Central Michigan University officials will amend the new tailgating procedures to allow students to use external sound systems, which will start at 8:30 a.m. with Saturday’s tailgate in Lot 63 before the football game against Eastern Michigan.

All other tailgating expectations remain unchanged.

Athletics Director Dave Heeke said the sound systems will have to adhere to certain requirements pertaining to emergency situations. He said the restriction on sound systems originated because emergency personnel could not communicate in the lot in previous years.

“We’ll work with emergency personnel as long as we know students will be supportive and turn their systems off when we need it most,” Heeke said. “It will be responsibly enforced, but it’s not a hard-fast rule just yet.”

A joint statement was released Thursday from Interfraternity Council President Brandyn Lawson, CMU Police Chief Bill Yeagley, Heeke and Student Government Association President Jason Nichol.

Yeagley said vehicles with external sound systems will be placed in specific locations, and security will notify those individuals in advance regarding what to do in an emergency situation. He said the amendment appears to be a good compromise.

“This was an area that people had some concern,” Yeagley said. “Let’s give it a try.”

Student committee

University officials are working with a student ad-hoc committee formed by Nichol to ensure there is greater communication and understanding of tailgating expectations in Lot 63.

Nichol said the committee is looking at other possible amendments to the policies, but its primary focus at this time involves the ban on external sound systems.

“The students stood up,” said Nichol, a Mount Pleasant senior. “We hope (this change) will draw the majority of the fraternities and sororities back. It will also draw more people away from Main Street. One of the unique parts about CMU is that tailgating culture, (and Athletics) has been really receptive to the student input.”

SGA Vice President Brittany Mouzourakis, a Garden City senior, said such a committee is formed whenever there is a pressing issue on campus — in this case, tailgating.

To register a vehicle with an external sound system, individuals can pre-purchase a parking pass for Lot 63 and will be required to set up sound systems three-and-a-half hours before the start of the game.

A limited number of these parking passes will be available for sale at 8 a.m. Thursday at the Athletic Ticket Office for $6.

“We don’t have an exact number set on that,” Heeke said. “We’re kind of being flexible to determine what works and what doesn’t. What we’ve done is expand the amount of time for tailgate to those with external sound systems, though.”

Individuals with sound system passes will receive early entry to Lot 63 — they are able to park at 8:30 a.m. Saturday. They will be moved to the front of the line to park. Heeke said either entrance to the lot can be used; there is no preference.

No other tailgate procedures are changing, nor are they expected to change, Heeke said. Other rules implemented by CMU include a six-beer or one pint of liquor limit per person, the creation of pedestrian checkpoints and an emergency lane.

“All of them are reasonable and sit within the mantra of providing a safe environment for students who attend,” Heeke said. “(This change) is something students are supportive of and will increase participation in the student lot.

“Quite frankly, students have the choice to tailgate, like any of our fans, wherever they want. But, the more students that come out, the better the atmosphere and overall experience becomes.”

- Senior Reporter Jake Bolitho contributed to this story.

A Facilities Management employee checks the water for bacteria levels every week, said Stan Shingles, director of University Recreation services.

“It’s no different than if someone vomits in the pool. Same goes for if someone urinates or defecates — it’s the same procedure,” Shingles said. “It’s standard operating procedure to shut it down.”

A pace swim Mount Pleasant High School class, as well as swimming and water polo clubs at Central Michigan University, will not be allowed to use the facility until Monday, when Shingles said he expects the pool to reopen.

Shingles said the Student Activity Center pool will be open this weekend and continue its hours as scheduled.

“This will have no effect on other activities going on this weekend in Rose Arena,” he said. “Volleyball and all other activities will continue as scheduled as well.”

Putting a paint brush in their hand allows them to reflect their mood onto a canvas.

Giving them paint to splatter onto a canvas twice their size? It’s a messy experience, but it’s one the kids won’t forget, said Kevin Daum, a Village Art Project volunteer.

The seven-week project is a collaborative art program for youth at the Mount Pleasant Mobile Home Village. They produced paintings, paper mache collages, cement stepping stones and photography. Their work will be on display from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Wednesday at the Ward Theatre, 218 S. Main St.

