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DK board divided on bond issue

Are answers in gun control or mental health?

Maple Valley boys start year 4-0

See Story on Page 2

See Editorial on Page 4

See Story on Page 16

THE HASTINGS

VOLUME 159, No. 50

NEWS BRIEFS Christmas program will include Joseph and Elvis Christmas through the eyes and words of Joseph and the music of Elvis will be presented at 6 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 23, at Lifegate Community Church, located at 301 E. State Road, Hastings.

Sharing the part of Joseph during the evening will be the Rev. Steve Reid. He has been performing this original drama since 1983.

J.R. Shropshire Jr. will be mixing Christmas and Elvis favorites during his portion of the evening.

There is no admission charge but a freewill offering will be accepted.

Presbyterian church collecting children’s pajamas This year, instead of collecting mittens, gloves, hats, boots and such for the elementary schools, First Presbyterian Church is hosting a pajama collection.

Pajamas are being collected from now until the church’s services on Christmas Eve. Donated pajamas are requested to be in sizes newborn through big kid size, 16-18 or extra large. All pajamas will be donated to Pennock Hospital’s Family Birthing Center, Green Gables Haven for Women and Children, and to area elementary schools (depending on sizes). Pajamas should be new and unwrapped.

Donations can be made at the church, which is located at 405 N. M-37 Highway., Hastings. There is a small Christmas tree with lights on it at the back of the narthex area where donations may be placed.

Schools have received donations of cold weather items, said Tracy Solmes, but many babies and children could benefit from a nice, warm pair of pajamas this winter.

Ag census to begin soon Farmers and ranchers in Michigan and throughout the nation will soon have the opportunity to make a positive impact on their communities by taking part in the 2012 Census of Agriculture.

Conducted every five years by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service, the Census is a complete count of all U.S. farms, ranches and those who operate them.

The Census of Agriculture helps tell the story of U.S. agriculture. said Jay Johnson, director of the USDA, NASS, Michigan field office As the second most diverse agricultural state in the nation, Michigan has the opportunity to reinforce the importance of agriculture to its economy, and the Census of Agriculture is a critical tool that provides information, he said.

NASS will mail out Census forms in late December, to collect data for the 2012 calendar year. Completed forms are due by Feb. 4, 2013.

For more information, visit www.agcensus.usda.gov or call the NASS Michigan field office 800-4537501.

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Thursday, December 20, 2012

Hallway conversation lights up county commission meeting

by Doug VanderLaan Editor The business of numbers, contracts and deadlines was apparently too mundane for Tuesday’s Barry County Board of Commissioners meeting which unexpectedly ended with charges of political cronyism, personal intimidation and a police complaint.

“This is a classic example of intimidation,” maintained citizen Jack Miner in public comments made to commissioners at the meeting’s conclusion. “I believe I am being warned to go back over to that row of chairs to sit down and shut up or it will really be a rough two years for me.”

Miner’s saga goes back to public comments he made at the board’s Dec. 4 meeting in which he took commissioners and Sheriff Dar Leaf to task for not ordering an independent investigation of animal cruelty charges against a Middleville woman who was connected to Leaf.

Miner told commissioners he was informed before the start of the Dec. 11 board meeting

by Commissioner Howard “Hoot” Gibson and an armed member of the sheriff’s posse that Gibson had filed a police complaint against Miner, citing fears for his personal safety due to the comments made by Miner Dec. 4.

“How many of you remember my saying to you, ‘it is going to be a rough two years, isn’t it?’” Miner asked commissioners during Tuesday’s committee-of-the-whole meeting, referring to the upcoming term of the new board. “How many of you considered that statement to be a threat?”

Miner said in a phone call following the meeting that he had posed that question not only to at least five commissioners over a two- to three-week period, but had also posed it to newly elected commissioner Jon Smelker.

It was the same question that Miner used as a parting comment in the hallway during a brief board recess Dec. 4 to which Gibson

“This is a classic example of intimidation. I believe I am being warned to go back over to that row of chairs to sit down and shut up or it will really be a rough two years for me.”

Jack Miner

took exception.

“It was the tone of voice that he used, and I took it as a threat,” Gibson repeated during a telephone interview and a later visit to the Banner office. “With all the violence going on and the reports on television, it’s not a good time to be saying things like that. It’s the time of year I’d be wishing people a ‘merry Christmas,’ not something like that.”

Miner, who concedes he and Gibson are “at loggerheads continuously” even though he once worked on a campaign to get Gibson elected, expressed dismay that a person he later identified as Michael Maring, a sheriff’s volunteer, would conduct a rudimentary foyer investigation Dec. 11 in which Maring termed Miner a “person of interest” in a police matter and cast tarnish on Miner’s reputation.

“Does he have the credentials to make this investigation?” asked Miner during the public comment portion of Tuesday’s meeting. “He had a badge and a gun — at the time, those were credentials enough for me.

“How many of you had any of the above happen to you, one week to the day after you had made a statement to this body that was highly critical of the handling of the animal shelter issues by both the sheriff and this commission?”

Gibson clarified later that, though Maring

did take notes during the conversation with Miner, he never filed a police complaint.

Gibson conceded, however, that he had visited the sheriff’s department and informed Undersheriff Robert Baker of the Dec. 4 incident.

“I called it to their attention,” said Gibson.

“I think it’s a good thing to call attention to these things because, with everything going on today, you just never know. I never filed a statement, though. I would have had to have signed a police statement.”

Miner’s contention is that, in the conversation with Maring, Gibson did affirm that he had filed a police statement. According to Miner, that would not be the first — or last — issue on which the two have disagreed.

“It was the tone of voice that he used, and I took it as a threat. With all the violence going on and the reports on television, it’s not a good time to be saying things like that. It’s the time of year I’d be wishing people a ‘merry Christmas,’ not something like that.”

“Hoot” Gibson

“Part of this might be his continuing to say that the new animal shelter director is going to cost the county $67,000,” said Miner. “He said that at the last Carlton Township meeting and I corrected him — it’s only $55,000. I’m sure that’s added to his anxiety. He told the deputy he’s afraid to go to meetings where I might be. One time I told him, ‘Hoot, I guess

I’m going to different commissioner meetings than you are.’

“Hoot’s been a commissioner for whatever number of years,” said Miner. “He’s collected a paycheck, and he’s not done very much.”

Miner also charged that commissionerelect James Dull “joined and participated” with Gibson while Maring continued his investigation.

“One is an employee and the other two are political cronies of the sheriff,” maintained Miner in his comments to commissioners.

“Well, folks, I will not be intimidated. I will be here participating as a citizen, sitting over in that row of chairs, with my computer, taking names and keeping score.”

The score changed a bit for Miner when Elden Shellenbarger addressed the commission and charged that he had been threatened in the past “by the likes of Mr. Miner,” who, Shellenbarger charged, played a role in having Shellenbarger barred for three months from attending county board meetings.

In a follow-up telephone conversation, Shellenbarger said he once drew up papers that he had notarized and certified mailed to the Hastings City Police, the county prosecutor, the Michigan State Police and the Barry County Sheriff’s Department detailing how Miner “would get in my face” every time they encountered each other.

Still, he allowed for ground on which the two stand in agreement.

“It’s a big deal,” warned Shellenbarger of commissioners. “They don’t like anybody going to meetings and talking against them.”

In other business, commissioners recommended approval of the following actions at next week’s formal board: • An end-of-year budget amendment with a revenue surplus of $85,232. Administrator Michael Brown pointed out that county departments have avoided a “use it or lose it”

See MEETING, page 3

Terpening faces a decade or more in prison

by David DeDecker Staff Writer Friends and family of convicted sex criminal Michael Terpening gathered in Barry County Circuit Court Thursday morning to hear Judge Amy McDowell pronounce a 10to 15-year sentence on the 33-year-old Bellevue man.

Supporters in the court wept and proclaimed “We love you, Michael” and “You’re a good man, Michael,” while others shouted “Will you ever say you’re sorry?”

Six other charges on Terpening garnered 66-day sentences, and he has received credit for 66 days served. All the sentences are to be served concurrently meaning he will be eligible for parole in 10 years.

Assistant Attorney General Angela Povilaitis asked the court to make an upward departure from sentencing guidelines (which assign points for various charges when determining a sentence) and she spelled out her reasons. Povilaitis told the court there was

substantial and compelling reasons to depart from the guidelines.

Defense and prosecuting attorneys were asked to assign point values to Terpening’s charges. Those with the highest scores were predatory conduct, 15 points; felonious activity on three of the convictions, 25 points; and interfering with the administration of justice, 10 points. Several other aspects earned lesser points.

“If there was ever a case where predatory conduct was present, this is it,” Povilaitis told the court.

The defense said the prosecution, earlier in the case, had offered Terpening a plea bargain of 12 months in the local jail. Lead Defense Attorney Thomas Schaeffer said, because Terpening did not take the plea deal, Povilaitis was retaliating and asking for the maximum sentence.

“From the testimony given at the trial,” responded McDowell, “there was grooming behavior, quite a bit of grooming behavior.

Sexual conversation with the victims. Nonsexual contacts with the victims -- hugging and touching of the leg and things like that, which led to the conduct. I do find that is predatory conduct.”

McDowell stated the convictions were for acts committed over an approximately 18month period and they were felonious acts that justified a 25-point scoring.

Povilaitis pointed out, “It is not merely the crime for which he is convicted that should be considered. But, also the acts which occurred after the crimes.”

Povilaitis cited a previous case when a person not only attacked someone with a knife, but the attacker washed off the knife.

“I think that is analogous to testimony we have heard that shortly after the first search ... the defendant ordered [an employee] to clean another location with bleach,” said Povilaitis.

“He was tampering with evidence. He was attempting to get rid of evidence. In addition, [the same employee] testified that the defen-

dant asked him to change his statement.”

The prosecutor said the fact that the employee was too lazy to clean the area thoroughly did not change the fact he was told to clean the area where seminal fluid remains were found.

Schaeffer opposed any points for interference with evidence stating, “The arguments made by the prosecution are merely arguments. First of all, the cleaning process was not directed by my client, it was something in the normal course of business and, in fact, the cleaning did not take place in the area where the alleged offense took place.”

Schaeffer told the court it was not his client’s semen the police found samples of, but was one of the witness’, and said the prosecution’s argument was not relevant.

“There is nothing in the record that would merit an obstruction of justice claim,” he said.

“I don’t think the facts here warrant any

See SENTENCING, page 5

Frustration grows as clock ticks on teacher contract

by Doug VanderLaan Editor Though the meeting agenda was extensive, there was only one item that over 200 citizens wanted addressed at the monthly meeting of the Hastings board of education on Monday at Hastings Middle School.

“Don’t bully us, we don’t allow bullying in our schools,” teacher Melinda Shults told board members, referring to ongoing and growing frustration in the lack of contract negotiation progress between the board and teaching staff over wages and benefits. “I believe that this is very personal. I’m very worried about the impact on the relationship between you, us and the community.”

Shults was the first of approximately 18 people addressing the same subject during a 30-minute public comment period that was extended by the board another 30 minutes. All speakers, to varying degrees and levels of emotion, supported resolution to the differ-

ences between the board and the district’s teaching staff.

Current negotiations are focused on wages and benefits as part of re-opening the current two-year contract. Both sides are now operating in the second year of a pact negotiated in 2011 that allowed for re-opening negotiations for financial considerations only. Because of an audited deficit of $622,607, the district appealed to the teachers union for relief on salary obligations due to the financial straits of the budget.

Negotiations that began over the summer have turned more strident, especially after rank-and-file teachers rejected an “on-schedule” 6 percent salary reduction this fall that their negotiators had tentatively agreed on with the board. The on-schedule reduction — meaning a permanent pay decrease as opposed to a shorter duration downgrade —

See CONTRACT, page 2

More than 200 teachers, students and community members crowd the Hastings Middle School multi-purpose room to state their concern over teacher contract negotiations.

Page 2 — Thursday, December 20, 2012 — The Hastings Banner

CONTRACT, continued from page 1 has become one of the major obstacles to a current agreement.

The tension was upped last week when the Hastings Education Association filed a second Unfair Labor Practice lawsuit against the board last week. The two sides have been working with a mediator who was unable to fashion a compromise in another mediation session Tuesday. Non-binding fact finding with a state judge is scheduled for Jan. 9, 2013, after which, if no agreement is reached, a 60-day “cooling-off” period will follow. If the 60-day cooling-off period expires without an agreement, the school district will be allowed to impose its final offer.

HEA leaders and several of Monday’s public comment speakers, accused the board of “slow walking” the process.

“We continue to come up with proposals, and then weeks and weeks go by before they respond,” said teacher negotiator Tracy George prior to Monday’s meeting. “In 23 years, this is the first experience I’ve ever had going to mediation and fact finding.”

But it was teachers who requested fact finding, recalled Superintendent Todd Geerlings, who added in a phone interview following the meeting that he and the school board have been willing at any time to meet and to work with the HEA, even through mediation and fact finding.

“We are putting forth a full-time effort, and

we’re working hard for Hastings and for kids,” said Geerlings. “Our bottom line is that state funding is not increasing — it’s decreasing. We have slightly declining enrollment (a net loss of two students for 2012-13) and that means a decline in revenue.

“We have an audited deficit of $622,607, and this year’s budget is not sustainable. So much has been cut that we have little money for educational material.”

Geerlings points out that the budget deficit looks even more dire when taking into consideration the $340,000 fund balance that the district had in place at the end of the 2011 fiscal year and pushes the financial gap closer to the $1 million level.

The HEA says their offers, however, would have closed the gap without asking rank-andfile members to make the cuts on-schedule, or permanent.

Tuesday, George reported, the HEA proposed, through mediation, a 2 percent onschedule and permanent reduction for the second year of the current contract and a 4 percent off-schedule, or temporary, reduction for next year in a one-year renewal of the current two-year contract. The proposal would have netted just over $1 million, according to George, but was not accepted.

“They mulled it over and came back with something we couldn’t live with,” said George. “They’re dug in and want to make

the reductions retroactive (to the start of the two-year contract in 2011) because they didn’t get this settled sooner.”

Geerlings said, however, that perceptions must include ongoing budget concerns and not just making up for the current deficit.

“We’re looking at both,” said Geerlings Wednesday afternoon. “We want to get out of debt, but we need a sustainable, ongoing budget so that we have money for learning materials and to fix boilers and roofs, too.

“Part of our disagreement is how we view fund equity at the end of this year. Yes, we do need to build fund equity, but we need to use some funds to build a sustainable budget, too.”

Delaying a decision, warned the final speaker Monday, will produce dire consequences.

“Wake up,” intoned Bob Dwyer, in a call to the Hastings board to address the inequities of state administration of public education.

“Leadership at every level has to be demanded, not asked for. You’ve got to fight back; every school district has got to stand up and say they’re not going to take it anymore.

“You’re going to have an emergency financial manager coming in here,” warned Dwyer, and it’s all because of what they’ve done to you — and you let them.”

Hastings resident and parent Mark Hewitt tells board of education members of his pride for the Hastings school system and of the need to continue attracting quality teachers.

Delton Kellogg board divided on how to present bond issue

by David DeDecker Staff Writer The Delton Kellogg Board of Education debated Monday whether to take a one-question or two-question bond proposal to a community vote in May. The board voted to table the issue until after Christmas break and do some more research.

The committee to research and put together a bond proposal for the district has worked over the past several months to put together a fiscally responsible bond that will improve education in the district. The committee took a survey to find out what would benefit children the most and hired consultants to look into the community’s priorities. The resulting wish list totaled more than $24 million in improvements. The committee whittled that sum down to $14 million. The question that divided the board was whether to split the bond proposal into two questions for voters.

One question would ask for money to improve technology and building infrastructure, replacing windows, doors and school boilers. The second question would ask for money to build new and improve existing athletic facilities. However, there was no firm line item lists for the board to discuss at Monday’s meeting.

Board President Andy Stoneburner said he has struggled with this issue for many weeks.

“I have a hard time seeing this as one question passing,” said Stoneburner. “There has been a lot of work that has gone into this and I have nothing but respect for the group. I think in the area of the community I am in, they will look at this list and there is something on this list for everyone, but there is also things to tick people off. In order for me to support this, the athletic portion would need to be split off into a second question.”

Vice President Paul Hughes said he agreed with Stoneburner.

“The people I have talked to are all for the new technology and anything to help the kids,” said Hughes. “When they see the athletic part they say ‘Whoa. What’s all this for?

What’s wrong with what we have?’ They just want a choice. We know and everyone on the committee knows we are going to have to do a lot of work to get this thing to pass. If the work is done, there should be no problem getting a second question passed. But, we don’t want to lose everything. We have to have the computers, and that’s what I am for. That’s how I look at it.”

Stoneburner added that he did not want to see the proposal fail and have to ask again.

Trustee Jim McManus said he was an advocate for the one-question proposal.

“The group has looked at all the different options,” said McManus. “I know athletics is the biggest concern, but let me say this: The valedictorian, the salutatorian for this year and last year were athletes. The person going to Harvard this year is an athlete. Our best students are athletes. If we lose the athletic portion of the bond, then I believe we will lose a significant portion of our higher-end students. They will find places to go. We do not have enough floor space to cover the athletic commitments we have in the school.

Kids are practicing until 9 or 10 o’clock at night. They come in on weekends. We are going to lose students, and the minute we start losing students, all the savings in the general fund will go down the drain because our perstudent allotment will disappear.

“To me this is a single campus issue. Every single aspect of this campus needs to be dealt with,” said McManus. “If we don’t pass the athletic portion, what sport will be cut?

Which one is not important? I ask the board to allow this to go to the public because this is a voting issue. We need every single aspect of this entire issue. We do. I firmly believe this needs to be a one-question issue.”

Trustee Victor Haas agreed with McManus that the ballot should be one question.

“The committee has done a wonderful job of weeding out what we really could do with-

out,” said Haas. “You can say the athletic part, but if you divide it into two pieces, you are really doing one thing: You are giving everyone the option to vote ‘no’ on something. They will vote ‘no’ on one or the other.

What you are creating are two different groups, and it just depends on which one you will vote ‘no.’”

Haas said this bond will cost only pennies per day to the average homeowner. He said a person could pick up enough pop cans along the road each day to pay his or her portion of the bond.

“What we have to do is sell the community,” he said. “That’s 47 cents a day to provide these things for our kids, or our kids will not make it in society. That’s our job as a board.

As a board member, none of us can say we don’t need every single one of these things.

We do. I think you put it to the people to say every one of these is important. We could use twice as much money to educate our kids, but we have narrowed it down to 47 cents a day.

I will stand in front of people with five pop cans and a laptop and say ‘We don’t have to buy these 10 textbooks because they can now go on the computer.’ I will be happy to stand in front of people and talk that way. That’s what we need to do because every single thing on this list is needed in order for our students to be successful.

“If you take out the athletic part, you will lose those kids,” said Haas. “Our most experienced and best program we have in this school is track. If we don’t do the track portion, we will have to close the track, and we will have no home track meets. It’s that bad.

We have got to do it. We have won three straight KVA titles and seven in the last 20 years. Everything in here is needed.”

Elementary Principal Steve Scoville said he could speak to two things on the list, one being the public address system. He said it has had to be repaired each year to the tune of $1,000, which is taken out of the general fund. He said the school’s fire alarm system has far exceeded its life expectancy.

“Every time they come out here to repair it [fire alarm system],” said Scoville, “they say we really need a new system. One of these times it won’t be an option. If it happens tomorrow, we don’t get to have school until it is repaired. There are expenses besides the boilers with savings built in.

“When I look at this proposal, there is no pool, no community center, no extravagant thing to take to the taxpayer and scare them away,” said Scoville. “Those things were on the table and they were cut pretty quick.”

Haas said the students would lose if the proposal were to be split into two questions.

“It’s proven. It happened in 1973 when we put a pool as a second option. It got voted down 2-to-1,” Haas said, adding that a proposal for an alternate gym with tennis courts was defeated by voters in 2004. “If you make it a two-question issue you might as well not have the second question; there is no way that second question will ever pass. I guarantee it.

It never has here and never will.”

Trustee Ben Tobias also said he is opposed to a two-question proposal. Secretary Jen Bever supported a one-question proposal and Treasurer Marsha Bassett was absent.

Bever reminded the board of its duty to support the bond proposal once a decision has been voted on whether to present a one-question or two-question proposal.

In other business, the board: • Listened to fourth graders sing Christmas carols.

• Heard from the art department and Artsonia, a website where students can display there artwork for sale.

• Discussed revenue-generating ads on the school website.

• Approved the high school field trip to the Chicago Museum of Art and Field Museum.

The next Delton Kellogg Board of Education meeting will be held in the elementary school Jan. 21, 2013, at 7 p.m.

For the second consecutive school board meeting, Hastings teachers carry their perspectives into the meeting room on picket signs.

Caroling into the holidays Student Katie Brown built her remarks to the board of education on each of the teachers she has had since kindergarten. Those in attendance Monday stood behind her.

The Hastings High School Varsity Singers visit a combined holiday meeting of the Hastings Rotary, Kiwanis, Exchange, Lions and GFWC-Hastings women’s clubs Monday, Dec. 17. The vocalists offered renditions of classics such as “Mr. Grinch,” “Silent Night” and a humorous version of “The 12 Days After Christmas.”

The Hastings Banner — Thursday, December 20, 2012 — Page 3

Safety measures, response continue to improve locally

by David DeDecker Staff Writer Barry County Sheriff Dar Leaf is currently visiting county schools to talk with teachers and administration about crisis preparedness, specifically intruders in the school, in light of Friday’s mass shootings at an elementary school in Newtown, Conn.

“There is no profile,” said Leaf about a potential shooter. “But, there is a ‘brittle person phenomenon,’ and a small percentage of people feel persecuted and are extremely sensitive to bullying, harassment and rejection.

They feel alienated and perceive themselves as an outsider.”

Leaf said past shooters have had the mindset they are crusaders for those being bullied and will set things right by their actions. He pointed out that with the 1999 Columbine, Colo., shootings the two perpetrators had been bullied, but school staff did nothing during the bullying incident and students laughed. Those two teenagers made over 30 bombs and planned to kill 500 people then hijack a plane and crash it into New York City.

“The public needs to aware of actions and statements, and at a minimum they need to report suspicions,” said Leaf. “There is something called ‘emotional leakage’ through writings, artwork, videos, social media and conversation. People need to listen for desperation statements.”

Kip Kinkel killed three and wounded 22 people in Springfield, Ore., in May 1998, and provided an extreme example of emotional leakage. Kinkel is noted to have said, “I plan to live in a black hole. My firearms will be the only things to fight my isolation. I would also like to point out, love is a horrible thing. It makes things kill and hate.”

Leaf stressed that copy-cat killing is real and can be accelerated by social media. The Werther effect, as such copy-cat acts are called, is reinforced by violent movies, video games and music.

Teachers and staff along with students and parents must report receiving any information pertaining to violence and assume every threat is serious, he said. Everything must be reported confidentially to a supervisor, the evidence must be preserved and someone must always be available. Students should have an anonymous method for reporting to authorities, he said.

Leaf said maintaining a school threat assessment team is vital to public safety. That team should include a school administrator, liaison officer, mental health officer, school attorney and teachers. It should not include anyone with role conflicts, such as parents, students or others.

The sheriff said all the law enforcement agencies in the county train separately for emergencies such as the one at Sandy Hook Elementary School, but they also train together so they can perform as coordinated units in a crisis.

Hastings Police Chief Jerry Sarver said cri-

sis procedures have changed since the Columbine shootings.

“Back then, standard technique was to contain the situation and bring in a hostage negotiator and talk the person out,” said Sarver.

“Everyone found out that when you have an active shooter who is taking out people and themselves, that isn’t going to work.

Historically, if someone is intent on killing people and yourself, negotiation goes right out the window. Law enforcement figured out we have to act and act now. All we can do is mitigate the damage. So, we have changed to a dynamic entry. When you have an active shooter in a theater, school, church or synagogue, the first people there go in, and as backup arrives, they go in. You hope you can minimize what is going on inside.”

Sarver said they have trained for dynamic entry with multiple agencies involved.

“It doesn’t matter how much training you do, it is never enough,” said Sarver. “I think it would be great if we could train every day in that regard, but it is out of the question.

“Five years ago, we upgraded our weapons arsenal,” he said. “Our people are now very well equipped if such a situation should arise.

“No matter how many cops you have, you never have enough for any given situation.

We are a small police agency, but we are blessed with a sheriff’s department and Michigan State Police right in the community.

We will take care of the situation to the best of our ability in any given situation.”

Sarver said his department works closely with the schools.

When asked if gun legislation would have changed the situation in Sandy Hook Elementary, Sarver said the issue with gun control is which side to argue.

“There are people who say that if there were armed people in that school and one of them confronted the shooter, they could have mitigated the carnage; in fact, taken him out before he shot 19 or 20 more kids,” he said.

“You can ‘what if’ all day. Then you get into ‘let’s arm the teacher or someone in the school’ and there is an active shooter. The police go in and there is someone running down the hall with a gun. We don’t know who they are because they are not in uniform.

They are not identifiable. We have to make a hair-split decision if that is the shooter or not.

They could be shooting at someone and unknown to the responding officers, that shooter is shooting at the original shooter.

That’s not a good situation.

“There are a lot of teachers who will say

Rutland Township will sell property next to new hotel site

by David DeDecker Staff Writer The Rutland Charter Township Board of Trustees has decided to sell more property, likely bringing more commerce to a corridor that passes through the township and city of Hastings.

At their Dec. 12 meeting, board members voted to sell the property on each side of the new hotel site. The two 3.5-acre parcels face West State Street just west of Cook Road.

Last month, the board agreed to sell a 3.17acre parcel for $200,000; construction on a 64-room Holiday Inn Express is underway.

Township Supervisor Jim Carr said a Realtor will be contacted and the prime retail or service locations will go on the market.

Carr said the township is now working with the City of Hastings on zoning for the township property which runs along the city boundary. He said the city is discussing the zoning with all the townships, in order to make zoning seamless between the different governing bodies. Carr also said everyone is discussing the amount of industrial property still available along the city boundaries.

“The city is running out of industrial prop-

erty,” said Carr. “For the most part, the townships don’t have a lot of industrial property.”

According to Carr, the county government has asked if the townships are willing to collaborate on an offsite information backup facility. He said the practice will be required by law soon, and all electronic information will need to be backed up and stored at least five miles away from its original office.

In other business, Rutland Trustee Brenda Bellmore was reappointed as a planning commission member, and Doug Muma was appointed a board of review member.

Among amendments to the 2012 budget, the board approved a $2,500 membership with the Barry County Economic Development Alliance and additional $1,500 for cemetery maintenance due to many trees falling, and additional attorney fees of $3,000. Clerk Robin Hawthorne said the money will come from the budget stabilization fund in the amount of $7,000.

The board approved a 2013 staff compensation resolution by a 6-1 vote. Trustee Bill Hanshaw voted against the resolution, saying there have been no staff wage raises for several years and he feels there should be

higher compensation for the people who do the good work. Carr said he protested getting a raise in 2005, and no one else currently on staff has received a raise. The township supervisor earns $21,500; clerk, $25,000; treasurer, $22,000; and each trustee earns $80 per meeting attended.

“We don’t have the money to be doing that,” said Carr. “I catch heat for it, but this isn’t a cash cow. We are taking care of the people who elected us to take care the best we can. We chose to run for office. I have said that from Day 1, and the only reason I took the raise back then was because I was outvoted.”

Patrick Sharpe from the Algonquin Lake Association presented a pre-pay option for weed control in the lake. Sharpe said the prepay option would save $900. Hawthorne said the special assessment money would be available in time to make the pre-payment.

The board unanimously approved the prepay option.

The next township board meeting will be Wednesday, Jan. 9, at 7:30 p.m. in the township hall.

MEETING, continued from page 1 practice with individual budgets but acknowledged the reality that departments may view what they don’t use as never coming back.

Brown pointed out that budget surpluses have been reinvested in building restoration, data processing and vehicle funds, so departments eventually do see their savings returned.

• A business associate contract to apply to a current agreement with Professional Benefits Services Inc. that provides third-party, shortterm disability administration. The contract governs use and administration of confidential information, such as Social Security number use and health care information to safeguard the county from increased accountability and legal exposure.

• Renewal of the Michigan State University

Extension Service agreement, which elicited disappointment from Commissioner Jeff VanNortwick because it did not include a regional administrator for farmland preservation.

“The day will come when there’ll be a push against farmland again,” said VanNortwick.

“We absolutely will need a commitment down the road. To ignore that need is a little irresponsible.”

Board Chair Craig Stolsonburg pointed out, however, that the county presently has only one farm in the preservation program and, due to the current lack of economic pressure on farmland, the projected cost of $20,000 to $25,000, to hire a director shouldn’t be necessary.

“We met with Michael [administrator Brown] and there was no interest in hiring additional staff when we’ve laid people off.

Hiring a director would fly in the face of those people that have been laid off.”

• An agreement for airport management services between the Hastings City/Barry County Airport Commission and Airport Director Mark Noteboom for a two-year period beginning Jan. 1, 2013. The agreement has already been approved by the City of Hastings and the Barry County Airport Commission.

Because of the holiday calendar, the board will meet for it formal monthly meeting in its chambers at the courthouse Wednesday, Dec. 26, at 9 a.m.

‘we are here to instruct and teach the kids.

Someone else needs to protect them.’ That used to be good enough. Now, I don’t think it is good enough. The proper way to protect a school is with a uniformed, armed person.

Then the question is [would] the kids feel unsafe to see this person wearing a gun?”

Sarver also spoke about the need to address mental health issues and the lack of suitable treatment.

“I don’t care what way you cut it, if someone goes into an elementary school and starts killing kids, there’s something wrong with them,” he said. “I think there is footing there

to discuss community mental health issues.”

