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JANUARY

n Lapeer County Sheriff's deputies Joe Davis and Keith Merser saved an inmate's life. The inmate attempted to hang himself with a string.

n Lapeer Regional Medical Center received a $395,400 grant for a CT Simulator, allowing doctors to better define a tumor.

n Joyce Fulgenzi and Dave Woolfenden were named Citizens of the Year by the Lapeer Area Chamber of Commerce.

n The Greater Lapeer Transportation Authority received a $196,000 grant to replace two aging buses.

n Dave Taylor was renamed chairman of the Lapeer County Commissioners and Cheryl Clark was returned to vice chair.

n Imlay Township residents turned out all year in numbers to oppose a proposed asphalt plant John Carlo is proposing at Newark and Summers. The issue went back and forth in court all year. Lapeer County 40th Judicial Circuit Court Judge Nick Holowka decided in September the township was correct with a zoning ordinance delaying the plant further.

n Lapeer West High School art students won 50 Scholastic awards. The school's art department has long been honored with local, regional, and national honors.

n Brian McCloskey was named Music Teacher of the Year by the Michigan School Band and Orchestra Association for District 3. McCloskey teaches music in the Almont Community Schools.

n The Lapeer County Education and Technology Center was chosen as a pre-engineering classroom to offer dual enrollment college credit through theÊ University of Michigan-Flint.

n Three inmates aided a Lapeer County Sheriff's Department Corrections officer who was attacked by a man upset over a coffee debt.

n Eight families lost their homes and a firefighter was injured in a Hickory Square Apartment building fire in Imlay City.

n Ex-Columbiaville resident Michael King was accused of murder, kidnapping, sexually assaulting, and burying Denise Amber Lee in Florida.

n Ex-North Branch High School football coach Eric Hyde was sentenced to probation, minimal jail time, and fines on two counts of obscene conduct. Hyde had previously been charged with possessing child sexually abusive material.

n During Catholic Schools Week, Bishop Kelley Catholic School celebrated 58 years of service.

n Lapeer Community Schools officials put the White building on the market, but found no takers.

FEBRUARY

n The City of Imlay City tapped John Stano as its next police chief and the 25-year veteran looks forward to bringing his hands-on style of management to the department and community. Stano replaced longtime chief Arlan Winslow who retired.

n Triplets Matt, Lois, and Jim Fair, students at Maple Grove Elementary School, were featured in a County Press story.

n William Patterson died following a January fall from the rooftop of his home. Patterson was a well-known local attorney.

n Foreclosures soared in Lapeer County in following a faltering economy. More than 90 homeowners were served in January -- 79% higher than the previous year.

n Pamela Anderson, a female builder in Lapeer County, was arrested on two counts of fraud.

n The Lapeer County Commissioners adopted a $1.60 surcharge on communication service providers capable of accessing 9-1-1.

n In a series of first-year teachers, The County Press followed Craig Miller of Imlay City, Jamie Legato of Lapeer West, Bill Spruytte of Lapeer East, Angie Wojiechowski of Dryden, and Jamie Buike of North Branch.

n Pastor Andrew Jolly of Lapeer Church of the Nazarene renewed the wedding vows of Elvira and Walter Neumyer (59 years) and Hazel and Clyde Buell (54 years) at Devonshire Retirement Community.

ÊMARCH

n The Imlay City Community Schools Board of Education shelved a proposal for a sinking fund proposal citing the poor economy and lack of support. The proposal was a levy of 2 mills to repair district buildings.ÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊ

n St. Matthew's Anglican Church in Lapeer is busting at the seams and in the process had to relocate down the road to a new building to 1009 N. Saginaw, said Jack Irvin, the church's pastor.

n The Lapeer Rotary and Kiwanis clubs distributed more than 1,000 dictionaries to the Lapeer Community Schools, Bishop Kelley Catholic School, St. Paul's Lutheran School, and Chatfield School as part of a program to encourage literacy.

n Jeffrey Hogan was named editor of The County Press. He brings with him more than 20 years in the Michigan newspaper business.

n A $5,000 arson reward was offered by police for the torching of a Davenport Road home.

n Two women were arrested in a prostitution sting at an Imlay City motel. Police did not reveal the name of the establishment.

n Some Lapeer County senior citizens were irked with parking tickets they received when visiting the Lapeer Senior Citizen Center. The center has a two-hour parking limit.

n Deanna Sera was named general manager of The County Press. She has had a long career with The Oakland Press and The Macomb Daily -- two sister papers to The County Press. Sera oversees advertising and general operations of The County Press.

