FREE All it takes is to grab one! Presorted Standard US Postage Paid Permit No. 81 Cedar Springs, MI The Reaching around the world - www.cedarspringspost.comST Vol. XXIX No.P 3 Thursday, January 21, 2016 Serving Northern Kent County and parts of Newaygo and Montcalm Counties Smokin' hot wedding Celebrate National Creative Technologies New Year New You Boys basketball win causes 911 call Blood Donor month Academy school news Business & Finance against Greenville page 2 page 3 page 5 pages 8-9 SPORTS - page 12 Empty house catches fire, later torn down By Judy Reed A house that was sched- uled to be demolished was the site of a structure fire on Wednesday, January 13. According to Cedar Springs Fire Chief Mar- ty Fraser, the call came in about 8:28 p.m. on a struc- ture fire at 157 N. Main, which is just north of Cedar Creek. When they arrived, flames were seen on the sec- ond story. Fraser said they cut in around the chimney on the south side to go in and stop the fire, which burned through the wall and floor. The building, which was purchased by the Commu- nity Building Development Post photo by J. Reed. Team in October, was sched- uled to be torn down, and all The house at 157 N. Main, just north of Cedar Creek (on the west side of the street) was the site of fire on January 13. utilities had been turned off. “We can rule out natural Marshal deemed the fire sus- on Tuesday, January gas or electric as being a picious but undetermined. If 19. Mabie said they cause,” remarked Fraser. you have any information weren’t originally Both Fraser and CBDT about the recent fire, they are looking to purchase the president Kurt Mabie said now offering up to a $5,000 house, but when it was that there was evidence reward for any information offered, he thought it that people had been in the leading to the arrest and/or would be a good deal The house at 157 N. Main was torn down on January building over the last couple conviction of anyone on ar- for the people of the 19, as scheduled. Photo by M. Fraser of weeks. “We secured it but son-related charges. You can community. The prop- A reward is being offered for information related to the they are creat- an ampitheatre west of the fire at 157 N. Main. Post photo by J. Reed. they still got back in,” said call the Kent County Sher- erty is just north of Ce- ing along Cedar library, and a Community Mabie. iff Department at 616-632- dar Creek, and runs back to they have no immediate Creek, which will eventu- building on the old Johnson A K9 searched the prem- 6015 or Arson Control at the White Pine Trail, to other plans for the property, but ally have a boardwalk and Lumber property across the ises but found no traces 1-800-44-ARSON (27766). property the team purchased it will enhance the beauty bridge, along with a new li- White Pine Trail. of accelerant, and the Fire The house was torn down on Pine Street. Mabie said and park-like atmosphere brary just south of the Creek, Man killed in crash Time to afterA man who was leaving a longtime the scene. work employee of Vitale’s Pizza in The 37-year-old Cedar Cedar Springs was killed after Springs man driving the Ca- leaving work Sunday evening, dillac sustained minor injuries pucker up!Lynn Marion's, of Ce- January 17, when another car and was treated on scene. dar Springs, winning lips from the Best hit him head on. Police said that weather may Lips Contest 2015. According to the Kent have been a factor in the crash. County Sheriff Department, It is unknown whether alcohol William Rowan, 48, of Grand was a factor. The crash is still It’s almost Valentine’s Day, and that means it’s Rapids was headed south- under investigation, and the time for some fun at the Post. As always, we want bound on White Creek Av- name of the other driver has to know who has the most luscious lips in Cedar enue, just south of 17 Mile not been released. Springs—male or female! Show us your lips by en- Road, in an Oldsmobile Cut- A gofundme page has been tering our 23rd annual “Best Lips” contest by Febru- lass, about 10:24 p.m., when set up for Bill’s wife, Coreen, ary 1. We’re going to let YOU—the readers—decide a Cadillac headed north on who is also a Vitale’s employee, who wins! We will