Friends and Community Shiawassee County News and Views

06/27/2025

Baldwin Michigan getting a huge financial boost.
Baldwin, MI. - The North Lake Correctional Facility that Biden closed down crippling the economy for the area has been reopened by Trump to become the largest ICE Detention Center in the Mid West.

According to records the detention center was designed and built in 1997, by a private correctional company, the GEO Group. It's last contract was with the Federal Bureau of Prisons from 2019 to 2022.

Joe Biden signed an executive order, ending all federal contracts with private prison companies. This caused the prison to close, hundreds of people losing their jobs, and the area falling into financial downfall.

President Trump, shortly after taking office reversed that executive order.

Sources state that with the facilty reopening that it will produce close to 500 jobs.

The prison began accepting federal detainees at the facility on June 16.

When it is operated at full capacity, it will become the largest detention facility in the Midwest. The GEO company officials estimate it will generate some $70 million per year in profits.

The re opening is going to create an economic boon in one of Michigan's forest counties.

Security is good for the prison since it sits out in a remote area.

Story: Friends Community News Group, Tom Manke, June 27, 2025.
Photos: Google Maps.
Information: GEO Group, ABC News, Al Jazeera, WPBN, Fox News, The Bridge.

06/27/2025

A Jackson, MI, person that identifies as a male, Juniper Perry W**d, 21, has been charged by the U.S. Justice Department.
Juniper Perry W**d, 21, of Jackson, Michigan, has been charged by criminal complaint with the misdemeanor offenses of assaulting a federal officer and failure to comply with official signs and directions.

Six Defendants were charged with Assaulting Federal Offices, Other Offenses During Protests Near Local ICE Office

PORTLAND, Ore.—Six defendants made their first appearances in federal court after committing various offenses—including assaulting federal officers and creating a hazard on federal property—during ongoing protest gatherings near a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) office in South Portland.

To read full release from the U.S. Justice Department click on the link in the comments.

06/26/2025

BREAKING NEWS - Michigan State Police -
Fairgrove Resident Arrested for Distribution of Child Sexually Abusive Material

FAIRGROVE, MICH. The Michigan State Police (MSP) Computer Crimes Unit, Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force is announcing the arrest of James Arthur Goudie, 24 of Fairgrove, for aggravated possession of child sexually abusive material, aggravated child sexually abusive activity – distributing/promoting, and using a computer to commit a crime.

Goudie was arrested following an investigation in which digital evidence was seized from his home. The investigation was initiated when it was learned that Goudie was sharing files of child sexually abusive material on the internet.

Goudie was charged with five counts of child sexually abusive activity – aggravated distributing/promoting, ten counts child sexually abusive material – aggravated possession, and fifteen counts of using a computer to commit a crime. Goudie was arraigned in 71B District Court on Thursday, June 12.

The MSP Computer Crimes Unit encourages parents to speak to their children about the safe use of the internet. There are many resources available to parents to assist in keeping children safe online. The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children provides a comprehensive list of resources on their website at http://www.missingkids.org. The Michigan ICAC Task Force also provides resources at http://www.michiganicac.com.

If you have information regarding possible child sexual exploitation, report it to the CyberTipLine at http://www.missingkids.org/cybertipline.
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06/26/2025

The Concert In Durand for Thursday has been Canceled, due to weather.

06/26/2025

Well Yah Look At That.... Just Look At It.
Durand, MI - On the road and stopped into Nick's Hometown Bar and Grill in Downtown Durand.

I asked them if they had Fresh BBQ Road Kill Raccoon. They didn't. So I asked to be surprised. Just look at it... soup and then sweet potato fries and a bacon cheese burger with onion rings on top. To drink, some of the best coffee ever.

Food was Good, they checked on me often and it was half as much as that place I mistakenly stopped in Okemos at and wrote on earlier this week.

I will be back.

Story/Photo: Friends Community News Group, Tom Manke, June 26, 2025. NICK'S Hometown Bar and Grill, Durand, Mi.

