City offices not moving to Wilson Center
The City of St. Johns will not be moving its offices to the Rodney B. Wilson Center, following a vote by the City Commission at a Special Meeting on Tuesday, April 4, 2023.
“This was not an easy decision,” says St. Johns Vice Mayor Scott Dzurka. “But we want to be cautious with taxpayer resources and conscious of the costs that would have been involved in purchasing and renovating office space in the Wilson Center.”
In October 2022 the City of St. Johns announced the Commission’s approval of a purchase agreement with Dymaxion Development, who bought the historic building from St. Johns Public Schools. The purchase agreement included the Wilson Center’s gymnasium and auditorium, as well as an option for office space intended for City offices. Tuesday’s 3-2 vote will remove office space in the Wilson Center from further consideration while leaving the gymnasium and auditorium on the table.
Based on existing occupancy costs associated with the current office space in the Clinton County Courthouse, the City has been considering an office relocation since 2021. Purchasing office space in the Wilson Center would have cost the City $438,800, plus an estimated $1,000,000 in renovations. Based on Tuesday’s vote, an actual renovation quote will not be pursued.
By removing the office space expenses from the Wilson Center project, Dzurka hopes other elements can move forward. “We know there is significant public interest in the Wilson Center’s gym and auditorium,” says Dzurka. “Our vote on the office space doesn’t stop the process for those parts of the project.”
The purchase cost for the gym and auditorium is $550,000. The City is still negotiating condominium documents with Dymaxion and will review a quote for construction documents at the next City Commission meeting on April 24. Combined, these two sets of documents will paint a detailed financial picture of the costs associated with renovating and maintaining the gymnasium and auditorium.
Residents are encouraged to share their thoughts on the Wilson Center project by contacting the Commissioners and providing public comment at City Commission meetings. Contact information and meeting schedules are available at cityofstjohnsmi.com/meetings.
Registration for Superhero 5K closes Sunday, April 9
Registration is now open for the 10th Almost Annual Superhero 5K Run, Walk, or Fly! The photo is a throwback to a Bubble Checkpoint at the very first 5K in 2014.
On April 29 will YOUR cape be ready? Sign Up Now.
Schedule of Events
8:00 a.m.: Check in Begins! (There will be NO day of registrations accepted.)
8:30 a.m.: Kids’ Super Dash
8:45 a.m. until 9:15 a.m. Open Start Time All 5K Superheroes take off!
Frequently Asked Questions
What does my registration include?
– All sponsor complementary registrations and paid registrations will receive a Superhero 5K T-shirt, LOTS of SUPER fun and Superhero Goodie Giveaways!
– If you registered for 2022, you are automatically registered for 2023.
Can kids do both the Kids’ Super Dash and the full 5K?
– Yes.
When does registration close?
– Registration deadline is Midnight, April 9
Can I register in-person?
– No.
Will there be a Superhero Costume Contest?
– Yes.
Can I pick up my t shirt and bib before race day?
– To be determined; they will announce this closer to the event.
What if I want to make an additional donation?
– When you complete your registration there is an option to make an additional donation to the program.
Due to costs associated with the race and because this is a fundraiser for their programs, there are no refunds for this event.
For more information about our program, please visit our website at VoiceForClintonCountyChildren.org
Corrections officers complete LCC course
Pictured from left to right are Officer Foltz, Captain Wirth and Officer Barton.
Congratulations to Officer Barton and Officer Foltz for completing the Spring Corrections Academy at Lansing Community College.
Corrections is an unpredictable and challenging career. With this training they can make the Clinton County Jail safer for everyone.
A spokesman for the Sheriff’s Department says that they have the utmost confidence that these officers will only continue to enhance their skills and abilities here in Clinton County.
Sparrow easing masking requirements
Sparrow is revising its requirements for wearing face masks on the heels of the continual decrease in COVID cases, high levels of immunity and the availability of effective treatments.
Effective immediately, caregivers, patients, and visitors will no longer be required to wear a mask in public areas of our facilities, including hallways, cafeterias, and most waiting areas, in alignment with Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration (MIOSHA) standards.
Patients and visitors will be required to wear a mask when visiting patients, seeking medical care for respiratory symptoms and/or COVID, including fever, new cough, or rash, or when someone in their home has COVID. Masks will continue to be available throughout our facilities for anyone who chooses to wear one.
Sparrow caregivers will also be required to mask up when providing direct patient care or when experiencing respiratory-like symptoms. All caregivers will continue to have the option to wear an N95 if they prefer a higher level of protection.
Sparrow has been a leader in COVID care in Michigan since the pandemic began in March 2020 and is among the first health systems in the state to ease masking requirements.
