{"id":4804,"date":"2019-06-13T20:59:30","date_gmt":"2019-06-14T00:59:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/stjindy.com\/?p=4804"},"modified":"2024-02-07T13:59:36","modified_gmt":"2024-02-07T13:59:36","slug":"latest-news-67","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/stjindy.com\/newindy\/?p=4804","title":{"rendered":"Latest News"},"content":{"rendered":"

City Commission Adopts 2019-2020 Budget<\/em>: The St. Johns City Commission held a public hearing and adopted the City\u2019s annual opera\u001ang budget on May 27th. The new budget goes into effect on July 1st.<\/p>\n

The annual budget is balanced and totals $13 million which includes $4.2 million in the General Fund and $8.8 million in the Water, Sewer and remaining funds. The City\u2019s base millage rate, which was restored back to a full 10 mils by the voters in 2018, was reduced by the Headlee Amendment to 9.943 mils. The total operating millage rate, which includes refuse and the street
\nmillage, will be 13.6569 mils. For a St. Johns resident living in a home with a market value of $100,000, this would equate to an annual city tax bill of approximately $680.<\/p>\n

Major planned purchases and programs include the on-going road restoration program and the purchase of a new street sweeper, sewer cleaning equipment and street light upgrades. The City has reserve funds totaling nearly 50% of all annual expenditures which is significant as such funds can be used for future major programs and purchases, unfunded government mandates, and emergencies.<\/p>\n

City Commission Announces \u201cCurb Appeal\u201d Grant Program<\/em>: The City of St. Johns now has a curb appeal grant program available to residents wishing to make visual improvements to the front of their owner-occupied homes. Residents can make physical improvements such as painting, siding, porch and step upgrades, and permanent landscaping including shrubs, trees and perennial plantings.<\/p>\n

Grants are on a 50% match not to exceed $500 and will be judged and awarded on a number of different criteria. Look for information on this new program on the City\u2019s web-site and
\non Facebook.<\/p>\n

St. Johns Changes Trash and Recycling Services<\/em>: The St. Johns City Commission recently took action to change and improve trash and recycling services for City residents. Specifically, residents will no longer need to purchase the green trash disposal bags and will be provided with a trash curb cart, similar to the one currently used for recyclables.<\/p>\n

The new carts will hold 96 gallons of refuse and will make pickup more efficient. The annual cost for this new service will be $60 which will be added to the fee included on the Summer tax bill. This is a cost reduction for residents as the average cost for green bags per year has been typically a minimum of $82.<\/p>\n

Another change being made is that recyclables will now be picked up every other week instead of
\nweekly. A calendar with pick up dates will be provided. The changes in service should begin sometime this summer. Please watch the City\u2019s web-page and Facebook page for further information. The collection days will stay the same.<\/p>\n

http:\/\/cityofstjohnsmi.com\/<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

\n

Mountain Town Brass brings “Salute to America” to St. Johns<\/strong><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Mid-Michigan’s newest British-style brass band, Mountain Town Brass, will have everyone on their feet with a rousing “Salute to America” June 19 show that’s part of the St. Johns Concert in the Park summer music series. There is no admission charge for the show that begins at 7 p.m. at the William E. Tennant Performance Shell in the St. Johns City Park.<\/p>\n

Based in St. Johns, Dr. Travis Scott directs the band that he co-founded in 2016, featuring elite brass musicians from across Michigan – Rockford, Detroit, Mt. Pleasant, East Lansing and Alanson. The band recently appeared at the Motor City Festival of Bands in Dearborn and has featured guest artists such as Professor Philip Sinder, Professor of Tuba\/Euphonium at Michigan State University, and the international virtuosic euphonium duo, Steven and Misa Mead from Manchester, England.<\/p>\n

Highlights from the “Salute to America” program include music of “South Pacific,” noting its 70th anniversary; “West Side Story in celebration of Bernstein’s centennial; stirring marches and patriotic flair with John Philip Sousa’s setting of the “Star Spangled Banner,” and a “Salute to the U.S. Armed Forces.”<\/p>\n

The concert also features an array of dazzling soloists including Matt Taton (cornet), Paul Roache (flugel horn), Charles McCown (tenor horn), and Cassandra Black (euphonium).<\/p>\n

Dr. Scott teaches Tuba\/Euphonium and courses in Music Theory at the University of Windsor in Ontario, Canada, and recently completed a semester substitute position as band director for the University of Detroit Jesuit High School and Academy of Detroit.<\/p>\n

For more information visit https:\/\/www.mountaintownbrass.org\/<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

Concert in the Park is sponsored by the Clinton County Arts Council and the City of St. Johns with support from the Michigan Council for the Arts and Cultural Affairs and the National Endowment for the Arts. Concerts are held each Wednesday evening; rain or shine. The St. Johns Lions and Lioness Club staff a concession stand offering light refreshments.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

For detailed information on the Concert in the Park series visit the CCAC web site, http:\/\/www.clintoncountyarts.org\/<\/a> and check out the St. Johns City Park Performance Shell page on Facebook.<\/p>\n

\n

Vintage dresses on display at the Museum<\/strong><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

During the months of June and July, vintage wedding dresses from 1890’s to 1940’s are on display in the Paine-Gillam-Scott House.<\/p>\n

The 2019 Exhibit honoring the Police and Fire Departments is located in the house and the carriage house. Don’t’ miss the opportunity to see all the artifacts on display.<\/p>\n

The Clinton County Historical Museum includes Paine-Gillam-Scott House, Swegles General Store and the Carriage House and is open Wednesdays, 2-6 p.m. and Sundays, 1-4 p.m. Closed on holiday weekends.<\/p>\n