APRIL

n Capac Police Chief Raymond Hawks was shot when attempting to pull over Robert Burke during a traffic stop for erratic driving. During the incident, St. Clair County Sheriff's Deputy Tim O'Boyle was shot. Hawks and O'Boyle later recovered.

n Twenty-three law man Roger Czap was promoted to lieutenant of the Imlay City Police Department.

n Scores on Michigan Educational Assessment Program tests throughout Lapeer County improved in the areas of third, sixth, seventh, and eighth grade math, and third and seventh grade writing. Students in grades 3-9 too the MEAP tests the previous October. A school's adequate yearly progress is determined by MEAP overall results.

n Lapeer County started offering the services of Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner/Sexual Response Team.

n After a long career, Laird Kellie retired from Lapeer County Bank & Trust.

n The County Press commissioned Grand Blanc artist James Conner to create a historic rendering of Lapeer landmarks. The renderings are being sold at Gallery 194 in Lapeer with proceeds going to the elevator fundraising efforts.

n Plans were well underway to rebuild the new car showroom of Imlay City Ford. In February, excessive snow caused the showroom's roof to collapse. There were no injuries.

n Ron and Caroline Bower were honored as advocates of Quest High School in North Branch.

MAY

n Jake Sliman, a sixth grader at Dryden Elementary School, won the Lapeer County Spelling Bee.

n Voters approved a 2.24-mill bond proposal in the Dryden Schools. Superintendent Tom Goulette said with the approval the current bond millage rate of 2.24 mills won't be raised. Goulette said the bond addresses $400,000 worth of technology, the bus fleet, and building a safe parking lot for Dryden Elementary.

n Imlay City Downtown Development Authority Director Brad Barrett resigned to become assistant to the government relations director at Oakland University. He was replaced a few months later by Nancy Jean Brinker, who comes to the city from being employed many years with Big Boy.

n Mike Nolan and Bill Laidlaw ran unopposed to be re-elected to the Lapeer Community Schools Board of Education.

n Todd Bidlack was tapped to become principal of both Dryden High School and Dryden Elementary schools. Bidlack had the high school added to his responsibilities with the retirement in June of longtime administrator Ruth Fox.

n Imlay City's millage rate for the city's property taxes dropped to 15.35 mills, but that savings was short lived with an increase in sewer rates.

n North Branch Elementary School received an Education Excellence Award from the Michigan Association of School Boards for its Bronco Buddies program. The school received the award in the health and school safety category.

n Voters in the Almont, Dryden, Imlay City, and Lapeer school districts approved non-homestead millages to finance operations.

n Amber Curell graduated from a class of one at Heritage Christian Academy in North Branch. She was also the class' valedictorian.

JUNE

n Jim Jessop was honored for his contributions to the Lapeer Community Nipissing Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution.

n The job held by Roger Pauley, special programs director in the Almont Schools, was cut in the budget process. The move was estimated to save the district $110,000. Responsibilities from Pauley's job that included the migrant program, Title I, at-risk, enrichment, and facilities were shared between Superintendent Steve Zott and other administrators.

n Longtime Dryden High School Principal Ruth Fox called it a career and retired from being a Cardinal. She was principal for 21 years and has held various positions in the district for 37 years. The school district is in the process of developing a scholarship fund that will be set up in Fox's name.

n Mayfield Township Clerk Kendra Davis fired her deputy clerk Julie Schlaud after learning the two faced each other in the election. Schlaud eventually beat her former boss to become clerk of the township. Davis ended a 30-year plus run as clerk.

n Protesters picketed the Lapeer County Courthouse in an outcry over alleged abuse of little Cason Dowdy by his babysitter.

