Tuesday, January 31, 2012

The Atrium puts a European spin on the Bay City food-scape

The Atrium serves casual upscale fare in Bay City
Walking into the Atrium is like stepping into a European courtyard, a gypsy wagon in the corner, piled high with evergreen boughs, and a gazebo raised a few feet from a towering fountain capped with a pineapple finial, the symbol of hospitality. Quaint storefronts surround the cobblestone-floored dining area, one topped with a collection of German steins, leading into the adjacent Stein Haus. And if the candle-lit glow of the room is a little too overcast for your liking, despite the bright blue of the lofty ceiling, the nearby Solarium offers a sun-drenched option to the mid-afternoon crowd.

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Trenton Robinson investigation should wrap up this week, police chief says

The question was simple enough. At the Town Hall meeting that Bay City leadership hosted at the State Theatre tonight, Herman Marshall asked to direct his question not to the mayor or the Bay City Commission, but to law enforcement. "Has the Trenton Robinson situation been cleared up?" asked Marshall, who is president of the Bay City NAACP chapter. The Bay City Central High School graduate who took his football skills to Michigan State University filed a citizen's complaint after he was stopped while driving in Bay City on Dec. 22 for failure to signal a turn, then issued a ticket an hour later at a restaurant across town. The $120 ticket has been paid and Robinson's complaint has been under internal investigation.

Read the full story here!

Monday, January 30, 2012

Bay City to see snow showers, but don't expect accumulation to last

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While Bay City missed wintry conditions that struck southern Michigan yesterday, the National Weather Service is predicting the area will receive precipitation today. Bay City can expect one and one-half inches of snow accumulation, beginning to fall between 10 a.m. and noon. Precipitation is expected to continue until 7 p.m. with a current temperature of 20 degrees increasing to 30 degrees this afternoon. "It will be a wet, slushy snow," said Matt Mosteiko, National Weather Service meteorologist. "As long as the road crews are out there, any salt or plowing should clear things up." The heaviest snowfall is predicted from noon until 3 p.m., with a drop in visibility to two miles and 15 mph wind gusts.

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Region's first full-length marathon expected to draw 4,000

The Great Lakes Bay Region will have its first full-length marathon this year as racers cut a 26.2-mile path from Midland to Bay City during The Qualifier in May. Organizers expect the marathon and half-marathon races will draw 4,000 runners to the community. Along with the runners will come families and friends who could provide an economic boost to the region, said Ann Gasta, race director for The Qualifier. "As we go forward in the years to come, the economy in the Great Lakes Bay Region is going to see a large impact," Gasta said, with runners needing hotels, food and supplies. "It starts with the local community supporting the event."

Read the full story here!

Friday, January 27, 2012

Southbound lanes of Independence Bridge to reopen today; northbound lanes will close

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The southbound lanes of the Independence Bridge will reopen at 9 a.m. today following about two weeks of construction work. The northbound lanes of the bridge are now expected to close for two weeks for similar work. Crews have been performing hydro demolition of the bascule lift spans — meaning deteriorated concrete on the bridge is being removed and replaced. The Independence Bridge runs across Truman Parkway and connects Woodside to Wilder Road. City officials have said the type of work on the bridge and the size of the equipment made it impossible to keep the lanes open.

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Bay City pastor provides background on man charged with phoning-in bomb threat to Dore Enterprises

A Bay City pastor has shed some light on a man charged with threatening to bomb an Art Dore-owned business, claiming the incident resulted from the defendant’s mental disabilities. Pastor Darrel Tacey said he has known Christopher C. Northcott, 51, for four or five years. Northcott is charged with a six-year felony count of false report of a bomb or harmful device and a misdemeanor count of malicious use of a telecommunications device.
“He attends a lot of churches, not on regular basis, but he pops into several in Bay City,” said Tacey, of Calvary Chapel Open House, 1301 Leng St. “Chris is a tender-hearted man with good intentions, but he has some mental and emotional difficulties.”