06/26/2025

Shiatown Plays - Wednesday Night Live.
Durand, MI - What a Beautiful night for a concert. Every Wednesday night for 12 weeks, Durand closes off the main st., sets up a stage, and has a popular band play.
This week it is Shiatown.

It was so much fun that everyone is invited back tomorrow for Thursday Night Live.
The Party Band - Glow takes the stage at 7pm.

Photos: Friends Community News Group, Tom Manke, June 25, 2025. Durand MI, Wednesday Night Live, Shiatown.

06/25/2025

Shiatown Live... Durand Wednesday Night Live.
June 25, 2025
Raw Video: Tom Manke
https://youtu.be/QTuAHUoY8a8?si=7TY2ESLEz3X5V-WA.

Live in Durand MI - Shiatown Playing to over 1,200 - Wednesday Night Live - June 25, 2025Raw Video - Tom Manke

06/25/2025

Live In Durand for Wednesday Night Live .
At Cruise In.
Photos: Friends Community News Group, June 25, 2025

06/25/2025

THE CONCERT TODAY IN DOWNTOWN DURAND IS A GO.... SHIATOWN will be Rockin It Out Tonight.

Wednesday Night Live posted,
🎶 We’re pumped, Durand! 🎶

We just got off the phone with Glenn Nation of Shiatown, and based on the latest radar and the low chance of rain after 3 PM — the concert is ON! 🙌

Of course, if severe weather or storm warnings pop up, we’ll have to make the tough call (we all know that drill a little too well this season). But for now — it’s full steam ahead! 🚂

So let’s do this, Durand… SHIATOWN is coming to town! 🔥💃🕺

06/24/2025

BREAKING - ICE Rounds up Illegal Criminal Iranians, Some Biden Welcomed

New York Post 4pm Tuesday -

ICE agents arrested a former Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps member with suspected ties to Hezbollah, an ex Iranian army sniper and a terror watchlist suspect during a sweep of Iranian ilelgal migrants in the US over the weekend — as authorities raised warnings about possible “sleeper cells.”

In all, 11 Iranian illegal migrants, many of them with criminal records, were taken into custody, the Department of Homeland Security said on Tuesday.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement nabbed former IRGC Mehran Makari Sahel, who has “admitted connections” to the Iran-backed terrorist group Hezbollah, according to CBS News.

The 56-year-old Iranian citizen is a convicted felon, who was sentenced to 15 months in prison in Minneapolis for possessing a firearm, according to DHS.

The resident of St. Paul, Minnesota, was ordered deported on June 28, 2022, but never left the US.

06/24/2025

I'm on the Road visiting Saddleback Barbecue, which the Grand Rapids Press, Restaurant Guru, City Pulse, and The Lansing Journal rated as having the Best BBQ.

I am excited to try their food.

Okemos, MI - It is Tuesday at 2:42 pm and I am at the Okemos Saddleback off Central Park Drive. I had the 3 meats, brisket, ribs, pulled pork with 2 sides and a soda, it came to $36.29 with tip $43.14

I ordered at the counter and went and sat down. I was the only person eating inside. A person brought it out to me within 5 to 7 minutes.

I ordered it at 2:42 pm and after they sat it down in front of me, I have not had one person check on me. I can hear them talking at the counter.

Several people have walked out of the kitchen and through. However, not one has asked me if I needed anything or whether I liked it or not.

I did identify myself when I ordered and stated I was writing a review.

The quality of the food... I will only say this, in 17 years of visiting hundreds of Restaurants, this will be my first meal that I won't leave a review of.

They don't bring you tableware either. A pile of forks just sit out in the open on the table in the sauce basket.

It is 3:51 and the server just walked by and never said a word.

Is this just an anomaly? Did I just stop in on an off day?

A person finally spoke as I walked out the door at 3:58.... They said have a good one and handed me my coleslaw that I didn't open and eat.

Friends Community News Group. June 24, 2025