n The Imlay City Community Schools appointed Eric Whitney to be principal of Weston Elementary School. He replaced interim principal and Assistant Superintendent Jim Earley, who continue his duties as assistant superintendent for the district for the next school year.

n The Lapeer Community Schools adopted a $53.7-million budget for the 2008-09 school year.

n Greg Whitman was featured in a County Press feature for being a Big Brother to three boys.

n The Lapeer Planning Commission approved a drive-thru for a proposed Walgreens on South Main Street.

n Lapeer resident Kyle Clements won an Emmy Award for audio engineering of Detroit Pistons' TV broadcasts.

n Chisholm Alexander, an Imlay City equine dealer, faced a slew of felony charges including running a criminal enterprise, larceny, forgery, and animal industry violations.

n The former E.E. Irwin Elementary School in the Lapeer Community Schools was re-named the Administration and Service Center.

n Carol Wegher, executive director of the Greater Lapeer Transportation Authority, recognized Tony Julian and Matt Kleinknecht, both students at Lapeer East High School, with checks for $50. Their graphic designs will appear on the sides of GLTA buses.

n The Imlay City Commission authorized Imlay City Police Chief John Stano to purchase two portable scales from Loadometer Corporation of Baltimore for a total of $8,590. The scales are necessary to weigh semi-tractor trailers to ensure safety as part of a motor carrier unit.

JULY

n The LakeVille Schools experienced two weeks of upheaval. First, Superintendent Ted Gardella resigned to take the head post of Howell Public Schools after a controversial tenure in the LakeVille Schools. After that, school board President Leslie Aguirre and board member James Clark resigned. The two were subject of a recall effort by a group called Save Our Schools for voting to renew Gardella's contract. The district chose Tom Riutta to serve as interim superintendent.

n The Lapeer County Board of Commissioners denied the creation of Imlay City's two newly drafted Commercial Rehabilitation Districts by a 6-1 vote. Commissioner Ian Kempf was the lone voter for the districts, which are a job creating tool and tax break.

n Jack Lewis was chosen as the next president of the North Branch Schools Board of Education.

n While on vacation, WIll Potter, 3, of Pennsylvania, was rescued from the bottom of a swimming pool by Susan McCullough and her husband, Marc McCullough, a Lapeer County 9-1-1 shift supervisor.

n Gary Hickey and his daughter, Lynne lost everything in a fire to their rented Burnside Road house trailer.

n The Marathon Township home of Paul Berline was destroyed by fire.

n The Lapeer County Education and Technology Center received a $5.2 million expansion in added vocational and special education space. Ed Tech is ran by the Lapeer County Intermediate Schools.

n Two Imlay City companies -- Hydraulic Tubes & Fittings and Mantex Corporation -- received Industrial Facilities Exemption certificates for creating 40 new jobs.

n The City of Lapeer and Mayfield Township reached at 10-year fire accord. Lapeer provides the township with fire services.

n Lapeer businessman John Buckner was struck and killed by a pickup truck while riding his motorcycle in Columbus, Ohio.

n The Otter Lake Fire Department received a Homeland Security Grant for $19,855 for a standby generator.

n Elizabeth Bruman was already serving time in the Lapeer County Jail for robbing the Deerfield Township branch of the Lapeer County Bank & Trust. She also faced additional time on assault charges for biting a cellmate.

n In an act of sisterly love, Luann Magolan gave her sister, Chris Gepfry Dahlke 14 million cells to save her life from a rare form of cancer.

AUGUST

n Ninety-one students were accounted for as being homeless in Lapeer County at the end of the 2007-08 school year, the Lapeer County Intermediate School District reported.

n Lapeer County voters approved a .33-mill proposal for the Lapeer County Medical Care Facility (Suncrest) for operations.

n The Almont Schools once again contracted with Chartwells for food service management. The contract was for $35,000 for 10 months. Chartwells has managed food services for the Almont Schools for about 12 years.

n In an unpopular but cost-saving effort, the Dryden Schools privatized the district's cleaning contract by entering into a contract with Hi-Tech of Jenison for $145,000. In the process, one full-time and six part-time workers were pink slipped by the district.Ê

n The Imlay City Downtown Development Authority commissioned Michigan visual artists, Arla Slogor and Linda Dyball to create the grant-funded murals that hang on the side of the Learning Depot.

