LOOK INSIDE: The first whiff of spring usually comes in the form of a skunk INSIDE THIS ISSUE: $ WHY DO WE SUNDAY EDITION1.00 CHANGE OUR CLOCKS? SPRING FORWARD ONE HOUR AT 2 A.M. SUNDAY MORNING Weekend VOL. 21 NO. X SUNDAY, MARCH 9, 2014 2012 & 2013 NEWSPAPER OF THE YEAR tctimes.com ONLINE Soaring gas prices driving motorists mad COMMENTS u World conflicts, stock markets TRI-COUNTY TIMES Fenton | TIM JAGIELO police, how causing fluctuation in prices A myriad of things ‘‘can you By William Axford • [email protected]; 810-433-6792 cause the fluid- not see the Motorists are feeling the pain at the pump. The ongoing conflict ity of gas prices. dozens of in east Europe has speculators theorizing oil production will slow, This Speedway drivers that on Owen Road in are texting while driving? driving up prices at the gas pump. Gas that averaged $3.26 a month They weave, they don’t ago in the greater Flint area now averages $3.72. Fenton has un- proceed through stop See GAS PRICES on 18A leaded for $3.799. signs or green lights. Start ticketing, do your damn job.” Michigan dead last in funding roads and bridges Driver in fatal Doesn’t wrong-way bother me uStill spends ‘‘a bit that an arrogant, $154 per resident crash charged cheating — on construction, uProsecutor says both in golf repairs each year and marriage — Tiger teen had blood alcohol Woods is not winning. As By William Axford any golfer can tell you, [email protected] content of .197 golf is a mind game. Michiganders may By Sharon Stone Tiger is simply reaping [email protected]; 810-433-6786 what he sowed.” very well be driving upon the worst roads in During a press conference on The best the country, especially Friday, Genesee County Prosecutor David Leyton announced that the way to stay since state officials 18-year-old Swartz Creek teen who ‘‘informed spend less per capita and involved reportedly caused a fatal wrong-way in Fenton on road and bridge crash in Mundy Township has been politics is to maintenance than any charged with eight counts including read the Times. Remem- other state in America. second-degree murder. ber, they’re spending our Using data from If convicted as charged, Zachary money, not theirs. Re- the 2010 U.S. Census, member the sign fiasco? Lee Parker faces up to life in prison. Tens of thousands of our the Michigan Infra- Mariah Bailey-Collins, 35, of dollars wasted and no structure and Trans- Mt. Morris was killed in the crash one held accountable.” portation Association See FATAL on 11A (MITA) reports Michi- Tiger is gan spends $154 per hurting the ‘‘PGA? He won person annually on seven tourna- infrastructure. Neigh- ments last boring states like Ohio year. Most See ROADS on 15A pros haven’t won seven in their career.” Will Rogers said TRI-COUNTY TIMES TIM JAGIELO it best: A fool and his ‘‘money are soon elected.” Brian Waller of the TRI-COUNTY TIMES | TIM JAGIELO Fenton DPW fills pot- Genesee County Prosecutor David holes along Poplar Leyton (right) announces charges against Zachary Lee Parker, 18, of HOT LINE OF Street as traffic waits Swartz Creek. The teen faces up to THE WEEK to go around him on Wednesday. life in prison for allegedly causing a Most so-called fatal crash in Mundy Township. conservatives don’t know‘‘ that Ronald Reagan raised taxes 11 times, supported a Accepting the challenge of Lent ban on assault rifles, supported the Brady u TRI-COUNTY Annual lead-up to Easter a time Bill that mandated TIMES background checks TIM JAGIELO of prayer, fasting and sacrifice to buy a gun, and Students By Tim Jagielo • [email protected]; 810-433-6795 established amnesty with St. John Fenton — On Ash Wednesday, Fr. Dwight Ezop of St. John for 3 million illegal im- School fill the the Evangelist Catholic Church and six lay ministers distribute migrants. Ignorance is “cry room,” the ashes, smudging foreheads with a cross. bliss. adjacent to He’ll either say, “Turn away from sin and follow the gospel,” the altar dur- or “Know that you are dust and unto dust you will return,” which ’’ ing the 8:30 is a reminder of the parishioner’s mortality. a.m. service. See LENT on 17A 2A Sunday, March 9, 2014 WEEKEND TIMES tctimes.com The right choice for senior care, Caretel Inns Offering personal care in an intimate setting. 