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Wednesday, January 25, 2012

Dow Bay Area Family Y to hold dedication ceremony

The Dow Bay Area Family Y is scheduled to host a dedication ceremony at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 25 at the new facility. Community leaders are scheduled to speak during the ceremony. Those on the line-up are Dom Monastiere, Executive Vice President and Chief Risk Management Officer for Chemical Bank; Bo Miller, director of Corporate Citizenship and president of the Dow Chemical Company Foundation; Chris Shannon, mayor of Bay City; and Scott Carmona, president of the Dow Bay Area Family Y Board of Directors. In addition, three Bay City students will read excerpts from their winning essays about why the new Y will benefit the community.

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Codefendant testifies against friend in Bay County murder case

Stephen P. Ashley Jr. showed little emotion Tuesday as he listened to a friend testify how he gunned down a man in a drug-deal gone bad. Ashley, 21, sat beside attorney William Brisbois Jr. and Jeffrey Rupp as orange-jumpsuit clad codefendant Kaleb S. Rosin recalled the events leading up to the slaying of Lonnie L. Houston Jr., a 27-year-old father of five. Rosin, 20, said he and Brett E. Vaughn, 21, accompanied Ashley to a Kawkawlin-area trailer park the night of Nov. 13, where Ashley purchased a .22-caliber pistol from a 16- or 17-year-old in exchange for $100 and some cocaine. Ashley at some point called Houston and asked him to meet in the area of the Meijer in Hampton Township, on the pretext of buying more drugs from him, Rosin said. Ashley already owed Houston money for cocaine, Rosin said.

Read the full story here!

Tuesday, January 24, 2012

Bay County funeral home manager charged with embezzling $436,000 to appear in court Tuesday

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Prosecutors this week plan to unveil some of the evidence they believe proves a Bay County funeral home manager embezzled thousands from her customers. Erica C. Kaznowski, 41, is to appear for a preliminary examination before Bay County District Judge Dawn A. Klida at 9 a.m. Tuesday. State Attorney General Bill Schuette contends Kaznowski used her position as manager of Stapish Cederberg Funeral Homes to scam $436,000 from at least 89 customers between 2005 and 2011. The customers had purchased prepaid funeral services from the company, which has locations at 805 E. South Union St. in Bay City and 955 Pine Road in Hampton Township.

Bay City Commissioners throw out prevailing wage ordinance

Bay City Commissioners voted Monday night to allow for lower bids on city projects by throwing out the prevailing wage ordinance. Prevailing wage is the hourly wage paid to the majority of workers and laborers in a particular area and expertise. Commissioners we spoke with say following prevailing wage causes many companies to put in higher bids for city contracts because companies have to hike up employees wages to meet the city's ordinance and they say in these cash strappped times it's costing too much. More than a hundred local union workers showed up at the commissioners meeting to protest the vote to repeal the prevailing wage ordinance.

Monday, January 23, 2012

It's warm out in Bay City, but not record breaking

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The National Weather Service expects temperatures in Bay City to reach the upper 40s today, with lows tonight dipping to the upper 20s. Tomorrow, a high temperature in the low 30s is predicted. Rainfall is expected to transition to snow tonight, with scattered snow showers  beginning around 7 p.m. Little accumulation is expected. "The elevated temperature is rare for January," said Amos Dodson, National Weather Service meteorologist. "Average temperatures are usually in the upper 20s for highs, but we've already had two 50 degree days this month."

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Two teens charged with November vandalism spree on Pinconning golf course

Two area teens are charged in connection with vandalism at a Pinconning golf course, and charges are pending against three others. Bay County Prosecutor Kurt C. Asbury’s office on Tuesday issued warrants against four men and a juvenile. Tyler A. Spencer, 19, and Daniel S. Christian, 19, voluntarily appeared for arraignment before Bay County District Judge Dawn A. Klida on Thursday and Friday, respectively. Each is charged with two counts of malicious destruction of property between $1,000 and $20,000, motor vehicle theft, larceny in a building and breaking and entering with intent — all felonies — with Spencer also facing one misdemeanor count of possession of marijuana.

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Friday, January 20, 2012

Former Bay City YMCA building could become part of Steve Ingersoll's charter school complex

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The former YMCA building in Bay City could soon be off the real estate market and become an expansion of the Bay City Academy charter school. Local entrepreneur and eye doctor Steve Ingersoll is working with Y officials to reach a deal on the 57,000-square-foot building at the corner of Columbus and Madison avenues. Ingersoll said the plan now is to renovate the old Y building and open it as a general education charter school in 2013. “There will be lots of renovations at the Y, lots of reconfigurations,” Ingersoll said.

