One man was arrested after leading police on a high speed chase.

A man was arrested in Solon Township Tuesday after leading Michigan State Police on a high speed chase on US131 and west on 17 Mile Road.

According to Trooper Bozek, of the Michigan State Police, he tried to make a traffic stop on the silver SUV on US131, when it went by at a high rate of speed. The driver refused to stop, and instead reached speeds of over 100 mph while MSP pursued. The driver exited the expressway and then got back on, and finally exited at 17 Mile Road, and pulled over just west of Meijer.

According to a witness at Delta Tron, he heard the sirens and looked out, and said he saw police race to the vehicle and pull the driver out. He said there was also an adult passenger and young child.

Trooper Bozek said the man was arrested on outstanding warrants, and possible drugs found in the search of the car. “We won’t know for sure until they are tested,”  said Bozek. He said the man had no current address.

Christopher Perrien

A Sand Lake man was sentenced to life in prison last week in the double slaying of an Eaton County couple.

Christopher Allen Perrien, 39, was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole in the deaths of Michael Greene, 62, and his wife, Terri, 46. According to the Eaton County Sheriff Department, Perrien became a suspect on September 27, 2011, within 5 days after the couple was found shot at their home, in Delta Township. He reportedly became a suspect after policed discovered someone was using the victim’s cell phone and credit cards, and surveillance tracked the transactions back to Perrien.

Michael Greene was a retired state police detective. He had been shot five times, and his body was reportedly posed. His wife’s body was found in the pond behind their home.

Evidence was found in Perrien’s storage unit, including Terri’s wallet, her driver’s license, and Michael’s badge and service weapons. A GPS unit on Perrien’s car showed that he drove by the Greene’s home twice the day before the killings, and once the day of the murders.

Perrien reportedly committed the murders while out on work release. He was convicted and sentenced on a property crime on September 1, 2011 in Eaton County, and was granted work release by the court, despite a long criminal history.

“Perrien was assigned a probation/parole agent but his actual employment was never verified,” explained former Eaton County Sheriff Mike Raines, at the time of Perrien’s arrest. “Our investigation determined he was on work release without actually having a job.”

A phone call played during closing arguments showed that Perrien’s girlfriend at the time, Crystal Gonzalez, helped him get the .38 revolver and gloves he used in the crime.

Perrien’s previous crimes had been financial—writing bad checks, embezzlement, illegal use of a credit card, etc.

Line the streets to show your support

The John Voshel Jr. Memorial Ride for fallen police officers, fire fighters and veterans is this Saturday, May 18. We the People Giving Back (a totally volunteer organization) is hosting the motorcycle run to honor those that protect us, and they are asking citizens and businesses to line the streets and make signs to show support.

It will start at 10:30 a.m. at the Grand Rapids Home for Veterans, 3000 Monroe Ave., Grand Rapids, and will exit US131 at M-57 (14 Mile) about 11 a.m. and travel east to Northland Drive, and then north on Northland to the Cedar Springs American Legion Glen Hill Post, at the corner of Main and Beech St. They will be at the Legion for about an hour, then travel north on Main St. to 18 Mile, and continue east on 18 Mile.

They will make two stops, one in Cedar Springs and one in Greenville, both at the American Legion Halls, where they will recognize some of our fallen heroes and Gold Star families. This event is designed to educate communities and bring awareness about the sacrifices made by all who wear a uniform. This ride will impact nine communities in Northern Michigan, in the hopes of honoring the fallen.

Library Board Treasurer Ardena Roberts,  Board Member & Steering Committee 2012 Chair Vicky Babcock, Board Trustee Becky Powell, Library Director Donna Clark, Mayor Bob Truesdale, and Board Secretary Tony Owen.

The Cedar Springs Public Library had a great fundraising year last year, and a new grant from the Great Lakes Energy “Round Up” program just sweetens the pot.

The $50,000 Match/Challenge defined 2012 for the Cedar Springs Library.  The hopes of adding $100,000 to the New Library Building Fund meant multiple fund raising projects throughout the year. One of the members of the Fundraising Steering Committee, Dana Gomez, read the insert with her energy bill explaining the “Round Up” program and signed up.  She saw the potential of substantial assistance and decided to submit a proposal on the Library’s behalf.

