Bomb threat at HIFCM found to be misunderstanding
On Saturday, July 9th, 2016 at 2:02 PM the St. Johns Police Department responded to a bomb threat at Hazel Findlay Country Manor, a long-term care nursing home. A call was received by an employee at Hazel Findlay indicating the possibility of a bomb.
Due to the vague threat and following the Hazel Findlay Bomb Threat Plan, the facility was searched by employees and three Police K-9 Bomb Dogs. No suspicious items were found on the property.
At 4:00PM the all clear was given and normal operations resumed at Hazel Findlay.
According to SJPD Chief Kyle Knight, this bomb threat was taken very seriously because of the ongoing events throughout the United States. The St. Johns Police Department continued to monitor Hazel Findlay closely throughout the weekend while conducting their investigation.
After conducting an extensive investigation, it was determined that the bomb threat was actually a misunderstood phone call received by an employee. A doctor accidently called the wrong department and due to his accent, the employee did not understand him and felt a statement about a bomb was made. This was confirmed through phone records and speaking with both the caller and the employee who received the call.
The St. Johns Police Department has closed their investigation with no prosecution being sought.
The St. Johns Police Department was assisted by the Clinton County Sheriff’s Office, East Lansing Police Department, St. Johns Fire Department, and Clinton County Central Dispatch.
Motown Legend Martha Reeves and the Vandellas in Concert – July 13
An amazing event will take place in St. Johns! On Wednesday, July 13, Martha Reeves and the Vandellas, the legendary Motown group will be performing along with the Jack Clarkson Band in what promises to be an evening of incredible music. The performance will take place at the Performance Shell in the beautiful St. johns City Park starting at 7:00 p.m.
In a rare appearance, Martha Reeves and her sisters will perform several of their famous songs, in a show not to be missed! “Being from Detroit, I grew up listening and following all the Motown groups,” states Bill Tennant, the St. Johns Concert in the Park coordinator. “It’s truly amazing that she is actually coming to St. Johns!” In 1995, Martha Reeves and the Vandellas were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame with the likes of Janis Joplin, Neil Young, Frank Zappa, Al Green, Led Zeppelin and The Allman Brothers Band – one of the greatest classes of all time!
Tim Black and Jack Clarkson were instrumental in getting Martha to add this concert to her limited schedule. Tim, President of the St. Johns Lions Club, met Miss Reeves at a function in Detroit last October and invited her to perform in St. Johns. With the help of local musician Jack Clarkson, they put together a program offer and Martha accepted. Reeves will sing several of her signature songs, which include “Dancing in the Streets”, “Heat Wave”, “Jimmy Mack”, and “Nowhere to Run”, which are all included on the Rolling Stone Magazines’ “All Time Greatest Hits” list.
Opening for Miss Reeves, will be an exemplary local band, The Jack Clarkson Band. For this performance, Jack has put together an exceptional group of musicians who include Rodney Page – an international performer and Fulbright Scholar, Paul O’Jibway – who has performed with Joe Cocker, Grand Funk Railroad and Paul Schafer on the David Letterman Show, Mike “RAZ” Rosetose – mid-Michigan’s premier drummer who was contracted by Motown Records in his early days, Bill Fuller – a guitar player highly regarded by Grand Ole Opry performer Glenn Paul, along with Jack and Tess Clarkson – who, by the end of this year will have performed in 10 states, over 150 shows. The Clarkson Band will also be accompanying Martha on a grand gospel medley to end the concert.
This concert is made possible with support from the Clinton County Arts Council, the City of St. Johns, the St. Johns Lions Club, St. Johns Business & Tax Service, along with those in attendance. Also donating their services will be Bill Bartilson, owner of Mandy Sounds, and Steve Edwards, a sound engineer who has engineered sound for the likes of Beyonce, Bonnie Raitt, Allison Krause and Diana Ross, among others.
The concert is free – donations will be accepted to help cover expenses. The Lions Club will be serving food, snacks and drinks before and throughout the concert. Bring a lawn chair or blanket and join the party. In case of rain, the concert will be held in the St. Johns High School Gymnasium.
For detailed information on the Concert in the Park series visit the CCAC web site, http://www.clintoncountyarts.org/ and check out the St. Johns City Park Performance Shell page on Facebook.
St. Johns Concert in the Park 2016 Schedule
St. Johns City Park Performance Shell
Wednesday evenings, 7 p.m.
July 13: Real Motown, Martha Reeves and the Vandellas
July 20: Orchestra Pops, Mid-Michigan Festival Orchestra
July 27: Canadian Roots/Ragtime, My Sweet Patootie
Aug. 3: Eagles Tribute Band, Motown Eagles
Aug. 10: The Music of Ireland, Monday’s Supper
Aug. 17: Beatles Tribute Band, Toppermost
Aug. 24: All Brass, Capital City Brass Band
Aug. 31: Elvis Impersonator, Matt King
Synergy to perform at Briggs District Library
Synergy will be playing at the Briggs District Library on Tuesday July 19th from 5-7 pm
Paint your portion of the Spray Park Mural – July 9
11am-2pm at Clinton County Arts Gallery
215 N Clinton – Downtown St Johns
There is an exciting mural designed for the green part of the pool house building at the Spray Park, but the design is a secret. To solve the mystery, they need you to paint a portion of the Spray Park Mural.
