LIFE STYLES SECTION

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 Wednesday, August 20, 2025

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Today's Editor's Notebook

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Mike Killbreath appears on Metro Flint News/Talk Radio via The Morning Gazette Radio Show weekday mornings from 8-10 am. He's an award-winning newspaper columnist and investigative reporter who is the former long-time owner of the local Metro Flint area chain of 14 community newspapers. This is his 50th year as a journalist. He also hosts a weekend national TV show known as The American Crusaders on cable TV and various OTT TV live streaming platforms.

 Wednesday, September 3, 2025

 It was two weeks ago today that I went on the radio to declare an injustice.

The worst animal abuse case ever seen by the folks at Horses Haven took a dark turn.

We urged listeners to call the Clinton County Prosecutor's Office to complain that RC was a horse lucky to be alive because of 130 volunteers and staff at the animal rescue farm in Howell. Being returned to the man who left him starving, near death, was unthinkable.

But that's exactly what Tony Spagnuolo did by striking a plea deal with the abuser when his court case from a February seizure of RC came up.

Good old Tony the Terrible (that's the deserving nickname I gave him on the radio) is the Chief Prosecutor at Clinton County's top law enforcement office in St. John's. He dismissed more serious charges for animal abuse by slapping the abuser's wrist, handing him a misdemeanor ticket to pay for essentially blocking animal control folks from taking his horses.

Forget that the Clinton County Animal Control called Horses Haven last winter for help saving RC's life. Forget that another horse had to be put down when they arrived to discover a horrific scene.  Forget, too, that a 2019 law in Michigan increased the potential maximum prison sentence for killing or torturing an animal to a felony animal abuse case to up to 10 years for first-degree offenses.

Forget that when RC was seized on his property by authorities, the abuser's other horse had to be put down. A photo of that horse has remained on our front page at TheDailyGazette.net to remind people to keep hollering about the injustice done here to RC.

The volunteers at Horses Haven, an army of 130 strong, had helped staff members and veterinarians nurse RC back to good health to live out the last days of his life around people who love him. RC made friends with a goat. He could be found happy as ever in the fields with other horses.

All agree he probably won't last long back in Clinton County at the abuser's place.

He's 30 and the director at Horses Haven posted a photo of how a horse of the same age looked at a recent in-take evaluation. The difference was amazing. RC appears near death while the horse of an identical age was a spectacular beauty.

The director also pointed out inaccuracy after inaccuracy in a form letter Tony the Terrible's office staff e-mailed out to callers who protested how RC was sent back to the abuser.

Oh, we were successful in flooding old Tony the Terrible's phone lines with calls.

But nobody got to talk to him.

Just a secretary or two who don't like their jobs. Or maybe it's me they don't like.

Nah, several callers tell me the clip I aired on the radio was nothing compared to how rude staff members were to them.

My callers, texts, e-mails and notes via Messenger were reacting to a recording of one call I aired on the radio to display how Tony the Terrible's staff react to media questions.

Perhaps Tony the Terrible subscribes to the bad politician's bible on handling heat.

Just lay low.

Let the news cycle pass. Just hope it goes away and people forget. 

Well, this is one people won't forget. I'm sure his growing list of enemies will carry out their plans to make themselves heard on the next campaign trail. But I've got news for all of them. Tony the Terrible's chances for re-election were already slim, none and none.

This guy blamed chaos in his office on two opponents he beat on election day. He told The Lansing State Journal they were assistant prosecutors at the office who were key members of the team he had lost. So blame them for him being soft on crime? Blame them for slapping the wrists of guys who beat on women?

Observers around St. John's tell me Tony the Terrible became so desperate to win cases that he was twice fined b judges for hiding evidence from the defense. Who does that?

More importantly, where is the Michigan Attorney General?

It's time we direct our calls and e-mails to Dana Nessel — head honcho in Lansing at the AG's office. Maybe she can figure out a way to arrest  Tony the Terrible. 

It's my humble opinion that he needs to share a jail cell with horse abuser.

You can call AG Nessel's office at (517) 335-7622.

You can can e-mail her a link to this column at  miag@michigan.gov and simply say, "What Mike said!"

If our front page photo of a helpless horse lying on the ground, nearly frozen to the soil,  can't inspire you to simply dial a number and voice your outrage, I'm not sure you can be motivated to ever get involved in anything. Sending an e-mail is even easier.

To sweeten the pie, I'll give away two $27.95 Michigan Renaissance Festival tickets to the first 100 who promise to act by claiming them to use this weekend on Saturday or Sunday in Holly, or on Friday, Sept. 26 Festival Fun Day.

Just promise to both call the AG and to e-mail her a link to this column with a simple note, saying,  "What Mike said!"

I say the AG should step in to return RC to Horses Haven and look into how she can end Tony the Terrible's reign of lawlessness over Clinton County.

Dana Nessel has spent over a billion dollars of our tax money to fund like 30-some lawsuits against Donald Trump's policies. Maybe whisper to Dana that Tony the Terrible  had a Trump sign in his yard during the last campaign.

I'm not sure if it's true but it's apparently okay to lie in Clinton County.

Tony the Terrible did it in his form letter to our army of callers. The director at Horses haven cited numerous inaccuracies about his claims of good care for RC. I pointed out on the radio how he lied by saying the staff at Clinton County Animal Control was "on board" with his decision. They are not. Tony the Terrible also said the vet bill of more than $7,000 at Horses Haven had been paid as part of his restitution in the plea deal. Not true when he issued the form letter. Maybe the check is in the mail since it was ordered as restitution.

The top officials who run Horses Haven can expect it to arrive on the day after never.