“The easing of the mask mandate marks a historical milestone,” said Paul Entler, D.O., Sparrow Health System Chief Clinical Officer. “For the past three years, our region has endured much heartache, stress, loss of loved ones, and isolation. I am proud to be part of the Mid-Michigan community and what we stand for with better days ahead. The easing of mask requirements symbolizes recovery.”
For the past three years, Sparrow has been at the forefront in protecting our patients, visitors, and caregivers from the spread of COVID during the pandemic. Along with a strict visitor policy and masking mandate, in March 2020 Sparrow was one of the first hospitals in Michigan to offer COVID tests to inpatients and has performed more than 915,000 PRC COVID-19 tests. Federal statistics show the number of COVID cases reported daily in the United States has dropped by 92% since the peak of the Omicron surge in January 2022. COVID deaths have also declined by over 80%, while new COVID-19 hospitalizations are down nearly 80%.
Sparrow is proud to be Mid-Michigan’s leader in COVID care and will continue to monitor COVID to protect the health of our community. To learn more, visit Sparrow.org/COVIDcare.
Open House and Funeral Expo is April 16
McGeehan Funeral Homes, Keck-Coleman Chapel will host an open house on Sunday,
April 16 from noon until 4 p.m. They hope give the community a chance to meet their staff and see their newly renovated funeral chapel.
A brief re-dedication ceremony is scheduled for 1 p.m. You will also have the opportunity to gather funeral information, ask questions over appetizers and connect with some of the St. Johns businesses who make their funeral service exceptional. These include:
– Al-Lin’s Floral and Gifts
– Chuckie D’s
– Country Spice Catering
– Howe’s Greenhouse and Flower Shoppe
– Main Street Cafe
– Nordic Pineapple Bed and Breakfast
– Patten Monument Company
– Wieber Green Attorneys
– Woodbury’s Flower Shop
The day will feature food, drinks, giveaways and captive funeral service professionals to gather information from. The chapel is located at 1500 Waterford Parkway in St. Johns.
SafeCenter honors Sexual Assault Awareness Month in April
April is National Sexual Assault Awareness Month in the United States. Each year SafeCenter Domestic and Sexual Violence Services of Clinton and Shiawassee Counties takes time this month to honor victims/survivors, raise awareness, and engage in fund-development to ensure we are furthering our capacity, sustainability, and mission to Empower, Advocate, Educate, and Prevent in both counties.
SafeCenter would like to make the community aware of the following events:
– Monday, April 10-Friday, April 14: Resource Table Set Up at Baker College of Owosso An Advocate will be Present at Baker from 10 am – 2 pm on Wednesday, April 12
– Thursday, April 20: Executive Director, Hannah Gottschalk, and Board President, Krystal McCoy, will be Panelists at the Crime Stoppers Mid-Michigan Breakfast Event in Lansing. For more information and registration, visit www.crimestoppersofmidmichigan.com.
– Saturday, April 22: SafeCenter is hosting a “Beautification Day” onsite at the Owosso Administrative Office/Shelter from 10 am – 2 pm. To register, contact Kristen Gilpin: 989-723-9716 or Kristen@thesafecenter.org.
– Sunday, April 23 – Saturday, April 29: National Crime Victims Week
– Wednesday, April 26: Wear Denim Day, the annual sexual assault awareness event that works to start conversations about the destructive attitudes surrounding sexual assault, such as victim blaming.
To stay in the loop on agency happenings, “like” and “follow” The SafeCenter on Facebook. To also learn more about SafeCenter as well as domestic violence and sexual assault, or to get connected to them for services, please visit the website: www.thesafecenter.org or call us toll-free at 877-952-7283.
Soap Box Derby scheduled for June 11
The 2023 St. Johns Soap Box Derby is open for racers. The deadline to register is April 30.
This year’s race is set for Sunday, June 11, 2023. The entire community is excited to see the event will be held in Downtown St. Johns again this year. Boys and girls ages 7 to 19 build with assistance from an adult then race in their gravity powered cars.
There will be practice run days on April 23 and May 7. There is also a rain/overage day set for June 17 should it be needed.
Participating in the Soap Box Derby provides racers the opportunity to sharpen their STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) skills. Mechanical knowledge along with an appreciation of physics and mathematics will define a successful racer.
The event will consist of one single elimination race in each of the two divisions, Stock and SuperStock. The winner in each division becomes a Local Champ and achieves the opportunity to race at the national level.
Each July winners from across the U.S. compete in the First Energy All-American Soap Box Derby World Championship in Akron, Ohio. The St. Johns organization sent 2 champions to Akron in 2022.
Interested in racing? See www.sjsoapboxderby.com. Registration opened March 22, 2023 and closes April 30, 2023. Contact the St. Johns Soap Box Derby to learn more or for questions. All contact information is available on their website as well as their Facebook page.
New car kits are available online at www.sjsoapboxderby.com.
The event is free for spectators. Bring your chair and buckle up for an exciting day in beautiful Downtown St. Johns.