News Briefs

4 Dale y t o host office hours IMLAY CITY — State Rep. Kevin Daley (R-Lum) will host district office hours in order to give residents an opportunity to meet with him locally to discuss the state budget, as well as any other questions or concerns residents may have.

Daley will be available Monday, Nov. 16 from noon to 1 p.m. at the Imlay City Hall, located at 150 North Main Street in Imlay City.

No appointment is necessary. Residents unable to meet during the scheduled office hours may contact Daley at his Lansing office by calling 1-517-373-1800 or by e-mailing

kevindaley@house.mi.gov.

Veterans book in on the press

NORTH BRANCH — After nearly two years in the making, a 200-page hardcover book honoring Lapeer County veterans — North Branch Veterans — is on the press and will be shipped by Nov. 23.

The book’s editor, Dave Castle, said the book includes profiles of the Schlaud brothers along with 700 military veterans dating back to the Civil War, and includes special profiles on veterans who died in action.

The book “should be here in time for Thanksgiving,” Castle said.

Pre-sales totaled nearly 250 copies. The press run for the first printing is 500, so copies will be available for purchase. Pre-press and design work was provided by students at Lapeer County Ed-Tech.

The book project was started with seed money by North Branch businessman and long-time school board member Ralph Deshetsky.

Books are priced at $25, or $30 with mailing, from Castle 810-688- 2382 or highjump67@yahoo.com. Checks should be made out to American Legion Post 457.

Proceeds from the book’s sale will be used by North Branch American Legion Post 457 for a special fund to aid North Branch area veterans.

Blue Water Bridge tolls could double

PORT HURON — Going to Canada through Port Huron is likely to become more expensive.

The Michigan Department of Transportation, which is responsible for overseeing the operation of the U.S. side of the Blue Water Bridge, has proposed a toll-rate increase to go into effect Jan. 5.

MDOT want to increase the passenger bridge toll from $1.50 to $3 and the commercial per-axle fee from $1.75 to $3.25.

The agency has scheduled four public hearings to gather input on the proposal. The first is slated for 1-3 p.m. Dec. 1 at the MDOT Lansing Transportation Service Center, 3101 Technology Blvd., Lansing.

Three others are planned for Dec. 2 from 10 a.m.-noon, at the Travel Information Centre, 1455 Venetian Blvd., Point Edward, Ont.,

That will be followed by Dec. 2 hearings from 3-5 p.m. and 6-8 p.m., at the Port Huron Municipal Building, 100 McMorran Blvd., Port

Huron. — Staff reports

Oak tree in Dryden among state’s largest

DRYDEN — Global ReLeaf of Michigan’s Big Tree Hunt Committee recently announced the 2009 county winners of the Michigan Big Tree Hunt. The contest is held to find the biggest trees “around” in the state of Michigan.

The largest tree entered in Lapeer County is a 247-inch circumference Weeping Willow (Salix Babylonica) tree entered by Peter Steudle of Dryden.

Winners received a certificate and gift at the Big Tree Hunt Awards Ceremony held at Whiting Forest in Midland on Sept. 26.

The Michigan Big Tree Hunt was a cooperative effort of Global ReLeaf of Michigan, the Michigan Big Tree Hunt Committee, the Michigan Botanical Club/Big Tree Project, the Hanes Fund, Lapham Associates, the Arboriculture Society of Michigan, Michigan Arbor Day Alliance, DTE Energy & Foundation, Consumers Energy Foundation and the Michigan Association of Conser vation Districts.

Now is a great time to search for Michigan’s largest trees. To obtain an entry form for the 2010-2011 contest, call Global ReLeaf of Michigan at 1-800-642-7353. Previous winning entries and trees listed in the Michigan Big Tree Register are excluded.

— Jeff Hogan

Lapeeer Twp. eyes park expansion

LAPEER TWP. — The Lapeer Township Board voted to pursue the purchase of property adjacent to the township hall. The 10-plus acres, which includes a pond and hilly terrain, would eventually be used in the township’s parks and recreation plan, which among other things includes walking trails and a pavilion.

The board also approved the use of an amount not to exceed $240 for a wetlands expert to come to the township property to determine whether or not some of the land the township would like to develop into walking trails is considered wetland.

If the space is determined to be a wetland, the trail plan will have to be altered. The township will decide more once the opinion is delivered. — E.C.