SAGINAW, MI — Here are a few headlines from Saginaw County last week that attracted reader interest.
Man gets life in prison for ‘calculating, ruthless’ murder inside Family Dollar
A Saginaw man professed his innocence on being sentenced to spend the rest of his life in prison for the brazen execution of a man inside a local dollar store. It’s a fate the presiding judge said was more than justified for the “calculating and ruthless” murderer.
A shackled Ronald L. Kinchen Jr., 39, stood before Saginaw County Circuit Judge Darnell Jackson for sentencing on Thursday, Dec. 4. A jury in October convicted Kinchen of first-degree murder and eight firearm-related charges in connection with the June 2024 killing of 44-year-old Omar R. Morrow.
What’s that? New indoor skate park opening soon in Fashion Square Mall
Saginaw-area skateboarders will soon have a space to hone their skills, even during the cold, snowy days of winter.
Major Skate, an indoor skate park and skate shop, is gearing up for the Friday, Dec. 5, grand opening of the brand’s second location, situated inside Fashion Square Mall, 4787 Fashion Square Blvd., in Saginaw Township.
Saginaw school board welcomes back former member to fill seat vacated by death of Mattie Thompson
A former Saginaw School Board member is returning to fill a vacant seat after being selected from a lineup of three candidates interviewed for the spot during a Wednesday, Dec. 3, meeting of the board.
Vera Harrison, who served as secretary before losing a re-election bid last year, will serve in the seat that was left open after the recent death of longtime board member Mattie Thompson. The appointment will last until next year, when the current term is set to expire.
Saginaw man carried from court after murder conviction receives life sentence
When Cetrice L. Bowens learned a jury convicted him of the premeditated murder of a convenience store clerk, he froze and refused to leave a courtroom. Sheriff’s deputies were required to hoist and carry Bowens’ dead-weighted form from the courtroom.
In the months since, Bowens has suffered a mental health crisis, necessitating a deputy to wheel him back into the courtroom to receive his mandatory sentence to die in prison.
McDonald Rivet endorses Greene for Michigan’s 35th District Senate seat
U.S. Rep. Kristen McDonald Rivet has endorsed Chedrick Greene for her former seat in Michigan’s 35th Senate district special election.
Raised in Saginaw, Greene is a 30-year veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve, a 31-year union member and fire captain with the City of Saginaw Fire Department, on which he has served for 27 years.
Saginaw County school district launches new strategic planning project
Hemlock Public School District officials plan to launch a new strategic planning initiative that could shape the district’s future.
The initiative will “outline clear priorities for teaching and learning, student wellness and support, facilities, technology, fiscal responsibility, and community partnerships,” district officials announced in a statement.
Bridgeport mother gets prison for toddler’s 2021 death despite boyfriend’s acquittal
A Bridgeport Township mother is heading to prison for her toddler son’s death in 2021, even though the man prosecutors alleged inflicted the fatal injuries was acquitted of wrongdoing.
Nia J. Kindred, 38, on Wednesday, Dec. 3, appeared before Saginaw County Circuit Judge Andre R. Borrello for sentencing. Kindred in October pleaded no contest to involuntarily manslaughter, a 15-year felony. In exchange, the prosecution dismissed charges of felony murder and first-degree child abuse.
Michigan substitute teacher pleads to killing woman in 2024 super-drunk crash
A Millington woman sobbed as she entered a Saginaw County courtroom to accept responsibility for killing a woman in an inebriated crash a little more than a year ago.
A shackled and jumpsuit-clad Katelyn R. Wiggins, 32, on the morning of Monday, Dec. 1, appeared before Saginaw County Circuit Judge Andre R. Borrello to plead no contest to all three charges against her: operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated causing death with a prior conviction, operating a motor vehicle with a high blood-alcohol level causing serious bodily injury, and operating a motor vehicle without insurance.
Federal grants award $2M to Saginaw homeless youth organization
Officials with a shelter provider for Saginaw County homeless and runaway youth this week learned the organization will receive more than $2 million in federal grants over the next three years.
Organizers with the Saginaw-based Youth Protection Council said the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services-provided grants will allow the group to offer more housing, improve case management services, increase efforts to prevent homelessness before it happens, and launch a new outreach program for at-risk youth.
Man pleads to shooting at Saginaw bar employee in dispute over 50 cents
Near closing time in September, a disagreement over 50 cents at an Old Town Saginaw bar culminated in gunfire. Now, the man accused of firing the shots has accepted a plea deal, one that carries far less time than the possible life sentence he was initially facing.
Anthony E. Williams, 24, on Nov. 20 appeared before Saginaw County Circuit Judge Manvel Trice III and pleaded guilty to felonious assault, a four-year felony. Prosecutors added the charge while at the same time agreeing to dismiss charges of assault with intent to murder and felony firearm. Assault with intent to murder is punishable by up to life imprisonment, while a felony firearm conviction mandates a two-year prison sentence consecutive with any related stint.
Hemlock-area man arrested after armed standoff with police
A Hemlock-area man is in jail following an armed standoff with police.
About 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 2, a Richland Township police officer responded to a residence in the 4200 block of North Fordney Road for a reported domestic assault in progress. A Thomas Township police officer also responded to assist.
