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1. This is a sample version of the electronic edition. This sample is a collection of a few stories we
have inside this week’s issue, but it will show you how you can read the Cass City Chronicle on-
line. For any questions, contact us Monday - Friday 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. at (989) 872-2010.
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here.
Cub Scout cake Leal learning the Kittle earns the
bake this week fire fighting ropes coveted “Eagle”
Page 6 Page 11 Page 16
Complete coverage of the Cass City community and surrounding areas since 1899
VOLUME 106, NUMBER 34 CASS CITY, MICHIGAN - WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 2012 75 CENTS ~ 16 PAGES, 2 SUPPLEMENTS
Reporter’s notebook
Slanted coverage?
Show me the facts
by Tom Montgomery tionally slants a story at the expense
Editor of the truth.
On the other hand, I’ve found that
It never ceases to amaze me how the lion’s share of accusations
many area residents really believe regarding a newspaper’s supposed
the editorial staff at the Chronicle favoritism are based — sadly — on
spends its days working tirelessly to information that is short on fact and
make sure some individuals look long on personal OPINION, rumor
good in the paper. and innuendo.
I hear comments to that affect fair-
ly regularly, and I can only guess Keep in mind, newspaper people
these folks: a) don’t like who we’ve are supposed to follow some basic
written about, b) don’t agree with rules, starting with verifying and
something the person has done or backing up statements with fact
how they conduct themselves on the before a story is published. I suspect
job or in the community, or c) hon- that isn’t a big concern for folks who
estly feel we intentionally publish are convinced we’re driven by our
columns, editorials or stories in such own personal agendas.
a way that someone looks “good” or I could be wrong. It’s difficult to
“bad” based on how much we like say because the biggest talkers are
them. rarely willing to put their “facts”
You know, Mr. Jones gets a rating where their mouths are — in public
of 8 out of 10 on our “friend” list, so — by speaking up during an open
we’ll slant the facts in a more pleas- meeting, surrounded by their neigh-
ing light for him. bors and friends, or by signing their
Seriously? Please. name to a “letter to the editor” for
Maybe I’m just naive (and if I am that matter.
I’d just as soon stay that way). But That’s why the sort of anonymous
nothing could be farther from the forums you see in some newspapers
truth. Sure, no one is absolutely and television news broadcasts will
objective. How can we be when never appear (I hope) in the
everyone grows up with certain Chronicle. It’s just too easy to sound
belief and value systems, prejudices, off when you know you’re not going
etc? The key, at least for me, is mak- to have to own up to your words.
ing a serious effort to leave my own And when you don’t have to defend
personal beliefs and preferences out your view.
of my newspaper copy. Kind of puts a different light on
I don’t think I could have much things when you have to attach your
respect for a journalist who inten- name to something, you know?
CASS CITY first graders recently enjoyed a visit from Nick Moyer and Kevin
Vaughn, both Elkland Township fire fighters who offered the kids a close look
at what it’s like to be a volunteer fireman. Above, Moyer assists student
Beware the dangers
Lance Britt, son of Paul Britt and Sechenia Britt, with a fire hose. (Related
photo, page 8) of carbon monoxide
Small game
The Michigan Department of Community Health (MDCH) is reminding
everyone to protect their families from the dangers of carbon monoxide poi-
soning.
“With the recent power outages in Michigan, as well as the winter months
approaching, now is the ideal time to make sure that our homes are protect-
ed from carbon monoxide,” said James K. Haveman, director of the MDCH.
“Carbon monoxide poisoning is completely preventable, so we want to be
From rabbits to wild turkeys, sure that Michigan residents know what to look for and how to protect them-
selves.”
hunting opportunities abound
Carbon monoxide is an odorless, colorless, and tasteless gas that kills more
than 500 Americans each year and up to 50 a year in Michigan. It is pro-
duced by all forms of combustion. Warning signs include headache, nausea,
Small game hunting season began Sept. Jan. 1, statewide. The bag limit is 5 per Outlook: Hunting prospects for vomiting, dizziness, drowsiness and confusion. If you suspect you have been
1 with the opening of the early Canada day/10 in possession in the northern two- Michigan’s 40,000 duck hunters are exposed to carbon monoxide, immediately evacuate the area of contamina-
goose season and continues until rabbit thirds of the state, 3 per day/6 in posses- excellent as continental populations are tion and seek medical attention.
and hare season ends March 31. sion in Zone 3 (southern Michigan). at an all-time high and most species are
Department of Natural Resources
Never use generators, grills, camp stoves, or other gasoline or charcoal-
Outlook: Grouse populations are cycli- above long-term averages. Locally,
wildlife biologists across the state say cal, typically rising and falling over a 10-
burning devices inside your home, basement, garage or near a window
spring surveys indicated a 70 percent
hunters should find conditions similar to year period, and indications are that the increase in mallard numbers, but biolo-
because these appliances give off carbon monoxide. Running a car in an
last year — with a couple of notable state is coming off a peak, though spring gists are tempering their enthusiasm enclosed garage can create lethal levels of carbon monoxide in minutes.
