February 1, 2017

Border battles: Schools win, lose students under Schools of Choice

Reese Public Schools closed and demolished one of its three school buildings several years ago, adding this new sign to a building now housing students from sixth through 12th grades. Superintendent Keith Wetters cites the decision to close Reese Middle School as a reason the school district offers a greater variety of classes – and attracts students under Michigan’s Schools of Choice laws. (Photo by John Cook)

Border battles: Schools win, lose students under Schools of Choice

Tom Gilchrist February 1, 2017

Enrollment in school districts in Michigan’s Thumb area generally has declined for years, but...

Vassar’s violin girl: Olivia tugs at town’s heartstrings

Olivia Storey, 16, performs at one of her regular appearances at Sam & Ruby’s The Corner Deli/Café at 100 N. Main St. in Vassar in Tuscola County. Storey said she loves playing live music with her violin or viola at the business, where she appears about noon on Fridays. Customers at the eatery have been helping her raise money to travel to Europe this summer to perform with an orchestra. Storey, who is home-schooled, lives in Davison in Genesee County, about 24 miles from Vassar. (Photo by John Cook)

Vassar’s violin girl: Olivia tugs at town’s heartstrings

Tom Gilchrist February 1, 2017

Standing on a wooden floor and beneath a tin tall ceiling in a corner...

Get ready to pay for public information from Tuscola County officials Tuscola County Courthouse

Get ready to pay for public information from Tuscola County officials

John Schneider February 1, 2017

Tuscola County residents and taxpayers take note: If you want information about what your...

Library officials lead efforts to create vision for Caro Erin Schmandt, director, Caro Area District Library (left), Caro Mayor Joe Greene (center), and Meggen Jensen, president, Caro Chamber of Commerce, listen during a “community conversation” held by the library on Monday. There are nine more similar conversations planned through the end of March. (Photo by John Cook)

Erin Schmandt, director, Caro Area District Library (left), Caro Mayor Joe Greene (center), and Meggen Jensen, president, Caro Chamber of Commerce, listen during a “community conversation” held by the library on Monday. There are nine more similar conversations planned through the end of March. (Photo by John Cook)

Library officials lead efforts to create vision for Caro

John Schneider February 1, 2017

The Caro Area District Library has begun a series of 10 “conversations” aimed at...

Youngsters are young stars when Young Americans hits Caro Katelyn Schmidt, a senior at Caro High School, (left) and Brianna Corrion, sophomore, (right) hang a poster for The Young Americans, a three-day workshop headed to Caro on Feb. 16. (Photo by John Cook)