Month: January 2014

Winter won’t loosen icy grip on region

Winter’s icy grip has taken hold of the Midwest and is not predicted to let go anytime soon. Record low temperatures, snow, and gusty winds have sent residents inside, caused local schools to cancel more than a week’s worth of classes and even contributed to propane gas shortages. As another round of winter storms wreaked havoc on the area Monday, local authorities were urging residents to use caution or stay off roads if possible.

Lenawee County Sheriff Jack Welsh and Emergency Management Coordinator Curtis Parsons issued a level B- Snow condition yellow effective as of 4 p.m. Monday.

“A snow condition yellow means that road conditions are extremely hazardous with heavy snow, severe drifting, and or widespread ice. Generally only one lane is open for traffic which is moving at a slow speed with occasional stalled vehicles. Motorists are urged to curtail driving unless an emergency,” a joint press release said. Road conditions in the southern portion of the county as well as open areas were poor and high snow drifts were reported Monday afternoon by the Lenawee County Road Commission.

The Monroe County Road Commission also warned the public of road conditions and upgraded an advisory to a Level 2 watch. According to Monroe County Road Commission Chairman Bob Stammer only those who feel it i necessary to drive should be on the roads.

The lower temperatures mixed with the higher winds have had many people worried about staying warm.

Lynn Lietzke, owner of Bill’s Service said Friday he has made several generator repairs as people prepare for the deep freeze. New generator purchases were also on people’s minds as well.

Another concern for many rural residents is the shortage of propane gas. A press release from Senator Bruce Caswell’s office called the propane gas shortage unprecedented. He was working with the Michigan Attorney General’s office to ensure Michigan propane companies did not engage in price gouging.

The harsh conditions also resulted in a 90-day extension to Dunnigan Brothers Inc., Jackson to finish the sewer project along Memorial Hwy. in Ottawa Lake.

For more weather news, please see the Jan. 29, 2014, edition of The Advance.

New banners brighten Blissfield, thanks to young artists

The Blissfield DDA/Main Street partnered with art students at Blissfield High School to create new banners for travelers along U.S. 223.

Through this partnership, high school grade students of art teacher Rob Stranges at Blissfield High School painted their own designs on blank banners provided by the Blissfield DDA/Main Street.

“We had a number of blank banners just sitting in a box in storage,” said Patricia Rayl, DDA/Main Street director. “Thanks to Rob Stranges’ students, we now have nine new banners decorating our light posts along Adrian Street.”

For the complete story, please see the Jan. 29, 2014, edition of The Advance.

Blissfield under 24-hour snow emergency

Blissfield Police Chief Dale Greenleaf has declared a snow emergency in the village of Blissfield beginning at noon Monday, Jan. 27. and concluding at noon Tuesday, Jan. 28.

This means any motor vehicle, trailer or moveable object must be removed from the streets by their owners or the  object may be towed and the owner ticketed.

 

 

Cancellations: Monday, Jan. 27

School was cancelled today (Jan. 27) in Blissfield, Whiteford and Britton Deerfield due to weather.
The Whiteford women’s varsity and junior varsity basketball game scheduled for Monday, Jan. 27 is canceled. No makeup date has been scheduled.
Blissfield Schools Monday, Jan. 27, athletic events – practices and games — are cancelled. The women’s JV and varsity  basketball game vs. Hillsdale for Jan. 27 has been rescheduled for this Wednesday, Jan. 29.
In addition, the Blissfield Athletic Boosters meeting scheduled for Monday night is also cancelled.

Men’s basketball: Jan. 22, 2014

BRITTON DEERFIELD

The Britton Deerfield men’s basketball team picked up a win early in the week against Sand Creek but ended the week on a low note with back-to-back losses against Madison and Addison.

Copyright 2014, River Raisin Publications, Inc.

BLISSFIELD

The Blissfield men’s basketball team dropped a pair of hard-fought games last week, falling to Erie-Mason 63-43 and Columbia Central 70-65. Blissfield’s record stands at 2-4 overall and 1-3 in the LCAA.

Women’s basketball: Jan. 22, 2014

A Royal goes up for two against Onsted in the Coming Home game Feb. 17. Photo by Chad Hutchinson. Copyright 2014, River Raisin Publications, Inc.

BLISSFIELD

The Blissfield women’s basketball team has continued its pursuit of perfection with a 3-0 week that included victories on the road against Erie-Mason 59-22 and Columbia Central 44-19 and put the finishing touches on Coming Home week with a win over LCAA rival Onsted 56-34. Blissfield’s record now stands at 9-0 and 5-0 in the LCAA.

BRITTON DEERFIELD

The Britton Deerfield Lady Patriots were handed their first loss of the season Friday evening at the hands of the Madison Trojans 49-45.

Brian Domanski

TOLEDO, Ohio — Brian J. “Shaggy” Domanski, 39 of Toledo, formerly of Deerfield passed away unexpectedly. He was born on December 2, 1974 in Toledo, Ohio, the son of Daniel and Petrica “Pat” (Spannagel) Domanski. Brian graduated in 1993 from Deerfield High School. He was working at PPI (Production Products Inc.), in Columbus Grove, Ohio. Brian lived life to the fullest riding his Harley, shooting pool and being out on the water. Brian’s pool shooting abilities sent him twice to Las Vegas for tournaments. He was a very social person and loved spending time with family and friends. Brian is survived by his parents, Dan and Pat Domanski of Deerfield; three brothers, Danny Ray (Debbie) Domanski of Deerfield, Chris (Jen) Domanski of Brighton and Chad (Ashley Hartman) Domanski of Walbridge, Ohio; maternal grandmother, Arleta Spannagel of Boerne, Texas; his nieces and nephews, Ericca, Bailey, Cole, Clara, Grace and Jake and one great nephew, Talen. Brian was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, Ray and Mary Domanski, his maternal grandfather, Russell Spannagel, his Aunt Pat and two uncles, DeWayne and Kenny Spannagel. Funeral services for Brian will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, January 25, 2014, at the Anderson-Rudd Funeral Home in Blissfield with Pastor Paul Clark officiating. Burial will follow in Deerfield Cemetery in Deerfield. Visitation will take place from 2-8 p.m. on Friday, January 24, 2014 at the funeral home. Condolences to the family may be made online at www.andersonfuneralservices.com. Memorial contributions in Brian’s memory may be made to his family. Envelopes are available at the Anderson-Rudd Funeral Home in Blissfield.

Linda Klump

Linda J. Klump, 55, of Arlington Heights, Ill., passed away Thursday, January 16, 2014, from influenza at the University of Chicago Medical Center. Born November 19, 1958, in Adrian, Linda was the oldest child of Arnold and Barbara (Bailor) Klump. She graduated from Blissfield High School and attended Calvin College before graduating from Michigan State University. Linda passed the CPA exam a few years after college and worked in the insurance industry her whole career. She is survived by her life partner, Tom Mullaly, father Arnold Klump of Blissfield, brothers Bruce Klump of Los Angeles, Calif., and Bryan (Laura) Klump and nieces Elaina and Alexa Klump of Toledo, Ohio. She was preceded in death by her mother Barbara Klump. Visitation will be held at the Elem3nt Church in Blissfield today (Wednesday, Jan. 22)from 5-6 p.m. followed by a memorial service at 6 p.m.