American Cancer Society seeking cosmetologists to facilitate Bay County beauty program for female cancer patients

Breast cancer threw Ann Hoppe into a horrific whirlwind of oncology appointments and chemotherapy, but the American Cancer Society gave the Akron woman back a piece of herself — her image. “I was worried about losing my hair, what my face would look like,” Hoppe said. “Life doesn’t stop when you have cancer. I still have to go to work, to my daughter’s games.” Hoppe attended a two-hour Look Good…Feel Better session, a free program for women undergoing cancer treatment. Lead by a volunteer, licensed cosmetologist, Look Good…Feel Better sessions aim to teach women beauty techniques to help them deal with side effects of chemotherapy and radiation.

Thursday, January 19, 2012

Bay City Police Department gets new detective

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After several months with a skeleton crew, the Bay City Police Department’s Detective Bureau has some new blood and welcomed relief. Nate Kamp, a Bay City police officer since 2000, worked his first day as a detective Tuesday, becoming the bureau’s third investigator. Kamp’s sergeant started him off with six investigations — stalking, bounced checks and breaking and entering complaints. “There’s a learning curve, so they’re certainly going to ease me into stuff,” Kamp said. Kamp, 35, previously served as a patrol officer, a resource officer stationed at Bay City Central High School and spent three years working undercover with the department’s VIPER Unit and FBI Safe Streets Task Force.

Bay City Education Assocation president understands need for cuts with latest contract approval

The head of the Bay City Education Association said the concessions taken by his organization as part of a contract agreement are disappointing, but added that he understands the need for the cuts. “Do we like it? No. Do we understand it? We do,” said Rick Meeth, president of the 450-member education association. “We deal with this economic downturn that we’re in. We understand the state doesn’t have any money. We know that people are leaving the state of Michigan.” The education association approved a contract on Monday with Bay City Public Schools that reduces teacher salaries by 2.7 percent for the remainder of the school year, freezes pay and step increases and requires teachers to pay 24 percent of their health care premiums.

Wednesday, January 18, 2012

Bay City developer tours historic Bearinger Fireproof Building in downtown Saginaw, WNEM, Channel 5 reports

Bearinger Building
There is renewed interest in a productive future for the historic early-1890s Bearinger Fireproof Building at 126 N. Franklin in downtown Saginaw, WNEM, Channel 5 reports. WNEM, Channel 5 says Saginaw Development Director Odail Thorns, along with other officials and Bay City developer Tim Hunnicutt with the Front Porch Renaissance Group toured the vacant building Tuesday. “Hunnicutt said he's looking at four different properties for development besides the Bearinger Building,” WNEM, Channel 5 reports. The Front Porch Renaissance Group website says the company embraces rich history and architecture and seeks new uses for existing structures unitizing energy-saving, environmentally friendly initiatives.

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Bay City teachers ratify contract for 2011-12

The Bay City Education Association and the Bay City Public Schools reached a tentative agreement for its teachers' contract through June 30. The teachers have been working without a contract since July 1 and have been paying the increase in their insurance, according to legislative changes. This agreement will reduce the wages and benefits of the members of the Bay City Education Association by $1.6 million for the remainder of the school year. The agreement, if approved by both parties, reduces teacher compensation and District contributions to health insurance costs, in light of decreased state and federal funding.

Read the full story here!

Tuesday, January 17, 2012

Big Mac makeovers: Area McDonald's franchisees updating their restaurants

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Although the “golden arches” are a familiar sight in just about every corner of the Great Lakes Bay Region, customers visiting some McDonald’s restaurants are getting a surprise. That’s because some franchise owners are taking it upon themselves to remodel their restaurants, often with accents or upgrades that suggest fine dining rather than fast food. Inside the McDonald’s at 3840 E. Wilder Road in Bay County, the 1950s-themed decor that filled the restaurant is out and new tile work, updated lighting and frosted glass panels showcasing Bay City’s State Theatre, City Hall and fireworks festival are going in. “You have to evolve to survive,” said Johanne Luth, who owns the McDonald’s on Wilder as well as four others in Bay and Saginaw counties.

