Robot bomb disposal on the Rez

Operating a remote control near the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe’s Ziibiwing Center Thursday, Josh Graff guided a robot toward an abandoned trailer to retrieve a suspicious package. Graff, who works on the bomb squad based at the state police Crime Lab in Grayling, came to Mt. Pleasant Thursday to show Tribal employees and first responders how the bomb robot is used following an explosives awareness program he oversaw a month ago.

Graff, a detective sergeant with the Michigan State Police Bomb Squad, moved the F6A Remotech robot to a small package in the trailer as a group of Ziibiwing employees, Tribal police, Tribal firefighters and others looked on.

A slight glitch -- when leaving the trailer, the robot tipped off the stairs -- didn’t stop Graff, from showing the group the dangers involved in retrieving suspicious packages.
“It’s like anything else,” Graff, a former trooper at the Mt. Pleasant post, said. “It’s not fail proof.”
Graff learned from the robot slipping off the stairs.
“In this case, it was user error,” he said. “It’s good to see that because that can happen on a potential call.
“You have to improvise and move forward.”

“They have us come every year,” he said. “It’s a precaution.” Thursday’s presentation included Graff using the robot to retrieve the suspicious bag, taking it to a portable X-ray machine and showing the group that the package contained a pipe bomb.

Because the Ziibiwing Center is in close proximity to Tribal operations first responders and court, along with the Soaring Eagle Casino and Resort, the training and Thursday’s presentation were offered because of the potential threat and number of people who could be affected in a bomb incident, Graff said.

Graff used the robot to shoot a high velocity stream of water at the bag to destroy it, then shoot the end cap off the pipe bomb once it was exposed, eliminating the risk of detonation.Such training is important, Graff said, because any business or person can be at risk.Businesses such as the casino, where large groups of people gather, are at more risk, Graf said.

Reporting by Clare Managing Editor Susan Field

Assistance by Sun Staff Writer Patricia Ecker

Photos by Joseph Sowmick, Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe

Evening in the Park 2008

Here is the schedule for Evening in the Park 2008:

• June 17: Central Michigan Area Concert Band
7 p.m. A popular favorite is back again to open the 30th anniversary of the summer season. Local musicians play show tunes, marches and old favorites.
Wright Park, Alma (Rain location: Alma High School)

• June 24: Container Gardening
7 p.m. Get tips from the master himself when Bob Eldridge, director of Keep Michigan Beautiful, shares his know how on the popular gardening trend.
Breckenridge Historical Society Museum on M-46. (Rain location: Breckenridge High School)

• July 8: Love and Romance in Early Gratiot County
7 p.m. From free love to chivarees, local historian Dave McMacken takes us back to the late 1880s and the customs, traditions, and yes, the scandals that enveloped the lovelorn even then. An evening you’re sure to remember.
Leppien Park, St. Louis (Rain location: St. Louis High School)

• July 15: Gratiot Idol Finalists
7 p.m. The stars of the summer’s hit will entertain at the Masonic Pathways for a stellar performance you won’t want to miss.
Masonic Pathways grounds. (Rain location: Doig Chapel)

• July 22: New Moonshine Band
7 p.m. Bluegrass music with a little flavor of the South tops tonight’s agenda.
Bring your friends for a most enjoyable evening.
Clapp Park, St. Louis (Rain location: St. Louis High School)

• July 29: Not Just for Kids?
7 p.m. It’s fun for the whole family when jugglers and a magician take center stage tonight from Ithaca. Bring the kids for a special treat they are sure to like.
Woodland Park, Ithaca (Rain location: Ithaca Community Center)

• Aug. 5: Bob Crist and Friends
7 p.m. An evening of jazz is just the ticket as Bob and his friends return for another outstanding performance.
Woodland Park, Ithaca (Rain location: Gratiot County Commission on Aging.)

• Aug. 12: Starry Starry Night
Dusk Wind up the summer season on the Alma College campus for a look at the night sky. It’s star gazing at its best.
Alma College (Rain location: Alma College planetarium.)

Stevenson Lake Road barn fire

Clare and Surrey Township Fire Departments responded to a barn fire on Stevenson Lake Road, East of Isabella Road, late on Wednesday night. The barn was destroyed and a little of the surrounding grass was burnt.





