Man Takes Own Life After Setting Fire to Home
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FREE but we take donations Presorted Standard US Postage Paid Permit No. 81 Cedar Springs, MI The SHOWCASING CEDAR SPRINGS & Reaching around the world ~ www.cedarspringspost.com Vol. XXXI No. 21 PThursday, May 24, 2018 STServing Northern Kent County and parts of Newaygo and Montcalm Counties Man takes own life after setting fire to home This pole barn was completely destroyed in a suspicious fire Friday A fire was set by the homeowner in the basement of this This shed near the home was also burned in the fire May 18. Post photo morning, May 18, 2018. Post photo by J. Reed home on Algoma Ave. Post photo by J. Reed. by J. Reed. by Judy Reed person to talk to him,” said to see what was going on, ending his life in the park- home on fire, as well as destroyed. Schrier. he saw the flashing lights of ing lot of the funeral home. the pole barn. He said they The fire was deemed When Paul Schrier vis- When he finished his police at the funeral home. It started early Friday sent out a second alarm on suspicious, and while fire- ited Bliss-Witters & Pike business at the funeral And then he heard another morning, May 18. Accord- the pole barn fire to call in fighters from multiple fire Funeral home last Friday home, Schrier noticed the shot. What Schrier didn’t ing to Algoma Township more aid. departments battled the morning, he walked by a man was still there in the know was that this was the Fire Chief Troy Guerra, they Guerra said they didn’t blazes, and the Michigan man sitting in his vehicle parking lot as he headed tragic end of the search for were toned out at 6:48 a.m. find anyone inside the State Police investigated the with the window down and over to Elmwood Cemetery Bruce Bott, the 71-year- to a structure fire at 12131 home. fire, the Kent County Sher- gave him a friendly hello. to dig more holes for the old Algoma Township man Algoma Ave, between 14 The fire also spread to iff Department followed up He doesn’t remember if the Avenue of Flags. About 10 who had set his house on and 15 Mile Roads. When a small shed behind the on information they were man responded. minutes later, Schrier heard fire and burned his property they arrived on scene, they home, which was extin- given about a contentious “I may have been the last a gunshot. When he looked earlier that morning, before found the basement of the guished. The pole barn was FIRE - continues on page 5 INSIDE THIS Lest we forget A way to remember: the ISSUE Odyssey of the Avenue of Flags mind page 2 Fatal crash Post photo by J. Reed. Post photo by J. Reed. Memorial Day services are conducted around this Civil War monument in Elmwood Cemetery each Memorial Day. The Avenue of Flags lines the road through Elmwood Cemetery, a reminder of many of the veterans that have served over the years. page 3 Memorial Day is a day to remember and honor By Judy Reed gion Glen Hill Post #287, each once a year. The Legion also those that gave their lives while defending our flag honors a veteran who is provides a pole and a plate at Sports country. It’s also a day to remember all those that It’s a majestic site each Me- no longer living. The flags are the base with the name of the have served and are now deceased. Inside this is- morial Day—hundreds of flags casket-sized, and according to veteran. sue are the names of many of the veterans buried standing proudly, unfurled in Paul, it began years ago when One thing many people may in area cemeteries (though not all), and we honor the breeze, against the pale families would give the Legion not know is that the veteran them with this issue of The Cedar Springs Post, blue of a sun-drenched sky. the flag they received at their does not have to be buried in on page 9-13. If you know of a veteran’s name They line the avenue that winds loved one’s burial. They would Elmwood Cemetery to have that is missing from the list, please let us know through Elmwood Cemetery hold on to it for the family, and a flag on the avenue. But they and we’ll add them for next year. on Northland Drive in Cedar then fly it once a year on Me- do need to be a veteran, have There will be several memorial activities and Springs. They are beautiful to morial Day. been honorably discharged, ceremonies taking place this weekend that resi- look at, but what is the story However, some families and have some connection with dents are encouraged to take part in: behind them? want to keep the original flag, Cedar