Barry County Mental Health has been serving the community for decades. The agency offers many services related to mental health and is a prime resource for many people in Barry County.

When asked about local response to a situation similar to Friday’s shooting, Clinical Director Jill Bishop said, “We would reach out to the community to offer some type of service, whether it be grief counseling or crisis intervention — any type of counseling service would be needed at the time. We would make our staff available to the community at large, along with outreach to the schools, if requested. Typically, when we have had issues within the community, whether it is a suicide or other tragic event, we will contact the schools and offer our assistance.”

Bishop said all the clinical staff members at BCMH have master’s degrees and attend training seminars as part of their ongoing education. Some staff members have been trained in critical incident stress management and will be the first responders to situations, such as a shooting.

“We already operate as a walk-in crisis center,” said Utilization Review Specialist Carrie Dorrance, recommending online sites with good information for talking to kids about crisis.

She suggested starting with www.cmhnetwork.org/media-center/morning-zen/tips-fortalking-with-kids.

Barry County Mental Health has a 24-hour, seven-day-a-week crisis on-call service available at 269-948-8041.

Chief of Police Sarver said, “If you are going to live in a free society and that society is going to possess guns, you will have situations arise. A free society is built on the fact that the government takes some of those rights away to protect others. How much of those rights the government takes away is depending on society itself. Things like going through searches at an airport are very intrusive, especially if they wand you or make you strip down. Is that worth the safety on an airplane? I think so, but it is still an intrusion on American society. I think the gun issue is the same thing. How much of your rights are you willing to give up for the safety of your children?”

Lay-away Santa strikes again A year after Hastings Kmart shoppers learned the balances on their lay-away purchases had been paid by an anonymous donor, shoppers who had similar contracts at the Hastings Walmart heard similar news Tuesday.

According to LaToya Evans, Walmart spokesperson based in Arkansas, a donor wishing to remain anonymous wrote a check for $10,000 to cover lay-away purchases at the Hastings Walmart.

Evans confirmed that over $7,000 in layaway purchases had been covered, but she could not confirm an exact number of layaways. WZZM reported that 43 accounts at the Hastings store had been paid off.

The remaining $2,000-plus will be donated to a local charity, unless the anonymous donor designated one, said Evans, adding that it is unknown at this time what charity will be chosen.

When contacted by the Banner Wednesday afternoon, local store personnel said they could not comment on the

matter. Evans said Wednesday evening that employees at the local store were busy helping customers and were not available for comment.

Last year, some Kmart shoppers were recipients of a $5,000 donation.

Employees there selected 50 families whose balances were then paid off.

Kmart human resources representative Judi Chaddock said the benevolence boosted morale for customers and employees alike and resulted in some touching stories.

“We had one man come in to take his gifts off layaway because he couldn’t afford to pay them off before Christmas,” Chaddock told the Banner in December 2011. “When we told him they were already paid for, he was overwhelmed and started to cry.”

Whether this year’s layaway Santa is the same person or a new individual who more than doubled the previous donation, the Christmas kindness likely will be felt exponentially.

Reporting History for the Future in 6 Barry County Area Newspapers • Lakewood News • Maple Valley News • Middleville-Caledonia Sun & News • Reminder • Hastings Banner

Over 64,000 Papers Distributed Every Week!

1351 N. M-43 Highway • P.O. Box 188 Hastings, MI 49058 Phone (269) 945-9554 • Fax (269) 945-5192

Page 4 — Thursday, December 20, 2012 — The Hastings Banner

Did you

see?

Where will we find the answers, in gun control laws or mental illness assistance?

Aviation breakthrough This “canal” cloud, or “hole punch” cloud, was photographed early Thursday evening, Dec. 13, above the Banner office. This formation is the result of an aircraft passing through a very cold cloud deck, said Jim Maczko, warning coordination meteorologist at the National Weather Service office in Grand Rapids, who also identified the cloud type.

We’re dedicating this space to a photograph taken by readers or our staff members that represents Barry County. If you have a photo to share, please send it to Newsroom Hastings Banner, 1351 N. M-43 Highway, Hastings, MI 49058; or email news@j-adgraphics.com. Please include information such as where and when the photo was taken, who took the photo, and other relevant or anecdotal information.

Do you

know?

Behold, baby sister – but don’t touch Do you recognize these two youngsters? Do you know why or when the photo was taken? What can you tell us about this photo?

The Banner archives have numerous photographs from the middle of the past century that have no date, names or other information. We’re hoping readers can help us identify the people in the photos and provide a little more information about the event to reunite the photos with their original clippings or identify photos that may never have been used. If you’re able to help tell this photograph’s story, we want to hear from you. Mail information to Attn: Newsroom Hastings Banner, 1351 N. M-43 Highway, Hastings, MI 49058; email news@jadgraphics.com; or call 269-945-9554.

Woodland area residents recognized last week’s photo “Lion Hearts,” which included members of the Woodland Lions Club.

Reader Tom Niethamer said the photo of taken in front of the Bird printing office on the east side of Main Street in Woodland. He said members were ready to deliver food to needy families for Christmas 1951. Pictured in the photo and their titles, according to Niethamer, are (front row, from left) Dr. Melcomb McBride; Richard Bailey, postmaster; Dannie Brown, owner of the 5- and 10-cent store Hugh Skeffington, from the meat market; Gerald McMillen, poultry dealer (the one holding the dressed chicken); Howard Hewitt, milk hauler; Allen Grinage, from the supermarket; (back) John Dell, retired Smith Brothers Elevator man-

ager; Lester Hatch, who owned milk routes; Rev. George Neiman, Zion Lutheran church; Lawrence Bird, publisher of the Woodland Neighbor; Howard Hicks, super-

intendent of Woodland Township school; Herald Classic, Woodland druggist; and Niethamer, who at the time was a salesman for Allis Chalmers.

We never know from one day to the next how the events of the day will impact our lives. I never thought that I would be writing about the implications of a mass shooting in Connecticut just a few days before Christmas.

The lives of the citizens of Newtown, Conn., changed in an instant Friday when Adam Lanza, 20, described as a loner who was intelligent yet socially awkward, headed to an elementary school on a shooting spree and impacted families and a community forever.

Friday morning, one of our staff members said she heard reports of a shooting spree at an elementary school in a small community in Connecticut. Within hours, we learned that young children were killed, along with teachers and a principal who apparently gave their lives trying to protect the students.

By the end of the day, we knew that 27 were killed at Sandy Hook Elementary School, including 20 children. Also dead were the shooter’s mother and the perpetrator, who had turned the gun on himself before authorities could reach him.

In the days following, a nation and the world would mourn as we learned more about this horrific tragedy.

The burning question for all of us is what drove this young man to kill his own mother and then drive to an elementary school with guns a blazing?

Throughout the nation, citizens immediately called for stronger gun control measures and background checks on buyers of high-powered guns. The media responded by jumping on the gun-control issue before they had any hard facts.

As the reports continued, we soon learned that the gunman’s mother had legally purchased the guns and used them for target practice at gun ranges, outings which sometimes included her two sons.

In Michigan, during the lame duck session of the state legislature and before the tragic incident in Connecticut, officials had passed a bill to allow concealed pistols in churches, public schools and day care centers. Due to extreme public pressure, Gov. Rick Snyder vetoed the bill Tuesday, saying that he always had reservations with the bill, and called for a review of current open carry provisions.

But the argument grew deeper and even included State Rep. Mike Rogers who argued against stronger gun-control measures.

“The more realistic discussion is, how do we target people with mental illness who use firearms?” suggested Rogers.

President Barack Obama said he would use “whatever power” he has to prevent more shootings like this from happening again. It didn’t take long for the president to side with the anti-gun groups in calling for longer waiting periods for gun sales and a ban on semi-automatic firearms.

In a speech during a vigil in Newtown, the president suggested that he was considering support for gun-control legislation in the coming weeks.

As more information comes forward, hopefully it will give us some insight on what drove this young man to bring such horror to these innocent victims.

It’s not a good time to be debating gun legislation with emotions running so high. But as good citizens, we need to ask — was the incident about guns or was it more about the shooter’s possible mental state? First of all, officials need time to determine if Lanza was on some mindaltering drug that impacted his ability to reason effectively.

For us in Barry County, though, the tragedy is a reminder that these problems aren’t exclusive to Connecticut. Just last week, a teacher told me that one of her students wasn’t looking forward to Christmas vacation. The student told the teacher that there wasn’t much to eat at his home and that he would probably end up with his father, who constantly yells at him and puts him in the middle of arguments between his separated parents.

Another single parent wrote to me with concerns for her little boy. Recent court documents show her son is the subject of argumentative behavior and mind games from his father, with whom he will most likely spend the holidays.

Another young mother wrote to us about her compassion for the 20 children who lost their lives at the hand of a sick gunman, yet she’s scared for her own son because he’s been a victim of a system that seems stacked against them both as she tries to give her son a better life.

Are these kids victims of a system that’s not responsive as they call out for help? And, is anyone even listening?

As the nation looks for the answers to these horrific crimes, stiffer gun-control legislation is not the only issue here, because mental health plays a role, as

well.

My wife and I took our grandchildren to a movie recently, only to be concerned by some of the coming attractions shown as we waited for the feature to start.

Where is the outrage from citizens voicing their concerns over the increasing violence in movies and shoot-em-up video games? Does Hollywood and the video game industry play a role in some of these tragedies?

Monday, several movie companies announced delays for the openings of three new feature films because of their violent content. Movie producers apparently felt it better to wait a few days and to avoid any bad publicity.

According to a recent CBS News report, James Peterson a professor at Lehigh University in Pennsylvania, said the nation’s discussion about gun control must also include talk about mental health services.

“I do think we have to talk about the culture of violence and mental health,” said Peterson, “and resourcing mental health in a way that de-stigmatizes it as we educate young people, especially, about the violence guns can produce and the mental health issues that surround some of these horrific incidents.”

Schools all over this state and the nation have gutted their counseling departments to the point that there’s no support for children needing these services — or for the teachers who work with children needing special help.

The National Institute of Mental Health reports that alcohol and drug abuse is far more likely to result in violent behavior than mental illness by itself.

The report also indicated last year that one in five adults in the United States had a mental illness of some degree.

Since the Newtown massacre, Americans’ call for action has gotten louder. But we must move cautiously, because the nation needs to debate the issues not just in Lansing or in Washington, but in communities across the country with a genuine attempt to find the real answers to these horrific acts.

The answers to these violent acts won’t be found in stiffer gun control legislation — they are part of a societal issue that will continue to plague communities all over the country if we continue to expose our kids to all this violence.

A quick trip to the video game aisle of a local store should concern any parent of kids who play video games. Games like Manhunt, Dead Rising, Resident Even 4, Call of Duty, and Grand Theft Auto are just a few. Or try games like God of War, Mortal Kombat, Deception, Madworld or Gears of War. In the small print on the back of the packages of these games, companies warn parents that “prolonged exposure to violent media can lead to aggressive behavior, anxiety, bullying and desensitization.”

Earlier this week The American Academy of Pediatrics renewed its support for stiffer gun laws, but it should also lead the charge to outlaw or to at least reduce the amount of violent games kids play any given day.

Turn on the television and see what families across the country are viewing and look at movie theater listings. So much of what’s wrong can be found in what we’re exposed to every day.

In the hours after Friday’s shootings, churches in Newtown filled up with families and community members looking for answers and some solitude in their lives.

So much of what happened in Newtown last Friday has been the result of the different world we live in. For months, the rhetoric politicians use about the haves and the have-nots has worked to divide families. And, for more than five years, sluggish economic conditions continue to push families to the brink.

Twenty kids died in Newtown. Those kids and their families will miss out on birthdays, school events, honor rolls, sporting events, getting married and having kids of their own. It was all gone in a flash when a young man who appeared to be desensitized by his actions went on a shooting rampage that changed their families forever.

In memory of these young people, their teachers and their principal, I hope we can get beyond the single gun issue and discuss the real issues facing our country.

So many are calling out for help and we need to throw them a lifeline.

For the students who died on the frightful day, may they sleep in heavenly peace.

Fred Jacobs, vice president, J-Ad Graphics Inc.

The Hastings Banner — Thursday, December 20, 2012 — Page 5

SENTENCING, continued from page 1

IURP RXU UHDGHUV Concerts are appreciated To the editor: If you missed the combined Thornapple Wind Band and Coldwater Brass concert Friday evening, Dec. 7, in Hastings, you missed a terrific concert. And on Sunday afternoon, Dec. 9, Bows ‘n Buddies performed a truly delightful concert at Pierce

Cedar Creek Institute.

Many thanks to the members of all three groups for providing Barry County residents with these wonderful holiday musical events.

Bonnie and Bruce David, Middleville

It’s the holiday season — without Andy Williams

by Dr. Paul Kengor Shortly before Thanksgiving, I was in the kitchen washing dishes when I heard my first music of the holiday season. Sick of talk radio and sick of election postmortems, I gave myself a breather, turning the FM dial to something cheerful for a change.

The first song I heard was “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer,” by the great Gene Autry. There is no substitute. And there’s no better feeling every season than hearing such songs for the first time. I grabbed my 2-year-old daughter and danced with her.

She smiled as I sang, didn’t make a peep, her head on my shoulder.

Then I heard the next tune, “There’ll be much mistletoeing and hearts will be glowing when loved ones are near. It’s the most wonderful time of the year.” It was crooned in that soaring, happy voice so uniquely Andy Williams.

Yes, Andy Williams. Himself a Christmas classic — “Mr. Christmas.”

“It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year” is probably his signature song; or maybe “It’s the Holiday Season.”

As I was singing along, twirling my 2year-old, it hit me: This was the first time I was singing with Andy Williams without his presence in this world. Williams died Sept. 25 at the age of 84.

His passing didn’t happen without notice, even in our self-indulgent, frenetic, short-time-span culture. I caught the news of his death at a website. It gave me pause.

I never met the man, but I have fond memories of his place in Americana and Christmas.

Williams had a regular TV show in the 1960s and 1970s, but it was his Christmas specials that ran longer still that most of us remember. I would catch them at my grandmother’s house. She lived in Emporium, Pa., which really was over the river and through the woods. In fact, during the snowy drives to my grandmother’s house on Christmas Eve, we’d cruise through a little town in Western Pennsylvania called Brockway, where we encountered horse-drawn sleighs clopping under the streetlights and over the railroad tracks. The horse knew the way to carry the sleigh through the white and drifted snow.

When we got to my grandmother’s house, it was total mirth: My grandmother’s anchovy and pepperoni rolls, freshly cooked ham, cookies everywhere, my

What do you

Last week’s question: The gray wolf population has reached sufficient population levels that state lawmakers are considering a hunting season — despite protests of tribes that have special ties to the animal. Should the wolf be a game species?

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Dr. Paul Kengor is an author, professor of political science at Grove City College, and executive director of The Center for Vision and Values.

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grandfather blissfully babbling on, my Aunt Em and Uncle Rich, my Aunt Della and Uncle Joe, Uncle Bruno, Aunt Ruth and Uncle Sam — all crammed happily in a tiny little kitchen. Most are gone now.

Tales of the glories of Christmases long, long ago.

That brings me back to Andy Williams.

It’s funny the things you remember, but, in those days, there were only three or four stations on television: ABC, CBS, NBC and maybe a PBS affiliate. At Christmas time, no one dared miss Bob Hope’s annual special on NBC. He did all sorts of skits and gags and musical renditions and terrific tributes to the troops — and presented the college football all-Americans. We would take time out from the kitchen — playing cards, Scrabble or just talking — to watch Bob Hope.

But Bob Hope wasn’t the only one.

Other big names had Christmas shows: Bing Crosby, Dean Martin, Loretta Young, Jimmy Durante and the Lennon Sisters, Lawrence Welk — and Andy Williams.

Williams sang those songs, always accompanied by fake snow, pretty girls, lots of colors, sweaters, and glowing faces.

Until Sept. 25, Andy Williams was one of the only big names still alive from that genre. Remarkably, he had still been performing and was very active.

When I heard that Williams died, I began writing a tribute. I read the news the same day I happened to read this verse from Ecclesiastes: “One generation passes and another comes ... There is no remembrance of the men of old.”

That was fitting. I didn’t finish the article. Like much of America, I was preoccupied with less redeeming things — like politics and the 2012 election. We couldn’t pause to adequately remember this man of old. For that I am sorry.

But, just as fitting, the arrival of the holiday season corrected that. As Christmas time begins again, it does so — once again — with the voice of Andy Williams. We’re made mindful of what lasts. Andy Williams lasts. He makes us happy; politics doesn’t.

Andy Williams, rest in peace. And thanks for the memories this most wonderful time of the year.

For this week: After the tragedy in Connecticut, Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder Tuesday vetoed a gun law that would have eliminated many gun-free zones. Should concealed weapons be allowed in hospitals, day care centers, churches, sports arenas and schools? q q

Yes No

points.”

McDowell said she heard testimony that the defendant ordered the employee to clean a site after the first search warrant was executed. She said there was testimony stating the employee was asked to change his story.

“I am also considering a letter which was presented to one of the ‘Other Acts’ victims asking her to sign that letter, basically denying the statements she had made previously that the defendant had sexually assaulted her,” said McDowell. “I do find that to be an interference with the administration of justice. For those reason I will support a score of 10 points.”

Povilaitis was then given the opportunity to make a statement on behalf of The People.

“Judge, I would note that there are no victims here in court today,” she began. “As you can understand, after presiding over this trial, these victims are young people who lack normal societal support -- parents, guardians, folks who could drive them to court and give them an opportunity to address this court. So, I will act as their voice today and will speak on their behalf.”

Rodney Reams was in court for the Terpening sentencing and, even though he testified to alleged acts involving he and the defendant, Terpening was acquitted of any acts involving Reams. Reams changed his story several times and the jury could not convict without reasonable doubt on the four counts involving Reams.

“Judge, in preparing for this trial, in conducting this trial and preparing for sentencing, and in consultation with the investigating officer, what is strikingly clear about this case is that this is not an isolated incident,” said Povilaitis. “This is not a defendant who comes before you for some type of mistake, lack of judgment, some type of one-time failure where he pleads for your mercy and asks for your forgiveness. What we have is an adult male who, for his entire adult life, it is crystal clear, has perpetrated these types of manipulative crimes against the most vulnerable victims.”

The prosecution told the court it is important to consider the defendant’s behavior to manipulate not only the victims, but also the system including foster care workers, the licensing board and other agencies.

“Quite frankly, manipulation of his own family,” said Povilaitis.

Povilaitis told the court that the defendant has had chances to change his life, but has chosen not to change. Povilaitis pointed to earlier incidents where Terpening and family could have taken steps to get the defendant help. She said early in the case he was offered and refused a generous plea deal and “decided to roll the dice” and put the victims, his family, and this community through a trial.

“The guidelines are in place, Judge, to give you and other members of the judiciary a means in which to sentence a defendant,” she said. “A means to give a just sentence. It is the position of The People that the guidelines, in this case, do not do such. You are given the authority under the statute to depart from those guidelines in special circumstances -when there are extraordinary, substantial and compelling reasons to do so.

“We are respectfully asking you to sentence this defendant to the highest allowable sentence under the law. A sentence of 10 to 15 years in the Michigan Department of Corrections is one that is proportionate to the crime committed. Proportionate to the harm inflicted upon these victims and to this community as a whole.

“There are many reasons to make a departure. It is the position of The People that under the victim vulnerable scoring variable, despite scoring the defendant 15 points there, it does not accurately give weight to other variables. It does not take into account that the defendant preyed on a victim’s youth, a position of authority, and I would argue a domestic relationship of some sort.

“You have someone who has manipulated the system, who has put himself in positions of trust by lying about educational background and experience, and put in a position of trust by the State of Michigan -- not just as a foster parent, but as a foster home director of the most vulnerable types [of children].

“As victim after victim came in here [courtroom], witness after witness, what was obvious was how poor and sad and troubled the histories of these young men were. They came to the defendant as young adults, but many of them had been in foster care since they were toddlers. They had been in dozens of foster homes. The last place they should have feared was a state-licensed group home and the defendant. Unfortunately, it wasn’t the case. These kids lived with the defendant.

These kids couldn’t go home. He controlled their entire life.

“It is the position of The People those are substantial and compelling reasons to go above the sentencing guidelines in this case.”

Povilaitis spoke about additional testimony and ‘Other Acts’ submitted in the case which compounded reasons for making an upward departure from sentencing guidelines. She spoke about the letter which Terpening wrote to the court after being convicted. She said as she read the letter she noticed Terpening never wrote about the victims, apologized, or about the results of his actions on other people, only what he would do to stay out of jail.

“We know he was first confronted about inappropriate sexual behavior 15 years ago.

Instead of confronting the issue and getting the help he needed, the family rallies around him to the detriment of [the victim]. We know a few years later his behavior continues with [another victim]. We know he is able to manipulate the system and get a foster home license as a 22-year-old single man. We know

he requests sexual assault victims. We know he wants teenage boys.

“Then, he is charged with an offense of sexual assaulting one of the foster children and the ‘Terpening Machine’ goes into full force. Just as they did with all the other victims in this case. They got [a witness] to change his story all to protect the defendant and not to address the problem.

“The facts establish this defendant is likely to be a threat to society, a harm to society.”

McDowell asked Schaeffer if he wished to say anything on behalf of his client.

Schaeffer responded by asking the court to admit Terpening into the Swift and Sure Sanctions Program which is a “last chance” program. When allowed to be in the SSSP the convicted are highly monitored, but are allowed to avoid jail time unless they violate conditions of their probation. If a person violates probation they go to jail or prison.

The defense stated there was evidence excluded from the jury in regards to victims and reiterated the fact that one of the victims in particular was unbalanced and dangerous.

Schaeffer also pointed out again, as he did at trial, that the people involved are at the age of consent. He then asked the court to sentence within the guidelines if SSSP was not granted.

“The guidelines are appropriate,” said Schaeffer. “The guidelines take into consideration every element that needs to be considered in determining what a sentence should be. The request for departure is a real aberration from normal sentencing. The courts, over the years, have required strict adherence to the departure requirements. I don’t think that jumps to this level. The government [prosecution] made a generous offer prior and the defendant did not take that offer. At that point in time, the government would have been satisfied with a year in the county jail. Now she is piling on because the defendant exercised his right to go to trial. I don’t think the defendant can be held to any other standard for exercising his Constitutional right. The fact that he went to trial cannot be used against him for increasing his sentence.

“I ask the court not to exceed guidelines.

This is not an exceeding guidelines matter.

The scenario set forth by the government is such that it is speculation, it is her theory as to what this all means. Which has been rejected by testimony of other people. Your Honor heard a lot of testimony from a lot of people in the community on behalf of Mr. Terpening.

I ask your honor to take that into consideration. There were more than a half-a-dozen people who came forward and told you the good things he did for this community. The good things he did for saving of the animals.

The good things he did for the children. I would ask you take that into consideration as you sentence. There have also been letters to that affect that I ask you to take into consideration.

“This is virtually the first offense the defendant has had with the court. The only other offense was apparently was letting a dog stray some time ago.

“The fact that the government says he can’t be rehabilitated is not a factual thing the court should give much credence to. The fact that the defendant is the father of eight children, and there is no allegation of him being inappropriate behavior in relation to these children, and the fact that he has provided for these children and his wife. He has been a good father and supporting unit for them.

“The so-called manipulation argument of the government -- I almost got to the point where I thought she was going to want to sentence the gallery for what they did. There is no indication that there is any manipulation here other than there is an indication of a supporting group out there who think Michael is a valuable and worthwhile person based on his actions over the years.

Povilaitis responded by telling the court her request for an upward departure was in no way a retaliatory request from the prosecution.

“A plea offer was made and the defendant rejected that plea offer,” said Povilaitis. “The plea offer was made before victims had to come in and testify. Before they had to prepare emotionally, physically and the expenses of a trial was done. I nearly brought up that issue of a plea offer in response to letters this defendant has provided the court -- that he wants out, a chance to be better, go into a special program, he will better himself. He had the opportunity to do it on many occasions. I am not requesting a departure from the guidelines in any way to retaliate against this defendant for going to trial. That would be improper and that is not what I am asking.

The facts in this case support a departure.”

“Our position is that it is precisely what she is doing,” said Schaeffer. “This is a retaliatory effort on her part because she had to spend two weeks in a trial, and she did not want to.

That is precisely what she is doing in this case.”

McDowell then addressed the defendant.

“With respect to the Swift and Sure Sanctions Program, I am denying that petition,” declared McDowell. “I don’t feel the defendant would be an appropriate candidate for a program such as Swift and Sure Sanctions.

“With respect to the pre-sentence letter and information, I have reviewed all the information and letters on behalf of the defendant. I can certainly understand the letters written on Mr. Terpening’s behalf. That is what he allows people to see and the image he has presented to the community. Perhaps there are some good things he has done, but these particular acts [convictions] were conducted in secret.”

McDowell then asked Terpening if there was anything he would like to say before sen-

tencing.

Terpening stood and, during moments of crying, provided his plea.

“It has been 19 months I have been through this,” said Terpening. “It wasn’t because of me. I could have spent less than one year in the county jail. I love my family. I love my kids. And, I refuse to do it. In the letter I addressed things I was supposed to address as part of what your attorney tells you to do certain things ... Before this I did go to see a therapist ... I did not want to come to trial. I did not. I wanted to do what was best for my family ... I know you say I am not a candidate for this program, but I would ask to consider it ...

I will do anything you ask of me. Anything.

Including when I was incarcerated ... My therapist will come to the jail at no cost to the county. My family will take care of it.”

The defendant said he has been a model trustee at the county jail even though he has been ridiculed and tormented by other incarcerated trustees. He told the court for the last 19 months he has had a curfew and lived with his mother.

“I love my mother to death,” he said, “but I want to be with my wife and family.”

Terpening went on to tell the court what a hard experience this has been for him. He said people were calling and harassing his family.

According to Terpening, someone shot his horse.

“In the eyes of the police and court I was guilty from day one,” he said. “I wanted to take that plea so badly.”

He told McDowell if she just gave him a chance she would never see him the courtroom again.

“I beg you to consider this,” he said.

McDowell said she understood Terpening’s comments, but she had to take into consideration the fact that a jury convicted him of certain crimes and she must determine an appropriate sentence for him to serve. She said the letters submitted on his behalf so a public image, but she had to look at the crimes of which he was convicted.

“Those are things that were done in private and done in secret,” said McDowell. “ With respect to the guidelines, 15 points was scored on the Offense Variable (OV) for predatory conduct. I don’t feel that offense variable accurately or adequately takes into account the magnitude of the authority status you had over these children. You ran a foster care home. You were entrusted by the State of Michigan to take care of those children.

Those were children who had been previously traumatized, previously sexually abused.

According to the testimony you asked for sexually-abused children. You asked for the worst of the worst. You re-traumatized kids who had already been traumatized ... those children had serious issues. Serious mental health issues, serious anger issues, which wouldn’t be unusual considering the types of environment those children were brought up in. They have been in that environment since they were young children - move around from place to place. According to the testimony of the victims they enjoyed were they were until these things happened.

“I do believe there was predatory conduct in the way you groomed some of these children, according to the testimony. There was sexual talk. There was what the children thought was non-sexual behavior prior to anything happening. Those children were moved yet again after this incident happened. At least one testified he was homeless after being taken out of the foster care with you.”

McDowell the charges only went back during a five-year period, but said there are “other acts” victims which came forward for acts committed many years before the charged period.

“There was a 12-year-old victim numerous years ago -- 12 years ago that you sexually assaulted,” said McDowell. “There was a 10year-old victim in the foster care system with your mother that you raped according to testimony. Those were young children and the pattern continued on for many years, in my opinion, with you requesting children who were sexually-abused putting them in your care and then abusing them again. I am looking at that pattern and considering whether you are a threat to community. That longstanding pattern would indicate you are a danger to the community.

“Couple with the fact -- I have read your letter -- you don’t express any remorse for the victims, all you talk about is yourself and what you’re going to do. I don’t think you have an appreciation for the consequences of your actions, or the damage that was done to the victims.

“By statute I am limited to sentence you to a maximum of 15 years. I find there is unique psychological injuries to the victims as well due to their past history. They were traumatized and they were already severely traumatized ... Therefore I do find a basis for an upward departure with substantial and compelling reasons have been placed on the record.”

With that said, McDowell sentenced Michael Terpening to prison for a term of 10 to 15 years with chance of parole in a decade.

Looking forward, Terpening will take this case to the Michigan Court of Appeals. He also faces another trial in late winter for an insurance fraud charge, and yet another trial in early spring for a thirteenth criminal sexual conduct charge. These cases have been assigned to a special prosecutor from the Kent County Prosecutor’s office and not the Michigan Attorney General’s Office.

Terpening’s defense attorneys Schaeffer and Brad Eldred have asked to be dismissed as Terpening’s representation for those two new trials due to economic reasons.

Page 6 — Thursday, December 20, 2012 — The Hastings Banner

Local schools respond to Connecticut shootings: Hastings As a response to the Connecticut school mass shootings, the Hastings Area School System posted two documents on its website prior to Monday classes: a message from Superintendent Todd Geerlings to teachers and parents and a document from the National

Association of School Psychologists addressing parents on ways to comfort and counsel their children.

“The safety and security of our students will always be our top priority,” said Geerlings, “not just when things like this hap-

Worship Together…

77573164

...at the church of your choice ~ Weekly schedules of Hastings area churches available for your convenience...

GRACE COMMUNITY CHURCH 8950 E. M-79 Highway, Nashville, MI 49073. Pastor Don Roscoe, (517) 852-9228.

Morning Celebration 9 a.m. & 10:30 a.m.

Fellowship Time before the service.