Bay City Folk and Acoustic Music Festival again brings a diverse blend to Scott Baker's birthday bash

Jen Cass is psyched. She joined friend and fellow musician Scott Baker five years ago when he first celebrated his birthday by pulling together the Bay City Folk and Acoustic Music Festival at Bemo’s in Bay City. “We were just trying to make it work, bringing what we had to the table,” she said. Literally, she added. Bemo’s had a long table reserved for the night’s musicians, she said, and they would grab their guitars and jam with the others as they took the stage.

Monday, January 16, 2012

Bay City Western's John and Matt Costello are multi-talented twins

Together, John and Matt Costello form a tough combination for the Bay City Western boys basketball team. But the twin brothers don't normally operate as one, as illustrated in a recent feature story in the Detroit Free Press. Matt Costello is a Division I-caliber basketball player, bound for Michigan State University. John Costello is an accomplished musician with college aspirations of his own, passing up a promising future in football to focus on the saxophone. On the basketball court, the brothers have been a formidable 1-2 punch for Bay City Western. The 6-foot-10 Matt Costello is averaging 22.0 points and 20.0 rebounds per game while the 6-foot-4 John Costello is tallying 12.4 points and 6.0 rebounds.

Friday, January 13, 2012

Auburn-area lottery winner Leroy Fick gets 45 days in jail on felony drug charge

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A Williams Township lottery winner will be spending about the next month and a half behind bars for illegally possessing a prescription painkiller. Isabella County Trial Court Judge Mark H. Duthie on Thursday sentenced Leroy N. Fick, 59, to 45 days in jail with credit for three days served. Upon release, he will serve one year of probation and must also pay several court fines and costs. Fick was late in appearing for the 2 p.m. hearing in Duthie’s courtroom and had to be picked up by his attorney, John Wilson. The pair entered the courtroom around 2:40 p.m., Fick’s blond-white hair flowing out from under his Vietnam veteran baseball cap.

More than 100 fathers come out to Bangor Central for Watch D.O.G.S. informational meeting

The parking lot at Bangor Central Elementary was full as more than 100 fathers came out to learn more about the school's new Watch D.O.G.S. initiative. “I'm amazed,” Bangor Central Principal Margy Dewey said. “I'm just overwhelmed by the turnout, this is phenomenal.” Watch D.O.G.S. (Dads of Great Students) is a national program sponsored by the National Center for Fathering. The goal of the program is to have fathers take turns spending one day in the school, preforming activities with the kids and providing an extra set of eyes and ears in the building.

Thursday, January 12, 2012

Michigan State standout Trenton Robinson hints towards Senior Bowl invite

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It appears that Trenton Robinson's college football career isn't over just yet. The Michigan State tri-captain and former Bay City Central standout hinted that he had been selected to compete in the Senior Bowl Jan. 28 at Ladd-Peebles Stadium in Mobile, Ala. On Monday, Robinson made a post on Facebook that read: "Senior Bowl here I come -Humble and Hungry." Official Senior Bowl rosters have not been released yet. A three-year starter, Robinson is part of a senior class that has won more games than any other in Michigan State history (37). The Spartans earned a share of the Big Ten Championship in 2010, ending a 20-year drought, and became only the fourth class in program history to win four straight games against archrival Michigan.

Bay City Academy finding success in first year, looking at expansion

With students in uniforms and classes held in a former Methodist Episcopal Church, the Bay City Academy has an unusual perception problem. Although the academy operates as a public charter school, many people see it as a private — and therefore expensive — education option. Principal Ryan Schrock is quick to point out that students who enroll there attend classes for free. “We are a public school,” said Schrock, who also works as the school’s superintendent. “That’s one of the greatest misconceptions that we’ve had to overcome. A lot of people, they see the sign, they see the kids in uniform and say, ‘Oh well, we probably can’t afford to go to that school. It’s one of those private schools.’ ”

Read the full story here!

Wednesday, January 11, 2012

Bay City Commissioners begin brainstorming list of "what residents want"

After about 30 minutes of discussion how City Manager Robert Belleman's goals should be set, the Bay City Commission agreed to create a list of what residents want to see. Commissioners plan to use the list, along with the goals Belleman sets for his staff, to create goals - most likely at a later date. "Let's not worry about categories, let's worry about what residents want us to do," Belleman said when suggesting the activity.

