May 19, 2012 • Vol. 133 No. 20 514 S. Kalamazoo Ave. in Marshall, MI • Phone 269-781-5444 and FAX 269-781-7766 • www.advisor-chronicle.com
In The News:
Real estate market showing signs of life Besides the onset of warm weather, flowers in bloom and America’s pastime once again taking the field, spring is also a time when the real estate market comes to life and this spring seems to be more lively than in recent years as potential buyers and current homeowners are looking to refinance and take advantage of record-low interest rates. Realtor Matt Davis, of Rosemary Davis Realtors in Marshall, says he’s “really excited” by the current real estate climate. “What I’m seeing in the market is great,” said Davis. “We’re seeing people coming back into the (buyer’s) market; we’re seeing really low inventories.” See story on page 14
Celebrate MARSHALL Celebrate MICHIGAN
Fighting daily to find the words; Local event to raise funds for apraxia Marshall High School graduates Hailey Casarez Rollo and her husband Randy, want to do what’s best to help their daughter Miah, 3, overcome Childhood Apraxia of Speech. To support her in her efforts, they are holding an event May 26 at Riverside Pub in Marshall to raise funds for their team, Miah Speaks. “We are looking forward to the event and looking for people to come out and support this cause,” Hailey Rollo said. “There is no cure for apraxia, but that doesn’t mean that we have to be uninformed. Let’s spread awareness.” The Rollo family will be participating in a walk for apraxia on June 23 and all the proceeds raised will be given to the Apraxia Kids Foundation. See story on page 44
Kids ‘browbeat’ law enforcement during shooting competition For years, the kids in the Scholastic Clay Target Program have been competing throughout the region against other kids their age, but for the first time last Saturday, they took part in a unique competition – a competition against local law enforcement officials to see who would walk away with bragging rights. “Everyone is a winner today,” said SCTP President Larry Arbogast. “There were no ribbons or trophies, just bragging rights and what that means for these kids is that they can shoot against anybody. It’s a confidence booster, actually.” The event was held at Centerline Gun Club in Bellevue and drew 62 kids from the SCTP “Fudd Dusters Shotgun Sporting Team” and 30 law enforcement officials from the Calhoun County Office of the Sheriff, the Department of Natural Resources and the Battle Creek Police Department. See story on page 42
Public can now text anonymous tips to Silent Observer The general public might already be aware that Calhoun County started the first Silent Observer tip line, 269-964-3888 in the world back in 1970. While that phone number still generates about 800 crime stopping tips per year locally, now, the public has more ways than ever to help put criminals behind bars and receive reward money in return. “We want to bring more awareness that there is more of a reporting process option,” said Battle Creek Area Chamber of Commerce Program and Events Manager Alicia Davis, “not only with the telephone number, but there’s the option of texting through your mobile phone and also through the web and there are free phone apps available.” See story on page 34
Lawn & Garden Feature Section inside
M
arshall’s celebration of Michigan Week 2012 began with Friday’s Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast. Today, Saturday, May 19, features the running of the Oaklawn Hospitality Classic and Tourism Day. With the Governor's Mansion as a backdrop, deciding which of the city’s museums to visit first are, from left, Monica Anderson, President and CEO of the Marshall Area Chamber of Commerce, Michigan Week host organization, Chamber Tourism Director Karen Hagerty and Michigan Week Honorary Co-chairs Harriet and John Carroll. Tourism Day offers an opportunity for residents and visitors to tour Marshall's historic treasures at no charge.