Hills and Dales ER Celebration of Thumb Local vets, scouts team recognized woman’s life on tap share lessons Page 4 in village of Ubly Photos, page 16 Page 12
Complete coverage of the Cass City community and surrounding areas since 1899
VOLUME 113, NUMBER 7 CASS CITY, MICHIGAN - WEDNESDAY, APRIL 24, 2019 .75 CENTS ~ 16 PAGES Drowning School board claims life reviews bond of Thumb work update by Tom Montgomery man Friday Editor
by Tom Montgomery A bond construction update Editor prompted Cass City Board of Ed - ucation officials Monday night to A Unionville man lost his life in discuss scheduling additional a drowning accident Friday after - work in the district this summer, noon. thanks to some estimates coming Lt. Jim Lang, assistant com - in under budget. mander of the Michigan State Po - School Supt. Jeff Hartel noted lice Tri-City Post, Freeland, the 2018 capital improvements identified the victim as Kenneth budget was originally set at Woloszyn. $2,458,900, but the latest figures Lang reported troopers from the estimate that total at $1,933,553, MSP post in Caro were dispatched to a residence on Cottage Drive in Please turn to page 6. Unionville to investigate the acci - dent. “Tuscola County Central Dis - Scholarship still patch advised that they received a DIANE RAPSON-Gabil (left) and Rose Putnam accepted the 2019 Tuscola transfer call from Huron County honoring teen’s Central Dispatch indicating a 63- Stars group category award on behalf of the Friends of the Thumb Octagon year-old male had been pulled Barn during Thursday’s 17th annual Tuscola Stars breakfast at the Tuscola memory; auctions from the water and was unrespon - sive, Lang said, noting Cottage Technology Center in Caro. set this weekend Drive is a private residential road located on the eastern shore of the Saginaw Bay in Tuscola County’s by Tom Montgomery Akron Township. Editor “Troopers responded to the scene Shining stars Paul DeLong lost his life in a and were assisted by rescue per - sonnel from both Akron-Colum - tragic farming accident 20 years bia-Wisner (ACW) Township and County honors volunteers who quietly make a difference ago, but family members and McLaren Bay Region EMS ambu - friends have made sure his mem - lance services. The victim was ory has remained very much alive pronounced deceased on scene. by Tom Montgomery ple Thursday morning at the Tus - help clean up the waterway and through a scholarship fund that “During the investigation, troop - Editor cola Technology Center in Caro, improve the water quality is (his) has benefited nearly 180 high ers learned the man was attempt - where a host of individuals, goal,” Pierce added. “To expand school graduates in the Thumb. ing to repair his boat dock and “This is the celebration of be - groups and agencies were recog - the use of the river, this ‘star’ Live and silent auction items are remove weeds from the water. longing, being part of something nized for their contributions to works with property owners to se - being accepted for a fundraiser The man’s wife went out to check beyond ourselves – family, friends, residents throughout the county. cure more access points along the that will benefit the Paul DeLong on him and discovered him float - our neighborhood, and the larger This year’s winners in four dif - river.” Memorial ing in the water,” Lang said. community. Shared values and ferent categories are: Suuppi’s efforts include playing Scholarship “The wife was able to get help faith bolster the feeling of belong - *Individual category – Gene Su - a key role in organizing annual Fund. from a nearby neighbor who at - ing and reinforce the solid rela - uppi, a retired state of Michigan clean-up days along sections of The tempted to pull the victim from tionships that define our lives. Department of Environmental the river, including a project last fundraiser the water but was hindered by Community makes us part of Quality (DEQ) inspector, was summer south of Cass City, where will be Sat - high winds and rough water con - something that was there before us honored as this year’s outstanding volunteers collected and disposed urday, April ditions. The victim was also wear - and will outlast us.” —Unknown individual “star” for his volunteer of dozens of old tires littering the 27, at the ing rubber waders, which had work