The annual City Budget Public Hearing is set for 7:00 p.m. Thursday, May 10, 2012 at City Hall, 66 S. Main St.

The City Council reviewed the budget during a workshop in April and will hear public comments on the proposed $7.4 million budget at the hearing.  While the proposed budget reflects a decrease in revenues from the previous year, there is no increase in millage.

It also does not take into account the possible elimination of the personal property tax, or a proposed charge from the Red Flannel Festival for the city to use its logo. The City Council has not formally been presented with that proposal yet, and it is still in the Red Flannel Ad Hoc committee.

To review the city’s budget, go online to cityofcedarsprings.org and click on 2012 City Budget Public Hearing. There is a link inside the announcement that you can click on to see the budget. Then come out to the City Council meeting on May 10 for the public hearing and give the City Council your comments.

Neighbor helped save boy

A 20-month-old Greenville boy is recovering after he fell into a neighbor’s pond Saturday and nearly drowned.

According to Michigan State Police, Konnor Baker was outside with a family member Saturday morning when he went missing.  He was found a short time later in the pond, completely unresponsive. Neighbor Raymond Case performed CPR until Michigan State Police Trooper Patrick Agema and Montcalm County EMS arrived. A paramedic took the child to the ambulance and tried to resuscitate him, but the paramedic could not find a pulse, and the toddler did not respond to any stimulus.

Konnor was transported to Sheridan Community Hospital, where resuscitation efforts continued, and Konnor’s heart finally restarted, and he began breathing on his own. He was then airlifted to DeVos Children’s Hospital in Grand Rapids, where he is recovering.

Each year the Post prints a list in the Memorial Day issue of veterans buried in area cemeteries. Due to a technology glitch last year, there were several we missed. If we missed your vet, or if you have one that’s never been listed, please send us their name, note if they served in a war or conflict, and what cemetery they are buried in. They do not need to have been killed in battle to be listed.

Email the info to news@cedarspringspost.com, and put Veteran’s Day in the subject line. Include your name and phone number in the email. Or, send to PO Box 370, Cedar Springs, MI 49319.

A Sand Lake man died last Saturday from injuries he suffered after being hit by a car.

Tyler Helton, 20, a 2010 graduate of Tri County High School, was reportedly walking along Stanton Road, between Jones Rd and Maple Hill Rd in Pierson Township, Saturday night, April 21, when he was struck by a white pickup truck about 9:12 p.m. The young man was airlifted to Spectrum Butterworth in Grand Rapids, but died of his injuries.

The driver had fled the scene before Michigan State Police arrived on the scene, but witnesses provided a description of the vehicle and the driver.

The driver, a 57-year-old Howard City man, turned himself into police early Sunday morning, after seeing news reports of the crash.

Police believe alcohol may have been a factor in the crash.

Tyler is the son of Marty and Marcia (Rosenberger) Helton, of Sand Lake. The service for Tyler will be Friday at 1:00 p.m. at Solon Center Wesleyan Church (19 Mile and Algoma) with Rev. Tom Holloway and Rev. Wayne Cash officiating. Interment in Sand Lake Cemetery.

Sandra Wygle, right, and her best friend, Michelle, at the taping of “The Price is Right!” Photo courtesy of The Price is Right.

Will appear on TV on Monday, April 30, at 11 a.m. on channel 3

By Judy Reed

When Sandra Wygle, of Cedar Springs, decided to go to California, she never dreamed she would compete on a game show. In fact, she had only watched “The Price is Right” a few times. “I’ve just never been one to sit in front of the TV,” she explained.

But when Wygle’s best friend, Michelle Gregitais, (who was going to California with her), suggested they get tickets, she agreed. “I didn’t really want to, I’ve always had stagefright,” said Sandra.

The two women decided to attend the taping in celebration of Michelle’s six-year anniversary of being in recovery from breast cancer. Michelle wore a shirt that said, “I survived breast cancer, can Drew survive me?” and Sandra’s shirt said, “My best friend survived breast cancer, can Drew survive us?” Actor Drew Carey is the host of The Price is Right.

They waited in line for six hours. “They brought food out to us, interviewed us, and took pictures of us,” said Sandra. She explained that there were 300 people there, and they interviewed them in groups of 15. And they only chose 8 out of the 300 to compete at the taping. She only found out when they called her name after everyone was seated.

“Out of 300 people, my name was called. I was stunned,” remarked Sandra. “I never expected it.”

Sandra soon got over her stage-fright. “It was a blast! I had so much fun with Drew Carey. It was a lot of fun and a lot of craziness!” she said. “If I ever had to do it again, I wouldn’t second guess it. It was just so much fun.”

Sandra said she would love to do it again, but under the rules, has to wait 10 years to get the opportunity. Either way, she’ll celebrate her newly found TV stardom with a watch party when the show airs on Monday.

Tune in or record the show on Monday, April 30, at 11 a.m. on channel 3, to see if Sandra wins the showcase! Even if she doesn’t, no one goes home without a great prize!

If you would like to watch a taping of the show and try your luck at being chosen as a contestant, tickets are absolutely FREE. Contestant hopefuls can get complete information and obtain their show tickets online at http://priceisright.com/tickets.  In addition, viewers can call the CBS Ticket Office at 1-855-44-PRICE (1-855-447-7423) Monday-Friday, 9:00AM-5:00PM PST.

Rosie's Diner closed last October, and is now up for auction.

One of the world’s most famous diners goes up for auction this Thursday, April 26.

