Dewitt City Council Unveils Finance Director Position in Development of New Financial Methods.

Dewitt City Council Introduces New Finance Director Position to Drive Fiscal Success

During the bi-monthly meeting on Monday (Sep. 25), the Dewitt City Council voted unanimously in favor of approval for a new Finance Director position. The decision came in response to acknowledging staffing shortages, and it aims a fresh proposal to separate duties currently handled by the Interim Clerk-Treasure Sarah Stoltzfus, who is temporarily overseeing the financial aspects.

DeWitt sets weekend of Aug. 18 for 77th annual ox roast  

Chief of Police Bruce Ferguson discusses crisis intervention training with the DeWitt City Council. The DeWitt City Council met March 13 to discuss the annual ox roast festival and grants for improvements to McGuire Park and the sewer system. The council passed four items at the meeting. Approval of ox roast applications

Council discussed the DeWitt Memorial Association’s application for the 77th annual ox roast. The association also requested road closures and consumption of alcohol in designated locations. 

The event is scheduled for the weekend of Aug.

DeWitt High School staged Newsies as fall musical

The cast of Newsies performing a number at DeWitt High School

This fall, DeWitt High School students took the stage in their production of Disney’s Newsies. 

The cast and crew began rehearsing at the beginning of the school year in August. About 90 people came together to bring the production to life. Stepping into the lead role of Jack Kelly is DHS junior Will Marciniak. “It has been really challenging, it’s a hard role but I’m having a lot of fun with it,” said Marciniak. Playing Jack has brought Marciniak new friendships and helped develop chemistry with his castmates.

DeWitt High School club celebrates Socktober

Matea KanickiDeanna Barish, Carley King, and Kelsey Droste found success in the community as they collected socks for the needy with their Socktober campaign. DeWitt Gives Back celebrated the month of October differently. The new high school club held Socktober by accepting sock donations to be given to the homeless. The event was announced in a Facebook post. 

Club adviser Kelsey Droste established the club over the summer and has had a great turnout in student involvement. Droste said the DeWitt area has a big potential for donation- based causes which, inspired the mission of her club.

Silhouette of panther head and neck

DeWitt schools seek state learning loss grant

The DeWitt school board called a special meeting Oct. 19 to meet a deadline for a grant to help mitigate learning loss caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. A board subcommittee dedicated to curriculum presented a slideshow and discussed the importance of recovering students’ math and reading scores. On Sept. 15, the Michigan legislature allocated $52 million for local education agencies to help students whose learning was hurt by the pandemic.

Artwork, cookware, apparel fill downtown DeWitt market

The Bridge + Main Market hosted a lively Fall Outdoor Market on Oct. 8, attracting dozens of artists, designers, bakers and jewelers. The market is known to artisans across the state for a few reasons — the uniqueness of each booth, the support for small businesses and the kindness of the community.

Many businesses at the market were relatively new, starting in the early days of the pandemic. For example, Lady Wood Goods owner Nicole Rodgers said the lockdown gave her the time and opportunity to learn a new hobby: woodcutting. She sells handmade decor, kitchenware and more. This is her second year at the fall market, having been invited by a friend and fellow artisan. “Yeah, she told me all about it and how amazing it is here. It’s little, but every vendor is so different. And the community itself is so awesome,” said Rodgers.

A side view of a DeWitt Police Department patrol car

DeWitt Police Department rolls out hybrid-electric patrol car

Norene BassinChief Bruce Ferguson shows off the trunk of the Chevy Tahoe and the supplies the department brings on patrol. Ever since acquiring a 2022 Ford Explorer Platinum in March, the DeWitt Police Department has seen a multitude of benefits. From a quieter engine to better mileage, Chief Bruce Ferguson says he plans on fully transitioning to an all-hybrid fleet by 2025. 

Ferguson said  the department’s budget was being sunk into constant maintenance. “The maintenance cost on our other patrol car was out of control,” he said. “We were replacing engines left and right … with engines costing $8,000 a pop, it was adding up fast.” The small, 3.3L hybrid engine of the Explorer Platinum hasn’t required nearly as much maintenance as previous cars.