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BY MIKE KILLBREATH

CCN Executive Editor

 FENTON (CCN) — The old Fenton court house will be seeing a year with lots of changes in 2026.

Not only will 2026 be the first full year that the building won't be the place to go for court hearings but the new home for the local district court in Downtown flint will have a new judge sitting on the bench.

Attorney K.C. Barron of Fenton is the first candidate to throw his hat into the ring to declare that he wants to replace long-time Judge Mark McCabe who has served since 19xx.

McCabe was a  former attorney in private practice who was best known for serving on the Lake Fenton Board of Education, including as its President.

Baran issued a social media post earlier today (Dec. 29, 2025), saying, " I am thrilled with the outpouring of support that I am initially getting for my candidacy for judge of the 67-4 District Court in Fenton. We are gathering signatures for petitions and it is going very well with many friends gathering signatures for me."

The 67-4 District is comprised of Argentine Township, Gaines Township, Village of Gaines, Clayton Township, Village of Lennon, City of Swartz Creek, Mundy Township, Fenton Township, City of Linden, City of Fenton, Grand Blanc Township and City of Grand Blanc. 

Baran has been at attorney since 2003. HIs experience is in bankruptcy, estate planning, civil and criminal litigation, family law and more, He's admitted to Michigan courts and federal district courts. He has also been active with the  Genesee County Bar Association and has made previous unsuccessful bids for judge in the Genesee County 67th District Court and for Genesee County Prosecuting Attorney as a  Republican against long-time Democrat incumbent David Leyton.  

Baran missed getting on the ballot when the last opening surfaced for a judge on the Genesee County 67th District Court. That was in 2024 when Baran finished third in a four-candidate August primary when running for the seat vacated by former Chief Judge Christopher Odette turning 70.

Jeffrey Clothier won the primary with 8,395 votes and Amanda Odette joined him on the November ballot after getting 6,255 votes in the primary. Baran was a distant third place with 3,578 votes. Elias Fanous was last in the race with 1,287 votes.

Clothier went on to win in November (29,142 to 25,760) over Odette who is not related to former Judge Christopher Odette.

When previously running for judge, Baran issued a statement saying being a judge was a long-time goal. He said: "I believe that it is fundamentally important to give back to the community with time and talent.  This is something that my parents taught me from a young age and was further instilled in me as a West Point graduate.  Part of the mission of West Point is to inspire its graduates to a lifetime of service to the nation.  In that spirit, over the course of my career, I have done my best to contribute through service and leadership. In addition to my service in the Army, I have enjoyed many opportunities to serve the community with my time and talent."

Baran has been a volunteer firefighter, youth basketball coach, basketball referee, debate club coach and member of its 501(c)(3) board of directors; past Fenton Township Zoning Board of Appeals member including as its Vice Chairman; member and Vice Chair of local park and recreation board; member of fraternal and charitable organizations like the American Legion and Knights of Columbus and as a member of his local homeowners' associations.

"Not so surprisingly, I have learned a great deal from my time working in the community, with the people, and with these organizations," Baran said then when announcing his first bid for office.

He added: "I believe that my time, talent and experiences working to help people around me have prepared me well to be a leader and judge in our district.  I fervently believe that giving back to the community is vitally important. I have aspired to be a judge since at least law school, when I had many other law students tell me that I should be a judge some day because of my involvement with moot court. I am pleased to say that I have had many others encourage me along the path of my career to become a judge, including fellow attorneys and judges.  However, the earliest time that I recall when I may have first formed the idea of becoming a judge happened in an incident when I was about ten years old. Two sisters that lived next door to us asked me to mediate a dispute they had over a doll.  They asked me to listen to their arguments, view their evidence and make a decision as to the ownership of the doll.  Except the fact that it occurred in our garage, it was like a modern day tale of King Solomon and the biblical account of splitting the baby.  I do not recall specifically how I finally decided but I know that it was not to split the doll in two pieces with a sword.  Perhaps that was my earliest experience and inspiration to become a judge."

