Local emergency radio upgrade millage on March 10 ballot
St. Johns Middle School Counselor charged
Tribute to Joanne Sullivan to be held March 14
Friends of the FMCIS Trail Annual Membership Meeting is March 11
Sea Lions plan fundraising swim meet
Prepare for but don’t panic over COVID-19
Local emergency radio upgrade millage on March 10 ballot
The Clinton County 9-1-1 Central Dispatch is the point of contact for all your emergency and non-emergency public safety needs for police, fire and ambulance services.
The County’s current public safety radio system equipment has reached its “end of life” and will not be supported after 2021.
Sheriff Larry Jerue says, “In order to ensure the safety and security of our citizens and our First Responders it is imperative that our 9-1-1 System is capable of receiving and transmitting high quality communications.”
Clinton County Central Dispatch is currently funded by a voter approved monthly surcharge of
$2.75 per device capable of dialing 9-1-1. The revenue from the monthly surcharge has continually decreased at approximately 2% annually due to the loss of landlines and the stabilization of cellular device purchases.
Clinton County voters will be asked to approve a millage proposal in the amount of .85 mills for
9-1-1 center operations and the local voter approved surcharge will be reduced to no more than $1.50 for the radio system infrastructure.
For more information visit www.clinton-county.org or https://michigan.gov/mpscs.
St. Johns Middle School Counselor charged
St. Johns Middle School counselor Kimberly Feldpausch faces serious charges regarding incidents that are said to have occurred about 20 years ago during the 2001-2002 school year at St. Johns Middle School.
According to a letter sent by St. Johns Superintendent Mark Palmer, a former student recently contacted the Clinton County Sheriff’s department to report that Fedlpausch engaged in an inappropriate relationship with the student. When the district was informed of these allegations, she was immediately placed on leave.
Feldpausch was set to be arraigned on Thursday morning in Clinton County.
She is a 1984 graduate of St. Johns High School.
Tribute to Joanne Sullivan to be held March 14
There will be a Celebration of Life in honor of Joanne Sullivan, longtime community volunteer, on Saturday, March 14 from 1-4 p.m. at the Knights of Columbus Hall in St. Johns.
Joanne was taken from us early due to a serious stroke she experienced in October, 2018. She had a great fighting spirit and did all she could to conquer the physical effects of the stroke while at Hazel I. Findlay for more than a year. Fortunately the stroke didn’t affect her incredible mind.
She knew all that was happening in her family, which expanded by one more grandchild just before she died in January 2020. It appeared to be sheer will that kept her alive and aware until she could welcome the new baby girl, at least in spirit.
Before the stroke, Joanne gave most of her time in service to the community for many years. Joanne was a dedicated Lioness, a volunteer at the Mint Festival and an all-around volunteer for the Clinton County Arts Council. Her cheerful personality, vast knowledge and good memory made her a great addition to any program or project. She even volunteered for Clinton County as a judge for the MSU Quiz Bowl contest for high school students over a number of years.
All those who would like to join the celebration of Joanne’s life on March 14 are welcome to come and share some good memories.
Friends of the FMCIS Trail Annual Membership Meeting is March 11
The Friends of the Fred Meijer Clinton-Ionia-Shiawassee Trail will hold their annual membership meeting at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, March 11 at Main Street Pizza, located at 207 N. Clinton Street in St. Johns, Michigan.
This year’s featured speaker will be Ron Gunderson. Mr. Gunderson serves dual capacities as Chairperson of the Mid-West Michigan Trail Authority and as the Trail Maintenance Coordinator for the Fred Meijer River Valley Rail Trail (between Ionia and Greenville). In addition, Trail Manager Barry Culham will provide a wrap up of 2019 maintenance activities.
Board elections will take place for 3 three-year positions with terms ending in March, 2023. Members that paid dues in 2019 are eligible to vote in these elections.
This meeting is open to all current, past and potential members of the Friends group and anyone else interested in the promotion and maintenance of this newly completed trail that follows the former railroad corridor running through the counties of Clinton, Ionia and Shiawassee. Admission is free.
Sea Lions plan fundraising swim meet
The Sea Lions would like to invite you participate or attend our upcoming fundraising swim meet on Saturday, March 21.
They are calling it the Worlds Greatest Swim Meet for several reasons. This is the only meet where Sea Lions, Middle School Team swimmers, High School Team swimmers and Redwing swimming and Sea Lion Alumni are able to participate in the same event together.
It is a fundraiser for a new video scoreboard at the pool. And it is the most fun you will have at a swim meet, with walk out music, fun relays and a great swim community atmosphere.
The community will get to say good bye to Coach Brewbaker after almost 30 years coaching swimming and welcome the new coaches.
The cost to swim is $10. Current Sea Lions will be covered by the club. There is no cost to attend, but donations will be accepted. If you cannot make the meet but would still like to donate, you can send to us via PayPal at stjohnssealions@gmail.com.
Sign Up Here: https://www.sjsealions.com/wgsm/
Prepare for but don’t panic over COVID-19
As the COVID-19 situation continues to evolve, Mid-Michigan District Health Department (MMDHD) advises residents to prepare for, but don’t panic over the virus. MMDHD is continuously working on preparedness and response planning for emerging communicable diseases, like COVID-19 with federal, state and local partners.
At this time, Michigan has no confirmed cases of COVID-19 and there are no individuals being monitored within MMDHDs jurisdiction (Clinton, Gratiot and Montcalm Counties). For up-to-date information, visit www.michigan.gov/coronavirus.
As COVID-19 cases increase worldwide, it is uncertain how it will impact the United States. That’s why taking action now can help protect your health and those you care about.
The following measures may help decrease or slow the spread of infection, and reduce the impact on our communities:
– Pay attention to and comply with public health requests and recommendations
– Get your information from credible sources, like the CDC, MDHHS or MMDHD
– Practice good hand hygiene by washing hands regularly and using alcohol-based hand sanitizer (60% or more) if soap and water is not available
– Stay home when you are sick
– Clean all “high touch” surfaces daily with household cleaning sprays or wipes
– Cover coughs and sneezes and avoid touching your face
– Avoid sharing personal household items
– Be current on your routine vaccinations
– Call ahead before going to the doctor or hospital if you are sick. Most cases of coronavirus are not serious, but be watchful of concerning symptoms like shortness of breath and prolonged fever
– Plan how you’ll care for loved ones who may be sick or medically compromised, and how not to expose each other to sickness
– Keep prescription medications filled and over-the-counter medications on hand
– Maintain a good supply of non-perishable food items, including pet food ?Plan ahead for daycare options if schools are closed
– Talk to your employer on contingency plans for absenteeism, working from home, or other strategies for the continuation of operations
For additional information, visit: www.cdc.gov/coronavirus; www.michigan.gov/coronavirus or www.mmdhd.org.