Mt. Pleasant Police Department’s Cram-a-Cruiser Drive Offers Dining Deals and Fun

The Mt. Pleasant Police Department (MPPD), Krapohl Ford Lincoln, as well as restaurants, Mountain Town Station, and Summit Smokehouse, invite the public to help ‘cram-a-cruiser’ with new, unwrapped, unopened toys to support Toys for Tots.

  • November 29 – December 16 Treat yourself to a delicious meal while helping the toy drive. Bring a toy and enjoy 25% off your individual meal at Mountain Town Station or Summit Smokehouse. (Alcohol excluded.)
  • December 4 from 3:00 – 5:30 p.m. at Krapohl Ford Lincoln, 1415 E. Pickard Road.
  • December 12 from 4:30 – 6:30 p.m. in front of the Division of Public Safety Building, 804 E. High Street.

MPPD Youth Services Officer Josh Theisen shared, “Every year our department looks forward to participating in the Toys for Tots program and helping our area youth have a good holiday.” He continued, “An added bonus is witnessing the strong partnerships and commitment between community members and local businesses to make this happen for our kids.”

Toy drop-off boxes are also located inside the Division of Public Safety Building Lobby (802 E. High Street) and the City Hall Lobby (320 W. Broadway Street).

City to Offer No Fee Brush Chipping

The City is offering 150 households, within the City limits, up to 30 minutes of no fee brush chipping during the week of October 7, 2024. Brush chipping will be completed at curbside only, no alleys. Reservations will be accepted beginning September 23 at 8:00 a.m. until September 27 at 4:30 p.m., or until all spots are filled.  

Reservations can be made by calling the Division of Public Works, 989-779-5401 or emailing publicworks@mt-pleasant.org.

Mt. Pleasant Police Respond to Felonious Assault

At 9:19 a.m. on July 4, 2024, officers of the Mt. Pleasant Police Department were dispatched to a felonious assault involving a vehicle in the 2100 block of Mission Street.

Upon arrival officers observed a male victim who had been hit by a truck in a parking lot. The victim, from Rosebush, sustained non-life-threatening head injuries and was transported to a local hospital.

The male driver of the truck who is from Remus stayed at the scene to talk with police. This was an isolated incident between the victim and driver, who engaged in an argument earlier in the day.

The driver of the truck is currently lodged in the Isabella County jail awaiting arraignment.

This is an ongoing and open investigation. Anyone with information regarding this incident are asked to contact the Mt. Pleasant Police Department’s Anonymous Tip Line at (989) 779-9111 or Central Dispatch (989) 773-1000.

The Mt. Pleasant Police Department was assisted by Central Michigan University Police, MMR, and Isabella County Central Dispatch.

Welcome Students

Helpful information can be found in the City’s ‘home away from home’ guide composed specifically for college students.

See what Mt. Pleasant has to offer: recreation, an historic downtown, parks, trails, a rolling river and more.

The City is thrilled to see Central Michigan University and Mid Michigan College students ‘coming home’ to the Mt. Pleasant area for the 2023-2024 academic year.

As part-year residents, students have the opportunity to explore the City while immersing themselves in college life. To make that transition easier, a ‘home away from home guide’ was created.

Useful information can be found at www.mt-pleasant.org/students or the “CMU & MMC Student Resident” page of the City’s blog (www.mpcityblog.com/studentresidents).

Topics include:

  • Things to do in Mt. Pleasant
  • Utility set up and billing
  • Parking Regulations
  • Parties
  • Property Appearance
  • Refuse and Recycling
  • Voter Registration
  • Safety tips and more.
  • Sign up for Smart911, a free emergency notification system. Download the Smart911 App, or visit www.smart911.com

House Fire Extinguished

At 4:15 p.m. on February 16, 2023, the Mt. Pleasant Fire Department responded to a structure fire in the 1300 block of Fessenden Street in Mt. Pleasant. Upon arrival, crews observed heavy flames and smoke coming from a single-story home.

The residents, home at the time of the fire, exited safely with no injuries. The fire was brought under control at 4:38 p.m. The house sustained heavy smoke, heat and fire damage.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation.    

The Mt. Pleasant Fire Department was assisted by the Saginaw Chippewa Tribal Fire Department, Deerfield Township Fire Department, Mobile Medical Response, the Mt. Pleasant Police Department and Isabella County Dispatch.