Same day as Flint Mayor Sheldon Neeley's campaign aide and cousin Sherrod Pigee's check will arrive for restitution to his victims on renting out houses years ago that he didn't own to struggling people who scraped together their final pennies to a guy who disappeared to find another victim with a new burner phone and creative twist to his con job that landed him a felony arrest.

Same story for Beverly Biggs-Leavy who was convicted of a felony several years ago and ordered to pay restitution for buying bridge cards from people to buy food for her catering business before becoming a candidate for Flint City Council.

Dana's fellow Democrats need to go to prison for not paying up on their restitution. 

But I'll look the other way for now if she cracks down on Republican Tony the Terrible. 

Does she have the power to throw him out of Michigan? 

Today's Editor's Notebook

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Mike Killbreath appears on Metro Flint News/Talk Radio via The Morning Gazette Radio Show weekday mornings from 8-10 am. He's an award-winning newspaper columnist and investigative reporter who is the former long-time owner of the local Metro Flint area chain of 14 community newspapers. This is his 50th year as a journalist. He also hosts a weekend national TV show known as The American Crusaders on cable TV and various OTT TV live streaming platforms.

 Wednesday, August 20, 2025

 The horrible story being shared in today’s column ranks right up there with one of the most frustrating I’ve encountered in 50 years as a journalist.  It’s downright sad and I need your help to get something done about it. 

Share this Editor’s Notebook with everyone you know. Urge immediate action to get it to go viral.  

I’d trade all my statewide and national awards to bring justice here.  

Let's just say Clinton County needs to be thrown out of the USA. They elected a Prosecutor who needs to become famous as an example of the worst of the worst when it comes to delivering justice for his community.  If the photos on today's front page don’t break your heart, grab a box of Kleenex and read this heartfelt letter below from an official at a horse rescue know as Horses Haven in Howell: 

In all the years, in no world, would we have ever thought this could happen. Horses Haven, our staff, our veterinarians and our volunteers have been brought to our knees.   If you have followed us and know us, we do not make posts screaming from the rooftops regarding our opinions on injustices in this industry.

 We fully support, assist, transport, treat, house, care for, and honor the subpoenas to many animals involved in law enforcement cases. There were 96 in 2025 and 13 so far this year. Although flawed, we have to trust they system and the people in it to ensure these animals voices are heard and the law is upheld. It is a flawed system at times and we react to those flaws by educating, learning and moving on to the next horse in need, knowing that the people in the legal system are fighting alongside us. 

Our stance has ALWAYS been to allow the legal system the time and grace to complete their investigation, never posting details on social media. In regard to Clinton County, our stance has changed.

  On February 24, 2025, Horses’ Haven was called to a property in Clinton County. There were 2 animals involved, one was down, a body condition score of 1 and frozen on the ice but still breathing. The second was a shaggy pony, standing, also a body condition score of 1.   We immediately mobilized our team, as well as our veterinarian and were onsite within 90 minutes of the call. Our efforts started with the grey horse. Warm IV fluids, medications and so many human hands trying to massage and unthaw his frozen flesh enough that he could get on his feet.

 The effort to save the grey was not successful. He was humanely euthanized onsite. It was one of the worst deaths I personally have witnessed.   The pony was seized, loaded and brought back to Horses’ Haven for intake evaluation and vetting. He was so shaggy and covered in burs it was hard to see what was under there. Laying hands on him made it clear just how emaciated he was. His soft nickers as we painstakingly removed the burs, drew blood and removed the sharp points from the few teeth he had left went a long way in softening the edges of our hearts that felt like they were left frozen on the ground with the grey. 

We didn’t know his name and our veterinarian choose to call him RC, for rotator cuff, which she injured in trying to get the other horse to his feet. The name stuck.   RC is very old and requires extraordinary care to keep alive. He cannot masticate even soft grass. He is fed soaked pellets 4 times a day to replace the forage he needs and can not chew. He eats three soupy grain meals a day on top of that to get the additional calories he needs. His cushings test was the highest we have ever seen. It is not easily managed by the medication and the side effects of the disease are significant.

 He is not able to regulate his body temperature so when it is hot, he is hosed multiple times per day and brought in a stall to stand behind a fan. When it is cold, he needs a blanket and a heated stall.

 Does he have good quality life? I was not sure we could get there. We did. He has a mini mule friend Wilma he adores, he can lift and hold his head high again, he runs to his meals, he knickers at everyone and his eyes sparkle with life. Does he have many days left? Likely not but those days deserve to be ones that are comfortable and preserve his dignity.   Yesterday, I was ordered to return RC to his owner.

 They powers that be in Clinton County Michigan choose to create a plea deal that has certainly signed this bright little soul to suffer a horrible, unthinkable death.

This was not a case of questionable equine welfare laws or grey areas. This case, presented to a jury of peers, would most surely have had a very different result.  So today we step into an arena that is new to us. The arena where shock, compassion fatigue and the people who pour themselves into this work daily, are heard. 

The Board of Directors, the staff, the 130 volunteers who have come to love RC and have accepted their role in his end-of-life care with such love and dedication. 

The emotions, confusion, defeat, anger and so many emotions we have all have yet to put a name to are not easily conveyed in words but I am sure you can see them shining through in the photos.   Whether hired or elected, the people who hold the positions that have allowed this unacceptable outcome need to hear these voices shouting from the rooftops. Our voices will likely not change the outcome for RC but they can surely change the outcome for future animals.   

This is not our arena, we do not know where the ball stops and who holds the power to make a change. 

* We do know that it is not Animal Control and their officers. We fully support and grieve with them so please do not reach out to them. * 

Our hopes are that by opening up and sharing,  RC’s story will make it to the people that do have the power to stop this from ever happening again.  Help us share his story. 

