COLDWATER, MI (WTVB) – 2017 has been a very memorable year around Branch County, with industrial and economic growth, controversy involving a school teacher and the county prosecutor, and the passage of a bond issue for the Coldwater School District.
As selected by our WTVB news staff, here are the top stories of 2017:
1—Clemens Food Group processing facility opens with over 800 workers hired. Governor Rick Snyder and Senator Debbie Stabenow among those on hand for ribbon cutting in July.
2 – Quincy teacher Jason Ferrell arrested for criminal sexual conduct with former female student. Fallout and controversy leads to retirement of Superintendent Craig Artist and criminal charges against Artist and two other Quincy school officials. Ferrell later entered no contest pleas to two counts and will be sentenced next month.
3 – Coldwater Community Schools voters approved a $29.7 million millage and bond proposal which will be used for new 4th and 5th grade building to replace Lakeland Elementary. The funds will also be used for new buses and infrastructure needs.
4 – Controversy erupts over a proposed housing development at site of former Franklin School in Coldwater. Developer eventually withdraws plans after numerous complaints were made.
5 – Sexual harassment lawsuit filed by former Branch County employee Evon Staley against Prosecutor Ralph Kimble. He denied the accusations in the lawsuit but Kimble was also accused of inappropriate behavior by other courthouse employees who wished to remain anonymous.
6 – Changes at Coldwater City Hall as Keith Baker becomes the permanent City Manager and former City Manager Jeff Budd takes over the Coldwater B.P.U..
7 – A third straight Michigan High School Athletic Association Class C state title for the Bronson High School girls volleyball team.
8 – Coldwater’s Shuaib Aljabaly wraps up an undefeated season by winning the MHSAA Division Two boys cross country championship.
9 – New Broadway Street Bridge built in Union City. Village offices and police department also re-located to new Ivan Boynton Municipal Building.
10 – A 24 hour blackout affected the entire city of Coldwater October 7 and 8 when poles for a high voltage transmission line which provides the primary power for the Coldwater BPU were brought down during a storm and heavy winds.
