The Argus-Press

01/27/2025

School teacher gets prison term for s*x acts with student

CORUNNA – A teacher who engaged in s*xual acts with one of her students was sentenced Friday to seven years, one month to 15 years in prison.

In December, 40-year-old Tasha N. Fernet was found guilty by a jury in Shiawassee Circuit Court of the four felony counts she faced – three counts of third-degree criminal s*xual conduct and one count of obstruction of justice.

The Owosso woman stood accused of entering into a relationship with the victim in December of 2022, when Fernet was 38 and the victim was 16. At the time, Fernet was a teacher and athletic coach at Life in Christ Christian School in Owosso Township, and the victim was one of her students. The jury found that Fernet committing s*xual misconduct against the youth between December 2022 and April 2023, both at the victim’s Owosso-area home and Fernet’s Owosso home.

Although the age of consent is 16 in Michigan, it is illegal for an adult authority figure to engage in s*xual relations with children age 17 and under. Third-degree CSC includes the crime of pe*******on and carries a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison.

The obstruction count was connected to text messages from Fernet to the victim asking her to tell authorities she fabricated the details of the relationship.

On Friday, in the same courtroom in which she faced a jury, Circuit Court Judge Matthew J. Stewart sentenced Fernet to 85 to 180 months in prison for each of the CSC counts and 30 to 60 months in prison for obstruction. The sentences are to be served concurrently, or at the same time. Fernet was given credit for 52 days already served.

CORUNNA – A teacher who engaged in s*xual acts with one of her students was sentenced Friday to seven years, one month to 15 years in prison.

01/25/2025

Rainbow Bar shooter gets 23 to 75 years in prison

While serving a 15-year prison sentence, Christopher B. Stubbs decided to gamble with his freedom.

He lost.

The 32-year-old man, listed in court documents as being an Owosso resident, was sentenced Friday in Shiawassee County District Court to 23 years, nine months to 75 years in prison for charges associated with Stubbs’ shooting up Owosso’s Rainbow Bar in December 2021.

Stubbs faced two attempted murder charges, and other felony counts, after the incident, which occurred in the early morning hours of Dec. 18, 2021 at the Rainbow Bar, 905 W. Main St. In June 2022, he pleaded guilty to one count of attempted murder and in July 2022, Stubbs was sentenced in the same courtroom in which he appeared Friday to 15 to 40 years in prison.

He appealed the sentence, and in June 2023, the Michigan Court of Appeals denied the appeal. In December 2023, a motion to withdraw his plea due to a technicality was granted by Circuit Court Judge Matthew J. Stewart, and Stubbs was transported in January 2024 from Bellamy Correctional Facility in Ionia, where he was serving his sentence, to the Shiawassee County Jail. In the meantime, the Shiawassee County Prosecutor’s Office refiled charges against Stubbs.

Stubbs’ case was heard by a Shiawassee County jury in December. He was found guilty as charged of two counts of assault with intent to murder, four counts of discharging a firearm in or at a building, carrying a concealed weapon and possession of a firearm while committing a felony (felony firearm).

On Friday, Stewart sentenced Stubbs to 23 years, nine months to 75 years in prison for both intent to murder counts, 12 to 20 years in prison for each of the discharging a firearm counts and five to 10 years in prison for carrying a concealed weapon. Conviction of felony firearm carries a mandatory two-year prison sentence. All sentences are to be served concurrently (at the same time) as the 23 years, nine months to 75 years sentence Stubbs received for the first assault with intent to murder charge.

CORUNNA – While serving a 15-year prison sentence, Christopher B. Stubbs decided to gamble with his freedom.

01/23/2025

OWOSSO — The Owosso City Council voted Tuesday to deny a rezoning request for a downtown property proposed for use as a ma*****na processing facility for Owosso’s HomeGrown Cannabis Company.

Council members voted 6-1 to deny the request, based on the planning commission’s recommendation from its Dec. 9 meeting that it is inconsistent with the city’s master plan.

Mayor pro tem Jerry Haber, along with council members Chris Owens, Rachel Osmer, Carl Ludington, Janae Fear and Emily Olson, voted to deny the request. Mayor Robert Teich Jr. cast the yes vote.

