Vaping on the rise among teens

MT. PLEASANT, MI – Over the past several months the Mt. Pleasant Police Department has been closely monitoring the use and accessibility of electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes), e-juice (vaping liquids) and other nicotine products among middle and high school students. After conducting compliance checks at several tobacco retailers within the City of Mt. Pleasant, three local businesses were cited for Selling Tobacco Products to a Minor (anyone under the age of 18.)

What are e-cigarettes/vape pens?

E-cigarettes or vape pens, have become very popular among middle and high school aged students. They are sold in many different shapes and sizes and resemble a thumb drive, cell phone battery charger or make-up containers, which makes it difficult for parents to identify.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) describes e-cigarettes as: A product which allows a user to inhale aerosol containing nicotine and other substances, and at times, marihuana. E-cigarettes are composed of a rechargeable, battery-operated heat element, a cartridge that contains nicotine, and other flavored chemicals (e-juice/vape juice), and an atomizer. When heated, the device converts the contents of the cartridge into an aerosol which is often flavored. The fruity and candy-flavored vape juice is most popular among adolescents.

According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, there has been a 78 percent increase in vaping by high school students, with 3.6 million high school and middle school students now using e-cigarettes.

Vaping misconceptions and health warnings

There are misconceptions that vaping is not dangerous or addictive. The Surgeon General has reported that the use of vape pens, which are nicotine products, do pose a danger.

In youth, vaping can disrupt the growth of brain circuits that control attention, learning and susceptibility to addiction. The nicotine in e-cigarettes and other tobacco products can prime young brains for addiction to other drugs, such as cocaine and methamphetamine.

Nicotine exposure during pregnancy can affect fetal and postnatal development as well as contribute to sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).

Nicotine poisoning and symptoms

Ingestion of e-cigarette liquids containing nicotine can cause acute toxicity and possible death if the contents of the refill cartridges or bottles are consumed.

One conventional cigarette contains approximately 1 mg of nicotine. Those smoking conventional cigarettes only absorb about 1/10^th of the 1 mg of nicotine. Some manufacturers are producing e-juice/vaping juice with 30-40 + mg of nicotine in a cartridge, which is considered lethal to adults. Nicotine poisoning tends to be more critical in children and adults who are first time users.

Symptoms of nicotine poisoning include nausea, vomiting, increased blood pressure, abnormal heart rate, dehydration, loss of appetite, extreme fatigue, dizziness, headache, gas, anxiety, and hearing and vision changes. Nausea and vomiting are the most notable symptoms in youth.

For a summary of common vaping myths and FAQ’s visit: https://www.fda.gov/downloads/TobaccoProducts/AboutCTP/UCM624891.pdf

Electronic Cigarettes, E-Cigs, Vape Pens

E-Juice, Vape Juice

Vape Juice

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Mission Creek Park Restroom Project Completed

The City of Mt. Pleasant was recently granted a Regional Prosperity Initiative 2018 Mini-Grant from the East Michigan Council of Governments to construct a year-round restroom facility at Mission Creek Park. This park is home to Hannah’s Dog Park, the Mission Creek Sled Hill, and various nature and hiking trails.

The new restroom facility is open seven days a week, 8:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. during the winter months, and 8:00 a.m. – 11:00 p.m. from May to October. The heated, well-lit facility features a universally accessible modern design which includes baby changing stations and an exterior security camera system. A concession stand and winter warming station will open at a later date.

Chris Bundy, Director of Parks and Public Spaces for the City of Mt. Pleasant shared, “This project is a perfect example of how our community comes together, pools its resources and provides valuable amenities for all of its residents.” He continued, “We are grateful to the community partners who, in addition to the mini-grant funding, made this project a reality.” Funding partners include: The City of Mt. Pleasant Capital Improvement Fund, Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe 2% distribution, Charter Township of Union and Mercantile Bank.

