ROSEVILLE – A Fraser man pleaded not guilty to illegal possession of a narcotic on Feb. 27 at the 39th District Court of the State of Michigan.
Matthew Gordon was pulled over by Roseville police on Dec. 15, 2007 and allegedly had Oxycodone on his person without a prescription. He was charged with illegal possession of a narcotic and faces a felony conviction.
Judge Catherine B. Steenland asked Gordon if he had anything to say. Gordon proceeded to apologize and was stopped by Judge Steenland.
“You don’t want to do that Mr. Gordon,” said Judge Steenland. “Do you have the money to post bond; at least $1,000?”
Judge Steenland noticed a baby in the courtroom.
“Is that your baby?” asked Judge Steenland.
Gordon nodded.
“Ok, can you post $500?“ asked Judge Steenland. “I am being extremely generous here.”
“Yeah, I can do that,” said Gordon. “Thank you judge.”
Gordon is expected to appear in court on March 5 for a preliminary examination.
Another Fraser man pleaded guilty to his second Operating While Under the Influence offense. In order to plead guilty Kenneth Bender had to corroborate the charges.
On Dec. 2,2007 Bender was pulled over by Roseville Police and according to his attorney Bender had a blood alcohol content of 0.18.
“I went out around 9 p.m. and had my share of three pitchers of beer,” said Bender. “I left the bar at around 12:30 a.m. and that’s when I was pulled over.”
Judge Steenland dropped Bender’s other charge of failure to change the address on an operator’s license.
“I will dismiss this charge since you are pleading guilty today,” said Judge Steenland.
Bender was convicted of his first OWI offense on June 24, 2003.
Bender was released on a $750 bond and will be sentenced on March 26.
A Chesterfield man also pleaded guilty to his second OWI offense. Roseville Police pulled over Edward Lavender on Feb. 12.
“I had four Long Island Iced Teas your honor,” said Lavender. Lavender was given two breathalyzers and subsequently had a BAC of 0.22 and 0.21.
“That’s a lot of liquor Mr. Lavender,” said Judge Steenland.
Lavender was convicted of his first OWI offense in Nov. 2007. He was released on a $250 bond. His sentencing will be on March 26.
Taminia Miller of Ypsilanti appeared for sentencing. The court did not state her offense.
Miller’s attorney argued she was in a tight financial situation and could not afford to pay large fines.
“She has three teenagers,” said Miller’s attorney. “Her paychecks are already being garnished because she previously filled for bankruptcy.”
Steenland sentenced Miller to 12 months probation. Miller is also ordered to attend an alcohol education program and a victim education panel. She must maintain employment and under no circumstances is permitted to use non-prescription drugs or drink alcohol.
Miller will be subject to random drug and alcohol screens. She must pay her $900 court fees within 180 days.
“I don’t expect to see you back here,” said Steenland. “I have been extremely generous and if I see you back that means you broke probation.”
Thursday, May 15, 2008
Fighter Diary #5
Wow I need a sponsor. These as prices are killing me. Driving 120 mi round trip every time I have to go to school and paying for classes are breaking my bank so bad that I can't train right now without a sponsor. We moved to a new gym and as opposed to being 1 mi from my house it is not 20 mi from my house, which relatively speaking is not far, but when I am driving so much already it is not so good. Plus I am going to HI in July and I don't get paid vacation days so I am hurting. And before anyone thinks poorly of my decision to go to HI it may be my last opportunity to go for just the plane ride. I don't have to pay for lodging and all of my friends know the non-tourists spots to hit. I am actually hoping to get some features and compositions out of the trip. So Bill Gates if you are out there and find this blog I really could use a sponsor :)
School board story example- unpulished
WARREN - The Royal Oak Chapter of the Chinese Cultural Exchange Program joined the Warren Consolidated School District’s School Board at their March 19 meeting.
“We are all very aware that the global economy is a reality today,” said Executive Director of Secondary Education Todd Biederwolf. “We have to ensure our students that they will be competitive in business.”
Biederwolf and the Chinese Cultural Exchange Program members asked board members to support their initiative to begin a program that would eventually lead to high school students from China graduating from Warren Consolidated High Schools. Warren Consolidated Students would also have the opportunity to graduate from Chinese high schools.