Springs. A duplicate flag The Cedar Springs Historical Society will According to Paul Schrier, so the Legion allows families costs $50, and can be bought MEMORIAL - continues on page 13 treasurer at the American Le- to just buy a duplicate to fly FLAGS - continues on page 13 page 14 Page 2 The Cedar Springs Post Thursday, May 24, 2018 Odyssey of the Mind team at World Finals High school brings The Cedar Springs Odyssey of the Mind team, coaches, families and fans are heading jazz to brewery to the World Finals competi- tion in Ames Iowa! Opening ceremony was last evening, Wednesday May 23 and the awards ceremony is Saturday May 26. In between, the team will be pin trading, practicing their spontaneous and long term per- formance, sprucing sets, scripts and costumes, and meeting and interacting with teams from all over the world. Thirty-four of the U.S states are sending mul- tiple teams, and teams are also This Odyssey of the Mind team from Red Hawk Elementary will be competing at the World Finals this weekend in Ames, Iowa. Courtesy photo. ODYSSEY - continues on page 16 The Cedar Springs High School Jazz Band at the Cedar Springs Brew- ing Company. Photo by LeeAnne Whilden. The Cedar Springs high school jazz band performed at Sand Lake teen awarded the Cedar Springs brewery last Monday, May 14, 2018. The band, which is made up of 16 students, played under the direction of band director Charles Fallis. Congressional Medal of Merit “We just thought it was a good opportunity for the jazz Morgan Platz, of Sand Lake was awarded the Congressio- band to give back to the community at a great local restau- nal Medal of Merit by Rep. Justin Amash on May 5, at the rant,” said Fallis. Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum. She was recognized The Post asked Fallis when people might get to see them along with 33 other students in Michigan’s third district. again. “Hopefully there will be more opportunities to Morgan lives in Sand Lake and commutes 45 minutes hear the CSHS Jazz Band/Combo this summer. Details to come,” he said. 1565 Dagget Road 616-636-5565 Pierson 887-2060 ROBINSON Celebration for Men SEPTIC CLEANING, LLC www.robinsonseptic.net and Ladies of Honor IF YOU CAN’t flush... you maY NEED US! PORTABLE TOILET RENTALS Morgan Platz with Rep. Justin Amash. Serving Cedar Springs, Sand Lake, Howard City each way for school. She is a senior at the West Michigan and surrounding areas since 1979 Aviation Academy. She will graduate Summa cum laude on May 30. She has main- tained a 4.3 GPA while tak- ing several advanced place- ment and honors courses, as well as being an active member in student council, NHS and varsity women’s soccer. She is a flight student and was able to solo in No- vember 2017 and received her private pilot’s license in April of 2018. Morgan is the daughter of Tim and Deana Platz. Morgan will attend YOUR TEAM FOR Hope College in the fall. The Congressional Med- al of Merit recognizes high SPORTS MEDICINE school seniors who have demonstrated exemplary citizenship and academic excellence. Recipients were When it comes to pain in your joints and limbs, or unexpected nominated by their princi- injuries, traveling for care can be difficult. That’s why Spectrum pals or guidance counselors. Health United Hospital is excited to announce a new orthopedics and sports medicine team that can provide diagnosis, treatment The Cedar Springs Men and recovery right here in our community. Whether it’s an injury, Craft Beer, Wines, Sodas & Great Food and Ladies of Honor held consult or routine visit, we can provide answers, support and their first annual “Honors options so you can get back to the life you love. Brauhaus Celebration” at Cedar Springs Middle School on Spectrum Health is proud to welcome James Thiel, DO to United & Friday evening, May 11. Hospital and Spectrum Health Medical Group. Dr. Thiel specializes in Men and Ladies of Hon- sports medicine and general orthopedics. Together with joint specialist, Restaurant or is a Christian charac- Peter Ugolini, MD and foot and ankle specialist, Brian Buchanan, DPM, ter-building club for 6th- • German Tradition 8th grade young men and our team of Spectrum Health Medical Group physicians is accepting • Crafted in Michigan new patients and here to support your orthopedic health. young ladies. It focuses on building qualities such as When a young Tiriki man integrity, honesty, persever- ance, chivalry, compassion, wants to marry a woman, leadership and more. There he offers beer to her.