Rose Bogardus

Patrick Gleason

GENESEE COUNTY, Michigan — Rose Bogardus has resigned her seat on the county Board of Commissioners, and the Davison Democrat could get a jump Wednesday on starting her new job as register of deeds.

Bogardus said today that she has resigned, effective at 11 a.m. Wednesday, the same time a three-member county panel is scheduled to meet to discuss appointing a successor to the late Melvin McCree for the remainder of this year.

McCree had retired from the job because of his failing health earlier this year and a deputy was running the office.

John W. Adkisson | The Flint Journal Emily Schoenauer, 23, (left) plays with a string in her room as her mother, Carla, (right) watches in their Davison home. Carla raised Emily, who has Down syndrome, in spite of doctors' recommendations at her time of birth.

"Don't look at it," the doctor told Carla Schoenauer moments after she had given birth. "You don't have to keep it."

In 1985, Schoenauer was 25 years old and "it" was her daughter, born with Down syndrome. The doctor's words terrified her.

For two days she didn't see or hold her infant girl. Her husband, Roger, refused to let doctors' words shake him.

RICHFIELD TOWNSHIP, Michigan — Consolidation of facilities should help Bristol Steel & Conveyor Corp. preserve dozens of local jobs, a company official said.

The business, which township Supervisor Jim Jacques said may be the biggest company in the township, is completing a 12,000-square-foot addition to house manufacturing operations previously performed by a Bristol Steel facility on Jimbo Drive in southeast Burton.

If a home of your own is at the top of this year's Christmas wish list, you might need a bigger stocking because Dort Federal Credit Union plans to give away two homes this holiday season.

Every year the credit union's board of directors looks for ways to give back to the community, but this year it super-sized its efforts to help two needy families.

GRAND BLANC TOWNSHIP, Michigan -- Grand Blanc Township had 116 deer-car crashes in 200 7 -- more than any municipality in Genesee County, according to the Michigan Office of Highway Safety Planning.

Atlas Township ranked second with 95 such crashes and no injuries reported.

Donald Lada

GRAND BLANC TOWNSHIP, Michigan -- The Boy Scouts Tall Pine Council honored Donald Lada with its 25th annual Distinguished Citizen Award for his lifetime of service to the Flint area at an awards dinner Thursdaylast Thursday at Warwick Hills Golf & Country Club.

Tall Pine Council has recognized him for exemplifying Scouting values and making a significant impact in the community.

Lada, a licensed funeral director for more than 46 years and former owner of Brown Funeral Home, has used his professional and personal experiences to bring community service into his place of work.