Rosie’s Diner, located at 4500 14 Mile Road, is the original diner used in the Bounty paper towel commercials in the 1970s, with Nancy Walker playing Rosie the waitress, who cleaned up spills with the “quicker picker upper.” It has been a fixture here since the early 1990s.

However, the restaurant abruptly closed its doors on October 2. The owner told employees that they would be closed for renovations a couple of days, but the inside was gutted and fixtures sold off by the next day. The owner then told the employees, many of them teenagers, that she had no money to pay them. Many of the employees had to go through the Michigan Department of Wages and Hours to get the money that was owed them. Most of them got paid in December.

The owners, in cooperation with secured creditors, are now putting it up for sale on an online auction at lastbidrealestate.com. Bidding will take place today, Thursday, April 26.

Built by the Paramount Dining Car Company in 1946 as a Deluxe model Diner, it was originally named the “Silver Dollar Diner” and resided in Little Ferry, New Jersey.  In early 1991, the diner was loaded up, and four days, 10 flat tires, and one fire later, it had found its new home on 14 Mile. This diner and 3 others, including the “Uncle Bob’s” diner, built in 1947 by Jerry O’Mahony Dining Car Company, and the 2 car “Garden of Eatin” from Fulton, New York are all joined together on one property. It also has been featured several times on various food television shows.

Police looking for older red pickup

Police think that an accident on US131 last Saturday could be the result of a road rage incident.

Montcalm County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to a personal injury crash that occurred on US 131 in Reynolds Township Saturday afternoon, April 14. They reported that two vehicles were heading south, when the vehicle in front, a red Ford Ranger pickup, suddenly braked. The car behind, a 2003 Chevrolet Malibu, driven by David

Wolansky, 56, of Reed City, had to swerve to avoid the truck and lost control, going off the road and hitting some trees. The truck continued southbound on US131.

Wolansky and his wife, Susan Wolansky, 53, had to be extricated from their car by medical/fire personnel using the “Jaws of Life.” Susan Wolansky was taken to Mecosta County General Hospital in Big Rapids by Mecosta County Emergency Medical Services. Her injuries/condition are unknown but are believed to be non-life threatening. David Wolansky was taken to Butterworth Hospital in Grand Rapids by Montcalm County Emergency Medical Services with a serious leg injury. His condition at this time is unknown.

Deputies are looking for an older red Ford Ranger, with stickers in the rear window. The crash remains under investigation and the Sheriff’s office is asking anyone with any information to call 989-831-7590 or the TIP line at 989-831-7593.

Montcalm County Sheriff’s Deputies were assisted at the scene by Howard City Fire Department, along with Montcalm and Mecosta County Emergency Medical Services.

First Sergeant Michael J. Poll II US Army 236th ICTC was awarded the Bronze Star Medal for service in Afghanistan 2011-2012.

Staff Sergeant Michael F. Vandenboss US Army 236th ICTC being awarded the Army Commendation medal for service in Afghanistan 2011-2012

The Post is happy to announce the return of two good friends from Afghanistan.

First Sgt. Michael J. Poll II, and Staff Sgt. Michael F. Vandenboss, both of Sand Lake, returned home Tuesday evening, April 24. Poll, a 1989 graduate of Tri County High School was gone for four years on back to back tours, and Vandenboss was gone for a year.

“I’m hoping now to be home for a long time,” said Poll.

Poll, who served with the US Army 236th ICTC was awarded the Bronze Star medal for his service in Afghanistan in 2011-2012. Vandenboss, who also served with the US Army 236th ICTC, was awarded the Army Commendation medal for his service in Afghanistan in 2011-2012.

The two men would love to see all their family and friends, Poll said.

Residents, businesses, school groups, and other non-profits came together last Thursday, at Cedar Springs High School, for the 26th annual Community Night.

Area businesses and non-profit groups rented tables to showcase their business or group to residents. There were some free food samples, such as pie and cake, and lots of candy! Businesses were also able to sell goods, and many offered door prizes. It was a great night to see what’s available in Cedar Springs!

Congratulations to Bobbie Jo Russell, of Rockford, who visited the Post’s table, and won the drawing for a free camera! We hope to see all of you again next year.

By Judy Reed

It’s been almost five years that Cedar Springs has been without a Chamber of Commerce, and a drive is under way to get it reestablished. A group of businesses met Tuesday evening at Perry’s Place to get the ball rolling.

“I think the visionaries are ready to move forward,” said Sonya Cronkright, owner of Reflections by Design.

Sally Howland, owner of the Cedar Chest, thinks the business owners need a common voice to speak up for their needs. “There’s not enough being done for the business owners,” said Howland. “We need a chamber. I’ll take any help I can get.”

Fourteen people attended the meeting, with 10 businesses or groups represented.

The group is looking at what other Chambers do and what their bylaws are. They also discussed staying positive, and living their dream as a business owner, despite any limitations they feel they may face. “If you dream it, you can do it,” said Michele Andres, President of the Red Flannel Festival.

The group decided to meet again on May 14 at 6:30 p.m. at Perry’s Place to work out a vision for the new Chamber. All business owners in the greater Cedar Springs area are invited to attend.

The previous Chamber of Commerce closed July 31, 2007, after membership dropped off, and they could no longer pay a director. The B2B (Business to Business) group was later formed to help fill the gap, but also has been sparsely attended. The group hopes that a new Chamber will create some excitement and community pride, and draw people to shop in Cedar Springs.