April 11, 2015 • Vol. 136 No. 14 514 S. Kalamazoo Ave. in Marshall, MI • Phone 269-781-5444 and FAX 269-781-7766 • www.advisor-chronicle.com
In The News: Woman starting mental illness chapter for Calhoun County After having worked in Ohio for the National Alliance on Mental Illness for more than 19 years, Virginia “Gini” Haffner is now starting the Calhoun County Chapter of the Michigan affiliate as a labor of love, honoring the memory of her own son, who lost his life to suicide after his service in Operation Desert Storm. “I’ve been there, all of those family members with a diagnosis...The course is appropriate to get family members reunited; it’s saved lives,” Haffner said. “It’s given parents and siblings a greater appreciation for the courage it takes to have a mental illness.” See story on page 18
Marshall United Way agency allocations
announces
Marshall United Way Executive Director Cindy Lake recently announced the allocation of $158,143 from the 2014 fund drive to 22 area agencies. The leadership of each recipient agency is interviewed annually to ensure that assistance to Marshall area residents was provided by the previous year’s allocation. See story on page 14
Marshall Fire Department to move into new fire station next week A long awaited move will take place next week for the Marshall Fire Department, when they leave City Hall, which was built to be a temporary home in 1972. The new fire station, at 1201 Arms St., will be equipped with a pull-through, five truck apparatus bay, equipment storage, training capabilities for repelling and confined space and a community training room. Beginning April 13, all Marshall Fire Department operations will be handled at the new facility. A ribbon cutting and community open house will be held May 9 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. See story on page 46
New Calhoun Chapter of Families Against Narcotics formed According to the Center for Disease Control, in 2013, just over 50 percent of fatal drug overdoses were caused by prescription drugs. Over 70 percent were due to opioid pain medications.To combat these statistics, local citizens have organized a new chapter of Families Against Narcotics in Calhoun County to provide support for families who have loved ones who are addicted or have been lost to overdoses, those who are going through recovery, as well as providing education on the new face of addiction and the dangers of prescription painkillers and heroin addiction. See story on page 19
Albion native shines at Olivet College If Albion High School graduate and Olivet College student Jalen Weaver could pass a bit of advice on to future college students it would be, “don’t blink.” In May, Weaver will graduate with a degree in exercise science and plans to pursue graduate studies in physical therapy. “Whether it’s throwing a fastball or walking up a set of stairs, I understand the frustrations and stress that an injury brings,” he said, referring to a high school track injury that required therapy. “The physical trainers’ abilities to get me healthy so quickly had me hooked; I knew this was what I wanted to do,” he said. “I can now place myself in my patients’ shoes. I think they will be more at ease because of that, and I will be a more efficient therapist.” See story on page 24
his week, following spring break, the student-athletes at Marshall High School as well as those across the region resume their seasons this week. In this issue, the MHS sports teams are previewed, complete with team photos and schedules. Pictured clockwise from top left, are seniors Alex Walton, Jamie Dimoff, Shannon Hicks and Zach Daniels. See sports section, pages 25-29
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