Former Bay County Fair Board president charged with embezzlement bound over to circuit court

Two options now lie before a former Bay County Fair Board president charged with embezzling from the organization — take a plea or face a trial. Michael W. Coyer, 39, waived his right to a preliminary examination before Bay County District Judge Mark E. Janer. The judge bound the case over to circuit court, where Coyer's next date is pending. Coyer is charged with three counts each of forgery and uttering and publishing, both 14-year felonies, and one count of embezzlement, a five-year felony. His alleged misconduct came to light in January, when then-vice president of the fair board Patti Dubay and treasurer Kristy Brandt went to Michigan State Police troopers, claiming Coyer had misappropriated fair funds. Brandt told troopers Coyer had forged her signature on 22 checks totaling $4,309.

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Bay County Mosquito Control collecting tires Saturday, otherwise slow until it rains

Saturday provides the last easy opportunity for a while to clean scrap tires off your property. Bay County Mosquito Control is having a tire drive because scrap tires collect water and provide excellent breeding grounds for mosquitoes. Bay County residents can take up to 10 rimless car and pickup truck tires, with driver license for proof of residency, to either of two sites Saturday between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m.:

• Bay County Mosquito Control, 810 Livingston Ave., Bay City

• Pinconning Park, 3041 E. Pinconning Road, Pinconning

Otherwise, things are pretty quiet on the mosquito control front, after a huge push at the end of March to deal with seasonally flooded woodlots.

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Two Bay County high schools holding commencement ceremonies next week

As the school year winds down for schools in Bay County, some high schools are holding commencement ceremonies next week. Garber High School, 213 Pine Road in Essexville, and Pinconning High School, 605 W. Fifth St. in Pinconning, are holding their ceremonies on Thursday. Garber’s starts at 7 p.m. in Ankney Auditorium while Pinconning’s starts at 6:30 p.m. in the gym. Other schools in Bay County are not holding their ceremonies until June. Wenona Center’s is June 6. John Glenn High School and Bay-Arenac Community High School are holding ceremonies on June 8. Bay City Western, Bay City Central and All Saints Catholic High School all have their commencement on June 10.

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Causes unknown in recent Bay City house fires

Though investigators are now considering a recent series of Bay City house fires suspicious, the actual causes of what sparked the blazes remains unknown. In all, there have been six fires at four houses, five of which occurred in the city's South End. The first was reported about 2:30 a.m. Sept. 27 at 403 Michigan Ave. The house comprised two apartments, one of which was occupied at the time. The building was unoccupied and boarded-up when the second fire occurred there around 2 a.m. on April 14. The house was demolished within days of its second fire.

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Bay City Public Schools hearing public comments on budget at next board meeting

The Bay City Public Schools Board of Education set a date to hear public comments regarding the budget for the 2012-13 school year. The board approved Monday to hear budget comments during the next board meeting, June 11. At that time, the district plans to update the board on the budget situation and review the final budget for the 2011-12 school year. Superintendent Doug Newcombe said he would be surprised if the board was able to approve a budget at that meeting.

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Bay City fire and police departments would merge under draft plan

Police officers and firefighters would be cross-trained to save Bay City money under a consolidation plan that will be presented to the Bay City Commission on May 31. "Personnel costs can be greatly reduced with cross-trained public safety officers who can serve citizens in a dual role providing both police and fire services," states the draft plan created by a special city committee. "This would result in additional police on the street who can also respond to the scene of a fire. There would be no reduction in fire services, while the personnel assigned to the fire stations are greatly reduced." Kurt Wagner, president of International Association of Fire Fighters Local 116, said he was not ready to publicly comment on the plan.

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Incumbent Kurt Asbury, challenger Patrick Duggan only candidates for Bay County prosecutor in Aug. 7 primary

Only two candidates are appearing on the ballot for Bay County prosecutor in the Aug. 7 Democratic primary. Incumbent Kurt C. Asbury, 54, is to face off against challenger Patrick O. Duggan. Both are Democrats. Bay County’s three circuit court judges appointed Asbury prosecutor in 2006. Voters elected him to keep the position in 2008, when he faced off against Duggan and Edward M. Czuprynski. The Times could not reach Asbury for comment on Tuesday.

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