print the finalists in our paper on White Creek crossed the cen- and their six-year-old son Levi. Thursday, February 4. Then readers will go online to terline and struck Rowan’s You can visit it at https://www. our website to vote for who they think should win. vehicle. gofundme.com/a8jvycdg. Winners will be announced in our February 11 edi- He was pronounced dead at tion. See details on page 6. William Rowan and his wife, Coreen. Page 2 The Cedar Springs Post Thursday, January 21, 2016 CS Historical Society receivesCedar Springs Mayor Jer- award from city ry Hall presented the Cedar Springs Historical Society Representatives Fred Gun- nell and Sharon Jett with the “Making a Difference Award” at the January City Council Meeting. Hall cited the museum’s contribution to our com- The bridal party of Esther Couturier poses with the Cedar Springs Fire Department, who came and saved munity in maintaining our the day for Esther and her groom. Photo by M. Ellick. history. Gunnell and Jett noted the many long hours of hard Smokin’ hot wedding causes Sharon Jett and Fred Gunnell, of the Cedar Springs Historical Muse- work put in by the volunteer um, listen to Mayor Jerry Hall read the “Making a Difference” award had met him on a mission Springs Fire Chief Marty board of the Historical Mu- proclamation. Photo courtesy of S. Wolfe. 911 call trip to Zimbabwe and many Fraser, it first came across seum. of his family had traveled dispatch as a fire alarm, then Jett also explained the Some unexpected, but not here for the ceremony. that there was smoke in the Rockford Museum Board Michigan sees lowest unwelcome, guests turned Just before the ceremony building. He said they took plans to hold their month- up at the wedding of a local was to begin, the Master of two engines, and ventilated ly meeting here in Cedar graduate last weekend. Ceremonies lit the fire in the building with fans. Springs to learn more de- gas prices in nation Esther Couturier, a na- the fireplace, but the vent The bridal party joked tails from our museum. tive of Cedar Springs and was not completely open, around with the firefighters Several gas stations in a former Red Flannel court and smoke filled the room, and had the photo above Houghton Lake waged a member, was marrying her necessitating a visit from taken to commemorate the price war last weekend, fiancée from Zimbabwe at the Cedar Springs Fire De- unusual event. bringing gas to well be- Pine Lake Campground last partment. The wedding then went low $1 a gallon for the weekend, January 16. She According to Cedar on as planned. first time in years. Gas Buddy reported on Sun- Your hometown local floor-covering floor-covering store store 1565 Dagget Road 616-636-5565 day that the lowest price forfor 3433 yearsyears Pierson 887-2060 was 78 cents/gallon, ROBINSON but it fell even lower to 47 cents, before rising again. On Wednesday, SEPTIC CLEANING, LLC the price was $1.31 in www.robinsonseptic.net Houghton Lake, which IF YOU CAN’t flush... you maY NEED US! is in central northern PORTABLE TOILET RENTALS Michigan. Rockford Floor Covering, Inc. In Cedar Springs, gas Serving Cedar Springs, Sand Lake, Howard City was at $1.67 Wednesday Visit us at 10704 Northland Drive 616-866-2748 and surrounding areas since 1979 (at press time), which was also the average in Michigan. GUARANTEED FINANCING File Your Taxes SmartChoice Automotive with us and 195 N MAIN ST. CEDAR SPRINGS, MI DRIVE TODA Office# 616-918-6677 EASY Financing for Everyone! Y! $ $ 2008 PONTIAC SOLD$6,750 2010 CHEVROLET$ 20,699 2008 CHEVY 8,995 2008 FORD 9,500 G6 HHR SOLD IMPALA ESCAPE XLT 3.5L V6, 4 4CYL., GREAT ONLY 72K DOOR, CD, GAS MILEAGE, V6, ONLY 45K MILES! 3.0L V6, GREAT GAS FWD, CD, AIR, MILES! VERY CLEAN MILEAGE, WELL 105K MILES LIKE NEW! 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ROW, AWD, TONNEAU COVER, TOW PACKAGE, CD, 20” WHEELS, LOADED! 117K MILES 110K MILES LOADED! COME SEE US MONDAY-FRIDAY 10-7 AND SATURDAY 10-3 Thursday, January 21, 2016 The Cedar Springs Post Page 3 POST HIGHLIGhts Resolve to become a lifesaver ma”this took the family year down an- pages 1-3 Celebrate National other frightening path in 2004 News ......................................