05/27/2007

Week in Review

ANTRIM

Grant to help those near toxic plume

MANCELONA — Two million dollars of relief is coming to Antrim County to make drinking water safe for those who live near one of the largest toxic chemical plumes in Michigan.

State officials released grant money to pay for a 25,000-foot-long extension to an existing public water main in Mancelona, despite a grant moratorium and budgetary woes that threaten deep spending cuts in Michigan. The project will provide a safe alternative for 80 homes and 210 vacant lots at Shanty Creek resort now plagued with risks of dangerous groundwater.

Man sentenced for child pornography

MANCELONA — A former Mancelona resident will spend 17 years in prison and pay about $5,100 in fines after he spread child pornography on the internet.

Stephen Michael Walraven, 48, was sentenced to 17 years in federal prison and fined $5,100 April 16 after he pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court to transporting child pornography on the Internet, Antrim County Prosecutor Charles H. Koop said in a statement.

The conviction stems from a 2001 joint investigation between the Antrim County Sheriff's Department and federal authorities.

BENZIE

Beulah library moves into new space

BEULAH — After 56 years in cramped quarters at the Beulah Village Hall, the Beulah Public Library has moved to a 3,000-square-foot home of its own in downtown Beulah.

The new building is the culmination of two years of work by volunteers who raised the money, hired the contractor and monitored the project to completion.

The new location comes with a new name — the Darcy Memorial Public Library, in honor of a therapy pet dog owned by volunteer Carol McAnulty, who donated $100,000 to the library.

CHARLEVOIX

Arson charges await Boyne City man

BOYNE CITY — A Boyne City man faces felony arson charges after he allegedly set fire to his home then lied to his insurance company.

Charlevoix County Sheriff's officials arrested Cordell Lester Cambric, 53, on May 22, exactly one month after he allegedly set fire to his Boyne City home and claimed it on his insurance, Sheriff George Lasater said.

Cambric, a habitual offender, is charged with three felonies and could face up to 20 years in prison if convicted of arson of a dwelling.

GRAND TRAVERSE

Narcotics team arrests two

TRAVERSE CITY — The Traverse Narcotics Team arrested two men on multiple felony drug charges after a monthlong undercover investigation into cocaine distribution.

Nathaniel Ward, 30, of Detroit, was charged with two counts of delivery of heroin, one count of delivery of cocaine and one count of possession with intent to deliver more than 50 grams of cocaine. Justin J. Pitel, 29, of Traverse City, was charged with two counts of delivery of heroin.

Each of the charges carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.

Woman charged in debit card thefts

TRAVERSE CITY — A Traverse City woman is charged with eight four-year felonies after authorities allege she stole debit cards and used them at a pharmacy and other places.

Andrea Cohen-Kalinowski, 43, is charged with four counts of possessing a financial transaction device and four counts of stealing or retaining a financial transaction device. She allegedly stole two debit cards and used them at the Munson Community Healthcare Center Pharmacy and other places from Feb. 1 to April 30, court records show.

School closing criteria is set

TRAVERSE CITY — Traverse City Area Public Schools board members established the criteria that will determine which elementary buildings close in coming years.

On Monday, the board discussed the process for identifying school closings before voting on the 10 standards that were based on public input, previous TCAPS school closings and analysis of processes used in other districts.

The list includes walkability, historical significance, current and projected enrollment, renovation costs, transportation implications, open enrollment figures and the number of students that would be displaced. Other items are proximity to public schools other than TCAPS, the value of property for other uses and the size and flexibility of the building and site for TCAPS purposes.

Market's zoning dispute lingers

TRAVERSE CITY — Business is good at Dan's Market and Garden Center along Garfield Road, even if the future looks bleak to owner Dan Smith.

Another setback in his years-long zoning dispute with Garfield Township has Smith fretting about what's next for his seasonal farm market, where township officials are turning up the heat for his ongoing failure to secure a special-use permit for his operation.

The zoning dispute began more than five years ago, when township officials told him his business violated Garfield's zoning ordinance that prohibited the sale of plant materials that were grown off the site.

Smith sued the township in 2003 and sought court approval to continue running his business. He reached a settlement in which he agreed to seek a special-use permit from the township with several conditions, including upgraded lighting and landscaping, a paved parking lot and more indoor storage.

But the business didn't meet the conditions and after a series of extensions that ran out in September, the township went back to court to enforce the settlement. District Judge Michael Haley recently ruled in the township's favor, but Smith said he'll appeal.