OWOSSO — The Owosso City Council voted Tuesday to deny a rezoning request for a downtown property proposed for use as a ma*****na processing facility for Owosso’s HomeGrown Cannabis Company.

01/22/2025

Efforts to bring a building in Owosso’s historic district into compliance will extend into 2025.

According to Owosso City Manager Nathan Henne, since 2021, the Owosso Historic District Commission has issued four demolition-by-neglect notices for the building at 110 W. Main St., which is currently home to Aviator Studio.

Henne said misinformation about the matter has been spread on social media, where community members questioned why action was being taken against the owners of 110 W. Main St., but not against the owners of the boarded-up building at 123 N. Washington.

OWOSSO — Efforts to bring a building in Owosso’s historic district into compliance will extend into 2025.

01/21/2025

A new era for the arts in Durand will begin next month when the community gathers to celebrate the grand opening of the district’s $9.8 million Performing Arts Center.

A ribbon-cutting ceremony will take place Feb. 3 at 5 p.m. at the state-of-the-art facility, which is attached to Durand High School, 9575 E. Monroe Road.

DURAND — A new era for the arts in Durand will begin next month when the community gathers to celebrate the grand opening of the district’s $9.8 million Performing Arts

01/15/2025

The U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Federal Student Aid reached a settlement with Baker College, which included a $2.5 million fine, for misrepresenting job placement rates and potential salaries for its graduates.

In a Jan. 7 news release, the department said the private, nonprofit institution, which has five campuses across Michigan, including one that has facilities in Owosso and Owosso Township, violated the Higher Education Act of 1965 by misleading students who relied on the college’s website and marketing materials.

In a statement to The Argus-Press, Baker College President & CEO Dr. Jacqui Spicer said the college maintains it did not commit any misrepresentations and said the resolution agreement is not an admission of wrongdoing.

Read more ⤵️

OWOSSO — The U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Federal Student Aid reached a settlement with Baker College, which included a $2.5 million fine, for misrepresenting job placement rates and

01/14/2025

For the second consecutive year, Perry High School’s varsity quiz bowl team is headed to the National Academic Quiz Tournaments Michigan State Championship.

Reaching the state tournament in 2024 was an achievement for the Perry Ramblers, but after narrowly avoiding last place in the final standings, the team is determined to make a stronger showing in 2025, said Nathan Hawley, who has coached the PHS quiz bowl team for the past five years and also teaches chemistry and physics at the school.

“I think our first big step last year was just making it to the state tournament,” Hawley said. “Now that we’ve been able to do that again, if we can start winning rounds at the state level, that would be the next step.”

The team secured its spot in the tournament by going undefeated in the Mid-Michigan Academic League this season, knocking off teams from Laingsburg, Bath, Fowler, Pewamo-Westphalia and Portland St. Patrick throughout the year.

PERRY — For the second consecutive year, Perry High School’s varsity quiz bowl team is headed to the National Academic Quiz Tournaments Michigan State Championship.

12/21/2024

Police: Democratic headquarters, local bar were targets of Owosso man who planned hate crimes

OWOSSO — A local bar and a political party’s headquarters, though unrelated in most ways, share an unsettling link: both were marked for a premeditated, violent attack, according to investigators.

On Tuesday, Mack A. Davis, 22, of Owosso, pleaded guilty in U.S. Federal Court to one count of committing a hate crime by attempting to carry out a mass killing.

Owosso Director of Public Safety Chief Kevin Lenkart said Davis had specifically targeted a pair of Owosso locales, the Shiawassee County Democratic Party headquarters, 820 W. Main St., and Rainbow Bar, 905 W. Main St., and had outlined his plans for the attack.

“He made references to other locations in various writings six to eight months prior to his arrest,” Lenkart said. “Maybe he changed his mind, I don’t know, but there was a video posted in late May on Discord that specifically mentioned those two locations and what he planned to do in those locations.”