“We haven’t done something like this before, neither have the kids,” Daum said. “The goal was to help these kids see that there are good things, and there is creativity inside of them. Using art is a nice way to go about allowing them to see the good that is in them. It puts all these children on a level playing field. Everyone can try to draw something.”

The program was split into two age brackets: One for children under 6 years old, the other for children between the ages of 7 and 15.

Daum said the group of volunteers visited the children once a week since June 25, giving them different tasks and opportunities to express themselves artistically. This gallery show’s their work, he said, something they may not get another chance to do for years.

“I am just excited for them to have an opportunity to be seen in the community in a positive light,” Daum said. “Some people in the community have a negative image on the mobile home village. These people have great stories and are worth caring about.”

The Village Art Project Gallery Show is open to the public.

Employed at the Isabella County Sheriff’s Department for 34 years, he has a list of duties and responsibilities that speak to the dedication for his job, but it was a spark of easy-going personability that made everyone he encountered feel welcome into his life.

Denslow died Tuesday morning at Sparrow Hospital in Lansing of complications following a surgery for internal bleeding. He was being treated at the facility for two months, and was in serious condition the last five weeks.

“He was always smiling, always trying to get people to laugh with a very welcoming personality and never had a bad thing to say, only kind words. That’s Dan,” said Bill Yeagley, Central Michigan University’s next police chief.

Yeagley first met Denslow when he was a county dispatcher, a job he started in July 1975. In the mid-70s, dispatchers would run criminal history checks for officers on the scene.

After about seven years as a dispatcher, Denslow was promoted to work as a temporary road deputy. That job became official in 1987.

“It’s not a common thing for any dispatcher to become a detective sargeant, but for someone like Dan, I am sure it was a breeze,” Yeagley said. “I would listen to him on the radio when I started off on night shifts. When I would go to the jail, we would spend time talking, and he has such a welcoming personality, always finding a kind word to say in every conversation.”

In his work as a road deputy, he wrote tickets and answered complaints, but did it with such grace that people wanted him around, Mioduszewski said.

“There was always something about Dan. People liked him, he was able to get them to open up. He was trustworthy,” Mioduszewski said.

Growing up in Isabella County helped immensely, as people knew Denslow and he knew the people: what they wanted to hear, what their problems were and how to help them in almost every situation.

He was promoted again in 1997 to sergeant and then detective sergeant one year later.

Yeagely remembers Denslow as a man who aimed to please, one who tried to make you laugh every chance he had. Yeagley recalls Dan’s favorite pieces to his outfit: cowboy boots and a large cowboy hat.

He said anytime he was wearing these,he couldn’t wipe the smile off of Denslow’s face, even if he tried.

“They were bigger than he was,” Yeagley said. “He’d wear them with a wink and a smile. … Dan was always willing to do whatever was asked of him, no matter how poor the job was. No task was too small for him. He’s just a stand-up guy. I know we will all miss him.”

Denslow, a 58-year-old lifelong Isabella County resident, graduated from Mount Pleasant High School. He served as a crisis negotiator for the Isabella County Emergency Services Team, an arson investigator with the “Cause and Origin” team and represented the department on the Child and Family Enrichment Council.

He was also a former member of the department’s dive team and did undercover work with the Bay Area Narcotics Enforcement Team.

A great list of accomplishments made for a stellar career, but Denslow will be remembered for how he approached the job not his titles, said Sheriff Leo Mioduszewski. While a very loyal, dedicated officer, the grace of Denslow’s smile is what made people feel at home in his company.

“It’s very easy for police officers to make people unhappy, whether writing a speeding ticket or arresting them. That’s not the case for Dan,” Mioduszewski said. “(He) had a knack for never upsetting people at all. He didn’t set out to do that, I don’t think. It’s just who he was. They respected him, he did it professionally. He’s a super detective.”

Denslow worked on multiple felony cases, Mioduszewski said, taking the lead on most investigations while working at the county sheriff’s department.

Nearly 19 years ago, Mioduszewski and Denslow took multiple trips to Alpena in the summer for crisis negotiating training. The two would share an army-barrack style room with bunk beds – very tight quarters.