Sun Photograph by RYAN EVON

Meet of Champions

Images from the Meet of Champions on Tuesday.

These and other images are up for purchase Here.

Memorial Day in Mt. Pleasant

Here are some pics from today's parade...

10 Questions with "The School of Rock"

10 Questions with "The School of Rock" radio hosts Marty Curry, Jeff Smith and Trey Stohlman.

The video of this weeks, and previous weeks (if you scroll down the list), can be found Here.


Sun Photographs by RYAN EVON

Highland Festival - Images and Video

A multitude of images from the 41st annual Highland Festival in Alma.

There is also a video for your viewing pleasure Here.






Sun Photographs by RYAN EVON

Don't lose sight of who we remember

By now, most everyone is likely enjoying their three-day holiday weekend - the unofficial start of summer.
I’m sure there are a lot of plans for family get-togethers, picnics, barbecues, trips Up North, attending the Highland Festival, and of course watching the Red Wings play for the Stanley Cup, the Pistons in the NBA Eastern Conference Finals, and Sunday’s Indianapolis 500, among assorted other celebrations.
Those are all great ways to spend some time off work and I will probably be doing some of the same things.
But I’m wondering just how many of us will take some time out of our busy schedules to think about why we have the opportunity to enjoy an extended weekend.
Monday is Memorial Day. Hopefully, we all know what that represents. It’s a day to honor those military veterans who paid the ultimate price for their country. They died so that we can continue living in a free nation.
Sure we can complain about the economy going into the crapper, the high cost of fuel, food and health care; the lack of jobs, illegal immigrants, Social Security, our government leaders, or whatever else is on our minds (just read Sound Off).
But hey, at least we have the right to complain about almost anything we want without fear that we will be imprisoned, tortured or shot for our views.
We have that right not because of the Declaration of Independence, but because generations of servicemen have fought and died to ensure the freedoms outlined in that great document were never taken away from us by some egomaniac foreign dictator who wanted to rule the world.
For all of its shortcomings, there still is no better place to live than the Good Old USA.
Sometimes it seems we take the things we have for granted and we worry too much about what we don’t have.
I’ve spoken to numerous World War II, Korean War and Vietnam War veterans over the years. Many don’t like to talk about what they experienced without some prodding.
After hearing their stories I can’t imagine what it was like having bombs and mortars exploding around you, being shot at, watching your friends die and wondering if you will be next.
Those of us who have never been through it will never be able to comprehend the true horror.
I didn’t have to serve in the armed forces much less fight in a war. No, I wasn’t a Draft Dodger or sneak off to Canada to avoid military service.
I was a teenager during the Vietnam era and although I was in college at 18 there were no more deferments for that. I was subject to the draft just like everyone else.
At that time they had initiated a “draft lottery” according to your birthday. Your draft status was subject to the whim of the draw. The lower your number the better chance you had of being drafted. If I recall, my number was 32.
Not good. I was sure I would be getting one of those letters that began with “Greetings.”
Actually the first letter I receive told me I had to catch the bus in Alma for a trip to Detroit for my physical.
But then I got another notification that said it had been canceled and to await further instructions. I waited and waited. Finally I heard - Nixon had ended the draft and I was no longer subject to induction. Whew.
I was certainly happy but there were times I felt some guilt. I had friends and relatives in the military and fighting in Vietnam. Fortunately the war ended a short time later.
Maybe that’s why I feel even stronger about the sacrifices our servicemen made for their country. I never had to put my life on the line but they did.
Unfortunately, American soldiers are still dying overseas. That’s why it’s time to bring them home. Why do we feel the need to protect the Iraqis and those in other Middle Eastern nations from themselves?
I’m a firm supporter of our troops but no more dads, sons, brothers or nephews should have to die there.
This Memorial Day take some time to honor those who have helped make this the greatest nation on earth. Remember the dead and recognize the living. Attend one of the local parades or holiday observances or just pause for a moment to say a prayer and give thanks. Better yet, tell a veteran you appreciate what they have done.
God bless all of those who have courageously served their country and those who are still doing so.
God bless th USA.
Greg Nelson is a Morning Sun staff writer. He can be reached at gnelson@michigannewspapers.com or by calling 989-463-6071, ext. 15.

