ST. HELEN – A Flint man died when his golf cart turned into the path of truck June 29.

According to a statement from Richfield Township Department of Public Safety, at approximately 3:25 p.m., officers, firefighters, and EMS personnel were dispatched by Roscommon County Central Dispatch to a traffic crash on E. West Branch Road, west of Woods Road, in Richfield Township, Roscommon County.

The preliminary investigation indicates that a 79-year-old man from Flint was operating a golf cart westbound on the shoulder of East West Branch Road. As he attempted to make a left turn, the golf cart entered the travel lane and collided with the side of a westbound pickup truck driven by a 57-year-old man from Gladwin. Following the collision, the pickup truck left the roadway and struck a tree.

Despite the immediate efforts of bystanders and responding emergency personnel, the golf cart operator succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced deceased at the scene. Police did not identify the victim. The occupants of the pickup truck were transported by Richfield Township Department of Public Safety EMS to a nearby hospital for evaluation and treatment.

East West Branch Road between F-97 and M-76 remained closed for several hours while investigators processed the scene. Richfield Township Department of Public Safety officers were assisted by deputies from the Roscommon County Sheriff’s Office, troopers from the Michigan State Police, a Michigan Department of Natural Resources Conservation Officer, and RTDPS Fire and EMS personnel.

The crash remains under investigation. At this time, alcohol and/or drugs are not believed to be contributing factors.

The Richfield Township Department of Public Safety extends its sincere condolences to the family and loved ones of the deceased during this difficult time.

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ROSCOMMON – The Northern Michigan Children’s Assessment Center (NMCAC) is pleased to announce it has received a grant in the amount of $7,280 from the Roscommon Downtown Development Authority (DDA) to support the construction of a new, dedicated entrance to the Medical Suite at its Roscommon facility.

The new entrance will enhance privacy, safety, and accessibility for the children, adults, and families who receive services through the Center’s medical program. The Medical Suite provides specialized services including Sexual Assault Nurse Examinations (SANE) for both children and adults, as well as other medical assessments that require a confidential and supportive environment.

“As our services continue to grow, ensuring the dignity and privacy of every client remains a top priority,” said Rebecca Yuncker, Executive Director of the Northern Michigan Children’s Assessment Center. “This dedicated entrance will allow individuals seeking medical services to access care discreetly while helping us maintain the highest standards of confidentiality and safety. We are grateful to the Roscommon DDA for recognizing the importance of this project and investing in the well-being of our community.”

The Northern Michigan Children’s Assessment Center serves six counties throughout Northern Michigan and provides a comprehensive range of services for children and families impacted by abuse, including forensic interviews, victim advocacy, medical services, prevention education, and therapeutic support.

Because multiple services often occur simultaneously within the facility, the dedicated Medical Suite entrance creates a separate access point for medical clients, reducing traffic through shared spaces and providing a more comfortable experience for those seeking care during difficult and sensitive circumstances.

The project reflects NMCAC’s ongoing commitment to creating a safe, welcoming, and trauma-informed environment where children, adults, and families can begin their journey toward healing.

The Northern Michigan Children’s Assessment Center extends its sincere appreciation to the Roscommon Downtown Development Authority for its support of this important enhancement to the Center and the services it provides to the community.

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According to Director Tom Pettit, the United Way food truck will be set up between Richfield Township Hall and the St. Helen Fire Department beginning at 1 p.m., where volunteers will serve hot bean soup to residents.

In addition to the meal service, Richfield Township Hall will be open as a warming station, offering a safe, heated space for those seeking relief from cold weather conditions.

The visit is part of United Way’s ongoing efforts to provide direct, on-the-ground assistance to communities across the region, particularly during periods of colder temperatures when access to warm food and shelter becomes increasingly important.

Mobile outreach efforts like the food truck allow the organization to meet residents where they are, helping ensure that seniors, families, and individuals facing hardship have access to basic necessities.

Residents in need of a hot meal or a warm place to spend time are encouraged to stop by this afternoo

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By Donna Thoma

ROSCOMMON — On Monday, Dec. 16, 2024, downtown Roscommon changed forever when the Spruce Motor Lodge caught fire, erasing a piece of local history.

After more than a year, the damaged building will finally come down. Initial demolition is scheduled to begin Jan. 15.

Roscommon Village Manager Ron Alden said at the Roscommon Village Council’s Jan. 8 meeting that Mad Dog Demollition of Houghton Lake has been hired to handle the demolition. The cost for removal is expected to be about $105,000, although overruns are possible depending on what is discovered during foundation removal.