Refuse and Recycling Reminders

During the holiday season, we all tend to generate more trash. Here are some trash/recycling tips to make this a hassle-free holiday season.

Remember the 34-gallon rule. Trash cans may not exceed 34-gallons in size.
Did I use enough tags or bags? Extra trash that exceeds the top of the can must be individually tagged with a City refuse tag or placed in a City refuse bag.
Remember the 50 lb. weight limit. Cans or bags that are deemed too heavy will not be picked up.
Split it up. If you have a large number of trash bags, put a few bags out each week.
Be on time. Trash and recycling must be at the collection site (curb or alley) by 7:00 a.m. If you set it out later, you risk not having it collected.
Prepare properly. Rinse out plastic bottles and cans. Flatten all cardboard boxes. Large boxes must be cut down to 2’ x 3’ sections for curbside recycling. Flattened large boxes may also be taken to the Materials Recovery Facility (4208 E. River Road) as well as large pieces of Styrofoam. Bubble wrap and Styrofoam packing peanuts can be included with your trash.
Using extra bins for recycling. If you have more recycling that can fit inside your City bin, you can use another container such as an old laundry basket, or plastic container, do not use cardboard boxes.
Wrapping paper is not recyclable. Wrapping paper is not recyclable at the MRF. Please do not place it in your recycling bins, it will not be collected.
OOPS! What happened? If you receive an OOPS card from the refuse or recycling collection crews, it will state a reason why your refuse/recycling was not collected.

Summary of Minutes of the regular meeting of the City Commission held Monday, December 10, 2018

Summary of Minutes of the regular meeting of the City Commission held Monday, December 10, 2018, at 7:00 p.m., in the City Commission Room.

Mayor Lents presented the newly created Collins Drive street sign to Bill and Doug Collins as representatives of the Collins family.

Approved motion to add Item #22: “Consider elimination of the Citizen Advisory Board and mandate that instead the Public Safety Director meet monthly with the Mt. Pleasant Area Diversity Group, Isabella County Human Rights Committee and City/CMU Liaison Committee.”; to the agenda.

Received petitions and communications.

Approved the following items on the Consent Calendar:

1) Minutes of the regular meeting of the City Commission held November 26, 2018.

2) Minutes of the closed session of the City Commission held November 26, 2018.

3) Contract with Ferguson Waterworks of Grand Rapids, MI, for 2019 water meter purchase.

4) Resolution for Final Amended 2018 Operating Budget.

5) Contract with Space, Inc. of Midland, MI for the design, purchase and installation of walls/furniture at the Borden Building.

6) Set first meeting of 2019 for Monday, January 7, 2019 at 7:00 p.m. in the City Commission Room.

7) Warrants and Payrolls.

Approved Resolution for the 2019 Annual Operating Budget and setting of millage rate.

Authorized the Mayor to sign the EPA consent order as recommended by the City Attorney.

Approved a 2% wage adjustment for City Manager.

Appointments to various City Boards and Commissions as recommended by the Appointments Committee and correction for Board of Review appointment.

Cancelled the December 17, 2018 regularly scheduled City Commission meeting.

Authorized Finance Director Mary Ann Kornexl to approve the issuance of payrolls and warrants from December 11, 2018 through January 4, 2019.

Rescind the creation of the Citizen Advisory Board and mandated that instead the Public Safety Director meet monthly with the Mt. Pleasant Area Diversity Group, Isabella County Human Rights Committee and City/CMU Liaison Committee and at the end of the year a report would be prepared for the Commission.

Adjourned the meeting at 9:16 p.m.

Newly Constructed Grid Street Named In Memory and Honor of Former City Manager and Dedicated Volunteer, Larry Collins

MT. PLEASANT, MI – The family of Larry Collins, former Mt. Pleasant City Manager from 1961-68, was in attendance at the December 10, 2018 City Commission meeting for the Collins Drive Street name presentation. Collins Drive is a recently constructed grid street located north of Preston Street, between Pizza Hut and Blaze Pizza. It is one of seven new streets constructed to help alleviate traffic congestion concerns on Mission Street.

