Downtown farmers market opens Thursday, Bay County market open all weekend

If you've been cruising by the spot at 6th and Washington in downtown Bay City where the city website says a farmers market has been operating for the last two weeks, wondering about the empty parking lot, rest easy. The Downtown Bay City Farmer's Market will open Thursday for its fifth year, said Jan Rise, market master. Hours are from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. through June 21. After that the market stays open until 5:30 p.m. until school starts, then shifts back to 3:30 closing for fall. The downtown market also participates in the Double Up Food Bucks program, which allows Bridge Card holders to have up to $20 matched when they buy Michigan-grown fresh fruits and vegetables there. Participants can stop by the Market Master booth before buying their produce and for every $2 they spend, they are eligible to receive $2 in tokens, up to $20 each day.

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Bay City State Recreation Area to unveil new movie program

Starting at about 8:45 p.m. Saturday, June 2, Bay City State Recreation Area patrons will be able to watch outdoor movies with a scenic backdrop. The program, "Movies by the Bay," will feature a different movie screened each Saturday from June 2 to Sept. 1 on a 16-foot screen in the lawn near the "Spray by the  Bay" spray park, state park Manager George Lauinger said. Opening night will feature "Dolphin Tale," a movie about a dolphin given an artificial tail.

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American Idol winner Scotty McCreery headlines Bay City's Labadie Pig Gig

Headlining this year's Labadie Pig Gig is 2011 "American Idol" winner Scotty McCreery. McCreery hits the stage Aug. 4. “He is an extremely talented young man,” said Wendy Dore, Pig Gig organizer. “He just turned 18, and all the young girls of America love him.” The proof is in his debut studio album, “Clear as Day.” Released in October 2011, it was certified platinum in the United States. The album includes the top 20 country songs "I Love You This Big" and "The Trouble with Girls." The album also reached No. 1 on the Billboard 200.

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Bay City police investigate possible shooting at Baytown Family Neighborhood

Bay City police and its crime lab van are on the scene at Baytown Family Neighborhood, 1114 N. Jackson in Bay City, after reports of a shooting there. Neighbor Terry Enser said he heard what sounded like small-caliber gunfire before a car drove quickly south on Jackson about 1:30 p.m. Two ambulances came and have since departed. Numerous police detectives and lieutenants are there, and officials just removed crime tape that blocked the 1100 block of Jackson at Third Street. A few neighbors are standing outside, observing.

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Day 21: Bay City's Independence Bridge still closed to vehicle traffic

Bay City's Independence Bridge still is closed to vehicle traffic, annoying motorists and causing delays as the 25,000 or so vehicles that ordinarily cross the bridge daily must take another route. The City of Bay City's last word on the bridge came May 17,  with the announcement that the bridge would "remain closed to vehicular traffic due to the legal obligation to keep the river open for shipping traffic." Electrical system repairs and test closings and openings were scheduled for the rest of the week, the city said. Kurt Hausbeck, interim street, sanitation and fleet superintendent, could not be reached this week for an update.

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Seat belt enforcement zones scheduled in Bay County, elsewhere

Local law enforcement agencies are emphasizing seat belt use with enforcement zones beginning this week. The Bay City Police Department, Bay City's Sheriff's Department and Michigan State Police from the Bay City Post will be targeting seat belt use during specific announced time periods to raise awareness. Signs will be posted in these areas and officers will be visible on foot and in patrol vehicles.

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Bay Area Community Foundation awards 100 scholarships to first-generation college students

The Bay Area Community Foundation is helping Bay County students attend college. The foundation presented the Bay Commitment Scholarships to 100 students on May 15. Each student receives a $2,000 scholarship to attend either Delta College or Saginaw Valley State University. The scholarships reward students graduating from a Bay County high school who have lived in county for the past six years. The scholarship is designed for first-generation students, with neither parent holding a bachelor’s degree. “We are pleased to be a founding partner of the Bay Commitment Scholarship”, stated Eileen Curtis, Bay Area Community Foundation President and CEO.

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