06-22-2017 A grand guy gets a grand honor; Lou Brule named “Top Pop”; Busy times for emergency respo

A grand guy gets a grand honor

By Kristy Noack

Michael Zehner, a Watervliet local born and bred in this small town, has been selected by the organizers of the city’s annual Independence Day Celebration to be the Grand Marshal in this year’s parade.

You might not know him by name, but you will recognize Zehner as he sits atop a shiny convertible in the parade, which will be held Saturday, July 1 at 1:00 p.m. He is the man who is always helping someone else. He has an infectious laugh and a bright smile. He makes others feel better about themselves just by being in the same room with him. He is proud he can help others, he is proud of his hometown, and he is proud to be this year’s Grand Marshal.

Zehner is a popular man about town. He spends his time volunteering at Lakeland Hospital Watervliet. His assignment there is helping visitors in the waiting room and walking to patients’ rooms with books and magazines for them to enjoy.

Zehner’s zest for helping others doesn’t end when his shift at the hospital is over. He is also a volunteer at the Watervliet Veteran of Foreign Wars hall. He visits local nursing homes with friend Billy Loshbough and sits and talks with the residents. Also, Zehner can often be found volunteering at the Watervliet High School or walking or riding his bike through town.

In the late 1980s, if you headed to the Loma Theater in Coloma to catch a flick, Zehner might often be the gentleman who held the door open for you. No, he didn’t work there but it gave him pleasure to help people and meet new friends.

Zehner was the overwhelming favorite selection of this year’s festival organizers, who had the daunting task of finding a candidate who exemplifies all that is good within a person.

Amy Loshbough, co-chair of the festival, said, “Mike doesn’t know a stranger. He’s friends with everybody.”

Rochelle Ulleg, also co-chair, shared, “You think of ‘grand marshal’ and you think of the impact they have on the community. You generally think of a business, but this year Michael’s name came up.”

“We couldn’t have picked a better marshal!” Loshbough added.

Zehner himself couldn’t believe he had been selected. “I’m in shock! I’ve never been a grand marshal before, not for any city.”

Wistfully, Zehner added, “I just wish my mom was alive to see it.”

Zehner is clearly a people person. Every morning he gets up between 5:00 a.m. and 6:00 a.m. and heads to the Sidetrack Café in downtown Watervliet. He has coffee – no breakfast – with his friends before he begins his day walking around town.

He often catches his favorite television show “The Chase” but volunteering is what he likes best. “I like all the people and Watervliet.  My favorite is volunteering at the hospital.”

Zehner is no stranger to parades, either. For years he decorated and rode his bike in the parade. In the late 1990s, “I would dress up like Uncle Sam,” he shares with a sweet smile.

Zehner will certainly have the thrill of a lifetime on July 1. And, with a shake of his head, he still can’t believe he was picked as the marshal.

Get your duck tickets now!

You still have time to purchase your duck tickets for the duck race down Mill Creek on Sunday, July 2. Tickets can be purchased at most local businesses.

Charge your batteries for the golf cart parade

A new event during this year’s festival, which will be held Friday, June 30 through Sunday, July 2, is the decorated golf cart parade contest allowing any golf cart or side-by-side vehicle. If you have a golf cart or Gator or the like, plan your decorations and get registered now!

The parade will start at North Elementary School on Baldwin just north of the city and will wind throughout area neighborhoods. The colorful carts will head down Forest Beach Road, Huntoon Avenue, Riverside Drive, downtown, Silver Terrace, and end at the Main Stage on Main Street. It’s quite a route and parade organizers are working closely with Dan Jones, Chief of the Watervliet Fire Department.

Bean bags, Mudd Run, Boosters, oh my!

Sign-up is also ongoing for the 64-team bean bag elimination tournament register at Tri-City Record.

The Mudd Run is also seeking power wheels entries for the kids’ division as well as quads for the adults’ division.

The Watervliet Athletic Boosters will be set up downtown, so be sure to get your Panther apparel during the weekend.

Pam Quinn is heading up the Kids Zone area and needs a few volunteers to watch the bounce house. Give Quinn a call at (269) 208-2415 if you are able to assist.

