Sludge dryer project faces May 8 test

By Beau Hayhoe
Holt Journal staff writer

DELHI TOWNSHIP — The pungent smell of Delhi Township’s wastewater treatment plant spreads into the countryside.

The scent of treated liquid waste is unpleasant to some. But across the past decade, township officials have began looking past what the product smells like to what it could be used for in the future.

Officials began exploring the process of upgrading the township’s wastewater treatment processes in 2003, said Delhi Township Director of Public Services Sandra Diorka.

The township’s efforts led to the creation of a digestion process that turns human waste into high-quality liquid sludge for disposal on farmland.

With phase I complete, Delhi officials want to do more with the byproducts of the township’s toilets.

The project’s second phase would develop a sludge dewatering and solar drying process. This would allow the liquid waste to be converted into biosolids and sold as an alternative fuel, a move potentially leading to profits for the township.
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June 30 decision on custodial services looms

By Julia Grippe
Holt Journal staff writer

Sue Osbo, a Holt Public Schools custodian, has been working in the district for 30 years. Here, she voices concerns about a proposal to privatize custodial services.

Like many other Holt custodians, Osbo has a lot invested in the school district and said she goes above and beyond her required duties. The possibility of outsourcing the custodians’ jobs has brought out concern and emotion from many of the custodial staff.

Although it’s a cost issue and the school board is trying hard to make best choice for the district, Osbo feels that the current staff is what’s best for Holt Schools.

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Despite brain trauma, Holt student excels as musician

By Maddie Fetchiet
Holt Journal staff writer

Desa Hiither has loved playing music since she was 6 years old, but after suffering brain trauma in a car accident shortly before starting high school, she was worried her talents would never be the same again.

She was wrong.

Hiither, a junior and a member of the Holt High School symphonic and marching bands, plays more than 10 instruments, composes and can freestyle jazz pieces.

While music has always been in her life, she was able to expand her talents immensely even after her injuries.

After falling out of a moving car, Hiither suffered skull fractures and was left with an air pocket in her brain and neck, brain bleeds, and is now hearing impaired, according to Hiither. She wears a hearing aid in each ear.

“I was told I was going to be in a vegetable state for the rest of my life, if I did survive,” Hiither said. “I was so frustrated after the accident I wanted to drop it all.”
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Holt native and family sail the world

By Stefany Banda
Holt Journal staff writer

Holt native Gregg Granger and his family put their lives on hold when they decided to sail around the world.

The Granger family bought a 56-foot sailboat and named it Faith. Gregg and wife, Lorraine, packed their 5-year-old son and two teen daughters aboard, and then sailed out from Virginia, heading for the Caribbean in the fall of 2003.

Previous to this journey, the Granger family had never sailed anything greater than Hobie Cat on Gun Lake. Granger planned to leave Virginia and proceed to the Caribbean, through the Panama Canal, and around the South Pacific.

“Our story is not about sailing. It’s about the cultures and relationships we entered into and learned from,” Granger said.
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Portion of proposed sludge dryer project approved by state

By Beau Hayhoe
Holt Journal staff writer

The Michigan Department of Environmental Qualityhas given the go-ahead to a portion of a Delhi Township project that would turn organic waste into biofuels.

The department’s approval is one step in a process that could ultimately result in the creation of a  $5.5 million sludge dryer that would allow the township to convert biosolids into alternative fuel.

The department approved a portion of the project that regulates the burning of the biosolids as fuel, Township Manager John Elsinga said.

A $5.1 million bond proposal that would finance part of the project is on the May 8 ballot.
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Ed Trek program will complete a successful first year

By Julia Grippe
Holt Journal staff writer

HOLT — A successful first year for the Ed Trek alternative education program in Holt is coming to an end in June.

The Ed Trek program provides education for students who are either behind in classes or are at risk of not graduating.

Deputy Superintendent W. Scott Szpara said, “It’s been a good year. It’s been an interesting year.”

“Prior to this year we had an alternative program,” said Szpara. The alternative school program was called Holt Central High School.  “We looked at increasing costs of the program but, more importantly, graduation. We decided it wasn’t high enough.”
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Community prepares for summer festival

 By Beau Hayhoe
Holt Journal staff writer

 August is about five months away, but preparations have already started for the Holt Hometown Festival, a two-day event expected to draw in thousands of residents and to feature family activities and local businesses.

The 14th year of the festival is set to kick off Friday, Aug. 24, and end with fireworks Saturday.

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Holt bar benefits from March Madness

By Zach Smith
Holt Journal staff writer

At Champions Sports Bar and Grill, 2440 Cedar St., Holt, owner Nick Fata can’t wait for March every year.

He said that business always bumps up during the month due to basketball on television.

“Everyone jumps on the bandwagon,” he said.

Fata said that sales increase about 20 percent during the month.

He added that he sells more food than alcohol during the month.

He said that it starts with the Big Ten tournament and continues all the way through the National Championship.

Fata said that people come in for more than just the NCAA tournament.

He said that fans follow the women’s NCAA tournament and the National Invitational Tournament. He said that people tend to root for the Big Ten in all the tournaments. Continue reading

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Billy Dean performing in Holt

By Julia Grippe
Holt Journal staff writer

Photo provided by the Billy Dean website

Billy Dean - Photo provided by the Billy Dean website

HOLT – Country music artist Billy Dean will be performing on Holt’s Margaret Livensparger Stage April 14.

Dean is a Grammy Award winning artist and has appeared on a number of television shows including Good Morning America and The Tonight Show.

“We are pretty excited to have Billy Dean perform,” said Jeff Miller, theater and events manager for Holt High School.  He started on Star Search and in the second season he was the winner. That’s what launched his career.

The Dean concert is a chance for Holt residents to enjoy entertainment right in their hometown.

“We know Michigan audiences like his music,”said Miller. “There are also ticket holders coming from states such as Ohio and Indiana. He has a very loyal fan base.”

“There is a pretty healthy contingent that gives their support to the Wharton Center. Those venues bring a lot to the community and we want to give our part to the community,” said Miller.

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Free lawn care seminar April 12

By Stefany Banda
Holt Journal staff writer

Gary Heilig is a Horticulture Educator for Michigan State University Extension, and is giving a free lawn-care seminar on Thursday, April 12 at Holt Junior High.

The seminar will take place from 6-8pm. Heilig will provide advice on how to evaluate your lawn and develop a plan to help your lawn be all that it can be.

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