Fire destroys downtown building – with an album by Barry Bauer and others
The St. Johns Fire Department responded to a fire about 4 a.m. on Monday in a building is attached to LeVeck’s Power Equipment on North Clinton Ave. The building was said to be unoccupied, and no one was injured.
Fire departments from the city of DeWitt, DeWitt Township, Ovid Township, Fowler and Maple Rapids and the Clinton Area Fire Authority provided support.
The building was built by Oliver Montague in the late 1930s to house his farm implement business. In the more recent past the structure had been a car and snowmobile dealership.
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SJPD targets illegal drug activity
According to Chief Kyle Knight on Friday, November 13, 2015 the St. Johns Police Department arrested a 17 year old St. Johns resident for breaking and entering a downtown St. Johns business and possession of methamphetamine. This arrest came as the result of information gathered from some concerned individuals as well as good police work.
Later on the same day, the St. Johns Police Department executed a search warrant on an apartment in the 300 block of north Clinton Avenue for a possible meth lab. Upon executing the search warrant, remnants of a meth lab, components to manufacture methamphetamine, and methamphetamine were located. The lone occupant of the apartment, a 30 year old St. Johns resident, was arrested for various charges.
Both the 17 year old and 30 year old were lodged at the Clinton County Sheriff’s Office awaiting arraignment on multiple charges. The St. Johns Police Department was assisted by the Clinton County Sheriff’s Office and the DeWitt City Police Department.
In addition to these arrests, over the past few months the St. Johns Police Department executed two search warrants within the city for illegal marijuana grow operations.
As a result of these investigations over 100 marijuana plants were seized and charges were pressed against three St. Johns residents. Also, recently officers from the St. Johns Police Department stopped three separate vehicles that resulted in subjects being arrested for possession of methamphetamine.
The officers at the St. Johns Police Department have been aggressively pursuing illegal drug activity within the city and surrounding area in attempt to discourage activity of this nature near St. Johns. To assist with this endeavor, Chief Knight encourages anyone with information to help his department continue this task to call the St. Johns Police Department at 989-224-6721 or 911 and pass the information along.
Feast on November 26 – You are invited
Again for the 6th year a group of area churches with major support from community members, businesses, and service organizations is hosting the Community Thanksgiving Dinner at noon and at 1:30 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day in downtown St. Johns in the dining area at the First Congregational Church, across from the courthouse. Make reservations for yourself, friends or family group by phone (989-224-2636), text message (2316339471), email
first.congregational.church.sj@gmail.com, or by clicking the online form http://tinyurl.com/48879thanksgivingdinner.
Free Will Offering
Community Thanksgiving Worship Service – Tuesday, November 24
Pastor Kathy Leydorf-Keck of Lowe and Maple Rapids UMC, and Pastor Ellen Zeinert of St. Johns First UMC are providing a Community Thanksgiving Worship Service on Tuesday, November 24th at 7:30 pm. Lowe will be hosting the event, they are located at 5485 W. Lowe Rd.
The St. Johns Community Band will be performing. Anyone is welcome to attend, financial donations or canned items will be given to the Basic Needs Center and the Food Pantry at the New Haven Church of the Brethren in Middleton.
Upcoming events at the Wilson Center
All-Ages Rock Concert set for November 20
The Wilson Collective is sponsoring its first All-Ages Rock Concert of the year in the Wilson Center Auditorium, 101 W. Cass St., St. Johns, on Friday, Nov. 20 starting at 7:00 p.m. Featured performers include indie folk artist, Aidan Pope of St. Johns – DeWitt native Hailey Wojcik performing an electric rock set – concluding the program will be a 5 piece 90’s style indie rock band, Januzzi Watchmen featuring St. Johns resident, Dan Davenport. There will be a $5 admission charge.
Mark your calendar
– December 4th (7:30 pm)- Christmas Variety Show: Produced by Homegrown productions. This annual show will include a variety of drama and music related to the Holiday Season. $10 tickets sold at the door.
– December 5th (7:30 pm)- Christmas Musical Production: The Lansing’s starlight Theatre’s wonderful production of Nuncrackers. The nunsense Christmas Musical in St. Johns this evening only. This delightful comedy will put you fully in the holiday spirit. Tickets are $25 – this is a fundraiser for the auditorium.
– December 11th (7:00 pm)- Community Christmas Concert: Come and enjoy the annual Community Christmas Concert. Participants include the St. Johns Community Band, the Dewitt Community Concert Band, the Mint City Singers and Vivo Contando, and the community children’s choir. There will be a free will offering.
For more information please contact the Wilson Center Auditorium located at 101 W. Cass St., St. Johns. http://wilsoncenterauditorium.org/
Builders Club holds install officers
St. Johns Kiwanis sponsored Builders Club opened a new year recently with a special inaugural meeting conducted at the Middle School library. Highlight of the session, chaired by Kiwanian Gary Carpenter, was the installation of officers. These students comprise the leadership team for the club during the 2015-16 academic years.
Mason Peters, treasurer; Jordon Holland, vice president; Annabelle Thelen, co-secretary and Madaline Welch, president.
The Builders Club is open to all middle school students interested in learning about community service and experiencing the benefits derived from participating in projects of general and personal service. Missing from the photo is Abigail Woodruff who will share secretary responsibilities.
