was transported to Oaklawn Hospital in Marshall, MI for treatment of what is believed to be non life threatening injuries. The investigation will remain open pending the autopsy results.

The Calhoun County Sheriff's Office was assisted by Michigan State Police, Marshall Fire Fighter Ambulance Service, Marshall Township Fire Department and Michigan Department of Transportation.

I-69 lane back open at 10:59 a.m.

**Northbound I-69 now has both lanes open to traffic**

This week's front page. Click to enlarge.

Crash closes one lane NB I-69 near Verona TODAY at 10:12 a.m.

The left lane of northbound I-69 is closed near Verona Road in Calhoun County due to a crash. Both lanes of southbound I-69 are open.



Julie A. Hurley
Southwest Region Communications Representative
Michigan Department of Transportation
hurleyju@mi.gov
269.208.7829 (Nextel)

For lane closure information visit
michigan.gov/drive

Community mourns MHS vocal music director

Former MHS vocal music director Kathryn Petrich, who had resigned June 30 to begin a new job at Walled Lake High School near Detroit, was found dead in her Battle Creek home July 6. A bus load of 50 of her former choir students attended her funeral Friday in Flint and sang pieces she had taught them to sing for concerts this past school year, according to Petrich friend, Rhonda Stepp. Another memorial service at her Battle Creek Church is scheduled for 1 p.m. Saturday, July 26. See today's Chronicle for reflections on Petrich and her 12 year career with Marshall Public Schools.

Garage sale ordinance closer to reality

After more than an hour of debate among themselves and with input from only one city resident, Kathy Miller, at a public hearing, the Marshall City Planning Commission tonight voted unanimously to recommend that the Marshall City Council adopt an amendment to the zoning code that would regulate garage sales. The language, however, has changed from the originally proposed limit of no more than two sales per year lasting no longer than three days in residential zones. The newly proposed language now recommends allowing sales three times per year, no more than four days each with participation in a citywide garage sale set by resolution of city council not counted against the quota. This, if passed, would allow for up to a total of four garage sales per year of personal items. And, Estate sales were added and would be covered by the ordinance if approved. See this Saturday's Chronicle for more on this story.