Memorial Day closings

These government offices and businesses will be closed on Monday in observance of Memorial Day:
• Veterans Memorial Library in Mt. Pleasant; also closed Sunday.
• Isabella County offices
• Union Township offices
• Isabella County Sheriff Department business office: Open 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday.
• City of Mt. Pleasant including business offices at City Hall, Public Safety and Public Works. There will be no refuse or curbside recycling collection for city residents Monday. Collection will be one day behind schedule for the remainder of the week.
• Morning Sun offices in Mt. Pleasant and Alma
• City of Clare
• Clare County offices
• City of Harrison
• Secretary of State (all locations)
• Post Offices (all locations)
• Firstbank locations
• Isabella Bank
• National City branches
• Commercial Bank locations
• Chemical Bank locations
• Gratiot County offices
• City of Alma
• City of Ithaca
• City of St. Louis
• Gratiot Area Chamber of Commerce
• Isabella County Transportation Commission
• Isabella County Senior Center/Commission on Aging
• Gratiot County Commission on Aging/Home Delivered Meals
• Isabella County Recycling Center

Reporting: Jeremy Dickman in Mt. Pleasant

Beal City Baseball and Softball

The Beal City Aggies took on the Pine River Bucks in baseball and softball on Tuesday. Both Beal City teams were victorious.

Shots from both games are available Here.





Sun Photographs by RYAN EVON

Alma High School Baseball

Some shots from the first game of Alma's double header against Chesaning on Monday.

These shots should be available Here for purchase.

The $4 barrier

Another week, another price record
It wasn’t pretty: Friday afternoon, Michigangasprices.com reported a Sam’s Club station near Flint was charging more than $4 a gallon for gasoline.
Sam’s Club. You know, the place with gas so cheap it drives down the prices for miles around.
Michigan’s ever-increasing fuel prices setting more new records this week. Statewide fuel price leader Speedway moved the price to $3.999 for a gallon of unleaded on Tuesday, and by the end of the day, the price across central Michigan settled within a few cents of that point.
Diesel prices made a major jump to a painful $4.59 a gallon in many places, and there’s no end in sight.
Average mid-Michigan prices were up 45 to 48 cents from a month ago; statewide, prices were up 46 cents from a month ago and 59 cents a gallon from a year ago.
Here is a look at some representative prices for a gallon of unleaded regular gas as of Friday afternoon:
Average price by county:
• Clare $3.96, up 6 cents from one week ago;
• Gratiot: $3.98, up 9 cents from last week;
• Isabella: $3.99, up 10 cents;
• Midland: $3.96, up 8 cents.
• Montcalm: $3.96, up 8 cents;
• Lowest reported prices in region: Greenville, Midland: $3.94
• Highest prices in region: Alma, Clare, Mt. Pleasant,: $3.99
• Lowest prices in state: Mt. Morris, $3.76
• Highest prices in state: Beaver Island, $4.99; Paradise, $4.17
• Statewide average Friday: $3.94
• Year ago: $3.35
• Lowest metro-area average: Detroit: $ 3.89
• Highest metro-area average: Traverse City, $3.99
• Lowest mid-Michigan diesel price: Stanton, $4.49
• Highest mid-Michigan diesel price: Alma, Greenville, Mt. Pleasant, St. Louis, $4.59
• Statewide diesel average: $4.56
Sources: Michigangasprices.com, Oil Price Information Service through Michigan AAA.

MPHS Baseball

Mt. Pleasant played at home against Saginaw Heritage on Monday.

Photos are available for purchase Here.

Morning Sun and WCFX Regional Spelling Bee

Congratulations to Evan Burgess for winning the Regional Spelling Bee on Thursday.

To view a short, somewhat okay video, click Here.