Today's Editor's Notebook

This Week's Featured Column

Recent Editor's Notebook Columns

-----------------------------------------------------

Mike Killbreath appears on Metro Flint News/Talk Radio via The Morning Gazette Radio Show weekday mornings from 8-10 am. He's an award-winning newspaper columnist and investigative reporter who is the former long-time owner of the local Metro Flint area chain of 14 community newspapers. This is his 50th year as a journalist. He also hosts a weekend national TV show known as The American Crusaders on cable TV and various OTT TV live streaming platforms.

BY DR. ARNIE COLE

Metro Flint News/Talk Radio's

Syndicated Program Host

 Let me ask you a blunt question: Do you really believe what you do today matters? Take this Quick Self-Check to see if you’re living today like it really matters:

For many Christ Followers, the honest answer is no. And that’s the devastating reality of what researchers — and many of you — have described as “spiritual learned helplessness.” It’s that gnawing belief that your daily actions don’t make a difference, that you’re powerless to change anything, so why even bother?

The tragedy is this: spiritual learned helplessness robs us not just of our own joy, but of our God-given purpose to share the joy of Jesus Christ with others. It convinces us to coast, to waste days, to give up the fight before it even begins. And if we don’t recognize it, it leaves us grumpy, worried, spiritually stagnant, ineffective, and far from the life Jesus calls us to live.

What Learned Helplessness Looks Like in Daily Life

You know the pattern. You wake up, scroll the news, and immediately feel like the world is too broken for you to change. You walk past a hurting person, but silence yourself with, “I wouldn’t know what to say anyway.” 

You sit in the back of the room at a gathering because it feels safer than stepping into someone else’s pain. And when you see that one person that you know needs Jesus, you simply walk away and avoid all social interaction because their lifestyle irritates you to no end. Bottom line: Every time we tell ourselves, “What I do doesn’t matter” — and then act on that belief — we are training ourselves into helplessness. Day after day, this becomes a habit. Eventually, it’s not just that we don’t take action; it’s that we no longer believe we can.

And when enough of us live this way, the entire body of Christ weakens. Our families, our churches, and our communities lose out on the very light and hope we’re meant to bring.

The Research Doesn’t Lie

For over 15 years, I’ve been studying the struggles you tell us about. Time and again, the same patterns show up: criticism of others, worry, and long stretches of spiritual stagnation. Many believers admit that for at least three months out of every year, they feel completely stuck, not growing spiritually, not making a difference.

This is more than laziness — it’s learned helplessness. It’s the enemy’s lie that your actions don’t matter, so you stop trying. And the longer you believe it, the more powerless you feel.

Why Today Is the Battleground

The truth is, you don’t live your whole Christian life in decades or even years. You live it in days. In fact, you live it in moments. Each day is a gift from God, packed with opportunities that will never come again. Once today is gone, you cannot redo it.

That’s why Scripture calls us to be awake, alert, and intentional. Paul reminds us in Ephesians 5:16 to make “the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.” The antidote to helplessness is not some grand strategy, it’s the choice to treat today as holy and worth fighting for.

Stories of Breaking Free

I’m encouraged every time I hear from one of you who has decided to fight back against helplessness by embracing daily spiritual fitness.

• Gretchen told us: “My spiritual walk is better now that I have engaged with y’all’s spiritual workout. I do it in the morning before I go to work. It’s very helpful and encouraging.”
• Maggiemay wrote: “With each passing day my eyes are opened… For once I feel capable of receiving God’s Word and applying it to my life.”
• Rosie, who came to Christ at 14, shared: “Your teaching was my spiritual ‘food’ for a number of years and helped me grow as a Christian.”

These stories remind us that helplessness can be broken. Purpose and power come alive when we embrace daily spiritual workouts.

Take this Quick Assessment Test to reflect on how much learned helplessness may be shaping your daily life: 

Today Is Yours to Take Back

Learned helplessness is real, and it’s stealing the effectiveness of countless Christ-followers. But you don’t have to give in. Each day is both your battleground and your opportunity.

So here’s the challenge: Will you let helplessness win, or will you take one small step today to grow closer to Jesus and impact the people around you?

Remember, your score is just a snapshot. What matters most is what you do next. That’s where Spiritually Fit Daily, launching this October, can help. It’s designed to give you the daily tools and encouragement to turn intention into transformation.

The choice is yours. Don’t waste it. Start now, and take today back.

Stay tuned and stay ready,

P.S. Your score was only the beginning. It’s what you do next that matters. Spiritually Fit Daily launches this October, and it’s built to help you break free from helplessness and live each day with purpose. Don’t wait — get into God’s Word and take today back.

P.P.S. You can forward this column to your friends or have them check out this Web Site  for the browser version of this and the previous issues of my Sunday Spiritual Fitness Review.
 

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Back to the Bible airs daily on Metro Flint News/Talk Radio at 4:40 am. Founded in 1939 on radio station KFOR AM in Lincoln, Nebraska, the organization grew to become an international Christian ministry after supporting missionaries and broadcasting via shortwave radio to other countries around the world.

MovieGuide presents its selection for your best and most amazing movies to watch with family.

Click Here to See Movie Guide Reviews to Assist Your Family's Christian Viewing

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 THE SENIOR

“Spirited, Inspiring Sports Drama”

BY ROBERT EISELE 

MovieGuide Writer

The Senior is a spirited, inspiring sports drama about a 59-year-old man who gets a chance to finish his senior year in college and play on the football team, but he has trouble controlling his temper, which stems from the poor relationship he had with his father. 

Based on a true story,  The Senior is beautifully acted, with a wonderful performance by Michael Chiklis of The Commish and The Shield in the title role, and an uplifting, redemptive story where a Bible leads to forgiveness, healing and reconciliation.

The movie opens with the 58-year-old owner of a construction company, Mike Flynt, reluctantly attending a 37-year reunion of his old Division III college football team from Sul Ross State University in Alpine, Texas.