improvements — in Michigan’s wood drumming surveys indicate populations because of drought conditions this sum- Michigan’s carbon monoxide poisoning tracking system counted 26 unin-
lots, farm fields and wetlands. are still high and a warm, dry spring mer. Good opportunities for puddle tentional deaths and 986 non-fatal unintentional carbon monoxide poison-
should help this year’s reproduction. ducks, especially wood ducks, exist in ings in Michigan in 2010 alone. More than 60 percent occurred during the
Rabbits Michigan boasts about 85,000 grouse beaver ponds and small inland floodings, winter months and happened most frequently at home.
Season: Cottontail rabbits and varying hunters. Grouse are denizens of early- but some of those areas could be dry this For more information about carbon monoxide poisoning and poisoning pre-
(or snowshoe) hare can be hunted from successional forests — young to moder- year. Diving ducks, which usually begin vention, visit www.michigan.gov/carbonmonoxide.
Sept. 15 - March 31, statewide. The daily ate-aged aspen stands (with trees of a arriving in good numbers around mid-
bag limit is 5 in combination with a pos- diameter ranging from a cue stick to a October, should be plentiful on the Great
session limit of 10. baseball bat) and tag alder thickets. Food Lakes, with improved bluebill numbers
Outlook: Roughly 60,000 hunters sources are important, but berry and wild allowing for a larger bag.
reported pursuing rabbits in 2010 (the fruit production is down because of the
most recently completed harvest survey), dry summer this year. Canada Geese
and about 15,000 hunted hares. Grouse are most numerous in the Upper The regular goose seasons are Sept. 22
Cottontail populations are good through- Peninsula and northern Lower Peninsula, - Dec. 22 in the North Zone; Sept. 29 -
out their range over much of the state. but hunters may find local populations in Dec. 29 in the Middle Zone; and Sept.
Concentrate on thick cover, such as briar areas with good habitat in southern 22-23, Oct. 6 - Nov. 30, and Dec. 29 -
patches and brush piles, often near agri- Michigan as well. Grouse and woodcock Jan. 1 in the South Zone, except in desig-
cultural fields. Snowshoe hare popula- hunters are asked to assist the DNR in nated goose management units (GMUs).
tions, which are cyclical, are down some- monitoring populations by reporting The daily bag limit is 2. In the Saginaw
what from historic levels. Look for early- their results. Cooperator forms can be County and Tuscola/Huron GMUs, the
successional forests (such as aspen found on the DNR website at season is Sept. 22-25 and Oct. 6 - Jan. 1
stands), and low-lying swamps with www.michigan.gov/hunting (select with a daily bag limit of 2.
blow-downs and brush piles in the north- Upland Game Birds and then Ruffed The late goose season, in the South
ern two-thirds of the state. Grouse). Zone excluding the GMUs, is Jan. 12 -
Feb. 10 with a daily bag limit of 5.
Squirrels Ducks Hunters may take 20 snow, blue or Ross
Season: Sept. 15 - March 1. The daily Seasons: Sept. 22 - Nov. 16 and Nov. geese daily and one white-fronted goose
bag limit is 5 per day with 10 in posses-22-25 in the North Zone (Upper and one brant during the regular and late
sion. Peninsula); Sept. 29 - Nov. 25 and Dec. seasons.
Outlook: Both fox and gray squirrels 15-16 in the Middle Zone; and Oct. 6 - Outlook: Resident Canada goose popu-
are at moderate to high levels across Nov. 30 and Dec. 29 - Jan. 1 in the South lations, which account for more than 70
much of the state. Areas that had good Zone. percent of the state’s total harvest, are
acorn or nut production last year are a The bag limit for ducks is 6 per day with above population goals, so hunters
good bet as are wood lots adjoining corn no more than 4 mallards (no more than should find plenty of geese, and with 107
fields. Post-deer-season hunting, in one hen), 3 wood ducks, 4 scaup (blue- days of hunting, more opportunity than
January and February, is increasingly bills), 2 redheads, 2 pintails, one canvas- ever. Roughly 35,000 hunters pursue
popular. About 70,000 hunters pursue back and one black duck. Five additional geese in Michigan.
squirrels each year. mergansers (no more than 2 may be For more information on Michigan
hooded mergansers) may be taken. hunting seasons, licensing and other
Ruffed Grouse Possession limit is 2 days’ daily bag information, visit
Season: Sept. 15 - Nov. 14 and Dec. 1 - limit. www.michigan.gov/hunting.