The 75¢ ~Locally owned & independently operated since 1881~ Volume 140, Issue 5 Thursday, February 4, 2021 • (989) 539-7496 ••clarecountycleaver.net • Harrison, Michigan NOTICE Cleaver Gets School Expansion Sneak Peek CMDHD to receive Larson New Construction more vaccine doses The Central Michigan Progressing Well District Health Department Hillside Elementary, visitors were to date, will house the new gymna- kids can go up and down the nice shown irreparable damage result- sium and some 12 classrooms for posted a special notice Monday hill they made for us in the winter- ing from age and years of roof fail- grades 3, 4 and 5, along with on its public Facebook page. It time.” That, of course, was a refer- read as follows: ures. Combined with the basic administrative offices, RESD ence to the extraordinary difference Vaccine update: We expect need for building security and an offices, two Title I rooms, an art in lot elevation caused by the grade to receive 2,600 first doses and environment conducive to aca- room, a special education class- 2,175 second doses this week. demic achievement, the eye-open- room, lots of storage and, of changes needed to keep the entire This is the largest allocation ing tours laid a wide path to a suc- course, restrooms. Foote said the school on the same level. that we have received to date. cessful May 2017 millage vote. new gym will have bleachers and a “Soon, they’ll be putting in the In short drop-down projection screen simi- flooring and the cabinets,” Foote As of last Friday, we have vac- order, architec- lar in size to the one in the high cinated 6,860 people. We said. “They’ve got quite a bit done tural drawings school auditorium. appreciate your patience as we Piipe welding in a short period of time.” were finalized “They’re still installing conduit continue to vaccinate as quick- is just one of the He noted that exterior brickwork and construc- so they can pull all the wires,” ly as we can based on our sup- many jobs being was already being done on the back tion schedules Foote said, pointing up and noting ply. We are asking for your tackled Jan. 28 of the building, and pointed out pal- set. That led to how quickly things progress. patience as we continue to as the Larson lets of brick warming in the new Phase I work “They’ve been pulling all the data work through everyone who Elementary on the high drop wire. I came in here and none gym prior to installation. wants a vaccine. Thank you for School expan- school and of this stuff was here – I come in The open concept portion of the your understanding. sion. (Cleaver middle school two or three days later and I’ve got Larson building will see renova- A follow-up email also photo by Dianne buildings the a whole bunch of stuff.” tion/construction start immediately addressed those who have Alward-Biery) signed up for vaccination: summer of He also pointed out the installed after school recesses for the sum- When we have appointments 2018 – work ducting and that preparations were mer. Describing the projected work available, CMDHD will email completed shortly after the fall nearly complete for installing the schedule, Foote said the week after you (or call you if you do not semester commenced. drop ceilings, anticipated to hap- May 29 crews will come in and do have internet) to make an In July 2020, the City of pen the following week. exactly what was done at the high appointment. The information Harrison Planning Commission The walk-through was simple school: demolition and prepara- approved the site plan, and con- should come directly from enough, as the classrooms hall- tions for running plumbing and struction bids for Phase II were ways basically “horseshoe” around CMDHD. Emails should not be wiring, pouring floors, building forwarded to friends, neigh- approved by the Harrison the gymnasium, yet there was walls, installing bors, or family members, and By Dianne Alward-Biery The proposed changes were to Community Schools Board of plenty to see as a variety of work- doors/windows/drop ceilings, and appointments scheduled by for- Cleaver Staff Writer address not only the building inef- Education. That set in motion ers tackled everything from wiring warded emails/text messages HARRISON – This story began ficiencies and age degradation, but excavation/grading work in prepa- to HVAC to painting to welding. more. will be canceled. in 2016 when a dedicated group of also the shortchanging of students ration for the new construction at The site seems rather quiet from “It shouldn’t take them long to If you do not have internet knowledgeable individuals formed from inadequate technologies and Larson. In a few short months, a the exterior, but inside, it was a knock down stuff over there,” (or someone you