Sun Photographs and Video by RYAN EVON

Library millage goes down to defeat

Here are the results by precinct of the Chippewa River District Library tax proposal, 2.6 mills for 20 years:

Precinct....... Yes.. No
1-Ganiard.... ... 92.......148
2-City Hall .....153 .......90
3-Pullen ........ 101.......109
4-MPHS .... ....156 ......155
5-Kinney ........124.......156
6-Vowles ........142......106
7-Fancher .........59........42
McGuire 85 ......38..... 82
McGuire 80 ..... 19...... 29
West 90 ........... 84...... 124
West 95 ........... 116..... 235
Isabella ........... 28....... 170

TOTAL YES: 1,112...... 43.5%
TOTAL NO: 1,446 ....... 56.5%

No remains in the lead

Nine out of 12 precincts reporting:
YES: 884 49.1%
NO 917 50.9%

No votes pull ahead

Seven precincts reporting, including the first outside the city, Union Township's Mary McGuire:

YES 709 49.2%
NO 733 50.8%

Yes now barely ahead

YES 671 50.8%
NO 651 49.2%
Six precincts reporting

A pattern is emerging in tonight Chippewa District Library vote. The millage proposal has passed in more comfortable, upper middle-class neighborhoods, but is failing in lower socio-economic areas.
Opponents of the library millage emphasized its costs, and that appears to have resonated in the more disadvantaged areas.

Four precincts - Yes pulling ahead

On the Chippewa River District Library proposal:

Yes 455, 56.7%
No 347, 43.3%

All precincts reporting are city precincts.

Three precincts - Yes is ahead

Three precincts - Pullen, Fancher and Vowles - have reported so far. In these city precincts, Yes is up 54-46 percent

Very tight

The first results are in in the library ballot proposal.
Pullen precinct: No, 109, Yes, 101
Fancher precinct: Yes 59, No 42

Election night - the beginning

The very first precinct has come in to the Isabella County Building, where votes are tallied.
A second precinct's information has just come in the door.
It's quite a process. With the "Scantron" ballots, the votes actually are counted as the voter feeds the ballot through the scanner attached to each ballot box.
A secure memory card then is brought to the county building, where its contents are downloaded and posted.
We're waiting for the results ....

If you're looking for a shot of spring, check out Sweeney Drive north of Broomfield in Mt. Pleasant. The east side of the road is covered in dandelion in full bloom.

I took a break from cooking for my fiance dinner to write this

Read Greg Nelson's Column, 4 posts below this.

Then, tell me it isn't completely expected that he would say women should appreciate a belch after dinner because it's a compliment to the chef. Well DUH, of course Greg assumes the woman cooked the meal, probably barefoot, pregnant, makeup-less...how dare she not feel special when her big strong man wolfs it down in 2 bites and then expels gas loudly because he inhaled so much air in the 3 seconds it took him to eat it. No verbal compliment needed, ladies. Rest easy in the knowledge that gas means thank you.

And, OF COURSE, it should be illegal for women to wear makeup, or anything other than what their man picks out for them, really. I mean, it would be so upsetting to a guy to see someone with make up on, then without it! He has other, more worldly things to worry about, girls. He doesn't want to be confused by blue eye shadow one say, none the next.

As if boys ever notice things like make up/no make up anyway.

Mt. Pleasant Lions Club Chicken Barbeque

The Mt. Pleasant Lions Club Chicken Barbeque at Island Park on Sunday was the smokiest, best smelling event I've covered yet. Great day for it.





Sun Photographs by RYAN EVON

Ten ways to save money on groceries

1. Stay away from buying individually packaged foods. They cost more. Instead of buying cute packages of pre-cut carrots, cut them yourself.
2. Cut back on convenience foods. Instead of buying canned chili or soup, make it yourself. You can even buy dry soup packets from a bulk food store or a thrift bakery.
3. Recycle your leftovers. Use yesterday’s roast beef in a stew for dinner tonight.
4. Grow your own produce. Section off a small part of your back yard and create a vegetable garden. This is also a great family project to do together. If you are new to this, start with tomatoes and experiment.
If you don’t have a lot of space, try container gardening, by planting a tomato plant or a pepper plant in a pot for your deck or porch.
In the summer, local farmers markets also will be a good source of produce.
5. Don’t buy as many snacks. Store-bought snacks are loaded with sugar, salt and fat. Try making your own snacks. Bake some muffins or cookies instead.
6. Do most of your cooking ahead of time. To avoid last-minute fast food, cook meals ahead of time and freeze them. They can be pulled out of the freezer and defrosted in the microwave in the same time it would take to get fast food.
7. Don’t stray from your shopping list. Unless the item is on sale, it’s in your budget and you know it will be used, don’t buy it.
8. If possible, don’t take your children with you to the grocery store to avoid buying items you may not need, such as candy or expensive products with flashy packaging.
9. Limit your shopping trip to 30 minutes. You will be less tempted to purchase impulse items.
10. Make a food budget and stick with it!