Nursery, children’s ministry, youth group, adult small group ministry, leadership training.

SOLID ROCK BIBLE CHURCH OF DELTON 7025 Milo Rd., P.O. Box 408, (corner of Milo Rd. & S. M-43), Delton, MI 49046. Pastor Roger Claypool, (517) 204-9390. Sunday Worship Service 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., Nursery and Children’s Ministry.

Thursday night Bible study and prayer time 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

CHURCH OF THE NAZARENE 1716 North Broadway. Rev. Timm Oyer, Pastor. Sunday School 9:45 a.m. Morning Worship Service 10:45 a.m.; Evening Service 6 p.m.; Wednesday Evening Service 7 p.m.

FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH 309 E. Woodlawn, Hastings. Dan Currie, Sr. Pastor; Josh Maurer, Youth Pastor. Sunday Services: 9:15 a.m. Sunday School for all ages,10:30 a.m. Worship Service; 6 p.m. Evening Service: Jr. Youth Group 5-7 p.m. & Sr. High Youth Group 7-9 p.m.. Wednesday, Family Night 6:30 p.m., Awana, Bible Study, Praise and Prayer. Call Church Office 948-8004 for information on MOPS, Children’s Choir, Sports Ministries.

WOODLAND UNITED METHODIST CHURCH 203 N. Main, Woodland, MI 48897 • (269) 367-4061. Pastor Gary Simmons. Sunday Worship 9:15 a.m.

PLEASANTVIEW FAMILY CHURCH 2601 Lacey Road, Dowling, MI 49050. Pastor, Steve Olmstead.

(616) 758-3021 church phone.

Sunday Service: 9:30 a.m.; Sunday School 11 a.m.; Sunday Evening Service 6 p.m.; Bible Study & Prayer Time Wednesday nights 6:30 p.m.

WELCOME CORNERS UNITED METHODIST CHURCH 3185 N. Broadway, Hastings, MI 49058. Pastor Susan D. Olsen.

Phone 945-2654. Worship Services: Sunday, 9:45 a.m.; Sunday School, 10:45 a.m.

ST. ROSE CATHOLIC CHURCH 805 S. Jefferson. Rev. Richard Altine, Pastor. Saturday Mass 4:30 p.m.; Sunday Masses 8 a.m. and 11 a.m.; Confession Saturday 3:30-4:15 p.m.

ST. CYRIL’S CATHOLIC CHURCH Nashville. Rev. Richard Altine, Pastor. A mission of St. Rose Catholic Church, Hastings. Mass Sunday at 9:30 a.m. .

WOODGROVE BRETHREN CHRISTIAN PARISH 4887 Coats Grove Rd. Pastor Randall Bertrand. Wheelchair accessible and elevator. Sunday School 9:30 a.m. Worship Time 10:30 a.m. Youth activities: call for information.

QUIMBY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH M-79 East. P.O. Box 63, Hastings, MI 49058. Pastor Rev. Bryce Feighner. (616) 945-9392. Sunday Worship 11:15 a.m.

GRACE BRETHREN BIBLE CHURCH 600 Powell Road, Hastings. Pastor Bob Wilson. Church Phone 269948-2330. Pastor’s Home 269-9454356. bjw1633@sbcglobal.net.

Sunday School 9:45 a.m.; Worship Service 10:45 a.m.; Sunday Evening 6 p.m. Wednesday 7 p.m.

NEW BEGINNINGS CHURCH OF GOD 502 E. Bond St., Hastings. Pastor J.C. Crank cordially invites you to come worship with us each Sunday at 10:30 a.m. and Tuesday evening Bible study 6 p.m. with Rev. Calvon Kidder. Interested in knowing more about our church? Please feel welcome to call one of these numbers.

Pastor Crank 269-979-8618; (313) 610-5730 or; Ed Blankenship (Local) 269-945-3327.

COUNTRY CHAPEL UNITED METHODIST CHURCH 9275 S. M-37 Hwy., Dowling, MI 49050. Rev. Ryan Wieland. Sundays - 9:30 a.m. Traditional Worship Service; 11 a.m. Contemporary Service; Sunday School and Nursery available during both services (Summer Schedule - Adult Sunday School: 9 a.m., Worship & Children’s Programs 10 a.m.) Youth Group, Covenant Prayer, Choir, Chimes, Praise Band, Quilting Group, Community Breakfasts and more! Call the church office at (269) 721-8077 (M/W/F 9 a.m.-12 p.m.), e-mail office@mei.net or visit www.countrychapelumc.org <http://www.countrychapelumc.org/> for more information SAINTS ANDREW & MATTHIAS INDEPENDENT ANGLICAN CHURCH 2415 McCann Rd. (in Irving).

Sunday services each week: 9:15 a.m. Morning Prayer (Holy Communion the 2nd Sunday of each month at this service), 10 a.m. Holy Communion (each week). The Rector of Ss. Andrew & Matthias is Rt. Rev. David T. Hustwick. The church phone number is 269-7952370 and the rectory number is 269948-9327. Our church website is http://trax.to/andrewmatthias. We are part of the Diocese of the Great Lakes which is in communion with The United Episcopal Church of North America and use the 1928 Book of Common Prayer at all our services.

HOPE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH M-37 South at M-79, Rev. Richard Moore, Pastor. Church phone 269945-4995. Church Website: www. hopeum.org. Church Fax No.: 269818-0007. Church SecretaryTreasurer, Linda Belson. Office hours, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday 9 am to 2 pm. Sunday Morning: 9:30 am Sunday School; 10:45 am Morning Worship; Sr. Hi. Youth 5 to 7 p.m.; Sunday evening service 6 pm; SonShine Preschool (ages 3 & 4) (September thru May), Tues., Thurs. from 9-11:30 am, 12-2:30 pm; Tuesday 9 am Men’s Bible Study at the church.

Wednesday 6 pm - Pioneers (meal served) (October thru May).

Wednesday 6 pm - Jr. High Youth (meal served) (October thru May).

Wednesday 7 pm - Prayer Meeting.

Thursday 9:30 am - Women’s Bible Study.

COMMUNITY BAPTIST CHURCH 502 East Grand, Hastings; Floyd Hughes, Pastor; Myron Huebner, Music. Sunday Services: 10 a.m., Sunday School (all ages); 11 a.m.

Worship Service; 6 p.m. Evening Service; 7 p.m. Thursday, Bible Study and Prayer. Call 269-948-2673 for additional information.

ABUNDANT LIFE FELLOWSHIP MINISTRIES A Spirit-filled church. Meeting at the Maple Leaf Grange, Hwy. M-66 south of Assyria Rd., Nashville, Mich. 49073. Sun. Praise & Worship 10:30 a.m., 6 p.m.; Wed. 6:30 p.m. Jesus Club for boys & girls ages 4-12. Pastors David and Rose MacDonald. An oasis of God’s love. “Where Everyone is Someone Special.” For information call 616731-5194 .

HASTINGS ASSEMBLY OF GOD 1674 S. State Rd., Hastings, MI 49058 Phone 269-945-2285.

Sunday morning service times: 9 a.m. with nursery and preschool available and 11 a.m. with nursery, preschool and kids’ church available.

CHURCH OF CHRIST 541 N. Michigan Ave., Hastings.

Minister Collin Pinkston. Phone 269-945-2938. Sunday School 10 a.m.; Worship 11 a.m. Wednesday Night Bible Study 7 p.m.

HASTINGS FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH 209 W. Green Street, Hastings, MI 49058. Pastor Don Spachman. Office Phone (269) 945-9574. Office hours are Monday-Thursday 9 a.m.-3 p.m.; Friday 9 a.m. to noon. Sunday morning worship hours: 8:45 a.m.

Traditional Worship; 10 a.m.

Refreshments; 10:45 a.m.

Contemporary Worship. 5th Sunday Worship at 10 a.m. Sunday School for PreK-5th and Nursery Care (infants through age 4) is available during both worship services. Share the Light Soup Kitchen serves a free meal every Tuesday from 5 to 6 p.m.

HASTINGS FREE METHODIST CHURCH 2635 North M-43 Highway, Hastings. Telephone 269-945-9121.

Pastor Daniel Graybill, Pastor Brian Teed, and Youth Pastor Eric Gillespie. Sunday: Nursery and toddler (birth through age 3) care provided. Worship Services: 9:15 a.m. and Children’s Sunday School (ages 2 thru 5th grade). 10:45 a.m. & Children’s Junior Church (4 years through 4th grade). Junior and Senior High Youth Group 6:00 p.m., and several adult small group opportunities. Wednesday Mid-Week at 6:30 p.m.: Pioneer Club, 4 years through 5th grade. Adults: Marriage Enrichment Class, Women’s Prayer Group and a Men’s Bible Study.

Thursday: Senior Adult (50+) Bible Study at 10 a.m. and lunch at Wendy’s, 11:30 a.m. Third Thursday Brunch at 9:30 a.m.

LIFEGATE COMMUNITY CHURCH 301 E. State Rd., P.O. Box 273, Hastings, MI 49058. Pastor Scott Price.

Phone: 269-948-0900.

Website: www.lifegatecc.com. Sunday Worship 10 a.m. Wednesday Life Group 6:30 p.m.

GRACE LUTHERAN CHURCH Discover God’s Grace with us!

Holy Communion Every Sunday!

Sunday, Dec. 23 - Worship Service 10 a.m. No Sunday School. Dec. 23 Birthday Party for Jesus after 10 a.m.

Worship; Men & Women’s Alcoholics Anonymous 7 p.m. Dec. 24 - Christmas Eve Service 7 & 11 p.m. Dec. 27 - Synod Youth Gathering in Lansing. Dec. 28 Synod Gathering in Lansing. Dec. 29 - Synod Youth Gathering in Lansing. Location: 239 E. North St., Hastings, 269-945-9414 or 9452645, fax 269-945-2698. Pastor Amy Luckey. http://www.discover-grace.org FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 405 N. M-37, Hastings, MI 49058.

(269) 945-5463. Rev. Dr. Jeff Garrison, Pastor. Sunday Services: 8:55 a.m. Traditional Worship Service; 11 a.m. Contemporary Worship Service. Nursery and Children’s Worship available during both services. Visit us online at www.firstchurchhastings.org and our web log for sermons at: http://hastingspresbyterian.blogspot.com.

Friday - 9 a.m. Pickleball. Saturday - 10:30 a.m. Praise Team. Monday 4 p.m. Pickleball; 7 p.m. Knit Wits.

Wednesday - 4 p.m. Pickleball.

This information on worship service is provided by The Hastings Banner, the churches and these local businesses: Fiberglass Products

Lauer Family Funeral Homes

770 Cook Rd. Hastings 945-9541

1401 N. Broadway Hastings

945-2471

102 Cook Hastings

945-4700

1351 North M-43 Hwy. Hastings 945-9554

118 S. Jefferson Hastings 945-3429

pen, but all of the time.”

Following the tragedy at Columbine High School in Colorado, Geerlings pointed out, America’s education community learned a great deal about improved security, especially the importance of limiting access to buildings.

He said he expects increased safety procedures will result from last week’s shootings in Connecticut.

“Anytime you have something as tragic as this, you’ve got to learn from what comes up and how to adapt,” he said, but also is mindful that increased security comes at a cost.

“In trying to be safe and secure, we have to look, too, into the cost of security.”

But that is not easy for a school district that’s budgeting hard to overcome a $622,000 deficit.

Geerlings said he isn’t sure how he feels about the recently vetoed legislation in Michigan that would have allowed guns into

Sale of River Bend Golf Course pending

by David DeDecker Staff Writer After a half-century as a place of recreation, River Bend Golf Course just west of Hastings will return to its previous use as farmland — and to the descendants of a former owner.

Owner Dennis Storrs is selling the 27-hole course on West State Road to Larry Haywood, part owner, along with his sons, of nearby Sand Creek Dairy. Haywood told the Banner he plans to return the approximately 180-acre property back to farmland for growing hay and corn. A letter of agreement has been signed and a downpayment made, although the formal paperwork has not been completed, Haywood said.

Rutland Township Supervisor Jim Carr said Haywood has agreed to sign an affidavit limiting the property to agricultural use, and taxes collected by the township on the property will remain about the same. The property is zoned recreational, but the 1981 Right to Farm Act allows Michigan farmers agricultural variances, said Carr.

As of May 2000, the Michigan Right to Farm Act was amended so that local units of government could not create stricter standards than state government. The Michigan Right to Farm Act prohibits local governments from passing any resolutions or ordinances which would conflict with the Michigan Right to Farm Act. Before being turned into a golf course, the property belonged to Haywood’s greatgrandparents Will and Myra. Larry’s uncle Don Haywood purchased the property and started River Bend Golf Course in 1963. The first nine holes opened in 1964, and a second nine in 1967. In 1974, River Bend Travel agency was started out of the clubhouse. In 1975, the golf course was sold to Gordon and Jean Carlson, and Ron and Betty Cooley.

Improvements were made to course, and later the Cooleys left the business. Jack and Mary Snyder then bought into a 27-hole course.

In 1982, Denny and Andrea Storrs formed Jas-Den Inc. which included investors Duane and Frances Glasgow, George and Sylvia Herrick, Rod and Gerry Newton, Wally and Margaret Ollson, along with Dave and Jan Storrs. Jas-Den purchased River Bend Golf Course and started running the course beginning with the 1983 season.

Denny Storrs was unavailable for comment.

In a telephone interview Tuesday evening, Haywood said he is currently removing trees and course irrigation equipment from the lowland property in order to plow.

HASTINGS PUBLIC LIBRARY SCHEDULE Thursday, Dec. 20 — Pizza and Pages discusses Floating Islands by Rachel Neumeier, 3:45 to 5 p.m.; Movie Memories gets ready for Christmas with “Come to the Stable,” starring Loretta Young and Celeste Holm, 5 to 8 p.m.

Friday, Dec. 21 — preschool story time enjoys Christmas, 10:30 a.m.

Monday, Dec. 24 — library closed.

Tuesday, Dec. 25 — Library closed.

(The library will resume normal hours Wednesday through Saturday for the next two weeks; it will be closed Christmas Eve and Christmas days, as well as New Year’s Eve Day and New Year’s Day.) Call the library for more information about any of the above, 269-945-4263.

formerly gun-free zones, including schools.

In the right hands, he said he sees guns being an asset, especially if it means having a police officer in the building, which once occurred in Hastings through the DARE program.

With increased funds, he’d also like to see a fully staffed counseling department.

“I would love to have more counselors,” said Geerlings, who said he was pleased to

learn upon his hire this year of an anonymous group of benefactors who fund psychological and social worker counseling for students in need.

Help from all directions is needed to provide the security every student in America needs “Studies show that children learn better when they feel secure,” concluded Geerlings.

Hastings school board honors retiring members The longest-serving members of the Hastings board of education turned in their playbooks during Monday’s meeting at Hastings Middle School. Gene Haas and Pat Endsley (center) served the district as board members for 16 1/2 years and 27 1/2 years, respectively. Helping celebrate their service and their retirement are board president Kevin Beck (far left) and Superintendent Todd Geerlings.

Area Obituaries Earl E. Gregory

HASTINGS, MI - Earl E. Gregory, age 62, of Hastings, passed away December 13, 2012 at home.

He was born March 22, 1950 in Barry County. He was the son of DeWitt Clinton Gregory and Sarah Elmina Pattock. He attended Hastings High School, graduating in 1969.

He married Sharon Kay Tagg, the love of his life, on August 9, 1968. She has been by his side and been his loving wife for 44 years.

They spent the early part of their marriage traveling on motorcycles with family and friends. They loved camping and spending time with their family.

Earl worked at the Courtside Service Station for three years. Followed by two years at Middleville Tool & Die. He worked the rest of his career at Bradford White Corporation, retiring in 2008.

Earl’s favorite pastimes included riding his motorcycle, bowling, fishing, golfing, camping, and going to the races. He also enjoyed fly fishing, tying his own flies for numerous family and friends, and woodworking.

Among his many loves were his family. He loved spending time with his grandchildren.

Earl is survived by his wife, Sharon; daughter, Sarrah (Joe) Johnson; son, James Gregory and fiancé, Nicole Huges; his sisters, Betty (Dennis) Chase, Byrdie Lopez and Charlie Corser; brother-in-law, Terry (Peg) Newton; and numerous nieces and nephews.

His grandchildren are Morgan Gregory, Brett and Meekah Johnson, and Meya Huges.

A memorial service took place at Girrbach Funeral Home on Monday, December 17, 2012. Following Earl’s wishes, cremation has taken place. In lieu of flowers, please make memorial contributions to the American Cancer Society or Hospice of Michigan.

Arrangements by Girrbach Funeral Home, please visit our website at www.girrbach funeralhome.net to sign the online guest book or to leave a memory or message for the family.

Billie Sanford Neal

Billie “Billy” Sanford Neal also known as Bill S. passed away on December 16, 2012.

He was born on January 10, 1930 to Elbert and Pearl Neal in Monterey, TN. Billy attended Monterey High School in Tennessee where he played football for four years as a running back and line backer. He lettered all four years. He served in the Navy from 1951-1955 and then moved to Michigan after marrying his high school sweetheart Billie Dean Storie.

He worked for 43 years at Grand Trunk Railroad as a conductor and moved on to the farm in 1967, owning cattle with his family; raising registered Herefords and angus cattle for over 70 years. He enjoyed being a member of 4-H where he showed cows in Denver, Louisville and Ft. Worth. He also managed the Barry County Fair and Expo and served Assyria Township as a trustee for 20 years.

He was very successful in raising cattle and farming.

He loved to hunt, fish and played practical jokes on friends and family.

Billy is survived by his sons, Jeff (Becky) Neal, Thomas Neal of Battle Creek; four grandsons, Tyler, Trent, Thomas and Ben; granddaughter, Deanna; sister, Gladys TaysHall; several cousins including Bob Ray of Battle Creek.

He was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Glema Ford and cousin, James Neal.

Billy is at the Lauer Family Funeral Homes-Wren Chapel, 1401 N. Broadway in Hastings, where funeral services will be held on Thursday, December 20, 2012 at 11a.m., with Rev. Aaron Sommers officiating. Private interment will take place at Ellis Cemetery.

Memorial contributions can be made in Billy’s name to Heritage Hills Bible Church.

Please share a memory with Billy’s family at www.lauerfh.com.

FAMILY FUNERAL HOMES

Social News

The Hastings Banner — Thursday, December 20, 2012 — Page 7

SOCIAL SECURITY COLUMN Even the dark of winter looks brighter

by Vonda VanTil Social Security Public Affairs Specialist According to The Old Farmer’s Almanac, winter arrives at 6:12 a.m. Eastern Standard

Time Friday, Dec. 21.

For many people, winter means shorter days, chillier temperatures and more time indoors. There are many ways you can use

Newborn Babies Dr. Bruce Pryor to celebrate 90th birthday Pearl Stutz celebrating 90th birthday Pearl Stutz will be 90 years young on December 23, 2012. If you would like to celebrate with her, please send a card to 831 N. Hanover St., Hastings, MI 49058.

A Happy 90th Birthday to Dr. Bruce Pryor on December 28th. Dr. Pryor practiced in Hastings for 50 years and he continues to do well. He would enjoy hearing from his friends and patients.

Please address communications to him at Carvath Village, 690 W. Main St., Middleville, MI 49333.

BETTER BRIDGE IN BARRY COUNTY

by Gerald Stein

WEST N: K Q J 7 2 M: K J 8 3 L: 9 3 2 K: 6

Thomas Perry, born at Pennock Hospital on Dec. 9, 2012 at 6:03 a.m. to Thomas Kenfield and Justine O’Donnell of Hastings. Weighing 7 lbs. 5 ozs. and 20 inches long. ***** Ava Grace, born at Pennock Hospital on Dec. 10, 2012 to Keri and Jamie Bethel of Hastings. Weighing 6 lbs. 8 ozs. and 18 1/2 inches long. ***** Gunnar Lee, born at Pennock Hospital on Dec. 10, 2012 at 8:02 to Kayley and Brandon Baker of Nashville. Weighing 9 lbs. 3 ozs. and 21 inches long. ***** Mercedes Grace, born at Pennock Hospital on Dec. 12, 2012 at 8:33 a.m. to Tabatha and Robert Woodworth of Hastings. Weighing 7 lbs. 15 ozs. and 21 1/2 inches long. ***** Hayden Jay, born at Pennock Hospital on Dec. 12, 2012 at 8:23 p.m. to Samantha and Steven Leffel of Hastings. Weighing 6 lbs. 12 ozs. and 19.5 inches long.

Call 269-945-9554 for Hastings Banner ads

NORTH N: 8 5 4 M: 10 L: K 6 K: K Q 10 9 5 4 3

Mason Jase, born at Pennock Hospital on Dec. 4, 2012 at 1:06 p.m. to Megan Garza and Bryant Thomas of Lake Odessa. Weighing 7 lbs. 11 ozs. and 19 1/2 inches long. ***** Madalynn Marie, born at Pennock Hospital on Dec. 4, 2012 at 2:38 p.m. to Jasmine Gross and Brandon Bont of Hastings. Weighing 8 lbs. 0 ozs. and 21 inches long. ***** Brantley Gage, born at Pennock Hospital on Dec. 7, 2012 at 8:04 to Brandon and Sara Spitzley of Sunfield. Weighing 8 lbs. 3 ozs. and 21 inches long. ***** Braden Charles, born at Pennock Hospital on Dec. 7, 2012 at 1:08 p.m. to Kevin and Jennifer Hummel of Clarksville. Weighing 8 lbs. 15 ozs. and 20 inches long. ***** Trayer Michael, born at Pennock Hospital on Dec. 8, 2012 at 2:26 a.m. to Brad and Laura Jackson of Lowell. Weighing 8 lbs. 4 ozs. and 20.5 inches long. *****

that extra time inside.

For example, you may want to spend a few minutes checking your earnings history and getting an estimate of your future Social Security benefits at www.socialsecurity.gov/mystatement, where you can access your online Social Security statement.

If you’re planning to apply for Social Security retirement benefits, you can do that without going outside or visiting an office.

Instead, brew yourself a cup of coffee or tea and sit down at your computer from the comfort of your home to apply online.

Chances are your hot beverage will last longer than the time it takes to apply online for retirement benefits. Our website makes the retirement application process quick, easy, and secure. In most cases, once your application is submitted electronically, you’re done.

There are no forms to sign, and usually no documentation is required. Social Security staff will process your application and contact you if any further information is needed.

You can use the online application to apply for Social Security retirement or spouses benefits if you are at least 61 years and 9 months old and want to start your benefits in the next four months.

So, if you are staying indoors this winter, visit www.socialsecurity.gov. Your time online may brighten even the darkest day of the season.

Vonda VanTil is the public affairs specialist for West Michigan. You may write her c/o Social Security Administration, 3045 Knapp St. NE, Grand Rapids MI 49525 or via email to vonda.vantil@ssa.gov.

EAST N: 6 3 M: 9 6 2 L: Q 10 8 7 5 K: A J 2

SOUTH: N: A 10 9 M: A Q 7 5 4 L: A J 4 K: 8 7

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Thank you to all the businesses and friends that helped make our vision a reality.

Hastings City Bank Bill Overbeck - Overbeck Construction Carl Pacini - Telephone Communications Haywood Studios Carpenter Plumbing Taffee Painting Kevin's Draperies Kronewitter Mechanical Inc Westen's Floor Covering Kraft Business Systems Mason Street Electric Grand Valley Wood Products Chad Seeber Christine Gardner Terpening Airway Oxygen King’s Appliances

Canticle of Joy

by Joseph M. Martin

EMMANUEL CHOIR Mark Doster, Music Director

Christmas Eve Emmanuel Episcopal Church 315 W. Center St. 24 December 2012 | 7:00 p.m. followed by …

A Candlelight Communion Service

77573138

Today’s column presents the pre-emptive bidding problem for declarers and defenders. Take a look at North’s hand. North’s hand has all of the markings for a pre-emptive bid in clubs with seven clubs, three of the top five club honors, eight high-card points, a singleton in hearts, and possibly a useful K®. The problem is bidding a pre-emptive bid in first position. Is it a good idea, or not? As it turns out, today’s South had a sound no trump hand with fifteen high-card points, stoppers in the three unbid suits, and was glad to hear North bid a pre-emptive club bid.

A bid of 3NT seemed to be the right bid.

While some South bidders might have passed or bid something different, the bid of 3NT is actually the right bid. Passing three clubs would result in North playing and making just the 3K bid. While taking nine tricks with clubs as trump is noble, yet there was a better contract available, and North and South found it together. It was not an easy contract to make, by the way.

Making 3K would have resulted in a positive score of 110 for North/South. Bidding up to 5K, not a good idea or contract, would have resulted in a minus 200 point loss for North/South, down two tricks vulnerable.

The rationale behind North’s opening bid in first position seemed to be in the partnership agreement that North and South have. A sound pre-emptive bid as shown in today’s hand is the necessary ingredient. A ratty-looking pre-emptive bid is reckless and not good solid bridge.

Having seven strong clubs was necessary for the pre-emptive bid. North had that key component for her bid.

So whether South had anything or not, North’s bid was sound, and South bid the 3NT contract based on his hand and what he had heard from partner North. Does 3NT make, however?

The key to that answer was using the long clubs that North had promised. West led the KN, the top of a strong spade sequence. South must hold up as long as possible, hoping to deplete East’s doubleton in spades and to cut the communication between the East/West defenders.

Accordingly, South ducked the opening lead of the KN as well as the continuation of the QN. When East discarded the 6N on the first spade trick, and the 3N on the second trick, West knew that this was a count signal, showing an even number with a high-low play of the spades, and that East had no more spades. There was no future in continuing the spade suit. West looked at the dummy for information.

Clubs were obviously out as that would only help South. Diamonds looked secure. West looked at the singleton l0M, and led a heart, the 3M. Much to West’s dismay, North’s 10M held the trick. By now, South had made his plan and needed nine total tricks in no trump. The clubs had to be the suit to set up. From the dummy, South led the 3K! Wisely or not, West took the trick with the JK and returned the 7L instead of a heart. South captured the diamond lead with the A® in the South hand, leaving the KL as an entry for the clubs in the North hand.

A club lead from the South hand went to the KK, West showing out of clubs. East took the KK with the AK, and too late, returned a heart. South did not hesitate. He took the AM, then the AN in his own hand, and led a small diamond to the KL on the board, accessing those beautiful set-up clubs. Running the four good clubs, combined with the two heart tricks, the one spade trick, and the two diamond tricks provided South with the nine tricks needed to make the contract of 3NT. A well-deserved score of 600 for bidding and making the vulnerable no trump game was a wonderful Christmas present.

The message here is, of course, to bid a pre-emptive bid in any of the first three seats. Bidding a pre-emptive bid in fourth seat after three passes might be a little too risky, and passing the hand for another better one might be the best choice possible. Happy bridge-playing during this Christmastime. ***** (Gerald Stein, an Accredited Bridge Teacher for the American Contract Bridge League, teaches bridge classes at local schools and bridge clubs. You can visit his bridge blog at: http://betterbridgeinbarrycountymichigan.blogspot.com)

NBT Screen Printing & Embroidery Mitcher T Custom Painting & Design Signmakers Limited J-Ad Graphics EPS Security Systems A+ Sealcoat Burkey Sales EarthLink Telecommunications Blair Landscaping McKesson Medical Supplies And to all of our family and dear friends who have helped out over the past several months. Your support and friendship is so appreciated.

Page 8 — Thursday, December 20, 2012 — The Hastings Banner

Lake Odessa Financial FOCUS Furnished by Mark D. Christensen of

by Elaine Garlock Merry Christmas, all you readers.

Christmas Eve services are being held in several churches Monday evening. Central United Methodist Church will have its service at 7 p.m. with candles late in the service.

First Congregational Church will begin its service at 7 p.m. The Congregational service will include carol singing and communion.

St. Edward Catholic Church will have Mass at 5 and also at 10 p.m. Dec. 24 and at 9 a.m. on Dec. 25.

Thursday evening Dec. 27, Rev. Mark Jarvie and wife, Kathy, will host an open house at the parsonage at 761 Sixth Avenue.

Everyone is welcome.

One of the utility companies last week had a small crew installing guy wires at many of their poles, each encased with bright yellow plastic sheaths.

The new sign project for the village included two on the corner of M-50 and Jordan Lake Highway, indicating the direction in which to find the elementary school and then high school.

People may be dreaming of white Christmas, but until snow arrives let everyone enjoy the mild days with no worry about getting out the snow shovels and snowblowers.

There is plenty of time yet this winter for those wintry accessories.

Alethians of Central United Methodist Church attended the Sunday afternoon con-

cert of Lakewood Community Chorus at the high school and then gathered at the church dining room for a potluck meal and fellowship. The concert of Lakewood Community Chorus sung to a full house at the high school under the baton of Dr. Robert Oster, formerly the vocal teacher for Lakewood High School.

Two of the numbers had audience participation. This was the second year for chorus and audience to do their version of ‘The Twelve Days of Christmas.’ Each section of the audience had guide from the chorus who gave directions to stand and sing. Each leader had a colorful poster as a guide with the words to sing, such as “Six Geese a Laying.” Also the audience was invited to sing on two verses of “Silent Night.”

One feature was a solo by Klaus Schmidt who sang a German carol. The program had the English translation of the words. He is the husband of former teacher Carol Baumeister.

Janet James did a solo of “Ring the Bells.”

One fun feature was a photo presentation of baby or childhood photos of each chorus member. Some had their unmistakable looks as adults even in their early years. Siblings were presented side by side, as were married couples.

Recently, Elaine VanLaanen was notified of the Nov. 27 death of Thomas Patton of Houston, TX, a former Lakewood High School teacher in the early 1960s. His wife Rinda survives.