Baran also served as a member, secretary and President of the West Point Society of Michigan for both its local alumni association and 501(c)(3).

PHOTO CAPITON: Pictured above this story is K.C. Baran who has announced he will run for Genesee County 67th District Court judge.

BY MIKE KILLBREATH

CCN Executive Editor

 HOLLY (CCN) — Chrissy and George Kutlenios issued a New Year's Eve message on social media for everyone who has missed the fine dining experience at the historic Holy Hotel.

The restaurant in Battle Alley has been closed since a 2022 fire and ensuing lawsuit with the owner of a neighboring business owner who fought with the Kutlenios' over allowing contractors on their property to make repairs on the restaurant.

The last public comment came on a we site still up for the restaurant. It said: "The Historic Holly Hotel is For Sale. After 46 years of operation, we have made the difficult decision to sell the Historic Holly Hotel. The litigation with the owner of the adjoining vacant lot is continuing, and we await confirmation of another trial date. To all, we have welcomed into our establishment, it has been the honor of a lifetime to serve you. We fervently hope the Historic Holly Hotel’s legacy will continue in new hands. For additional information, please contact Larry Schultz at Friedman Real Estate in Farmington Hills."

The Kutlenios' said in a post on the Holly Hotel Facebook page as follows:

As we close out 2025, we find ourselves looking back on a year that has tested our patience and our resolve. For over 40 years, the Holly Hotel has been a place of celebration, and even now, amidst the "quiet" of our restoration, your continued support remains the light that guides us forward. 

We want to share an honest update with all of you regarding our progress.  Many have asked why the hammers have gone silent on Battle Alley. While an in-court settlement was reached in February, the path to finalization of that settlement has taken time. 

Currently, we are awaiting final court rulings that are vital to moving forward.  To those who have seen our property and wondered: the Holly Hotel is NOT abandoned!  "Quiet" does not mean "stopped." Behind the scenes, we are working to resolve these final hurdles so that our masons and craftsmen can return to the site. 

We are as committed today as we were the morning after the 2022 fire to seeing this restoration through to the finish line.  

To 2025: Thank you for the lessons in resilience and patience.  

To 2026: We eagerly step forward with hope, ready to begin the next chapter of the Holly Hotel’s rich history.  Thank you all for standing with us. We wish you a healthy, peaceful New Year.

  With Hope and Resolve,  

Chrissy and George Kutlenios

Tri-County News began as a print publication in 1957. It was purchased by Tri-County Publishing in 1992 and became a 6-day daily newspaper with 5 Sunday weekly editions — Fenton Press, Linden Press, Holly Press, Hartland-Highland Press and Grand Blanc Press. Print editions eventually ceased and this online edition is now owned by Tri-County Publishing LLC and operated by FAME Newspapers which is a division of Crusader Communications Network Inc. ("CCN").

(CCN) —A violent homicide is being investigated in Fenton Township that killed a 33-year-old man who lived in an apartment near Thompson Road and Jennings Road.

The incident happened at about 3 pm on Saturday (July 6, 2024).

A  Michigan State Police Crime Lab was still on the scene Saturday night and Sheriff Swanson confirmed for WJRT ABC TV 12 that there were reports in the area of gun shots.

It's the first homicide case of 2024 in Fenton Township.

Authorities were searching for a newer model orange Chevrolet Camaro in connection with the investigation and Sheriff Swanson has asked anyone with information to contact the Genesee County Sheriff's Department.

(CCN) — Fenton City Councilman Scott Grossmeyer was honored as Grand Marshal for this year’s Freedom Festival during a reception Tuesday (July 2, 2024) at the Fenton Community & Cultural Center. 

The Freedom Festival parade through the streets of the City of Fenton will be on the 4th of July.

 "What an amazing night celebrating my dear friend," said Will Stiverson in a Facebook post about Councilman Grossmeyer.