Mioduszewski describes himself as not being a morning person, but every summer he spent with Denslow, he was sort of forced to become one.

Denslow would wake up at 4 a.m., waking Mioduszewski along the way. The two would get an early morning workout at the gym.

“He convinced me to do it,” Mioduszewski said with a laugh. “After the workout, we would still have two hours before the dining hall opened for breakfast. I am not a morning person, never was, but I enjoyed Dan’s company too much too pass it up … He always had a good sense of humor – nice comical, witty commentary.”

Aside from his job, Denslow was an avid fisherman and deer hunter.

“Just a perfect employee, always had a smile on his face,” Mioduszewski said. “When you first meet him it seems like you’ve known him all your life. Everybody loves him. He will be sorely missed.”

A visitation will take place from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday at the Charles R. Lux Family Funeral Home, 2300 S. Lincoln Road. His funeral will be at 1 p.m. Friday at Sacred Heart Church.

news@cm-life.com

A fire destroyed the Horr Trading Post in western Isabella County at about 1:15 a.m. today.

The building, near the intersection of Weidman and Wyman roads in Sherman Township, was fully engulfed at about 1:25 a.m., according to Isabella County’s Central Dispatch.

Firefighters from the Nottawa-Sherman Townships Fire Department, Barryton Community Fire Department and Deerfield Township Fire Department responded to the call.

Officials do not yet know the cause of the fire.

The Horr Trading Post, more commonly known to Sherman Township residents as “The Horr Store,” had been standing since the early 1900s, when it was constructed, Township officials said.

Check cm-life.com for more 24/7 coverage and photos from the fire.

It’s my second semester as Editor in Chief of this publication, and I’ve made a few adjustments to get the news readers want to see.

For years, the news desk has had three editors who essentially assigned out various stories covering Central Michigan University and Mount Pleasant. I decided it was time to put a little more definition to this role.

One desk of three editors has been split to three desks for three editors – each still assigning stories, but with more specific detail to beat reporting. CM Life now features three new news desks – University, Student Life and Metro.

The University desk is led by Royal Oak junior David Veselenak, who has worked for the newspaper since September 2006 and has been a senior reporter and news editor. Veselenak looks to have a keen eye on the administration and offices at CMU. If you have any university-related story ideas or tips, Veselenak can be reached by e-mail at university@cm-life.com.

The Student Life desk is headed up by Shelby Township senior Caitlin M. Foyt. She has been on staff since August 2005 and most recently was Lifeline editor for the 2007-08 school year. Foyt’s desk will be covering all that is ‘student life,’ incorporating feature stories, student profiles, Greek Life, Registered Student Organizations and campus events. She aims to produce content readers can relate to. Contact Caitlin M. Foyt at studentlife@cm-life.com.

Mike Wayland, a Grosse Pointe Woods senior, is our Metro Editor. He was News Copy Chief last fall and covered Mount Pleasant’s crime and courtroom coverage. In his new role, Wayland will oversee city and county news, including all coverage of Isabella County boards and the Mount Pleasant City Commission. He will also lead efforts in cops and courts. Wayland can be reached at metro@cm-life.com

As for the page you are currently reading, it is led by former Managing Editor and Troy senior Brian McLean. Under the new title of Voices Editor, he will be in charge of all opinion material.

Milford senior Matthew Stephens and Traverse City senior John Brumbaugh are in charge of all visual components as our photo editors.

Traverse City senior Garret Ellison is at the Managing Editor post and Northville senior Caitlin Wixted and Midland junior Brad Canze are back in their Design and Lifeline editor positions, respectively.

Woodhaven sophomore Tim Ottusch moves from the news desk to his new position as Sports Editor. Contact Ottusch at sports@cm-life.com.

Saginaw senior Brian Manzullo is our Online Editor, working to redesign the Web site premiering later this semester.

Foyt is also updating readers through Twitter on our top headlines and news content, giving everyone a preview a day before the edition even hits the newsstands. Check twitter.com/cmlife for updates.

What remains as a constant is our dedication to fair, accurate reporting. That is something I take very seriously, and will ensure every issue.

You can contact me at editor@cm-life.com or call at 774-5433.