n North Branch High School led Lapeer County with a 97% graduation rate.

n Imlay Township officials celebrated the opening of a park on the property shared by the township hall.

n Ron Kalanquin was re-elected sheriff of Lapeer County in the primary election. Kalanquin beat Dale Jenkins to become the third longest serving sheriff in Michigan.

n Longtime Lapeer County Treasurer Sally Eilersen was defeated in the Republican Primary election to Dana Miller. Miller beat Michele Perry in the general election.

n In the primary election, Almont Township Supervisor Gary Groesbeck was defeated by Paul Bowman. John Howell became the youngest supervisor in Lapeer County as he will head Arcadia Township. Deerfield Township's next supervisor will be Ray Hayes and Patrick Woody will be Deerfield Township's treasurer.

n Elba Township voters approved a three-year 1.5 mill fire protection proposition, as did a North Branch Township 1.5-mill fire protection proposition.

n Coldwell Banker Whitman-Pope purchased Red Carpet Keim.

n Former Lapeer County Jail supervisor Daniel Smoke was arrested on felony embezzlement charges. He is also suspected of stealing from Werner's Hallmark in Lapeer.

n Joe Shoopman was promoted to assistant principal at Lapeer East High School.

n Wanted by the law for four years, Earnest Eagle Jr. was captured by law enforcement officials. He is facing charges of resisting and obstructing police and a probation violation.

n More than 567 pot plants were discovered growing in an Almont Township 200-acre parcel.

n Dustin Jenkins, owner of Elite Feet Running Store in Lapeer, completed a 24-hour treadmill challenge to benefit the Loving Hands Clinic in Lapeer.

n The Lapeer Community Schools boosted lunch prices for middle and high school students, as well as milk prices. The moves were to keep pace with costs.

n A third rabid bat was found in Lapeer County. One Lapeer man was bit in his home. A Marathon Township couple found a bat on a bed.

SEPTEMBER

n After receiving a superior evaluation, Imlay City Schools Superintendent Gary Richards received a contract extension to the year 2011 and salary increase to $115,101 annually. Richards formerly served as Imlay City High School principal.

n On official county day, Chatfield School gained 147 students that was attributed to the addition of the seventh and eighth grades.

n A 21-year-old woman said she was sexually attacked by a police imposter on a traffic stop in Mayfield Township.

n Jessie Sullivan, a Mayfield Elementary School third grader, was saved from choking on his sandwich thanks to the quick actions of paraprofessional Yvonne Joyner.

n The Lapeer County K-12 Service Learning Center closed its doors for good citing financialÊ problems.

n Shane Benscoter faced trail for attacking his sister with a meat cleaver. She received six staple in her head.

n Amy Derieg Boehms, special education director for the Lapeer Community Schools, was found dead.

n Lapeer Metal Stamping announced plant closures in Lapeer and Lapeer Township resulting in the loss of 80 jobs.

OCTOBER

n The LakeVille Schools chose a product of the district to lead it forward after a year of upheaval. Vickie Luoma agreed to a three-year contract with an annual salary of $125,000 annually. She came home -- literally and lives in Otisville -- after working as superintendent of curriculum in the Clio Schools.

n Although she was a lame duck as clerk because she lost the August election to her former deputy clerk Julie Schlaud, Kendra Davis resigned suddenly at an October township meeting. Davis gave no reason for her resignation.

n Seventeen people applied as candidates for an empty seat on the North Branch Schools Board of Education after Dale Brinker resigned due to work demands. The board appointed Cathy Severance to fill the empty position.

n A majority of Lapeer County public schools experienced declining enrollment on county day. The big surprise was Chatfield School, which gained 147 students. The school added seventh and eighth grades.

n The Lapeer Community Schools awarded more than $50,000 in technology grants to teachers in the district.

n Two local duck hunters credited 9-1-1 with a rescue from Saginaw Bay. The hunters were Ron Erwin and Khristopher Cook.

n In a celebration of two adoptions legalized, Rick and Darlene Whitis welcomed Emma as their daughter and Krysten and Chad Rose became parents to their new daughter, Juliana.