A flashback reveals that, at the beginning of his senior year, he got into a fight with another teammate. This wasn’t his only fight. So, the university expelled Mike from the university and the team.

At the reunion, Mike gingerly approaches the former teammate to apologize. Ironically, he discovers that the teammate wanted to apologize to him! The man reminds Mike that he still has eligibility to play on the university’s current team. At first, Mike dismisses the suggestion as silly, but the more he thinks about it, the more he wants to try it. Especially, since he’s kept himself in shape all these years.

Mike talks to his wife, Eileen, about his plan. She’s afraid Mike will hurt himself if he tries out for the team. However, Mike’s passion convinces her to let him go for it.

Of course, Mike must convince the current coach to let him try out for the team. The coach is reluctant, but he lets Mike practice with the team. Mike’s physical condition and toughness convince him to let Mike try out. The other players are skeptical, especially one player, who keeps giving Mike lots of guff. However, Mike ends up making the team.

A pinched nerve sidelines Mike, but he fights back. Can he return to the team and still make a difference?

Meanwhile, Mike’s eldest son, Micah, a college teacher, chastises his father for trying such a foolish thing. Like Mike’s own father, Mike often chided Michah when he was younger for not being tough enough. This has led to a growing emotional distance between them.

The Senior is beautifully acted. Michael Chiklis of The Commish and The Shield delivers a wonderful performance in the title role. Mary Stuart Masterson is excellent as Mike’s wife, Eileen, as is Brandon Flynn as Mike’s son, Michah. Terayle Hill and Corey Knight give delightful, heart-warming support as two young players who befriend Mike. 

Director Rod Lurie is no stranger directing veteran performers and talented newcomers. Kudos to him for making sure  The Senior sustains a strong dramatic flow that touches moviegoers.

 The Senior tells an inspiring tale of second chances. The title character is inspired when he finds his late father’s Bible in a box full of memorabilia. The Bible gives him a message of forgiveness that helps him overcome his past regret and guilt. It also helps lead to reconciliation with his son and provides some self-control to combat his anger issues.

MovieGuide Summary for Parents:

Very strong Christian, moral, pro-family worldview with a strong message of forgiveness, family reconciliation and overcoming feelings of personal regret and guilt.

Foul Language: Three obscenities (two a** words, one “d” word, and a reference to bast***) and one OMG profanity.

Violence: Football violence of practicing and playing college football, plus two men get into a fight in one scene, flashbacks to a father roughly teaching boxing to his 10-year-old son, and two football players get into tussles, and almost come to blows, even though the older man tries to defuse the situation (the younger man deliberately keeps antagonizing the older man).

Sex: No sex scenes or sexual immorality.

Nudity: No nudity.

Alcohol Use: Some light beer drinking.

Smoking and/or Drug Use and Abuse: No smoking or drugs.

Miscellaneous Immorality: Two fathers shame their boys for not being tough enough, but one of the fathers and son take the chance to reconcile, and the title character has anger issues.

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Wednesday, June 19, 2024 Column

I'm excited about getting back on the radio air waves. Our team will plug Metro Flint News/Talk Radio back into its 24/7 streaming live position via internet radio on July 1.

Over the next 12 days as we prepare for launch day, my goal is to get back into the habit of pumping out an Editor's Notebook every day to keep my readers abreast of what's going on around us across the Metro Flint regional area.

My columns have often been my radio show opens over the years, and I've missed sharing my thoughts with you. It's been a long journey back  for me after 14 months on dialysis and 5 months of recovery following a 15-day stay at UM Hospital in Ann Arbor for a life-saving kidney transplant. I've missed serving as a local "watch dog" over your tax dollars with my radio show work and this column via our online daily newspaper  —  The Daily Gazette.

Hey, I made many promises to God to be able to be blessed to write this column today. As I seriously pondered death, not once did I worry about where I'm headed. In fact, I had one dream about standing at the pearly gates inside Heaven. Saint Peter was holding his clip board and told me there was a big asterisk beside my name.

"Hey, Mr. Killbreath. God wants to have a little chat with you. Let me get him."

I was a bit nervous but excited to meet God. as he proclaimed: "Hey, man, I've had lots and lots of prayers about you Mike!" It was very satisfying to hear and I told him I knew more than 100 churches had been praying for me after I posted on Facebook about my 10:30 pm call on Dec. 28, 2023 to be in Ann Arbor for a transplant the next morning at 5 am.

I'm nearing a goal to read every last e-mail, text and note via Messenger. I'm a ways away, however,  from listening to every last phone message. I'm truly blessed to have so many friends and so many people who cared enough to say a prayer for me.

Thousands of well wishers and hundreds of prayers were sent up to keep me around for my beautiful angel of a wife, our 4 children and 5 grandchildren. But here I was in my dream — standing at the pearly gates to Heaven.

 God laughed when introducing himself and said, "All the prayers were impressive but you were still on the list. It was your time. But you must be doing some good work down there. I had prayers from all the crooked politicians in your county but they were praying for you to die and leave them alone! You get back down there. You have more work to do."

I promised God I'd ramp up my fight to rid our community — and the nation — of crooked politicians. He delivered an opportunity for me to do a new weekly national TV show, so the big man upstairs is obviously expecting some big things out of me.  Today was my 4th straight day up at 4 am. Three 21-hour days in a row to go back at it full time. I'm on a mission!

I need to get back to busting the crooks and exposing them by handing out my traditional bushel of rotten apples.

The equally enjoyable part of my job as a columnist and radio show host, however, has always been my habit of handing out bouquets of roses to local folks who deserve getting a public salute for doing "good works" in our community. Handing out my bushel of rotten apples to  all the crooked politicians often leads to an end to their political careers if they don't fix their mistakes and vow to do better in a convincing fashion to my thousands of listeners.

