2013 as chronicled in the pages of the Onaway Outlook, Part I
by Angie Asam-Staff Writer
Another year has come and gone. As we prepare to enter 2014 its time to take a look back at the news that headlined stories in the Outlook in the first half of 2013.
JANUARY
Newly elected Presque Isle county clerk Ann Marie Main and treasurer Bridget LaLonde took their oaths of office.
Nora Eve Freel was the New Year’s Baby 2013. She was born at 2:42 p.m. on Jan. 1, at McLaren Northern Michigan hospital in Petoskey. Parents Aaron and Sheri Freel brought their first little bundle of joy home a few days later.
Staff Sgt. Matthew H. Cherette, who was serving with the Army National Guard in Afghanistan nominated Tom Moran and Moran Iron Works (MIW) for a distinguished Patriotic Award for going above and beyond requirements to support him as an employee. Moran was presented the award at his shop in Onaway.
A city budget workshop revealed a projected deficit of $50,000. The city was going to be seeking the input of the taxpayers to assist in making some tough decisions.
After starting the season 5-0 the Onaway High School (OHS) boys’ basketball team fell to Mancelona 64-53.
The Presque Isle County Board of Commissioners approved a resolution of intent to proceed with the courthouse renovation project. They approved a notice of intent to issue bonds in an amount up to $3.5 million with an interest rate not to exceed 4 percent. It started a 45-day voter referendum period during which voters could petition the issue to go to a vote of the people.
The OHS Drama Club presented “Alias Smedley Pewtree or The Villain of Glitter Gulch,” a one-act comedy. Cast members were Denise Porter, Sara Fullerton, Jordan Bischer, Ellie McLellan, Victoria Anglin, Thomas Anglin, Brianna Fitzpatrick and Mike Hart, Jr.
Army Pvt. 1st class Anthony Lane, a 2011 graduate of OHS, recently completed an eight-month stint in Afghanistan and took a three-week furlough back home to see his grandmother.
The OHS girls’ basketball team won seven straight with a 52-14 win over Wolverine.
The debate continued regarding what to do with a projected shortfall in the city budget. The Onaway City Commission had sent out a survey to receive input from taxpayers about possibly cutting the Onaway Police Department (OPD). The survey asked taxpayers to decide on one of three questions about keeping the OPD and letting the roads turn to gravel; eliminate the OPD and reduce the budget; or support a tax increase of up to four mills to pay for the one officer, chief Jim Gibson. The city was looking at a projected deficit of more than $50,000. Residents filled the meeting room to share their opinions and comment on the issue. There was strong support for maintaining a police presence in Onaway.
Onaway Area Community Schools (OACS) was named an academic state champion as it was ranked as the 29th best school in the State of Michigan.
FEBRUARY
MIW announced plans to expand and add 75 new jobs. Using a $2 million grant from the Michigan Strategic Fund, MIW planned a multimillion dollar expansion to its Onaway facility as well as a new $6 million facility at the Port of Calcite, a new $4 million crane for the port and improvements to the port facility.
Sturgeon for Tomorrow hosted the Black Lake Sturgeon Shivaree. The sturgeon limit was reached just three days into fishing.
Consumers Energy signed a $19 million contract with MIW for the fabrication of clean-air equipment for a power plant.
OHS Snowcoming was celebrated with queen Cassidy Hyde and king Joey Heltsley reigning over the night. Court members were seniors Andrew Perry and Meagan Self; juniors Tyler Welklin, Carlos Burcicki, Emily Glass and Codie Gray; sophomores Jamal Porter, Ethan Arkwood, Brea Price and Shelby Wolgast; and freshmen Brad Boser, Brad Brewbaker, Elaina Madison and Shawna Klein.
The Onaway city commission discussed the results of a survey it had sent out to taxpayers. Of the 406 surveys sent out 211 or 52 percent of them were returned. Of the 80 commercial surveys sent out 66 percent or 53 of the surveys were returned. 326 resident surveys were set out with 158 (48 percent) being returned. Of the surveys returned 36 percent supported the elimination of the OPD while 31 percent wanted to keep the OPD and allow roads to return to gravel in some areas if necessary while another 28 percent supported a tax levy of up to four mills to keep the OPD and invest in roads. An additional 15 surveys made other suggestions such as eliminating the city manager position or a department of public works’ position.
