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Pro Auctions, an online liquidation company, is now taking consignments for its weekly online auctions that are held every Sunday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on the company's website at www.prozuctionspay.com A nationwide company based out of Atlanta Georgia, the business opened the doors to its Michigan franchise the first of the year.

The establishment services all of North America but can sell and ship worldwide.

Governmental agencies, business owners, private citizens, and "anyone with something to sell" are welcome to contact the business regarding items they wish to have auctioned off.

"We will sell your goods for you," stated co-owner Ryan Behm.

"We liquidate anything of value; tangible goods, vehicles, farm equipment and general equipment, real estate; if you want to get rid of it, we'll sell it."

Behm noted that due to the fact that the amount of goods in Michigan is so high, but the economy is so low, it is hard for people to get what an item is worth when selling it outright.

"Michigan has no shortage of goods. As things leave the state all the stuff is still here. We serve as a portal to a worldwide market to move this abundance of goods."

Behm also noted that the business is very locally oriented.

"We are helping the local economy by hiring local employees, and by spending our money right here in this town, and that's key," stated Behm.

In its first month of operation Pro Auctions has already worked with local municipalities such as the Village of Chesaning and Chesaning Township, along with many local businesses.

Pro Auctions has also worked with several Saginaw County Governmental agencies, the Leelanau County Road Commission, and Consumers Power Company, to name a few.

Behm notes that there is no risk for people to just browse offered merchandise on the company's website and that purchasing items at the weekly auction is also not a risk due to the fact that electronic payment is not part of the process.

"We are a brick and mortar store for an online business. Customers can pick up and pay for their items at the Brady Street building.

Shipping is also available for those who cannot pick up items in person.

Hours of operation are Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The business is closed for lunch form 12 to 12:30 p.m.

In exchange for their services, Pro Auctions charges a flat sales commission. The business charges 12 percent for items that sell below $2,000 and 7 percent for items that sell for $2,000 or more. All items are subject to a $20 minimum charge.

The Chesaning location can be reached at 989-845-1072.

Relay For Life kick off celebration February 20 Aloha!!

Re-lei Survivor Island themed event May 17, 18

DEB MILLER

The Tri-County Citizen

Celebrate. Remember. Fight Back.

Those are the words cancer survivors, those battling cancer, their friends and family, and loved ones of those lost to cancer, who each year take part in American Cancer Society (ACS) Relay for Life events across the nation live by.

As they gather to participate in a 24-hour ceremony/fundraiser that is filled with cheers, and lots of tears, participants remember loved ones lost to the battle, honor survivors who made it, and raise funds to help eradicate one of the nation's top killers.

Relay For Life is an exciting, overnight event where teams of people camp out, decorate their campsites, take turns walking laps on the track, socialize, and enjoy entertainment, along with a wide variety of additional activities, while raising funds to help in the fight to stamp out this deadly disease.

The ACS invites everyone in the South & West Saginaw County community to celebrate cancer survivorship, remember loved ones lost, and fight back against cancer at the fourth annual Relay For Life of South & West Saginaw County, which is scheduled for Saturday, May 17 and Sunday, May 18 at the St. Charles High School football stadium. The Aloha! Re-lei Survivor Island themed event will begin at 9 a.m. on the 17th and conclude at 9 a.m. on the 18th.

Participants and visitors of this year's event will have the opportunity to celebrate the victory of area cancer survivors during a "Survivors Lap," remember those lost to the battle during the poignant "Luminaria Ceremony," and participate in the new "Fight Back Ceremony" that gives everyone a chance to proclaim their way of taking action against the disease.

And although the event is three months away, now is the time to start making plans.

The kick off celebration for this year's Relay For Life will be held on Wednesday, February 20 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the Rustic Inn in St. Charles. Registration begins at 5:30 p.m. The Rustic Inn is located at 133 N. Saginaw St.

Anyone interested in participating in, or learning more about Relay For Life is invited to attend this informational session.

Those planning on attending the kick off event are asked to please RSVP by February 15 to Kristin Hetzel at 989-895-1730 or kristin.hetzel@cancer.org Or for more information on how to get involved in the May event, contact Megan Browne at 989-737-9634 or mlbrowne@charter.net The American Cancer Society is a nationwide community-based voluntary health organization founded in 1913 that is dedicated to eliminating cancer as a major health problem by preventing cancer, saving lives, and diminishing suffering from cancer through research, education, advocacy, and service. National headquarters are located in Atlanta, GA. The Society has 13 Regional divisions and local offices in 3,400 communities involving millions of volunteers across the United States.

For more information on the ACS, call toll free 1-800-ACS-2345 or visit www.cancer.org Donations can be made to this local Relay For Life by visiting www.relayforlife.org Those interested can start, or join a team by following the links to the local Relay For Life event on that same website.

Local Saginaw County Rail Trail leadership continues pursuit of extension

Saginaw County Parks and Recreation agrees to pursue the possibility

Hillary Darling

The Tri-County Citizen

CHESANING - Dale Tithof and Randy Michaelis, local leaders for the push to extend the Saginaw County Rail Trail into Chesaning, reached another step in their two-year-old efforts at the Saginaw County Parks and Recreation Commission's February 7 meeting, where the group agreed to work with the Michigan Department of Transportation to pursue the possibility of an additional eight miles of trail.

Parks and Recreation Director John Schmude, who said that the group currently is unable to finance more maintenance than the costs of the existing trail, dubbed the next step a fact-finding venture. "If we're to proceed, we have to get this [financial] hurdle taken care of, because at this time, there has been no hard and fast decision made," he said.

SCPRC did not yet have an estimated cost for maintaining the extra miles of trail, but Schmude offered a current average expense per mile of about $3,000.

The next step for SCPRC is to fill out paperwork that will open discussion and determine interest with MDOT and the rail line currently leasing the property of the potential trail.

"It's the best news we've had on this end since of informational meeting two years ago last month," said Titof. "...that doesn't mean there won't be obstacles along the way, but MDOT and Saginaw County Parks and Recreation are now jointly pursuing the possibility of the extension."

Last Thursday's meeting was the first time the two parties agreed to work on the extension.

Titof and Michaelis are optimistic that the extension will eventually take place. "The Rail Trail is the most popular park in the county," said Tithof, "and we have received a lot of support to extend that."

The trail is currently about 10 miles long, extending from St. Charles to Strobel Road in James Township. The proposal would extend the trial eight additional miles into Chesaning.

Titof and Michaelis recently received a positive response in their request for support from the Chesaning and St. Charles Townships and Villages; Chesaning Village decided to support the extension on November 20 and St. Charles followed suit on December 12. The proposed extension has also been incorporated with SCPRC's and Chesaning Parks and Recreation's five-year plans.

Tithof said the crusade for the extra miles of trail has strong local support with minimal objection. "The current Rail Trail continues to get positive remarks," Tithof commented.

Tithof and Michaelis are optimistic that the Rail Trail will be eventually extended into Chesaning. "However, because of the parties involved, funding, construction, etc.," said Tithof, "the process is slow moving."