Local man killed in crash south of town
On Tuesday afternoon Israel de Almeida, 38, of St. Johns, fled a traffic stop after police tried to pull him over on Business U.S. 127 near Taft Road in Bingham Township. He had outstanding felony warrants; and it was believed that he posed an imminent threat to himself and others, according to the Clinton County Sheriff’s Department.
The driver pulled over at first but then continued northbound toward St. Johns. After a two minute pursuit in which Sheriff’s Deputies and the St. Johns Police tried unsuccessfully to use stop sticks, de Almeida drove into the back of a semi. Witnesses said they believed de Almeida had time to go around the truck, but instead increased speed and drove straight into the back of it. The crash happened at around 11:45 a.m. The semi driver was not injured.
Business 127 was closed between Townsend and Sunview for several hours Tuesday afternoon.
Small Town, Big Impact
photos by Maralyn Fink
It’s all about the giving attitude of some small-town people trying to help make a big impact on someone else’s life.
After finding out that a local individual with some disabilities could not get in and out of the house without help, a few people put the word out looking for help and donations. Within hours volunteers had everything they needed to get started building a ramp.
Captain Matt Chapko spearheaded the project with other firefighters helping along the way. They also received help from other friends, and Olympian Tool sent three employees and equipment to help with the project. This was a 2-day project, but it will provide a long time help for a local resident.
Organizers would like to thank the following for their help and involvement in the project:
Rich Chapko, Dan Chapko, Blaine Stevens, Bryan Purves, Todd Dietrich, Barry Roll, Clinton Area Ambulance Service, Olympian Tool, Clairmont Coffee, Deano’s Pizza, St. Johns Fire Department Firefighters Vince Towne, John Kochensparger, Brian Labar, Rod Bond, Jody Snater, Jeff Shannon and Matt Chapko.
FOMR to meet January 16
The Friends of the Maple River (FOMR) will hold their January, bi-monthly meeting at the Devries Nature Conservancy, North of Owosso at 6:30 PM, on Wednesday, January 16. The public is welcome and there is no charge to attend.
This month FOMR is pleased to have member Fred Farkas a resident of Lake Manitou in Shiawassee County who will share concerns that he and some of his fellow lake residents have relative to the lake’s water quality and the efforts that have been taken to understand this matter.
A business meeting will follow the presentation, with a focus on refinement of the 2019 calendar & activities (Annual Spring Clean Up, Annual Float Trip, Quiet Water Symposium, etc.) Please feel free to share your input to help make it a successful year!
As always, check the website http://www.friendsofthemapleriver.org/ or find them on Facebook at Friends of the Maple River to stay in touch with what FOMR is up to.
The Devries Nature Conservancy is located 2.5 miles north of M-21 on M-52 at, 2635 N. M-52, Owosso, MI, Look for the DEVRIES and FOMR signs on the west side of M-52.
For for more information or to become a member, supporter, or donor to FOMR,
contact them at: email: FOMR_info@friendsofthemapleriver.org.
Free Poetry Workshops
Dennis Hinrichsen returns to Deb’s Sereni-TEA Lounge for free poetry workshops. This is a two hour session workshop. Sessions will be held on Saturday January 19 and January 26 from 1:00 – 3:00 p.m.
The workshop is for beginning writers, high school and above. Participants will go through the drafting, writing, revising, and presenting process.
Dennis Hinrichsen has written seven poetry books. He received his Masters of Fine Arts in Poetry from University of Iowa. He has also taught for 25 yrs at Lansing Community College.
Nerf Battles are January 25
Join the City of St. Johns Recreation Department for this months Friday Night Special, Nerf Battles, on January 25.
Children will be participating in many different Nerf based games. Each child will be given 10 bullets to start, bullets can be collected as the battles continues. Teams will be made up onsite with children present. This event is for children in the 3rd through 12th grade. Students 3rd through 5th grade will be from 6:00 to 7:00 pm; Middle School aged students will take place 7:30 to 8:30 pm; High school aged students will take place from 9:00 to 10:00 p.m.
Each child must bring their own eye protection and Nerf gun, of any size, we will provide the bullets, guns must shoot N Strike Elite Bullets. Games will begin promptly at times published so please arrive early enough to get checked in and the proper paperwork filled out. The cost to participate in this activity is $5 per participant.
For more information about this activity or any other recreation activity, contact the recreation department at (989)224-8944 ext 228 or email bblackmon@ci.saint-johns.mi.us. To register online, visit the website at http://cityofstjohnsmi.com/Departments/Parks-Recreation.