2 New Assisted Living Inns Now Open! Come for the Open House Specializing in: March 26 • Assisted Living • Memory Care th • Skilled Nursing & Short-Term Rehabilitation 2-7 Food & Entertainment!pm • Respite Care Enter a Drawing to Win Prizes! Call or stop by for a personal tour! Caretel® 202 S. Bridge Street • Linden Inns of Linden One block south of downtown Linden www.caretelinns.com (810) 735-9400 SUNDAY, MARCH 9, 2014 PAGE 3A www.tctimes.com NEWSANDFEATURES Police&Fire report WRONG FUEL CAUSES VAN FIRE On March 3, at 4 p.m. Holly police responded to inves- tigate a vehicle fire at one of the home lots at Hawai- ian Gardens trailer park PROGRESSIVEHEALTH.COM on Grange Hall Road. The Rheumatoid arthritis can flare 61-year-old female resident up in the winter months. said that a few days prior to the fire her 67-year-old husband had accidentally Weather extremes put diesel fuel into the gas causing adverse tank instead of gasoline. She health issues said she had planned to have someone drain the tank as • Heart attacks soon as she had extra money. • Arthritis Her husband tried to fix the TRI-COUNTY TIMES | TIM JAGIELO • Migraines problem, however, while he Harold Krueger isn’t sure if feeding birds is allowed under local ordinances. “Nobody said • Depression was working on the van, the anything,” said Kruger. “If they wanna put me in jail over that, have at it.” Dodge Caravan caught fire. By Sally Rummel The fire damaged part of their [email protected]; 810-629-8282 home. The van’s registra- You know it’s going to rain Crackers for quackers today because your achy knee tion was expired and it was uninsured. Because it was every day, I started asking has already told you so. This a safety hazard, Armstead uRose Township man the staff if they could save I bring is just one example of how weather can affect your health, Automotive towed the vehicle any leftover bread for me. out a feeds ducks every day and scientists are becoming away from the site. I bring out a big bag every ‘‘big bag day, and it’s gone in about increasingly aware that vari- along the river every day, ous weather extremes can ac- By Sally Rummel five minutes.” Krueger estimates that and it’s count for some adverse health TRI-COUNTY TIMES [email protected]; 810-629-8282 symptoms. Fenton — Harold Krueger spent his 82nd about 150 ducks surround gone in him as soon as he winds his Of course, Michigan’s excep- The Tri-County Times is published semi- birthday on Thursday the same way he has spent way down to the river. He’s about five tionally harsh winter this year weekly by Rockman Communications, every day this winter — feeding the ducks along could account for higher rates 256 N. Fenway Drive, Fenton, Michigan the banks of the Shiawassee River in Fenton. only missed five days this minutes. 48430. Serving the communities of: Fen- winter, when he took a quick of depression, but even spring ton, Linden, Lake Fenton, Holly, Hartland, “I’ve always watched the ducks, and I noticed this Harold Krueger and summer bring about their Byron, Gaines, Davisburg, Swartz Creek winter they always seemed hungry,” said Krueger of five-day trip to Florida to and Grand Blanc townships of: Fenton, ’’ own bouts with varying health Rose Township. “Since I eat at Mancino’s just about visit his daughter, Karen Shutes, and her family. Holly, Rose, Tyrone and Argentine. “On the days I haven’t had bread to feed the birds, issues. contact information I’ve brought bags of corn,” said Krueger. Cold weather General Office ................ 810-629-8282 Advertising .................... 810-629-8281 It’s been a cold winter for Krueger to begin Heart attacks: One U.S. Classifieds ...................... 810-629-8194 this new hobby. “I’ve been out here when it’s study found an 18-percent Circulation ...................... 810-433-6797 Hot Line .......................... 810-629-9221 been as cold as 10 below,” said Krueger. He increase in heart attack deaths Fax .................................. 810-629-9227 also took a pretty bad fall about a month ago. in winter and a 10- to 12-per- Email .................... [email protected] Website..............................tctimes.com In addition to the Mallards, there are two white cent decrease in summer. The HOURS: Pekin ducks that aren’t able to fly, but still love reason? Cold weather may Mon-Thurs: ...................8 a.m. - 5 p.m. to eat whatever Krueger brings for them. constrict blood vessels or lead Friday: ..........................8 a.m. - 4 p.m. Saturday & Sunday ...................Closed Krueger comes by his love of ducks natu- to more blood clots. rally. As a farm boy raised in Snover, in Michi- Rheumatoid arthritis: Peo- Mobile App: gan’s Thumb, he grew up very familiar with ple with rheumatoid arthritis Visit tctimes.com Mallards, and knows that the spring will find often experience flare-ups of or scan this TRI-COUNTY TIMES | TIM JAGIELO them mating soon and leaving the area. So, for achy joints during cold weather. QR code Among the mallards are two Pekin ducks, the time being, Krueger enjoys his daily ritual, One theory is that a drop in air which were probably abandoned by their as he and the ducks wait for Mother Nature’s pressure that often accompanies owners.