To ensure the safety of residents and travelers during the process, Alden announced several road closures:

• M-18/Lake Street, between Main Street and 6th Streets; and

• Main Street from M-18 to George Street.

Travelers are advised to seek alternate routes.

The Spruce Motor Lodge was a historic building once known as the Pioneer House. It opened in the early 1870s as a boardinghouse for lumbermen.

Between 1885 and 1936, the building underwent three major renovations, evolving into a hotel with 22 guest rooms and three apartments. During the 1920s and ’30s, visitors from as far away as Hollywood, California, and Havana, Cuba, stayed at the hotel, including comedian Groucho Marx.

— Donna can be reached at donnathoma0@gmail.com.

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All are welcome—come as you are and share in the light of Christmas.

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Danielle Schall, a longtime Houghton Lake resident with deep ties to the community, is joining the Voice as a marketing consultant serving the Houghton Lake and Prudenville areas.

Schall moved to Houghton Lake at age 10 and has spent most of her life in the region. CEO and Publisher Mark Constance said Danielle’s connection to the community made her a natural fit for the role.

“Danielle understands the area, the people who live here and the challenges and opportunities local businesses face,” Constance said. “Her experience, combined with her passion for the Houghton Lake area, will be a tremendous benefit to our customers.”

Schall brings more than a decade of customer service experience to the table. Constance said that mix of communication, organization and problem-solving skills will help her serve businesses looking to reach readers across the five-county Up North Voice coverage area.

As a mother of five, Schall said family is at the center of her life. She spends much of her time at her children’s events or enjoying the outdoors, during northern Michigan’s warmer months.

“I really care about this community and the people who live here,” Schall said. “I’m looking forward to helping local businesses grow and connecting with people who share the same love for this area.”

She can be reached at danielle@upnorthvoice.com or 989-614-0312 for consultations or inquiries.

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Monthly distribution sites include:

St. Helen Senior Center, 10493 Airport Rd., St. Helen (3rd Wed., 9–10 a.m.)

Roscommon Community Center, 510 South St., Roscommon (3rd Wed., 10:30–11:30 a.m)

Houghton Lake Community Center, Townline Road, Houghton Lake (3rd Thurs. 9:30–10:30 a.m.). 

Visit https://nmcaa.net/commodity-supplemental-food-program/ for more information. 

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The service concludes with a free soup supper, and attendance is open to all. 

For more information, call 989- 348-9093 Tuesday through Thursday, 9 a.m.–1 p.m.

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Rx Kids is a first-of-its-kind program that provides cash assistance to help families manage the high cost of welcoming and raising a baby. Eligible residents in Gladwin and Roscommon counties will receive $1,500 during pregnancy, followed by $500 per month throughout the baby’s first six months of life with no requirements attached.

“Across our communities, families are doing their best to provide for their children, but the costs that come with a new baby can add up quickly,” said Steve Hall, CMDHD Health Officer. “By expanding Rx Kids, we’re helping parents meet those early expenses and create a stronger foundation for their growing families.”

Launched in Flint in 2024, Rx Kids has expanded to more than 20 Michigan communities, including Kalamazoo, Pontiac and the Eastern Upper Peninsula. The program began in Clare County on August 1, 2025, becoming the first Central Michigan community to offer this approach to reducing childhood poverty and supporting families. Since its launch, Rx Kids has distributed $213,500 to 107 Clare County families.

“We are delighted to be expanding to Roscommon and Gladwin Counties, bringing life-changing support to more families across Mid-Michigan,” said Dr. Mona Hanna, Rx Kids Director and Associate Dean of Public Health at Michigan State University.

“In the months ahead, we look forward to bringing Rx Kids to even more Michigan families, thanks to generous support from the State of Michigan and a growing family of funders.”

Rx Kids is a program of the Michigan State University Pediatric Public Health Initiative, in collaboration with Poverty Solutions at the University of Michigan and administered by GiveDirectly. CMDHD will lead local outreach and help connect eligible families to the program in Gladwin and Roscommon counties.

The expansion is supported by the State of Michigan and philanthropic partners, including the Skyline Foundation. Current funding provides prenatal assistance and six months of monthly payments for about 400 families per year across both counties. Additional donors are being sought to extend benefits through the baby’s full first year and beyond.

Residents of Gladwin and Roscommon counties who are at least 16 weeks pregnant and expecting a child on or after December 1, 2025, can enroll online at their county’s page: rxkids.org/communities/gladwin-county/ or rxkids.org/communities/roscommon-county/. For general information about the program, visit rxkids.org.

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