June 20, 2015 • Vol. 136 No. 23 514 S. Kalamazoo Ave. in Marshall, MI • Phone 269-781-5444 and FAX 269-781-7766 • www.advisor-chronicle.com
In The News: City shows interest in turning former Roma’s Cafe property into spray park On June 15, the Marshall City Council voted to submit a public use plan for a spray park to the Calhoun County Treasurer to show interest in purchasing a foreclosed property in downtown Marshall at 228 W. Michigan Ave., the former location of Roma’s Cafe. The property has been on the market for nearly three years after a fire destroyed the building. Due to delinquent taxes, the city is one of the entities that will have right of first refusal to buy the property before it goes to auction. See story on page 10 Text to 911 now available in Calhoun County The Calhoun County Consolidated Dispatch Authority announced on June 11 that it had gone live with all four major service providers to offer text to 911. Text to 911 service allows individuals to send a text message to 911 from their mobile devices if they are within Calhoun County. “We are very proud to be able to offer text to 911 service to our residents and visitors,” said Sheriff Matt Saxton, chairman of the CCCDA Governing Board of Directors. “This tool provides another avenue for individuals to contact 911 during a time of need.” See story on page 36
Fundraiser for stricken Union City student is June 27 Kate Banks is 13 years old and just finished seventh grade at Union City Middle School. She was a healthy and active student, wrestled on the school wrestling team, played softball and is a Young Marine. But on April 11, Banks became very ill during spring break. She began to have what appeared to be seizures and was taken to Oaklawn Hospital, then was airlifted to Bronson Methodist Hospital in Kalamazoo later that night. She was initially diagnosed with bacterial meningitis, but then over the course of the next several days, was additionally diagnosed with endocarditis, which is an infection in her heart. This infection had eaten a hole in her heart valve, which needed repair. A group of Kate’s family and friends have planned a dinner fundraiser on June 27 at Union City Middle School, from 5-7 p.m. to help the Kate’s family. See story on page 22 Oakridge Cemetery Walking Tour rescheduled Due to inclement weather, the Marshall Recreation Department has rescheduled the historical tour of Oakridge Cemetery for Wednesday, July 1 at 7 p.m. The tour will start from the Chapel Building. See story on page 13 Michigan Activity Pass Program available at Marshall District Library Marshall District Library is again participating in the Michigan Activity Pass Program. This program offers library cardholders a one-day pass to explore - at no cost - hundreds of Michigan's state parks, historic sites, cultural attractions, campgrounds and recreation areas simply by visiting their local library or the Michigan Activity Pass website. See story on page 21
any children will spend Sunday celebrating Father’s Day with their dads. But for one Marshall teen, 17-year-old Abbey Ufkes of Marshall, she spends nearly every day celebrating her relationship with her father. This father-daughter duo performs music locally, singing covers of many classic hits as well as original works. “I enjoy spending time with my dad,” says Abbey. “I always want to practice music and learn a new song.” See story on page 2
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