COLOMA HS HOMECOMING ROYALTY… was crowned Friday night during halftime of the Comets winning football game to reign over Homecoming festivities as the rain came down on them. The 2016 king and queen are seniors Allen Yvinskas and Nathene Wendzel. Allen is the son of Annette & Matt Jaske. Nathene’s parents are Kimberly and Tim Wendzel.

Keeler Township sets public hearing for lake cleanup projects

By Annette Christie

The Keeler Township Board set two more public hearings for special assessment districts for lake cleanups.  The assessments are renewals.  The public hearings will be scheduled for the November 1 meeting at 8:00 p.m.   Under consideration are the Keeler Lake Weed Control Special Assessment and the Round Lake Weed Control Special Assessment.  The Keeler Lake assessment is for $15,083.95 with a parcel assessment of $169.17 for lake front, $253.76 for multiple lake front parcels.  Vacant lake lots and back lots are also charged.  The Round Lake assessment is for $17,299.69 or $113.07 per parcel.  Supervisor Bill Kays told the board though that he thought they did not want to assess the maximum they could and that number might actually be less as it gets closer.  He said he would confirm it with the Round Lake assessment supporters.     Kays informed the board about a new law that was just passed regarding medical marijuana.  As it now reads, the law (HB 4209) gives local townships a little say in that in order for medical marijuana dispensaries to exist in their townships, there must be an ordinance in place.  The township does not currently have an ordinance in place and it intends to leave it that way for now.    In efforts to keep cleaning up blight in the township, Kays told the board that two properties have been condemned and their lawyer is taking the action necessary to make that happen.  In addition, the board gave him authorization to press harder on the owners of four other properties in the township that need cleaned up.  If no action is taken to remedy the poor conditions by next month’s meeting, the board will likely take action to send it to their attorney for legal action.

Nesbitt to host veterans roundtable in Paw Paw

 State Rep. Aric Nesbitt, R-Lawton, will host an informational roundtable on Monday, Oct. 10, to discuss issues military veterans encounter when interacting with state government.  “We owe a great debt of gratitude to the men and women who have helped keep this country safe and free,” said Rep. Nesbitt. “Providing an open forum to ask questions and get information on state and local initiatives beneficial to veterans is one way to support those who have served in the defense of our nation.”  James Redford, Director of the Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency, will serve as a guest speaker, sharing information about the state department, what it can provide, and who Michigan veterans can contact to get more information specific to their situation.  The event will be held at the Paw Paw American Legion, located at 115 N. Niles St. in Paw Paw, from 8:30-9:30 a.m.  Interested constituents can RSVP for the event by contacting Craig at cpetersen@house.mi.gov or 800-577-6212.  For more information, residents are encouraged to contact Rep. Nesbitt’s office toll free at 800-577-6212 or send an email to aricnesbitt@house.mi.gov.

Buy Super Books locally; WHS Post Prom earns part of proceeds

By Annette Christie

The annual coupon book known as the “Super Book” is out with the 2016-2017 version and if it is purchased locally, the Watervliet High School Post Prom event will earn a portion of the proceeds.    The Super Book includes hundreds of dollars of savings for the purchase price of $38.95.  Additional supplements featuring specific businesses in the north and south parts of the county are available for an additional $2. They expire September 30, 2017.    The creators of the Super Book graciously allow non-profit organizations to sell the product and earn a portion of the proceeds.    If you would like to purchase one, contact Annette Christie at 269-921-1802 or email ahilerk@yahoo.com to order yours today.  They will be delivered right to your door.  The support of our community is greatly appreciated.

Oktoberfest at  Paw Paw Lake Yacht Club

 The public is invited to this annual Lakeland Community Hospital fundraiser. Oktoberfest is Saturday, October 15, 2016 at Paw Paw Lake Yacht Club, 5097 Shoreview Drive in Coloma beginning at 6:00 p.m.  Bratwurst, Braunschweiger and Sauerbraten from Sheboygan, Wisconsin the “Bratwurst Capital of the World” will be featured plus more for all you can eat dining. There will be dancing to Will Smaka’s Music Connection Polka Band and a cash bar to complete an evening of enjoyment.  Ticket to attend the fest is a $50 tax deductable donation and can be purchased by calling 269-927-5143 or online at lakelandhealth.org/Oktoberfest.  The Community Hospital Foundation is holding a raffle during the fest for a chance to win one of three cash prizes for up to $2,500. Raffle tickets are available at the Lakeland Hospital, Watervliet Gift Shop. Only 150 tickets at a cost of $50 per ticket will be sold.  Proceeds from this event go to the foundation’s Student Scholarship Fund.

Hartford Senior Services

Hartford United Methodist Church, 425 E. Main St., Hartford

Monday, October 10 lunch will be served at 12:30 p.m.; Bingo & Euchre/cards, 1:30 p.m.

Tuesday, October 11 lunch will be served at 12:30 p.m.; Cardio Drumming, Euchre/cards and computer help, 1:00 p.m.; Knitting, 1:30 p.m.

Friday, October 14 lunch will be served at 12:30 p.m.; Bible Study & Euchre/cards, 1:00 p.m.; Knitting, Crocheting & Needlework, 1:30 p.m.

Flu Shot Clinic: Hartford UMC – Monday, October 31 from 12:30-1:30 p.m. Please bring photo ID and insurance card.

Rides are available through Van Buren Public Transit with no less than 24 hour advance notice at (269) 427-7921.

Donate blood with the Red Cross to support cancer patients and others

 The American Red Cross urges eligible donors to give blood to support cancer patients and other patients during Breast Cancer Awareness Month this October.  More than 1.6 million new cases of cancer are expected to be diagnosed in the US this year and 246,600 of them will be invasive breast cancer, according to the American Cancer Society. Cancer patients may need blood products during chemotherapy, surgery or treatment for complications.    Mary Kay Huppert was diagnosed with breast cancer last year. “I was a nurse for 40 years. I saw blood transfusions save a lot of lives.” She received two transfusions herself while being treated for breast cancer.  The Red Cross must collect about 14,000 blood donations every day to help patients, and volunteer donors are the only source of blood products for those needing transfusions. Donors of all blood types are needed.  To make an appointment to give blood, download the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767). Donors are encouraged to make appointments and complete the RapidPass online health history questionnaire at redcrossblood.org/rapidpass to save time when donating.

Friends of the Paw Paw River to hold meeting

 On Saturday, October 8 there will be a meeting of the “Friends of the Paw Paw River” from 9 a.m. – 10 a.m. at the Coloma Township Hall.  Anyone is invited to attend to receive an update on the river clean-up and future plans of the group.