Monthly Archives: November 2011

Williamston High School mourns student

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Gabe Corbett, 14, died when a section of wall fell on him on Oct. 26.

By Jesse O’Brien
Williamston Post staff writer

In the wake of the death of a Williamston High School student, District Superintendent Narda Murphy issued a statement on the district’s homepage concerning the incident.

Ninth-grader Gabe Corbett died Wednesday afternoon after a section of wall fell on him in the boy’s locker room. Paramedics from the Williamston Police Department, Ingham County Sherrif’s Office and the Michigan State Police were on hand to attempt to revive Corbett. The departments also are conducting an investigation to determine if Corbett’s death could have been prevented.

“Because the safety and security of our students is paramount, the Williamston School District is also conducting its own independent investigation,” the statement said.

According to the statement, the locker room was part of the school which was built in 1990 and the portion of wall that fell was a partial wall in between the lockers. The wall was seven feet high and made of concrete. The school has since closed off the area as a safety precaution.

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2 Williamston residents charged with felonies

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By Sean Gagnier
Williamston Post staff writer

The two Williamston residents who were recently sent to Sparrow Hospital’s Intensive Care Unit after an incident involving mephedrone have been charged with felonies. The victims were sent to Sparrow Hospital on Sept. 29 after they suffered side-effects of “drone.”

Williamston Police have charged the two victims with felony possession of MDPV.

Sparrow Hospital accepted the 22-year-old male and 18-year-old female from Williamston after they ingested methylenedioxypyrovalerone, or MDPV.  MDPV is a designer drug that is frequently sold as bath salts said Williamston Police. Over the summer the Michigan legislature passed a bill outlawing “drone,” classifying it as a Schedule 1 drug, which is a drug with no medical uses that also poses a high risk of abuse.

Both victims were picked up by ambulance and escorted to Sparrow Hospital after Williamston Police were able to get them under control. Reports stated that the female was hysterical and waving her arms when police found the victims. The victims spent nine days in the hospital recovering.

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City budget rising from year to year

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By Jesse O’Brien
Williamston Post staff writer

The general fund for the city of Williamston has steadily increased each year since 2000, and likely will continue to do so, City Manager Tim Allard said.

Since 2001, the general fund balance has increased by about 750 percent, from approximately $200,000 to $1.7 million. Last year alone, the general funds increased by about 23.2 percent.

In 2011, $318,675 was used from the local street fund to repair 7.07 miles worth of roads in the community which have been classified as local roads. That fund is mostly supported by revenue from the state, but after that revenue has been used, money is taken from the general fund.

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Williamston Math & Science Academy

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By Taylor Miller
Williamston Post staff writer

According to the MSA website…

Who should apply?

- Exceptional interest and ability in math  and science
- Successful academic record
- Self-motivated
- Outstanding ability to work independently and in peer group
- Interest in pursuing a post-collegiate career

According to the MSA website, the program is also an excellent preparation for college. 

 STRONG PREPARATION POINTS: 

- Integration of math, science and technology.
- Work with students with similar interests and talents.
- Research and Internships.
- Academic competitions – state, local and national
- Academy designation on transcript.
- Guest speakers and field trips.
- Form close relationships with Academy students and teachers.

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Personal property tax cut would impact Williamston

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Local businesses, such as Merindorf Meats, would no longer have to pay taxes on computers or machinery they purchase.

Sean Gagnier
Williamston Post staff writer

Gov. Rick Snyder has proposed a change to Michigan’s personal property tax law that he believes can cut $1.2 billion in taxes on local businesses. While Gov. Snyder said that change to the personal property tax code could take up to ten years, local governments remain concerned of the potential loss of revenue.

Personal property tax is a tax that businesses pay on equipment purchased for use in their buildings, such as computers or heavy machinery. Gov. Snyder believes that this tax is holding Michigan businesses back and slowing the creation of jobs and lowering competition.

“I believe most people believe the personal property tax is not a good tax system,” said Gov. Snyder in a statement. “It causes a lot of capital misallocations and is not something that’s conducive to job growth.”

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