Larry resided in Mt. Pleasant for 56 years before he passed away in August 2017. A dedicated volunteer, Larry was still giving back to his community well into his 80’s and 90’s. Organizations which benefited from Larry’s talents include, but are not limited to, the Michigan Story Festival, Mt. Pleasant Area Community Foundation, First United Methodist Church, Habitat for Humanity, Kiwanis Club, Isabella Community Soup Kitchen and the Isabella County Restoration House. Larry was instrumental in the establishment of the sister city relationship with Okaya, Japan in 1965 which also included the annual student exchange.

Join the Mt. Pleasant Police to support Toys for Tots

MT. PLEASANT, Mich. – The City of Mt. Pleasant Police Department invites the public to help ‘cram a cruiser’ from 6-8 p.m. on Monday, December 17 at Mt Pleasant’s Department of Public Safety.

Attendees are asked to bring a new, unwrapped, unopened toy to support the local Toys for Tots Drive. The evening includes the chance to visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus, meet the officers from the Mt. Pleasant Police and Fire Departments, sit behind the wheel of a fire truck, and enjoy hot cocoa and candy canes.

Parking and entrance will be at the rear (south side) of the Public Safety Building, 804 E. High Street.

Topics to Watch at the December 10 City Commission Meeting

To see the full City Commission agenda and packet for the December 10, 2018 meeting click here.

-Presentation of Collins Drive street sign to Doug Collins as representative of the Collins family.

-Consider resolution approving the final 2019 Operating Budget and set the millage rate for 2019.

-Consider resolution approving the final amended 2018 Operating Budget.

-Consider setting the first meeting of 2019 for Monday, January 7, 2019.

-Thank you to Mayor Allison Quast-Lents and Vice Mayor Nicholas Madaj for their service the past three years.

Mt. Pleasant City Commission meetings take place at 7 p.m. on the 2nd and 4th Mondays of the month at City Hall, 320 W. Broadway Street.

Mt. Pleasant City Commission meetings are also streamed live at the City’s YouTube Channel at https://www.youtube.com/user/MtPleasantMi/ and aired on Channel 188, or viewed online at a later date on the MACTV website.

UPDATE: Empty Keg Party Store Armed Robbery Suspect Arrested

Mt. Pleasant, Mich. (12/4/18), – On October 6, 2018 at approximately 10:44 p.m. Mt. Pleasant Police received a call of an armed robbery which had just occurred at 122 E. Pickard Street in the City of Mt. Pleasant.

On October 7, 2018 a description and photo of the suspect, along with surveillance footage was released to the media. The public responded with several tips of the suspect’s identity and the suspect was identified.

On October 8, 2018 an arrest warrant was issued for Rickery Donnell Cole Jr. a 29-year old black male. Rickery Cole Jr. was believed to be in the Lansing, Michigan area and was considered armed and dangerous.

On December 3, 2018 the Mt. Pleasant Police were notified by the Lansing Police Department that Rickery Cole Jr. had been taken into custody. Mt. Pleasant Police Officers transported Rickery Cole Jr. from Lansing to the Isabella County Jail where he is currently lodged on a $1,000,000 bond.

Rickery Cole Jr. will be arraigned today (12/04/18) on an eight count warrant for:

Robbery-Armed, Felony: Life or any term of years.
Weapons-Dangerous Weapons-Carrying with Unlawful Intent, Felony: 5 years
Weapons-Firearms-Possession by Felon, Felony: 5 years
Assault with a Dangerous Weapon, Felony: 4 years
Weapons-Felony Firearms are added to each of the above offenses, Felony: 2 years.

The Mt. Pleasant Police Department would like to thank the public for assisting in the apprehension of this suspect, along with the help from the Lansing Police Department.

Video of the robbery can be viewed at https://www.facebook.com/mtppublicsafety/.