Copyright M Live Michigan
SAGINAW, MI — Here are a few headlines from Saginaw County last week that attracted reader interest. Michigan Senate hopeful Pugh faces scrutiny over campaign funds, nonprofit allocations A Democrat campaigning for the state Senate is facing scrutiny over a series of spending decisions involving money provided to organizations tied to her. Pamela Pugh, president of the Michigan State Board of Education, is one of six Democrats and four Republicans campaigning for the 35th District state Senate seat election scheduled for next year. The Democrat at a Monday, Nov. 3, meeting defended herself to the Saginaw City Council, which could reverse its September 2024 decision to allocate $210,000 in federal stimulus funds to Just In Transition-Indaba. The initiative is the product of a nonprofit — Regeneration LLC — co-founded by Pugh. Pugh also was the focus this week of a report in The Detroit News that stated she directed about $10,000 in leftover cash from a failed 2024 U.S. House campaign to herself and her consulting firm. Read more here. Saginaw Township school bond proposal fails to win support ... again For the second time in two years, Saginaw Township voters rejected a multimillion-dollar school district bond proposal aimed at updating aging facilities. During a Tuesday, Nov. 4, election, residents voted against the $169.2 million Saginaw Township Community Schools bond proposal, 7,691 to 4,735 votes, Saginaw County clerk records stated. Read more here. Birch Run voters reject $17.8M school bond proposal Birch Run Area Schools officials fell short again in convincing voters to approve a multimillion-dollar bond proposal. During the Tuesday, Nov. 4, election, voters rejected a $17.8 million bond proposal for the school district, 1,253 to 1,089 votes. The request marked the third ballot item the school district presented to voters in an eight-month span. In May, residents approved one of two proposals for the 1,800-student district, which spans Birch Run and Taymouth Township as well as a slice of northern Genesee County. Read more here. SNAP crisis: Saginaw suspends city’s water, sewer utility late fees in response Saginaw residents won’t need to worry about late fees on their water and sewer utility bills, at least until federal lawmakers resume funding for a high-profile food assistance program. During a 9-0 vote at a meeting Monday, Nov. 3, the Saginaw City Council approved a temporary waiver of all late fees and penalties for water and sewer utility bills for city residents. While the measure impacts Saginaw residents and Saginaw utilities, the resolution’s existence was tied to a federal initiative involving food assistance: the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, more commonly known as SNAP. Read more here. Man charged with murder, torture in death of girlfriend found with 52 injuries Kelley K. Lalonde had 52 distinct injuries after emergency responders removed her from her boyfriend’s Carrollton Township house, according to a nurse who treated her. She had frequently shown up to work with marks around her throat and bruises on her face, her supervisor recalled. Prosecutors allege Lalonde’s boyfriend tortured her at length, delivering wounds in the autumn of 2024 that would claim her life months later. That man, 30-year-old Jonathan M. Zieroff, is now formally charged with murder in Lalonde’s death. Zieroff’s preliminary examination resumed Monday, Nov. 3, before Saginaw County District Judge Terry L. Clark. Lalonde’s mother, Debra Kay Lalonde, testified her 35-year-old daughter lived with Zieroff at his house in the 3400 block of North Monroe Street. She called Zieroff’s cellphone on Sept. 12, 2024, asking to speak with her daughter about a family emergency. Read more here. Michigan State Police investigating altercation at Frankenmuth protest Michigan State Police are investigating an altercation between a demonstrator and an off-duty police officer at a pro-democracy protest in Frankenmuth. Read more here. Carrollton schools expand free dinner program amid SNAP uncertainty Carrollton Public Schools will expand its free after-school dinner program to two additional locations beginning Monday, Nov. 3, providing more students with access to meals at no cost. The district’s nutrition services department will add new supper sites at Omni High School and the J.B. Griffin Early Childhood Education building, according to school officials. Students at Carrollton middle and high schools already participate in the program. Read more here. Annual coat giveaway for Saginaw children returns this month Women of Colors will host its Annual Warm A Child For Winter Drive-Thru Coat Giveaway on Saturday, Nov. 15, providing winter necessities to local children. The Saginaw-based nonprofit’s yearly event this year runs from 9 a.m. to noon at Kempton Elementary School, 3040 Davenport in Saginaw. Read more here. Foundation’s scholarship applications open for Saginaw, Bay, and Midland county students Saginaw Community Foundation has begun accepting applications for its 2026 scholarship program, which earlier this year provided more than $1.7 million to students pursuing higher education. Students have until Friday, Feb. 13, to complete an online application that can make them eligible for more than 200 scholarships, including the Saginaw Promise Zone scholarship, Saginaw Community Foundation officials said.