"Scott is one of the reasons I have loved serving Fenton," Stiverson added. "He literally helps with everything and very rarely says no in offering a helping hand!  For those of you who have asked me about different things in the city or had a challenge that needed to be addressed, Scott was normally who I went to serving on the Fenton City Council.  We need more people like Scott in this world.  Kind, caring and humble.  I am blessed and grateful because you’re in my life Scott.  May your new journey be blessed and time with your family savored!"

PHOTO CAPTION: Pictured above this story is involved Fenton community member WIll Stiverson with Fenton City Councilman Scott Grossmeyer who was honored at a reception as Grand Marshal of the 2024 Freedom Festival. The photo was posted on Stiverson's Facebook Page.

BY GARY ANDERSON

CCN Staff Writer

 FENTON (CCN) —  Police Chief Jeffrey Cross made it official at Tuesday's (Sept. 2, 2025)  Fenton City Council meeting that he's retirng.

Chief Cross has been on the Fenton Police Department force for 25 years.

Fenton Mayor Sue Osborn presented Chief Cross with a proclamation, saluting him for his many years of service in their city.

Cross was promoted to sergeant in May 2015 and to lieutenant in September 2017 before becoming police chief in February of 2023.

Fenton's crime numbers were among the lowest in the Metro Flint regional area under Chief Cross during his tenure as interim chief and then as the top leader on a permanent basis.

Cross took charge after the top job had been open since Jason Slater retired in June 2022. Slater attended the swearing in ceremony to show support to Cross.

 Cross is a 1995 graduate of Linden High School who went on to ear his bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Saginaw Valley State University in 1999. He then graduated from Delta College Police Academy in January 2000. 

Cross joined the U.S. Army Reserves in 1999 and was honorably discharged in 2004. In 1998, he was a student intern with the Michigan State Police Brighton Post before landing a job in Fenton where he has spent his entire professional law enforcement career.

He also graduated from the FBI National Academy during his time as chief.

Fenton City Hall was closed from noon until 2 pm on Wednesday (Sept. 3, 2025) for family, friends and city employees to celebrate a retirement ceremony for Cross.

(CCN) — State Rep. Mike Mueller of Linden released a statement to the Tri-County News about the passing of a former colleague in Genesee County's delegation in Lansing.

Rep. Mueller reflected on memories of Tim Sneller who spent more than 40 years in Lansing as a legislative aide, Chief of Staff and member of the State House of Representatives. (See Related Story  in Today's Metro Section of The Daily Gazette)

The statement by Rep. Mueller said: "We all lost a friend with the passing of Tim Sneller. The first time I met Tim was the day all new legislators got sworn in. We got seated on the house floor by district numbers, not by party affiliation. Being from Genesee County, the delegations districts were numerically close. My father, who was a former rep in the 70’s and 80’s, attended the ceremony. We were seated by newly elected representative John Cherry, whose father served with my father ( Tim was his staff). Tim Sneller was also seated by us and said, 'Nice to see you Representative' — not to me but my dad. My dad’s response was, 'You're still here!!!' Our relationship built from there and I am grateful for his friendship and the friendships he created. Rest easy my friend. "

PHOTO CAPTION: Pictured above this story is a photo shared by Rep. Mike Mueller (in front at left). In the rear at left is then State Rep. Tim Sneller who passed away on Friday (July 12, 2024).

BY ERIC THOMPSON

CCN Sports Writer

(CCN) — Fenton, Holly, Lake Fenton and Linden opened Metro League baseball season action on Monday (April 14, 2025).

Fenton nipped Holly 17-15 at Fenton, and both were beaten by darkness in the nightcap. They will play Game 2 on Wednesday (April 16, 2025) in Holly.

Linden lost 13-0 and 15-2 at Flushing to the defending champions of the Metro League's Stripes Division while Lake Fenton opened defense of the Stars Division title by taking a pair of close ones from a Clio club coming off a Saturday victory at Broome Park in Flint over Saginaw Valley League rival Davison in the opening round of the Tom Cole Greater Flint Baseball Tournament.