Kallie Shimel, OHS girls’ basketball player, set a new school record when she drained her 88th-career 3-pointer to break the 12-year-old record set by Leslie Winfield (1987).
A large crowd gathered at the Rogers City Area Senior & Community Center to learn about the Port Calcite Collaborative, the agreement between MIW and Carmeuse Lime & Stone.
Hailey Kimball, a 2009 graduate of OHS and her partner represented Saginaw Valley State University well as they finished among the top in the nation at the 2013 American Collegiate Moot Court Association national championships.
OHS freshman Isaac Nave won a district wrestling title at 103 pounds. Nave, Joe Traynham, Morgan Robins, Justin Gedda and Casey Watson qualified to compete in individual regionals.
OHS senior Sam Brasseur signed her national Letter of Intent to play softball for Kellogg Community College.
Army Pfc. Josh Leonard, a 2009 OHS graduate completed a seven-month deployment in Afghanistan and returned to Fort Bragg, North Carolina.
The referendum period for the county courthouse renovation was coming to an end and no one had filed any petitions.
The Presque Isle County Board of Commissioners extended the contract of county resource officer Joe Libby until July to align it with the fiscal year.
Isaac Nave and Robins punched their tickets to the individual state wrestling finals after placing third at regionals in Rogers City.
The OHS boys’ basketball team won an overtime thriller over Rogers City 68-61.
MARCH
The Onaway Area Chamber of Commerce selected school resource officer Lewis Robinson Sr. as the person of the year for his dedication to OACS and the students he mentors and coaches. OACS principal/athletic director Marty Mix was among those nominated to be grand marshal of the Fourth of July parade for all the time, dedication and support he devotes to the students of the district. MIW was named the business of the year for its devotion to the community.
The OHS girls’ basketball season came to an end with a loss to Rogers City in the district semifinals 41-36.
Conditions for the ninth annual Black Mountain Nordic Classic were ideal.
OHS announced honor students for the class of 2013. Four valedictorians, Emily Estep, Megan Estep, Hyde and Shimel led the class. Chet Winfield was the salutatorian while Madison Nash was the honor student.
The Michigan Court of Appeals denied an appeal made by the Michigan attorney general’s office in a case against prosecuting attorney Rick Steiger who was accused of illegally obtaining prescription drugs.
The Onaway city commission voiced their support for a law enforcement agreement with the Presque Isle County Sheriff’s Department (PISD). The proposal had OPD chief Jim Gibson joining the PISD as a deputy and the department would in turn station a deputy in Onaway at a minimum of 40 hours per week. The city would pay $50,000 annually to the PISD until they had an opening and Jim Gibson could be rolled into that opening. The contract was still being finalized as no action had been taken.
The season came to an end for the OHS boys’ basketball team when they fell to Posen in the district semifinals 72-67.
Although financial paperwork was still being finalized MIW was able to get its new $4 million crane delivered to the Port of Calcite before frost laws went into effect.
The OHS National Honor Society inducted 12 new members. New members were Victoria Anglin, Elise Arkwood, Christian Cleaver, Shyanne Corey, Brianna Fitzpatrick, Kristy Hopp, Danielle Hosner, Lindsey LaLonde, Denise Porter, Joe Traynham, Tiffany Traynham and Lisa Tulgestke.
The city commission approved the draft of an intergovernmental angreement with the PISD that would allow OPD chief Jim Gibson to join the PISD. The agreement still needed to be reviewed and finalized by the county. Jim Gibson’s contract was extended 30 days to the end of April while details were being worked out on the agreement.
OHS senior Emily Estep won a state powerlifting title as she lifted 635 pounds.
OHS seniors Emily and Megan Estep signed their national Letters of Intent to play softball at Lake Superior State University.
