Matthew Bartow

Corunna, Owosso

Staff Writer at The Argus-Press

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Articles

O-E pitches way to championship

1 week ago | argus-press.com | Matthew Bartow

NEW LOTHROP — Ovid-Elsie head coach Mike Loynes called it a passing of the torch. Mere hours after senior pitcher Corbyn James turned in a complete-game gem to spark O-E to a 5-3 upset win over Chesaning in district semifinal action — tying the program’s career wins record — sophomore Brody Howard was nearly as dominant on the mound, leading O-E (10-17) to a district championship with a 7-2 win over host New Lothrop in the Division tournament Saturday.
Judge: No new trial for Ortega

1 week ago | argus-press.com | Matthew Bartow

CORUNNA — David M. Ortega will not get a new trial. On Tuesday in Shiawassee County Circuit Court, Judge Matthew J. Stewart denied the request made by Ortega, who at a March hearing requested a new trial, claiming he received insufficient council during his April 24 trial. Thank you for reading! Please log in, or sign up for a new account and purchase a subscription to continue reading.
Event venue Country Barn Estates held in civil contempt after it illegally holds wedding

1 week ago | argus-press.com | Matthew Bartow

CORUNNA — Event venue Country Barn Estates was held in civil contempt of court in Shiawassee County Circuit Court on Friday, and ordered to pay a $5,000 fine within 30 days and legal fees for Shiawassee County. The case, scheduled to be decided July 22 by non-jury trial in the circuit court, alleges that the Fairfield Township venue — 6055 Allan Road in Henderson — runs afoul of both county zoning regulations and the 2015 Michigan Building Code.
Shiawassee County to enter into negotiations with Allstar Towing for single-source towing contract

2 weeks ago | argus-press.com | Matthew Bartow

CORUNNA — The agenda was full of items at Wednesday’s Shiawassee County Board of Commissioners meeting, but one in particular occupied much of the air inside Surbeck Hall. In front of the board was an item to accept Sheriff Doug Chapman’s recommendation and authorize the sheriff, county administrator and corporate counsel to enter into contract negotiations with Owosso Township-based Allstar Towing & Repair LLC for a towing contract with the Shiawassee County Sheriff’s Office.
Corunna City Council approves 2025-2026 budget

2 weeks ago | argus-press.com | Matthew Bartow

CORUNNA — The Corunna City Council passed its 2025-2026 budget at Monday’s meeting, and for the first time in Corunna City Manager Joe Sawyer’s nearly 25-year tenure, the council adopted an identical budget as the prior fiscal year. The council in a 4-0 vote approved a budget for the 2025-2026 fiscal year — which begins July 1, 2025 — that will see the city make out in the black by $2,685, with revenues at $2,809,177 and expenditures at $2,806,492.
Gilbert’s, an Owosso staple, to celebrate 60 years

4 weeks ago | argus-press.com | Matthew Bartow

OWOSSO — Bill Gilbert still has vivid memories of the earliest beginnings of Gilberts Hardware and Appliances, which began under his parents’ leadership as a 20-square-foot auto store when he was 11 years old. Fast forward 60 years, and Gilbert has overseen the transformation of the company known as Gilberts Western Auto Store when it began in 1965 to storefronts in both downtown Owosso and DeWitt each with more than 10,000 square feet of sales area and multiple departments.
Officials gather for groundbreaking of second Owosso housing development

1 month ago | argus-press.com | Matthew Bartow

OWOSSO — As nearly 20 shovels dug into the ground Thursday afternoon near First United Methodist Church, a new era for affordable housing in Owosso became closer to reality. A ground breaking was held for a $6.5 million development that will bring 16 rental housing units to Washington Park — a 2.38-acre site of land at the corner of Washington Street and Wesley Drive — with the units set to be completed in 2026.
Wilburn hired as Corunna police chief

1 month ago | argus-press.com | Matthew Bartow

By MATTHEW BARTOW Thank you for reading! Please log in, or sign up for a new account and purchase a subscription to continue reading. CORUNNA — The Corunna City Police Department has its next police chief. The Corunna City Council at its Monday meeting unanimously hired Stacey Wilburn as the CCPD’s next department chief. She will continue serving the department in a part-time role. Wilburn had been serving as interim chief following the retirement of Chief Mark Schmitzer last month.
Middlebury Twp. fire destroys residence and requires multi-agency response

1 month ago | argus-press.com | Matthew Bartow

MIDDLEBURY TWP. — A fire Tuesday afternoon destroyed a home in Middlebury Township, although there were no injuries or fatalities in the blaze. Ovid Middlebury Fire Department Captain Eric Brown said his department was dispatched to 2002 S. Warren Road at 1:11 p.m. after one of the homeowners returned from a walk to find flames and smoke emanating from the kitchen. The home was empty at the time of the fire.
Corunna police chief retires

1 month ago | argus-press.com | Matthew Bartow

CORUNNA — After more than four years serving as chief of the Corunna City Police Department — and 46 years working in law enforcement — Mark Schmitzer is calling it a career. The Corunna City Council unanimously accepted Schmitzer’s letter of resignation at Monday’s council meeting, with all four members of the council present. It was announced that officer Stacey Wilburn will take over the department as interim chief.