Inside this week Meet the Cass City High School Class of 2020 Pages 10-13 Complete coverage of the Cass City community and surrounding areas since 1899 VOLUME 114, NUMBER 15 CASS CITY, MICHIGAN - WEDNESDAY, JUNE 17, 2020 .75 CENTS - 14 PAGES Driver crashes into medical care with 5-year-old in truck by Tom Montgomery Editor The driver of a pickup truck that crashed into the Huron County Med - ical Facility in Bad Axe Thursday night – with his five-year-old son in - side the vehicle – remains on the run, but Huron County Sheriff’s Department investigators say the suspect has been identified. The youngster was not hurt in the crash, but the suspect, who allegedly went on to steal a vehicle to flee the area, is believed to have suffered injuries, deputies said. The bizarre incident unfolded just before 11:30 p.m. when the pickup truck rammed into the medical care facility on South Van Dyke Road. “Deputies found that a 2008 Dodge pickup was eastbound when it left Please turn to page 6. School cancels meet A CONTRACTOR works by Tom Montgomery budget cuts, instead opting to hear to remove a pickup truck Editor the recommendations of an ad hoc finance committee when the board that smashed into the The Cass City Board of Educa - meets in regular session Monday, Huron County Medical tion canceled a scheduled special June 22. Care Facility in Bad Axe meeting early last week to discuss School officials, meanwhile, have provided some updates re - Thursday night, coming to garding prom and a planned com - rest inside the building’s mencement ceremony to honor chapel. Investigators say Village pool to members of the Class of 2020. Cass City School Supt. Jeff Har - the driver is believed to open this week tel said the board decided to can - have been hurt, but a pas - cel last week’s special meeting senger – his five-year-old in Cass City because there weren’t any new up - dates available regarding state son — escaped injury. by Tom Montgomery revenue cuts expected to signifi - Editor cantly impact schools’ 2020-21 spending plans, which by law Cass City Village officials Friday must be adopted by the end of this announced what a number of area month. On the job residents have been waiting to During their May regular meet - hear – plans to welcome swim - ing, board members formed an ad mers to Helen Stevens Memorial hoc finance committee, composed Pool for the summer. of board President Alice Zaleski, Village fellow Prusik to focus on economic development The village has been hiring life - Trustee George Batty and board guards and the parks department Vice President Janie Meeker, to make recommendations to the full by Tom Montgomery percent match of $6,000 required equipped to has been busy cleaning and Editor from the village,” Powell added. welcome preparing the pool for use, accord - board after hearing the estimates related to state cuts in per-pupil “(Cass City’s) 2020 budget in - new busi - ing to village Manager Debbie Cass City officials last week wel - cluded over three times that ness. Powell, who noted the Tuscola funding. According to Cass City Schools comed Josh Prusik, who will be amount to contract these services; Earning County Health Department has serving as the village’s Commu - therefore, allowing the village to the RRC Please turn to page 6. Please turn to page 6. nity Economic Development As - save significantly.” certification sociation of Michigan’s The RRC certification is basi - also opens (CEDAM) fellow. cally the gold standard for com - the door to “Josh will expand our organiza - munities in order to demonstrate state fund - tional capacity to prepare an eco - to prospective business and indus - ing opportu - Josh Prusik nomic development strategy and a try that they are developer- nities, marketing plan for the Village, friendly – ready, willing and Please turn to page 8. along with assisting with other community projects,” explained Cass City Village Manager Deb - bie Powell. “I am so grateful that Cass City Fall Family Days canceled has this opportunity to work with Josh over the next year on eco - Thumb Octagon Barn officials say the popular and unique barn and nomic and community develop - agricultural museum site near Gagetown will remain closed for the rest ment initiatives,” Powell said, of the year. noting Prusik will play a vital and “With much regret, the friends of the Thumb Octagon Barn Executive cost-saving role in helping the vil - Board has made the decision to cancel Fall Family Days for this year lage secure a certification that will and all other scheduled events,” the board announced in a news release pave the way for future economic issued Friday. “The site will be closed until further notice. growth. “Our first priority is the safety of our members, vendors, exhibitors “The village is pursuing the and