Bay City man pleads no contest to sexually assaulting sleeping stranger the day his trial was to begin

The morning his trial was to begin, a Bay City sex offender charged with molesting a woman he did not know accepted a plea offer rather than face a jury. Manuel O. Cantano III, 44, on Tuesday morning appeared before Bay County Circuit Judge Joseph K. Sheeran and pleaded no contest to second-degree criminal sexual conduct and third-degree home invasion. In exchange, prosecutors agreed to dismiss single counts of operating a motor vehicle on a suspended license and operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated. Though potential jurors gathered at the courthouse today for the trial, jury selection did not have the chance to begin before Cantano pleaded.

Tuesday, January 10, 2012

Princess Wenonah and Islander cruise boat have a home for at least one more season

Boats dock in Uptown site for another season

The Princess Wenonah and the Islander cruise boats have a home on the Saginaw River for at least one more season. Bay City and Bay City Boat Lines in December approved a lease agreement allowing the two ships to continue docking behind Bay City Hall at the Uptown at RiversEdge site. The Uptown site is owned by the city, but a purchase agreement is expected to turn over ownership of the property to Saginaw-based developer SSP Associates later this year.

Bay City Commission amends prevailing wage ordinance to exempt projects that cost more than $100,000

After much discussion, the Bay City Commission voted 5-3 to amend its prevailing wage ordinance to exempt contracts under $100,000 or those contracts done in partnership with other municipalities. Commissioner Chad Sibley, 8th Ward, brought the amendment forward after issues arose with the city's prevailing wage ordinance when the city approved a contract last month piggybacking off a street micro-surfacing project with the City of Midland. Midland does not have a prevailing wage ordinance, thus violating Bay City's ordinance. This is the first reading of the ordinance change. It will be brought to the next City Commission meeting for possible adoption. Commissioner Lynn Stamiris, 1st Ward, voted to change the prevailing wage ordinance, saying it could save the city money. Many companies put in higher bids because they have to increase employees wages to meet the city's ordinance.

Monday, January 9, 2012

Despite weird winter weather, Michigan Sugar beet crop doing fine

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Despite late planting and a wet fall, the 2011 sugar beet harvest was a good one. And, despite a mostly-absent Old Man Winter, the sugar beet stockpiles are faring well as they await processing at Michigan Sugar. Paul Pfenninger, vice president of agriculture for Monitor Township-based Michigan Sugar, said that while temperatures in December were higher than in past years, they were fairly consistent, lending to stable piles of beets. “The worst case scenario happens when you have freeze-and-thaw cycles,” Pfenninger said. “We have not frozen at all.”

Bay County to treat 800 trees infested with emerald ash borers

Alicia Wallace walks around the Breaker Cove condominium development inspecting ash trees for telltale signs of sickness: D-shaped holes in the bark and dead branches. Some of the trees are infested with the invasive emerald ash borer. This year, Bay County plans to treat the trees at Breaker Cove and other locations in a last-ditch effort to save them from destruction. For some, it’s already too late. “Ash trees are beautiful trees, but sometimes they are worth saving and sometimes they aren’t,” Wallace said. “It’s an ongoing battle — as long as there are ash trees there will be emerald ash borers.”

Friday, January 6, 2012

Bay City plans second annual Town Hall meeting at State Theatre

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The city is giving residents a chance to have their voices heard when it hosts a second annual Town Hall meeting this month. The Town Hall is set for 6 p.m. Jan. 30 at the State Theatre, 913 Washington Ave., in downtown Bay City. After a large turnout during the first Town Hall event last year, Bay City Manager Robert Belleman said he wants to have a similar format again this year. Nearly 300 people gathered at the State Theatre last year, many upset about utility rates, in particular sewer rates that rose 23 percent in late 2010.

In for the long haul, Detroit Lions fans like Dan Dore can rejoice with playoff berth

With sledgehammer in hand, Dan Dore knocks out the old to make way for the new. So when the local demolition specialist helped clear the grounds for the construction of Ford Field in 2002, he thought a new era of Detroit Lions football was on its way. Ten seasons later, that new era has at long last arrived. When Detroit plays the New Orleans Saints at 8 p.m. Saturday in its first NFL playoff game since 1999, Dore and Lions fans from throughout the Great Lakes Bay Region can finally rejoice.