Reported by Lisa Satayut, Sun Staff Writer

Grocery bills got you down? Here are some solutions

Elsie resident Lorraine Fett and her friends drive to Aunt Millie’s Thrift Store in Mt. Pleasant twice a month to stock up on baked goods.
Like so many others, they are looking for ways to save money on their food bills.
Rising food costs coupled with record high gas prices have some consumers changing their shopping habits. Some are buying in bulk and freezing, while others are picking up the habit of clipping coupons and shopping at wholesale bakeries.
Instead of complaining about the rising costs, use that energy to find creative ways to shop smart.
Wholesale Bakeries
Aunt Millie’s employee Randi Justice said she has seen a noticeable increase in the number of shoppers since the prices of gas and food have risen.
“It’s a lot busier in here now,” she said as she stocked some bagels. “I have seen a lot of new customers.”
Justice said the baked goods sold at Aunt Millie’s are the brand’s items that did not sell in the grocery stores. She said the items are allowed to be sold five to seven days after the expiration date.
This past Wednesday, Fett had a shopping cart loaded up with loaves of bread.
“I buy a lot then freeze it,” Fett said. “It’s worth it.”
Fett picked up a package of bread that had a price sticker of $3.19 on it. That is what the bread sold for at Wal-Mart the day before. But now it was marked at 69 cents.
“Look at that,” she said as she pointed to the original price. “It’s a lot better price.”
When she is ready to use the bread, Fett will thaw it out by keeping it at room temperature for a few hours.
“I just take it out of the freezer and put it on the counter,” Fett said. “It’s just as good.”
Fett’s shopping friend Dorothy Martinka was also loading up on loaves of bread.
“If you freeze it, it stays good,” she said as she searched for raisin bread.
“We know how to shop!” Martinka said.
Aunt Millie’s, located at 1000 E. Pickard St., sells an assortment of baked goods including breads, bagels, English muffins, cookies, cakes, chips and crackers. It’s tough to find an item in this bakery that is priced more than $1.
Coupons
Some call it frugal and others call it smart, but coupons are once again “trendy” for shoppers who are looking to stay within their budget.
Frank Guglielm, director of public relations for Meijer, said he has noticed a trend in the number of coupon sales lately.
“I’ve seen more and more people using coupons,” Guglielmi said. “That and shopping good old-fashioned sales.”
In fact, Meijer is now offering a text message or e-mail alert system to notify customers of sales in the store.
Customers can be notified of the exact time when Meijer will raise its gas prices. To use this service shoppers have to log on to Meijer.com and register as a user.
He also said that Meijer offers coupons for free gas when buying certain products.
“It’s not unheard of for a customer to walk out with $30 in gas coupons after shopping,” Guglielmi said.
Generic or Store Brands
Buying generic or store name brands versus the name brand product can also help offset rising costs.
Meijer has two tiers of store brand products. There is the Meijer brand and then the Meijer Gold brand. The Meijer Gold brand is a premium Meijer brand, but still is less expensive than the name brand.
For most generic products (regardless of the store brand), the main ingredients are exactly the same or very similar as the national brands. Spend a few minutes comparing the ingredients of a generic product to a brand name product.
Those few minutes might save you a few dollars at the check-out line. That’s what Janet Lacey, a Mt. Pleasant resident and mother of four, does.
“I always buy generic brands,” Lacey said. “With four kids you have to find ways to cut costs.”
Lacey said she has never noticed a difference in taste or quality when buying generic. The only difference is the packaging.
“My kids like the packaging on the more expensive name brand stuff,” she said. “But they would never know the difference. I encourage people to at least try it.”
Buying in Bulk
Although you may not need 10 rolls of paper towels or five boxes of cereal right away, you will need them at some time. So why not shop in bulk and save a few dollars?
The important thing to remember when shopping bulk is to only purchase what you know you will use. It doesn’t make sense to purchase items that will spoil if they are not used in time or that will sit on your shelf unused.
You can buy in bulk at most stores by comparing the price on the larger-sized packages of toilet paper or paper towels, for example. Often, it will be cheaper than if you just bought a small package.
To truly shop in bulk, you will want to check out a store dedicated just to that, such as Sam’s Club or a similar store. But keep in mind, many of those stores charge a membership fee, so calculate how much it will cost you versus how much you will save to see if it is worth it.
Cereal can be kept for up to one year if stored in a cool, dry area.

