Once again, Hospice of Lenawee is sponsoring “Lights of Love” remembrance trees throughout Lenawee County — specifically in the communities of Adrian, Blissfield, Clinton, Hudson, Morenci, Onsted and Tecumseh. These holiday trees will be lighted on Sunday, Dec. 8, 2013 at 6 p.m. at special lighting ceremonies in each location — with a reception following. The public is welcome to attend.
Author: Doug Donnelly
Ottawa Lake native Doug Donnelly is the editor and publisher of The Advance and Overtime, the Lenawee County Sports Weekly.
Riga firefighters to host Feather Party
RIGA — The Riga Firefighters Association will be hosting its annual Feather Party at 6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7 at the Riga Township Hall. The Feather Party will feature cash prize raffles, along with raffles for turkeys and hams and a whole hog raffle. Raffle ticket prices are $1 and can be purchased from any Riga firefighter. For more information on the party and raffles, contact Riga fire chief Mike Norman at 517-673-6283.
Chamber concert Sunday in Blissfield
A concert of chamber music by Adrian College will be presented at 3 p.m. Sunday in the next Blissfield Community Concert Series event at the Blissfield Presbyterian Church, 304 Franklin, Blissfield. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for K-12 students. Tickets are at the Blissfield Village Office, Royal Expressions and at the door.
Detroit homicide cop 4-3 chief choice for Blissfield
Copyright 2013, River Raisin Publications, Inc.
The village of Blissfield is about to have a new police chief. After interviewing three candidates Nov. 19, Blissfield Village Council members voted to offer the job of Blissfield Village Police Department chief to Detroit homicide officer Dale Greenleaf in their Monday night meeting.
Blissfield Village administrator Jim Wonacott Tuesday confirmed that Greenleaf has accepted the position and will begin on Monday, Dec. 9, working in transition with current chief Jane Kelley who is retiring at the year.
Voting in favor were Randy Kelley, A. Ray Jones, George Brown and Art Weeber. Voting no were village president Mike Gunter, Mark Burgermeister and Bob Valdez.
In his interview, Greenleaf told the council be would be “that watchdog of the community.”
For the complete story by reporter Melissa Burnor, please see the Nov. 27, 2013, edition of The Advance.
Blissfield chosen for help in seeking historic designation
By Melissa Burnor
The Michigan Main Street program announced Wednesday, Nov. 20, that it has chosen Blissfield village as one of three communities it will assist to apply for designation in the National Register of Historic Places.
Michigan Main Street will hire a consultant to aid in the application process.
Blissfield is an official Main Street community.
Lady Bobcats’ state journey comes to an end
Starting off on a roll, the Whiteford Bobcat volleyball team continued their winning ways in state playoff action against Auburn Hills Tuesday night, winning 25-19 and 25-9 in the first two sets. But the tide turned in the third set, as the Lady ‘Cats lost a close set 27-25.
After being tied in two sets apiece with a loss in the fourth of 25-17, everything turned on the fifth and final set. Auburn Hills, with a 15-8 win, took the night and advances to semi-finals at Battle Creek.
The Whiteford team has had a stellar season this year, claiming their league title, the District crown and their Regional Championship.
For the full story by on-the-scene Chad Hutchinson, please see the Nov. 27, 2013, edition of The Advance. For a salute to their outstanding performance in the fall 2013 season, please see the Nov. 20 edition which also chronicles their regional sweep.
Driver dead in U.S. 223 car-semi crash may have killed girlfriend first, authorities believe
By Melissa Burnor
OTTAWA LAKE — Investigators from think a man who died in a fatal accident Monday in Whiteford Township may have killed his girlfriend earlier before his life ended when his vehicle crossed the center line on U.S. 223 into the path of an oncoming tractor-trailer.
Mark Herrick, 44, Howell, was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash on U.S. 223 just east of Memorial Highway at about 2:21 p.m. Monday. The Livingston County Sheiiff’s Department is investigating the alleged homicide of the man’s live-in girlfriend after her body was discovered in her residence in Osceola when she failed to show up for work earlier in the day.
Monroe County Sheriff’s deputy Brian Francisco, who is aiding in the crash investigation, said he could not say anything more about the incident other than the deceased driver had come from the Livingston County area.
Police said the man crossed the centerline in a 2013 Chevrolet Malibu and hit the 2013 Peterbilt semi-tractor trailer head on. He was ejected from his vehicle upon impact. The driver of the semi, Tyrone Garner, 49, Canton, was not injured.
The Monroe County Sheriff’s Department continues to investigate the crash while the homicide of the unidentified woman is under jurisdiction of the Livingston County Sheriff’s Department.
Updated 9:30 a.m. Nov. 20, 2013
Blissfield Concert Series features chamber music
Chamber music will be featured in the Blissfield Community Concert Series’ next concert at 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 1 at the Blissfield Presbyterian Church, 304 Franklin St. The concert is being directed by Marty Marks, director of bands at Adrian College.
Under his guidance and direction, the Adrian College Bulldog Marching Band was selected to perform in the 2013 London, England, New Year’s Day Parade. The concert theme “Chamber Music from Adrian College.” Adrian College music instructor and vocal coach Mariah Mlynarek will also join the performance as an accompanist.
The cost of tickets is $10 for adults and $5 for K-12 students. Tickets for the performance can be purchased at the Blissfield Village Office or Royal Expressions on Lane Street. Tickets will also be available at the door.
For more on this concert, please see the Nov. 20, 2013, edition of The Advance.
Storm leaves many residents in the dark
More than 3,300 Consumers Energy customers in Lenawee County and 1200 Monroe County customers were still without electrical power late Monday night after strong storms with high winds pelted the Midwest. Several areas in Indiana and Illinois were struck by tornadoes Sunday afternoon and evening. More than 500,000 customers statewide were affected by the power outages that began Sunday when strong winds gusting in excess of 60 mph whipped around the state. In Lenawee County as many as 5,981 households were without power Monday, according to Lenawee Emergency Management director Curtis Parsons.
For the complete story, please see the Nov. 20, 2013, edition of The ADVANCE.
Robert Iott
OTTAWA LAKE — Robert (Bob) Iott, 71, of Brooklyn, Mich., previously from Ottawa Lake, passed away suddenly on Thursday, November 14, 2013 while residing in Lorida, Fla. He was born on October 2,1942, in Monroe, to Robert H. “Babe” and Katheryn “Betty” (Brown) Iott. He graduated from Whiteford High School in 1960. He married Judy Marsh. He spent his years farming, driving truck, fishing, bowling, and playing softball. He was preceded in death by his father, Robert H. Iott. He is survived by his mother, Katheryn (Betty) Iott; his children: Renee (Philip) Ruetz, Wendy Iott, Rhonda (David) McCormick, Kevin (Rachel) Iott and Ryan Iott, grandchildren; Kelsey, Julian, Jessica, Morgan, Joshua, Matthew, Taylor, and Troy; siblings, Patrick (Ruthann) Iott, Sharon (John) Stchur, Linda (John) Fisher, Nancy Iott, and Michelle (Shelly) Bronson, and companion, Dolores Martel. Visitation will be held at the Reeb funeral Home, 5712 N. Main St., Sylvania, OH. Thursday, November 21, 2013 from 3-8 P.M. where funeral services will be conducted, Friday, November 22, 2013 at 10 a.m. The family suggests tributes in the form of contributions to the American Heart Association. Online condolences may be offered to Bob’s family at www.reebfuneralhome.com