We need to get back to seeing more of them go to prison when we expose their wrongdoings. That's where my listeners and readers come in.

I vow to share phone numbers to all of you can make their phones ring with outrage until they go away in handcuffs.

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Mike Killbreath appears on Metro Flint News/Talk Radio via The Morning Gazette Radio Show weekday mornings from 8 am until 9:30 am. He's an award-winning newspaper columnist and investigative reporter who is the former long-time owner of the local Metro Flint area chain of 14 newspapers. This fall will be his 50th year as a journalist. He also hosts a new weekly national TV show known as The American Crusaders on cable TV and various OTT TV live streaming platforms

CLIO (CCN) — The late Riley McLincha is being honored by the Crim Festival of Races.

Officials issued a Facebook post that said: "As the Crim Festival of Races kicks off this week, we invite you to honor a true legend of the event. Riley McLincha of Clio, affectionately known as the 'Drubbler,' was one of only 16 runners to complete all 45 Crim Festival 10-mile races. Riley passed away in June, but his legacy lives on through the Riley McLincha Fund of CFGF."

His family established the fund through the Community Foundation of Greater Flint to support the pursuit of educational and personal development while celebrating, encouraging, and embracing creativity, diversity, individuality and following one’s passions.

To support to the fund, Click Here.

PHOTO CAPTION: Pictured above this story is Riley McLincha who had run in every Crim 10-Mile race. 

BURTON (CCN) — Talented musician Dave Kimber of Burton passed away on Monday (Aug. 29, 2024).

  Kimber worked with musical greats such as Stevie Wonder, David Bowie, Elton John and Frank Zappa but a catchy jingle in the 1970's about a cartoon owl is what he's best remember for during his career which began in Los Angeles.

A story published in 2008 by The Burton Banner of CCN's FAME Newspapers said Kimber was working for MGM's recording division in California when his song for the U.S. Forest Service introduced Woodsy Owl in 1971 as a friend to Smokey the Bear and a line in the famous song in commercials warned: "Give a hoot, don’t pollute."

 The song helped bring the Woodsy Owl character to life as Kimber arranged the music for The Ballad of Woodsy Owl that was featured for decades in public service announcements for the U.S. Forest Service. The catchy "Give a hoot, don’t pollute" line is still fondly remembered today 53 years later by millions across America. 

Kimber worked for many years at Guitar Center in Hollywood where he met future wife Pamela while selling her a piano. After he met his wife out west, they moved to Australia where spending 10years before he followed her to the Flint area when she wanted to return to her hometown area.

Kimber worked as a music director in Australia for a TV network, wrote commercials and sold synthesizers 

When the Kimbers moved to the Flint area, Dave sold pianos at Herter Music Center on Miller Road in Flint Township and went to college to become a teacher.

He later spent 25 years in elementary classrooms at Flint's Neithercut Elementary School, wrote children's songs and played with his band (Rodeo Drive) which was the house band for many years at Flint's Sherman Lounge on Fenton Road.

Kimber had battled with Parkinson’s disease and dementia, according to his friends. He was 76.

A celebration of life is being planned.

Kimber performed most recently with Rodeo Drive during Flushing's Concert in the Park series and at the recent Flint Institute of the Arts concert on the lawn. Rodeo Drive had also made appearances this summer at Joe's Garage in Clio.

A post on the Facebook page of popular local country western band Rodeo Drive read: "Our hearts are hurting. RIP Mr. Kimber. You were one of the greats."

 Fans of the band flooded the page with likes and comments about Kimber.

Rob Cranner said: "A great player, great guy, great teacher! You will be missed my old friend!"

Karen Tubbs Brown added: "RIP. I hope heaven has an awesome band and room for a keyboard player."

Jimmy Alber posted: "Dave has always been a friend and an inspiration to me. He was great! I remember the first time I saw him play at the Wagon Wheel way back when. He was so kind to let me sit in with the band and show me a few things."

Bernadean Clothier said: "Prayers and hugs for the family. I loved his recordings. He was a very talented educator."

Gary Bernard said: "Mr. Kimber will be a great loss to his family, band Rodeo Drive and all his fans .May he rest in peace."

 David Eversole

We will all miss Dave
And never forget his superb musicianship."

 Rex HoppenworthHe was a great entertainer. And loved making music.

Jim HardyNothing but the best memories Dave. Always remember your wisdom and stories. RIP my friend. 

 Brad Norman

What a kind soul. Not only a great musician, but also a great writer - both musically and lyrically - especially when it came to children's songs - and who could forget Hootie the Hoot Owl's song: "Give a hoot - don't pollute!" I loved Dave's stories he often told - and there were a lot of them. The man probably lived the lives of 10 into his one; quite the resumé he had!!! RIP, my friend - I'll see you on "the other side".

PHOTO CAPTION: Pictured above this story is talented musician Dave Kimber of Burton while performing with popular local band Rodeo Drive.

Monday, December 1, 2024

 We lost a giant. 

  Family was everything for Angelo Papadopoulos. Starting with his wife, his kids, and grandchildren.   But certainly not ending there. He loved his extended family, too.

 And it was no ordinary extended family.

 As one of the principal owners of Angelo’s Coney Island in Flint, he played a role in the lives of countless thousands of extended family members.  

From high level executives to assembly line workers, from doctors and senators to professional athletes, from kids who were celebrating selling Girl Scout cookies, Little League trophies,  and Science Fair wins, to Olympic athletes celebrating Gold medals. 

He turned no one away. Head of a major division at General Motors? Grab a seat next to the down-on-his luck guy struggling to scrape up some cash for one up and  some fries and gravy.

Egalitarian. Equality. Community.   Those three words sum up the DNA that  made Angelos the symbol of the gritty  East Side neighborhood it inhabited.

