SJPD welcomes new officer
New Year’s Eve ball drop planned for St. Johns
Checking on Santa and his Reindeer – with an album
Lessons and Carols
City Recreation Department has gifts on sale for everyone on your list
Filler named Freshman Legislator of the Year
SJPD welcomes new officer
City Clerk Mindy Seavey swears in the newest officer to the St. Johns Police Department, Officer Harless. He was sworn in this week and will be out on patrol soon.
New Year’s Eve ball drop planned for St. Johns
New Year’s Eve plans? Don’t miss the 2020 ball drop in St. Johns brought to you Sunbelt Rentals, Chant Farms, Schneider Fabrication, Captains Choice Docks and Boat Lifts, Michigan Graphics and Signs, and New Look Computer and Data.
There will be a countdown, and the ball drop will happen on the North side of the Downtown St. Johns near the rail trail.
Checking on Santa and his Reindeer
by Maralyn Fink
I went to Andy T’s on Saturday afternoon to check on Santa and his Reindeer.
I got to meet the reindeer and Santa himself as I sat on his lap. This job does have some perks for me.
Santa was very busy that day listening to the children who couldn’t wait to give him their Christmas Lists.
The picture of the older gentleman at the Reindeer is my Uncle Art Halfmann who along with his daughter, Shirley Klemmer, came to see the Reindeer because my uncle who is 96 years young had never seen a real Reindeer. The smile on his face says it all.
Merry Christmas everyone!!!!
Lessons and Carols
by Guven Witteveen
An Advent Festival of Lessons And Carols was presented on Sunday, December 15 at the First Congregational Church of St. Johns. The service featured Community Choirs directed By Steven Easterling.
Here is Silent Night to share with St. Johns Indy readers who were unable to attend.
City Recreation Department has gifts on sale for everyone on your list
Your Recreation Department gift certificates are good for any activity registration or online facility rental, so the possibilities are endless. The suggestions below are only a small sampling.
– Wild nephew or niece: Rec gift certificate (Nerf battles)
– Active Uncle Ed: Rec gift certificate (Adult swim)
– Pretty princess granddaughter: Rec gift certificate (Warrior Princess battle)
– Competitive Gran: Rec gift certificate (Pickleball)
– Too-many-toys toddler: Rec gift certificate (Words and Wiggles)
– Summer blues son or daughter: Rec gift certificate (Summer camps)
– Impossible-to-shop-for-Dad: Rec gift certificate (Adult basketball)
– “I don’t need anything” Mom: Rec gift certificate (Birthday rental so she doesn’t have to clean)
Buy before December 31 to get your $10 or $25 certificate for 20% off.
Parents, the next Nerf battles are January 31 and February 28 if you would like to plan ahead.
Filler named Freshman Legislator of the Year
State Rep. Graham Filler of DeWitt was recently selected “Freshman Legislator of the Year” by the Michigan Information & Research Service (MIRS).
According to MIRS, Filler “was recognized for chairing a panel that moved out 35 pieces of legislation that are already public acts, a little less than a quarter of every Public Act in 2019. He oversaw reforms on civil asset forfeiture and raising the age of when teenagers can be charged as adults to 18.”
Filler was selected from among 45 members of the Michigan House and 30 members of the Senate who served their first year in 2019. MIRS, an influential state Capitol newsletter, selects a freshman legislator of the year every two years.
“I wanted to serve as a state representative to enact good policies that move Michigan forward – and it’s great to be recognized for that,” Filler said.
Filler, who chairs the House Judiciary Committee, has been the driving force behind several criminal justice reforms that advanced this year.
He helped sponsor a plan to end the antiquated policy of treating all 17-year-olds as adults in the criminal justice system, which was signed into law in October. Trying 17-year-olds in juvenile court will allow troubled teens to receive the age-appropriate services they need, making them less likely to become repeat offenders.
The freshman legislator also is spearheading a plan to expand Michigan’s expungement laws and give hundreds of thousands of residents with old, low-level convictions a new opportunity to start fresh. The legislation received overwhelming bipartisan support in the House and is currently under consideration in the Senate.
Filler, a former assistant attorney general, was elected to represent the House’s 93rd District in November 2018. The district includes Clinton County and portions of Gratiot County, including the city of Ithaca and the townships of Sumner, Arcada, New Haven, North Shade, Newark, Fulton, Washington, North Star, Elba, Hamilton, Lafayette and Wheeler.