The Hooterville Hitters have put out a final call for players interested in participating in the vintage baseball game against the House of David Echoes Saturday, July 1 at 6:00 p.m. at Hays Park. No experience is necessary! Visit the Hooterville Hitters Facebook page or email kristynoack@gmail.com to get on the roster.

Stop by the Tri-City Record to register for most of the events including the golf cart parade, grand parade, bean bag tourney, Mudd Run, and more.

A complete rundown of the 4th of July festivities will be in next week’s Tri-City Record.

EXTENSIVE DAMAGE…was caused when a tractor trailer careened off I-94 and plowed into the front offices at Lane Automotive

Lou Brule named “Top Pop”

By Annette Christie

He came into her life when she was two years old and became what she describes as “the best thing that ever happened to me.”  Casey Brule nominated her dad, Lou Brule for the 2017 Tri-City Record Top Pop.

Lou was introduced to Casey when he began dating her mom.  Lou says of Casey, “She has always been my daughter.”  Now 31 years later, the two have an abundance of things they do together including concerts and sporting events and just spending time together not doing anything. “Simple people require simple things,” said Lou.

While he was praised plenty in her nominating letter, he passed out some praises of his own of his daughter. “Casey is the daughter every father would want,” Lou said.  He added that being a dad has provided “always enough problems to make you feel needed and always enough accomplishments to make you feel proud.”

He now has the pleasure of being “Papa” to Casey’s daughter Makena.  In her letter she describes their relationship, “If it weren’t for my dad, my daughter wouldn’t have a babysitter, a playmate, a doctor, a disciplinarian, etc.” The bond shared with daughter and father has passed on to granddaughter and papa which was clear as Lou showed off their photos together and talked about doing everything from playing Barbies to playing softball with Makena.

For being selected the 2017 Tri-City Record “Top Pop”, he receives gifts from area merchants. The gifts include a Double Papa Mo from Mo’e Pies located inside JW Morlock & Girls Farmstand, pizza gift certificate from DiMaggios Pizza and Burgers, ten $1 instant lottery tickets from Hartford Harding’s, 25-foot Channel Lock tape measure from Big C Lumber in Coloma, and a special gift from B&B Outlet in Watervliet.

Casey’s nominating letter from the June 8 issue of the Tri-City Record is as follows…

Dear Editor,

When I think about what it takes to be the perfect dad, my dad’s name always crosses my mind. Thirty-one years ago, when I was just two-years-old, the man that I now call Dad walked into my life. Little did I know that he would be the best thing that ever happened to me.

It has been said that being a dad isn’t defined as the man who makes the child, but rather a man who extends his hands and time to help raise that child and gives his heart and love as well. That is exactly what happened for me. Not only am I proud to call him my father, but super proud to call him my daughter’s Papa. If it weren’t for my dad, my daughter wouldn’t have a babysitter, a playmate, a doctor, a discipliner, etc. I pray every day that I can be half the parent that he was and is for me still.

He deserves so much more than winning The Best Dad Contest, but with how rough things have been for our family, I cannot think of a better way for him to take some time for himself and relax instead of stressing over who he needs to help next or what needs to be fixed next.

Help me give my dad, Lou Brule an awesome Father’s Day!!!

Casey L. Brule

Busy times for emergency responders and police with vehicle accidents, airplane crash, and embezzlement by sexton

By Annette Christie

Semi plows into Lane Automotive

On Thursday, June 15 at approximately two in the morning, Berrien County Dispatch received a call for service due to a semi-tractor trailer hitting the Lane Automotive facility located at 8300 Lane Drive in Watervliet Township.

Responding units were advised that the semi left the roadway of eastbound I-94 near the 41-mile marker and crashed into the building. An employee of Lane Automotive made contact with the driver of the semi-truck and assisted him from the semi.  There was also a passenger sleeping at the time of the accident.

The driver and passenger were transported to Lakeland Hospital in St. Joseph to be treated for minor injuries. An on scene investigation determined that the driver could have possibly fallen asleep while driving causing him to leave the roadway and strike the building.  Police did not detect alcohol during the investigation.