Davis was arrested on June 17 after law enforcement responded to a report of shots fired near Stewart and Lyon streets in Owosso. At the time, Lenkart stated that while there was no specific victim, the incident was part of a larger pattern of similar complaints the department had received over the previous two days. Shell casings and other evidence found at the scene led to Davis’ arrest.

According to a press release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Michigan, Davis had an arsenal of fi****ms, ammunition and bomb making parts that he intended to use to carry out the mass killing of groups he believed to be associated with the LGBTQ+ community. From April until his arrest in June, Davis had checked off every item on the list, the release said.

OWOSSO — A local bar and a political party’s headquarters, though unrelated in most ways, share an unsettling link: both were marked for a premeditated, violent attack, according to investigators.

12/21/2024

On Tuesday, Mack A. Davis, 22, of Owosso, pleaded guilty in U.S. Federal Court to one count of committing a hate crime by attempting to carry out a mass killing.

Owosso Director of Public Safety Chief Kevin Lenkart said Davis had specifically targeted a pair of Owosso locales, the Shiawassee County Democratic Party headquarters, 820 W. Main St., and Rainbow Bar, 905 W. Main St., and had outlined his plans for the attack.

OWOSSO — A local bar and a political party’s headquarters, though unrelated in most ways, share an unsettling link: both were marked for a premeditated, violent attack, according to investigators.

12/18/2024

Breaking news last night — An Owosso man pleaded guilty Tuesday to one count of committing a hate crime by attempting to carry out a mass killing.

More to come in the Argus-Press.

December 17, 2024

For more information contact:

Kevin Lenkart – Public Safety Director
Phone: 989-725-0580
Email: [email protected]

Below is a press release from the United States Office, Eastern District of Michigan.

The success of the joint investigation into the arrest of Mack Davis is as a direct result of the alertness and diligence of the members of the Owosso Police Department. As a result of the immediate arrest of Mack Davis, a potential catastrophic event was prevented. Their immediate work on this case saved innocent lives in our community.

Kevin Lenkart; Owosso Public Safety Director.

Press Release: United States Attorney’s Office, Eastern District of Michigan.

A Michigan man pleaded guilty today to one count of committing a hate crime by attempting to carry out a mass killing.

According to court documents, Mack Davis, 22, of Owosso, admitted that he attempted to conduct a mass killing of individuals at a political party headquarters and a nearby bar in the Eastern District of Michigan because he associated both locations with gay people.

“This defendant amassed an arsenal of fi****ms, rounds of ammunition and bombmaking parts that he intended to use to carry out the mass killing of gay people. This kind of vile and heinous hate-fueled violence, intended to target innocent people based on their s*xual orientation, runs contrary to our values as Americans,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “Bias-motivated crimes targeting the LGBTQI+ community will not be tolerated. The Justice Department will continue using every tool at our disposal to protect communities from the scourge of hate-fueled violence by prosecuting those who carry out or attempt to carry out such crimes.”

“Davis’ plans were chilling. He intended to commit mass shootings at two locations — destroying countless lives and devastating our community — all because of his fanatical hatred for gay people,” said U.S. Attorney Dawn N. Ison for the Eastern District of Michigan. “I applaud the work of law enforcement in disrupting this awful plot and arresting Davis before he could carry out his planned attacks. Today’s guilty plea is a reflection of my office’s commitment to prosecuting bias crimes and is a critical step in holding this defendant accountable for his actions.”

“Mack Davis’ guilty plea to a federal hate crime highlights the unwavering dedication of law enforcement to uphold the safety and security of every community in Michigan,” said Special Agent in Charge Cheyvoryea Gibson of FBI Detroit Field Office. “This case serves as a stark reminder that there is no tolerance for hate-fueled violence. Davis confessed to devising a plan motivated by his deep-seated hatred, targeting innocent individuals associated with the LGBTQIA+ community. The FBI’s Detroit Field Office, Flint Resident Agency, in collaboration with the Owosso Police Department, the Bureau of Alcohol, To***co and Fi****ms (ATF), and the Michigan State Police, acted swiftly to prevent this malicious scheme from being carried out. Our collective action disrupted a serious threat and reaffirmed our commitment to protecting vulnerable communities from harm. Michigan law enforcement remains committed to ensuring all individuals live free from fear of violence or discrimination. We are dedicated to combating hate, protecting the safety and well-being of Michigan residents, and fostering a safe environment where everyone, regardless of identity, can thrive in peace.”