NMC president recieves high marks

TRAVERSE CITY — Northwestern Michigan College trustees gave President Tim Nelson mostly high grades for his performance over the last year.

"Overall, it was very good,” Board Chairman Walter J. Hooper said.

The board did not rule on whether to grant Nelson a raise, which in the past has dovetailed with his evaluation. Nelson's base salary was set at $153,576 last year and trustees expect to determine any additional increases in June, Hooper said.

Nelson was hired in 2001 at $102,000 per year.

4 accused of violating immigration laws

TRAVERSE CITY — Four men face felony charges after authorities allege they falsified employment documents at area restaurants and food-processing companies.

Juan Manuel Montelongo-Holguin, Francisco Gonzalez-Zarate, Carlos Flores-Saldana and Porfirio Padilla-Bernardo are expected to be arraigned Tuesday in U.S. District Court in Grand Rapids on charges of violating immigration laws and regulations, court records show.

John Wooley, an agent with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement in Sault Ste. Marie, said the agency arrested the men on an Elk Rapids road April 13, but declined further comment.

The men allegedly used Social Security numbers that didn't belong to them, records show.

Housing group can borrow money

TRAVERSE CITY — The Traverse City Housing Commission now has the power to issue bonds.

City commissioners on Monday agreed to an ordinance change requested by the public housing agency to allow it to borrow money. The housing commission plans to remodel kitchens at its Riverview Terrace Apartments and plans other improvements that would require a loan.

Electric cars exempt from meters

TRAVERSE CITY — Drivers of fully electric cars need not feed city parking meters.

City commissioners on Monday voted 6-1 to support an ordinance to allow electric cars, though not hybrids, to park for free at city parking meters, but still subject to time limits. The parking perk goes into effect Thursday.

Commissioner Ralph Soffredine cast the lone dissenting vote, saying it wasn't "fair” that the cars would get the special privilege.

The Downtown Development Authority recommended the change, supported by E Company, which offers a rental fleet of electric cars in Traverse City. DDA officials said the parking program would encourage the use of energy-efficient vehicles.

Man faces charges in bike crash

TRAVERSE CITY — A Traverse City man could face criminal charges after police allege he crashed his motorcycle after doing "wheelies” in Peninsula Township, then fled the scene.

Kenneth William Stroud, 32, was allegedly doing "wheelies” Tuesday while driving a motorcycle north on Center Road near Council Oak Drive shortly before he lost control and crashed the bike around 7 p.m., Grand Traverse Sheriff's officials said in a statement. He allegedly fled the scene on another motorcycle driven by an acquaintance, police said. Police found Stroud at his residence later and he was taken to Munson Medical Center for treatment.

Police said alcohol may have contributed to the crash and will seek charges against Stroud, the statement read.

Police: Man exposed himself in mall lot

TRAVERSE CITY — A Fife Lake man faces an indecent exposure charge following his arrest in the Cherryland Center parking lot.

Alvin Douglas Hinkson, 33, was arrested May 14 after he allegedly admitted to a sheriff's deputy that he was touching himself as he watched women come in and out of one of the mall stores, Grand Traverse County Undersheriff Nathan Alger said.

A woman allegedly saw Hinkson touching himself in his truck there two weeks earlier, and the deputy recognized his truck from the previous complaint. The officer found Hinkson in the truck with his shirt off and pants unzipped, Alger said.

Hinkson could be sentenced to up to one year in jail if convicted of the misdemeanor.

Funding gamble fails to pay off

TRAVERSE CITY — On paper, it looked like a great way for the cash-strapped Grand Traverse County Road Commission and Garfield Township to get a crumbling Veterans Drive paved years ahead of schedule.

But with the cost to the county ballooning by $150,000 it's not looking so good now, road commission officials concede.

Last year the road commission sold $590,000 in future federal aid dollars to the state for 75 cents on the dollar so they could rebuild Veterans Drive last fall.

The road commission was betting cost savings from freeing the project from federal red tape and using a design-build bidding process would cover the lost revenue.

Convicted rapist awaits charge

TRAVERSE CITY — A Lansing man convicted of raping his friend's girlfriend after a night of drinking will soon be in Traverse City to face a charge on another sex crime that allegedly occurred last summer.

Bobby Wayne Hodges, 35, will be sentenced downstate June 12 after a Lenawee County jury recently found he sexually assaulted a drinking buddy's girlfriend while he shared a tent with the couple during a Michigan International Speedway event last June.

