News

Holt parks attract residents of all ages

By |

For suburban Americans, the idea of a public park seems commonplace. But how many of us know what elements go into making a park, let alone a good one? 

Molly WrightAnna Bigelow and her daughter Sarah, 3, on the playground at Valhalla Park in Holt.

Luckily for residents of the Greater Lansing Area, the Holt-Delhi parks department seems to have the answers. 

Recently under new leadership, the director, Troy Stowell is a longtime parks department employee and Holt resident has been in charge for the past month. “I’m actually a Holt resident myself so when this position came open at the end of 2021 it felt like a natural fit to come in and apply to see if I can better the parks system and improve my hometown,” says Stowell. This may be a tough initiative as Delhi Township already boasts an impressive list of parks as well as roughly 9 miles of interurban trails and pathways for outdoor enthusiasts to explore. The trails are a combination of paved walking paths and hiking trails to ensure accessibility and connect the Holt community with the Lansing River Trail (a 25.3-mile paved path along Grand River). 

“All of our trails connect with either schools or parks or neighborhoods, so a lot of people, especially when the weather gets a little better outside, you’ll see them on our trail system.

News

New refuge for foster dogs a step closer in Holt

By |

HOLT – On a unanimous vote, animals in Delta Township waiting to be fostered or adopted are one step closer to having a refuge. That place, proposed by the nonprofit Happy Feet Pet Rescue, would be 3276 E. Jolly Road. The plan was approved by the Holt-Delhi Planning Commission. Requested location

Happy Feet Pet Rescue representative LuEllen Smith said, “We are not a shelter, but a temporary place for animals to stay while they’re getting cleared by the vet to go to people’s homes.”

Trustee Pat Brown questioned Smith about the availability of inside and outside space. Brown asked about the types of animals that were available for fostering and adopting, “I watch Lone Star Law.

Ingham County Sheriff's badge
Ingham County

Keeping schools safe: Deputy watches over county

By |

Schools should be places where students feel safe and parents feel their children are being protected. The increasing number of school threats and incidents has caused many to feel less safe on school properties. The sheriff’s office of Ingham County and school resource officers such as Deputy Megan Jordan work to combat that. 

The most valuable protection that the sheriff’s department has for schools is a dedicated school resource officer. The officer’s main duty is to maintain safety and security while building relationships with students. 

The position is funded by Delhi Township and is in charge of the buildings in the Holt school district, as well as other parts of the county, with about 5,600 students and 800 faculty and staff. “It’s really like a small city, for one cop,” said County Sheriff Scott Wriggelsworth. 

Ingham Intermediate School District director of facilities and safety, Steve Rusnock, said the school resource officer is a significant benefit for the district. 

“Coordinating with the sheriff’s office and school resource officers helps to give that extra feeling of security for all the students and parents, not to mention the faculty,” said Rusnock.

Education

Local libraries still thriving, even without late fees

By |

In July 2021, the Capital Area District Libraries announced it would no longer charge fines for overdue materials. More than seven months later, the libraries are seeing the positive effects of the decision.

Library assistant Maxine Budzynski at the Holt-Delhi branch of the CADL said she feels the policy has been received very well overall by the community. 

With overdue fees eliminated, the library found a new way to ensure the return of their materials–freezing accounts. If the materials are past 10 days overdue, the person’s account is frozen and they are unable to check out anything else until it is returned. CADL Executive Director Scott Duimstra said this is better than fines and one that is closer to the group’s beliefs.  

News

DeWitt plans March 19 ‘Cabin Fever Reliever’ to lift spirits

By |

How do you break that Michigan winter cabin fever? DeWitt City Council says, come have a beer! Eli McKown

The DeWitt City Council on Feb. 14 unanimously approved its second Cabin Fever Reliever and the consumption of alcohol on the streets for the event. The city plans to block several streets for the March 19 event.

News

Family affair leads Holt bowling down the stretch

By |

Both Schaberg brothers will be among the favorites to make a run at the Division 1 Regional Finals on Feb. 25-26 with David coming off a semifinal appearance in the state championship as a junior in 2021. But on Sunday in the conference finals, it all came down to a family affair.In moments like these, it can be hard to separate the parent from the coach. Scott Schaberg said that while it’s great to see the boys win a title, the one negative is “that it had to come at the expense of the other.”

News

Holt Parks attract residents of all ages

By |

For suburban Americans, the idea of a public park seems like a rite of passage, an important facet in all our coming-of-age stories. But how many of us know what elements make a park a good park? 

Anna Bigelow and her daughter Sarah, 3 in May, on the playground at Valhalla Park in Holt.

Luckily for residents of the Greater Lansing Area, the Holt-Delhi parks department seems to have the answers. 

Recently under new leadership, the new director, Troy Stowell is a longtime parks department employee and Holt resident has been in charge for the past month. “I’m actually a Holt resident myself so when this position came open at the end of 2021 it felt like a natural fit to come in and apply to see if I can better the parks system and improve my hometown,” says Stowell. This may be a tough initiative as Delhi Township already boasts an impressive list of parks as well as roughly 9 miles of interurban trails and pathways for outdoor enthusiasts to explore. The trails are a combination of paved walking paths and hiking trails to ensure accessibility and connect the Holt community with the Lansing River Trail (a 25.3-mile paved path along Grand River). 

According to Parks and Recreation Director Troy Stowell, the Holt-Delhi parks department has plans to continue expanding the trails due to their popularity. 

“Our trail system here in Holt I think is second to none.

News

Therapy dogs helping communities

By |

“It’s nice to see people smile and relax after a long day.”

Sarah AtwoodBiffy, age 6

Gayle Yarick is a therapy dog owner. Her dog, Biffy, is a 6-year-old smooth collie. Biffy has been a therapy dog for almost three years after passing the Therapy Dogs International Test. Yarick has been working with therapy dogs for several years, and Biffy is her most recent trainee. “Training is different for each dog.