 And what a symbol it was.

Like Angelo the man, it stood for home and hearth, loyalty and love, and above all- predictability. You knew what you were going to get with Angelo the man and Angelo’s the Coney Island.

 If Angelo’s stood for all of that it’s because its workers did too. The cooks and servers, the guy stirring the sauce and cutting the onions. And if they did, it’s because the leadership did. It’s because Angelo Papadopoulos did. 

For me it was a second home.

Great food.  Excellent service.  Two blocks from my house.  But Angelo the man made it feel like it was two steps from my home kitchen.

That feeling can only come from a place of love, concern and caring. That’s what Angelo poured into the business he co-created.

 I could smell the food from my back porch. I could hear the sound of the chaotic dining room, and taste the coney sauce before I ever walked in the door. Heck, I can taste it as I type these words!

 Those intangibles are so clearly ingrained in the beating heart of my neighborhood that Angelo’s inhabited. But it was especially evidenced in the presence of the omnipresent man in the blue Angelo’s baseball hat, tie, and white apron.

 A man who knew his way around a griddle and a bun. Skills and talents to be sure.  But none of those attributes compared to his big heart, his generous spirit, and undying commitment to The American Dream. He lived that dream, and made our neighborhood, our city, and our lives exponentially better as a result.

We may never see the likes of him again. We were blessed to know him at all.

 Thank you Angelo Papadopoulos.

 A grateful extended family sends prayers for Godspeed to your next destination.  In your case it’s undoubtedly ONE UP! 

.BY DR. ARNIE COLE

Metro Flint News/Talk Radio's

Syndicated Program Host

 This is the “they’re back” season of the year.

I wanted to challenge you today to look through a different lens at those people close to you that mock you, say all manner of evil against you (behind your back of course) and drive you absolutely crazy. Sometimes it can get to the point of almost ruining your time of celebrating the most wonderful time of year—gratefulness and thankfulness to God, and in just a few short weeks, the birth of Jesus.

Maybe something like this has happened to you. 

The turkey is ready, the fireplace is roaring and all the little ones and bigger ones are gathered around the table. You ask everyone to take a turn to say one thing they are thankful for. The kids wax eloquently with an attitude of gratitude—thankful for everything God has given them. Then, you get around to you know who, and they say absolutely nothing.

Then the littlest one looks at them and says, “What are you thankful for?” When that person turns to everyone and says, “I am thankful for nothing,” you’re left considering what they’ve just implied. Counting on your fingers under the table you list off the things they’ve left unsaid—not thankful for the person who brought them, the hosts, as well as the rest of us….

You’ve already struggled with how the person drops the f-bomb around the kids, but suddenly things have gone way beyond bearable. Yet, you say nothing while the resentment and self-protecting distance continues to grow.

You don’t need to be a rocket scientist to know that the old adage of “fake it until you make it” doesn’t work very well. No matter what you do to hide it, the irritation and frustration shows all over you—even if you don’t say or do anything.

Bottom line upfront:  Relate Jesus to someone close to you who simply doesn’t relate.  Please know how thankful Char and I are for you and your support. We made this little Happy Thanksgiving Video for you all.

As Christ Followers, in this season of Thanksgiving, we often find ourselves gathered around tables with family members whose life choices challenge our beliefs and values to the very core. (Granted for some of us, it is super easy to forget that just a few years ago we were that jerk at the table — until Jesus changed our hearts.)

Regardless of how Jesus radically transformed your own life, it is now easy to be totally bugged by that special person who doesn’t know Jesus. Maybe it's the cousin who abandoned their faith, the young person or sibling who has chosen a lifestyle or gender you don’t agree with, someone living with their partner, or the relative who mocks or outright criticizes your commitment to Jesus.

These differences can create deep rifts, making traditional family gatherings feel more like battlegrounds than celebrations. But what if these challenging relationships are actually opportunities for spiritual growth?

Here is powerful guidance from Jesus: "Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you" (Luke 6:27-28). While your family members may not be enemies, this Scripture offers wisdom for handling difficult relationships.

This Thanksgiving, instead of dreading interactions with these family members, try viewing them through a different lens. Deal with them like you would a deaf and blind person who is heading full speed down a road that ends at the edge of a cliff. It is up to us to get over our irritation. Consider how complex their situation really is being spiritually blind and deaf. They simply can’t see or hear the dangers ahead (just like us before Jesus). I promise, this will totally change your time around them—likely not their attitudes or reactions—but your own. By the grace of God, He will change you and how you treat them.

Their presence in your life isn't a burden. It is your opportunity to practice the radical love Jesus commanded and has already shown to each of us.

Remember, Jesus didn't say "love your enemies if they change" or "do good to those who deserve it." He called us to love unconditionally, just as He loves us. This Thanksgiving, let's practice being thankful for all our relationships—even the ones that stretch us beyond our limit.

What do you think? Is this possible? Please respond and let me know.

Here’s that link again from Char and me. Happy Thanksgiving! 

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Back to the Bible airs daily on Metro Flint News/Talk Radio at 4:40 am. Founded in 1939 on radio station KFOR AM in Lincoln, Nebraska, the organization grew to become an international Christian ministry after supporting missionaries and broadcasting via shortwave radio to other countries around the world.

BY MIKE KILLLBREATH

CCN Executive Editor

PHILADELPHIA (CCN) — A popular 1970's radio personality in the Metro Flint regional area has passed away at his Philadelphia home.

Wally Kennedy was 76. He lost a long battle with Cancer.

Kennedy was the popular host of Flint Feedback on the old WTRX 1330AM for many years before leaving our community for bigger markets.

He later expanded his talents to TV and also worked as a college professor.

Kennedy was a gifted interviewer who mixed guests with a call-in format that he perfected while working at Flint's WTRX studio weeknights from 7 pm until midnight.