n Imlay City Middle School received a $500 ExxonMobil Educational Alliance grant from Parsch's Automotive Service and Repair in Imlay City. The grant will be used for science and technology curriculum.

n The remains of Dr. Thomas Henry Boninio of Metamora Township were found on land nearby where he lived.

n Goodland Township Assistant Fire Chief Dan Fifield was honored as 2008 Firefighter of the Year by the Lapeer County Fire Association.

n Oklahoma-based chain Sonic announced plans to build a restaurant in Lapeer.

n James Christopher Nickolopoulos was killed in a head-on collision on the way to picking up his daughter from a school bus stop.

n Zemmer Junior High School's mascot will be the Bulldogs when the school opens in 2010.

n Seven Ponds Nature Center broke ground on a $1.8 million, 4,600 square foot expansion.

NOVEMBER

n It took five tries, but Deerfield Township voters finally said yes to a special assessment for fire protection. The special assessment was for five years starting next year and includes $38 per year for each residential dwelling, commercial building, and industrial building not including barns, garages, and sheds; and $11 per year for property that is vacant or contains no buildings other than barns, garages, or sheds. Special assessment revenues will be used for operational purposes.

n Kevin Daley won the nod as Lapeer County's next representative of the 82nd House of Representatives. The Republican beat Democrat Bill Marquardt in the general election.

n Remo Querciagrossa of Shelby Township purchased the Imlay City theater and remodeled to show movies. It will be known as Cinema III Theater.

n In a real estate swap, the North Branch Schools traded Sweet School in Deerfield Township with Brian's Market for a home. Brian's Market hopes to expand catering operations at the school. The North Branch Schools hope to rent out the home.

n In a cost-cutting effort, the LakeVille Schools will have Otter Lake Elementary School house all first and second graders in the district and Otisville Elementary School will educate kindergarten and early childhood students next year. Board President Chad Carriero said the re-organization is part of tightening of the belt as the district looks for ways to save $500,000.

n The North Branch Schools and community celebrated the opening of the new $20 million North Branch Elementary School.

n Longtime Imlay City Commissioner Ted Collom resigned. The commission appointed Greg Dennis to fill the vacancy.

n The North Branch Area Schools severed a 30-year professional relationship in contracting with Thrun for legal counsel because some board members felt the law firm did not provide it with enough information.

n The Imlay City High School community was in mourning following the Thanksgiving weekend auto accident that claimed the life of Frank Palermo, 19, of Imlay City, and Jeremy Steeghs, 17, of New Orleans, formerly of Imlay City. In the accident, Brandon Bissett, 18, of Imlay City was seriously injured.

n A warrant was sought for a Lapeer man accused of shooting his neighbor's pregnant Great Dane, causing it to miscarry.

n Owen James Dibble accidentally shot himself in his upper leg while hunting.

n A small amount of industrial antifreeze was accidentally released into drinking water at Woodside School by a contractor. There were no injuries from the accident.

n Jayme Gregor, an eighth grade teacher at Lapeer West High School, received the Gold Apple Award from TV's FOX 66.

DECEMBER

n After opting to buy three automatic defibrillators, Imlay City received an AED anonymously for Christmas. The AED was given to the police department for emergency usage.

n Officials at the Ruth Hughes Memorial Library saved taxpayers $56,000 by paying off the mortgage 10 years early.

n In a move that will create 40Ê jobs, the Imlay City Commission granted Industrial Facilities Tax Exemption certificates to Die Tech Tool & Manufacturing and five transfers for Rubber Enterprises.

n The Imlay City Chamber of Commerce honored one man and two organizations at their annual dinner dance. Ted Collom was named Citizen of the Year. St. Paul's Lutheran Church was presented with the Merit Award for offering Food For Families. The Imlay City Alumni Association was honored as a service club for fundraising efforts in preserving the historic grandstands.

n The Lapeer Community Schools opted to name the remodeled Woodside School site the Rolland-Warner Middle School. Doris Rolland was a teacher and principal at Woodside School at Oakdale. The late Ron Warner was a long-time educator and assistant superintendent of the LCS. The school is expected to be open in 2010 and was financed by the bond issue voters approved.