APRIL
The Presque Isle County Board of Commissioners expressed some reservations about approving the proposal with the Onaway City Commission regarding the OPD and chief Jim Gibson too quickly. The commissioners wanted to take their time in making a decision.
MIW got its own funding source for the new crane at the Port of Calcite. The crane was ready for operation and MIW employees were undergoing training.
OHS junior Mariah Ehrke was named to the Detroit Free Presss all-state honorable mention team for her efforts on the basketball court. Shimel was named second-team all-conference while Emily Estep earned honorable mention all-conference honors.
With the only issue on the agenda at the city commission meeting being the OPD, commissioners took the majority of the meeting to listen and respond to citizens’ comments and questions on the issue.
Art Van Furniture announced that it would be closing the Onaway store at the end of May, taking 25 jobs from the community.
More than 30 people attended a town hall meeting at the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5857. The group calling itself Concerned Citizens for a Safer Community hosted the meeting. The meeting made it apparent that the recall of three city commissioners was coming.
Presque Isle County had the Lower Peninsula’s highest unemployment rate when the Michigan Department of Technology, Management and Budget released figures. The county had an unemployment rate of 19.7 percent, second only to Mackinac County with a rate of 24.6 percent.
Onaway Area Chamber of Commerce president Connie Gibson announced that the annual chamber dinner scheduled for April 27 had been canceled until further notice.
OHS junior Joe O’Bradovich earned first-team all-conference honors in basketball. Senior Jason Sigsby and junior Carlos Bautista earned all-conference honorable mention honors.
The OHS Drama Club presented a one-act drama, “The Littlest Amazon,” which featured both high school and middle school students. Cast and crew members were McLellan, Denise Porter, Victoria Anglin, Mary Bandish, Brianna Fitzpatrick, Emilee Madison, Bischer, Tiffany Traynham, Nash, Jazmyn Tibbits, Maddy Watts, Krystal Gedda, Justin Pochmara, Mike Hart Jr., Fullerton, Alyssa Roat, Grace Hart, Lisa Tulgestke, Darbey Gaynor, Barbara Stitt, Brooklyn Hoffmeyer, Jaidyn Lively, Kayla Metty, Cienna Domke, Caitlyn Fitzpatrick, Maggie Jones, Hope Faith, Maribel Janeczek, Lia Tulgestke and Audrey Oberlin.
Ocqueoc Falls Bicentennial Pathway received a 2013 da Vinci award for being the only universally accessible waterfall in the country.
Miss Onaway 2012 Fullerton was organizing a walk for multiple sclerosis to complete her community service project.
The Presque Isle County Election Commission scheduled a clarity and factual hearing to discuss petitions against Onaway mayor Gary Wregglesworth and commissioners Jessie Horrocks and Chuck Abshagen. The petitions were rejected but the Concerned Citizens for a Safer Community planned to revise them and resubmit them.
MAY
While discussions between officials from the city of Onaway and Presque Isle County concerning a law enforcement agreement continued, the city moved on without an on duty police officer. No action was taken to extend the contract of OPD chief Jim Gibson, which expired April 30.
New recall petitions were submitted to the Presque Isle County Election Commission for the recall of mayor Wregglesworth and commissioners Jessie Horrocks and Abshagen.
Andrew LaLonde, a 2007 graduate of OHS and a Rogers City police officer, saved the life of a 77-year-old Rogers City man when he performed CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) until an ambulance could arrive with an AED (automated external defibrillator).
Allie Jo Nave, a 2010 graduate of OHS, shined for the Alma College Scots softball team during the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) tournament. Allie Jo Nave had a single and a stolen base in the bottom of the fifth inning of a 1-0 win over Adrian College.
Payton Lupu, a 2010 graduate of OHS, broke the Alma College track and field record in the hammer throw. The next day she also found out she broke an MIAA record whle she was enroute to a conference championship.
The OACS operating millage was renewed with 289 voting yes and just 125 voting no.
The Michigan attorney general’s deadline to file another appeal in its complaint against Presque Isle County prosecutor Steiger had passed, officially ending a 16-month legal battle.