According to court documents, from at least July 2023 through June 2024, Davis accessed search engines and social media sites to research, post about, and pay tribute to mass killers, and wrote about dozens of mass killers in journals and on other items in his home. During that period, Davis also began to plot his own mass killing, by, among other things, drafting lists of weapons and tactical gear he owned and intended to acquire for use in his mass killing. By June, Davis had crossed off every item on the list of weapons and tactical gear he intended to acquire, and had amassed an arsenal that included two fi****ms, magazines, hundreds of rounds of ammunition, a crossbow and arrows, assorted bomb-making parts, smoke grenades, tactical gear and clothing and several knives. Davis inscribed one of the knives with the anti-gay slur, “FAGGOT Killer.”

From April through June, Davis solidified his plan to commit the mass killing. Among other acts, Davis posted on a social media site that he intended to commit a mass killing at a political party headquarters, which Davis referred to as “Location 1,” that Davis wrote was “filled with far-left liberal, fa**ot scum.” Davis wrote that he would continue the mass killing at “Location 2,” a nearby bar that Davis wrote was “a fa**ot bar.” Davis researched both locations online, conducted physical surveillance of both locations and posted about his research and surveillance on the social media site. During that period, Davis also vandalized two cars that belonged to his neighbors, whom he knew to be gay, by spray-painting the word “fag” on one of the cars. Days later, Davis also test-fired one of his fi****ms, an illegal short-barreled rifle, by firing approximately 60 bullets into several of his neighbors’ properties, including one of the cars that he had previously vandalized.

The Owosso Police Department arrested Davis for that shooting. Davis was later transferred to federal custody, where he has remained since.

A sentencing hearing will be scheduled for a later date. Because Davis’s hate crime involved an attempt to kill, he faces a maximum penalty of life in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

The FBI Detroit Field Office investigated the case, with assistance the from the Owosso Police Department, ATF and Michigan State Police.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Frances Lee Carlson and Christopher W. Rawsthorne for the Eastern District of Michigan and Trial Attorney Erin Monju of the Civil Rights Division’s Criminal Section are prosecuting the case.

12/16/2024

Christopher Stubbs, who shot up the Rainbow Bar in December 2021, was found guilty of all counts following a jury trial last week, including two of assault with intent to commit murder. He is set to be sentenced next month.

CORUNNA – A jury decided Friday that Christopher B. Stubbs was not acting in self-defense when he fired a handgun inside a local bar nearly three years ago.

12/13/2024

With a new-look, the Chesaning High School men’s basketball team is pushing for postseason success.

CHESANING — Chesaning had one of its best seasons in school history last year.

Among the team’s accomplishments included an undefeated regular season, a Mid-Michigan Activities Conference title, a 24-0 start and the program’s first district championship in 28 years.

However, Chesaning ran into a fellow unbeaten in Laingsburg in the regional bracket of the Michigan High School Athletic Association (MHSAA) Class C playoffs, and the Indians couldn’t overcome the Wolfpack, falling 63-52.

This year, Chesaning is looking to defend its MMAC title and push farther into the postseason.

“(Last season) was a good year. But we didn’t feel like we went as deep as we could have,” said senior Max Volk.

While Chesaning returns a lot of pieces from last season, it lost critical production in four-year varsity point guard Nate Ferry and standout power forward Mason Struck. Volk is one of several players that head coach Matt Weigl said will have to step up to fill the void left by the departed seniors.

Volk, who quarterbacked Chesaning’s football team to an undefeated regular season this fall, is also taking on a leadership role on the basketball team this year, stepping into Ferry’s shoes as the team’s point guard. Weigl called Volk a “natural born leader.”

“As seniors, we have to lead this team and play ball. I know I have to step up and elevate my game,” he said.