focused on improving the waterway. Sanilac filled with water, making it diffi - Tuscola County honored its own Cass River. Also nominated in the category County cult to get him out of the water. It last week, focusing the spotlight “The Cass River is a gem in Tus - were Suzette Bennett, Bernadette Fairgrounds is estimated the man may have on the spirit of volunteering – cit - cola County and provides our res - Cain, Cheryl Deike, Karen Good - in San - been in the water for as long as ten izens giving of their time and tal - idents and visitors with a great child, Carl Holmes, Ron Johnson, dusky. minutes.” ents to benefit others and, in the place for rest, relaxation and Marianne Karpovich, Kelly Kish, Auction An autopsy was scheduled to de - end, making Tuscola County a recreation. This volunteer has Mandy Knox, Chris LaBerge, item sugges - Paul DeLong termine a cause of death, accord - better place to live and work for dedicated many years to ensuring Sarah Piazza, Todd Squires, Sarah tions include ing to Lang. everyone. its future,” Gene Pierce, Tuscola Tyson and Val Humes. gift certificates, homemade crafts, Troopers were assisted by The 17th annual Celebrating Tus - Stars Planning Team co-chairman, *Group category – The Friends home and garden items, seasonal Unionville police and the Tuscola cola’s Stars awards breakfast drew said of Suuppi. of the Thumb Octagon Barn took items, and farm and show items. County Medical Examiner’s Of - an attendance of roughly 125 peo - “Rallying many volunteers to Please turn to page 8. Please turn to page 6. fice. Glaspie closing the (law) books on nearly 30-year career on the bench
by Tom Montgomery cluding their children and grand - political science in 1977. He Editor children. Their son Zach, an in - earned his law degree in 1980 dustrial real estate appraiser, and at the Thomas M. Cooley Law Kim Glaspie wasn’t aspiring to his wife, Liz, have two young School. serve as a judge during his years sons, Cameron and Quinton, and Prior to taking on the role of as a successful attorney, but when reside in Brighton; daughter judge, Glaspie served as a Tus - the opportunity came along, he Samantha, an attorney who shifted cola County commissioner knew accepting an appointment to her career interests to event plan - representing the Cass City the bench was the right choice. ning, and her husband, Wil, also area. He ran as a Democrat and That was back in 1990. Now, 29 an attorney, live in Ann Arbor; and was first elected in 1986, then years later, the Cass City native daughter Alyssa resides in Santa reelected to another two-year and Tuscola County’s longest- Monica, Calif. term in 1988. serving district court judge is em - Glaspie, whose mom, Gerri After accepting the appoint - bracing another major change in Glaspie, still resides in the Cass ment to serve as a judge, his life – retirement — for the City area, was among six candi - Glaspie closed his own private same reason. dates vying for the county’s dis - law practice after 10 years, “I’ve thought about it for a long trict court position when knowing he was not only fac - time, looked at the pros and cons then-Gov. James Blanchard ap - ing a new role in the legal sys - of staying or retiring. It just pointed him to the post in April tem, but also the challenge of seemed like the time to do it while 1990. He succeeded the Honor - gaining voters’ confidence be - VETERAN TUSCOLA County District Court Judge my health is still good,” said able Richard F. Kern, who had fore the next election, just Kim David Glaspie – only the second district court Glaspie, 63, who has watched been the sole district court judge eight months away. judge to serve in Tuscola County – is gearing up for some of his peers lose out on that in Tuscola County, serving for 21 In the end, he emerged the opportunity due to health issues. years before retiring prior to the victor among four candidates retirement after 29 years on the bench. His tenure of - “It just felt like it’s time to move end of his last term. seeking election to the judge - ficially ends June 14, but collecting on vacation time on to another chapter, to wake up A 1973 Cass City High School ship for a six-year term – in - in the morning and do what I want graduate and a former Cass City cluding attorneys Duane he has coming will enable