Hodges also faces a third-degree criminal sexual conduct charge in Grand Traverse County for the alleged rape of a Traverse City woman after a pub crawl during last year's National Cherry Festival, county Prosecutor Alan Schneider and Undersheriff Nathan Alger said. Officials expect he'll be brought north for his arraignment on that charge after he's sentenced downstate.

City seeks in-house attorney

TRAVERSE CITY — City commissioners will seek applications for a full-time, in-house attorney with at least five years of experience.

Traverse City's longtime legal adviser W. Peter Doren will resign from the post July 1. Commissioners decided Monday to advertise for an in-house lawyer, a change from the contractual agreement it had with Doren and his firm.

A committee of three commissioners proposed, and the full commission accepted, a plan to offer a salary range between $60,000 and $80,000 plus benefits for the attorney position. The city also would hire a part-time legal assistant.

Boy injured after being trapped

KINGSLEY — A 12-year-old Kingsley boy was taken to Munson Medical Center after he was trapped under a car.

The boy was in the vehicle in a driveway at Kingsley's Joseph Court and was getting out of the car when it engaged in reverse gear around 8 a.m. Thursday, sheriff's officials said in a statement.

When he tried to get back in the car, he was pulled underneath. The car struck a nearby house and pinned the boy under the front driver's side tire. Rescue workers lifted the car off the child and he was taken to the hospital.

The child suffered a laceration to his head and other cuts and bruises, but had no broken bones or internal injuries, Undersheriff Nathan Alger said.

LEELANAU

School board member quits

TRAVERSE CITY — A Glen Lake Community Schools board member resigned after he said his input on district issues repeatedly was rebuffed.

David Harris was elected to the board as a write-in candidate in May 2006. He stepped down on May 14, about one year into his four-year term.

Harris holds a doctorate degree, was a professor of education at the University of Michigan before retiring in Glen Arbor, and previously served as curriculum administrator at the Oakland County Intermediate School District.

Board President Joan Hawley said curriculum development is the responsibility of the district's professional and administrative staff. Those roles are outlined in the teachers' contract and district policies.

OTSEGO

Kimball Electronics factory is closing

GAYLORD — The 216 employees at Kimball Electronics in Gaylord attended a mandatory meeting Monday morning to learn they'll soon lose their jobs.

Kimball Electronics announced plans to close its factory in the city's industrial park and lay off all employees who don't transfer to other facilities owned by the international company. The first of three waves of layoffs will come in August and the last by year's end, said Martin Vaught, company spokesman at the Indiana headquarters.

Survey: No new taxes for county jail

GAYLORD — Results of a telephone survey in Otsego County show voters are leery of a new jail proposal, no matter what the cost, as long as Michigan's economy continues to flounder.

County leaders hired EPIC-MRA of Lansing to conduct 300 telephone surveys with registered voters, costing taxpayers $14,200. Between 2,100 and 2,500 calls were made to get enough completed question-and-answer sessions, company spokesman John Cavanagh said.

Cavanagh said two out of five residents surveyed said they believed taxes are already too high in Otsego County.

WEXFORD

Bar fight ends with assault charges

CADILLAC — A Cadillac man faces multiple assault charges after he allegedly broke a beer bottle over another man's head during a fight.

Daniel M. Gryglewski, 24, was arrested by Cadillac police at 12:20 a.m. last Sunday on Mitchell Street when patrol officers observed a fight in progress.

Witnesses reported that Gryglewski was arguing with a 30-year-old man from Manton at the Roaring Twenties Saloon earlier in the evening before the assault. The victim was transferred to Butterworth Hospital in Grand Rapids for treatment of a large cut to his upper neck area.

Gryglewski was charged with felonious assault and aggravated assault causing great bodily harm less than murder. He was lodged in jail on $50,000 bond.

Police settle lawsuit over pepper spray

CADILLAC — A federal lawsuit over a police officer's use of pepper spray to subdue a teen during her middle school lunch settled for $27,000.

The lawsuit stemmed from a November 2004 incident when then-school resources officer Karen Gregg pepper-sprayed the face of LaRanda Henry, a ninth-grader who defiantly ate lunch in the school cafeteria rather than comply with a punishment that she eat in a school office.

The lawsuit, filed on behalf of Henry by her mother, Tina Harris, alleged the city failed to supervise Gregg and that Henry's rights were violated. Henry was acquitted of a felony charge that she resisted arrest.

The Cadillac city council voted to accept the settlement at a meeting Monday.