Biederwolf and his supporters, including Principal of Sterling Heights High School Bob Scheonerr, believe programs such as these will allow American students to be competitive in business, understand the global economy, and learn Mandarin Chinese.
“Teaching our students Chinese is incredibly important to be well versed in today’s culture,” said Principal Scheonerr. “We hope that next year we can bring Shanghai students to Michigan. They will live in a boarding style home with adult supervision and graduate from Sterling with an American diploma.”
Eastern Michigan University and the International Higher Education Exchange Center have teamed up with Sterling Heights High School to aid in developing the program so all Warren Consolidated students can partake in the cultural exchange.
The board members were also asked to support changes in testing policies in the district in order to be compliant with policy 545 of the Michigan Merit Curriculum.
“I think it is important we talk about a waiver here,” said Biederwolf. “It’s not that we don’t care about health in education, but a student should be allowed to get that half credit in an area of interest.”
The board supported the change in the testing policy. Students will no longer be required to fulfill their half credit in health class in order to graduate. Now students may take another unrestricted elective, such as art, and will be eligible to graduate.
“Students may also be exempted from gym class with two seasons on the same J.V. or Varsity sport, two years of marching band, or one year of passing grade in WCS performing arts classes,” said Biederwolf. “The question is should we continue to do this?”
The board voted to allow students to continue to be exempt from gym class if they fulfill the requirement another way.
Students may also test out of classes so long as they receive a C-plus or higher. This raised concern with some board members.
“My own concern is a C-plus,” said Vice President Brendan Wagner. “I think we need to raise the bar. For testing, this is too low and most can do that with little effort.”
According to Biederwolf, the board cannot mandate students must receive a higher test score while testing out of classes because a C-plus is acceptable in Michigan law.
The Board also announced that Carter, Grissom and Carleton Middle Schools made it to the state band competition.
“We are all very aware that the global economy is a reality today,” said Executive Director of Secondary Education Todd Biederwolf. “We have to ensure our students that they will be competitive in business.”
Biederwolf and the Chinese Cultural Exchange Program members asked board members to support their initiative to begin a program that would eventually lead to high school students from China graduating from Warren Consolidated High Schools. Warren Consolidated Students would also have the opportunity to graduate from Chinese high schools.
Biederwolf and his supporters, including Principal of Sterling Heights High School Bob Scheonerr, believe programs such as these will allow American students to be competitive in business, understand the global economy, and learn Mandarin Chinese.
“Teaching our students Chinese is incredibly important to be well versed in today’s culture,” said Principal Scheonerr. “We hope that next year we can bring Shanghai students to Michigan. They will live in a boarding style home with adult supervision and graduate from Sterling with an American diploma.”
Eastern Michigan University and the International Higher Education Exchange Center have teamed up with Sterling Heights High School to aid in developing the program so all Warren Consolidated students can partake in the cultural exchange.
The board members were also asked to support changes in testing policies in the district in order to be compliant with policy 545 of the Michigan Merit Curriculum.
“I think it is important we talk about a waiver here,” said Biederwolf. “It’s not that we don’t care about health in education, but a student should be allowed to get that half credit in an area of interest.”
The board supported the change in the testing policy. Students will no longer be required to fulfill their half credit in health class in order to graduate. Now students may take another unrestricted elective, such as art, and will be eligible to graduate.
“Students may also be exempted from gym class with two seasons on the same J.V. or Varsity sport, two years of marching band, or one year of passing grade in WCS performing arts classes,” said Biederwolf. “The question is should we continue to do this?”
The board voted to allow students to continue to be exempt from gym class if they fulfill the requirement another way.
Students may also test out of classes so long as they receive a C-plus or higher. This raised concern with some board members.
“My own concern is a C-plus,” said Vice President Brendan Wagner. “I think we need to raise the bar. For testing, this is too low and most can do that with little effort.”
According to Biederwolf, the board cannot mandate students must receive a higher test score while testing out of classes because a C-plus is acceptable in Michigan law.
The Board also announced that Carter, Grissom and Carleton Middle Schools made it to the state band competition.
