Times looks back at 2025 headlines

Front page recaps for a busy year

 

TRI-CITY AREA — 2025 has nearly come and gone (just a few days left) and the year proved to be a busy one at the Tri-City Times.

We’ve worked hard to bring you community news and sports from throughout our coverage area.

This week, we take a look at Part 1 of what will be a two-part story of what dominated the front page in the first six months of the year.

JANUARY – Mark Alan Michael Roger, at the young age of just 11 months, continues to battle health issues. The little guy was scheduled to have brain surgery later this month.

•Two contractors were found unresponsive in a pole barn in Almont Twp., with one passing away. It was determined the men were overcome by carbon monoxide while working in an enclosed space.

•Firefighters from 10 departments battled a structure fire in Lapeer where an elderly couple sustained minor injuries.

•The Imlay City Commission is discussing how to proceed with three city-owned properties. The properties are the former fire hall, the former DPW garage and the former Sign Shop, all located along E. Third St.

At a subsequent meeting, the city agreed to enter into negotiations with J&J Liquidation on a lease of the former fire hall business.

If an agreement was reached, the business would relocate from the Almont area where a fire destroyed their inventory.

•Tri-City Times General Manager Randy Jorgensen was named Citizen of the Year at the annual Chamber of Commerce awards dinner at Castle Creek. Other honors went to Julie Chrysler (Merit Award) and the youth of St. Paul Lutheran Church for Organization of the Year.

•The Imlay City Police Department has been awarded grant money to purchase a drone for use within the department. It’s projected the unit would cost under $15,000.

•Ice caused havoc for area firefighters who were called to a blaze at a home in Berlin Twp. where flames engulfed a barn and damaged a nearby house. Firefighters from nine departments battled frigid temperatures and a coating of ice while on scene.

•Blowing and drifting snow was being blamed for a fatal crash that took the life of a 53-year old Brown city man.

•A Goodland Twp. Planning Commission member was feeling attacked for his attendance, or lack thereof, at meetings. Supervisor Mike Eckardt stressed the importance of attending board meetings and suggested the PC member had missed numerous meetings.

FEBRUARY — Discussion continues regarding a potential Social Drinking District in downtown Imlay City. City officials have been working together on finalizing a plan. If it is approved, it would be just the third social district in Lapeer County.

•A two-vehicle crash took the life of a 33-year old Dryden man. Police say inclement weather was believed to be a contributing factor in the fatal crash.

•City officials have begun the process of identifying businesses within the downtown area that are in violation of ordinances and need to be brought into compliance. Business and building owners were cautioned to make buildings compliant with city ordinances or face court action.

•An Imlay City senior has received her appointment to West Point. Alexa Lengemann celebrated the good news with family and friends after receiving the official word. Both her parents, Alex and Jennifer, previously served their country in the military.

•The suspect accused of a horrific killing 14 years ago was in court where he faced multiple charges related to the shooting death of Andrea Eilber. Chadwick Mobley made a court appearance and pled no contest to the charges.

•Mark Alan Michael Rogers, known to many as “Little Man” continues to battle his recovery from brain surgery. The 11-month old has a long road to recovery and has an army of family and supporters encouraging him.

•A home in Dryden Twp. was destroyed by flames, despite the best efforts of firefighters from five departments. A garage was fully engulfed in flames by the time first fire units arrived on the scene.

•Officials with Imlay City and Imlay Twp. are working on the final details of a five-year agreement for the city to provide the township fire protection service. The cost of the service would increase 2.6% annually, if approved.

•An agreement was reached between Imlay City and J&J Liquidation for the lease of the former fire hall on E. Third St. J&J agreed to pay $42,000 per year, or $126,000 over the three year life of the lease. The business owners have expressed an interest in purchasing the building from the city.

MARCH — Imlay City school board member Alex Lengemann was given the most severe punishment allowable by the district, following an investigation that showed “a pattern of workplace harassment.” The complaint was filed by Athletic Director Don Gauthier, citing issues since 2021.

•A truck hauling a forklift crashed into the railroad viaduct in Imlay City, snarling traffic. The driver of the truck was cited for failing to have the load secured in a safe manner.

•An early morning fire in an Imlay Twp. home brought firefighters from four departments to the Doran Rd. residence. The home sustained significant damage.

•Dr. Norbert Conrad and his wife, Alberta, were honored with a painting of the couple as a tribute to their legacy in Capac. The painting, commissioned by Joe Leonard, hangs in the entry way of the Community Center, named in honor of the couple.

•Renovation work on the Goodland Twp. historic schoolhouse came to a screeching halt when it was discovered the cash coffers had basically dried up. Twp. board members passed a motion to “cease all operations on the project.”

•The Almont school board continues to keep a close eye on their budget and a dwindling sinking fund account. The district used approx. $1 million to make various improvements throughout the district.

•A two-vehicle crash that left five people injured closed a section of M-21 near Dorrow Rd. Three of the victims had to be extricated from the wreckage by the Imlay City Fire Department.