Reported by Lisa Satayut, Sun Staff Writer

The strange noises in the night, and other times

Men kind of take for granted their bodies are going to make funny noises from time to time.
They will belch or pass gas, occasionally at inopportune times, but hey, they realize those things are just a fact of life and don’t let it bother them too much.
On the other hand, if a woman did something like that in public they would be embarrassed to tears. That’s probably because they have better manners than males, but there are also other reasons.
You see, ladies never admit doing such things in the first place. Their bodies apparently function differently than men by somehow getting rid of those stored-up noxious materials some other way - usually quietly.
Maybe that’s so. Personally I don’t believe it but I will give them the benefit of the doubt. I just think they’re a little more polite in mixed company than guys and find some way to hide it. Maybe that’s why they go to the lady’s room so often when they go out but I’m still not sure why every woman at the table has to go at the same time.
However, even though they try, there is one noise they can’t deny making unless they have never slept in the same room with another human being - snoring.
In fact, some of the loudest snorers I’ve heard are women. Now, don’t get the wrong idea. I’ve been on trips with family members and friends where everyone had to sleep in one large room.
On one such outing a number of years ago I remember my eldest son and his friend taping my mother snoring. But like a typical female, even after listening to the evidence she denied it was her.
Maybe women feel having sounds like that coming from their body is simply unladylike so they just pretend those noises don’t come out of one of their orifices.
Men on the other hand just don’t give a rip - pun intended. Heck, some even take part in belching contests and most can do it on command. Do women ever do such things? Maybe that’s what goes on at some of those “ladies only” events like bridal showers or Pampered Chef parties but I guess I’m not really sure what goes on there.
By the way, in many cultures it’s considered disrespectful to the cook if you don’t pass gas or burp loudly after a meal. Those women who actually prepare dinner for their men should remember that and take it for what it is - a compliment to the chef.
Even on those occasions when there is somewhat of a delayed reaction and the noises don’t start coming out until bedtime.
The honeymoon’s over when...
Just a side note. There is probably no better indication that the honeymoon is over than when you are standing at the bathroom sink getting ready for to go somewhere and your spouse comes in, sits down on the toilet and does his or her duty right beside you. It’s at that point you realize the prenuptial romance is over and there are no more mysteries about each other to discover.
Morning wake up surprise
Speaking of honeymoons, I’m wondering how many men wake up the morning after their wedding night shocked to see the face of the woman lying next to them. For traditional couples, who never spent the night together before marriage, it may be the first time he’s ever laid eyes on his new bride without makeup.
The poor guy may not even recognize his wife.
All that stuff that took hours to apply has worn off, dripped down her cheeks or run into her eyes. The new groom is probably thinking he married a Kiss groupie or an Alice Cooper wannabee.
Now I admit, men may not be all that inviting in the morning either with their whisker stubble, bad breath and porcupine hairdo, but at least all of their wrinkles and other facial imperfections haven’t been hidden by several layers of goop throughput the premarital relationship.
Yes, there are a few women (like my wife thank goodness) who don’t feel the need to hide behind a mask of blush, mascara, oils, creams, anti-aging jells and other beauty products; hog the review mirror to “check their face” or take half a day primping to go to Wal-Mart. But they are few in number.
The world would be a much better place if they just banned makeup all together and mde it illegal to wear that stuff. Just think, it likely would reduce male stress (waiting for their sweetie to get ready), cut down on the number of traffic accidents (caused by women “touching up” while behind the wheel) and eliminate those long lines at the lady’s room.
Most of all, however, it would save those newly wedded males from thinking they had just married Gene Simmons’ twin sister.
Greg Nelson is a Morning Sun staff writer. He can be reached at gnelson@michigannewspapers.com.