patrons. After many discussions with health officials, our insurance MEDC (Michigan Economic De - agency and other organizations, it has become clear that large public JIM AND KELLI Shaw are the founding members velopment Corporation) Redevel - events cannot be safely carried out. of the Sebewaing Area Sewers for a Cause, an or - opment Ready Certification “Please know this was a very difficult decision that we did not take ganization that makes and donates cloth masks. (RRC) and many of the require - lightly, and we appreciate each of you for your understanding.” ments would require the village to As developments surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic remain very They recently made a second donation to Hills and contract out for these services at a fluid, officials say residents will find the latest information regarding Dales General Hospital in Cass City. (See story, substantial cost. the Thumb Octagon Barn on the website thumboctagonbarn.org and the “The CEDAM Fellowship pro - organization’s Facebook page at Thumb Octagon Barn Agricultural Mu - page 14) gram is a grant award with a 10 seum. It’s times like these when we learn the true nature of ourselves. Although those last memories of high school were cut short, there’s plenty of hope and excitement when we look ahead. So no matter how long we are required to be apart, we always fly as one. We are Cardinals, and we are here for you. LEARN MORE AT GO.SVSU.EDU PAGE TWO CASS CITY CHRONICLE - WEDNESDAY, JUNE 17, 2020 CASS CITY, MICHIGAN Cass City Schools name “students of the month” Nominated by: Nominated by: Mrs. Maurer Mrs. Schefka Characteristics he displays: Characteristics he displays: Alex is the son of Gregory Zachary is the son of David and Denise Woodruff. and Alex Woodruff is an Alissa Boulton. amazing young 5’s While working from home, student. During school he Zach completes all worked hard, followed di - assignments. In addition, rections and treated he is learning new skills classmates and adults such as the guitar, respectfully. When we science experiments couldn't be in school he did and writing creative lots of work and kept me stories. updated regularly on what I am proud of your he was doing at home. hard work Zach! Young 5’s Some of his favorite things: 1st Grade Some of his favorite things: Student of the Month is Chicken nuggets Student of the Month is Biking Alex Woodruff Playing Tag Zachary Boulton Playing Minecraft Swimming Nominated by: Nominated by: Mrs. Dorland Mrs. Murdoch Characteristics she displays: Characteristics she displays: Jocelyn is the daughter of Caralyn is the daughter of Andrew and Nancy LaFave. Bob and Cori Cotton. Jocelyn LaFave is a nice Caralyn is a very reliable girl! She is respectful, student. She has been helpful, and kind. She is a working hard to good friend to her class - complete her online work . mates. She has been putting She tries her forth her best effort to com - best and asks questions plete her online assignments when needed. during this time of at home learning. It is a pleasure to have her in class! Some of her favorite things: Pigs Some of her favorite things: Coloring 2nd Grade 3rd Grade Playing flute Riding her bike Arts & crafts Student of the Month is Taking care of her chicks Student of the Month is Grandma’s chicken tacos Caralyn Gniewek Jocelyn LaFave Nominated by: Nominated by: Fourth Grade Teachers Fifth Grade Teachers Characteristics she displays: Characteristics he displays: Emma is one Jack is the son of !$ smart cookie! Toby and Jessica Betts. She is a hard worker Jack Betts is a highly and she loves to adaptable young man. !! read and draw. He has stepped up and %% She is an amazing embraced online learning &$(&'% these past few months. artist too! We love #'!')# how responsible He eagerly awaits the !"!!! she is and we are posting of the assignments $!(#+ very proud of Emma! and gets right to work. We are proud and Some of her favorite things: appreciative of his ### Paints hard work and positive "$! Painting attitude throughout this ()'%") unique situation. 4th Grade Drawing 5th Grade $ !%)*!) Student of Some of his favorite things: Student of the Month is the Month is Basketball !%) Jack Betts Baseball Emma Daul Football Video Games Nominated by: Waterparks 6th Grade Team Characteristics he displays: Michael is the son of Logan Vanwonterghem and Kimberly Howell. Follow your favorite He is one of those students you’d like a room full alike. He is a hard worker, courte - ous and is helpful to other students in the students who may be having difficulty. You can depend on him to get things done, methodical and easy going. Cass City You will rarely seem him without a smile and a “Have a good day comment.” A great young man that displays all of the Chronicle 6th Grade Red Hawk traits.