APRIL — Arcadia Twp. Fire Chief Tom Knaggs retired from his position as chief, following a career in the fire service that spanned 56 years. Knaggs was proud of the fact he started out as a Lum Fire Department member.

•The Imlay City commission heard a report on the construction of a new 40 x 60 pavilion in the downtown district. The $65,000 facility could house the Imlay City summer concert series and the Farmer’s Market, if approved.

•Imlay City schools and the police department have refused to issue any statement on what happened with the sudden departure of School Resource Officer Anthony Easlick. The SRO was told to clean out his office and vacate the school. A clause in the contract that called for 60 days notice of separation was not adhered to by the school.

•Heavy rains washed out several local roads and flooded farm land as the area saw over two inches of rain. A large section of Rule Rd. in Imlay Twp. was washed away, forcing the replacement of a cross culvert.

•Imlay City commission members spared over the contract for City Manager Craig Horton. One commission member said they preferred to see a “Timex contract, not a Rolex” adding, “this is Imlay City, not Rochester.”

•Flames destroyed a barn in Attica Twp. claiming the lives of goats housed in the structure. Firefighters from three departments battled the flames and a strong wind. It’s believed a heat lamp may have been a factor in the blaze.

•The Lapeer County Land Bank has stepped in to help Goodland Twp. finish the renovations on the former schoolhouse on township property. The building is used as a museum. Work on the project had come to a stop after it was discovered there was less than $100 left to cover costs.

•Multiple people were sent to an area hospital following a rollover crash at the intersection of Newark Rd and S. Cedar St. The intersection has proven to be the most dangerous for motorists traveling the area.

•The Village of Capac continues to work through issues involving water quality and personnel changes. Several residents have been attending meetings seeking answers to a laundry list of questions.

•Plans continue to move forward with a major overhaul of the former Imlay City DPW garage on E. Third St. Bids are being sought for a complete teardown, leaving just the wooden structure. Tanis Builders was given the contract, after bids were received.

MAY — Following a car vs. bicycle accident that involved injury, the Imlay City Police Department has issued a warning to motorists and bicyclists alike, to use more caution while driving in town. Although bike riders are not prohibited from riding on sidewalks, they are required to obey traffic control signs, including stop signs.

•No serious injuries were reported following a two-vehicle rollover crash in Mussy Twp. Police say the vehicles collided near Capac and Downey Rd. after one vehicle did not properly yield the right of way.

•An Almont Twp. man was arrested following a series of 911 calls to report a violent act at a residence. Investigation showed there were two elderly victims who police say showed consistent symptoms they were assaulted.

•The debate by Imlay City commissioners over a new contract for the city manager continued with at least two commissioners raising concerns. Mayor Barbara Yockey had called two separate special meetings in order to try and resolve the concerns.

•A number of long standing buildings near the intersection of Cedar St. and Imlay City Rd., including the former A&W, fell victim to a wrecking ball. A company that had purchased the property had the buildings demolished and site cleaned up, in hopes of selling the land to a developer.

•LaFontaines have purchased the Imlay City Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Ram Dealership from the LaLonde family. The new owners already have one dealership in Imlay City, as owners of Imlay City Ford.

•The City of Imlay City and the DDA have agreed to share in the cost of renovating the former DPW garage on E. Third St. After originally pledging to pay $50,000 each in hopes of receiving a grant to cover the remaining $100,000, the two entities agreed to kick in another $50,000 for a total investment of $200,000 for the update to the building. The grant funding was not approved for the project.

•An Almont police officer was recognized for his efforts. Officer Kevin Kowalik was given a life-saving award for his role in keeping a distraught woman from jumping off an overpass along I-75. Officer Kowalik was on personal time and off-duty when he saw the woman. He stopped and was able to talk her off the ledge and assisted turning her over to authorities.

JUNE — A breaking and entering at a residence on Weyer Rd. was reported to the Lapeer County Sheriff Dept. The heist, pulled off in broad daylight, resulted in the theft of firearms, jewelry and an undetermined amount of cash. During the investigation, a Michigan State Police K-9 ingested what was believed to be a poisonous substance and was rushed to Michigan State University for treatment.

•The use of golf carts within the city limits of Imlay City has been discussed numerous times and was again the topic of conversation at a commission meeting. Safety concerns and age limits of drivers was discussed.

•An Almont bus driver was honored for her 50 years of service to the community. She has no intentions of stopping her career as a driver. Gretchen Hough was honored at a celebration near the end of the school year.

•Imlay City DDA Executive Director Christine Malzahn resigned her position to take the City Manager job in Marlette.

•Shaw Rd. in Goodland Twp. is undergoing a major $1.7 million rebuilding project. The work is being done between Van Dyke and Brown City Rd. The work includes a large new cross culvert and repaving of the stretch of township road.

•Residents in a mobile home park in Almont had their water turned off after the park owner failed to pay his water bill to the village. Unpaid water bills, totaling $80,000, left residents without water during hot weather conditions. Aa local grocer made sure bottled water was available to those without water service.