Weigl is also putting more on the plate of forward Luke Barta this year. Barta, also a senior, said playing AAU basketball during the summer has prepared him to take his game to the next level. Barta said the competition — which included eight tournaments and about 30-40 games — was a lot stiffer than anything he has faced in high school ball, including facing Jeremiah Fears, a high school standout who is currently a freshman guard at the University of Oklahoma.

“You see a whole different level of competition. It has elevated my game, and I really want to be the guy that everyone looks up to,” he said.

Weigl said the team is “obviously different” this year without Struck and Ferry, and using several rotations to try and find its identity amidst a string of injuries.

He said the team includes a mix of newcomers, including Law Danek and Justin Lange, and returners looking to fill larger roles, including Brady Sager and Brayden Florian.

Chesaning is off to a 2-1 start, with conference wins over Otisville LakeVille and New Lothrop following a season-opening loss to Flint Powers Catholic, a state semifinalist from last year.

Click below for a preview of the rest of the area’s teams. ⤵️

CHESANING — Chesaning had one of its best seasons in school history last year.

12/10/2024

The Argus-Press is seeking year-end stories and photos from clubs, organizations, churches and businesses.

The deadline for stories is noon Dec. 18.

This is an opportunity for groups to let the community know about all the things they did this year. Annual recaps will appear in the Argus-Press’ year-end edition.

The Argus-Press reserves the right to edit all submitted materials. Material submitted after the deadline will not appear in its year-end edition. If the newspaper receives more material than space allows, content received first will be given preference.

Stories and photos can be emailed to [email protected] or dropped off to The Argus-Press, 201 Exchange St. in Owosso. Stories can be faxed to 989-725-6376.

Organizations may also use the submit news form at argus-press.com.

Emails are strongly preferred.

Photos are encouraged, but groups should limit the number to two or three. Make sure photos are in focus and the people in them are identified. They should be emailed whenever possible.

12/06/2024

CORUNNA – A former teacher at Life in Christ Christian School who had an inappropriate relationship with a student was found guilty Wednesday of multiple counts of s*xual misconduct.

Tasha N. Fernet was a teacher and athletic coach at the Owosso Township K-12 school during the 2022-23 school year when she began a s*xual relationship with a 16-year-old female student, according to court testimony.

Wednesday morning in Shiawassee County Circuit Court, a six-man, six-woman jury deliberated for about an hour before finding the 40-year-old married mother of four guilty of all charges she faced – three counts of third-degree criminal s*xual conduct (15-year felony) and a single count of obstruction of justice (five-year felony).

Fernet is scheduled to be sentenced at 8:30 a.m. on Jan. 10 in the same courtroom.

Fernet, of Owosso, was accused of entering into a relationship with the victim in December of 2022, when she was 38 and the victim was 16. Witnesses testified that Fernet was the child’s teacher and coached her in athletics. Shiawassee County Prosecutor Scott Koerner told the jury that multiple incidents of Fernet committing s*xual misconduct against the youth occurred between December 2022 and April 2023, both at the victim’s Owosso-area home and Fernet’s home.

See more ⤵️

CORUNNA – A former teacher at Life in Christ Christian School who had an inappropriate relationship with a student was found guilty Wednesday of multiple counts of s*xual misconduct.

12/05/2024

DURAND – It looks like John Webb will be coaching the Durand varsity football team next year after all.

At Monday’s Durand Area Schools Board of Education meeting, after speaking with Webb and his attorney in closed session for more than an hour, the board voted 6-1 to offer the four-year coach, and life-long Railroader, a contract for the 2025 football season.

Albeit with some conditions.

Webb was not offered a contract for next year following an investigation into an incident in the team’s final game of the season – Oct. 25 against Bath – in which a player appeared to stumble about after taking a possible hit to the head. He was taken out of the game, and two plays later, after the player was cleared by trainer Kenneth Rockwell, Webb, the team’s head coach, put the player back into the game.

A complaint that Webb and his staff did not properly follow concussion protocol was filed by a parent of a separate player and an investigation was conducted by Durand Middle School Principal Becky Shankster, who was appointed by the school board due to Durand High School Principal Nicole Carpenter and athletic director Bryan Carpenter, who has since resigned, being relatives of Webb.

