Deerfield Road between Payne and Bleasner Highways was closed for a period due to a two-vehicle crash that occurred just before 11 a.m. Wednesday, June 18, and resulted in the death of a Deerfield man.
The medical helicopter prepares to land at the Deerfield Road accident scene Wednesday morning. (Copyright 2014, River Raisin Publications, Inc./Melissa Burnor
Preliminary reports from a Michigan State Police accident investigator said a westbound vehicle driven by Harold Vogt, 54, Deerfield, allegedly crossed the center of the roadway and struck an oncoming car. Two people in the eastbound vehicle were taken to Bixby Hospital for treatment. Vogt had to be extracted by fire and rescue crews with a Jaws of Life.
St. Vincent’s medical helicopter was on the scene, but Vogt was transported by ambulance to Bixby Hospital.
For the complete story, please see the June 25, 2014, edition of The Advance.
MUSKEGON – Miss River Raisin Festival Nicole Miller, Palmyra, was selected as first runner-up to Miss Michigan 2014, KT Maviglia of Dundee, at the annual Miss Michigan Pageant in Muskegon Saturday evening.
The 20-year-old Miller performed a musical theatre dance in an ice-blue costumed to “Sweet Georgia Brown” and presented a platform of “Building Blocks: Early Childhood Education.” Miller wore a mango-colored swimsuit and a black evening gown in the competition which included the categories of swimsuit, evening gown, talent, onstage question and personal interview.
“I knew she was doing well as the two nights of preliminaries unfolded,” said Marcia Loader, executive director of the Miss River Raisin Festival Scholarship Program. “But you just never know who will make top 10 – especially because the private interview is not seen by the audience.
“She was the first one called into the 10 and was able to compete in all phases of the competition on Saturday night.
“Then, they narrowed the field to a top five … and there she was with Miss Washtenaw County (Maviglia), Miss Spirit of the State,
Miss River Raisin Festival 2013 Nicole Miller, 20, Palmyra, was the first runner-up to Miss Michigan 2014 KT Maviglia of Dundee in the Miss Michigan Pageant Saturday, June 14, in Muskegon.
, Miss Greater Grand Rapids and Miss Mid Michigan. After an onstage question, the results were in and they called out the fourth runner-up, then the third, then there were three and Nicole was still standing. Our committee members were holding hands as we saw her with a swimsuit preliminary winner and the first runner-up from 2013’s state pageant awaiting the final results,” she continued.
“But then the second runner-up was called and it wasn’t her, and the two friends (Maviglia and Miller) – they have danced together – were standing in that ‘last-two-standing’ position, facing one another and holding hands. It was incredibly exciting, because even as Nicole was named first runner-up, she was so very close to that state title. Being first runner-up is a huge honor and responsibility. The fact that these two young women have a dancing history and friendship only made it more special. And she is young enough to try again.”
Since being crowned in July 2013, Miller has completed Dale Carnegie training and has worked with an interview team weekly since January to stay on top of current events, issues of the days and to develop communication skills. She attends Lansing Community College where she works in the interpreter program for the deaf. She wishes to become a preschool educator and specialize in preschool education for deaf children.
She won a $5000 scholarship.
Thirty-four young women competed for the title from throughout Michigan. It was Miller’s first trip to the state pageant. Maviglia was last year’s first runner-up and found her third trip to the state pageant as the charm. As Miss Michigan, she will compete for the title of Miss America at Atlantic City’s Boardwalk Hall in September.
Also competing in the state pageant from Lenawee County was Charlotte Squires of Britton, Miss Tip of the Mitt and Miss River Raisin Festival 2012. She performed a vocal presentation of “Let it Go!” from the movie “Frozen,” and represented her platform of “Service to – and through – Animals.”
For the rest of the story, please see the June 18, 2014, edition of The Advance.
The Blissfield Board of Education hosted a special meeting Tuesday, June 3, to conduct interviews with their three possible candidates to replace Scott Moellenberndt as superintendent of Blissfield Community Schools.
David Pray, Andrew Shaw and Blissfield High School Principal Jerry Johnson were all present at the meeting. Shaw and Pray are former school superintendents. Shaw, Pray and Johnson spoke to the board in that order, discussing their previous work roles, achievements, financial roles as well as difficulties. The board asked questions following the candidate’s addresses regarding what they could do for the school district as a superintendent, as well as their availability schedule.
Questions were posed as to whether Johnson could still work both interim as well as high school principal and the board hashed that out. Suggestions were made that Johnson stay on as principal to stave off the “musical chairs” of moving around employees to cover lost roles. It was also mentioned that if the board voted Johnson in as interim they could still find a person who appears more qualified for the permanent role, which would appear as a disservice to their current employees.
Trustee Bob Beckey made a motion to hire retired Clinton Schools superintendent David Pray as interim superintendent. Board treasurer Brian McEwan supported the motion. The board voted 5-2 to hire Pray, with Bruce Carter and Scott Abbott voting no.
For the complete story, please pick up the June 11, 2014, edition of The Advance.