him to step down May 13. to do, not what I have to do.” Junior Citizen of the Year recipi - Burgess, John Bishop and Gov. Gretchen Whitmer will appoint a replacement Among the things Glaspie and ent, Glaspie prepared for his ca - David G. Myers – in the 1990 to complete the remainder of Glaspie’s current term, his wife of nearly 42 years, Jackie, reer in law by enrolling at the non-partisan primary vote. would like to do are travel and University of Michigan, where he And, three months later, he de - which expires at the end of 2020. spend more time with family, in - earned his bachelor’s degree in Please turn to page 7. PAGE TWO CASS CITY CHRONICLE - WEDNESDAY, APRIL 24, 2019 CASS CITY, MICHIGAN Cass City Schools announce March students of the month
Nominated by: Nominated by: Mrs. Maurer Mrs. Bechler Characteristics he Characteristics she displays: displays: Jamison is a very nice Courtney is an absolute boy. He works hard and pleasure to have in class. gives his best every day. She is always kind, He is a great friend and respectful, and works treats children and adults hard in every aspect of with respect! He is an school. She is a great awesome friend and is always will - Kindergartener! ing to lend a helping hand to others. Some of his favorite things: Kindergarten Playing Xbox & board 1st Grade Some of her favorite things: ! & ()"$ + (% Student of the Month is games with his family, Student of the Month is Ice cream, playing with going to his friend’s her dog, Toby & playing Jamison Palmer house. Courtney Kempisty with her siblings ! ) ** "+- &"+ +!' "*+ !,)! % + )- ** "+- Nominated by: Nominated by: '*+ ( )*'& Mrs. Dorland Mrs. Milligan Characteristics she Characteristics he $$ +! "++$ +' ) ) "# +* displays: displays: Kaelyn is a great helper. Tyler consistently works She sees things that need hard. He is a good friend to be done and jumps in to his peers. Tyler always to assist others. She tries tries his best and looks her best, is kind, respect - for the good in others. ful, and will ask ques - tions if she doesn’t Some of his favorite things: understand. Soccer, football, Some of her favorite things: friends, 2nd Grade 3rd Grade spaghetti Catching bugs, math, Student of the Month is playing with Daniel at Student of the Month is Kaelyn Spangler recess Tyler Pergande Nominated by: Nominated by: The 4th Grade Teachers The 5th Grade Teachers Characteristics she Characteristics he !$ displays: displays: Jannah is a sweet young Michael regularly dis - lady who goes above and ! ! plays the characteristics beyond to make sure her % % of SOAR. In addition, he work is detailed and cor - is polite, a hard worker, &$( &'% rect. She is a very kind cooperative and always girl and gets along well # '! ') # pleasant. Michael also with her peers. Jannah is $! (# + has a very positive atti - responsible and is always tude. will-ing to lend a helping hand. ### Some of his favorite things: " $! 4th Grade Playing with his rabbit, 5th Grade () '%" ) Some of her favorite things: Student of the Month is Student of the Month is reading, Swimming, camping, tag, drinking hot cocoa !% ) *!) Jannah Sheikh playing with my cats & Michael $ dogs, X-box, hanging out with friends VanWonterghem !% ) Nominated by: The 6th Grade Teachers Characteristics he displays: Mason is very conscien - tious with his home- work and enjoys doing well on tests. His goal is to do a job and to do it well. He plans on be - & coming a civil or me - chanical engineer. Mason has an unending supply , &$'' $#! + *"' of questions! , &'& %( $#' !! , & '!( $# $ &"' 6th Grade Some of his favorite things: 12th Grade Student of the Month is Wrestling, classic rock, , !! (+%' $ $#((' Student of the Month is especially Queen, steak Rebecca Morrish , $! # $!' Mason Brown & macaroni & cheese, , !''' &% & “Rebecca is an amazing student both at Cass City reading, beating his Dad , !) &$'' --%&( %#( at ping pong Jr./Sr. High School and at the Tech Center where she is also employed through their co-op program. She has great attendance and one of the best attitudes I ! "" & ! have experienced in my teaching career. She works hard and has had her eye on the prize so to speak… # "" #& Follow your favorite her future. As well as academic games she is involved in Student Council, NHS, and other activities as per - % tains to the tech programs. As she is approaching Red Hawks in the graduation it has been my pleasure to talk with her about her future. She is going to MSU to study Foren - Cass City Chronicle sic Accounting. Rebecca also is looking forward to college and the new stage of her life. Subscriptions I am so proud to have watched this young woman grow and look forward to her future which I know as low as she will face with her sense of humor, big smile, and sense of direction.” ~ Mrs. Sean Zawilinski Some of her favorite things: $25.10 /yr Favorite subject: Math. Hobbies: Watching Netflix, reading, and playing video games. $" Call 872-2010 Weekend Fun: Hanging with my friends and going to ! # the movies. Favorite Movie: Wonder Woman. Favorite Snack: Cheese Sticks. , )($ , $" )' #'' ,!( #(' your world $ $ " $% $" ing hom " $"# !% "% r e '' (+ '' (+ B Keep up-to-date on the local events, sports and many other subjects with your newspaper. You’ll also find entertaining features like Sudoku puzzles, columns and more. Home in on the information you need. Read your newspaper! CASS CITY CHRONICLE 989-872-2010 CASS CITY, MICHIGAN CASS CITY CHRONICLE - WEDNESDAY, APRIL 24, 2019 PAGE THREE Drier Humor by Mary Drier Puppy love forever
Clarke Haire Tom Montgomery Publisher Editor This April has been kind of a difficult month for me. Dogs Go To Heaven.” How could they not? They My last dog, Sergeant, was born April 5, 2005, and love unconditionally. And, dog is God spelled back - passed away in mid-April 2016. wards. To some, he was just a dog. To me, he was my best friend and faithful companion who truly loved me. Parents have role in Even though it has been two years since my fur baby passed, I miss him. For some reason, this year I really miss him and have done a lot of whining on Face - cyberbullying today book about the loss of my dog as well as posting a lot of dog pictures and sayings about dogs. I have al - ways had a dog since I was a child. I miss the love and companionship of a buddy with a cold, wet nose. Michigan has a new, tough law providing stiff penal - A wonderful man from Cass City, who I am aquat - Rabbit Tracks ties for cyberbullying, but health experts say parents inted with, offered me one of the lab puppies his son by Clarke Haire has. It was a wonderful, extraordinarily generous can help to curb problems before they become serious offer that I would desperately love to take him up on. by keeping a close eye on their kids and their technol - But I have a difficult time just being able to take care ogy devices. of myself. I have to use a wheel walker to get around, (And anyone else he can The new rules went into effect March 27. It was a and because I have a breathing disorder (COPD), I have a hard time trying to walk and breath. get to help) long-overdue response to a serious problem. A 2017 Because of those issues, I sadly had to turn down study conducted by the Centers for Disease Control his generous offer. and Prevention, for example, revealed that nearly 15 Back in 2005, I was thinking about getting a dog to percent of high school students were electronically bul - train as a kind of therapy dog that I could take to sen - ior homes and schools, but mostly I just wanted a dog We asked Daryl Iwankovitsch, Knights of Colum - lied in the 12 months prior to the survey. to help me cope with my son being “stop lost.” He bus Council 8892 Michigan Drive program chair - Michigan’s new law defines cyberbullying as posting only had a few months to go to when his time serving man, for information on the local organization’s a message or statement in a public media forum about in the U.S. Army would be up, but the powers that recent Tootsie Roll fundraiser held near the down - any other person if both the message or statement is be decided Uncle Sam needed him more, so he had town stoplights. to do another tour of duty. “Our Tootsie Roll drive is for mentally handicapped intended to place a person in fear of bodily harm or He was only a few months into his second tour in citizens. More simply, we use the money to help death and expresses an intent to commit violence Iraq when he was killed a few days before he was handicapped people. This year, after expenses for against the person, and the message or statement is scheduled to come home on leave. He had