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
CHINA
As an aspiring journalist I am really struggling now. With the cyclone a few weeks ago and now the Earthquake that has claimed 12,000 to date with he tole steadily rising I have begun to ask myself can I do this job? Will I be able to hold back the tears as countless lifeless bodies of children are pulled from the rubble of what once was a safe place for them to be. The tiny frozen hand clutching the pencil as if the child was gong to write his next sentence when his life was so ruthlessly stolen from him? Should I have to hold back the tears when reporting on such a catastrophe? Is that healthy or even human? I am a very empathetic person. As I saw the mothers clutching the bodies of their now dead children I cried, and I felt a heart so sharp in my heart I thought I may be sick. But why as a journalist is that so wrong? Isn't the point of journalism to bring the facts to the world, to help people through print? So why should I have to leave out the pain I feel when such a horrific event occurs? I am a strong woman, I am independent, dependable, practical, timely, yet this struck a chord with me. I won't apologize for that and I am not sure I have to even if some of the old timers would believe differentially.
Saturday, April 5, 2008
Fighter Diary #4
Grappling Update
4-3-1
I went to champions challenge a few weeks ago. I placed first but I realized I have a lot to work on. I have no guard passing skills whatsoever. And I am terrible at submission on top. I think that since when I am on top in fighting I throw punches I have not forced myself to learn submissions from an advantage position. I would love to train hardcore bjj but I cannot afford it. With school it is really hard to pay for anything else.
Maybe this summer since I don't have tot take summer classes I will be able to do a little bjj training. I think I would be an awesome grappler with my wrestling background if I could train hardcore.
I am going to Hawaii for to weeks in July to visit my best friend. I know there is some sweet bjj and MMA training out there. I am going to advantage of that.
Last weekend I went to a low level grappling tournament. I weighed in at 117. The one opponent I had weighed in at 135. Not a terrible disadvantage but I could not use my decent judo tossing abilities. She was just too heavy. I usually win grappling tournament on a good take down and quick knee on belly or mount. I have yet to submit anyone but I also have yet to catch myself on my back long enough to do so.
I went 1-1-1 with her. she beat me with a standing submission attempt and one by points. Then I won with take downs and a knee one belly in the second match. The third match I took her down and knee on belly to mount. She got a strong submission attempt. And they called it a draw. I say that is crap but it wasn't a ranked tournament so I don't care.
4-3-1
I went to champions challenge a few weeks ago. I placed first but I realized I have a lot to work on. I have no guard passing skills whatsoever. And I am terrible at submission on top. I think that since when I am on top in fighting I throw punches I have not forced myself to learn submissions from an advantage position. I would love to train hardcore bjj but I cannot afford it. With school it is really hard to pay for anything else.
Maybe this summer since I don't have tot take summer classes I will be able to do a little bjj training. I think I would be an awesome grappler with my wrestling background if I could train hardcore.
I am going to Hawaii for to weeks in July to visit my best friend. I know there is some sweet bjj and MMA training out there. I am going to advantage of that.
Last weekend I went to a low level grappling tournament. I weighed in at 117. The one opponent I had weighed in at 135. Not a terrible disadvantage but I could not use my decent judo tossing abilities. She was just too heavy. I usually win grappling tournament on a good take down and quick knee on belly or mount. I have yet to submit anyone but I also have yet to catch myself on my back long enough to do so.
I went 1-1-1 with her. she beat me with a standing submission attempt and one by points. Then I won with take downs and a knee one belly in the second match. The third match I took her down and knee on belly to mount. She got a strong submission attempt. And they called it a draw. I say that is crap but it wasn't a ranked tournament so I don't care.
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
Fighter Diary #3
I competed in the NAGA Tournament at the Arnold Classic this past weekend. I did the no-gi division. I have never trained in BJJ nor do I own a gi so that was my only option.
I decided that I will have more money and no classes this summer so I am going to take BJJ then. I am hoping to have my Blue Belt within a year. I work hard so I think I can do it.
I faired well for my first tournament and since I don't train BJJ. I won my first match. Did well in my second. I faced the girl who took first in no-gi and second in gi. We were even on points until I slipped out the back door and left my arm behind.