The driver was identified as a 31-year-old from Orlando, Florida while the passenger was 40-year-old male from Hollywood, Florida.  The carrier was US Express, Inc. from Chattanooga, Tennessee. The driver was cited for careless driving.

An unknown dollar amount of structural damage and water damage was caused to the building as a result of the accident.  The accident ruptured the fire suppression waterlines that flooded a major area of office space, causing damage to computers and other electronics.

The Berrien County Sheriff’s Department was assisted by the Pokagon Tribal Police, Watervliet City Police, Coloma Charter Township Police, Michigan State Police, Watervliet Fire Department, Medic 1 Ambulance Service, and Pride Care Ambulance Service.

Lane Automotive had this posted on their website: “We’re Running As Usual! Despite all of the challenges late last week, we would like to remind everyone that Lane Automotive is still running on all cylinders and ready to provide the best in customer service and inventory. Our team members pulled together in a massive effort, allowing us to keep serving customers at the level that everyone is accustomed to. Stop by or contact Lane Automotive and let us serve you today. Thanks.”

Lane Automotive was founded in 1964. It is known world-wide as a premier supplier of performance parts and accessories.  The facility is a 416,000 square foot distribution center/office complex and a showroom.

Plane crash in Watervliet

On Friday, June 16, the Berrien County Sheriff’s Department Watervliet Township Patrol responded to the report of a small aircraft crash, near the Watervliet Municipal Airport located at 8575 Airport Drive in Watervliet Township.

A small aircraft which had been departing from the Watervliet Airport failed to gain necessary altitude, and ultimately crashed into a wooded ravine area near an airport runway.

The airplane was occupied by two individuals: 27-year-old Edward Maloney of Fruitport, Michigan and 36-year-old Jonathan Amundsen of Winter Haven, Florida. Both subjects sustained serious injuries, but were able to remove themselves from the aircraft.

Maloney and Amundsen were transported by paramedics to Lakeland Hospital.

Deputies were assisted at the scene by the Watervliet Fire Department, Watervliet City Police Department, Pokagon Tribal Police Department, Coloma Charter Township Police Department, and Pride Care Ambulance.

The airplane crash remains under investigation by the Federal Aviation Administration.

Hartford Township Cemetery Sexton charged with embezzlement

Van Buren County Sheriff Daniel E. Abbott reports that in January of this year (2017), the Van Buren County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division began an investigation into alleged missing funds that were the responsibility of the Hartford Township Cemetery Sexton.  The investigation began at the request of the Hartford Township Board.

A forensic auditor assisted the sheriff’s office with the investigation of Hartford Township’s financial and bookkeeping documents along with evidence collected by law enforcement on several search warrants executed in relation to the investigation.

The investigative report was turned over to the Van Buren County Prosecutor for review.  The prosecutor’s office authorized charges this week on Gerrie Heskett for embezzlement between the amounts of $50,000 and $100,000.

The amount of the theft and or misappropriation of funds discovered during the investigation are not being released at this time.

Heskett appeared in South Haven District Court on June 14 and was arraigned.  Her next court appearance is set for July 5, 2017 at 1:00 p.m. in South Haven District Court.

Intersection known for accidents has another

Emergency responders were dispatched to the intersection of County Line Road and Red Arrow Highway on Friday, June 16 at approximately 5:40 p.m.

A 2015 Subaru Outback, being operated by an 80-year-old male from Watervliet Township was traveling north-bound on County Line Road when he stopped at the stop sign at Red Arrow Highway.  He then proceeded into the intersection and into the path of a 2006 Chrysler Town and Country mini-van.  The van was operated by a 76-year-old male from Dexter, Michigan and was traveling west-bound on Red Arrow Highway.

The driver of the mini-van had to be cut out of the vehicle by rescue personnel and was transported to Lakeland Hospital with serious by non-life threatening injuries.

The driver of the Subaru suffered minor injuries and was cited for failure to yield the right-of-way.

Keeler Township accident results in charges

Van Buren County Sheriff Daniel E. Abbott reports that Van Buren County Deputies responded to a single motor vehicle crash in the 90,000 block of County Road 681.