Local schools respond to Connecticut shootings: Lakewood Lakewood Public Schools Superintendent Mike O’Mara said he did not receive any phone calls over the weekend from parents or residents.

An instant alert was sent Sunday to all staff members and parents assuring them that Lakewood schools are safe and letting them know how the Newtown, Conn., shooting would be handled in Lakewood classrooms.

Each building’s principal met with staff early Monday morning to discuss how the incident should be dealt with in the class room.

While several phone calls and emails were received from concerned parents Monday, O’Mara said that overall, parents appear to trust that their children are safe in Lakewood schools.

Another instant alert was sent Monday afternoon, letting parents know that students had a good day.

Social workers are available in the elementary schools and guidance counselors at the middle and high school levels to help students who may have trouble dealing with the

tragedy.

If a teacher or counselor feels further steps should be taken, a school psychologist is available through the Ionia Intermediate School District, said O’Mara.

The schools have procedures in place, detailing how to respond to an intruder.

These policies will be reviewed, and small changes may take place, if they are deemed necessary.

A security system was installed with funds from the most recent bond approval.

If an alert is necessary, it will go out via the public announcement system, using “code red” or a code word set by the principal.

A code yellow can be put into place if there is potential for a dangerous situation, such as a local bank robbery where the suspect is at large.

“While some schools have locked all their doors, and some have decided to keep children inside for recess, we are maintaining the status quo,” said O’Mara. “Our community reacted to the situation, not overreacted.”

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EDWARD JONES

Lower debt levels mean greater investment opportunities In the past few years, Americans have done a pretty good job of whittling down their debt load. If you’re in this group, you may now have a chance to use your lower level of indebtedness to your advantage — by investing for the future.

Consider the numbers: In 2007, just before the financial crisis, the country’s household debt service ratio was about 14 percent. (The debt service ratio is the ratio of debt payments, including mortgages and consumer debt, to disposable personal income.) But by 2012, this figure had dipped below 11 percent, the lowest level since 1994.

These figures are national averages, but they do translate into real-life savings for many of us. If you’re in this group — that is, if you’ve lowered your debt payments noticeably — what should you do with this “found” money?

Of course, you could spend it on material objects, which, in some cases, may make your life more pleasant today. But you’d probably be better off by devoting your financial resources to your goals for tomorrow, such as college for your children and, eventually, a comfortable retirement lifestyle for yourself.

Consequently, you want may want to consider these suggestions: • Increase your contributions to your retirement plan. Try to put more money into your employer-sponsored retirement plan, such as a 401(k), 403(b) or 457(b). Your contributions are typically made with pretax dollars, so the more you invest, the lower your taxable income. Plus, your earnings can grow on a tax-deferred basis.

• Fully fund your IRA. You can put in up to $5,000 per year (as of 2012) to a traditional or Roth IRA, or $6,000 if you’re 50 or older. A traditional IRA grows tax-deferred, while a Roth IRA can grow tax-free, provided you meet certain conditions.

• Fill in “gaps” in your financial strategy.

With a little extra money each month, can you find ways to fill in the “gaps” in your financial strategy? For example, do you have suffi-

Marriage Licenses Scott Edward Wilson, Bellevue and Connie Lynn Way-Endsley, Bellevue.

Curtis Matthew Norman Jr., Bellevue and Kelsey Maree Bodenmuller, Bellevue.

Travis Joseph Olczak, Middleville and Breah Terece Ibanez, Middleville.

cient life insurance and disability income insurance? Or can you add some investments that can help diversify your overall portfolio?

While diversification can’t guarantee profits or protect against loss, it can help reduce the effects of volatility on your holdings.

• Build an emergency fund. It’s a good idea to build an emergency fund containing six to 12 months’ worth of living expenses. Without such a fund, you may be forced to dip into long-term investments to pay for unexpected costs, such as a large bill from the doctor or a major car repair. Keep the money in a liquid, low-risk account.

• Establish a 529 plan. If you have children or grandchildren whom you would like to help get through college, you might want to contribute to a 529 plan. Your earnings grow tax-free, provided withdrawals are used for qualified higher education expenses. Plus, your contributions may be deductible from your state taxes. (Be aware, though, that withdrawals used for purposes other than qualified education expenses may be subject to federal and state taxes, plus a 10% penalty.)

Reducing your debt level can remove some stress from your life. And you’ll gain even more benefits from debt reduction by using your savings to speed your progress toward your important financial goals.

This article was written by Edward Jones for use by your local Edward Jones Financial Advisor. If you have any questions, contact Mark D. Christensen at 269-945-3553.

STOCKS

The following prices are from the close of business last Tuesday. Reported changes are from the previous week.

Altria Group 32.59 -.37 AT&T 34.34 +.19 BP PLC 42.02 +.85 CMS Energy Corp 24.58 unchanged Coca-Cola Co 37.28 -.58 Eaton 53.88 +1.45 Family Dollar Stores 65.73 +1.05 Fifth Third Bancorp 15.08 +.55 Flowserve CP 144.69 +1.77 Ford Motor Co. 11.67 +.18 General Mills 41.77 +.38 General Motors 25.49 +.04 Intel Corp.

20.96 +.31 Kellogg Co. 56.60 -.06 McDonald’s Corp 90.52 +.90 Pfizer Inc. 25.64 unchanged Perrigo Co. 103.74 -1.68 Ralcorp 89.17 -.15 Sears Holding 44.30 +.80 Spartan Motors 5.14 +.21 Spartan Stores 16.12 +.69 Stryker 56.35 +.54 TCF Financial 12.27 +.55 Walmart Stores 69.50 -1.39 Gold $1,671.90 -38.10 Silver $31.64 -1.32 Dow Jones Average 13,350 +102 Volume on NYSE 773M +133M

The bridge fuel

by Dr. E. Kirsten Peters To a geologist like me, it was most notable by its absence in the political campaigns that lurched to their conclusions in November. I’m talking about an energy plan with real teeth, one that addresses everything from national security to the cost of energy to greenhouse warming of the planet.

The best-known geologist in the country is T. Boone Pickens. He’s been in the energy business for decades – he’s now in his 80s – and he is still tirelessly devoted to pointing out to all who will listen just how much it costs us to not have a meaningful national energy plan. I recently listened to one of his lectures on the subject courtesy of the TED Talks hosted on an Internet site.

Pickens points out that there are 12 aircraft carriers in the world. One is being built by China, the rest belong to the U.S. Our 11 aircraft carriers are divided between their home ports and being stationed in the Middle East. They are there to keep the shipping lanes open for Mideast petroleum.

Pickens says that since 1976, the world has spent $7 trillion on OPEC oil. That’s been the cost of the fuel and the cost of our military involvements in the region. He says it’s the largest single transfer of wealth the world has ever seen.

OPEC is led by oil giant Saudi Arabia.

It’s sometimes said that the cost of producing a barrel of oil in Saudi Arabia is only about $5. But Pickens says the Saudis feel they need $94 a barrel to meet their social commitments, which are the goods and services they fund with their oil sales. And the world essentially pays what the Saudis decide they need, Pickens maintains.

Across the world we spend so much because our dependence on petroleum is so real. Here in the U.S. we use about 20 million barrels of crude oil per day. (The world as a whole uses about 89 million barrels each day, so we weigh in using a considerable fraction of that total.) In the U.S., we produce about 8 million barrels – the rest is imported from a number of places, with 5 million coming from OPEC. Pickens likes to say that petroleum is dirty, expensive and “theirs.” What he promotes is U.S. energy – namely natural gas.

As he likes to point out, gas is 25 percent cleaner than oil, it’s abundant and it’s

“ours.”

“Natural gas will do everything we want it to do,” Pickens says. “It comes out of the ground at 130 octane.”

Pickens believes industry estimates that in the U.S. we have 4,000 trillion cubic feet of natural gas. That’s the equivalent of three times the petroleum the Saudis claim they have.

“We have plenty of natural gas,” Pickens says.

And the price of natural gas has fallen.

Pickens knows that more than many of us because he bet big on wind power for electrical power generation in Texas and the Great Plains. He lost $150 million because the price of natural gas fell to such low levels wind power simply could not compete with natural gas-powered generating plants. I don’t know about you, but I respect a man who can cheerfully discuss the fact he lost $150 million.

One part of an energy plan that could helps us, Pickens maintains, is switching our fleet of 8 million 18-wheelers from diesel fuel – which comes from petroleum – to natural gas. Yes, natural gas can power a big truck, that’s not a problem. And if we converted our trucks to natural gas, we’d save 3 million barrels of petroleum per day – a large fraction of what we have been importing from OPEC. “If we could do that, I think we would take our first step to an energy plan,” Pickens says. “If we did, we could see that our own resources are easier to use than anyone can imagine.”

I agree with Pickens that natural gas can be a bridge fuel, taking us from where we are now – with heavy dependence in our transportation sector on petroleum – to a cleaner future and one with more energy independence for the U.S. That’s as good an energy plan as I heard put forward during the long campaign season just ended.

Dr. E. Kirsten Peters, a native of the rural Northwest, was trained as a geologist at Princeton and Harvard. Her most recent book is The Whole Story of Climate, just published by Prometheus Books. This column is a service of the College of Agricultural, Human and Natural Resource Sciences at Washington State University.

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Call 269-945-9554 for Hastings Banner ads

The Hastings Banner — Thursday, December 20, 2012 — Page 9

History of Christmas card traditions added to special greeting card section, conclusion The following was taken from an article in the Dec. 24, 1952, Sun and News as part of a Christmas card-themed advertising section.

The article concludes: Festival of Lights To the Jews, the period of the winter solstice was the Festival of Lights or Dedication, called Hanukkah or Chanukah. Jewish history relates that in 165 B.C. a large force of Maccabees met and vanquished an army of Syrians. Judas Maccabeus entered Jerusalem with his army and found it a place of desolation. Maccabeus began the work of purification, and on the 25th day (note the similarity to the 25th of December) of Kislev it was finished, and a sacred light was lighted. In their destruction of the temple, the sacred oil was practically exhausted, but they did find a jar which they judged would burn for one day.

Miraculously, it lasted eight days. Therefore each year the Jews decree that the eight days, previous to Dec. 25 be celebrated.

The first night two tapers are lighted. One is known as the torch. The second night a third candle is added and so on for each night until the eighth day. That is why a true Jewish Hanukkah candelabrum has nine arms. Even to this day some of the Orthodox Jews make their own candles from beeswax, for they dislike the manufactured ones.

Doesn’t this impel one to look more deeply into what Judaism really stands for?

Luther’s Cradle Hymn It is interesting to know that this hymn is not familiar to Germans inasmuch as Luther did not write it. It is said that Luther did sing his child to sleep, and some writer has imagined this song to be the type he would have sung: Away in a manger, no crib for his bed, The little Lord Jesus laid down his sweet head; The stars in the sky looked down where he lay, The little Lord Jesus, asleep in the hay.

The cattle are lowing, the poor baby wakes, But the little Lord Jesus no crying He makes; I love Thee, Lord Jesus, look down from the sky.

And stay by my cradle to watch lullaby.

A Christmas legend When your canary sings A fierce winter storm was raging through the Harz Mountains [in Germany] one Christmas Eve. Each blast was filled with sleet and snow so heavy that massive trees were split and went crashing down the mountainsides. Only the fir trees, with their gnarled roots, were able to withstand the cruel onslaught of the terrific gale. In each brief lull could be heard the distressing cry of the wind-tossed golden canaries. The great old fir trees heard it. As the wind blew through their needles, the fir’s call was carried to the birds: “Come into our branches. We will protect you as our family has protected many of the earth’s living things.”

The poor little spent canaries, hearing the call, used their last bit of strength to fly into the protecting arms of the firs to stay until the storm was over. “We will make our homes with you and we will forever sing our praises to you as the sacred home of birds all over the earth,” they sang.

Now when your canary is singing his sweetest, you know that he is singing about Christmas Eve in the fir trees that protected the canaries in the Harz Mountains so many years ago.

Holland, The Saint Niklass Land The sixth of December is the day dedicated to St. Nicholas, and its vigil is one of the most characteristic of Dutch festivals. It is an evening for family reunions, and is filled with old recollections for the elders and new delights for the younger people and children.

Just as English people give presents at Christmas, so do the Dutch on St. Nicholas Day, only in a different way, for St. Nicholas presents must be hidden and disguised as much as possible, and be accompanied by rhymes explaining what the gift is and for whom St. Nicholas intends it. Sometimes a parcel addressed to one person will finally turn out to be for quite a different member of the family than the one who first received it, for the address on each wrapper in the various stages of unpacking makes it necessary for the parcel to change hands as many times as there are papers to undo. The tiniest things are sent in immense packing cases, and sometimes the gifts are baked in a loaf of bread or

hidden in a turf, and the longer it takes before the present is found the more successful is the “surprise.”

The greatest delight to the giver of the parcel is to remain unknown as long as possible, and even if the present is sent from one member of the family to another living in the same house, the doorbell is always rung by the servant before she brings the parcel in, to make believe that has come from some outsider, and if a parcel has to be taken to a friend’s house, it is very often entrusted to a passerby, with the request to leave it at the door and ring the bell.

In houses where there are many children, some of the elders dress up in full episcopal vestments as the good Bishop St. Nicholas and his black servant. The children are always very much impressed by the knowledge that St. Nicholas knows of all their shortcomings, for he usually reminds them of their little failings and gives them each an appropriate lecture. Sometimes he makes them repeat a verse to him or asks them about their lessons, all of which tends to make the moment of his arrival looked forward to with much excitement and some trembling, for St. Nicholas generally announces at what time he is to be expected, so that all may be in readiness for his reception.

When the presents have all been distributed, and St. Nicholas has made his adieus, promising to come back the following year, and the children are packed to bed to dream of all the fun they have had, the older people begin to enjoy themselves. First they sit round the table that stands in the middle of the room under the lamp, and partake of tea and speculaas (hard cookies), until their own “surprises” begin to arrive. At 10 o’clock the room is cleared, and all the papers and shavings, boxes and baskets that contained presents are removed from the floor; the table is spread with a white tablecloth; letterbanket (chocolate or cakes made in the form of an initial) and hot punch or milk chocolate are provided for the guests; and when all have taken their seats, a dish of boiled chestnuts, steaming hot, is brought in and eaten with butter and salt.

Preparatory to the St. Nicholas celebration, figures of St. Nicholas, life size, are placed before the windows of shopkeepers, and, like in America, sometimes men are hired to stand in front of business establishments dressed like the good saint. Other times, he rides around the city on a white horse, followed by a cart laden with parcels that have been ordered and are left in this way at different houses. St. Nicholas is always followed by a crowd of children, singing and howling and clapping their hands.

Some legends say that St. Nicholas comes in a boat from Spain, accompanied by his servant, a little Moor named Black Pete. The children place their wooden shoes, filled with hay and a dish of water for St. Nicholas’ horse, in front of the fireplace; this is a sign to St. Nicholas that the children are safe in bed.

Christmas Day in Holland is generally devoted to church and to social visiting.

In Poland Festival of the Star On Christmas Eve, called the Festival of the Star, a shepherd’s Mass is celebrated at midnight both in Europe and in the United States. The churches are decorated with Christmas trees and are brilliantly lighted.

Each church stages an elaborate Christmas Crib, which is allowed to remain until the Day of the Three Kings.

Before Christmas each child writes a letter telling what he wants for Christmas and this is placed on the windowsill or by the fireplace where the Wise Men can get it easily.

Dec. 24 is a fast day, until the evening meal. Baskets of food are either taken to the church during the day for a blessing, or in the small towns the priest comes to the home and blesses the food that will be consumed that evening.

As soon as the first star appears on Christmas Eve, the feasting begins. Among other things eaten on Christmas Eve, there is always a supply of small round wafers made from flour and water which have been stamped with sacred figures and blessed by the priest. Straw is scattered under the table and one chair is left vacant for the Holy Child. Before touching the other food, all at the table break and eat the wafers, exchanging good wishes. Near each plate is some modest present – a small sugar heart, a gingerbread figure or piece of money.

Getty’s Poultry Farm and Hatchery sent wishes to readers in this special Christmas card section of the Sun and News published on Christmas Eve 1952.

Getty’s Hatchery was on Irving Road east of Main street. (Thanks to Lois Bremer for her help with business locations.)

After supper, the children are taken to a parlor where the Star Man (often the parish priest in disguise) examines them in the catechism, reproving those who give the wrong answer and rewarding the good. Gifts are brought by three young lads representing Wise Men who carry an illuminated star and sing carols. They are followed closely by young people dressed as wild animals, or as characters of the Nativity. The animals represent those that worshipped the Christ Child in the stable. They go through the streets and knock at the cottage doors and wish all a good year, singing traditional songs as they go. Sometimes they carry portable stages on which marionette shows, portraying Biblical scenes, are given.

Silent Night The organ of the little church of Arnsdorf near Salzburg, Austria, had in the last days before Christmas become unfit for further use. Mice had eaten at the bellows, and this seriously troubled the parish priest, Father Josef Mohr. He went to his organist and school master Franz Gruber and expressed his disappointment saying, “We must have something special for midnight mass.”

On the day before Christmas Eve Father Mohr was called to administer the last rites to a dying woman. It was late when he returned.

Pausing on a height overlooking the town he fell to musing. The snowy mountains loomed above him and below in the valley the dark outline of the village could be diserned. Here and there a faint light glimmered in the dark, and over all was that vast stillness so peculiar to the wide open of Nature. Suddenly the good man murmured, ‘It must have been something like this – that silent, holy night in Bethelem.”

Powerfully affected, he hastened home, sat at his desk and wrote. Late at night he paused, read over what he had written, then read it again: (It is here quoted in English) Silent night, Holy night, All is dark, save the light, Yonder where they sweet vigils keep, O’er the Babe, in silent sleep, Rests in heavenly peace, Rests in heavenly peace.

Silent night, peaceful night, Darkness flies, all it light; Shepherds hear the angels sing, Alleluia! Hail the King, Christ the Saviour is born, Christ the Saviour is born.

Silent night, Holy night, Child of Heaven, Oh how bright, When Thy smile when Though wast born, Blest indeed that happy morn, Full of heavenly joy, Full of heavenly joy.

It pleased him and he thereupon retired to bed. Arising next morning, he took up his manuscript, reread it, hastened to his friend Franz Gruber, and read it to him. As soon as Franz Gruber read the lovely words, inner voices seemed to fill his humble quarters with an angelic chorus. Indeed, he caught the true spirit of the hymn. He sang it to his wife, and in the hushed silence that followed, she said, “We will die – you and I – but this song will live.”

At Christmas Eve midnight, the organ did not sound in the church at Arnsdorf. The congregation indeed felt a lack of it – until with Father Josef Mohr singing and Franz Gruber playing his guitar, the hallowed strains of “Silent Night” fell upon their ears, and the echo of the first rendition of this holy hymn has not died away in the world, even now, at

This Christmas-card ad from Tape and Martin in Caledonia depicts a possible scene from more than 1,900 years prior, of the Wise Men following the star over Bethlehem. the conclusion of more than 100 years. The congregation sat enthralled; no organ, no – but a special gift has been given to the Christ Child on His birthday.

This story was related by Father Richard, of the Old Santa Barabar Mission.

On Christmas Eve in 1936 many listeners at the radio were charmed to hear virtually this same story coming over the air from faraway Hallein, a village to the south of Salzburg.

Felix Gruber, using his great grandfather’s

original guitar, sang “Silent Night” fervently.

Listeners were deeply moved to hear this song coming from near its original birthplace.

There is another interesting observation.

For many years “Silent Night” was considered merely as a folk song and Michael Haydn was given credit for being the composer. The song did not appear in print, however, until 1840. Those who listened on the radio noted that Felix Gruber sang it a little differently than we in America had heard it.

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING The Barry County Road Commission will hold a Public Hearing on its proposed 2013 Budget. The hearing will be held at the Commission Room located at 1725 West M-43 Highway, Hastings, Michigan at 3:30 P.M. on December 27, 2012. A copy of the proposed budget is available for inspection at the Road Commission office.

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UDSA REAL ESTATE FORECLOSURE SALE

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1270 Norway Avenue Hastings, MI 49058

Minimum Bid: $18,000.00 (or best offer above minimum bid) OFFER MUST BE IN FORM OF CERTIFIED CHECK THE DAY OF THE SALE DESCRIPTION OF PROPERTY: 3BR, 1BA, 1 story w/full basement This description is believed to be correct to our best understanding DATE & TIME OF SALE: January 17, 2013 at 1:00 PM PLACE OF SALE: Barry County Courthouse, East Steps 220 W. State Street, Hastings, MI 48058 FOR INFO CONTACT: 800-349-5097 x 4500 Or USDA Rural Development 1035 E. Michigan Ave., Paw Paw, MI 49079 For future foreclosure sales and inventory properties access our website:www.resales.usda.gov

NOTICE

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The Barry County Board of Commissioners is seeking applications from volunteers to serve on the following Boards/Commissions: Agricultural Preservation Board (4 positions: 1 representing Natural Resource Conservation, 2 representing Agricultural Interest, and 1 representing Real Estate or Development Interest) Animal Shelter Advisory Board (3 positions, Citizen at Large) Commission on Aging Board (2 positions) Community Mental Health Authority Board (1 position, must be a primary consumer) Parks and Recreation Board (3 positions, Citizen at Large) Planning Commission (1position, term expiring 4/30/13) Region 3B Area Agency on Aging Advisory Council (1 position, Member at Large) This position requires completion of a special application form. Please contact the County Administrator’s Office to request a copy, at 269-945-1284.

Applications may be obtained at the County Administration Office, 3rd floor of the Courthouse, 220 W. State St., Hastings; or www.barrycounty.org; and must be returned no later than 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, December 26, 2012. Contact 269-945-1284 for more information.

Page 10 — Thursday, December 20, 2012 — The Hastings Banner

LEGAL NOTICES STATE OF MICHIGAN PROBATE COURT COUNTY OF BARRY NOTICE TO CREDITORS Decedent’s Estate FILE NO. 12-26187-DE Estate of Richard Eugene Ellis, Deceased. Date of birth: 04/25/1940.

TO ALL CREDITORS: NOTICE TO CREDITORS: The decedent, Richard Eugene Ellis, died 08/01/2011.

Creditors of the decedent are notified that all claims against the estate will be forever barred unless presented to Patricia K. Hayes, personal representative, or to both the probate court at 206 W. Court Street, Hastings, MI and the personal representative within 4 months after the date of publication of this notice.

Date: 12/13/2012 Howard T. Linden (P25438) 3000 Town Center, Ste. 2200 Southfield, MI 48075 (248) 358-4545 Patricia K. Hayes 201 Russell St., Apt. B Middleville, MI 49333 77573275 (269) 838-6917 STATE OF MICHIGAN PROBATE COURT COUNTY OF BARRY PUBLICATION OF NOTICE OF HEARING FILE NO. 12026242 NC In the Matter of JORDAN WAYNE MAUCHMARBOURDO. TO ALL INTERESTED PERSONS including: whose address(es) are unknown and whose interest in the matter may be barred or affected by the following: TAKE NOTICE: A hearing will be held on JANUARY 9, 2013 at 2:00 P.M. at 206 W. COURT ST., 3RD FLOOR, HASTINGS, MI 49058 before Judge WIlliam M. Doherty 41960 for the following purpose: A HEARING WILL BE HELD ON THE PETITION FOR CHANGE OF NAME OF JORDAN WAYNE MAUCHMAR-BOURDO TO JORDAN WAYNE BOURDO. THIS CHANGE OF NAME IS NOT SOUGHT FOR FRAUDULENT INTENT. Date: 11/09/2012 JORDAN MAUCHMAR-BOURDO 7266 LINDSEY RD. PLAINWELL, MI 49080 (269) 664-6634 77573287

FORECLOSURE NOTICE RANDALL S. MILLER & ASSOCIATES, P.C. MAY BE A DEBT COLLECTOR ATTEMPTING TO COLLECT A DEBT AND ANY INFORMATION OBTAINED MAY BE USED FOR THAT PURPOSE. IF YOU ARE A MILITARY SERVICEMEMBER ON ACTIVE DUTY NOW OR IN THE PRIOR NINE MONTHS, PLEASE CONTACT OUR OFFICE. Mortgage Sale - Default has been made in the conditions of a certain mortgage made by Richard Popenhagen And Rachel Popenhagen, Husband And Wife to Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc. as nominee for Novastar Mortgage, Inc., Mortgagee, dated January 3, 2007, and recorded on January 24, 2007, as Document Number: 1175527, Barry County Records, said mortgage was assigned to Deutsche Bank National Trust Company, as Trustee for NovaStar Mortgage Funding Trust, Series 2007-1 NovaStar Home Equity Loan Asset-Backed Certificates, Series 2007-1 by an Assignment of Mortgage dated October 01, 2012 and recorded October 11, 2012

by Document Number: 2012-005616, , on which mortgage there is claimed to be due at the date hereof the sum of One Hundred Twelve Thousand Four Hundred Eighty-Five and 22/100 ($112,485.22) including interest at the rate of 8.62500% per annum. Under the power of sale contained in said mortgage and the statute in such case made and provided, notice is hereby given that said mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at public venue, at the place of holding the Circuit Court in said Barry County, where the premises to be sold or some part of them are situated, at 01:00 PM on January 17, 2013 Said premises are situated in the Township of Johnstown, Barry County, Michigan, and are described as: THE FOLLOWING DESCRIBED PREMISES SITUATED IN THE TOWNSHIP OF, COUNTY OF BARRY AND STATE OF TO WIT: BEGINNING AT THE EAST QUARTER POST OF SECTION 27, TOWN 1 NORTH, RANGE 8 WEST; THENCE SOUTH 87 DEGREES 14 MINUTES 21 SECONDS WEST, ALONG THE EAST AND WEST QUARTER LINE OF SAID SECTION 27, A DISTANCE OF 664.55 FEET; THENCE NORTH 02 DEGREES 22 MINUTES 01 SECONDS WEST ALONG THE WEST LINE OF THE EAST HALF OF THE SOUTHEAST QUARTER OF THE NORTHEAST QUARTER OF SAID SECTION 27, A DISTANCE OF 1335.21 FEET TO THE NORTH LINE OF SAID SOUTHEAST QUARTER OF THE NORTHEAST QUARTER OF SAID SECTION; THENCE NORTH 87 DEGREES 34 MINUTES 45 SECONDS EAST ALONG SAID NORTH LINE, 205.17 FEET; THENCE SOUTH 02 DEGREES 20 MINUTES 09 SECONDS EAST, 284.00 FEET; THENCE NORTH 87 DEGREES 34 MINUTES 45 SECONDS EAST, 460.14 FEET TO THE EAST LINE OF SAID SECTION 27; THENCE SOUTH ALONG SAID EAST SECTION LINE, 1047.27 FEET TO THE PLACE OF BEGINNING. SUBJECT TO EXISTING ROADWAY EASEMENT FOR HUTCHINSON ROAD ON THE EAST AND HICKORY ROAD ON THE SOUTH. SUBJECT TO ALL EASEMENTS, RESERVATIONS, COVENANTS, CONDITIONS, AGREEMENTS OF RECORD, IF ANY. Commonly known as: 14300 Hutchinson Road If the property is eventually sold at foreclosure sale, the redemption period will be 6.00 months from the date of sale unless the property is abandoned or used for agricultural purposes. If the property is determined abandoned in accordance with MCL 600.3241 and/or 600.3241a, the redemption period will be 30 days from the date of sale, or 15 days after statutory notice, whichever is later. If the property is presumed to be used for agricultural purposes prior to the date of the foreclosure sale pursuant to MCL 600.3240, the redemption period is 1 year. Pursuant to MCL 600.3278, if the property is sold at a foreclosure sale, the borrower(s) will be held responsible to the person who buys the property at the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the mortgage holder for damaging the property during the redemption period. TO ALL PURCHASERS: The foreclosing mortgagee can rescind the sale. In that event, your damages are, if any, limited solely to the return of the bid amount tendered at sale, plus interest. If you are a tenant in the property, please contact our office as you may have certain rights. Dated: December 20, 2012 Randall S. Miller & Associates, P.C. Attorneys for Deutsche Bank National Trust Company, as Trustee for NovaStar Mortgage Funding Trust, Series 2007-1 NovaStar Home Equity Loan Asset-Backed Certificates, Series 2007-1 43252 Woodward Avenue, Suite 180, Bloomfield Hills, MI 48302, 248-335-9200 Case No. 12OMI01272-1 (12-20)(01-10) 77573308

IF YOU ARE NOW ON ACTIVE MILITARY DUTY OR HAVE BEEN IN THE PRIOR NINE MONTHS, PLEASE CONTACT OUR OFFICE AT 248-502-1400.

MORTGAGE SALE - Default has been made in the conditions of a mortgage made by Judy McMillan and Ronald McMillan wife and husband, to Centex Home Equity Company, LLC, Mortgagee, dated October 26, 2005 and recorded November 9, 2005 in Instrument Number 1156026, Barry County Records, Michigan. Said mortgage is now held by Deutsche Bank National Trust Company, as Trustee for Soundview Home Loan Trust 2006-2 by assignment. There is claimed to be due at the date hereof the sum of One Hundred Seventy-Six Thousand Seven Hundred Eleven and 50/100 Dollars ($176,711.50) including interest at 8.8% per annum.

Under the power of sale contained in said mortgage and the statute in such case made and provided, notice is hereby given that said mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at public vendue at the Barry County Circuit Courthouse in Hastings, Michigan in Barry County, Michigan at 1:00 p.m. on 01/03/2013.

Said premises are located in the Township of Assyria, Barry County, Michigan, and are described as: The following described premises situated in the Township of Assyria, County of Barry and State of Michigan: The Northeast 1/4 of the Northeast 1/4 of Section 15, Town 1 North, Range 7 West.