She arm bard me with 10 seconds left to go. I freaked and tapped way too quickly but it was a learning experience,
In my third match I was going for third place. I lost by 1 point. she had the submission attempt from the air. She was probably a foot taller than me and just kept guillotining me. She could not take me down with the choke but got the point for the standing attempt.
All in all I had a blast. I saw a few UFC guys and chatted with Carter. That was really cool!
I decided that I will have more money and no classes this summer so I am going to take BJJ then. I am hoping to have my Blue Belt within a year. I work hard so I think I can do it.
I faired well for my first tournament and since I don't train BJJ. I won my first match. Did well in my second. I faced the girl who took first in no-gi and second in gi. We were even on points until I slipped out the back door and left my arm behind.
She arm bard me with 10 seconds left to go. I freaked and tapped way too quickly but it was a learning experience,
In my third match I was going for third place. I lost by 1 point. she had the submission attempt from the air. She was probably a foot taller than me and just kept guillotining me. She could not take me down with the choke but got the point for the standing attempt.
All in all I had a blast. I saw a few UFC guys and chatted with Carter. That was really cool!
Fighter Diary #2
I had my second amateur fight last Thursday. The girl that I beat wanted a rematch. We were supposed to have that rematch a few weeks ago but she never showed up.
This time I won by TKO about one minute into the second round. This time she actually came back with a vengeance.
I have to hand it to her, she hit me with about seven good knees in a row before I ended it. And she took, with no exaggeration, at least seven straight rights to the face. I am pretty positive I broke her nose.
I thought I was going to knock her out cold. She made the mistake of trying to take me down. But with my wrestling experience unless my opponent is a very good wrestler, I am not getting taken down.
After being relentlessly kneed my adrenaline kicked in. As soon as I grabbed her leg as she kneed me she fell straight to her back. She has no sense of balance or mat awareness for someone who trains in grappling. My trainer wanted me to keep the fight standing so I let her back up.
As soon as she stood up I pounded her face until we hit the ropes in my corner. I then took her down and fell into her half guard. I still have a problem with quickly transitioning out of the guard when I take someone down.
Still yet, from half guard I managed to TKO her. Not bad!
I have to work on plenty of things before I move up to face harder opponents. But win or lose amateur competitions are always a learning experience. I guess knowing that is the first thing to learn. I am ready to start moving up. I have decided that being a pro fighter is what I want to do.
No there is not a lot of money in it for women. And yes I will have a double degree by December. But continuing to a Doctorate in history, or going back to school for my teaching degree, or sitting on my ass in an office just is not me. At least not yet.
This fighting thing is a bug. And it has been inside of me since I could remember. Except now I have finally figure out what I want to do. And nothing will stop me!
This time I won by TKO about one minute into the second round. This time she actually came back with a vengeance.
I have to hand it to her, she hit me with about seven good knees in a row before I ended it. And she took, with no exaggeration, at least seven straight rights to the face. I am pretty positive I broke her nose.
I thought I was going to knock her out cold. She made the mistake of trying to take me down. But with my wrestling experience unless my opponent is a very good wrestler, I am not getting taken down.
After being relentlessly kneed my adrenaline kicked in. As soon as I grabbed her leg as she kneed me she fell straight to her back. She has no sense of balance or mat awareness for someone who trains in grappling. My trainer wanted me to keep the fight standing so I let her back up.
As soon as she stood up I pounded her face until we hit the ropes in my corner. I then took her down and fell into her half guard. I still have a problem with quickly transitioning out of the guard when I take someone down.
Still yet, from half guard I managed to TKO her. Not bad!
I have to work on plenty of things before I move up to face harder opponents. But win or lose amateur competitions are always a learning experience. I guess knowing that is the first thing to learn. I am ready to start moving up. I have decided that being a pro fighter is what I want to do.
No there is not a lot of money in it for women. And yes I will have a double degree by December. But continuing to a Doctorate in history, or going back to school for my teaching degree, or sitting on my ass in an office just is not me. At least not yet.
This fighting thing is a bug. And it has been inside of me since I could remember. Except now I have finally figure out what I want to do. And nothing will stop me!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)