MUNDY TOWNSHIP, Michigan -- There's something about Connie Rau and socks.

Every time she signs up to help with a charitable group, the Mundy Township grandmother said it always seems to involve socks.

"There's something about my life and socks," said Rau, 63. "I never say no to a sock."

Continue reading "Connie Rau warms toes and hearts through Shoes That Fit program, Food Bank and other community service efforts in Genesee County area" »

GRAND BLANC, Michigan &mdash On a recent Monday morning, 23 families lined up at the food pantry run by Holy Family Catholic Church. The small waiting room in the basement of the church office building on South Saginaw Road was full and a line snaked up the stairs and out the door. Three volunteers did their best to process applications for food assistance.

It's not an uncommon story, as Michigan's economy continues to sag and its unemployment rates remain the highest in the nation. People who never before sought help are standing in line. Asked about the need in Grand Blanc, a community usually thought of as affluent, Holy Family deacon Jack Daunt said, "We have it."

In October, Holy Family's Outreach program helped more than 130 families with food and clothing -- more than 400 people were fed. Daunt said he has seen a big jump in requests compared with this time a year ago.

"About 35 percent of our visitors are new each week," he said.

Continue reading "Charities: Need for food, gifts is great" »

GRAND BLANC TOWNSHIP, Michigan -- Melissa A. Bosek, a Grand Blanc woman police allege embezzled more than $2 million from her employer, was arraigned Friday on 17 felony charges.

Bosek, 32, was given a $1.7 million personal recognizance bond by Central District Judge Mark McCabe after her attorney, Richard Lustig, said she is a lifelong resident of the area and voluntarily turned herself in to the court.

Officials allege Bosek took $2.2 million from Bell Title last year when she worked at the company's Grand Blanc Township office.

Continue reading "Grand Blanc woman, Melissa A. Bosek, arraigned on felony charges in embezzlement case" »

GRAND BLANC TOWNSHIP, Michigan &mdash There were many words of thanks and congratulations at the Nov. 13 Township Board meeting -- thanks to the five outgoing board members and congratulations to the newcomers.

Newly elected board member Larry Anderson thanked each board member individually for their service, including newly elected supervisor Marilyn Hoffman, his former speech teacher at Grand Blanc High School.

"Jeff and Linda, your offices have been outstanding and cooperative," he told outgoing Supervisor Jeffrey Zittel and Clerk Linda Kingston.

Continue reading "Grand Blanc Township salutes outgoing, incoming board members" »

GRAND BLANC TONWSHIP, Michigan &mdash When a kitchen fire engulfed much of an apartment building at Grand Oaks apartments in Grand Blanc last month, resident Ellen Thomas had one major concern.

"I was panicky and screamed, 'My dog is in there,'" Thomas said.

The fire gutted about half the building, but Thomas's dog, Tasha, and her daughter's iguana made it out safely thanks to the efforts of the Grand Blanc Fire Department.

Continue reading "Masks may aid in pet rescues" »

MUNDY TOWNSHIP, Michigan &mdash Students at Madison Academy took part in a worldwide event Nov. 13 involving several schools trying to set a Guinness world record through sport stacking. The goal was to have the most people taking part in the sport at multiple locations in one day.

Sport stacking requires hand-eye coordination to stack special cups in different pyramidlike forms as quickly as possible.

Physical education teacher Matthew Mills said it's a good activity for his students because it gives children who are "not as sporty" something they are more likely to be good at that still involves physical activity.

Continue reading "Students lend a hand in effort to break sport record" »

GRAND BLANC TOWNSHIP, Michigan &mdash The need for an interim pastor brought the Rev. Darrell L. Foltz to the pulpit of First Baptist Church a year ago. The love of his church family will make him the permanent pastor of the 175-year-old church, 6106 S. Saginaw Road, when he is installed at a service at 3 p.m. today. A reception will follow.

Church member Delores Wilson of Gaines Township sat on the search committee that interviewed Foltz for the position.

"He's been an inspiration to a lot of people," Wilson said. "We're very pleased that he decided to stay with us."

Foltz has been in ministry since committing his life to Jesus Christ when he was 13 years old.

Continue reading "Inspirational pastor to lead First Baptist" »