Jackson captured hiding in shed

An escaped inmate was captured in Gratiot County late Friday, about 13 hours after he walked away from work detail at the Mid-Michigan Correctional Facility in St. Louis.
"He is in custody," Michigan State Police Trooper Kimberly Vetter said shortly before 11 p.m.
Laytwan Tyres Jackson, 18, walked away from his work detail at the prison's maintenance warehouse at about 9:20 a.m., according to Department of Corrections officials.
He was reportedly found hiding in a shed in Gratiot County, under some construction debris about 10:30 p.m.

Union Township fire destroys home

One person was hurt as a fire destroyed a Union Township home this morning.
The home, on Valley Road near Isabella Road, was fully engulfed in flames when firefighters from the Mt. Pleasant Fire Department arrived about 8 a.m.
One person, as yet unidentified, was taken to the hospital for smoke inhalation. There were no other injuries.
Fire investigators say they don't know yet what caused the fire and they are continuing their investigation.

(Photo by Lisa Yanick; reporting by Lisa Satayut)

Prison break

Mid-Michigan law enforcement officials are searching for an 18-year-old escapee from the Mid-Michigan Correctional Facility in St. Louis.
The escapee is identified as Laytwan Tyres Jackson. He is described as 5 feet, 6 inches tall and weighing 135 pounds.

State Department of Corrections and local law enforcementofficials set up a command post on the baseball field at Carrie Knause Elementary School in St. Louis on Friday to coordinate the search. Corrections Inspector David Fenby, left, Sgt. Steve Brush, a K-9 officer for the Clinton County Sheriff's Department, and Lt. Doug Wright, commander of the Ithaca State Police Post, discuss diployments trategy for search teams. Schools in St. Louis, Alma and Breckenridge were locked down after Jackson's escape.
At the age of 17, Jackson had been sentenced as an adult to two-and-a-half to 15 years in prison on two counts of home invasion. Those incidents took place May 17 and Aug. 1, 2007, in Ingham County.
He was sentenced to prison Feb. 13.



Officer Tom Dean of the state Department of Corrections EmergencyResponse Team stops motorists in downtown St. Louis on Friday afternoon to show them a photo of Jackson who escaped from theMid-Michigan Correctional Facility earlier in the morning. Searchers were going door to door in search of the escapee, who is considered armed and dangerous.
Wright said it was possible that Jackson might still be in the area, or he might have had help and could have returned to his home town of Lansing.

Franzen has hat trick as Red Wings sweep Avs

Detroit Red Wings center Johan Franzen's second hat trick in three games fueled the Detroit Red Wings' 8-2 rout Thursday night that completed a sweep of the injury-riddled Colorado Avalanche. Franzen, right, celebrates his hat trick goal as Colorado Avalanche goalie Peter Budaj slumps in the net during the second. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)


Franzen, left, looks on as his shot slips past Colorado’s Budaj, center, for a goal as Avalanche defenseman John-Michael Liles, back left, and Red Wings left winger Henrik Zetterberg, of Sweden, right, look on. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
The "Mule" scored on a breakaway in the first period and added a short-handed backhander and a redirection into the net in the second, when the Red Wings scored four times to take a 7-1 lead.

In his first taste of the bitter rivalry, Franzen was simply too dominant to experience the bad blood that usually boils this time of year between the teams. Franzen's nine goals in this series matched Colorado's total. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)


Detroit Red Wings left winger Tomas Holmstrom, left, tries to redirect the puck past Avalanche goalie Jose Theodore who deflects it for a save in the first period. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)



Detroit right wing Mikael Samuelsson (37) scores a goal against Budaj during the third period. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)
The Red Wings advance to the Western Conference finals against the winner of the Dallas-San Jose series, which the Stars lead 3-1.