Help make the Spray Park beautiful by painting your 5”x5” piece at one of the listed painting events. For just $5 per tile, you can be a part of St Johns history.
Bring the whole family and have each member paint a tile. Imagine ten years from now, revisiting the Spray Park with your family and searching for your tile while reminiscing about the experience. Imagine 20 years from now, when your kids bring their kids to play and show them what they painted.
All supplies, instruction and memories are included. No painting experience is necessary.
Everyone is encouraged to paint in their own unique style. When put together, our tiles will create a very cool mosaic style mural.
Check out the recently renovated gallery featuring all local artists while painting your tile!
Then on Saturday, July 16 join everyone at the all new Tiny by Design Art & Whimsical Party Gallery to paint your part of history. They will be painting tiles for the Spray Park Community Mural from 12 pm – 4 pm. Bring your whole family down to paint.
They are located at 315 N Clinton Ave. While you are there, you can get a sneak peek at what is coming with Whimsical pARTy Gallery!
Want more art while you are downtown? Studio Retreat and Art Gallery is just across the Street (316) and Clinton County Arts Gallery is one block down the road (215)
Other painting opportunities include:
August 1-4 during the Clinton County 4-h fair
times to be determined
They will be painting at the Spray Park during fair week.
August 2
National Night Out
They will have a table set up at the Spray Park for this fun and popular event.
August 13-14
Mint Festival! Stay tuned for times.
Habitat seeking volunteers to provide lunches
With God’s grace, we have been able to recruit a small (5-6) number of volunteers willing to help in building the modest, two-bedroom home in DeWitt township. Our homeowner partner is Tom, a 71-year-old Army veteran who gets about in an Amigo. He is joyous with anticipation and visits the site frequently to photograph the proceedings; he has twice brought lunch for the crew despite his modest income.
They are sending this message out to request anyone who is affiliated with a faith-based, community service, or other organization to see if your group might provide, or sponsor through a monetary donation, lunch for the crew. We do our best to stretch every dollar, shopping the sales for bargains. Lunch and iced teas, punches, or sodas can typically be had for $20-$25. The need is immediate and expected to continue for the month of July, Monday through Friday, when volunteers are on the site.
Habitat for Humanity for Clinton County is the only Habitat in Clinton County, serving Clinton County exclusively. It takes a community to build a Habitat for Humanity home.
LAFCU sets July 11 application deadline for scholarships to military veterans
LAFCU has extended the application deadline for six $1,000 Community Champions scholarships to Monday, July 11, 2016. The scholarships are for military veterans to attend Lansing Community College (LCC) fall 2016.
Winners will be chosen based on a one-page essay identifying three reasons applicants were compelled to serve their country.
The Mid-Michigan credit union donated $2,000 to the scholarship fund, and $4,000 is the estimated total to be donated by Lansing Lugnuts fans in the first two years (2015-2016) of LAFCU Launch, an in-park promotion. About $2,000 was raised last year. Following the game at each LAFCU Fireworks Spectacular, fans donate $1 for each tennis ball they wish to “launch” onto the field to try to win a $25 VISA card.
“American veterans are uniquely positioned to bring talents they acquired in the military to our workforce,” said Kelli A. Ellsworth Etchison, LAFCU senior vice president of marketing. “We want to help provide them with an affordable path to career success.
“These scholarships are particularly meaningful because they include community support. We thank Lansing Lugnuts fans who are participating in the LAFCU Launch and helping to build the fund that is providing additional scholarships.”
Details are available online at www.LAFCU.com/CommunityChampions. Applications can be uploaded at www.LAFCU.com or mailed to LAFCU, ATTN: Marketing, 106 N. Marketplace Blvd., Lansing, MI 48917.
Winners will be recognized at the Lansing Lugnuts Salute to Service Night, Friday, July 22, 2016, which is also a LAFCU Fireworks Spectacular.
The LAFCU Community Champions program has recognized active and veteran members of the military at Lansing Lugnuts LAFCU Fireworks Spectaculars since 2014. Visit www.LAFCU.com or www.LansingLugnuts.com for more information.
As we enjoy these activities in the great outdoors, we need to be mindful of our surroundings and know that something dangerous could be right under our feet. 
If it’s great traditional Country music that you’re looking for, look no further than Longoria. Born and raised in Michigan, his roots trace back to Pearsall, Texas, where his parents were born. Growing up in a small community Longoria has always been around Country music and brands his music as “pure Country.” His style ranges from Johnny Cash to Merle Haggard and George Strait, and brings small-town America to the big stage. Longoria has a versatile voice that can handle a wide variety of music including both old and new Country music. 
Wednesday evenings, 7 p.m.
Mrs. Bernie Wagner – 38.5 years
Mrs. Andrea Makarauskas – 30 years
Mrs. Cindy Deveau – 22 years
To ensure everyone’s safety and the protection of our natural resources, ORV riders are cautioned to only ride their machines where it’s legal to operate them,” said Cpl. John Morey, DNR ORV and snowmobile coordinator. “ORV restrictions are in place to protect Michigan’s natural resources and minimize user conflict with other outdoor recreation enthusiasts.”
Kimberly Thelen, of Fowler, is the student speaker at the commencement ceremony. She will graduate as an honor student with a bachelor’s in business administration with majors in accounting and management. She plans to become a certified public accountant.