EXCEPT: The North 544.5 feet of the East 400 feet of the Northeast 1/4 of the Northeast 1/4 of Section 15, Town 1 North, Range 7 West.

Subject to an easement for public highway purposes over the Northerly 33 feet thereof for Cox Road, and over the Easterly 33 feet thereof for Guy Road.

This property may be located within the vicinity of farm land or farm operation. Generally accepted agricultural and management practices which may generate noise, dust, odors, and other associated conditions may be used and are protected by the Michigan Right to Farm Act. The redemption period shall be 6 months from the date of such sale, unless determined abandoned in accordance with MCLA §600.3241a, in which case the redemption period shall be 30 days from the date of such sale. TO ALL PURCHASERS: The foreclosing mortgagee can rescind the sale. In that event, your damages, if any, are limited solely to the return of the bid amount tendered at sale, plus interest.

If the property is sold at foreclosure sale, pursuant to MCL 600.3278, the borrower will be held responsible to the person who buys the property at the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the mortgage holder for damage to the property during the redemption period.

If you are a tenant in the property, please contact our office as you may have certain rights.

Dated: December 6, 2012 Orlans Associates, P.C. Attorneys for Servicer P.O. Box 5041 Troy, MI 48007-5041 File No. 306.4731 77572885 (12-06)(12-27)

FORECLOSURE NOTICE This firm is a debt collector attempting to collect a debt. Any information obtained will be used for this purpose. If you are in the Military, please contact our office at the number listed below. MORTGAGE SALE – Default has been made in the conditions of a certain mortgage made by: Diane Dallas, A Single Female to Option One Mortgage Corporation, Mortgagee, dated October 25, 2002 and recorded November 25, 2002 in Instrument # 1092382 and corrected by affidavit dated November 19, 2012 and recorded November 29, 2012 in Instrument #2012-007635 Barry County Records, Michigan Said mortgage was assigned to: Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., as Trustee for Option One Mortgage Loan Trust 2003-1 Asset-Backed Certificates, Series 2003-1, by assignment dated July 20, 2007 and recorded July 30, 2007in Instrument # 200707300000298 on which mortgage there is claimed to be due at the date hereof the sum of One Hundred Twenty-One Thousand Eight Hundred Sixty-Four Dollars and Fourteen Cents ($121,864.14) including interest 7.5% per annum. Under the power of sale contained in said mortgage and the statute in such case made and provided, notice is hereby given that said mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at public vendue, Circuit Court of Barry County at 1:00PM on January 17, 2013 Said premises are situated in Township of Hastings, Barry County, Michigan, and are described as: That part of the Northeast one-quarter of section 28, Town 3 north, range 8 west, described as, commencing at the intersection of the north line of said section and the centerline of Nashville Road (highway M-79) which is 1094.5 feet west along the North line of said section from the northeast corner of said section, thence south 23 degrees 45 minutes east 200.71 feet along the centerline of said road, thence southeasterly 410.72 feet along said centerline on a 1227.77 foot radius curve to the left, the chord of which bears south 33 degrees 20 minutes East 408.80 feet, thence south 42 degrees 55 minutes east 127.71 feet along the centerline of said road, thence south 47 degrees 05 minutes west 834 feet more or less to the east line of the west onehalf of the northeast one-quarter, thence South along the East line of the West one-half of the Northeast one-quarter 1447 feet more or less to the southeast corner of the west one-half of the northeast one-quarter, thence west along the east and west one-quarter line 313.5 feet more or less to the southwest corner of the east 19 acres of the west one-half of the Northeast one-quarter, thence north along the west line of the east 19 acres of the west one-half of the Northeast one-quarter 2640 feet more or less to the North line of said section, thence East 532 feet more or less to the place of beginning, subject to the right of way for highway purposes over the north 33 feet and over that part lying northeasterly of a line which is 33 feet southwesterly from and parallel with the centerline of Nashville Road (highway M-79) Commonly known as 1890 Nashville Rd, Hastings MI 49058 The redemption period shall be 6 months from the date of such sale, unless determined abandoned in accordance with MCL 600.3241 or MCL 600.3241a, in which case the redemption period shall be 30 days from the date of such sale, or upon the expiration of the notice required by MCL 600.3241a(c), whichever is later; or unless MCL 600.3240(17) applies. If the property is sold at foreclosure sale under Chapter 32 of the Revised Judicature Act of 1961, under MCL 600.3278, the borrower will be held responsible to the person who buys the property at the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the mortgage holder for damaging the property during the redemption period. Dated: 12/20/2012 Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., as Trustee for Option One Mortgage Loan Trust 20031 Asset-Backed Certificates, Series 2003-1, Assignee of Mortgagee Attorneys: Potestivo & Associates, P.C. 811 South Blvd. Suite 100 Rochester Hills, MI 48307 (248) 844-5123 Our File No: 12-66766 (12-20)(01-10) 77573313

STATE OF MICHIGAN PROBATE COURT COUNTY OF BARRY NOTICE TO CREDITORS Decedent’s Estate FILE NO. 12-26256-DE Estate of Mabel M. Osis. Date of birth: 01/10/1920.

TO ALL CREDITORS: NOTICE TO CREDITORS: Mabel M. Osis, died 06/23/2012.

Creditors of the decedent are notified that all claims against the estate will be forever barred unless presented to Ray Girrbach, named personal representative or proposed personal representative, or to both the probate court at 206 West Court Street, Hastings, MI 49058 and the named/proposed personal representative within 4 months after the date of publication of this notice.

Date: 12/17/2012 Robert J. Longstreet P53546 607 N. Broadway Hastings, MI 49058 (269) 945-3495 Ray Girrbach 328 S. Broadway Hastings, MI 49058 (269) 945-3252 SYNOPSIS HOPE TOWNSHIP Regular Board Meeting Dec. 10, 2012 5 Board members present. 10 guests.

Regular meeting opened at 7 p.m.

Approved: Agenda Previous Minutes Standing Reports Bills Resolution 2012-21 Resolution 2012-22 Appointed Board of Review Members Appointed Construction Board of Appeals Exploring Hall modifications Adjourned 7:39 p.m.

Submitted by Deborah Jackson, Clerk Attested to by Patricia Albert, Supervisor

Synopsis Hastings Charter Township Regular Meeting December 11, 2012 Meeting called to order at 7:00 pm Pledge and roll call Seven board members present, 6 guests attended Approved November minutes & Various dept. reports Adopted 2013 budget 2012 Budget Revisions Cemetery fence replacement Approved payment of warrants Board member comments Public comment Motion to adjourn 8:12 pm Read full minutes on twp. website Respectfully submitted, Anita S. Mennell - Clerk Attested to by Jim Brown – Supervisor

77573230

77573297

IF YOU ARE NOW ON ACTIVE MILITARY DUTY OR HAVE BEEN IN THE PRIOR NINE MONTHS, PLEASE CONTACT OUR OFFICE AT 248-502-1502.

MORTGAGE SALE - Default has been made in the conditions of a mortgage made by Warren Searles, Charlotte Searles, husband and wife and Thomas J. Alvey and Christina N. Alvey, husband and wife, to Fifth Third Mortgage - MI, LLC, Mortgagee, dated August 10, 2005 and recorded October 20, 2005 in Instrument Number 1154900, and , Barry County Records, Michigan. Said mortgage is now held by Fifth Third Mortgage Company by assignment. There is claimed to be due at the date hereof the sum of One Hundred Nine Thousand Eighty-Five and 59/100 Dollars ($109,085.59) including interest at 6.25% per annum.

Under the power of sale contained in said mortgage and the statute in such case made and provided, notice is hereby given that said mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at public vendue at the Barry County Circuit Courthouse in Hastings, Michigan in Barry County, Michigan at 1:00 PM on JANUARY 3, 2013.

Said premises are located in the Township of Hope, Barry County, Michigan, and are described as: The land referred to is situated in the Township of Hope, County of Barry, State of Michigan, is described as follows:Parcel C: That part of the South 64 rods of the Southeast 1/4 of the Southeast 1/4 of Section 27, Town 2 North, Range 9 West, described as: Commencing at the Southeast corner of said Section 27; thence North 88 degrees 59 minutes 06 seconds West on the South Section line 867.54 feet; thence North 0 degrees 31 minutes 30 seconds East 534.59 feet; thence North 3 degrees 03 minutes 18 seconds East 30.26 feet to the Place of Beginning of the parcel of land herein described; thence North 3 degrees 03 minutes 18 seconds East 491.48 feet; thence South 88 degrees 59 minutes 06 seconds East parallel to the South Section line 481.53 feet; thence South 1 degree 15 minutes 00 seconds West 491.40 feet; thence North 88 degrees 59 minutes 06 seconds West parallel to the South section line 498.34 feet to the Place of Beginning. Together with and subject to an easement for ingress, egress and public utilities over a 66 foot wide strip of land the centerline of said easement being described as commencing at the Southeast corner of said Section 27, thence North 88 degrees 59 minutes 06 seconds West 867.54 feet to the Point of Beginning of said easement; thence the centerline of said easement runs North 0 degrees 31 minutes 30 seconds East 534.59 feet; thence North 3 degrees 03 minutes 18 seconds East 250.56 feet to the Point of Beginning.

The redemption period shall be 6 months from the date of such sale, unless determined abandoned in accordance with MCLA §600.3241a, in which case the redemption period shall be 30 days from the date of such sale. TO ALL PURCHASERS: The foreclosing mortgagee can rescind the sale. In that event, your damages, if any, are limited solely to the return of the bid amount tendered at sale, plus interest.

If the property is sold at foreclosure sale, pursuant to MCL 600.3278, the borrower will be held responsible to the person who buys the property at the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the mortgage holder for damage to the property during the redemption period.

If you are a tenant in the property, please contact our office as you may have certain rights.

Dated: December 6, 2012 Orlans Associates, P.C..

Attorneys for Servicer P.O. Box 5041 Troy, MI 48007 File No. 12-510737 77572910 (12-06)(12-27)

Notice Of Mortgage Foreclosure Sale THIS FIRM IS A DEBT COLLECTOR ATTEMPTING TO COLLECT A DEBT. ANY INFORMATION WE OBTAIN WILL BE USED FOR THAT PURPOSE. PLEASE CONTACT OUR OFFICE AT THE NUMBER BELOW IF YOU ARE IN ACTIVE MILITARY DUTY. ATTN PURCHASERS: This sale may be rescinded by the foreclosing mortgagee. In that event, your damages, if any, shall be limited solely to the return of the bid amount tendered at sale, plus interest.

MORTGAGE SALE - Default has been made in the conditions of a mortgage made by Cora Lee Greenburg, an unmarried woman, original mortgagor(s), to World Savings Bank, FSB, Mortgagee, dated July 30, 2002, and recorded on August 13, 2007 in instrument 1085507, in Barry county records, Michigan, on which mortgage there is claimed to be due at the date hereof the sum of Two Hundred Forty-Five Thousand Five Hundred Two and 23/100 Dollars ($245,502.23).

Under the power of sale contained in said mortgage and the statute in such case made and provided, notice is hereby given that said mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at public vendue, at the place of holding the circuit court within Barry County, at 1:00 PM, on January 10, 2013.

Said premises are situated in Township of Prairieville, Barry County, Michigan, and are described as: Lot 23, Supervisor's Plat of Long Point, as recorded in Liber 2 of Page 50, Barry County Records.

The redemption period shall be 6 months from the date of such sale, unless determined abandoned in accordance with MCLA 600.3241a, in which case the redemption period shall be 30 days from the date of such sale.

If the property is sold at foreclosure sale under Chapter 32 of the Revised Judicature Act of 1961, pursuant to MCL 600.3278 the borrower will be held responsible to the person who buys the property at the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the mortgage holder for damaging the property during the redemption period.

Dated: November 29, 2012 For more information, please call: FC D (248) 593-1309 Trott & Trott, P.C. Attorneys For Servicer 31440 Northwestern Highway, Suite 200 Farmington Hills, Michigan 48334-2525 File #367213F04 (11-29)(12-20) 77572639

AS A DEBT COLLECTOR, WE ARE ATTEMPTING TO COLLECT A DEBT AND ANY INFORMATION OBTAINED WILL BE USED FOR THAT PURPOSE. NOTIFY US AT THE NUMBER BELOW IF YOU ARE IN ACTIVE MILITARY DUTY. MORTGAGE SALE - Default having been made in the terms and conditions of a certain mortgage made by ELMER L HOLBROOK, JR. , A SINGLE MAN, Mortgagors, to Bank of America NA, Mortgagee, dated the 12th day of June, 2006 and recorded in the office of the Register of Deeds, for The County of Barry and State of Michigan, on the 16th day of June, 2006 in Liber Instrument No. 1166074 of Barry County Records, page , said Mortgage having been assigned to Green Tree Servicing LLC on which mortgage there is claimed to be due, at the date of this notice, the sum of Ninety Three Thousand Two Hundred Eleven & 41/100 ($93,211.41), and no suit or proceeding at law or in equity having been instituted to recover the debt secured by said mortgage or any part thereof. Now, therefore, by virtue of the power of sale contained in said mortgage, and pursuant to statute of the State of Michigan in such case made and provided, notice is hereby given that on the 3rd day of January, 2013 at 1:00 PM o’clock Local Time, said mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale at public auction, to the highest bidder, at the Barry County Courthouse in Hastings, MI (that being the building where the Circuit Court for the County of Barry is held), of the premises described in said mortgage, or so much thereof as may be necessary to pay the amount due, as aforesaid on said mortgage, with interest thereon at 7.125% per annum and all legal costs, charges, and expenses, including the attorney fees allowed by law, and also any sum or sums which may be paid by the undersigned, necessary to protect its interest in the premises. Which said premises are described as follows: All that certain piece or parcel of land, including any and all structures, and homes, manufactured or otherwise, located thereon, situated in the Township of Castleton, County of Barry, State of Michigan, and described as follows, to wit: THE EAST 51 FEET OF LOT NUMBER 69 OF 0. A. PHILLIPS ADDITION TO THE VILLAGE OF NASHVILLE, ACCORDING TO THE RECORDED PLAT THEREOF, ALSO, A PARCEL OF LAND DESCRIBED AS: COMMENCING AT THE NORTHEAST CORNER OF LOT 69 OF 0. A. PHILLIPS ADDITION TO THE VILLAGE OF NASHVILLE FOR THE PLACE OF BEGINNING; THENCE WEST 51 FEET; THENCE NORTH TO THE SOUTH BANK OF THE THORNAPPLE RIVER; THENCE EAST ALONG THE BANK OF THE THORNAPPLE RIVER TO A POINT NORTH OF THE PLACE OF BEGINNING; THENCE SOUTH TO THE POINT OF BEGINNING. ALSO, A PARCEL OF LAND DESCRIBED AS COMMENCING AT A POINT WHICH LIES 232 FEET EAST OF THE SOUTHWEST CORNER OF LOT 67 OF 0. A. PHILLIPS ADDITION TO THE VILLAGE OF NASHVILLE FOR THE PLACE OF BEGINNING; THENCE EAST 53 FEET; THENCE NORTH TO THE SOUTH BANK OF THE THORNAPPLE RIVER; THENCE WEST 53 FEET; THENCE SOUTH TO THE PLACE OF BEGINNING During the six (6) months immediately following the sale, the property may be redeemed, except that in the event that the property is determined to be abandoned pursuant to MCLA 600.3241a, the property may be redeemed during 30 days immediately following the sale. Pursuant to MCLA 600.3278, the mortgagor(s) will be held responsible to the person who buys the property at the foreclosure sale or to the mortgage holder for damaging the property during the redemption period. Dated: 12/6/2012 Green Tree Servicing LLC Mortgagee FABRIZIO & BROOK, P.C. Attorney for Green Tree Servicing LLC 888 W. Big Beaver, Suite 800 Troy, Ml 48084 248-362-2600 GTSD FNMA HolbrookElm 77572873 (12-06)(12-27)

NOTICE OF JUDICIAL FORECLOSURE SALE THIS FIRM IS A DEBT COLLECTOR ATTEMPTING TO COLLECT A DEBT. ANY INFORMATION WE OBTAIN WILL BE USED FOR THAT PURPOSE. PLEASE CONTACT OUR OFFICE IF YOU ARE A BORROWER ON ACTIVE MILITARY DUTY ATTENTION PURCHASERS: This sale may be rescinded by the circuit court at the request of the plaintiff. In that event, your damages, if any, shall be limited solely to the return of the bid amount tendered at sale, plus interest, as determined by the court. Barry County Circuit Court Case No. 10-618CH NOTICE OF JUDICIAL SALE JUDICIAL SALE IN PURSUANCE and by virtue of Judgment(s) and/or Order(s) of foreclosure in the Circuit Court for the County of Barry, State of Michigan, made and entered on the 12th day of January, 2012, in a certain cause therein pending, wherein HSBC Mortgage Services, Inc. was the Plaintiff and Jeff Schantz was the defendant. The aforementioned Judgment(s) and/or Order(s) established a debt owing to Plaintiff in the amount of $127,979.10, plus post-judgment interest at an annual rate of 8.125% and other amounts recoverable pursuant to said Judgment(s) and/or Order(s). NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that in order to satisfy said Judgment(s) and/or Order(s), in whole or in part, the property described below shall be sold at public auction, by an authorized sheriff / deputy sheriff or county Clerk/Deputy county Clerk, to the highest bidder, at the Circuit Court for the County of Barry, on the 24th of January, 2013 at 1:00 PM, local time. On said day at said time, the following described property shall be sold: property located in the City of Hastings, County of Barry, State of Michigan, particularly described as The West 1/2 of Lots 1302 and 1303 of the City, Formerly Village of Hastings, according to the recorded plat thereof.. Tax Parcel ID: 08-55-201-447-00 More commonly known as: 227 W South St, REDEMPTION PERIOD IS SIX MONTHS. For more information please call 248.642.2515. Trott & Trott, P.C. Attorneys for Plaintiff 31440 Northwestern Highway, Suite 200 Farmington Hills, MI 48334-2525 T# 329389L02 (12-06)(01-10) 77572736 NOTICE OF MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE SALE THIS FIRM IS ATTEMPTING TO COLLECT A DEBT. ANY INFORMATION WE OBTAIN WILL BE USED FOR THAT PURPOSE. MORTGAGE SALE: Default having been made in the conditions of certain Mortgage made by JUDITH L. MILAN, a single woman, of 1270 Norway Avenue, Hastings, MI 49058, to THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, acting through Rural Development, United States Department of Agriculture, with its Office being located at 4300 Goodfellow Blvd., Building 105, FC215, St. Louis, MO, 63120, the Mortgagee, the Mortgage being dated May 8, 1996, and recorded May 10, 1996, in Liber 659, Page 988 in Barry County Records, and the borrower having assumed a mortgage between ARCHIE L. LEATHERMAN and THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, acting through Rural Development, United States Department of Agriculture, the Mortgage being dated May 3, 1993 in Liber 570, Page 865, Barry County Records, such Mortgage being given to secure Promissory Note payable to the Government, and by reason of such default the Mortgagee elects to declare the entire unpaid amount of such Mortgage due and payable forthwith, on which Mortgage there is claimed to be due as of December 6, 2012, for principal, interest and other charges, the sum of SIXTY NINE THOUSAND, NINE HUNDRED EIGHTY-SIX AND 92/100 ($69,986.92) DOLLARS, and no proceedings having been instituted at law or equity to recover the debt now remaining secured by said Mortgage, or any part thereof, whereby the power of sale contained in said Mortgage has become operative; Now, Therefore, Notice is Hereby Given that by virtue of the power of sale contained in said Mortgage and in pursuance of the statute of the State of Michigan in such case made and provided, the said Mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the premises therein described, or so much thereof as may be necessary, at public auction, to the highest bidder, at the east steps of the County Courthouse at 220 W. STATE STREET, in the City of Hastings, County of Barry, Michigan, that being the place of holding the Circuit Court in and for said County, on THURSDAY, JANUARY 17, 2013 at 1:00 p.m., local time, and said premises will be sold to pay the amount due as aforesaid on the Mortgage together with 6.75% interest, legal costs, attorneys' fees and also any taxes and insurance that said Mortgagee does pay on or prior to the date of said sale; which said premises described in said Mortgage are situated in the State of Michigan, Barry County and are described as: A parcel of land in the Southwest onequarter of Section 2, T3N, R9W, Described as: Beginning at the Southeast corner of Lot 70 of the Plat of Smith’s Lakeview Estate No. 1 as recorded in Liber 5 of Plats, Page 2 in County Records, and running thence North 00 degrees 08 minutes East 109.48’ to the Southernmost corner of Lot 65 of said Plat; thence North 49 degrees 51 minutes East 167.19’ to the Easternmost corner of said Lot 65; thence South 40 degrees 09 minutes East 100’; thence South 49 degrees 51 minutes West 219.31’; thence North 88 degrees 42 minutes 30 seconds West 24.90’ to the POB. Being a part of outlot L. Rights of the public and of any governmental unit in any part thereof taken used or deeded for street, road or highway purposes. Right of way in favor of Consumers Power Company, recorded in Liber 356, Page 354, and in Liber 356, on page 520.

Right of way to Michigan Bell Telephone Company recorded in Liber 354, Page 329. Also described as: Lot 81, Amended Plat of Part of the Northwesterly Portion of Outlot E, Smith’s Lakeview Estates No. 1, according to the plat thereof recorded in Liber 6 of Plats, Page 46, Barry County Records. During the six (6) months immediately following the sale, the property may be redeemed unless the property is abandoned, in which case the redemption shall be thirty (30) days from the date of sale. According to MCL §600.3278, if the property is sold at a foreclosure sale, the borrower will be held responsible to the person who buys the property at the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the mortgage holder for damaging the property during the redemption period.

For further information with regard to this foreclosure, contact USDA - Rural Development, Centralized Servicing Center, Foreclosure Centralization Initiative, 4300 Goodfellow Blvd., Building 105, FC-215, St. Louis, MO, 63120, telephone (800) 349-5097 ext. 4500. Dated: December 6, 2012 UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, acting through the Farmers Home Administration (now Rural Development), United States Department of Agriculture, Mortgagee Michael I. Conlon (P43954) Running, Wise, Ford, P.L.C. 326 E. State Street, P.O. Box 686 Traverse City, MI 49685-0686 (1206)(12-27) 77572892

The Hastings Banner — Thursday, December 20, 2012 — Page 11

LEGAL NOTICES SCHNEIDERMAN & SHERMAN, P.C., IS ATTEMPTING TO COLLECT A DEBT, ANY INFORMATION WE OBTAIN WILL BE USED FOR THAT PURPOSE. PLEASE CONTACT OUR OFFICE AT (248)539-7400 IF YOU ARE IN ACTIVE MILITARY DUTY. MORTGAGE SALE – Default has been made in the conditions of a mortgage made by RICHIE L. SMITH and FAYE L. SMITH, HUSBAND AND WIFE, to UNITED COMPANIES LENDING CORPORATION, Mortgagee, dated September 11, 1998, and recorded on September 17, 1998, in Document No. 1018002, and assigned by said mortgagee to The Bank of New York Mellon, f/k/a The Bank of New York, as successor-in-interest to JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Trustee for Bear Stearns Asset Backed Securities Trust 2006-2, Asset-Backed Certificates, Series 2006-2, as assigned, Barry County Records, Michigan, on which mortgage there is claimed to be due at the date hereof the sum of Forty-Five Thousand One Hundred Forty-Eight Dollars and Sixty-Seven Cents ($45,148.67), including interest at 9.750% per annum. Under the power of sale contained in said mortgage and the statute in such case made and provided, notice is hereby given that said mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at public venue, At the East doors of the Barry County Courthouse in Hastings, Michigan at 01:00 PM o'clock, on January 17, 2013 Said premises are located in Barry County, Michigan and are described as: COMMENCING AT THE SOUTHEAST CORNER OF THE SOUTHWEST 1 / 4 OF SECTION 1, TOWN 1 NORTH, RANGE 9 WEST, RUNNING THENCE NORTH 50 RODS; THENCE WEST 48 RODS; THENCE SOUTH 50 RODS; THENCE EAST 48 RODS TO THE PLACE OF BEGINNING. EXCEPT THE EAST 330 FEET OF THE SOUTH 330 FEET THEREOF. The redemption period shall be 6 months from the date of such sale unless determined abandoned in accordance with 1948CL 600.3241a, in which case the redemption period shall be 30 days from the date of such sale. If the above referenced property is sold at a foreclosure sale under Chapter 600 of the Michigan Compiled Laws, under MCL 600.3278, the borrower will be held responsible to the person who buys the property at the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the mortgage holder for damaging the property during the redemption period. The Bank of New York Mellon, f/k/a The Bank of New York, as successor-in-interest to JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Trustee for Bear Stearns Asset Backed Securities Trust 2006-2, Asset-Backed Certificates, Series 2006-2 Mortgagee/Assignee Schneiderman & Sherman, P.C. 23938 Research Drive, Suite 300 Farmington Hills, MI 48335 JPMC.001103 CONV 77573318 (12-20)(01-10)

NOTICE OF MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE SALE This firm is a debt collector attempting to collect a debt. Any information we obtain will be used for that purpose.

Default has occurred in the conditions of a mortgage made by DAVID A. GAIKEMA and MARY ELLEN GAIKEMA, husband and wife (collectively, "Mortgagor"), to SAND RIDGE BANK, an Indiana corporation, of PO Box 598, Schereville, Indiana 46375, dated April 23, 2004, and recorded in the office of the Register of Deeds for Barry County, Michigan on April 28, 2004, as instrument number 1126578 (the “Mortgage”). First Financial Bank, N.A., a national association, of 300 High Street, PO Box 476, Hamilton, Ohio 45011-0476, was the successor by consolidation to Sand Ridge Bank, and subsequently assigned the Mortgage to CHEMICAL BANK, a Michigan banking corporation, having an office at 333 E. Main Street, Midland, Michigan 48640-6511 (the "Mortgagee"), pursuant to the terms of a Branch Purchase and Assumption Agreement dated May 11, 2006, and a Bill of Sale dated August 18, 2006, evidence of which will be placed of record prior to the date of sale (the "Mortgage"). By reason of such default, the Mortgagee elects to declare and hereby declares the entire unpaid amount of the Mortgage due and payable forthwith. Mortgagee is the owner of the indebtedness secured by the Mortgage.

As of the date of this Notice there is claimed to be due for principal and interest on the Mortgage the sum of Two Hundred Sixty-Three Thousand Three Hundred Forty and 96/100 Dollars ($263,340.96). No suit or proceeding at law has been instituted to recover the debt secured by the Mortgage or any part thereof.

Notice is hereby given that by virtue of the power of sale contained in the Mortgage and the statute in such case made and provided, and to pay the above amount, with interest, as provided in the Mortgage, and all legal costs, charges and expenses, including the attorney fee allowed by law, and all taxes and insurance premiums paid by the undersigned before sale, the Mortgage will be foreclosed by sale of the mortgaged premises at public vendue to the highest bidder at the east entrance of the Barry County Courthouse in Hastings, Michigan on Thursday the 10th day of January, 2013, at one o’clock in the afternoon. The premises covered by the Mortgage are situated in the Township of Yankee Springs, County of Barry, State of Michigan, and are described as follows: Lot 22 of Ritchie Woodlands, according to the recorded plat thereof; also commencing on the East line of Beatrice Avenue of the Plat of Ritchie Woodlands, 33 feet Easterly from the North lot line of Lot 22; thence Easterly parallel with said North lot line 100 feet; thence Southerly parallel with East line of Beatrice Avenue 50 feet; thence Westerly parallel with the South line of Lot No. 22, 100 feet to Beatrice Avenue; thence Northerly 50 feet to beginning, being a part of the Southwest 1/4 of the Southeast 1/4 of Section 28, Town 3 North, Range 10 West.

Together with all the improvements erected on the real estate, and all easements, appurtenances, and fixtures a part of the property, and all replacements and additions.

Commonly known as: 2926 Beatrice Avenue, Middleville, Michigan 49333 P.P. #08-016-190-014-00 Notice is further given that the length of the redemption period will be six (6) months from the date of sale, unless the premises are abandoned. If the premises are abandoned, the redemption period will be the later of thirty (30) days from the date of the sale or upon expiration of fifteen (15) days after the Mortgagor is given notice pursuant to MCLA §600.3241a(b) that the premises are considered abandoned and Mortgagor, Mortgagor's heirs, executor, or administrator, or a person lawfully claiming from or under one (1) of them has not given the written notice required by MCLA §600.3241a(c) stating that the premises are not abandoned.

If the premises are sold at a foreclosure sale, under MCLA §600.3278 the Mortgagor will be held responsible to the person who buys the premises at the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the Mortgagee for damaging the premises during the redemption period.

Dated: November 29, 2012 CHEMICAL BANK Mortgagee Timothy Hillegonds WARNER NORCROSS & JUDD LLP 900 Fifth Third Center 111 Lyon Street, N.W. Grand Rapids, MI 49503-2487 (616) 752-2000 77572689 8730529-1

NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE Default having occurred in two mortgages both made on July 31, 2007, by Michele E. Pare, a single woman, to Union Bank, and both recorded on August 7, 2007, in the Barry County Register of Deeds at Document 20070807 - 0000592, and at Document 20070808-0000654, respectively, on which mortgages there is claimed to be due and unpaid as of December 5, 2012, Two Hundred Nineteen Thousand, Eight Hundred Seventy Nine Dollars and 89/100 Dollars ($219,879.89) principal and interest; no suit or proceedings at law or in equity have been instituted to recover the debt, or any part of the debt, secured by the above mortgages, and the Power of Sale contained in the mortgages having become operative by reason of such default and pursuant to the statutes of the State of Michigan.