Lake Fenton nipped Clio 11-10 in the opener and then won an 8-7 battle in the nightcap.

The Blue Devils of Coach Chris Whitney had their only previous non-league action by losing 2-of-3 against Swartz Creek.

But Whitney's crew started strong toward a third Stripes Division title in a row by answering a spirited challenge by Clio. 

In other Metro League opening day action, Goodrich bombed Corunna 12-0 and 10-0, Ortonville Brandon split a pair at Owosso by winning 9-4 before the host rebounded to win the nightcap 6-2, Swartz Creek divided a pair at Flint Kearsley by winning 19-0 in the nightcap after losing 6-5 in the opener.

PHOTO CAPTION: Pictured above is Foutch Baseball's 12u Black travel ballclub after playing in a tournament on the sacred groudns of the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York. Roger Foutch's grandson (Kayden Kolesar) is one of the team members. Others on the team include Broc Ankley, Brody Bridgett, Evan Eicher, Jaxon Hadaway, Rocco Henry, Liam Holt, Dallas Larson, Alexander Leclaire, Liam Maser, Grayson Ward and Liam Yelle. The team was coached by 22-year-old John Miller. (See Related Story in Today's Local Youth Sports section of Sports in The Daily Gazette)

BY MIKE KILLBREATH

CCN Executive Editor

 (CCN) — This past weekend in Owosso, Foutch Baseball sponsor Roger Foutch's youngest team of 6-year-olds and 7-year-olds provided one of his biggest thrills in a long local career.

They finished off a season of vast improvement by beating older, more experienced boys to win an 8u tournament.

"I never thought that would happen," Fenton resident Foutch joked before parents urged their sponsor to join in the post-game team photograph.

He arrived in time to enjoy some of the action to watch his youngest grandson — Gavin Foutch. He was away earlier in the weekend to watch his older grandson (Kayden Kolesar) with the Foutch 12u Black travel ball team in Cooperstown, New York at a tournament on the sacred grounds of baseball's Hall of Fame.

They won it all there and Roger's daughter, Amanda Foutch Kolesar, noted how satisfying it was for her family to spend the weekend with her dad, saying she was "so happy my father was able to make the trip to Cooperstown All Star Village and share this wonderful baseball experience with our family! He truly enjoyed watching these boys excel this week!" 

Roger sponsored 21 travel teams this summer in youth baseball for boys and youth softball for girls, out of his Foutch Strike Zone training facility next door to his Foutch's Pub at the corner of Linden Road and Corunna Road in Flint Township.

Roger had a dream several years ago to rebuild baseball in Genesee County. He brought back Connie Mack baseball for 18-&-under talent and formed a 15u team.

The 15u team eventually that first year became the first Flint area team to ever reach the AABC World Series in Texas for that age bracket under the leadership of Walt Head.

Head had just finished a 32-year career at Saginaw Valley State.

Who better to help jumpstart Roger's dream to rebuild baseball? Head led the old Carpets by Smith club to the area's only 18-&-under Connie Mack national title in Farmington, New Mexico. He won it all in 1974 with the likes of future big league stars Rick Leach and Larry Sorenson with two others who would go on to prominent college coaching careers  — Ted Mahan and Steve Jaksa.

Mahan was an assistant coach with the Michigan Wolverines before a 10-year stint as Head Coach at Michigan State. Jaksa was Head Coach for 17 years at Central Michigan before replacing Head at Saginaw Valley State.

.It's the kind of baseball tradition Roger set out to regain from day one at his initial press conference at Foutch's Strike Zone to reveal his plan to bebuild baseball.

"Our area has such a rich tradition," he said that first day. "Just look at the wall behind us of all the pictures of stars who came out of this area. I want to see that happen again. I don't want kids paying all kinds of money and traveling down to Oakland County and Detroit to play travel ball. I believe we can build a great program right here and it doesn't have to cost all kinds of big money like some of our parents are forced to spend today, if their kid have talent."