Rich Fisher and Dave Barber were later the fixtures on the old WTRX air waves with shows similar to what Kennedy delivered with high ratings.

He eventually became a member of Philadelphia’s Broadcast Hall of Fame in 2011 for his talents as a news anchor on TV and as a talk show host in both TV and radio.

His wife, Glendia, announced the sad news via social media with a post on Facebook. She wrote: "It is with great sadness and a heavy heart that I announce the death of Wally, my love of 50 years. My children and I were with him as he passed from this earth to what I believe is a better place with peace and no pain. Besides his family, he experienced great joy in being part of the community through radio and television. Please keep us in your thoughts and prayers at this difficult time."

Kennedy worked in Illinois and Georgia during a more than 15-year span that included his stop in Flint. He took a job at WCAU Radio in Philadelphia, then switched to WPVI Channel 6 there he worked worked for more than two decades as a news anchor and as host of shows known as AM Philadelphia, Philly After Midnight, Sunday Live, and Inside Story. 

He told his Flint area listeners in his final show here that his goal when departing Flint was to take a big market job. He got it at WSB Radio in Atlanta.

Kennedy went to Philadelphia in 2006 as a news anchor for KYW NewsRadio 1060 AM, before switching to WPVI Channel 6 TV which was an ABC affiliate.

Kennedy worked as an adjunct professor at Immaculata University and at Temple University's School of Journalism.

Liz Matt, who worked with Kennedy on ABC 6 TV in Philadelphia took to Facebook for a tribute, saying, "This post is dedicated with love to Glendia McChesney Kennedy, the wonderful wife of Wally Kennedy, my TV cohost at @6abc of ten years, and to their children Tom, Erin and Katie plus adored granddaughter Gigi. Wally passed today after a terrible fight against cancer. His talent was singular and this quick album of pix of our time together does NOT capture my full admiration. I will address that in another post. But this will remind his family and friends of the range of assignments we covered together. One of the pix of Wally, Glendia, my then-new husband Steve and me captures us at one of Channel 6’s luxury Christmas parties over 30 years ago. We have lots of love between us. Sadness too. Wally: nobody could do a LIVE interview the way he did."

PHOTO CAPTION: Pictured above this story is a studio photo of Wally Kennedy interviewing G. Gordon Liddy who was convicted and sent to prison during the Watergate scandal.

BY GARY ANDERSON

CCN Staff Writer 

FLINT (CCN) — CCN columnist Marty Embry has officially released his newest book!

 Alley Oops to Ashtrays is available on Amazon by Clicking Here to order it.

The book is 138 pages and sells for $12.

 "To all my cigar smokers, friends and family of cigar smokers, beginners and aficionados, this is a well detailed book for you all," Embry said.

His columns appear on the pages of CCN's two online daily newspapers — The Daily Gazette that covers the Metro Flint regional area and My AM Advantage that serves the entire state.

Embry's column regularly appears in the Viewpoints Section as "From the Left" as a Democrat perspective next to long-time conservative columnist and former Beecher school district administrator and UM-Flint professor George Moss.

 Embry is a former administrator in the Flint school district.  He has owned multiple businesses including his most recent restaurant called “51 To Go” which was located in his hometown of Flint. Embry is most famous for a special coney sauce he sells online. He's also the author of eight cookbooks and a self help book called Diary of a Depressive. 

Embry was the star center on two of the old Flint Central's state championship teams under legendary Coach Stan Gooch in the early 1980's, then went on to star at DePaul University before playing professionally overseas.

His career was highlighted by being the 4th round pick of the Utah Jazz in the 1986 NBA draft, but the then 6-foot-9, 270-pound rebounding specialist opted to play professionally overseas for 13 seasons in Europe and Asia along with spending the 1992-93 campaign in the old CBA with a franchise in Pensacola, Florida. Embry played  overseas for the Jersey Jammers and teams in Tenerife AB, Spain, Castor's, Belgium and Italy's pro teams in Ferrara, Desio, Pistoia and Roma as well as for clubs in Pasabahce, Turkey and Aisin Seahorses, Japan.

Although raised in Flint, Embry was born in Pine Bluff, Arkansas. He has a wife and two children, including son Jovan who is a 6-foot-11 basketball star in his own right. He committed in 2016 to play for Mississippi Valley State University  and is currently a professional basketball player. Jovan and his dad are the cousins of Wayne Embry who who won an NBA championship with the Boston Celtics in 1968. 

It's great for the beginning cigar smokers, that's just learning about cigars as well as experienced smokers, including the ones that are "seasoned". 

You'll read this book and probably say, "Well, I didn't know that!"  It's 138 pages full of needed information such as types and regions that the tobacco was harvested, types of liquor, wine and coffees that go great with a good cigar and even the costs of many of them. 

Peek at it on Amazon when you get a chance. This will make a great gift as well.

 During my extensive travels while playing basketball across the world, I fell in love with cigars. Not just smoking them, but how the tobacco was grown and harvested, how everything was handled selected from the leaves to the wrapper to the fillers. And to be able to taste the subtle flavors simply worked for me, as a chef. Picking up subtle flavors is what I was born to do, as both a chef and cigar aficionado.

In our perpetually connected, constantly rushing world, the cigar stands as a defiant anachronism, a relic from the past. It simply cannot be rushed and it refuses to be consumed casually or mindlessly. A proper cigar demands your time, your attention, and your presence. This is perhaps it's greatest gift.

As the philosopher Lao Tzu once said, "To say I don't have time is like saying I don't want to." When you light up a cigar, You are making a conscious decision to carve out an hour or more of your day, to sit, to reflect, to be present with yourself or in the company of others. 