Notice is hereby given that on Thursday, January 17, 2013, at 1:00 p.m. at the Barry County Courthouse, 220 W. State St., Hastings, MI, 49058, that being the place for holding the Circuit Court of Barry County, there will be offered for sale and sold to the highest bidder the property described in this Notice, at public sale, for the purpose of satisfying the amount due and unpaid on the mortgages, together with an interest rate at 10.75%, the expenses and charges of sale, including reasonable attorney fees, provided by law and in the mortgages, and also any sums which may be paid by the Mortgagee necessary to protect its interest in the premises. The parcel will be sold as one unit, as allowed by the mortgages unless otherwise selected by Union Bank.

The land and premises in the mortgages mentioned is described as follows: LOTS 50 AND 51 OF ALGONQUIN LAKE RESORT PROPERTIES #1, ACCORDING TO RECORDED PLAT THEREOF, AS RECORDED IN LIBER 2 OF PLATS ON PAGE 56, BARRY COUNTY RECORDS The Real Property is commonly known as 2359 Old lroquois Trail, Hastings, MI 49058.

The tax identification number is 08-13-050-05500.

The length of the redemption period wilt be six months or shorter if deemed abandoned pursuant to law.

If the property is sold at a foreclosure sale pursuant to this Notice, then under MCLA 600.3278, the borrower will be held responsible to the person that buys the property at the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the mortgage holder for damaging the property during the redemption period.

MORTGAGEE: Union Bank Prepared By: Peter A. Teholiz (P34265) THE HUBBARD LAW FIRM, P.C. 5801 W. Michigan Avenue Lansing, MI 48908-0857 77573303 Telephone: 517-886-7176

NOTICE OF MORTGAGE SALE FOSTER, SWIFT, COLLINS & SMITH, P.C. IS ATTEMPTING TO COLLECT A DEBT AND ANY INFORMATION OBTAINED WILL BE USED FOR THAT PURPOSE. PLEASE CONTACT OUR OFFICE AT THE NUMBER BELOW IF A MORTGAGOR IS IN ACTIVE MILITARY DUTY. DEFAULT having been made in the conditions of a certain Mortgage made on April 24, 2008, by Michael P. Scott and Laura A. Scott, husband and wife, as Mortgagor, given by them to MainStreet Savings Bank, FSB, whose address is 629 West State Street, Hastings, Michigan 49058, as Mortgagee, and recorded on May 12, 2008, in the office of the Register of Deeds for Barry County, Michigan, in Instrument Number 20080512-0005083, which mortgage was assigned to Commercial Bank by an Assignment of Mortgage dated August 23, 2012, recorded on August 27, 2012, in Instrument Number 2012-003840, Barry County Records, on which Mortgage there is claimed to be due and unpaid, as of the date of this Notice, the sum of One Hundred Eighty-Eight Thousand Four Hundred Forty-Five and 38/100 Dollars ($188,445.38); and no suit or proceeding at law or in equity having been instituted to recover the debt or any part thereof secured by said Mortgage, and the power of sale in said Mortgage having become operative by reason of such default; NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that on Thursday, January 3, 2012 at 1:00 o'clock in the afternoon, at the Barry County Courthouse in Hastings, Michigan, that being one of the places for holding the Circuit Court for Barry County, there will be offered for sale and sold to the highest bidder or bidders at public auction or venue for purposes of satisfying the amounts due and unpaid on said Mortgage, together with all allowable costs of sale and includable attorney fees, the lands and premises in said Mortgage mentioned and described as follows: LAND SITUATED IN THE TOWNSHIP OF CASTLETON, COUNTY OF BARRY, MICHIGAN, DESCRIBED AS: The North 436 feet of the West 500 feet of the Northwest quarter of the Northwest quarter of Section 12, Town 3 North, Range 7 West, excepting therefrom that part deeded to the Michigan Department of State Highways, as recorded in Liber 250 of Deeds, Page 531, and as recorded in Liber 250 of Deeds, Page 575, Castleton Township. Commonly known as: 954 N. M-66 Hwy, Nashville, Michigan 49073 Parcel Number: 08-05012-000-010-00 The period within which the above premises may be redeemed shall expire six (6) months from the date of sale, unless determined abandoned in accordance with M.C.L.A. Sec. 600.3241a, in which case the redemption period shall be 30 days from the time of such sale. Dated: November 23, 2012 FOSTER, SWIFT, COLLINS & SMITH, P.C. COMMERCIAL BANK Benjamin J. Price of Hastings, Michigan, Mortgagee Attorneys for Mortgagee 313 S. Washington Square Lansing, 77572699 MI 48933 (517) 371-8253 (11-29)(12-20)

Notice Of Mortgage Foreclosure Sale THIS FIRM IS A DEBT COLLECTOR ATTEMPTING TO COLLECT A DEBT. ANY INFORMATION WE OBTAIN WILL BE USED FOR THAT PURPOSE. PLEASE CONTACT OUR OFFICE AT THE NUMBER BELOW IF YOU ARE IN ACTIVE MILITARY DUTY. ATTN PURCHASERS: This sale may be rescinded by the foreclosing mortgagee. In that event, your damages, if any, shall be limited solely to the return of the bid amount tendered at sale, plus interest.

MORTGAGE SALE - Default has been made in the conditions of a mortgage made by Chadwick M. Castine, a single man and Sharon Sinkler, a single woman, original mortgagor(s), to Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc., Mortgagee, dated December 24, 2004, and recorded on December 29, 2004 in instrument 1139383, and assigned by said Mortgagee to Bank of America, N.A., successor by merger to BAC Home Loans Servicing, L.P. fka Countrywide Home Loans Servicing, L.P. as assignee as documented by an assignment, in Barry county records, Michigan, on which mortgage there is claimed to be due at the date hereof the sum of One Hundred Seven Thousand Four Hundred Sixteen and 75/100 Dollars ($107,416.75).

Under the power of sale contained in said mortgage and the statute in such case made and provided, notice is hereby given that said mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at public vendue, at the place of holding the circuit court within Barry County, at 1:00 PM, on January 3, 2013.

Said premises are situated in Township of Thornapple, Barry County, Michigan, and are described as: That part of the Northeast 1/4 of Section 22, Town 4 North, Range 10 West, described as: Commencing at the intersection of the centerline of Finkbeiner Road and the North line of said Section which is 748.40 feet North 88 degrees 53 minutes 45 seconds East for the North 1/4 corner of said Section; thence South 42 degrees 11 minutes 15 seconds East 410.00 feet along the centerline of Finkbeiner Road, thence South 47 degrees 48 minutes 45 seconds West 260.00 feet; thence North 42 degrees 11 minutes 15 seconds West 410.00 thence North 47 degrees 48 minutes 15 seconds East 260.00 feet to the place of beginning: Except that part of the Northeast 1/4 of Section 22, Town 4 North, Range 10 described as: Commencing at the North 1/4 corner of said Section; West thence North 88 degrees 53 minutes 45 seconds East 748.40 feet along the North line of said Section thence South 42 degrees 11 minutes 15 seconds East 256.0 feet along the centerline of Finkbeiner Road to the place of beginning; thence continuing South 42 degrees 11 minutes 15 seconds East 154.0 feet along centerline; thence South 47 degrees 48 minutes 45 seconds West 260.00 feet; thence North 42 degrees 11 minutes 15 seconds West 154.0 feet; thence North 47 degrees 48 minutes 45 seconds East 260.0 feet to the place of beginning. Subject to highway right of way for highway purposes over that part lying Northeasterly of a line which is 33 feet Southwesterly from and parallel with the centerline of Finkbeiner Road The redemption period shall be 6 months from the date of such sale, unless determined abandoned in accordance with MCLA 600.3241a, in which case the redemption period shall be 30 days from the date of such sale.

If the property is sold at foreclosure sale under Chapter 32 of the Revised Judicature Act of 1961, pursuant to MCL 600.3278 the borrower will be held responsible to the person who buys the property at the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the mortgage holder for damaging the property during the redemption period.

Dated: December 6, 2012 For more information, please call: FC X (248) 593-1302 Trott & Trott, P.C. Attorneys For Servicer 31440 Northwestern Highway, Suite 200 Farmington Hills, Michigan 48334-2525 File #412369F01 77572750 (12-06)(12-27)

Notice Of Mortgage Foreclosure Sale THIS FIRM IS A DEBT COLLECTOR ATTEMPTING TO COLLECT A DEBT. ANY INFORMATION WE OBTAIN WILL BE USED FOR THAT PURPOSE. PLEASE CONTACT OUR OFFICE AT THE NUMBER BELOW IF YOU ARE IN ACTIVE MILITARY DUTY. ATTN PURCHASERS: This sale may be rescinded by the foreclosing mortgagee. In that event, your damages, if any, shall be limited solely to the return of the bid amount tendered at sale, plus interest.

MORTGAGE SALE - Default has been made in the conditions of a mortgage made by Douglas R. Baker and Melissa M. Baker, husband and wife, original mortgagor(s), to Washington Mutual Bank, FA, Mortgagee, dated April 27, 2007, and recorded on May 3, 2007 in instrument 1180067, and modified by Affidavit or Order executed on March 1, 2012 and recorded on March 29, 2012 in instrument 201203290003158, and assigned by said Mortgagee to JPMorgan Chase Bank, National Association as assignee as documented by an assignment, in Barry county records, Michigan, on which mortgage there is claimed to be due at the date hereof the sum of Two Hundred Forty-Nine Thousand Nine Hundred Forty-Nine and 58/100 Dollars ($249,949.58).

Under the power of sale contained in said mortgage and the statute in such case made and provided, notice is hereby given that said mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at public vendue, at the place of holding the circuit court within Barry County, at 1:00 PM, on December 27, 2012.

Said premises are situated in Township of Orangeville, Barry County, Michigan, and are described as: Commencing at the North 1/4 post of Section 13, Town 2 North, Range 10 West; thence South 89 degrees 44 minutes 37 seconds East, on the North line of said section, 1322.10 feet to the North 1/8 post of the Northeast 1/4 of said Section 13; thence continuing South 89 degrees 44 minutes 37 seconds East on said North line 774.23 feet to the point of beginning of the parcel of land herein described; thence continuing South 89 degrees 44 minutes 37 seconds East, on said North line, 547.87 feet to the Northeast corner of said section; thence South 00 degrees 32 minutes 18 seconds West, on the East line of said Northeast 1/4, 1322.90 feet, to the East and West 1/8 line of the Northeast 1/4; thence North 89 degrees 26 minutes 27 seconds West, on said East-West 1/8 line, 1325.07 feet to the North and South 1/8 line of the Northeast 1/4; thence North 00 degrees 40 minutes 03 seconds East, on said 1/8 line, 75.18 feet; thence North 87 degrees 15 minutes 02 seconds East, along an existing fence line and tree row, 811.90 feet to a point about 10 feet West of an existing fence line and tree row; thence North 01 degrees 03 minutes 05 seconds West, parallel with said fence line and tree row, 1208.45 feet to the point of beginning.

The redemption period shall be 6 months from the date of such sale, unless determined abandoned in accordance with MCLA 600.3241a, in which case the redemption period shall be 30 days from the date of such sale.

If the property is sold at foreclosure sale under Chapter 32 of the Revised Judicature Act of 1961, pursuant to MCL 600.3278 the borrower will be held responsible to the person who buys the property at the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the mortgage holder for damaging the property during the redemption period.

Dated: November 29, 2012 For more information, please call: FC S (248) 593-1304 Trott & Trott, P.C. Attorneys For Servicer 31440 Northwestern Highway, Suite 200 Farmington Hills, Michigan 48334-2525 File #329971F02 77572767 (11-29)(12-20)

Notice Of Mortgage Foreclosure Sale THIS FIRM IS A DEBT COLLECTOR ATTEMPTING TO COLLECT A DEBT. ANY INFORMATION WE OBTAIN WILL BE USED FOR THAT PURPOSE. PLEASE CONTACT OUR OFFICE AT THE NUMBER BELOW IF YOU ARE IN ACTIVE MILITARY DUTY. ATTN PURCHASERS: This sale may be rescinded by the foreclosing mortgagee. In that event, your damages, if any, shall be limited solely to the return of the bid amount tendered at sale, plus interest.

MORTGAGE SALE - Default has been made in the conditions of a mortgage made by Lisa Stocks, unmarried, original mortgagor(s), to Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc., as nominee for lender and lender's successors and/or assigns, Mortgagee, dated November 8, 2007, and recorded on January 17, 2008 in instrument 200801170000545, and assigned by said Mortgagee to Wells Fargo Bank, NA as assignee as documented by an assignment, in Barry county records, Michigan, on which mortgage there is claimed to be due at the date hereof the sum of Ninety-Seven Thousand Three Hundred Seventy-Five and 88/100 Dollars ($97,375.88).

Under the power of sale contained in said mortgage and the statute in such case made and provided, notice is hereby given that said mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at public vendue, at the place of holding the circuit court within Barry County, at 1:00 PM, on January 10, 2013.

Said premises are situated in Charter Township of Hastings, Barry County, Michigan, and are described as: Lots 45 and 46, Melody Acres, according to the plat thereof recorded in Liber 5 of Plats, Page 21, Barry County Records.

The redemption period shall be 6 months from the date of such sale, unless determined abandoned in accordance with MCLA 600.3241a, in which case the redemption period shall be 30 days from the date of such sale.

If the property is sold at foreclosure sale under Chapter 32 of the Revised Judicature Act of 1961, pursuant to MCL 600.3278 the borrower will be held responsible to the person who buys the property at the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the mortgage holder for damaging the property during the redemption period.

Dated: December 13, 2012 For more information, please call: FC D (248) 593-1309 Trott & Trott, P.C. Attorneys For Servicer 31440 Northwestern Highway, Suite 200 Farmington Hills, Michigan 48334-2525 File #216699F03 (12-13)(01-03) 77573121 NOTICE OF MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE SALE This firm is a debt collector attempting to collect a debt. Any information we obtain will be used for that purpose.

Default has occurred in the conditions of a mortgage made by CARL D. MILLER and THERESA M. MILLER, husband and wife (collectively, "Mortgagor"), to FIRST FINANCIAL BANK, NA, a national association, of 300 High Street, PO Box 476, Hamilton, Ohio 45011-0467, dated February 27, 2006, and recorded in the office of the Register of Deeds for Barry County, Michigan on March 7, 2006, as Instrument No. 1161010 (the "Mortgage").

First Financial Bank, NA, has assigned the Mortgage to CHEMICAL BANK, a Michigan banking corporation, of 333 East Main Street, Midland, Michigan 48640-6511 (the "Mortgagee"). By reason of such default, the Mortgagee elects to declare and hereby declares the entire unpaid amount of the Mortgage due and payable forthwith.

Mortgagee is the owner of the indebtedness secured by the Mortgage.

As of the date of this Notice there is claimed to be due for principal and interest on the Mortgage the sum of Eighty-Four Thousand Nine Hundred Sixty-Eight and 78/100 Dollars ($84,968.78). No suit or proceeding at law has been instituted to recover the debt secured by the Mortgage or any part thereof.

Notice is hereby given that by virtue of the power of sale contained in the Mortgage and the statute in such case made and provided, and to pay the above amount, with interest, as provided in the Mortgage, and all legal costs, charges and expenses, including the attorney fee allowed by law, and all taxes and insurance premiums paid by the undersigned before sale, the Mortgage will be foreclosed by sale of the mortgaged premises at public vendue to the highest bidder at the east entrance of the Barry County Courthouse in Hastings, Michigan on Thursday the 10th day of January, 2013, at one o’clock in the afternoon. The premises covered by the Mortgage are situated in the Township of Carlton, County of Barry, State of Michigan, and are described as follows: A parcel of land in the Southeast one-quarter of Section 32, Town 4 North, Range 8 West, Carlton Township, Barry County, Michigan, described as: Commencing at the Southeast corner of said Section 32; thence North 89 degrees 53 minutes West 1320.4 feet; thence North 0 degrees 04 minutes West 1886.75 feet; thence West 550.37 feet to the Place of Beginning; thence South 175 feet; thence West 433 feet; thence North 28 degrees 40 minutes East 85.5 feet to the South line of Outlot A, Supervisor’s Plat of Bauer’s Resort; thence East 359 feet; thence North 100 feet; thence East 33 feet to the Place of Beginning. Except the East 33 feet for right of way, described as follows: Commence at the Southeast corner of said Section 32; thence North 89 degrees 53 minutes West 1320.4 feet; thence North 0 degrees 04 minutes West 1886.75 feet; thence West 550.37 feet to the Place of Beginning; thence South 175 feet; thence West 33 feet; thence North 175 feet; thence East 33 feet to the Place of Beginning.

Together with all the improvements erected on the real estate, and all easements, appurtenances, and fixtures a part of the property, and all replacements and additions.

Commonly known as: 304 Leach Lake Road, Hastings, Michigan 49058 P.P. #08-04-032-497-00 Notice is further given that the length of the redemption period will be six (6) months from the date of sale, unless the premises are abandoned. If the premises are abandoned, the redemption period will be the later of thirty (30) days from the date of the sale or upon expiration of fifteen (15) days after the Mortgagor is given notice pursuant to MCLA §600.3241a(b) that the premises are considered abandoned and Mortgagor, Mortgagor's heirs, executor, or administrator, or a person lawfully claiming from or under one (1) of them has not given the written notice required by MCLA §600.3241a(c) stating that the premises are not abandoned.

If the premises are sold at a foreclosure sale, under MCLA §600.3278 the Mortgagor will be held responsible to the person who buys the premises at the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the Mortgagee for damaging the premises during the redemption period.

Dated: November 29, 2012 CHEMICAL BANK Mortgagee Timothy Hillegonds WARNER NORCROSS & JUDD LLP 900 Fifth Third Center 111 Lyon Street, N.W. Grand Rapids, MI 49503-2487 (616) 752-2000 8723050-1 77572621

FORECLOSURE NOTICE This firm is a debt collector attempting to collect a debt. Any information obtained will be used for this purpose. If you are in the Military, please contact our office at the number listed below. MORTGAGE SALE – Default has been made in the conditions of a certain mortgage made by: Russell M. Peasley, a married man to Union Federal Bank of Indianapolis, Mortgagee, dated November 19, 2004 and recorded December 15, 2004 in Instrument # 1138757 and modified by agreement dated February 7, 2012 and recorded March 20, 2012 in Instrument #201203200002855 Barry County Records, Michigan. Said mortgage was assigned through mesne assignments to: CitiMortgage, Inc., by assignment dated January 23, 2010 and recorded February 5, 2010 in Instrument # 201002050001068 on which mortgage there is claimed to be due at the date hereof the sum of One Hundred Twelve Thousand One Hundred Two Dollars and Thirty-Four Cents ($112,102.34) including interest 4.375% per annum. Under the power of sale contained in said mortgage and the statute in such case made and provided, notice is hereby given that said mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at public vendue, Circuit Court of Barry County at 1:00PM on January 17, 2013. Said premises are situated in Township of Maple Grove, Barry County, Michigan, and are described as: A parcel of land in the Southwest one-quarter of Section 25, Town 2 North, Range 7 West, Maple Grove Township, Barry County, Michigan, described as: Beginning at a point on the West line of said Section 25 , distant North 00 degrees 16 minutes 09 seconds East 931.62 feet from the Southwest corner of said Section 25; thence North 00 degrees 16 minutes 09 seconds East 220 .00 feet along said West Section line; thence North 88 degrees 38 minutes 54 seconds East 650.32 feet; thence South 00 degrees 41 minutes 27 seconds West 220 .05 feet; thence South 88 degrees 38 minutes 54 seconds West 648.70 feet to the point of beginning. Model Year 1999 Make/ Model Crystal Valley Patriot VIN/Serial#: CV819ABIN Commonly known as 8797 S. Clark Rd., Nashville MI 49073 The redemption period shall be 6 months from the date of such sale, unless determined abandoned in accordance with MCL 600.3241 or MCL 600.3241a, in which case the redemption period shall be 30 days from the date of such sale, or upon the expiration of the notice required by MCL 600.3241a(c), whichever is later; or unless MCL 600.3240(17) applies. If the property is sold at foreclosure sale under Chapter 32 of the Revised Judicature Act of 1961, under MCL 600.3278, the borrower will be held responsible to the person who buys the property at the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the mortgage holder for damaging the property during the redemption period. Dated: 12/20/2012 CitiMortgage, Inc., Assignee of Mortgagee Attorneys: Potestivo & Associates, P.C. 811 South Blvd. Suite 100 Rochester Hills, MI 48307 (248) 844-5123 Our File No: 12-72844 (1277573324 20)(01-10)

MORTGAGE SALE This is an attempt to collect a debt, and any information obtained will be used for that purpose.

Please contact our office at the number below if you are in active military duty.

Default has occurred in the conditions of a mortgage made by RONALD K. HARNEY and JODI L. HARNEY, husband and wife, Mortgagors, to INDEPENDENT MORTGAGE CO. WEST MI, with offices at 4200 East Beltline, Grand Rapids, MI 49525, Mortgagee, dated January 8, 2007 and recorded January 9, 2007 in Instrument No. 1174850 and Modification Agreement recorded in Instrument No. 201004190004052 of Mortgages, Page which was assigned to INDEPENDENT BANK of 4200 East Beltline, Grand Rapids, Michigan, by Assignment recorded in Instrument No. 2012-005873. By reason of such default the undersigned elects to declare the entire unpaid amount of said mortgage due and payable forthwith.

At the date of this Notice there is claimed to be due for principal and interest on said mortgage the sum of ONE HUNDRED SIXTEEN THOUSAND THREE and 14/100 ($116,003.14) dollars including interest at the rate of 5.0% per annum. No suit or proceeding at law has been instituted to recover the debt secured by said mortgage or any part thereof.

Notice is hereby given that by virtue of the power of sale contained in said mortgage and the statute in such case made and provided and to pay said amount with interest as provided in said mortgage, and all legal costs, charges, and expenses, including attorney fees allowed by law, said mortgage will be foreclosed by sale of the mortgaged premises at public vendue to the highest bidder at the east door of the Barry County Courthouse, the place of holding the Circuit Court within the County of Barry, City of Hastings, Michigan, on January 17, 2013, at 1:00 p.m., local time.

Pursuant to Public Act No. 104, Public Acts of 1971, MCLA 600.3240, MSA 27A.3240, the redemption period shall be 6 months from the date of the foreclosure sale, unless the property is determined to be abandoned under MCLA 600.3241a; MSA 27A.3241(1), in which case the property may be redeemed during the 30 days immediately following the sale or expiration of statutory notice period.

The premises covered by said mortgage are situated in the Township of Castleton, County of Barry, State of Michigan, described as follows, to wit: Beginning at a point on the East and West 1/4 line of Section 33, Town 3 North, Range 7 West, Castleton Township, Barry County, Michigan, distant South 89 degrees 51'07" East 218.82 feet from the West 1/4 corner of said section; thence North 00 degrees 03'57" West 305.27 feet; thence South 89 degrees 51'07" East 325.84 feet (also described as 325.64 feet); thence South 00 degrees 03'57" East 305.27 feet to said East and West 1/4 line; thence North 89 degrees 51'07" West 325.64 feet along said 1/4 line to the point of beginning. Except and subject to an easement for public highway purposes for Highway M-79 (formerly Scott Road) as described in the document in Liber 238 of Deeds on Page 77.

INDEPENDENT BANK, Assignee of INDEPENDENT MORTGAGE CO. WEST MI SCHENK, BONCHER & RYPMA Curtis D. Rypma P44421 601 Three Mile Road, N.W. Grand Rapids, MI 49544-1601 (616) 647-8277 77572899

Page 12 — Thursday, December 20, 2012 — The Hastings Banner

PRAIRIEVILLE TOWNSHIP BARRY COUNTY, MICHIGAN NOTICE OF SPECIAL ASSESSMENT HEARING TO:

77573280

THE RESIDENTS AND PROPERTY OWNERS OF THE TOWNSHIP OF PRAIRIEVILLE, BARRY COUNTY, MICHIGAN, AND ANY OTHER INTERESTED PERSONS:

PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that as a result of petitions of property owners within the Township signed by the record owners of land constituting more than fifty (50%) percent of the total area of the hereinafter described proposed special assessment district, and upon motion of the Township Board of the Township of Prairieville, the Township Board proposes to undertake an aquatic plant control project in Pine Lake in Prairieville Township and to create a special assessment district for the recovery of the costs thereof by special assessment against the properties benefitted therein.

PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that the District within which the above-mentioned improvements are proposed to be made and within which the cost thereof is proposed to be assessed is more particularly described as follows: The properties indicated by tax parcel numbers: 12-005-001-00 12-005-003-00 12-005-004-00 12-005-006-00 12-005-200-00 12-006-003-25 12-006-003-26 12-006-003-30 12-006-003-40 12-006-005-60 12-006-006-00 12-006-007-00 12-006-008-00 12-006-009-00 12-006-010-00 12-006-011-00 12-006-012-00 12-006-013-00 12-006-014-00 12-006-015-10 12-006-015-20 12-006-016-00 12-006-016-05 12-006-016-10 12-006-016-20 12-006-016-30 12-006-016-40 12-006-016-50 12-006-016-60 12-006-017-05 12-006-017-10 12-006-017-15 12-006-017-20 12-006-017-30 12-006-017-35 12-006-020-00 12-006-021-10 12-006-025-00 12-006-026-00 12-006-027-00 12-006-028-00 12-006-029-00 12-006-031-00 12-006-036-00 12-006-037-00 12-006-038-00 12-006-039-00 12-006-040-00 12-006-041-00 12-006-042-00 12-006-043-00 12-006-044-00 12-006-045-00 12-006-046-00 12-006-047-00 12-006-048-00 12-006-049-00 12-006-051-00 12-006-052-00 12-006-053-00 12-006-054-00 12-006-056-00 12-006-057-00 12-006-058-00 12-006-060-00 12-006-061-00 12-006-063-00 12-006-063-10 12-006-064-00 12-006-068-00 12-006-069-00 12-006-070-00 12-006-071-00 12-006-072-00 12-006-073-00 12-006-074-00 12-006-075-00 12-006-076-00 12-006-077-00

12-006-078-00 12-006-079-00 12-006-080-00 12-006-081-00 12-006-082-00 12-006-083-00 12-006-084-00 12-006-085-00 12-006-086-00 12-006-088-00 12-006-089-00 12-006-343-00 12-007-001-00 12-007-002-00 12-007-003-00 12-007-004-00 12-007-005-00 12-007-006-00 12-007-006-10 12-007-006-40 12-007-006-45 12-007-006-50 12-007-006-65 12-007-006-70 12-007-006-81 12-007-006-95 12-007-009-10 12-007-009-20 12-007-009-30 12-007-009-40 12-007-011-00 12-007-012-00 12-008-001-00 12-008-002-00 12-008-003-00 12-008-004-00 12-008-005-00 12-008-014-00 12-008-015-00 12-008-015-10 12-008-016-00 12-008-017-00 12-008-018-10 12-008-018-35 12-008-018-40 12-008-019-00 12-008-020-00 12-008-021-00 12-008-321-00 12-008-324-00 12-090-001-00 12-090-002-00 12-090-003-00 12-090-004-00 12-090-005-00 12-090-006-00 12-120-001-00 12-120-002-00 12-120-003-00 12-120-004-00 12-120-005-00 12-120-006-00 12-120-007-00 12-120-008-00 12-120-009-00 12-140-001-00 12-140-002-00 12-140-003-00 12-140-004-00 12-140-005-00 12-140-007-00 12-150-001-00 12-150-002-00 12-150-003-00 12-150-004-00 12-150-006-00 12-150-008-00 12-150-008-10 12-160-001-00

12-160-003-00 12-160-006-00 12-160-007-00 12-160-008-00 12-160-009-00 12-160-010-00 12-160-012-00 12-160-013-00 12-160-014-00 12-160-015-00 12-160-016-00 12-160-017-00 12-160-019-00 12-170-001-00 12-170-002-00 12-170-002-10 12-170-002-20 12-170-003-00 12-170-004-00 12-170-005-00 12-170-006-00 12-170-007-00 12-170-008-00 12-180-000-00 12-180-001-00 12-180-001-10 12-180-002-00 12-180-004-00 12-180-005-00 12-180-006-00 12-180-007-00 12-180-009-00 12-180-010-00 12-180-011-00 12-180-013-00 12-180-014-00 12-180-015-00 12-180-016-00 12-180-017-00 12-180-018-00 12-180-019-00 12-180-020-00 12-180-021-00 12-180-021-10 12-180-022-01 12-180-023-01 12-180-023-10 12-180-024-00 12-180-025-00 12-180-026-00 12-180-027-00 12-180-028-00 12-180-029-00 12-180-030-00 12-180-031-00 12-180-032-00 12-180-033-00 12-180-034-00 12-180-035-00 12-180-036-00 12-180-037-00 12-180-038-00 12-180-039-00 12-180-040-00 12-180-041-00 12-180-042-00 12-180-043-00 12-180-044-00 12-180-045-00 12-180-046-00 12-180-047-00 12-180-048-00 12-180-049-00 12-190-001-00 12-190-002-00 12-190-003-00 12-190-004-00 12-190-005-00 12-190-006-00