According to Library Director Donna Clark, the Library Steering Committee and the Library Board and staff were delighted to receive this grant. This $5,000, along with other local efforts, put the Library over its $50,000 goal, boosting the new library fund to $571,505. The Friends of the Library’s new library savings is around $15,800, which means the fund is nearing $600,000.

Great Lakes Energy asks that all members of the community who use them to sign up for their “Round Up” program. Members of Great Lakes Energy voluntarily round up their bills to the next highest dollar. The rounded up amount is distributed to non-profit organizations and charitable activities that benefit people in communities served by the cooperative.

“There are so many good works and worthy projects going on throughout Cedar Springs, all looking for and working hard for more to give and share,” said Clark. The Fundraising Steering Committee members, Vicky  & Hal Babcock, Earla Alber, Amanda Gerhardt, Donna Clark, Dana Gomez and daughter, Emma and Alicia Imhoff,  encourage you to “Round Up” and contact Great Lakes Energy at 1-888-485-2537 or visit glakes.com to find out if your favorite community project could benefit from the thousands of dollars generated in the “Peoples Fund” by people just like you.

Mary Jo and Marty Giaimo, of Courtland Township, traveled to Mexico in April in honor of their 25th wedding anniversary, and took a Post along with them to celebrate. The Giaimos are pictured here at the beach hotel, Barcelo Colonial, in the Maya Riveria. Thanks for taking us with you!

If you are traveling, take a Post with you and get a photo. Send it to us, along with some info, to news@cedarspringspost.com.

Do you remember these little guys? These came out when beanie babies were all the rage, and the Cedar Springs Public Library now has a collection of them to sell as a fundraiser for the new library. Get one for your grad today!

Give your Red Hawk senior a Red Hawk memento for graduation and help raise funds for a new library! Red Hawk beanies are on sale at the Cedar Springs Public Library for $5. Open hours are from noon to 6 p.m. most days, and closed Thursday and Sunday. The library is located on the corner of Cherry and Second Street in Cedar Springs.

It’s official—spring has sprung! Solon Township Farmers Everything Market opens this Saturday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. rain or shine! Shop the market for fresh produce, plants, crafts and other market items. There will be free perennials (2-3 inch pots) while they last.

There will be a new face to the Market this year. The new Solon Township Offices, which share the property, are nearly complete! Planned move in day is next Monday, May 20. Watch the Post for Open House information.

According to Vicky Babcock, who organizes the farm market, the changes will have minimal effect on them. “We are asked to stay off the blacktop, as Solon plans to rent out their community room and parking is limited to this use,” she explained. “This puts the market back a bit further to the west.”

She said the market is still free to vendors with a $20.00 refundable fee to first time flea market vendors. This year, look for more vendors, more events and more fun! They are located at 15185 Algoma Ave. between 18 and 19 Mile Rds. For more information please call 696-1718 or check out their Facebook page and like them for continued updates.

A 75-year-old motorcyclist died last week after being struck by a car driven by a Rockford woman.

According to the Kent County Sheriff Department, the accident occurred just after 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 8 at Northland Drive and Kuttshill Drive NE. They said that a 2010 GMC Acadia, driven by Molly Underhill, 43, of Rockford, was northbound on Northland Drive and attempting to turn west on to Kuttshill Drive, when it struck a motorcycle traveling southbound on Northland Drive.

The motorcycle driver, Roger Blanker, 75, of Grand Rapids, was thrown from the motorcycle and received serious injuries to his head and legs. He was transported to Butterworth Hospital, where he later died. Police said he was not wearing a helmet.

The driver of the Acadia was not injured.

The incident is being reviewed by the Kent County Prosecutor’s office.

The Plainfield Fire Department and Rockford Ambulance assisted at the scene.

Local agencies on the lookout for unbelted drivers May 20-June 2

Research shows when seat belts are used properly, the risk of being killed in a crash is reduced by nearly 50 percent. However, 225 of the people killed last year in crashes where seat belts were available were not buckled up.

In an effort to increase seat belt use and saves lives, law enforcement from 155 agencies across the state will take to the streets May 20-June 2 to stop and ticket unbelted motorists. Agencies in 26 counties, including Allegan, Berrien, Calhoun, Kalamazoo, Kent, Muskegon, Ottawa and Van Buren, will be conducting seat belt enforcement paid for through federal traffic safety funds administered by the Michigan Office of Highway Safety Planning (OHSP).

