SAGINAW, MI — Here are a few headlines from Saginaw County last week that attracted reader interest.
‘I couldn’t sleep last night’: Death of beloved education champion has Saginaw in mourning
There was no difference between Mattie Thompson the advocate of children and Mattie Thompson the human being, family members and former colleagues said of the Saginaw Public Schools leader who died this week.
Whether she was at home or behind the desk at a school board meeting, Thompson was tireless in her passion for advancing the lives of students and underprivileged youths.
Several of those loved ones expressed shock in the hours after learning of her death from a heart attack on Tuesday, Nov. 11.
Saginaw teen accused of killing stepsister, 10, awaits trial after 3 years in custody
A Saginaw teen has spent nearly a quarter of his life in custody awaiting trial on a charge of strangling his 10-year-old stepsister to death when he was just 14. He must wait even longer, as he’s to undergo yet another psychological evaluation.
A shackled Jameion L. Peterson entered the courtroom of Saginaw County Circuit Judge Darnell Jackson on the morning of Thursday, Nov. 13, for a hearing to assess his competency. He waved to and expressed his love to two women seated in the otherwise empty gallery.
Peterson has been charged since Aug. 31, 2022, with open murder in the death of Na’Mylah J. Turner-Moore, a crime he allegedly confessed to when interviewed by police. Peterson was 14 at the time and turned 17 on Aug. 2 of this year.
Hockey-themed bar to open in Saginaw’s historic Bancroft building this month
Later this month, patrons will get their first taste of a hockey-themed bar and restaurant set to open in one of Saginaw’s historic downtown buildings.
The buzz about the new establishment began weeks ago when passersby noticed the new signage — reading Gordie’s Bar — installed in front of the 109-year-old building often referenced simply as “The Bancroft,” at the South Washington and East Genesee avenue intersection.
This week, the owner of Gordie’s Bar announced the establishment will host a “soft opening” on one of the busiest bar nights of the year: Wednesday, Nov. 26, the day before Thanksgiving.
Saginaw’s ‘Bancroft’: A timeline of historic building’s 166-year journey
A new sports-themed bar and restaurant, Gordie’s Bar, within weeks will open inside the historic downtown structure referenced often as “The Bancroft Building” or simply “The Bancroft.”
The legacy of the building extends back even prior to the development of the current 109-year-old structure, which today also houses apartment units.
Click here for a timeline of “The Bancroft” and the structure that preceded it.
Woman confronts Saginaw man who raped her at knifepoint in abandoned house
Inside a courtroom, a Saginaw woman stared down the man who raped her at knifepoint. He consistently averted his eyes.
“Mr. Watkins, you don’t have to look at me,” she said. “You’ve never acknowledged what you did to me. But you know what you did.”
The woman addressed her assailant, 30-year-old Dequarius D. Watkins, during his Monday, Nov. 10, sentencing before Saginaw County Circuit Judge Darnell Jackson.
Saginaw woman wanted on warrant in McDonald’s coffee-chucking incident
Prosecutors have leveled a criminal charge against a Saginaw woman for allegedly throwing hot coffee on the manager of a local McDonald’s.
Officials issued their warrant for the 48-year-old woman on Nov. 5, charging her with assault and battery. The charge is a misdemeanor punishable by up to 93 days in jail and a $500 fine.
Unhoused man alleges construction crew lifted porta-potty while he was inside, heckled him in lawsuit
An unhoused Saginaw man is suing a contracting company, alleging its employees moved a porta-potty with him inside and soiled him with excrement in the process.
“It was intentional. They were doing it just to jack with him,” said Victor J. Mastromarco Jr., one of the plaintiff’s attorneys.
Kevin J. Kolbe, 59, filed his suit against Midland-based Fisher Contracting in Saginaw County Circuit Court on Nov. 4. He is seeking damages of at least $25,000.
Elementary school security officer weighs plea offer in drug trafficking case
A Saginaw grade school’s security guard accused of selling drugs is considering a plea offer.
Tyler T. Mitchell, 27, on Wednesday, Nov. 12, appeared before Saginaw County District Judge A.T. Frank for a preliminary examination. Rather than proceed with witness testimony, Saginaw County Assistant Prosecutor Noah Johnson offered to dismiss a charge of delivering or manufacturing 50 to 449 grams of a narcotic or cocaine if Mitchell pleaded guilty or no contest to possessing 50 to 449 grams of a narcotic or cocaine and maintaining a drug house.
Saginaw Art Museum expands program to Bay, Arenac county students
The Saginaw Art Museum, in partnership with the Bay-Arenac Intermediate School District, is expanding its Arts for All program to include students across Bay and Arenac counties.
Through this initiative, students will become members of the Saginaw Art Museum and can access the museum for free with their accompanying adult guests.
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