12-190-007-00 12-190-008-00 12-190-009-00 12-190-012-00 12-190-013-00 12-190-014-00 12-190-015-00 12-190-016-00 12-190-017-00 12-190-018-00 12-190-020-00 12-190-021-00 12-190-022-00 12-190-022-10 12-190-022-20 12-190-023-00 12-260-000-00 12-260-001-00 12-260-002-00 12-260-005-00 12-260-006-00 12-260-007-00 12-260-008-00 12-260-009-00 12-260-010-00 12-260-011-00 12-260-012-00 12-260-013-00 12-260-014-00 12-270-001-00 12-270-002-00 12-270-003-00 12-270-003-05 12-270-004-00 12-270-005-00 12-270-005-10 12-290-001-00 12-290-002-00 12-290-003-00 12-290-004-00 12-290-005-00 12-290-005-10 12-290-006-00 12-290-007-00 12-290-008-00 12-290-010-00 12-290-011-00 12-290-012-00 12-290-013-01 12-290-014-01 12-290-015-00 12-290-016-00 12-290-017-00 12-290-018-00 12-290-019-00 12-290-020-00 12-290-021-00 12-290-022-00 12-290-023-00 12-290-024-00 12-290-025-00 12-290-027-00 12-290-028-00 12-290-031-00 12-290-032-00 12-290-032-10 12-290-033-00 12-290-034-00 12-290-034-20 12-290-034-35 12-290-035-00 12-290-036-00 12-290-037-00 12-290-038-00 12-290-039-00 12-290-039-20 12-290-040-00 12-290-042-00 12-290-044-00

12-290-045-00 12-290-046-00 12-290-047-00 12-290-048-00 12-290-049-00 12-290-049-10 12-290-050-30 12-290-050-35 12-290-053-00 12-290-054-01 12-290-054-02 12-290-055-01 12-290-056-00 12-290-056-10 12-290-057-00 12-290-058-00 12-290-059-00 12-290-060-00 12-290-061-00 12-290-062-00 12-290-063-00 12-290-064-00 12-290-065-00 12-310-001-00 12-310-002-00 12-310-003-00 12-310-004-00 12-310-005-00 12-310-006-00 12-310-006-90 12-310-007-00 12-310-008-00 12-310-009-00 12-310-010-00 12-310-011-00 12-310-012-00 12-310-013-00 12-310-014-00 12-310-015-00 12-310-016-00 12-310-017-00 12-310-018-00 12-310-019-00 12-310-020-00 12-310-021-00 12-310-022-00 12-310-023-00 12-310-024-00 12-310-025-00 12-310-026-00 12-310-120-00 12-320-001-00 12-320-001-40 12-320-001-60 12-320-002-00 12-320-003-00 12-320-004-00 12-320-006-00 12-320-007-00 12-320-008-00 12-320-010-00 12-320-010-30 12-320-011-00 12-320-012-00 12-320-013-00 12-320-014-00 12-320-015-00 12-320-016-00 12-320-017-00 12-320-018-00 12-320-019-00 12-320-019-10 12-320-020-00 12-320-020-10 12-320-021-00 12-320-021-10 12-320-024-00 12-320-026-00 12-320-026-10

12-320-026-20 12-320-026-40 12-320-026-60 12-320-029-00 12-320-029-10 12-320-029-20 12-320-030-00 12-320-031-00 12-320-032-00 12-320-033-00 12-320-035-00 12-320-036-00 12-320-037-00 12-320-038-00 12-320-040-00 12-320-041-00 12-320-042-00 12-320-043-00 12-320-044-00 12-320-045-00 12-320-046-00 12-320-046-10 12-340-001-00 12-340-002-00 12-340-003-00 12-340-004-00 12-340-005-00 12-340-006-00 12-340-007-00 12-340-008-00 12-340-009-00 12-340-010-00 12-360-001-00 12-360-002-00 12-360-003-00 12-360-004-00 12-360-005-00 12-360-006-00 12-360-007-00 12-360-008-00 12-360-009-00 12-360-010-00 12-360-011-00 12-360-012-00 12-360-013-00 12-360-014-00 12-360-015-00 12-360-017-00 12-360-020-00 12-360-021-00 12-360-022-00 12-360-023-00 12-360-024-00 12-360-024-10 12-360-025-00 12-360-026-00 12-360-027-00 12-360-029-00 12-360-030-00 12-360-031-00 12-360-031-05 12-360-032-00 12-360-033-00 12-360-034-00 12-360-035-00 12-360-036-00 12-370-001-00 12-370-002-00 12-370-003-00 12-370-004-00 12-370-005-00 12-370-006-00 12-370-007-00 12-370-008-00 12-370-009-00 12-370-010-00 12-370-010-10 12-370-011-00 12-370-012-10

12-370-013-00 12-430-001-00 12-430-002-00 12-430-003-00 12-430-004-00 12-430-005-00 12-430-006-00 12-430-007-00 12-430-008-00 12-430-009-00 12-430-010-00 12-430-011-00 12-430-012-00 12-430-013-00 12-430-014-00 12-430-016-00 12-430-017-00 12-450-001-00 12-450-001-10 12-450-001-20 12-450-001-30 12-450-001-50 12-450-001-55 12-450-001-70 12-450-001-90 12-450-002-00 12-450-003-00 12-450-004-00 12-450-005-00 12-450-006-00 12-450-007-00 12-450-008-00 12-450-009-00 12-450-010-00 12-450-011-00 12-450-012-00 12-450-013-00 12-450-014-00 12-450-015-00 12-450-016-00 12-450-017-00 12-450-018-00 12-450-018-10 12-450-018-20 12-450-018-30 12-450-018-40 12-450-018-50 12-450-019-00 12-450-019-10 12-450-020-00 12-450-021-00 12-470-001-00 12-470-001-20 12-470-001-30 12-470-001-50 12-470-001-60 12-470-001-70 12-470-003-00 12-470-004-00 12-470-005-00 12-470-006-00 12-470-007-00 12-470-008-00 12-470-008-10 12-470-009-00 12-470-010-00 12-470-011-00 12-480-001-00 12-480-002-00 12-480-004-00 12-480-006-00 12-480-007-00 12-480-008-00 12-480-009-00 12-480-010-00 12-480-013-00 12-480-014-00 12-480-015-00 12-480-016-00

12-480-018-00 12-480-019-00 12-480-021-00 12-480-022-00 12-500-000-00 12-500-001-00 12-500-004-00 12-500-005-00 12-500-006-00 12-500-007-00 12-500-008-00 12-500-009-00 12-500-010-00 12-500-011-00 12-500-012-00 12-500-013-00 12-500-014-00 12-500-015-00 12-500-016-00 12-500-017-00 12-500-018-00 12-500-019-00 12-500-020-00 12-500-021-00 12-500-022-00 12-500-023-00 12-500-024-00 12-500-025-00 12-500-026-00 12-500-027-00 12-500-028-00 12-500-029-00 12-500-030-00 12-500-031-00 12-500-032-00 12-500-033-00 12-500-034-00 12-510-001-20 12-510-002-00 12-510-003-30 12-510-005-00 12-510-006-00 12-510-007-00 12-510-009-00 12-510-010-00 12-510-011-00 12-510-012-00 12-510-013-00 12-510-014-00 12-510-015-00 12-510-016-00 12-540-001-00 12-540-002-00 12-540-003-00 12-540-004-00 12-540-004-10 12-540-005-00 12-540-005-10 12-540-007-00 12-540-008-00 12-540-009-00 12-540-010-00 12-540-011-00 12-540-012-00 12-540-013-00 12-540-014-00 12-540-015-00 12-540-016-00 12-540-017-00 12-540-018-00 12-540-019-00 12-540-020-00 12-540-021-00 12-540-022-00 12-540-023-00 12-540-024-00 12-540-025-00

See also accompanying map.

PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that the Township Board has received plans describing the improvements and locations thereof together with an estimate of the cost of the project in the amount of $227,135, has placed the same on file with the Township Clerk and has passed a Resolution tentatively declaring its intention to undertake such project and to create the afore-described special assessment district and has further tentatively found the Petitions for the project to be in compliance with statutory requirements.

PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that the petitions, plans, cost estimate, and special assessment district may be examined at the Office of the Township Clerk from the date of this Notice until and including the date of the public hearing thereon and may further be examined at such public hearing.

PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that, in accordance with Act 162 of the Public Acts of 1962, as amended, appearance and protest at the hearing in the special assessment proceedings is required in order to appeal the amount of the special assessment to the Michigan Tax Tribunal.

PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that an owner or party in interest, or his or her agent, may appear in person at the hearing to protest the special assessment, or shall be permitted to file at or before the hearing his or her appearance or protest by letter and his or her personal appearance shall not be required.

PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that in the event that written objections to the project are filed with the Township Board at or before the hearing described herein, signed by the record owners of land constituting more than twenty (20%) percent of the total area within the hereinbefore described proposed special assessment district, the project to be funded by that special assessment district cannot be instituted unless a valid petition has been or is filed with the Township Board signed by the record owners of land constituting more than fifty (50%) percent of the total land area in that special assessment district as finally established by the Township Board.

PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that a public hearing upon such petitions, plans, special assessment district and estimate of costs will be held at LGI (Large Group Instruction) Auditorium at Delton-Kellogg High School at 327 N. Grove Street, Delton, Michigan, commencing at 7:30 p.m. on Monday, January 7, 2013.

At such hearing, the Board will consider any written objections to any of the foregoing matters which might be filed with the Board at or prior to the time of the hearing as well as any revisions, corrections, amendments, or changes to the plans, estimate of costs, or to the aforementioned proposed Special Assessment District.

All interested persons are invited to be present and express their views at the public hearing.

Prairieville Township will provide necessary reasonable auxiliary aids and services, such as signers for the hearing impaired and audio tapes of printed material being considered at the hearing, to individuals with disabilities at the hearing upon four (4) days notice to the Prairieville Township Clerk. Individuals with disabilities requiring auxiliary aids or services should contact the Prairieville Township Clerk.

Ted DeVries, Clerk Prairieville Township 10115 South Norris Road Delton, Michigan 49046 (269) 623-2664

LEGAL NOTICES STATE OF MICHIGAN PROBATE COURT COUNTY OF BARRY NOTICE TO CREDITORS Decedent’s Estate FILE NO. 12-26260-DE Estate of Donna M. Steffler. Date of Birth: August 10, 1962.

TO ALL CREDITORS: NOTICE TO CREDITORS: The decedent, Donna M. Steffler, died December 14, 2009.

Creditors of the decedent are notified that all claims against the estate will be forever barred unless presented to Miranda Peurala, named personal representative or proposed personal representative,or to both the probate court at 206 W. Court St., Suite 302, Hastings, Michigan 49058 and the named/proposed personal representative within 4 months after the date of publication of this notice.

Date: December 14, 2012 Warner Norcross & Judd LLP Carl W. Dufendach P30434 111 Lyon Street NW, Suite 900 Grand Rapids, MI 49503-2487 (616) 752-2136 Miranda Peurala 8 Chestnut Street Lumberton, NJ 08048 77573285 (609) 261-3357

GERNER & KEARNS, PLLC, IS A DEBT COLLECTOR ATTEMPTING TO COLLECT A DEBT. ANY INFORMATION WE OBTAIN WILL BE USED FOR THAT PURPOSE. PLEASE CONTACT OUR OFFICE AT (216) 583-0660 IF YOU ARE IN ACTIVE MILITARY DUTY. This sale may be rescinded by the foreclosing mortgagee. MORTGAGE SALE – Default has been made in the conditions of a mortgage made by Ileta L. Campbell, A Single Woman, Martin O. Disbrow and Denise Ann Disbrow, Husband and Wife, to Fifth Third Bank, Mortgagee, dated February 27, 2008, and recorded on March 14, 2008, in Instrument Number 200803140002391, in BARRY County Records, Michigan, on which mortgage there is claimed to be due at the date hereof the sum of Eighty Six Thousand Nine Hundred Seventy Seven Dollars and Twenty Eight Cents ($86,977.28), including interest at 4.2% per annum. Under the power of sale contained in said mortgage and the statute in such case made and provided, notice is hereby given that said mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at public venue, at the place of holding the circuit court within BARRY County, Michigan at 1:00 PM o’clock, on Thursday, January 17, 2013. Said premises are located in BARRY County, Michigan and are described as: City of Hastings, County of Barry, State of Michigan: The South 1/2 of Lot 73 of the original plat of the city, formerly village of Hastings, according to the recorded plat thereof.

Property Address: 211 South Market Street Hastings, Michigan 49058 Tax ID No. 55-001-24700 The redemption period shall be 6 months from the date of such sale, unless determined abandoned in accordance with MCL 600.3241a, in which case the redemption period shall be 30 days from the date of such sale. If this property is sold at foreclosure sale under Chapter 32 of the Revised Judicature Act of 1961, pursuant to MCL 600.3278, the borrower will be held responsible to the person who buys the property at the mortgage sale or to the mortgage holder for damaging the property during the redemption period. Fifth Third Bank (Western Michigan) Mortgagee/Assignee Gerner & Kearns, PLLC 526 Superior Avenue East, Suite 630 Cleveland, OH 44114 (12-13)(01-03) 77573126

SCHNEIDERMAN & SHERMAN, P.C., IS ATTEMPTING TO COLLECT A DEBT, ANY INFORMATION WE OBTAIN WILL BE USED FOR THAT PURPOSE. PLEASE CONTACT OUR OFFICE AT (248)539-7400 IF YOU ARE IN ACTIVE MILITARY DUTY. MORTGAGE SALE – Default has been made in the conditions of a mortgage made by ADAM P. KITELEY and BETH A. KITELEY AKA BETH A. OWENS, HUSBAND AND WIFE, to Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc. ("MERS"), solely as nominee for lender and lender's successors and assigns, Mortgagee, dated March 22, 2010, and recorded on March 31, 2010, in Document No. 201003310003378, and assigned by said mortgagee to THE HUNTINGTON NATIONAL BANK, as assigned, Barry County Records, Michigan, on which mortgage there is claimed to be due at the date hereof the sum of One Hundred Thirty-Four Thousand Eight Hundred Seventy-Nine Dollars and Seventy-Two Cents ($134,879.72), including interest at 5.375% per annum. Under the power of sale contained in said mortgage and the statute in such case made and provided, notice is hereby given that said mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the mortgaged premises, or some part of them, at public venue, At the East doors of the Barry County Courthouse in Hastings, Michigan at 01:00 PM o'clock, on January 17, 2013 Said premises are located in Barry County, Michigan and are described as: A PARCEL OF LAND IN THE NORTHEAST 1 / 4 OF SECTION 22, TOWN 4 NORTH, RANGE 10 WEST DESCRIBED AS: COMMENCING AT THE NORTH 1 / 4 OF SAID SECTION 22; THENCE EAST 748.4 FEET; THENCE SOUTH 41 DEGREES 05 MINUTES EAST 610.01 FEET TO THE BEGINNING; THENCE SOUTH 41 DEGREES 05 MINUTES EAST 220 FEET; THENCE SOUTH 57 DEGREES 25 MINUTES WEST 200 FEET; THENCE NORTH 41 DEGREES 05 MINUTES WEST 220 FEET; THENCE NORTH 57 DEGREES 25 MINUTES EAST 200 FEET TO THE BEGINNING. The redemption period shall be 6 months from the date of such sale unless determined abandoned in accordance with 1948CL 600.3241a, in which case the redemption period shall be 30 days from the date of such sale. If the above referenced property is sold at a foreclosure sale under Chapter 600 of the Michigan Compiled Laws, under MCL 600.3278, the borrower will be held responsible to the person who buys the property at the mortgage foreclosure sale or to the mortgage holder for damaging the property during the redemption period. THE HUNTINGTON NATIONAL BANK Mortgagee/Assignee Schneiderman & Sherman, P.C. 23938 Research Drive, Suite 300 Farmington Hills, MI 48335 HMC.001573 FNMA (12-20)(01-10) 77573329

The Hastings Banner — Thursday, December 20, 2012 — Page 13

State News Roundup State government TV program will switch to online The Michigan Department of Technology, Management and Budget and Michigan Government Television Friday announced the launch of an enhanced online portal that will increase transparency of, and access to, state government.

MGTV has served as the part-time, noncommercial cable channel providing programming from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday. Beginning in January, MGTV will transition from a cable channel to become the new MiTV web portal. Whether at home or traveling, MiTV will give Michigan citizens access to expanded and readily available programming options 24 hours a day, seven days a week by going

online to www.michigan.gov/MiTV. “The launch of MiTV will improve transparency and access to Michigan government by providing Michigan citizens with aroundthe-clock access to their state government,” said Kurt Weiss, spokesperson for DTMB. For more information, visit the website.

Richardson named chairman of Natural Resources Commission Gov. Rick Snyder announced Dec. 13 that Michigan Natural Resources Commission member J.R. Richardson of Ontonagon will

POLICE BEAT BEA Watchful neighbor helps stop thieves

arrest and suspended driver’s license. He admitted to police that he had driven away from the gas station without paying for his gasoline. He was immediately placed under arrest.

Hastings Police received a call Dec. 7 from a woman living in the 600 block of Cypress Drive who said two young men were breaking into vehicles. The caller gave officers a description of the subjects and the direction in which they had left on foot. Hastings Police later made contact with two 17-year-old Hastings residents in the area of Dibble Street and Howard Lane.

While speaking with the pair, officers observed a backpack that had numerous items inside. Officers were able to determine that some of the items in the backpack had been stolen from vehicles and were identified by their owners. The two subjects were arrested on four counts of breaking and entering of motor vehicles.

Customized Rudolph takes off

Woman overhears threat A threatening phone call led a Hastings woman to contact the Barry County Sheriff’s Department Dec. 15. The Midway Drive resident told deputies that she and her step-daughter, who lives in Lansing, have never gotten along. She said she had overheard a phone conversation between her husband and the 42-year-old stepdaughter in which the younger woman said, “I am seriously thinking about hurting [the step-mother].” The step-mother called deputies so they could contact her stepdaughter and deter her from making any more threats. Deputies attempted to contact the Lansing woman. The case is open pending contact.

Frozen food fight turns into knife fight Hastings Police were called to the 200 block of South Michigan Avenue Dec. 8 for a reported knife assault. When officers arrived, they spoke with a woman who said she had been arguing with her 57-year-old boyfriend, when he started to grab food from the freezer and threw it around the apartment. The woman told police she went into a bedroom to avoid further issues. She said the man opened the bedroom door, stood in the door way in a fighting stance, holding a knife in one hand, and challenged her to fight. The woman said that as she attempted to shut the door and keep the man out of the bedroom when he started swinging at her and struck her in the right cheek with his fist. The woman said she was able to finally shut the door and call police. Police made contact with the boyfriend who said he did not have a knife, never assaulted his girlfriend and told police his girlfriend was crazy. The man registered a .23 percent blood alcohol level and was arrested for domestic violence.

Barry County Sheriff Deputies were called to a residence west of Hastings on Pine Knoll Drive Dec. 15 on a report of a stolen reindeer lawn ornament. The owner said the reindeer was an older plastic model with lights, and could be seen from the road. She said her husband had added a red-nose light and painted the deer’s belly silver. The ornament is valued at $50.

Burglar only wants clean clothes Deputies were called to a Cox Road residence in Nashville Dec. 10 for a breaking and entering. The owner said sometime between Dec. 7 and 10 someone had entered his rental property and taken a Kenmore washer and dryer valued at $200.

He said nothing else was missing from the rental. Reportedly, the back door was kicked in. The owner said the washer and dryer actually belong to a previous renter.

He told deputies he had also shown the property recently to a prospective tenant.

The case remains open until contact with the past and prospective renters. The damaged door is valued at $200.

Girlfriend’s problems start behind the wheel Deputies were called to a Lincoln Street apartment in Middleville for a possible vehicular assault Dec. 10. A dispatch operator told deputies a 27-year-old Middleville woman had allegedly tried to hit her boyfriend with a mini-van after an argument over money. He told officers that he then left the apartment. Allegedly, the woman followed him down the street in the van because she wanted to talk. The man said he did not want to talk and continued walking. The woman then reportedly accelerated and swerved the van toward the boyfriend, stopping just short of hitting him. The man told deputies she got out of the van, grabbed him by the shirt with both hands and then punched him in the left eye and back of the head. That is when he returned to his apartment and called 911, he said. Deputies called the woman’s Caledonia workplace, and she denied hitting her boyfriend or attempting to hit him with the van. Deputies learned the woman’s driver’s license was currently suspended.

She was arrested and the case turned over to the prosecutor’s office.

Stealing gas is just Laptop goes one of man’s crimes missing at Hastings Police responded at 3:48 p.m. transit office Dec. 8 to the BP gas station on North Broadway for a reported theft of gasoline.

A station employee was able to provide police with a description of the vehicle and driver. Minutes later, the Michigan State Police stopped a vehicle matching the description. Troopers learned that the driver of the vehicle, a 27-year-old Hastings man, had an outstanding warrant for his

Hastings Police responded to the Barry County Transit building Dec. 6 on a larceny complaint. Officers were told a laptop computer that had been in a conference room had been taken from the building sometime between Dec. 4 and 6. The computer is valued at $700, and the investigation is ongoing.

assume the responsibilities as commission chair, effective immediately.

NRC Commissioner Tim Nichols of Cadillac has resigned as chair but will continue to serve the commission as a full member.

The NRC, a seven-person public body whose members are appointed by the governor with the advice and consent of the Senate, works with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources to conserve, protect and manage the state’s natural and cultural resources for the use and enjoyment of current and future generations.

Richardson, a lifelong resident of the Upper Peninsula, has served as a member of the NRC since 2007. He enjoyed a 31-year career in the paper industry, including work as a paper machine laborer, recovery boiler operator, process engineer, engineering supervisor, production supervisor and quality and environmental manager. A graduate of Michigan Technological University in Houghton, Richardson holds a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering and has completed course work toward a business engineering administration degree.

To learn more, visit www.michigan.gov/nrc.

State of the Great Lakes report released The Michigan Office of the Great Lakes Thursday released Michigan’s annual State of the Great Lakes report for 2012.

Michigan law requires the annual report, which provides a snapshot of issues throughout the Great Lakes basin and informs policy discussions about protecting and managing Michigan’s Great Lakes resources.

The 2012 State of the Great Lakes report focuses on Michigan’s efforts to improve water quality, best use water resources, fight aquatic invasive species and restore degraded areas. Sections detail efforts to protect and restore Michigan’s coastal areas, featuring experts from state and federal resource agencies, Michigan Sea Grant, academia, and the environmental community.

A copy of the report can be found on the state website, www.michigan.gov.

Local schools respond to Connecticut shootings: TK Thornapple Kellogg Schools Superintendent Tom Enslen sent an email Saturday to a network of key communicators, saying staff would review all safety within the district in light of the shootings at an elementary school in Newtown, Conn.

Administrators and officials met Monday morning.

“I want to reassure all of you that we place the safety and security of our students and staff as our top priority, but there may be lessons that we all can learn from this unfortunate circumstance,” Enslen wrote “Unfortunately in this case, they had done all they could, and yet it was not enough to stop someone. We can’t 100 percent guarantee safety all the time. We just can’t. But we will do everything we can within reason to ensure safety,” said Enslen.

Enslen said most of the response he’s received from parents is of support for what the district is doing and saying they do feel safe within the district.

All schools in the district regularly participate in lockdown drills and have already done so this year.

Enslen said he will continue meeting with local authorities, administrators and others to review and enhance security.

Local schools respond to Connecticut shootings: Delton Kellogg Delton Kellogg Schools reacted to Friday’s shootings in Connecticut by sharing with the community ways to speak to their children about the incident. Officials immediately posted information on the school website and sent emails to staff members.

Delton Kellogg Middle School Assistant Principle Lucas Trieweiler helps his school system be prepared for crisis and emergency situations. He said the school has several levels of alerts for which students drill.

Last year the district updated its emergency crisis planning with the help of Barry Township Police and the Barry County Sheriff’s Department.

Tepper arraigned on misdemeanor Marcie Tepper of Middleville was arraigned Dec. 17 on the misdemeanor charge of abandonment/cruelty to animals. She is scheduled for pre-trial in Barry County District Court Jan. 22, 2013.

A sheriff’s deputy found a dead dog decaying in Tepper’s garage and a subsequent investigation revealed 11 garbage bags in her yard containing animals in various states of decomposition.

COURT NEWS Timothy Richard Brown, 28, of Hastings was sentenced Dec. 12 in Barry County Circuit Court for failure to register as a sex offender. Judge Amy McDowell ordered Brown to serve five months in jail, with credit for 40 days served. He must pay $698 in court assessments and serve 18 months on probation. The last three months of his jail sentence will be suspended pending successful completion of probation. Brown must pay $75 a month on the assessments. The Barry County Prosecutor dropped the habitual offender, third offense, charge.

Philip John Mroz, 36, of Wayland was sentenced in Barry County Circuit Court Dec. 12 for controlled substance less than 25 grams.

Judge Amy McDowell ordered Mroz to serve 30 days in jail. He must pay $1,948 in court assessments and serve 36 months on probation. Mroz must participate in drug court, day reporting and attend Alcoholics Anonymous three times a week. Charges of larceny of a building and habitual offender, fourth offense, were dropped by the Barry County Prosecutor.

Dannyelle Rose Doss, 21, of Grand Rapids was sentenced Dec. 12 in Barry County Circuit Court for embezzlement from a local gas station of more than $20,000 but less than $50,000. Judge Amy McDowell ordered Doss to serve nine months in jail, with credit for 41

days served. She must pay $41,225 in court costs and restitution. Doss must also serve 60 months on probation. The last three months of her jail sentence will be suspended pending successful completion of probation. She must pay $300 a month toward costs and restitution. Doss was also ordered to complete 360 hours of community service.

Kane Roy Wilcox, 38, of Freeport was sentenced Dec. 12 in Barry County Circuit Court for disarming a police officer non-firing and two counts of assaulting, resisting or obstructing a police officer. Judge Amy McDowell ordered Wilcox to serve 15 to 72 months in prison on the first conviction and 103 days for the other two convictions, concurrently. He received credit for 103 days served. Wilcox must pay court costs of $334.

Charges dismissed by the Barry County Prosecutor include two counts of possession of analogues, possession of methamphetamine, and a third charge of assaulting, resisting or obstructing a police officer.

Troy John Balyeat, 45, of Hastings was sentenced Dec. 13 in Barry County Circuit Court for having sexually abusive materials involving children. Judge Amy McDowell order Balyeat to serve 23 to 48 months in prison. He must pay court costs of $698. A charge of habitual offender, fourth offense, was dropped by the Barry County Prosecutor.

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Familial status includes children under the age of 18 living with parents or legal custodians, pregnant women and people securing custody of children under 18.

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Page 14 — Thursday, December 20, 2012 — The Hastings Banner

DK handles pressure better than Saxons at HHS

by Brett Bremer Sports Editor Both teams want their opponents to have to work the full length of the court.

Delton Kellogg’s girls applied the pressure a little better and handled it a little better, and that led to a 57-47 Panther victory at Hastings High School Tuesday, and it wasn’t that close.

The Panthers closed out the third quarter on a 19-4 run, which helped turn their six-point half-time lead into a 49-28 edge heading into the fourth quarter.

“That was a good game for us, because they give us something that we don’t see as much as we need to,” said Delton Kellogg head coach Mike Mohn. “They play aggressive and they fly around a little bit, and kind of create an element of pressure that we need to work on because we don’t handle it very well. They’re much improved.”

Saxon head coach Andrew Mains would have liked to see his girls “fly around” a little

Brooke Martin pushes the ball ahead for the Panthers during their win at Hastings High School Tuesday. (Photo

by Brett Bremer)

bit more.

“They wanted it more than we did tonight,” Mains said. “The girls did not play well. I did not think they played well, and they honestly just wanted the game more than we did. They outhustled us the entire game.”

He also thought his team was a little too by-the-book attacking the Delton pressure.

He saw passes going where they are drawn up to go, rather than where they should have been going based on the flow of the action.

“We’ve got to get used to a little more just playing ball, just playing basketball,” Mains said.

Senior center Mallory Sewell led Delton Kellogg with 27 points, including 13 in the third quarter alone. She scored a few baskets in transition and did a good job of finding space to score inside Hastings’ 3-2 zone defense.

“That’s the kind of kid she should be,” said Mohn. “She can shoot from 10, 12, 13 feet and then people have to come guard her and then she can put it on the floor and score.

That’s what we expect from her and that’s a solid basketball game from our big, and we need that. She wants to play at the next level, those are the kinds of games she has got to put back, to back, to back, to back, to back, to back and she’s capable of doing that. It’s fun to watch her when she’s doing that.”

The Saxons were in that 3-2 zone for a good stretch of the game because of Delton senior guard Brooke Martin’s first quarter performance. She hit three threes and finished the night with 17 points.

Delton also got five points from Sarah Rendon and four each from Kristen Mohn and Rachel Parker.

As impressed as Mohn was with his senior center, he was just as impressed with the Saxons’ freshman post player Maddie Dailey, who finished with 17 points.

“I’m going to have to get out of the contract if she’s going to keep playing,” Mohn said.

“She’s a heck of a player, good footwork and a nice shot around the hoop. They’re a good team. They’re vastly improved from last year, which I thought was going to happen when we came up here.”

Taylor Cater led the Saxons with 19 points.

Rachel Quillen added six and Grace Meade

Delton Kellogg’s Mallory Sewell powers a shot up past Hastings’ Rachel Quillen during the third quarter Tuesday night. (Photo by Brett Bremer) four.

Delton Kellogg improves to 5-1 with the win. While the Panthers led throughout, coach Mohn would still like to see a little more consistency from his team. The Delton girls scored 22 and 21 points in the first and third quarters respectively, but just six and eight in the second and fourth.

“We’re just real spurty right now and we do not maintain well,” Mohn said. “We let them back in the game in that second quarter and then we come out in the third and just get after it and turn it up to whatever it was 21 or 22 and then we just kind of become real complacent and don’t make good decisions with the basketball and let people back in. The problem is, if you keep doing that eventually it’s going to come back and haunt you.”