planned the tootsie rolls were paid, we have $2,655.88 to do - posted with the intent to communicate a threat or with to propose to his girlfriend at that time and to meet nate,” he said, adding, “The State Council gets (20%) the man I was dating who had asked me to marry $531.18 for State donations to the handicapped, knowledge that it will be viewed as a threat. him. while locally we are donating to Cass City Schools In a nutshell, “public media forum” is defined as the It was a devastating blow — a gut punch like no Special Ed $445.00, to Owen-Gage Schools Special Internet or any other medium designed or intended to other to the soul. Because he died overseas, it took Ed $150.00, to Highland Pines Special Ed $100.00, about two weeks from the time I was told of his death to Sacred Heart SPRED program $350.00 (this is a be used to convey information to other individuals, re - to the funeral. religious group for handicapped citizens in this gardless of whether a membership or password is re - I went ahead with my plans to get a puppy for some - area), and to the Tuscola County Special quired to view the information. thing to hug and love and to help me through it. The Olympics $1,079.70.” Individuals found guilty of cyberbullying another per - family I got Sergeant from had 12 puppies they had Thanks to our community’s generosity, we are do - rounded up for me to pick from. Being puppies, they nating more this year than we have in the past 10 son can be found guilty of the misdemeanor punishable were too busy running and playing, so gathering years. We had 59 members work the drive this year, by up to 93 days in jail and/or a maximum fine of $500, them together for me to make a selection wasn’t hap - reported Iwankovitsch. and if they have a prior offense could face up to a year pening. in jail and/or a $1,000 fine. I remember saying, “Okay, which one of you wants to come home with me.” A little black ball of fur ********** And the law goes further – violations that display “a stopped playing, sat at my feet and looked up at me. continued pattern of harassing or intimidating behav - He was the one. I named him Sergeant after my son’s ior” that causes serious injury to the victim could face rank in the Army. With National Small Business Week approaching – a felony that carries a maximum five-year sentence May 5-11 - and over 50% of the U.S. population No matter how sad you are, when watching a working for a small business, the personal-finance and/or a $5,000 fine. And a person convicted of con - puppy’s antics you just have to laugh or at least smile. website WalletHub recently released its report on tinued online harassment leading to a death can be He helped me through that difficult time. 2019’s Best Small Cities to Start a Business. sentenced to a maximum of 10 years in prison and/or Two years later when I was battling cancer and was To determine the most business-friendly small mar - going through chemotherapy, Sergeant was stead - kets in the U.S., WalletHub compared more than a $10,000 fine. fastly by my side night and day. His love and devo - 1,200 cities with fewer than 100,000 residents across Cyberbullying is bullying that takes place over digital tion was a comfort. 18 key metrics. The data set ranges from small busi - devices such as cell phones, computers and tablets via Dogs don’t care if you gain weight. They don’t care ness growth rates and accessibility of financing to in - social media websites (Facebook, Twitter, etc.), text if your hair turns gray, and they don’t care when you vestor access and labor costs. slow down and have to use a cane or a walker. They Their number one small city to start a small business messages, instant messaging and email. just love no matter what. They give unconditional is Holland, Michigan. According to the website www.stopbullying.gov, love. youths who are being cyberbullied may exhibit a vari - Sergeant has been gone two years and I still miss ********** ety of behaviors, including avoiding social activities him and think of him often. His antics over the years and social situations, anxiety over attending school, provided plenty of fodder for some columns. dropping grades or other changes in school perform - A dog is the only entity that will love uncondition - The Thumb Area Michigan Education