Large voter turnout predicted

County taxes, windmills on ballot

A large voter turnout, possibly record-setting, is anticipated for next week’s primary election. In addition to choosing Democratic or Republican candidates for president, voters will decide four county tax proposals, two township referendums on windmill zoning, and four township tax proposals. The original purpose of the March 8 election was Michigan’s Presidential Primary. But when the state opened it up […]

Collecting water for Flint



Marion windmill petitions filed

Signers want vote on ordinance

MARION TWP. — When the township board meets Thursday, windmills will be on the agenda. Dick McEachin, chairman of the township planning commission, said the board is expected to consider the commission’s request to hire an engineering firm to review the special land use permit application submitted by Exelon Generation, the company that wants to build 40 additional wind turbines […]

Students ace shoe drive projects

Thousands of pairs collected for needy

The Sanilac I.S.D.’s drive to provide shoes for Third World countries has been a success. “We set a goal of collecting 2,500 pairs,” said project coordinator Alysha Peruski. “We’ve taken in 3,900 pairs so far, with several collection bins still to be turned in.” Peruski is an instructor of the A.C.E. (Alternate Career Education) class at the Sanilac Career Center. […]

Work release escapee gets another year



The work release inmate who cut off his monitoring tether and ran away has been sentenced. Roy Smutek, 28, of Melvin pled guilty to one count of escape from a felony jail sentence. He was sentenced in the 24th Judicial Circuit Court to one year in the Sanilac County jail, with this latest sentence to run consecutively to a previous […]

Michigan Sugar acquires cane sugar plant



BAY CITY — The third largest beet sugar producer in the United States is expanding into cane sugar production. Michigan Sugar Company, maker of Pioneer and Big Chief brand sugars has acquired the assets of AmCane Sugar LLC, a cane sugar refiner and specialty sugar manufacturer based in Taylor, MI. AmCane’s refinery and packaging and blending operation in Toledo, Ohio, […]

Report: Frostick in top 100 elementary schools



Frostick Elementary School in Croswell made the top 100 list of Michigan schools, based on criteria gathered by the Mackinac Center for Public Policy. The Center, based in Midland, has released a new “report card” ranking 2,246 elementary and middle schools across the state. Frostick was the only school in the five-county Thumb area (Sanilac, St. Clair, Huron, Tuscola and […]

Community Calendar



FOOD/BENEFITS Saturday March 5 Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation Thumb Michigan Chapter 20th Annual Banquet & Auction, Knights of Columbus Hall, 7556 S. Lakeshore Rd., Lexington. Doors open 5 p.m., dinner 7 p.m., silent auction & raffles 5-7 p.m. Tickets, call Dave 810-648-2086, 810-404-4667. Sunday March 6 Country breakfast & bake sale, 8-11 a.m., St. John Parish Hall, 5335 S. Sandusky […]

District Court



The following individuals were sentenced or bound over to Circuit Court in 73A District Court Sanilac County: Andrew M. Werdah, a.k.a Andrew M. Werdeh, 28, Madison Heights. Count 1: Assault with intent to rob while armed. Count 2: Conspiracy to assault with intent to rob while armed. Count 3: Home invasion 1st degree. Bound over. Cassie M. Byczek, 26, Marlette. […]

Circuit Court



The following people have been sentenced in 24 Judicial Circuit Court: Richard D. Fenner, 50, Port Sanilac. Assault/resisting/ obstructing a peace officer. 180 days in jail with credit for 52 days served, 2 years probation, substance abuse treatment. The following individuals are guilty of contempt of court for failure to pay child support: Alicia S. E. Brown, 28, Sandusky. 90 […]