MPPD Seeks Assistance in Locating Family of Two Young Children (UPDATED: 11/5/2022 at 7 p.m.)

UPDATED: 11/5/2022 at 7 p.m. – The family of the two children have been located. There is no additional information at this time. Updates will be provided when available.

On November 5, 2022 at 12:45 a.m. Mt. Pleasant Police Officers responded to a call in which two small children were discovered unaccompanied within the city limits. The children are a 15 to 18-month-old male, and a 4 to 6-month-old female.

The children are currently under Child Protective Services guardianship.

The Mt. Pleasant Police Department is requesting the public’s assistance in identifying the children and their parent(s) or guardian(s). Currently, only a photo of the 15 to 18-month-old male child is available.

Anyone with further information is asked to contact the Mt. Pleasant Police Department’s Anonymous Tip Line at 989-779-9111 or Central Dispatch at 989-773-1000. This is an ongoing and open investigation. Updates will be provided when available.

The Mt. Pleasant Police Department was assisted by the Isabella County Sheriff’s Department, Michigan State Police, Isabella County Central Dispatch, and the Saginaw Chippewa Tribal Police Department.

Andy Latham Retires from Mt. Pleasant Police Department – Brandon Bliss Promoted to Assistant Police Chief

Andy Latham
Brandon Bliss

MT. PLEASANT, MI – Director of Public Safety/Police Chief Paul Lauria recently announced personnel changes within the Mt. Pleasant Police Department (MPPD). Effective November 4, 2022, Assistant Police Chief Andy Latham will retire after 26 years of service to the department. Lieutenant Brandon Bliss has been promoted to Assistant Police Chief and will assume his new duties on November 6, 2022.

Director Lauria stated, “There is much to celebrate with these recent personnel changes. It is wonderful to witness a dedicated and successful law enforcement official like Assistant Police Chief Latham achieve retirement. His commitment to our profession and department is truly appreciated and we thank him for his service. It is a bonus,” Lauria continued, “to have the ability to promote a highly qualified individual like Brandon Bliss up through the departmental ranks to fill the role of Assistant Police Chief. Since joining the MPPD in 2008, Brandon has exhibited a strong work ethic and dedication. He will do well in his new role.”  

During his tenure with the MPPD, Assistant Police Chief Andy Latham progressed through the ranks of Officer, Sergeant, Lieutenant, Captain and Assistant Police Chief.  

Special assignments included serving on the Isabella County Traffic Team, Bayanet, Youth Services Unit, and the Mt. Pleasant Fire Technical Rescue Team. He was also a Motor Operator, Arson Investigator and Commander of the Emergency Services Unit.  

Andy has long taken pride in assisting his community by organizing MPPD volunteer activities including: Toys for Tots, Shop with a Cop, Shop with a Hero, Christmas Outreach, helping the Strickler Center Food Pantry, as well as preparing and serving food for the Isabella County Restoration House.

As Andy shared, “I am very fortunate to have spent my career at the MPPD. I have been encouraged and motivated to refine and grow my skill set.” During his law enforcement years, Andy completed multiple Michigan State Police Supervisory Courses, as well as graduated from the Grand Rapids Police Executive Leadership Institute, and the FBI National Academy. This is in addition to his Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice Administration from Columbia Southern University.      

Reflecting on his MPPD experiences Andy observed, “I have had the pleasure of working with many noble men and women over the decades. Our community is fortunate to have a Division of Public Safety populated with men and women who are courageous, caring and are deserving of continued gratitude and support.  As I retire from the law enforcement profession,” He added, “I do so with great memories, lasting friendships and no regrets. It has been my pleasure to serve the Mt. Pleasant community alongside a talented and committed Public Safety team.”

Andy’s immediate retirement plans include assuming the role of Dean of Students/Athletic Director for Sacred Heart Academy in Mt. Pleasant.

In assuming his new position, Brandon Bliss possesses more than 17 years of law enforcement experience, with 14 of these years with the MPPD. During his time with the department he has served as a Lieutenant, Sergeant, Youth Services Unit Officer, team leader for the Emergency Services Team, lead Sergeant for the Field Training Program and held union leadership roles with the Police Officers Association of Michigan and the Command Officers Association of Michigan.