Thursday, January 5, 2012

Police: Bay City woman drunkenly enters home and attempts to kidnap two children

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A Bay City father awoke in the middle of the night Saturday to the sight of an unknown woman standing in his hallway, attempting to lead two of his small children from their home, police have said. Around 3 a.m., Bay City police were dispatched to a house in the 400 block of Michigan Avenue. Upon arrival, they encountered Kristine A. Smith, drunk and claiming she was rescuing children from an abusive household, court records show. The home is occupied by a couple and their six children, five of which were home at the time. The father told police he woke up after hearing noises in the upstairs hallway. When he left his bedroom, he saw Smith holding two of his daughters’ hands as she tried leading them downstairs, he told police.

Our Take: More to Trenton Robinson story than meets the eye

A story this week surrounding why Michigan State football tri-captain Trenton Robinson was pulled over by Bay City Police on Dec. 22 and issued a ticket for failing to signal is generating a lot of discussion. You may be talking about it with your friends or in your own homes. We're certainly discussing it in our newsroom. We knew something was up with Robinson, a 2008 graduate of Bay City Central High School and three-year starter for the Spartans, when he was benched for the first defensive play of the Jan. 2 Outback Bowl for "undisclosed reasons." Then, we learned he was pulled over by police on Dec. 22 for failing to signal while spending the holidays in Bay City.

Wednesday, January 4, 2012

Bay City man arraigned on eight felonies after police say 11-year-old girl stopped his one-day crime spree

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A Bay City man is facing eight felony counts after police say he burglarized several area homes before an 11-year-old girl brought his spree to an end. Police allege Bryan R. Harrison, 40, broke into three homes Friday. They claim he stole a safe, a laptop, a DVD player, several DVDs and jewelry from a home in the 1200 block of North Dewitt Street and a watch, TV and Blu-Ray player from a home in 1300 block of North Trumbull Street. Both homes are in Bay City. Around 3:50 p.m., Harrison broke into at home in the 2300 block of East North Union Road in Monitor Township, police said.

Bay City man charged with attempting to rob Subway at knifepoint

According to police, a Bay City man said he attempted to holdup a Subway sandwich shop at knifepoint to get money to buy his children Christmas presents. Bay City police arrested Joseph W. Thompson, 32, moments after they say he tried to rob the downtown Bay City Subway at 817 Washington Ave. Thompson came into the store around 5:45 p.m. Saturday, just as employee Trevor G. Hankish, 26, was locking up, court records show. Thompson used the restroom, briefly left, then returned brandishing a 10-inch long kitchen knife and demanding money, Hankish later told police. Hankish said Thompson reached across the counter and started banging on the cash register, but was unable to open it. While Thompson fidgeted with the register, Hankish grabbed a knife of his own and proceeded to chase Thompson from the store, court records show.

Tuesday, January 3, 2012

Hundreds join Dow Bay Area Family Y in first week

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In the week since the opening of the new Dow Bay Area Family Y, thousands have passed through the doors of the 96,400-square-foot facility and hundreds of new memberships have been registered. But many more want a taste of the $13.2 million facility located near the corner of Washington Avenue and Tenth Street in downtown Bay City. Membership Director John Rooy says he has a stack of more than 200 applications for financial assistance to sort through in the coming days. “There’s a need for the Y to offer financial assistance in Bay City,” Rooy said. “We have seniors on fixed income, families with one adult employed, and we understand that some of them need a little help.”

Bay Regional Medical Center welcomes first baby of new year on Monday

Jessica and Andrew Klinstiver weren’t expecting their new baby boy until Thursday. Instead, Micha Charles Jeffrey Klinstiver entered the world at 8:07 a.m. Monday and became the first baby born at Bay Regional Medical Center in 2012. “It was very exciting,” said Jessica Klinstiver. “I was hoping for the tax reduction before the new year, but hey, we’re happy to have the first baby born after the new year.” Micha weighed in a 8 pounds, 1 ounce and measured 19.25 inches long. The Klinstivers, who live in West Branch, arrived at Bay Regional around 8 p.m. New Year’s Day, but weren’t sure they would be staying the night as Jessica Klinstiver’s contractions had slowed.