The multiple sclerosis walk put on by Miss Onaway 2012 Fullerton went well as she raised $2,548.50 for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.
The Presque Isle County Election Commission approved language to recall mayor Wregglesworth and commissioners Jessie Horrocks and Abshagen.
OHS sophomore Morganne Badgero received permission from the OACS board of education to put a salt water fish tank in the commons area of the middle/high school. Badgero had received a grant from the Great Lakes Stewardship Initiative to purchase the tank and wildlife.
The OHS baseball team swept Central Lake to improve to 9-0 in conference play.
Presque Isle Academy graduated 22 students.
Opening day festivities were held for Onaway Little League. Field No. 2 was rededicated after off-season improvements.
The Presque Isle County Board of Commissioners gave $1,000 to help fund the Case Township Summer Recreation Program.
OHS junior O’Brad-ovich and seniors Emily Estep and Brasseur qualified for the state track competition. O’Bradovich qualified by winning the high jump at regionals at a height of 5’9”. Emily Estep qualified in the 100 and 200 meter dash while Brasseur qualified in the shot put.
Kimball, valedictorian of the OHS class of 2009, was named an outstanding student from the College of Arts and Behavioral sciences by Saginaw Valley State University.
JUNE
The OHS baseball team won the district title, defeating Rogers City 7-6 and Inland Lakes 15-3. The Cardinals were trailing the Hurons 6-2 in the district semifinals going into the final inning and rallied to come from behind and win the teams first district title since 2000.
The city approved an agreement with the PISD that would take effect July 1 if approved by the county board of commissioners. The agreement was that the city would pay $29,000 annually for a minimum of 832 hours of coverage throughout the year.
The OHS softball team had its season come to an end with a 6-5 loss to Rogers City in extra innings in the district semifinals.
O’Bradovich jumped 5’11” at the state track finals but that was still 3 inches short of a medal. Emily Estep and Brasseur did not participate in the state finals after qualifying because both were playing softball in the district tournament for the Cardinals.
The OACS board of education approved the 2013-14 budget, unfortunately with deficit spending. The budget had the district using $239,971 of its fund balance to balance the budget.
The season came to an end for the OHS baseball team with a 3-0 loss to Atlanta in the regional semifinals.
Ten contestants were preparing to compete for the title of Miss Onaway 2013. Contestants were Shimmel, Hopp, Gaynor, Bandish, Kayde Middaugh, Ehrke, Emilee Madison, Stitt, Nash and Hyde. Six contestants would be competing for the title of Little Miss Onaway 2013. Contestants were Isabelle Tucker, Lexus Horton, Jerzee Hambleton, Carlee Doan, Allison Tennant and Sesliana Fenstermaker.
The city approved an agreement with the PISD to provide police protection for the city. Effective July 1 the agreement was for one year and had the city paying $25,000 per year in quarterly installments of $6,350. PISD would provide a stationed deputy for a minimum of 16 hours per week on average during nighttime hours.
A grand opening of the Port Calcite Collaborative was held. “We see the Port of Calcite Collaborative as the catalyst for business in northeast Michigan and jobs,” said MIW president Moran.
Emilee Madison was crowned Miss Onaway 2013. Ehrke was the first runner-up, evening gown winner and co-ticket sales winner. Hyde was the second runner-up and co-ticket sales winner. Bandish was the third runner-up and won the talent award. Hopp won the congeniality award and Gaynor won the photogenic award. Hambleton won the title of Little Miss Onaway 2013. Fenstermaker was the first runner-up and won the talent portion.
The Presque Isle County Board of Commissioners put the brakes on the courthouse renovation project. The board halted all work on the project as it discovered the only way it would be able to pay for renovations would be a voter approved millage.
The Estep twins earned first-team all-state honors to cap their softball careers. Brasseur earned honorable mention all-state honors. All three were first-team a
OHS baseball players earned postseason awards. Chris Cleaver earned first-team all-conference and all-district. Matt Tollini was second-team all-conference and all-district. Justin Gedda was second-team all-conference and Tommy Auger was honorable mention all-conference.
(Continued next week)