Association- ance, changes in mood that are different from normal ally. I have only found that in a few people. Retired group will meet April 30th at the Charmont teenage behaviors, obsessive checking of texts or social Several years ago there was a movie called “All Restaurant in Cass City. There is a social hour begin - ning at noon, when members may purchase their media sites, and withdrawing from family and friends. lunch. At 1:00 PM guest speaker Rose Putnam will Experts encourage parents to engage their kids in dis - explain the huge quilt pieces painted on numerous cussion about responsible behavior and practicing on - barns around the Thumb. Membership is open to all Michigan retired public line safety, speak frankly about the dangers of online school employees. For more information, call 989- behavior and online bullying, urge youth to block or 479-6988. delete disrespectful friends from social media, set limits on daily computer and cellphone usage, and be aware Hospital employees go of their online activities. above, beyond the call ********** It’s equally important to document incidents of cyber - bullying (keep a record of what is happening and Editor, Over the weekend, I watched a pair of documen - where). Most social media platforms and schools have taries on the TV. clear policies and reporting processes. If a classmate After a recent doctor’s visit, she ordered a blood First, was Free Solo. It’s a story about rock climber test. Of course, Hills and Dales was where I went. Alex Honnold’s ascent of El Capitan’s famed 3,000 is cyberbullying, report it to the school. If a child is re - Since I am using a cane, I parked in the handicap foot rock face in Yosemite National Park – without ceiving physical threats, call the police. parking and walked into the hospital. ropes. We applaud lawmakers’ action on a very real problem, The lobby is very welcoming, lots of space, new I liked that story so much that I watched another and we hope parents will do their part to ensure future chairs. It is awesome and money well spent. documentary titled Meru. It’s a story of three rock I went to the registration desk and Rita helped me. climbers that scale Mount Meru in Northern India generations of youngsters can go online without fear Ready to go, I asked Rita if the lab was a long walk. that sits 21,000 feet above sea level.The layout of the of being harassed or attacked. mountain’s perversely stacked obstacles makes it Please tun to page 12. both a nightmare and an irresistible calling for some of the world’s toughest climbers. Hauling over 200 pounds of gear up 4,000-feet of technical, snowy, mixed ice and rock climbing is actually the simple News Staff part of this endeavor. After crossing that gauntlet you PUBLISHED EVERY WEDNESDAY reach the Shark’s Fin itself: 1,500 feet of smooth, AT 6550 MAIN STREET, CASS Clarke Haire nearly featureless granite. There are few pre-existing CITY, MICHIGAN, by Clarke Haire, Publisher fissures, cracks or footwalls. It is simply a straight publisher. [email protected] sheet of overhanging rock. Tom Montgomery Both shows were amazing, I just wish I had watched 6550 Main Street Periodical postage paid at Cass City, Michigan 48726. Editor them on the big screen at the Cass Theatre with sur - P.O. Box 115 [email protected] round sound. POSTMASTER: Send address changes Krysta Boyce Cass City, MI 48726 to CASS CITY CHRONICLE, P.O. BOX 115, CASS CITY, MI 48726. Sr. Sales Executive Phone: (989) 872-2010 [email protected] ********** Fax: (989) 872-3810 National Advertising Representative, [email protected] Michigan Weekly Newspapers, Inc., Deb Severance Email: [email protected] 257 Michigan Avenue, East Lansing, Cass City High School and Central Michigan Uni - Michigan. Composition versity grad Rod Hutchinson returned home for a Website: www.ccchronicle.net Mary Drier short visit the other week. For information regarding newspaper Freelance Writer, Columnist While in the Thumb, he visited the Bob Seger advertising and commercial and job Tina Pallas printing, telephone: (989) 872-2010. themed bar in Unionville – Cat Man Do. (USPS 092-00) Columnist His take: somewhat of a dive, but the food was amazing. Sounds like a place I should try. PAGE FOUR CASS CITY CHRONICLE - WEDNESDAY, APRIL 24, 2019 CASS CITY, MICHIGAN # "('*# $+- .0 )'//'*% '/#). '* /