BY MIKE KILLBREATH

CCN Executive Editor

FLUSHING TWP. (CCN) — Flushing's Trinity Baptist Church is getting a new pastor in early August.

Pastor James Brabson  takes over for Pastor Ron Scott who has been working as interim pastor at Trinity which is located at 4222 Elms Road in Flushing Township.

 Trinity Baptist is an independent Baptist church where you will find practical Bible teaching and preaching, exciting youth and children's ministries, adult programs that are a blessing, and an emphasis on discipleship and evangelism, according to the church's web site,

Pastor Brabson took to Facebook today (June 27, 2024) to inform his congregation at North County Baptist Church in xxxxx of the decision. "This post will undoubtedly catch some people by surprise (which is not our intention, and no this isn’t a “joke”) however, this morning at North Country, we notified the church family that we will be finishing out our ministry at North Country this coming July and moving to Flushing, MI this coming August. Words cannot express our heart of gratitude to the church there at NCBC."

 The Brabson family moved to Millersburg in 2004. He and wife Bonnie have four sons —  Josiah, Ben, Jonas and Clayton. The family will move into the Flushing community and the boys will go to Genesee Christian school in Burton.

Pastor Brabson began his ministry as an Assistant/Youth Pastor in Northern Michigan. The church voted in 2011 to make Pastor Brabson the lead pastor at North Country.  

He added in today's Facebook post: "I’ve tried in so many ways how to express our thoughts and feelings, and all I can say at this point is 'Thank You.'   God has been so good in giving us 20 years here, and we leave the church here with no disagreement and no dissension. We are deeply indebted to so many of you in the church who have loved on our family and your lives are the living testimony of our ministry here. Seeing so many of our church family 'grow up' spiritually before our eyes has been one of the greatest blessings that I have experienced in my life. Thank you for allowing us to be a part of your spiritual growth and really being a family away from our family.   It also means we are leaving the Millersburg/Onaway/Rogers City community. We are thankful for the 'fun' place this has been to raise a family and how so many of you have been friends to our family as well. I’m sure the streets of Millersburg, will be quieter. Even though NCBC will be looking for a pastor, the pulpit will be filled by a variety of good men ... "

 Outside the ministry at NCBC, Pastor Brabson has served on the advisory board for Camp CanaanLand and he has been a guest speaker, for a wide variety of ministry opportunities such as family and youth camps, father/son retreats, pastors' conferences and wild game dinners. He has also stayed busy coaching both in the community and in a school for baseball and basketball. 

 His Facebook post to his long-time church family at NCBC concluded by saying: "What’s next for us? We are excited to be moving into the Flushing, MI area to become the Lead Pastor for Trinity Baptist Church of Flushing at the start of August. Many of you know of Trinity through their ministry of Harvest Fest, and we are excited for this next chapter of ministry for our lives. Working with their deacons/pulpit committee along with their staff members has been a joy and blessing over these last (three) months. Along with coming on board at Trinity, the boys are excited to join the school family of Genesee Christian School this fall. The church people have been so welcoming to our family, and we look forward to getting to know so many of them and see God grow all of us together in the coming years.   In the end, we are simply trusting Him to direct our steps, knowing He is always good and that He works all things for good."

PHOTO CAPTION: Pictured above this story is Pastor James Brabson who will join Flushing's Trinity Baptist Church as its new leader of its ministry.

BY DR. ARNIE COLE

Metro Flint News/Talk Radio's

Syndicated Program Host

Bottom Line upfront: It’s best to start taking a look at your life where you want it all to end and then work backwards towards accomplishing that end.

The challenge today is for you to take out a piece of paper (or simply hit reply to this email) and let me know  —  What do you want to be remembered by as a lasting record of your life by the people that know you best as well as for future generations.

Imagine how disgusted you would be today, as a parent/grandparent, if you saw your child walk into their first class, at a very expensive Christian University (8th most expensive college in the US)—a psychology class, and here sat this long haired professor, who is in his mid-thirties, handing out each student a blank piece of paper which is supposed to be the synopsis of the course and the final exam.

To add insult to injury, he is sitting up on top of the desk at the head of the class, with his legs crossed, smoking a cigarette, right under the no smoking sign.

What is so ironic is that after spending 4 years in undergraduate study and 6 years in graduate level classes, this class by far had the most impact on me as a human being. In fact it challenges me to this very day.

Basically, my professor felt the most important thing you could ever do in this stage of your life, was to figure out what you wanted to be known for by others, when it all ends after you’re dead. Ask yourself what really matters…and then go for it  — you know, make it all happen, like you are the master of your own destiny.

Not that it matters now, but as a non-believer, back then my epitaph that I wrote was: “He lived a life that has never been lived before”… which back then, my biggest fear was to live a life that had been lived a hundred times over.

At the time this life theme freed me from the confines of the Bible, which I thought was the book of no, and allowed me the freedom to live a life that I thought truly allowed me to go for it all, guilt free. I mean what could be better. Right?

Paul encourages us believers in steadfastness and dedication to the Lord’s work, assuring and encouraging that our life will be a life that is not only a life lived well but one that we finish well.

“Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.” 

 —  1 Corinthians 15:58 (NIV)

Believe me this three-step process that starts with writing your own epitaph may change your life trajectory. Check out my video on this: https://bttb.org/epitaph and reply back if you want to take on this challenge.

And stay tuned for Step Two.

P.S. You can forward this email to a couple of your believer friends. If they would like to sign up to receive this weekly Spiritual Fitness Review, they can do so at this link: https://bttb.org/sunday. 

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Back to the Bible airs daily on Metro Flint News/Talk Radio at 4:40 am. Founded in 1939 on radio station KFOR AM in Lincoln, Nebraska, the organization grew to become an international Christian ministry after supporting missionaries and broadcasting via shortwave radio to other countries around the world.