KIWANIS CHRISTMAS BASKETS DELIVERED

Kiwanian Jason Decker and Hudson wrestler Keith Walworth load a truck with Kiwanis Christmas baskets, which were delivered Tuesday afternoon. The efforts of the Kiwanis were aided by several others in the community, including Hi-Lex Controls, which donated 26 turkeys to the food baskets. The Market House again provided space and materials to the effort, and Kiwanians and Wrestlers made the deliveries.

Russell Fox Residence Catches on Fire

HUDSON FIREMEN were called to the Russell Fox residence on Pleasant Street last Wednesday morning. The house received heavy damage from the fire; it was insured. It is believed to have started from a kerosene heater. Hudson firemen were assisted by  the Addison and Waldron departments along with several others.
 

Santa Visits Hudson Boys and Girls Club

SANTA VISITS HUDSON BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB:  Elementary members of the Boys & Girls Club were surprised Monday by a visit from jolly old St. Nick.  Santa talked with each child and helpers assisted children in choosing from a variety of gifts that had been donated to the club.  Each member also received a Christmas stocking that had been made by Middle and High School Boys & Girls Club members, on a sewing machine that had been donated to the club.  The Middle and High School members of the Hudson Club are having their Christmas celebration at Hudson Lanes and also received stockings and gifts.  Their party was made possible by a donation from the Hudson Knights of Columbus toward the event.  The Hudson Extension of the Boys & Girls Club of Lenawee appreciates the support of the Hudson Community and will hold a parent and community meeting in January to let the public know of the programming the club offers to children and the support it needs to keep operating.

Second Grade Christmas Carolers


Aaron Bishop and Sam Darr were among second graders from Lincoln School  that sang Christmas carols around the downtown area last week.

Police Seek Home Invasion Suspects

At 11:46 PM Sunday evening Hudson Police responded to a 911 call from 511 W. Main Street, Hudson, in regards to a home invasion and robbery. The 59 year old home owner was overpowered and assaulted by several subjects.  Police reported that the victim was bound and that property was taken from the home. The victim was able to free himself and call for help. He was transported to Bixby Hospital for his injuries, the extent of which are unknown.

According to police, the scene was secured and processed for evidence. The Hudson Police Department was assisted by the Lenawee County Sheriff Office and Morenci Police Department.

The incident is still under investigation. The Hudson Police Department is asking anyone that may have information regarding this crime to call them at (517) 448-8129 or 448-3333.

Don't be alone for Christmas

JoAnn Crater says, "Don't sit home alone on Christmas Day! Don't settle for bologna sandwiches or delivered meals. Come join me at the Hudson Community Center from 10 AM to 4 PM for a delightful Christmas Dinner and heartwarming conversations."

She says that she's had quite  a bit of response to her program, and has had many donations to support it. She says that transportation is available for those that need it, and that dinner starts serving at 11:30 AM. For more information or if you have questions, call her at 448-7312 or 448-3801. "I would love to have you join me!" she says.

Competitive Cheerleaders Win

Cheers win at Onsted: Hudson traveled to Onsted for the earliest start ever to the competitive cheerleading season and they came home with a win. The Lady Tiger squad dominated the competition as nobody was even close to them in the final scoring. Hudson won by over 100 points in taking its first title of the new season. The team will be off now until after the holidays. The next competition is on January 13th at Morenci.  Photo courtesy Jeffrey Steers

Grades 1-5 Learn Basketball Fundamentals

APPROXIMATELY 30 girls in grades 1-4 have been learning the basic fundamentals of basketball the past three weeks. Coach Romanowski would like to thank all the young Lady Tigers for their hard work. Grades 5-6 will be starting after Christmas.

First Place for Middle School Wrestling Team

The Middle School Wrestling Team took first place at the 16-Team Individual Tournament at Liberty Center, OH. Hudson was the only school from Michigan that participated.


M&S closes December 22, 2006

After 61 years in the community -- and many of those as the most important industry in the community -- M&S Manufacturing will cease operations on Friday, December 22, said Stacy Mellon, human resources director for the company.

About 100 employees are still employed, said Mellon. The company had about 135 employees when the announcement of the closing came last September.

The company and Michigan Works have been working hard to ease the transition on the idled workers. "We've had the Michigan Works mobile unit here on a couple occasions," Mellon said. "They have put a satellite office in here, an onsite resource room where people can register for training funds, get their names in the talent bank, and seek employment in other ways."

Mellon commented that the company has had quite a bit of success with employees leaving and finding other opportunities.

Much of the company's equipment has been sold, and in a few cases employees have moved with the equipment and the jobs.

Mellon also said that there had at one time been hopes that the company could be sold as a unit, and there had been some interested parties, but in the end all the possibilities fell through.

M&S Manufacturing has been one of the largest suppliers of high-precision machined parts  in the world, according to the company's web site, making machine tolls for milling, staking, turning, grinding, thread rolling, drilling and tapping.  M&S's primary customers are Siemens, Bosch and TRW.

M&S was founded here in 1941 by Alton McGhee and Max Sayre. It was mostly involved with defense contracting during World War II. Over the years the company grew to several hundred employees in a number of buildings, both here and in Morenci.

However, in the past few years the company has been steadily downsizing. Last winter, the company idled several buildings, concentrating operations in just four buildings, all but one in the company's main complex near the corner of M-34 and Munson Highway.

"The company has sustained some very large losses in the past several years," Mellon said. She  cited a number of various factors that led to the company's decline and likely closing, including pricing pressures, overseas competition, and health care costs. "Like any automotive related company, we are seeing the same pressures and problems that other auto related companies are dealing with."

The closure of M&S will have an impact on the community in many ways, not the least of which is tax revenue. "There will be an impact on property taxes, sure," said city treasurer Dixie Wright. "But I can't put any numbers on it at this point. It depends on how a number of things settle out." Mrs. Wright said that there will also be an impact on the city income tax. That won't impact the 2006 taxes much but could have a significant impact in another year. 

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