The Panthers are off now until a Jan. 4

Delton Kellogg’s Sarah Rendon (front right) and Brianna Russell (back) pressure Hastings’ Grace Meade during the fourth quarter of Tuesday’s non-conference contest at Hastings High School. (Photo by Brett Bremer) KVA contest at Parchment.

Delton won its KVA contest Friday, at Constantine, 47-31.

Again, Delton had that one lapse, scoring just seven points in the third quarter. It didn’t hurt too bad after a first half in which the Panthers built a 29-12 lead.

Martin led Delton with 15 points, and Brookelynn O’Meara had ten. Kristen Mohn added six rebounds, including five on the

offensive end, and three assists. Parker had five steals and two assists.

The Panthers were just 8-of-26 at the free throw line, which helped the Falcons to scrape a few points off their lead in the fourth quarter.

Delton fixed up its foul shooting in the win over the Saxons Tuesday, going 10-of-12 at the line as a team.

Lakewood comeback comes up two points short

by Brett Bremer Sports Editor “In spurts, we’re as good as anybody,” said Lakewood varsity boys’ basketball coach Wayne Piercefield.

“We’ve got to do it for 32 minutes.”

The Vikings had a spurt that lasted them nearly the entire second half Friday night, but it wasn’t enough to dig themselves out of the hole they created in the first half against visiting Portland. The Raiders, who led by as many as 16 points in the first half, held on for

a 54-52 Capital Area Activities Conference White Division win at Lakewood High School.

“We played a solid 16 minutes of basketball that second half. The first half, we just weren’t ready to go again,” Piercefield said.

The Raiders’ lead swung between eight and 14 points for much of the first half. They led 31-20 at the break. Lakewood picked up its defensive execution in the second half, and cut that lead down to two heading into the fourth quarter at 38-36.

Piercefield said his team did a much better job of playing help-side defense. Defenders arrived with the ball to help rather than after it. He said his team rebounded better in the second half, and took care of the basketball better on the offensive end.

Lakewood was still down eight with three minutes to go, but turned up some full-court pressure and managed to turn over the Raiders a couple of times. Michael Carr and Alex Potter hit some big free throws, and then a Colin O’Mara three got his team within two.

Lakewood had a couple of possessions in

the final seconds, but couldn’t get a good shot off in the end.

“We came out and played defense very well in the second half. The kids battled. I was absolutely impressed with their hearth tonight. They never gave up on each other,” said Piercefield.

David Parks hit three threes and led the Vikings with 16 points, six rebounds and three steals.

Point guard Kalib McKinney had ten assists, four rebounds and eight points. Carr also finished with eight points and Potter had

ten.

Portland did much of its damage inside against the smaller Vikings. Zach Gustafson had 12 points.

Adam Goodman finished with nine points, and Dylan Carrol, Brodie VanRiper and Logan Seal had six points each.

The Vikings are now 1-1 in the CAACWhite and 2-2 overall.

The Vikings head to Corunna for a CAACWhite contest Friday, then will be off until taking part in Parma Western’s holiday tournament next week Thursday and Friday.

TK cheer takes Division 3 Belding pulls out two-point win at LHS title at Comstock Park HS Round three got the Trojans in front again.

Thornapple Kellogg’s varsity competitive cheer team used its traditionally strong round three to take the Division 2 championship at Saturday’s CCCAM Scholarship Competition hosted by Comstock Park.

The Trojans were outscored by Kenowa Hills in each of the first two rounds, then outscored the Knights 276.2 to 272.1 in the third round to inch in front. TK finished with a final score of 684.2600 compared to Kenowa Hills’ 681.6800.

The Trojans scored a 214.4 in round one and a 193.7 in round two.

Kenowa Hills had a score of 215.2 in round one and 194.4 in round two.

Those two teams were well ahead of the rest of the Division 2 field.

Grand Rapids Christian was third with 643.1800 points, followed by Cedar Springs 629.7800, Reeths-Puffer 625.9400, Byron Center 623.6400, Charlotte 619.9600 and Zeeland East 443.3320.

East Kentwood won the Division 1 championship on the day with a score of 758.2000.

The Division 3 title was won by Comstock Park with a score of 696.0200. Hart was the top Division 4 team with a score of 680.5200.

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The Lakewood girls have dropped four in a row after a season opening victory.

Tuesday night’s loss to visiting Belding is one the Vikings would like to have back.

“We played hard, but missed out on too many opportunities,” said Viking head coach Denny Frost. “We missed some shots inside and some key free throws down the stretch that would have sealed the game. We need to learn from this and make the plays the next time.”

Things were close at the end because of how hard the Vikings’ Emily Kutch was for the Redskins to handle in the post. She finished with 26 points and ten rebounds.

“She is such a good free throw shooter that we try to pound it inside for her,” Frost said.

“The rest of the team does a nice job of getting it to her, and tonight we had a couple of kick outs for threes when they doubled down.”

Lakewood also got five points and six

steals from Ellie Reynolds, four points and six rebounds from Elizabeth Campeau, and four points, five rebounds and four assists from Brooke Wieland.

“We still have to do a better job of finding people on defense,” Frost said. “We started out a step slow and gave them some open looks. Belding came to play and I was proud that we didn’t back down,” said Frost.

Belding was led by McKenzie Breimayer’s 15 points, and the 14 points from Stefanie Harig.

“This is one of those games that you will look back on and say you should have won it,” Frost said. “I have to do a better job for these kids to find a way to win the close ones.”

Lakewood is now 1-4 overall and 0-2 in the CAAC-White. They’ll be at Corunna for a league contest Friday.

Lakewood fell 50-22 to visiting Portland Friday.

Portland held the Vikings to just eight points in the first half, running out to a 28-8 lead by the break.

“I was really proud of the way our kids competed,” Frost said. “Portland shot the ball real well early and it is easy to feel sorry for yourself and quit. They didn’t, and we played them even in the second half. Portland does a great job at the defensive end with their man to man pressure. They are a very physical team and it took a little time for our kids to play through the contact. It is a great learning experience and will only make us better.”

Kelsey Spitzley hit three threes and led her team with 16 points. Allison Wetzel had three threes too and finished with 11 points.

Madison King had four points in the win over her former teammates.

Kutch led the Vikings with 12 points and Reynolds had four.

TK boys get their second victory Ryan Schall poured in 30 points for the Panthers, who scored 22 as a team in the fourth quarter, but the Trojans were able to make sure neither total was enough.

Thornapple Kellogg’s varsity boys’ basketball team improved to 2-3 on the season with a 64-59 win over visiting Comstock Park Tuesday evening.

Schall, who TK head coach Mike Rynearson called “an amazing player who is able to get to the bucket when he wants,” gave TK fits, but the Trojans made sure they shut down everyone else.

Matt Hurley was the only other Panther with more than six points. He finished with ten points and four rebounds.

Rynearson liked the way his guys in the post kept the Panthers’ bigs off the glass. TK

outrebounded Comstock Park 30-22.

Guard Tommy Hamilton had a team-high nine rebounds or TK, to go along with 13 points and four assists.

TK, which was without Louis Koepke for the game, got contributions from a number of other guys. Rynearson said Clay Francisco and Dalton Phillips stepped up in his absence to knock down some big shots. Francisco finished with a team-high 16 points, as well as four assists and six rebounds. Phillips had 15 points, two assists, and four rebounds. They had three steals each.

TK also got 14 points from Grant Allison, who knocked down four three-pointers.

Cole Cronkright added six points and six rebounds for TK. The Trojans fell in a 14-9 hole in the first

quarter, but dug out of it by limiting the Panthers to just four points in the second quarter. TK led 25-18 at the half.

The Trojans close out the 2012 portion of the schedule at home against Byron Center Friday.

Thornapple Kellogg suffered a 59-46 loss at Hamilton Friday.

The Trojans fell in a 14-7 hole in the opening quarter, and the Hawkeyes pushed their lead to 30-19 by the half.

Hamilton led the Trojans with 18 points.

Cronkright added eight points and Allison seven for TK. Hamilton had four guys in double figures.

Connor McMahon led the way with 13 points.

Nick Kronemeyer had 12, Trenton Haverdink had 11 and Elijah Walker ten.

The Hastings Banner — Thursday, December 20, 2012 — Page 15

Hastings boys undefeated heading into game at MSU The Saxons will try and close out the 2012 portion of their schedule undefeated when they take on Lansing Catholic Thursday, Dec. 27, in the Holiday Hoops Invitational at the Breslin Center in East Lansing.

The Saxons and the Cougars will play in the last of six high school basketball games inside the home of Michigan State University basketball, tipping off at 8 p.m.

Hastings’ varsity boys’ basketball team is 4-0 on the season after scoring a 66-55 win over visiting Hopkins Thursday.

Luke Heide poured in 26 points to lead the Saxons, while Maxwell Clark added 19, Alex Cherry 11 and Eric Hart seven.

Hopkins got 11 points from Blaine Merren and ten each from Joey McPeck, Tyler Schulz and Gavin Ryan.

Valley ladies don’t handle Parchment’s pressure well The Saxons’ Rachel Quillen flips up a shot during her team’s four-point victory over visiting Hopkins Thursday night at Hastings High School. (Photo by Perry Hardin)

Hastings girls score win over Hopkins Katy Delcotto drilled a three-pointer for the Saxons at the second quarter buzzer, to give them a 24-21 lead over Hopkins Thursday.

Once they never got that lead they never got it back.

The Saxons went on to a 42-38 victory over Hopkins at Hastings High School, on what head coach Andrew Mains called an “off

night” for his team.

Taylor Carter led the Saxons with 13 points. Rachel Quillen Maddie Dailey and Grace Meade had seven points each.

Jensyn VanZalen had 13 points to lead the Vikings.

Hopkins had an 11-7 lead after one quarter, but the Saxons rallied for 17 points in the sec-

ond quarter to pull in front.

Hastings closed out its December schedule with a 57-47 non-conference loss to visiting Delton Kellogg Tuesday evening.

The Saxons are now 3-4 this season.

They’re off now until visiting Covenant Christian Jan. 5.

Hastings to host Barry-Roubaix gravel road race in March

by Sandra Ponsetto Staff Writer Less than a year after hosting its first Gus Macker 3-on-3 basketball tournament and being named the Gus Macker Rookie Community of the Year, the City of Hastings will welcome another big sporting event— the Barry-Roubaix Killer Gravel Road Race, which is anticipated to bring approximately 2,500 participants and some 2,000 spectators to downtown Hastings, Saturday, March 23.

During its November meeting, Hastings City Council approved a request from representatives from Krisscross Events and the event’s sponsor, Founders Brewing Company of Grand Rapids, to hold the event in downtown Hastings, which would mean closing portions of several city streets and state highways, some for the race, and others for the “street party” during and after the event.

Since the council gave the nod, city staff members have contacted the Michigan Department of Transportation and received approval for the closure of portions of M-37 during the race, as well as the necessary detours, with some revisions.

Instead of detouring M-37 traffic down Apple Street to South Michigan Avenue and Hanover Street, and then back to M-37 during the race, which is slated to begin at 9 a.m. and end at 4 p.m., MDOT determined that traffic be directed north on Broadway to Woodlawn Avenue and then Woodlawn to Michigan Avenue and South Hanover Street. MDOT is also requiring that State Street be closed east of Broadway during the detour to minimize traffic congestion at the State Street and Broadway intersection. The closure will be similar to the one used during the Broadway intersection road work this summer, which still allowed traffic on State Street downtown.

The race includes multiple classes for different types of bicycles and three course lengths — 62, 35 and 23 miles on both gravel and paved hilly roads throughout Barry County. Participants will start in groups based on the class they have entered.

The starting line will be on Church Street between Court and Center streets, and the proposed course is designed to be the most direct route, with fewest turns and the appropriate road width necessary to get the riders to Yeckley Road as quickly as possible.

Participants will return to the same location on Church Street for the finish of the race to minimize the number to volunteers and sheriff’s posse, police officers and others needed to ensure the safety of the participants and motorists in the city. Organizers said that once the cyclists leave the city and spread out along the course, they must navigate the local roadways with existing vehicular traffic as they would during a non-event ride.

During the event, Green Street will be closed to all traffic except for limited and controlled entrance and egress for vehicles owned by residents of that portion of the street, from just east of Market Street to just east of Church Street. Soft closures, which would allow traffic through when cyclists are

not present will be staged along Green Street at Cass, Benton, Young and Market streets.

Green Street traffic will be detoured to Clinton Street between Market and Michigan throughout the event.

While 2013 will be the first year for Hastings to host the Barry-Roubaix race, the event is actually celebrating its fifth anniversary. The race has outgrown its original venue, Gun Lake State Park, where it began in 2009 with just 280 participants. In 2012, organizers had to close registration at 1,500.

Rick Plite, president of Krisscross events, said he feels that bringing the race to Hastings will allow the event to grow while offering an economic boon to local merchants as well as a yet-to-be named nonprofit organization.

Founders Brewing Company, which is sponsoring the event, has agreed that it will partner with a local nonprofit organization,

and all proceeds from its beer tent will benefit that organization. In addition to the Founders beer tent, local restaurants are also encouraged to sponsor food tents during the event which is slated to last until 7 p.m. and include a raised bonfire ring made from recycled materials and created by local artists.

The party would mean the closure of Church Street from State to Green and Center from Broadway to Church Street and Court Street from the courthouse parking lot to the entry of Municipal Lot 1, similar to the street closings during the Gus Macker tournament and Summerfest. However, Green Street would re-open immediately following the conclusion of the race.

Founders and Krisscross have agreed to pay for all expenses incurred by the city because of the event.

BOWLING SCORES Monday Mixerettes Kent Oil 41.5-18.5; Dewey’s Auto Body 38-22; Dean’s Dolls 34-26; Creekside Growers 30.5-29.5; Nashville Chiropractic 30-30.

Good Games & Series: T. Christopher 178; B. Anders 153; J. Alflen 187-528; J. Rice 179-514.

Senior Citizens Butterfingers 40-20; Sun Risers 37.5-22.5; King Pins 31-29; Usedtobe #1 30-30; M&M’s 30-30; Early Risers 30-30; Three Gals & A Guy 28-32; Kuempel 26-34; Ward’s Friends 26-34; Just Having Fun 21.5-38.5.

Women’s good games and series: Y. Cheeseman 158; J. Gasper 197; L. Elliston 191; A. Tasker 145-413; P. Freeman 150-417; D. Larsen 170-461; M. Kingsley 108; N. Frost 153.

Men’s good games and series: G. Forbey 148; J. Miller 184; G. Bennett 157-447; D. Murphy 143-392; J. Kleinbrink 188-459; W. Talsma 211-531; R. McDonald 218-625; W. Mallekoote 175-442; H. Bowman 182; B. Terry 246-600; G. Waggoner 214-544; B. Akers 205.

Wed PM Boniface Construction 39.5-20.5; Court Side 39-21; Hair Care 38.5-21.5; Eye & ENT 29-27*; Delton Suds 28-28*. *Games to be made up.

Good games & series: T. Christopher 176488; M. Adams 180-436; P. Freeman 152; J. Shurlow 190-484; N. Boniface 162.

Tuesday Trios Sam 46-15; Wash King 45-19; CB’s 35.528.5; Coleman Ins. 33-31; Team Turkey 3331; Lu’s Team 28.5-31.5; Classic Trio 27-37; Blair Landscaping 24.5-39.5; Ghost Team 0-

64 High Game - Mary H. 192; Donna H. 189; Renee B. 186.

High series - Shirlee V. 532; Renee B. 528; Mary H. 526.

Thurday Majors Red Rockets 38-22; Pockets Pounders 3624; Hastings Bowl 35-25; Old Men 32.5-27.5; Arens Lawn 31.5-28.5; Muff Divers 29.530.5; HDR 27.5-32.5.

High Games and Series - H. Moore 198; R. Guild 202-581; R. Furlong 172; J. Gibson 177; C. Micel 219; D. Rose 197; M. Arens 163; D. Gonzales 185; J. Haight 225; A.W. Morgan 146; K. Troyer 207; K. Hess 195-575; B. Taylor 211; J. Barnum 226-633; M. Magoon 195; D. Varney 184; D. Endres 222; J.J. Olin 227-557.

Thursday Angels Riverfront Fin. Ser. 39-17; Moore’s Apts.

36-20; Varney’s Const. 34-22; Hastings Bowl 29.5-22.5; Cathy’s Cut & Curl 28-28; Miller Farm Repair 27.5-24.5; DJ on the Roll 21-35.

High Games and Series - M. Gdula 209557; J. Zaagman 224-588; A. Moore 161; B. Brown 142; J. Wood 159; Colleen Shellenbarger 204-548; M. Moore 158.

Sunday Night Mixed Comebacks 40; Street Bowlers 31; H2O 29; You’re Up N Shit 28; Sunday Snoozers 28; Straightliners 26; The Wild Bunch 25.

Women’s Good Games and Series - K. Genther 157-433; F. Ames 157-423; D. Pettengill 147-383; F. Featherly 149-380.

Men’s Good Games and Series - M. Snyder 213-545; C. Featherly 186-507; B. Heath 181-470; T. Santana 189-455; T. Demott 154; S. Jewell 153.

Composure was a big word for the Lions last week.

They kept it Tuesday. Friday night they lost it a little bit.

Maple Valley’s varsity girls’ basketball team scored its first win of the season Tuesday at Constantine, but fell Friday at Parchment.

Illness hit the Lion team pretty hard last week, but head coach Landon Wilkes was still proud of the way his team competed Friday at Parchment. The Panthers knocked the Lions’ record down to 1-4 with a 57-20 win over their guests.

The Lions competed, but couldn’t quite keep their composure against the Panthers’

tough full-court man-to-man pressure.

Parchment built a 38-14 half-time lead, then outscored the Lions 15-0 in the third quarter.

Kendyl Hinton and Meredith Stutz had 15 points each to lead the Panthers.

The Lions got six points from Timara Burd, four from Alivia Johncock and three from Olivia Ricketts.

“We’re going to have a good dose of ballhandling, passing work, and we’re just going to look to get better, look to improve,” Wilkes said.

The Lions will be at home for their next three ball games, starting with a non-conference contest with Springport Friday.

Hopkins has a big second half at DK Delton Kellogg’s varsity boys’ basketball team heads into the holiday break with a 1-4 record after a 74-56 loss to visiting Hopkins Tuesday evening.

The Vikings led just 28-24 at the half, but put 46 points on the scoreboard in the second half.

“Hopkins came out on fire (in that second half) like the talented team they are,” said Delton Kellogg head coach Steve Miknis.

“Each position they can shoot the ball and score at will. We played hard until the end, and will focus on getting better over Christmas break.”

Jeff Minehart led the way for Delton Kellogg with 12 points. Colton Tobias added 12 points too, as well as five rebounds.

Zach Meyers added 11 points, and Anthony Houtrow ten for Delton.

Hopkins got 18 points, five steals and five assists from Joey McPeck, and 16 rebounds, five blocks and 11 points from Matt Modreske. Ryan Pierce chipped in 12 points

and Blaine Merren and Tyler Schulz had ten each.

Delton Kellogg is currently 1-2 in the Kalamazoo Valley Association this season, after a 66-60 loss at Constantine last Friday.

The Panthers poured in nearly half their points, 29, in the fourth quarter alone. The Falcons did enough at the foul line though to hold off their charge. The Falcons were 19-of24 at the stripe to hold on for the win.

Meyers had 19 points to lead Delton. Zach Leinaar had 18 points and four assists and Minehart added nine points and four steals.

The late rally might have been enough for Delton if it hadn’t been for a 15-7 run by the Falcons to start the game.

Miknis said the slow start was the tale of the game.

“We had a lot of good looks that didn’t fall for us. It's a very tough place to play,” Miknis said.

Delton is off now until visiting Parchment Jan. 4.

Half a dozen pins push Vikes to first conference victory Half a dozen pins and three forfeits by the Raiders accounted for all the Vikings’ points in a 54-25 win to open the Capital Area Activities Conference White Division season Wednesday at Lakewood High School.

Lakewood got pins from John Jackson at 103 pounds, Dakota Greig-Berends at 130, Jeremy Innes at 140, Garrett Phelps at 171, Jack Tromp at 215 and Gabe Bowen at 285 pounds.

Jackson started the match with his pin of Case Miller, 41 seconds into the 103-pound match. Portland followed that victory with

three pins of its own to take an 18-6 lead in the dual.

Portland won the only two matches that went six full minutes. Alex Young bested Austin Kietzman 11-3 in the 135-pound match and Hunter Scott edged Markus Temple 3-1 at 189 pounds.

Jordon Bennett at 145 pounds, Gary Stansell at 152 and Shane Huver at 160 earned the forfeit wins for Lakewood.

Lakewood was scheduled to hosdt its second league dual against Corunna last night.

Little competition for TKHS team at GR Christian quad Wednesday night wasn’t much of a tuneup.

Thornapple Kellogg’s varsity wrestling team scored lopsided wins over the East Kentwood ‘B’ team and Forest Hills Northern at the Grand Rapids Christian quad.

The Trojans scored a 77-0 win over Forest Hills Northern and a 72-12 victory over East Kentwood.

Earning victories for TK in the win over the Falcons were Ronaldo Sambrano (112 pounds), Chris Poland (119), Ryan Flynn (125), Nick Flynn (130), Kyle Krey (135), Paul Haney (140), Nick Iveson (145), Wyatt Deleeuw (152), Kyle Kraus (160), Dan Dykstra (171), Pete Westra (189), and Chad Geers (215).

In the second match of the evening, against Forest Hills Northern who’d just beaten Grand Rapids Christian, the action started at 119 pounds with what TK head coach Scott Szczepanek called “the most competitive match of the meet.” Poland scored a 12-5

decision for three team points.

Other winners for TK included Chase Hunderman (103), Sambrano (112), Ryan Flynn (125), Nick Flynn (130), Haney (135), Austin Sensiba (140), Iveson (145), Austin Roy (152), Cole Gahan (160), Dan Dykstra (171), Westra (189), Chad Geers (215), and Hunter Herrera (285).

The Trojan team recorded 17 pins in the two matches.

The Trojans saw tougher competition Saturday, leading into last night’s OK Gold opener against Hastings.

The Trojans were 3-1 at the Allegan dual tournament. TK fell 39-26 to Allendale to start the day, then bounced back for a third place finish with three wins.

TK topped Newaygo 64-15, Buchanan 5521 and Vicksburg 57-21.

Winning all four matches for the day for TK were Westra at 189 pounds, Dykstra at 171, Sambrano at 112, Haney at 135 and Ryan Flynn at 125 pounds.

Page 16 — Thursday, December 20, 2012 — The Hastings Banner

Valley boys score a split at Calvin Christian quad

by Brett Bremer Sports Editor With a flu running through the roster Maple Valley varsity wrestling coach Chris Ricketts said he was just happy that his guys were able to show up Wednesday.

The Lions did a little more than just show up. They split their two duals at the Calvin Christian quad, knocking off the host Squires 46-30 before falling 65-12 to Holland West Ottawa.

“We’re not very good, yet, but we’re getting on the mat,” Ricketts said. “I told them, I wouldn’t have complained if two or three of them didn’t show up as sick as they are, but they did.

“I told them that shows their character.”

The Lions did have four holes in their lineup, but are hoping to fill some of those in the near future. That was better than Calvin Christian, which forfeited five flights in its loss to the Lions.

Maple Valley’s Zack Rosenberger pinned Calvin Christian’s Tom Harkema 3 minutes and 39 seconds into their 285-pound match.

That was the only match the two teams wrestled above 152 pounds.

The Squires built an 18-6 lead in the dual, with the Lions forfeiting at 215 and 103 pounds and Colten Allen pinning Maple Valley’s Kodee Crouch 1:41 into their 112pound match.

Sam Bonney earned a forfeit win for the Lions at 119 pounds, and then his team tied up the match when Austin Davis pinned Skylar

Maple Valley’s Zach Rosenberger (right) battles for control with Calvin Christian’s Tyler Bylsma during their 215-pound match in Grandville Wednesday night. (Photo by Brett Bremer) Gingrich 22 seconds into the 125 pound match.

In the only other flights where there was a competition, the Lions had 140-pounder Kenny Christopher beat Kyle Timmer 20-4, 152-pounder Rodney Bement pin Neil Weeda in 1:09 and 145-pounder Zack Pixley get pinned 5:05 into his match with Ryan

VanderLaan.

Ricketts said that consistency is the big thing his team needs to get better at. Guys would do things properly one time, then miss out to use the same move at another point in the same match.

“We’re grateful to come out of here with one win to be honest,” Ricketts said.

Maple Valley 152-pounder Rodney Bement (top) nears a pin against Calvin Christian’s Neil Weeda during the first period of their match Wednesday. (Photo by Brett Bremer) Bonney had the Lions’ only win on the mat cially pleased with how his team’s heavyagainst West Ottawa. He pinned Noah Andre weight, Rosenberger, wrestled. Rosenberger 2:43 into their 119-pound bout. Crouch got the win against Calvin Christian then batpicked up a forfeit win at 112 pounds for the tled into the third period before being pinned Lions.

by West Ottawa’s Miguel Correa in the team’s Coach Tony Wawiernia said he was espe- second match.

Maple Valley boys run their record to 4-0 to start year

Lakewood’s varsity competitive cheer team performs its round three routine during Saturday’s invitational at Ovid-Elsie.

Viking cheer has its best first meet ever, wins at OE Lakewood’s varsity competitive cheer team opened its season by winning its division at Saturday’s Ovid-Elsie tournament by three tenths of a point over the host Marauders.

The Vikings were better than the Marauders in the first and third rounds, and finished with a total score of 709.2. OvidElsie was second at 708.9 points.

That 709.2 is the highest score the Vikings have ever had at their first meet of a season.

“This was a great start for us,” said Lakewood head coach Kim Martin. “We are more focused now and with getting some of the nerves out that will help.”

Lakewood scored a 223.8 in round one, a

197.2 in round two and a 288.2 in round three.

Martin said that her girls had a great first round. They didn’t make any mistakes and all their scores were in the nines.

Martin was pleased with the third round performance overall, considering it was the first meet of the year.

The Vikings will be working on their round two performance during the break. Martin said the performance Saturday was a bit rough with a lot of mental mistakes.

Ovid-Elsie scored a 212.0 in round two, nearly 15 points better than the Vikings’ score. Ovid-Elsie also had a 222.4 in round one and a 274.9 in round three.

by Brett Bremer Sports Editor Maple Valley’s varsity boys’ basketball team improved to 3-0 in the Kalamazoo Valley Association this season with a 64-50 win at Parchment Friday night.

The Lions took off in the second quarter, outscoring the Panthers 16-7 to build a 32-24 lead by the half.

Parchment was slowed by foul trouble, but that was by the Lions’ design.

“They’re taking the ball to the hoop because they know teams are looking out for the threes,” said Ewing. “We’ve been preaching it all year, that we’re more than a threepoint shooting team. We can take the ball to the basket.”

The Lions earned themselves 49 free throws throughout the course of the night.

Now they just need to get better at the foulline. They hit just 26 of those tries.

Sam Benedict was 12-of-19 at the line, and led the Lions with 20 points, eight rebounds and seven assists.

Maple Valley also got 11 points and 13 rebounds from Garret Mater.

Micah Bromley added 16 points and Austin Gonser nine for the Lions.

Kendall Griffin led Parchment with ten points. Tristan Jehnsen and Clay Whitehead had eight each and Sam Nordquist added seven.

“We hassled them a lot with the way we were playing,” Ewing said. “We were very aggressive with them right off the bat.”

“We’re playing very aggressive defensively. Teams, when they think we’re starting to get tired we’re actually just reaching our peak.”

The Lions are now 4-0 overall. They topped non-conference foe Bellevue 62-54 at

home Tuesday night.

Bellevue’s full-court pressure and 2-3 zone took the Lions out of what they like to do a little bit, but Ewing said he was very proud of the way his guys were able to be paitent and work the ball around for good shots.

Maple Valley shot 48 percent from the floor, but still had a rough night at the free throw line going 11-of-19.

Benedict led the Lions with 15 points, four rebounds, four steals and four assists.

Mater had a team-high 17 points for the

Lions. Garrett Miller chipped in 12 points and six rebounds and Bromley added three points and seven assists.

While the Bellevue defense changed what the Lions like to do a bit, the Lion defense didn’t let the Broncos do what they would like to offensivley either. The Lions forced 25 turnovers in the game.

Maple Valley is home for its next two ball games, Friday against Springport and then Jan. 4 against Kalamazoo Christian.

HHS has no trouble topping Wildcats in first Gold dual

The Hastings varsity wrestling team shows off its runner-up trophy after a 4-1 day of duals at the Coldwater tournament Saturday.

The Saxons’ Mitchell Sarhatt gets ahold of the head of Wayland’s Quincy Bollone during their 103-pound match Wednesday at Wayland Union High School.

Hastings opened OK Gold Conference competition with a 59-21 victory at Wayland Union High School Wednesday (Dec. 12).

Mitchell Sarhatt, David Hause, Zach Wilcox, Ethan Haywood, Brett Thomas, Stephen Kendall, Jason Slaughter, Kenny Cross, Chase Huisman and Nate Pewoski scored wins for the Saxons in the dual.

Also winning JV matches for Hastings were Justice Lamance, Donovin Taggart, Jesus DelAngel, and George Murphy.

Hastings followed that up with a runner-up performance at Saturday’s Coldwater tournament.

Hastings was 4-1 on the day, falling 51-28 to Bronson in the finals.

The Saxon team had three wrestlers who were undefeated on the day, Jason Slaughter at 152 pounds, Kenny Cross at 160 and Pewoski at 285.

David Hause at 112 pounds, Wilcox at 125, Kendall at 145 and Chase Huisman at 171 had four wins each.

The Saxons were scheduled to face Thornapple Kellogg last night, and will be off now until the West Catholic Duals Dec. 29.