AREA NEWS
(TUSCOLA COUNTY) – A three-alarm fire in a Tuscola County home sent one fireman to the hospital suffering from heat and smoke inhalation. According to fire officials, a home on Loomis Road, between Unionville and Sebewaing experienced an electrical fire around 7 p.m. Tuesday evening. Firemen observed smoke coming from the home upon arrival and found fire in two ceilings in the home. Unionville firemen were assisted by Sebewaing and Akron Fire Departments. One firefighter was taken to Bay Medical Center for treatment and was later released. Firemen remained on scene for around three hours.
(CASS CITY) – School district officials are witnessing something they haven’t seen for ten years as student counts district wide have leveled off, after years of decline. The student count, taken in early October, establishes a district’s state aid funding and for Cass City, this school year will mean additional money. The district will be receiving just over $7,600 dollars per student this year, in addition to a statewide increase of $25 dollars per high school student. Although they show a decline in the lower levels, Cass City staff are reporting an increase of eight more students in the junior and senior high schools.
In other Cass City school district news, knowing they will need the support of district voters, the Cass City school board offered a tour of the district facilities, however no one from the public bothered to show up. School officials still intend to work with community residents to compile a list of needs and the priority of how they should be dealt with. Voters will be asked in May ti approve a 3-mill request that if approved, would generate between six and seven million dollars for the district. School officials said the millage would be an extension of a current one due to expire.
(TUSCOLA COUNTY) – Nearly 400 hundred marijuana plants, valued at around $50,000 were seized in Tuscola County Monday afternoon. According to Thumb Narcotic Unit agents, two locations in the county produced 375 plants, both located in heavily wooded areas with clearings. Authorities believe the same person was responsible for the plants, but not necessarily being the property owner. Department of Natural Resources officers assisted Thumb Narcotics Unit officers with the case. If you have any information about the incident you are asked to call the Thumb Narcotics tip line at 810 358-3029.
(LAPEER COUNTY) – Thanks to a $19,000 Homeland Security grant, the Lapeer County sheriff department has added another piece of equipment to their arsenal. Sheriff Scott McKenna updated the Board of Commissioners this week, noting the money is being used for purchase of a remote control robot that will assist the department in their investigations and help with the safety of the department. Through grant funding, the department has received over $88 thousand dollars this year, allowing them to add a K-9 unit and an additional $55,000 for drunk driving education and enforcement.