The driver, a 54-year-old male from Elkhart, Indiana showed signs of intoxication and admitted to consuming alcoholic beverages.

After conducting standard field sobriety evaluations, the driver consented to a preliminary breath test and later to a data master evidentiary breath test with a result of .19 BAC. This is 2.3 times the legal limit in the State of Michigan.

The driver also had multiple current operator license suspensions and revocations in the State of Michigan and has plead guilty to a felony operating while intoxicated charge, 3rd offense, in the past.

The man was lodged in the Van Buren County Jail on charges of operating while intoxicated, 3rd offense and driving with a suspended license pending review by the Van Buren County Prosecutor’s Office.

Warrant arrests made in Watervliet

Watervliet City Patrolman Vincent Horton stopped a vehicle on Main Street for a minor traffic violation on June 14.  The driver was Vanessa Gaston.

During the traffic stop, it was found that Gaston had an outstanding arrest warrant for shop lifting at the Family Dollar in Watervliet.

Gaston was lodged at the Berrien County Jail without incident.

On June 16, Patrolman Horton observed an SUV parked at Hays Park near the river after the park closed.  Horton made contact with the occupants in the vehicle.  He determined that one of the passengers had an outstanding civil arrest warrant out of Berrien County.

During the incident, a small amount of marijuana was also located inside the vehicle.

The 24-year-old male with the warrant was lodged at the Berrien County Jail.

Possession of counterfeit funds results in arrest

Watervliet City Patrolman Michael Prince was in the midst of an investigation into counterfeit money being received at the Shell Gas Station, 748 S. Main Street in Watervliet.  Through the investigation, Prince established two suspects and made contact with the suspects in Coloma Township.

Ashley Snowden, 33 and Michael Wilson, 30 were found to be in possession of 15 counterfeit twenty dollar bills which were recovered.

Snowden was subsequently arrested for possession of counterfeit currency and a parole violation.

Wilson had several outstanding arrest warrants out of Detroit, MI and a civil warrant out of Macomb County, MI. Wilson was also charged with possession of counterfeit currency.

The two subjects were lodged at the Berrien County jail pending review of this case by the Berrien County Prosecutors office.

Prince was assisted by Michigan State Police Trooper Joe Cook and Coloma Township Police Officer Andrew Ulleg.

Watervliet Township police activity

For the month of May, patrols in Watervliet Charter Township resulted in  the following:  14 misdemeanor arrests, 6 felony arrests, 51 traffic stops, 34 citations, assisted other agencies 15 times, 74 residential and business checks, 1 motorist assist, 43 complaints, and 10 follow ups. Berrien County Sheriff’s Deputy Guy Puffer said the Lane Automotive Car Show held on Memorial Day weekend went well.  He said the additional parking provided by Orchard Hill Landfill made the parking and the traffic much easier. Puffer said, “It seemed like the largest crowd ever.”

Puffer would like to remind members of the community that if residents see something unusual in their neighborhoods, they should contact the police and let them check it out.

Coloma Charter Township Policy activity

In the month of May, Coloma Township Police Officers investigated 255 complaints.  Chief Jason Roe said that the number is up about 30% from this time last year.  Those complaints included 18 family/civil situations, 41 non-criminal assists, 21 suspicious situations, 10 larcenies, and 31 assists to other agencies.

The department made 10 felony arrests and 21 misdemeanor arrests.  Officers made 108 traffic stops and issued 34 citations.

Intersection on Red Arrow Hwy between Watervliet and Hartford to be closed beginning June 26

According to Michael Juengling, Berrien County Road Commission Traffic Safety & Technology Supervisor, the closure of the Red Arrow Highway and County Line Road (70th Street) intersection will begin the week of June 26 for reconstruction.

This joint project between the Berrien County Road Commission and Van Buren County Road Commission will improve safety at this intersection by raising the grade of the road to allow better sight distance. Drainage will also be addressed.

Traffic will be allowed on these roads up to the work zone but will be closed to thru traffic.  Access to Four Winds Casino will be from Hartford only.  The project is expected to be completed by September 1, 2017.