The Museum is located west of the courthouse, at 106 Maple St., St. Johns, Michigan. Group tours and individual tours are welcome. For more information contact us at 989-224-2894, email PGSmuseum@gmail.com<\/span><\/a>. Visit the webpage, PGSmuseum.com<\/span><\/a> and Facebook, Paine-Gillam-Scott Museum.<\/p>\n

\n

Youth Choir Camp<\/strong><\/p>\n

Let your child explore their singing voice. No previous choir experience needed; any child with a desire to sing is welcome. Children will discover the basics of choral singing by learning about healthy vocal production, breath control, diction, singing posture, and group participation in a safe and fun environment. In addition to singing rounds, partner songs, and choral octavos, we will play games, move, dance, clap, and rap!<\/p>\n

August 5 – 9, 2019<\/p>\n

9:30-11:30am<\/p>\n

Ages 9-11 years old, children entering grades 4-6th<\/p>\n

Southpoint Mall, next to Secretary of State<\/p>\n

Come and express yourself and enjoy a creative outlet through singing. This camp will introduce singers to the Junior Mints Choir, which will be starting in September, as a branch of the Mint City Singers.<\/p>\n

http:\/\/www.clintoncountyarts.org\/youth-choir-camp.html<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

\n

Congregation introduces new preacher<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

The congregation of Two or More Christian Church of St. Johns would like to introduce their new preacher and his wife to the community.<\/p>\n

Dr. Ron Peters and his wife, Suzanne, have been with the church for most of this church year. Ron is a professor of the New Testament at Great Lakes Bible College. Naturally, he is very knowledgeable about the whole Bible which he pulls from in depth for his sermons. The most important part is that he teaches how to live today according to the teachings of Jesus, while acknowledging the difficulty of doing that. Additionally, he and Suzanne are very easy-going and enjoyable to get to know.<\/p>\n

If you are looking for a church with a minister whose sermons can be applied to your daily life, and a congregation that is warm and welcoming, you are invited to join them some Sunday to attend a service that starts at 10:00 AM. They meet in the new Bingham Township Hall, 2057 North Lansing St. in St. Johns. This building was formerly the St. Johns location of Smith Funeral Homes.<\/p>\n

\n

Big weekend coming up<\/strong><\/p>\n

Sister Hazel benefit concert is June 15<\/em><\/p>\n

A concert to benefit the return of the Soap Box Derby and other local organizations will be held at Uncle John\u2019s Cider Mill on Saturday, June 15, 2019 from 3:00 \u2013 11:00 p.m.<\/p>\n

Ticket prices are $30 general admission and $100 VIP.<\/p>\n

******<\/p>\n

Special Olympics Area 28 Golf Scramble is June 15<\/em><\/p>\n

Mark your calendars June 15, 2019 for the 23rd annual Special Olympics Area 28 Clinton County Golf Scramble at the Emerald Golf Course. Continental breakfast, 18 holes with cart, luncheon, raffles, prizes are all included for only a $70 entry fee.<\/p>\n

For further information please contact Area 28 Representative Robyn Monville at 989.224.7021, or Area 28 Director Debbie Cornell at 517.669.7704 or via email at area28@somi.org<\/a>.<\/p>\n

******<\/p>\n

Soap Box Derby returns Sunday, June 16<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

After a 43 year pause, the St. Johns Soap Box Derby will return on Sunday, June 16.<\/p>\n

Here is a partial schedule. Find the whole program here<\/span><\/a>.<\/p>\n

7:00 a.m.\u2013 Drivers and Car Handlers get cars out of quarantine and line them up near the History Tent.<\/p>\n

8:00 a.m.\u2013 Chuckie D\u2019s breakfast will be served at the Rotary Pavilion by the Depot, compliments of the Soap Box Derby
\nCommittee. Rotarians will be serving breakfast to the Drivers\/2 Car Handlers per car\/Volunteers and Committee Members. There
\nwill also be a Drivers meeting during breakfast. All Drivers and Car Handlers MUST be present.<\/p>\n

History tent opens at 8 a.m.<\/p>\n

9:00 a.m.\u2013 Drivers line up for the parade on Maple Avenue, between the Court House and the Congregational Church.
\n9:30 a.m.\u2013 Parade Starts
\n9:55 a.m.\u2013 National Anthem sung by Kelly Bitz Invocation by Pastor Tim Trommater
\n10:00 a.m.\u2013 Cars start rolling\u2026 Each driver will have an opportunity to get one practice run down the track before the actual
\nracing starts.<\/p>\n

Immediately Following the Practice Runs \u2013 Let the Racing
\nbegin. We will run the first heat of the Stock Division first,
\nfollowed immediately by the first heat of the Super Stock Division.
\nThen alternate Divisions each heat the same way.<\/p>\n

Following the Final Race at approximately 5:00 p.m.\u2013 Awards Ceremony at the Wilson Center. One block South of the starting ramps, behind the Court House. An announcement will be made
\nfor a specific time as we get closer to the end of the racing.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

City Commission Adopts 2019-2020 Budget: The St. Johns City Commission held a public hearing and adopted the City\u2019s annual opera\u001ang budget on May 27th. The new budget goes into effect on July 1st. The annual budget is balanced and totals $13 million which includes $4.2 million in the General Fund and $8.8 million in the Read More<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-4804","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/stjindy.com\/newindy\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4804","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/stjindy.com\/newindy\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/stjindy.com\/newindy\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/stjindy.com\/newindy\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/stjindy.com\/newindy\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=4804"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/stjindy.com\/newindy\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4804\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":23579,"href":"https:\/\/stjindy.com\/newindy\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4804\/revisions\/23579"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/stjindy.com\/newindy\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=4804"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/stjindy.com\/newindy\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=4804"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/stjindy.com\/newindy\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=4804"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}