MMDHD announces annual award winners
Ithaca, Stanton, St. Johns- Mid-Michigan District Health Department held its annual district-wide meeting on November 6, 2015, at which longevity awards were announced.
Longevity awards, in recognition for years of service, were presented to:
Twenty-Five Years of Service:
Health Officer Marcus Cheatham (presenting), and Cathy Smith.
Twenty Years of Service:
Lynda Farquharson, Pat Wall, Health Officer Marcus Cheatham (presenting), and Jenniffer Efaw.
Fifteen Years of Service:
Duane Schneider, Laura Hunt, Jamie Sawdy, Katie Allen, and Health Officer Marcus Cheatham (presenting).
Health Officer Marcus Cheatham (presenting), and Rex Hoyt
Ten Years of Service:
Health Officer Marcus Cheatham (presenting) and Carol Siedlik
Five Years of Service:
Back row, left to right: Ruby Suarez, Molly Smith, Jessica Gallop, Laura Simon, Tammara VanDop, Sue Corrigan, Peggy Fox, and Megan Schulz. Front row, left to right: Ross Pope and Health Officer Marcus Cheatham (presenting). Not pictured: Hazel Hall.
Black Friday Sale to open Holidays at Hospital Gift Shop
Sparrow Clinton Hospital Gift Shop volunteer Bertine Thelen sits with some of her Christmas friends awaiting a special Black Friday sale planned for the day after Thanksgiving.
Volunteers at Sparrow Clinton Hospital Gift Shop have planned an event filled holiday season with an opening Nov. 27 – “Black Friday” – that surpasses any previous special offering or sale. Shoppers on that busiest of days will receive a full 30% off the total amount of purchase on all regular priced merchandise, whether general, seasonal or holiday. Also included are items of clothing, unique gifting selections and charming novelty pieces.
Gift Shop Volunteer Gay Baker explained that continuing from “Black Friday” through Dec. 18, shoppers may have their name among those who might find an addition to their shopping bag in the form of a holiday surprise. Indeed, the spirit of the holidays abounds at Sparrow Clinton Hospital Gift Shop.
Toys for Tots Campaign underway
The Marine Corp Toys for Tots campaign has begun in Clinton County. The Clinton County Chamber of Commerce, which is the sponsoring organization for Toys for Tots in Clinton County has delivered over 36 collection boxes to businesses throughout the county that will collect toys through Tuesday, Dec 15 for Clinton County children.
For anyone donating a toy, please consider this. The campaign always gets lots of games, generic baby dolls, Barbie dolls, generic cars and trucks, footballs and basketballs. Some of the most popular items requested this year are anything Frozen, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Spiderman and MSU. We are also always in need of things like craft kits for older girls, current CD’s, DVD’s and books from recent movie releases, sports apparel (hats and shirts), fishing or hunting items, Easy Bake Ovens, etc.
If you place a toy in one of these boxes you can be assured the toy will go to a child that lives in Clinton County:
In Bath: Bath American Legion and Bath Township Office
In DeWitt: Bridge Street Hair, DeWitt City Police, DeWitt Township Police and Fire (both locations), Hometown Pharmacy, Lake State CrossFit and Mercantile Bank.
In Fowler: Dollar General, Journey Federal Credit Union and Main Street Pizza;
In Ovid: Dollar General, Journey Federal Credit Union and Main Street Pizza;
In St. Johns: Barber’s Floors and More, Big Boy, Briggs Public Library, Bruno’s Bar, Clinton County Chamber of Commerce, Clinton County Sheriff’s Department, Dollar General, Emerald Golf Course, FirstMerit Bank, Grace Haven Assisted Living, Journey Federal Credit Union, Mercantile Bank, Pauli Ford, Peebles, Quest Software, Sparrow Clinton Hospital, St. Johns Police Department, Tractor Supply, Walgreens and Walmart.
In Wacousta: Watertown Charter Township.
If your family needs assistance with clothing, food and toys for the holidays, please register with Capital Area Community Services at 989-224-6702. If you need assistance with just toys and you are not registered with another agency, call Clinton County Toys for Tots at 989-224-7248 or email ccchamber@4wbi.net.
If you have any questions about the Toys for Tots campaign, toys needs or toy distribution, contact Brenda Terpening at the Clinton County Chamber of Commerce at 989-224-7248.
New Christmas event at the Depot – Friday, December 11
Join the City of St. Johns Recreation Department at its first ever Christmas Event on Friday, December 11, 2015. Children have the opportunity to explore the St Johns Railroad Depot at 107 E. Railroad Street, including the real life outdoor railroad cars and small model train exhibit. Admission includes: kid friendly food including popcorn, hot chocolate, and pizza, crafts, and movies. Santa will also be making a special appearance.
Doors open at 5:15 PM; the program starts at 5:30 PM with the movie starting at 6:30 PM. The movie will last 1 hour and 30 minutes. Advance tickets required.
Admission is $10. Children 4 and Under are Free with a paid adult.
Deadline to register is December 8th, 2015 or until full. Registrations are available at the City Offices and their website at http://cityofstjohnsmi.com/Departments/ParksandRecreation.aspx. Call 989-224-8944 ext. 228 or email rfaivor@ci.saint-johns.mi.us for more information.
Pizza provided by Deano’s Pizza of St. Johns. Like us on Facebook.