Brandon obtained a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice from Saginaw Valley State University and a master’s degree in Public Administration from Central Michigan University. Throughout his career he has also completed Michigan State University’s First Line Supervision Program as well as attending various other supervisory and leadership schools.

In regards to his new role Brandon shared, “There have been many exemplary leaders at the MPPD over the years. I look forward to carrying on that long tradition of excellence. I am even more excited to help and support a great group of officers who serve our community, in multiple ways, with integrity, pride and compassion.”

Nominating Petitions for City Commissioner Seats Available

Nominating petitions for the office of City Commissioner are available at the Clerk’s office at City Hall, 320 W. Broadway Street, from 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Completed nominating petitions may be filed with the City Clerk starting Monday, June 27, 2022. The deadline to file is 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday, July 26, 2022.

Two (2) City Commission positions are available for the term January 1, 2023 through December 31, 2025. The terms of current Commissioners Mary Alsager and George Ronan are expiring December 31, 2022. 

The city election will take place on Tuesday, November 8, 2022.

Topics to Watch at the City Commission Meeting – September 13, 2021

Here are the topics to watch at the next virtual Mt. Pleasant City Commission meeting scheduled for Monday, September 13, 2021 at 7 p.m.

  • Public hearing on a redevelopment liquor license for TNC Holdings and consider resolution on the same.
  • Public hearing on special assessment roll for Special Assessment District #2-21 and consider approval of resolution #5 for approval of the roll and setting of payment terms for Special Assessment District #2-21 for Principal District Shopping special assessment.
  • Public hearing on an application for transfer of Industrial Facilities Tax from MAC Liquid Truck Trailer.
    • Consider resolution to rescind the revocation of the Dayco Industrial Facilities Tax (IFT) abatement.
    • Consider resolution in support of transferring the Dayco Industrial Facilities Tax (IFT) abatement to MAC Liquid Truck Trailer (MAC LTT).
  • Consider employment agreement for City Manager position.
  • Consider approval of amended Outdoor Dining Policy and resolution temporarily permitting the approval of permanent outdoor dining areas under administrative review.
  • Receive proposed 2022 Annual Operating Budget and set a public hearing for November 8, 2021 on the same.
  • Receive fall 2021 Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribal 2% funding requests from City departments.

To view the entire meeting packet visit: 

http://www.mt-pleasant.org/docs/board/city.commission/agendas/2021/9-13-21_Notice.pdf

How to follow public meetings during social distancing:

In an effort to slow the spread of COVID-19, as allowed under the Open Meetings Act and consistent with the Isabella County Declaration of a State of Emergency (Resolution No. 20-12-03 effective 12-15-20), the City Commission Meeting will be held virtually. The public may view the meeting live on the City’s YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/user/MtPleasantMi/, on Spectrum Charter channel 188 or via Zoom.

Zoom Meeting instructions via computer, phone, or dial-in number are as follows:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85002127622?pwd=TDJLdERrUGF5MmZrUHlYaUFjcHU2Zz09

Meeting ID: 850 0212 7622

Passcode: 947486

Phone dial-in: (312) 626-6799

Audio and video will be muted for members of the public and then unmuted by the host during public comment periods.

• Attendance to the meeting and participation during public comment periods will be conducted as follows:

• Members of the public must provide their name and address with their comments.

• Comments/Questions may be sent ahead of the meeting in writing or emailed to comment@mt-pleasant.org.

• Individual commissioners can be contacted at the following email addresses:

Mary Alsager               malsager@mt-pleasant.org

Olivia Cyman               ocyman@mt-pleasant.org

Lori Gillis                     lgillis@mt-pleasant.org

William Joseph            wjoseph@mt-pleasant.org

Amy Perschbacher      aperschbacher@mt-pleasant.org

George Ronan             gronan@mt-pleasant.org

Pete Tolas                   ptolas@mt-pleasant.org

• Comments/Questions can be emailed to comment@mt-pleasant.org during the meeting and during normal public comment sections of the agenda.

• Comments sent via email will be read aloud to the Commission during the public comment periods.

Persons with disabilities needing assistance to participate may call the Human Resources office at (989) 779-5314. Persons requiring speech or hearing assistance may contact the City through the Michigan Relay Center at 711. A 48-hour advance notice is necessary for accommodation.