“Wearing a seat belt is the easiest, most effective way to save your life in the event of a traffic crash,” said Michael L. Prince, OHSP director. “It can also save you $65 as Michigan law enforcement will be out strictly enforcing the state’s seat belt law over the next couple of weeks.”

Following the state’s record-high rate of 97.9 percent in 2009, seat belt use declined to 93.6 percent in 2012. Every 1 percent increase in belt use means 10 fewer traffic deaths and 130 fewer injuries.

During last year’s Click It or Ticket enforcement, 8,050 seat belt and child seat violation tickets were written.

Michigan law requires all drivers, front seat passengers and passengers 15 and younger in any position to be buckled up. Children must be in a car seat or booster seat until they are 8 years old or 4’9” tall. Children must be in a seat until they reach the age requirement or the height requirement, whichever comes first.

Bovine, cervids, dogs, goats, and sheep must have ID before movement

It is finally springtime in Michigan, and animal health officials at the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) are reminding Michigan pet and livestock owners that vaccinating against common diseases can save lives, and permanently identifying animals can bring them safely home or to the market.

“Michigan law requires dogs be vaccinated against rabies before they are licensed. Additionally, vaccinating, deworming, properly identifying, and providing routine health care for all Michigan animals are good preventative measures,” said State Veterinarian Dr. Steven Halstead. “Healthy pets and healthy livestock begin with routine medical attention.”

In 2012, there were 61 documented cases of rabies in wild animals—52 bats, eight skunks, and one fox. In 2011, in addition to the typically affected animals, a dog and woodchuck were rabies positive in Oakland County. If owners of domestic animals are concerned about signs of rabies in their animals, they should contact their personal veterinarian immediately.

Core vaccines are recommended for most pets. Additional non-core vaccines, such as feline leukemia, canine kennel cough and other vaccines – may be appropriate if the animals are going to pet care facilities, kennels, county fairs, or shows where they will be co-mingling.  Pet and livestock owners are encouraged to have their veterinarian check for internal parasites and heartworms as they can cause severe health problems, and sometimes death.

MDARD recommends owners speak with their private veterinarian regarding the following vaccinations:

For dogs:

•       rabies (required under state law)

•       canine distemper

•       parvovirus

•       adenovirus

In addition, owners should have their dogs checked for heartworm and intestinal parasites. Some veterinarians also recommend vaccination against leptospirosis and treatment to prevent Lyme disease.

Cats:

•       rabies

•       herpes virus

•       calicivirus

•       panleukopenia

Horses:

MDARD requires Equine Infectious Anemia (EIA) testing every 12 months if leaving the premises, as part of a sale, or importing a horse into Michigan from another state; and owners should talk to their veterinarian about the following vaccines:

•       rabies

•       tetanus toxoid

•       Eastern, and Western Equine Encephalitis

•       West Nile Virus

•       Rhinopneumonitis (EHV-1 and EHV-4)

Additionally, horse owners should prepare to follow these tips to prevent mosquito-borne illness:

Vaccinate your horses.  Inexpensive vaccines for EEE and WNV are readily available and should be repeated at least annually.  It is never too late to vaccinate horses.  Talk to your veterinarian for details.

•       Use approved insect repellants to protect horses.

•       If possible, put horses in stables, stalls, or barns during the prime mosquito exposure hours of dusk and dawn.

•       Eliminate standing water, and drain troughs and buckets at least once a week, twice a week when temperatures rise above 80°F.

Sheep and goats:

•       CD-T toxoid provides three-way protection against enterotoxemia (overeating disease) caused by Clostridium perfringens types C and D and tetanus (lockjaw) caused by Clostridium tetani.

•       The large animal rabies vaccine is approved for use in sheep.  No rabies vaccine is currently licensed for goats.

Cattle:

•       Infectious bovine rhinotracheitis (commonly called IBR)

•       Bovine Viral Diarrhea, PI3, BRSV (viruses causing pneumonia/sickness)

•       Leptospirosis (5-Way)

•       Vibriosis

•       Calfhood vaccination for Brucellosis

•       Bovine Tuberculosis testing in the counties of Alpena, Alcona, Montmorency, Oscoda, Presque Isle, Cheboygan, Charlevoix, Crawford, Emmet, Antrim, and Otsego

Many vaccines are required for exhibition.  To know what is required to show your animals at the fair visit: http://www.michigan.gov/documents/mda/ExReq_225448_7.pdf