See more ⤵️

DURAND – It looks like John Webb will be coaching the Durand varsity football team next year after all.

12/03/2024

Saturday is the final day for families to register to receive gifts from Toys for Tots, but toy donations will be accepted at most Shiawassee County drop off locations until Dec. 12. 🎁

SHIAWASSEE COUNTY — As the holiday season approaches, the annual U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots campaign is underway.

There are about 180 drop-off locations across Shiawassee County.

The deadline for families to apply to receive gifts is Saturday, but toy donations will be accepted at most locations until Dec. 12.

All toys, as well as money placed in cash jars around the community, will help families in need in Shiawassee County.

“Toys that are collected in this county benefit the children in this county,” said Lance Gilmore, coordinator of Toys for Tots in Shiawassee County. “We’re not giving our toys to Flint or Lansing. It’s for the kids here in this community. All of the cash jars you see in the community — if somebody gives money to one of those cash jars — they can be certain that money is absolutely dedicated for toys.”

All unwrapped toy donations must be new and in the original packaging. Gift cards and toys shaped like weapons cannot be accepted.

After Dec. 12, Gilmore and his team of volunteers will collect the donations and assess which age groups, if any, might need more toys so they can purchase them in time for the setup of the Marine Corps Toy Store.

The store, which will be set up at the Shiawassee Readiness Center, 675 W. Corunna Ave. in Corunna, is designed to allow families to personally pick out gifts for their children, ensuring they get to experience the magic and joy of the holiday season.

See more ⤵️

SHIAWASSEE COUNTY — As the holiday season approaches, the annual U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots campaign is underway.

11/30/2024

There's some drama happening in Durand involving the school board's handling of a complaint against the varsity football coach.

DURAND – About 270 community members filed into the media room at Durand Middle School Tuesday to observe a special board of education meeting.

Normally, one board member said after the meeting, the Durand Area Schools Board of Education conducts business in front of just a handful of people.

The vast majority of the crowd showed up in support of embattled Durand varsity football coach John Webb, who is the subject of in investigation following a complaint filed by a parent of one of the district’s football players.

According to the district’s investigation – conducted by Durand Middle School Principal Becky Shankster – the mother of a student-athlete made a formal complaint against the football coaching staff on Oct. 26, one day after the Railroaders final game of the season, a 14-8 home win over Bath.

The complaint raised two concerns – that the coaching staff failed to follow Michigan High School Athletic Association guidelines in regard to a player who suffered a possible concussion during the game, and that “a toxic culture (exists) within the varsity football program where the head coach did not take player safety seriously and would belittle players who complained of injuries,” according to the investigation report.

The purpose of Tuesday’s meeting was for the board to vote on whether or not to make the report public. After school district attorney Dan Martin disclosed the findings of the investigation to the audience, the board voted unanimously to make the report public, and offered copies of the 16-page report to anyone who wanted it.

DURAND – About 270 community members filed into the media room at Durand Middle School Tuesday to observe a special board of education meeting.

11/13/2024

On Veteran's Day, multiple local school districts hosted programs for local veterans.

Perry Elementary honors veterans with annual breakfast event
By ASHLEE BUHLER

PERRY – On Monday, students from Perry Elementary paid tribute to local veterans with a musical performance during the school’s annual Veterans Day breakfast.

Pancakes, sausage and fruit were served as second-grade students sang patriotic songs on stage and thanked veterans for their service. Students who knew a veteran were invited to the cafeteria for breakfast.

Olivia Flores, a second-grade teacher who started the event in 2017, said more than 50 veterans attended, with some traveling from as far as St. Louis and Jackson.

“I think it’s the largest Veterans Day breakfast we’ve ever had — the biggest turnout,” Flores said. “We even raised funds this year to buy larger and better gifts for our veterans, so we’re super impressed with the turnout. We’re really happy.”

Upon arrival, each veteran received a raffle ticket, ensuring they would leave with a prize. The items, donated by local businesses, families, and school staff, included snack baskets, blankets and Detroit Lions merchandise.

PERRY – On Monday, students from Perry Elementary paid tribute to local veterans with a musical performance during the school’s annual Veterans Day breakfast.