News
DeWitt Valentine's Dinner Story - Kelsey Lester

Sweethearts gather for steaks, small talk at DeWitt VFW post

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DeWitt residents gathered at their Veterans of Foreign Wars post for a community steak dinner to celebrate Valentine’s Day. Post Commander John Williams said love was in the air. 

Kelsey Lester

“Basically everybody here is married and has sweethearts and everything like that, so we  figured in having a nice dinner for everybody,” said Williams. “We figured they’d enjoy it, so they didn’t have to do any cooking at home.” 

People made their way to the hall for small talk and a medium-rare steak. For volunteer Evelyn Powell, this was unexpected and just as memorable as the post’s  other events. 

“We normally do a fish fry, but there was a shortage of fish. People can’t get fish,” said Powell. “There’s people that come in (and say) ‘oh, I haven’t seen you in forever.’ Once in a while, they have a local band on a Friday night and then you end up  meeting or reconnecting with people you haven’t seen in a long time.” 

Powell’s husband, Terry Powell, also found the power in small community events like this Valentine’s dinner. 

“We need them.

Bath-DeWitt
Man shovels around Sparty statue on MSU campus.

13.3 inches of snow brings out heroes with shovels, trucks

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On Wednesday, after 13.3 inches of snow covered East Lansing, Garrett Daggett was busy plowing and salting the driveways of friends and neighbors around his home in Bath Township. While working, Daggett came across several people who had gotten stuck in snowbanks and ditches while braving snow-covered roads. He knew the conditions were going to be bad and had prepared to help people with his full-size Chevy Silverado.

On Michigan State University’s campus, many others were also clearing snow on the roads and walkways. Jackson Heon began his shift at 8 a.m. Three hours later, he was still hard at work, beginning to shovel the pavement and paths around the famous Spartan statue.

News

DeWitt community convincingly passes $66 million school bond

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The  $66 million bond approved for DeWitt Public Schools Nov. 2 means work can begin next year. 

The six-year bond is a renewal of the previous bond, meaning there will be no tax rate increase in the 2021 levy. It will cover district needs such as addressing aged buildings, updating educational technology, and improving athletics, arts, and extracurriculars. The vote passed overwhelmingly with 70.9% of the 3,354 voters in favor of the bond. 

“What an amazing day to be a DeWitt Panther! Thank you to the community for supporting the bond proposal.

News

On stage: DeWitt High School performs Les Misérables musical

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DeWitt High School students have been working since August to stage the intricate musical Les Misérables. On Nov. 4, DeWitt High School performing arts took the stage for its production of Les Misérables. Seventy cast and crew members are took on the powerful and moving plot. Senior Bryce Debri is playing the main role of Jean Valjean.

Bath
Interior of Bath Townshp library

Bath library millage renewed, employees ‘excited and relieved’

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Sam SklarThe Bath Township Public Library millage was up for renewal Tuesday and passed 1,181-390. Election Day usually brings about lots of changes to communities across the country. It can be anywhere from a mayor up for reelection to a school bond requesting approval. But for Bath Charter Township, population around 13,000, there was only one question on Tuesday’s ballot. 

With 75.2% of the 1,571 voters in favor, the Bath Township Public Library millage was renewed for 10 years. An extension of the previous millage, Bath citizens will continue to pay the .6792 mill rate, which was set to expire this year. 

For members of the community and library employees, passage brought a sigh of relief.

News
DeWitt schools panther print

DeWitt citizens call for clarity as $66 million bond vote nears

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While community members are excited to see the district take steps to improve schools with its Nov. 2 bond issue, it does not come without concern. Some DeWitt citizens want to know exactly how much and where the money will be spent. “I think it’s critical to the community to know that we’re going to commit and support $66 million to the school district and that we know it’s going to be spent in appropriate political way to specific items,” Scot Ellsworth said at the Oct. 11 school board meeting.

Dr. Shanna Spickard
DeWitt

DeWitt schools’ proposal comes to a vote

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DeWitt schoolsWhen Dr. Shanna Spickard became DeWitt schools superintendent in May, the district’s $66 million bond proposal was already on the to-do list. On Nov. 2, DeWitt school district voters will decide on a $66 million bond issue that would address aged building systems, updating educational technology, and improving athletics arts and extracurriculars. A renewal, the 6-year proposal would maintain current taxing levels. Even before Dr. Shanna Spickard became superintendent in May, the proposal was on its way to time he ballot. Language was approved in June.