know does not the Step Up For Our Students non-secure buildings. School tours gentle slope turned into a sizeable busy, busy place – steady work Foote said. “Just like the high have internet), they can call Committee and took on the task of in April 2017 made clear, visually, hill topped by a looming block punctuated by the lilting notes of school.” our local branch offices and informing the community what a the sad state of the structures, i.e., structure. On Jan. 28, HCS whistling echoing in the back- That was when Sarah Rust, HCS leave a message with their proposed millage would mean: not piecemeal barriers created by high Superintendent Rick Foote showed ground. name, phone number, county, only in property taxes, but also school and Larson Elementary the Cleaver around the worksite, Approaching one of the tem- See LARSON on page 10 and a brief message. We will what school upgrades would mean teachers desperate to separate their where progress is truly the order of porarily boarded over exterior return the call as soon as we for students and the community students from distractions caused the day. openings, Foote kidded that it was can and sign them up to receive overall. by “open concept” layouts. At This new Larson construction, “where the tow rope will go so the Man on Day Pass a call when there is more vac- cine available. Turns Himself in Please be patient with this Bipartisan commission focused on equitable distribution of safe, effective vaccine to save lives, strengthen economy process. The vaccine is in high Three Days Late demand and we are waiting to Protect Michigan Commission hosts first receive more vaccine from the Robert Anthony McAulay, 34, state and federal government. was released from the Clare meeting, highlights state’s vaccine strategy County LANSING – The Protect every part of our state,” Lt. Gov. communications to build public ated $90 million in additional Jail on a It’s a Budd Lake Michigan Commission, comprised Gilchrist said. “The best thing we trust. resources for vaccine distribution day pass of a diverse group of leaders from can do right now is to work togeth- -Data is used to promote equity, in Michigan through the by an Meltdown! across the state charged with help- er to ensure that Michiganders, track progress and guide decision Coronavirus Response and Relief order ing raise awareness about the safe especially those with questions making. Supplemental Appropriations Act. from the Come join the Harrison and those hardest hit during the -Resource stewardship, efficien- and effective COVID19 vaccine, Whitmer's MI COVID Recovery Clare Chamber of Commerce at Saxton’s pandemic, have a plan to get vacci- cy, and continuous quality plan will use this federal funding hosted its first meeting today and County Landing from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. unveiled Michigan’s COVID-19 nated. Our clearest path to healthy improvement drive strategic to ramp up vaccine distribution in Courts Saturday, Feb. 20 for a fun day on Vaccination Strategy. communities, a growing economy, implementation. Michigan and bring us closer to and Budd Lake. Fun for all ages! Established by Executive Order and day-to-day activities free from “I am proud to co-chair the our goal of 50,000 shots in arms There will be an ice-skating ordered 2020-193, the commission serves fear is through the COVID-19 vac- Protect Michigan Commission as per day. McAULAY rink, a path to pull sleds around, as an advisory group to Gov. cine.” we work collaboratively to get This funding will help provide to return plus a sledding hill. And a bonfire Gretchen Whitmer and the The governor has selected Kerry 70% of Michiganders ages 16 and financial support to local health by 6 p.m. that same date. to warm you up! Michigan Department of Health Ebersole Singh to lead the Protect older vaccinated with the safe and departments for vaccine adminis- McAulay failed to return as Hotdogs, cocoa, music will all and Human Services. Michigan Commission and assist effective COVID-19 vaccine as tration costs, including sta aug- ordered and a warrant was issue be provided! Just bring yourself, “The work of the bipartisan in mobilizing the ongoing efforts quickly as possible,” mentation, as well as provide for his arrest on Jan. 29. your skates and sleds. Protect Michigan Commission will of the commission. said Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, chief equipment and supplies. Michigan On Sunday Jan. 30 McAulay Join us as we put our Harrison help Michigan reach its goal of “Today marked the start of the medical executive and chief will also receive $575 million to turned himself in to the Clare Hornet Statue on the ice for our commission’s mission to protect deputy for health.