Archive - Feb 2008

On the bridge behind Herrick Park

I was out walking on Sunday morning behind Herrick Park and took this photo of the water running under the bridge

A huge cast of 36 players, supported by 25 tech members, will take to the stage this weekend in the contemporary musical love story Aida by Elton John & Tim Rice. Presented by the Tecumseh Youth Theatre, under the direction of Donna Andre and producer Kathy Field, Aida features lead players (pictured l-r) Deanna Shelle and Matt Felkey, playing Amneris and Radames, respectively, and Laura Sawinski as Aida. All three are seniors at Tecumseh High School. Aida is the story of a soldier and an enslaved princess who fall in love, are condemned to death, but ultimately herald peace between their two warring nations.Showtimes are 7:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, Feb. 29 and March 1; and Sunday, March 2, at 2 p.m. All tickets are $6. Call the Tecumseh Center for the Arts for more information at 423-6617.

By DEB WUETHRICH

Tecumseh School Board members unanimously passed a resolution on Monday night that seeks to place two bond proposals, totaling approximately $37 million, on the May 6 ballot. The bond issues would accompany the district’s annual school board election.
Tecumseh Superintendent Mike McAran said copies of the resolution would be delivered to both the City and County Clerk’s offices on Tuesday, since the County Clerk’s Office now is responsible for school elections. The board’s Facilities Committee has been working with the school’s architect and legal counsel since last year to refine projects and split an original plan into two separate proposals.

The resolution noted that, “In the opinion of this Board it is necessary and expedient to remodel school district buildings, excepting the high school; erect an addition at Tecumseh Acres; acquire and install instructional technology improvements district-wide and develop and improve sites.” Those items would be taken care of with the passage of Proposal 1. The resolution noted that it would be necessary for the district to borrow $12,280,000 and issue bonds for that project, with the remaining funds for a total of $12,523,846 to be derived from the investment of the bond proceeds.

Further, the resolution noted the Board is “further of the opinion that it is necessary and expedient to erect additions to the high school; remodel and partially re-equip the high school and middle school; develop and improve sites, athletic fields and facilities and playgrounds.” Work at the high school would include cafetorium remodeling, and the addition of an orchestra room for the strings program, among other changes. The Board estimates that the district would need to borrow $24,450,000 for that work and issue bonds, with the remaining funds for a total of $25,333,288 to be derived from the investment of the bond proceeds.

By CRISTINA TRAPANI-SCOTT

CLINTON — A Clinton man is out on bail after being charged last week in an alleged murder-hire-scheme. Brad Rounds, 47, posted bail on a $500,000 bond Tuesday, according to the Lenawee County Second District Court in Adrian.

Rounds was arraigned on Thursday following an investigation by the Michigan State Police post in Adrian and an arrest last Wednesday on the charge of murder solicitation. Clinton Police Chief Michael Randolph stated that an individual made the police department aware in late January that there was a plan allegedly in place to have someone murdered.

The department conducted a preliminary investigation and then Randolph called in the assistance of the Michigan State Police. “After a preliminary investigation we realized we didn’t have the resources to continue to investigate on our own and we needed some assistance,” Randolph said. He said the investigation was then turned over to the state police and the Clinton Police Department assisted detectives throughout the remainder investigation.

Detective Sgt. John Figurski conducted the investigation that led to Rounds’ arrest. He was assisted by State Police personnel in Richmond and Cheboygan as well as by members of the COMET and OMNI teams, the First District Fugitive Team and the Major Case Team. Figurski said that although the case is pending court the Michigan State Police is continuing its investigation.

Police are not yet releasing the name of the individual who came forward, the name of the intended victim of the alleged scheme, or details of the murder-for-hire plan. “No names or location are being released,” said Randolph, “due to the fact that it is an ongoing investigation and we wouldn’t think appropriate to release that information.”