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514 S. Kalamazoo Ave. in Marshall, MI • Phone 269-781-5444 and FAX 269-781-7766 • www.advisor-chronicle.com
In The News: Searching for answers in the fight against heroin use The numbers are very sobering: heroin usage rates, fueled by the overprescribing of pain medications, jumped 80 percent between 2007-2012 and on average 46 Americans die of an overdose from pain pills each day. In Calhoun County, enough prescriptions for opioid pain medication have been written to provide 225 pills per household. Eighty percent of the people who try heroin for the first time have previously abused prescription narcotics. People dying from overdose is the leading cause of accidental death in the United States, more than motor vehicle accidents or guns. “As a drug prevention agency, it is our responsibility to try to create community awareness around what this issue is and to see how we can address it,” said Albion community leader Harry Bonner of Substance Abuse Prevention Services. “This is a countywide issue. Albion, Marshall, Battle Creek - we are all along I-94, we are all in the same fish bowl.” See story on page 12 FireKeepers Local Revenue Sharing Board receives record distribution The Nottawaseppi Huron Band of the Potawatomi, owners of FireKeepers Casino Hotel, established a new annual record with $21.9 million in payments to the state of Michigan and the FireKeepers Local Revenue Sharing Board. The payment to the state totals more than $16.6 million, while the payment to the FireKeepers Local Revenue Sharing Board was nearly $5.3 million. Marshall Mayor and LRSB Chairman Jack Reed was presented with the check on Feb. 16. “I was very excited to accept the distribution on behalf of the community,” said Reed. “We recognize it’s a privilege, and we will be good stewards of that money.” See story on page 18 Haadsma announces candidacy for 62nd House District On Feb. 15, Calhoun County District 3 Commissioner Jim Haadsma announced his candidacy for state representative of the 62nd House District. The campaign kicked off at two events in Battle Creek and Albion. “To me, Calhoun County is a microcosm of Michigan,” Haadsma said. “We have so many hard-working people and families here, and I have spent the last two decades listening to and working with them. I know that this is a time of crisis and constraint for a lot of us, and I know that we need a voice in Lansing who is in touch with what those crises really are. I’m ready to fight in the Capitol for the people of Calhoun County.” See story on page 9 Long-time Emmett Township officer likes to help people Emmett Twp. Lt. Tony Geigle defines himself as “cop, fireman, nerd.” Geigle shares stories of his time on the job investigating a murder, trying to save a young girl from a burning home and almost being shot to death by a suspect he was chasing. Those tough days aren’t what keep Geigle going, however. What keeps him going is helping his community. “I love this job,” he said. “I really like helping people, and not trying to sound cheesy, but we get to see people at every aspect of their lives. There’s everything from bad to good. When they call you on the Fire/EMS side, they are truly having the worst day of their lives. I’ve seen things that would make you smile ear to ear, and I’ve seen things that will give you nightmares.” See story on page 38
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he 2016 Marshall Redhawk Elementary Carnival will take place on Saturday, March 5 at Walters Elementary School from 1-4 p.m. The carnival will have more than 20 games in various classrooms to raise money for Marshall’s three elementary schools - Walters, Hughes and Gordon. Walters students ready to help with the effort are, clockwise from bottom right, Lydia Drenth, Reese Parker, Bella Hills, Jordan Harrell and Violet Holbrook. In back is Principal Paul Holbrook. See story on page 2