April 2, 2016 • Vol. 138 No. 13
514 S. Kalamazoo Ave. in Marshall, MI • Phone 269-781-5444 and FAX 269-781-7766 • www.advisor-chronicle.com
In The News: Two Marshall students arrested over online threats On March 30, a concerned parent contacted Marshall Public Schools after seeing photos of two subjects on social media with firearms making threats towards Marshall High School and students. The Marshall Police Department was able to identify the suspects and take them into custody without incident. The teens will face charges for making a terrorist threat and using Internet or telecommunication to commit a crime. Both charges carry a sentence of up to 20 years. “These incidents will not be tolerated and will be dealt with accordingly as the law allows,” said Marshall Director of Public Safety Jim Schwartz. “It is a crime to make any type of threat to cause harm to any individual or to disrupt a school function.” See story on page 5
Marshall becomes a North County Trail Town; Council approves first Brownfield project for Dark Horse expansion During the March 21 Marshall City Council meeting, the council voted to establish Marshall as a “North Country Trail Town.” Marshall is now among 17 other Trail Towns in Michigan and Ohio. The trail runs along the North Country National Scenic Trail, America’s longest hiking trail, including Marshall’s Riverwalk. The council also supported another local project approving a Brownfield redevelopment plan, to restore contaminated land, for Dark Horse Brewing Company’s expansion project. “There are many challenges in restoring properties like this,” said David Stegink, associate vice president and senior environmental scientist with Envirologic. “This helps defray some of the costs with these types of properties.” See story on page 16
MPS Board gives superintendent highest marks, contract extension On March 28, the Marshall Public Schools Board of Education met to review Superintendent Randy Davis’ job performance over the last year. The board unanimously voted to give Davis an across the board (all categories) evaluation of “Highly Effective,” the highest rating possible. The board also announced that Davis’ employment contract will be extended to 2020. See story on page 6
Rosie the Riveters honored during Honor Flight At 18 years old, Weltha Madge Cowles of Albion didn’t think building B-24 bombers at the Willow Run Bomber Plant in Ypsilanti was a service to her country; it was her job. But 74 years later, she was honored for her Rosie the Riveter “we can do it” attitude during a Talons Out Honor Flight on March 22 to Washington, D.C. to visit the war memorials. “I never thought I would live to see all of that,” Cowles said. “We didn’t even realize we were doing a service at that time, but so many people thanked us during the Honor Flight. That was the most awesome day I think of my life.” See story on page 45
Vietnam veterans recognized for their service On Tuesday, the Mary Marshall Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution honored local Vietnam War veterans during a ceremony at the Veterans Memorial in Marshall. “March 29, 2016 has been designated as a day for all partners to express their tremendous gratitude and support to this generation of Americans across the nation,” said said Mary Marshall DAR Vice Regent Doreen VanSickle. “[This] is a national effort to do what should have been done 50 years ago: thank and honor our Vietnam veterans and their families for their service and sacrifice.” See story on page 10
he planting of a single tree makes a lasting, measurable difference. But the planting of more than 800 trees makes an impact worthy of admiration and applause. This is the benchmark that Marshall Area Conservation Committee volunteers including, from left, Erin Madden, Elena Reed, Mike Reed and Jackson Madden, have reached since the committee’s inception in 2004. In a continuing effort to increase the overall tree canopy in Marshall, this year the committee is offering trees to city residents at a substantially subsidized cost. See stories throughout issue
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