His indoor training facility is now filled with his former star players, mixed with ex-big league stars and former minor league players.

"My goal is to put together a staff to teach the game the right way and build a program hopefully some day with teams at every level," he told his audience at the press conference announcement. 

Old baseball stars from yesteryear showed up. Flint Township's Supervisor (Karyn Miller) said a few words.

She would later give Roger a key to the township in honor of the area's first ever appearance in the 15u AABC World Series.

Roger paid the way for everyone.

It's the kind of reputation he has developed as one of the best sponsors ever in local amateur baseball circles.

"I sponsored lots of teams and we were first class in Connie Mack ball, including kids who went on to play in the big leagues like Jeff Hamilton and Jim Abbott," said Bob Centilli, now 90 and retired from the game after easily sponsoring more teams than anybody in the area's youngest ranks.

"It was good advertising to put Centilli Cement on shirts and I had a deal with Lanny Valentine at the old Mullin's Sporting Goods," Centilli recalled. "If any team couldn't find a sponsor, I told Lanny to slap t-shirts and caps on them as Centilli Cement. God bless Roger for what he does though. That's not for a little advertising — that's giving back, big time."

Roger dresses all his travel ball teams at every level like big league teams.

They have multiple uniforms with different colors, matching bags and big league arrivals to out-of-town parks as opponents mumble about how unbeatable his young teams seem.

He and Foutch's Strike Zone General Manager Dave Dohrman recruit the best possible coaches for their travel ball teams, too.

The Foutch Baseball reputation is growing around the state, especially at the lower levels.

This year's Foutch Baseball 8u Red team won 50 games in a row before their first loss. The Foutch 9u Red team is 52-10 with one tournament to go, and won the 10u AA USSSA state championship. (See Related Story in Today's Local Youth Sports section of Sports in The Daily Gazette)

The Foutch Baseball 9u Red team won a state title in 8u travel ball last summer when ranked No. 1 in the entire nation.

Is it a sign of national championships to come as all the young Foutch Baseball players take aim at the ultimate goal of becoming Flint's second ever Connie Mack national champion?

Roger knows a thing or two about winning it all. Twice his old Halo-Foutch teams in the City Baseball-West won AABC national championships in the adult bracket — one with son Brad Foutch who leads the 8u Black team of what Roger calls his "rookie team" and one with Mike Gates who is on the coaching staff of Roger's state champion Foutch Baseball 9u Red club.

Gates has a son, Beckett, who is batting near .400 this year. Brad Foutch's son Gavin finished up with a sparkling .724 batting average.

Roger's prep career at Atherton and CBL-West playing career was memorable, but he's best known for his coaching in addition to being one of the best baseball sponsors in local history. He led prep baseball and basketball teams at Atherton, Lake Fenton and Grand Blanc in addition to 32 years as the winningest coach in CBL-West history. His nearly 1,000 victories,  21 CBL-West titles including 16 straight at one point,  earned him a place in the Greater Flint Sports Hall of Fame.

Maybe a couple of his grandsons will someday join  him there. They're off to great starts!

PHOTO CAPTION: Roger Foutch poses above at Foutch's Strike Zone with son Brad and grandsons Gavin and Jack. Click on each of the photos in the collage below to read the captions.

 PHOTO CAPTION: Pictured above is Foutch Baseball's 8u Black travel ballclub after winning a tournament in Owosso. Roger Foutch's grandson (Gavin Foutch) was one of the team's stars. In the back row (from left) are Assistant Coach, Assistant Coach Matt DuPrey, sponsor Roger Foutch, Assistant Coach Mark McKinnon and Head Coach Brad Foutch. Players kneeling in front of them are Conner Duffy, Lukas Buelter, Loklan Freeman, Collin McKinnon, Gavin Foutch, Nolan Hatchew, WIlliams DuPrey, Chase Williams, Brock Beckley and Preston Guevara. (See Related Story in Today's Local Youth Sports section of Sports in The Daily Gazette)