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Bacon, who resides in Montrose, entered guilty pleas on one count of embezzlement, four counts of uttering and publishing (creating and cashing forged checks), and five counts of using a computer to committee a crime.

Bacon entered the guilty plea in exchange for not spending time in prison.

Bacon's attorney, Michael P. Manley, entered a Cobb's Plea on her behalf.

The Cobb's plea included the guilty plea on all ten counts on the condition that she not spend more than a year in jail.

During sentencing the judge will have the choice to sentence Bacon to more jail time if he chooses, however, under the Cobb's Plea she would then have the right to withdrawal her guilty plea and stand trial on the charges.

If the guilty plea stands, Bacon's sentence will likely include one year in jail along with a lengthy period of probation.

The judge will also likely mandate that Bacon make full restitution to the school district with conditions of her probation being that she be working and making payment to the district.

Under Michigan and Federal law the state can garnish 25 percent of Bacon's wages to be paid to the district.

While some feel the proposed punishment doesn't seem like much in relation to the crime committed and the damage done, voicing their opinion that Bacon deserves prison time, those involved note that the proposed sentence is actually better all the way around.

If Bacon were sentenced to prison time, the school probably would not receive any money until she was released and able to work. With a short jail term she will be able to begin working and making payment to the district sooner.

Acceptance of her guilty plea would also save taxpayers the cost of a trial where, under the State of Michigan Sentencing Guidelines Bacon would likely receive a light sentence anyway.

According to Jordan Harris of Collins & Blaha, general legal counsel for the school district, the guidelines rate an offender, by standards that include, being a habitual offender and what type of crime was committed.

Since this was Bacon's first offense, and it was a white collar crime not a violent crime, she would likely fall under the 0-17 months jail time category.

School district officials noted that they were pleased with the guilty plea and the proposed sentencing, and that it was rewarding to hear Bacon admit her wrongdoing by stating "guilty" in court.

"This has been a lengthy process and we are glad to see that the legal process is finally playing out," stated Montrose Superintendent Mark Kleinhans.

"The school is pretty much out of it now and it is now just a matter of waiting for the legal process to take its course." The judge has directed the school district to prepare a victim's statement for his review in sentencing consideration.

Kleinhans noted that the district is in the process of creating that statement under the direction of its legal counsel.

The district currently has a civil lawsuit pending against Bacon that seeks restitution of the full $1.2 million to the school system.

"Obviously our goal is to regain as much money for the district as possible and we are working to get every penny back that was taken from this school system," Kleinhans said.

In the meantime, the district received a payment of $200,000 from its insurance company.

A November 20 sentencing hearing has been set for Bacon.

Chesaning-Brady Fire Dept. improvements could mean savings for residents

CHESANING/BRADY TWPS. -- The opening of the new Chesaning-Brady Fire Department hall two weeks ago generated excitement in the community. Now, area residents could get one unexpected benefit from the new facility and other department improvements - when it comes to their home insurance.

Several enhancements in the department's equipment and operations have resulted in an improved rating from Insurance Services Office, Inc. (ISO), the leading supplier of statistical, underwriting, and actuarial information for the property/casualty insurance industry. The ratings are based on nationally accepted standards to help fire departments and other public officials measure the effectiveness of their efforts and plan for improvements. As the classification ratings change to a lower number, insurance premiums decrease.

The Chesaning-Brady Fire Department earned an improved classification through equipment upgrades, firefighter training, strong leadership and improved response time. Corrin said plans for the new fire hall had a positive impact on the survey, which was conducted in 2005.

Chesaning Township Supervisor Robert Corrin is urging commercial, residential and industrial property owners to contact their fire insurance companies and inform them of the new ISO Classification and request a premium reduction.

Corrin recently contacted his own insurance company about the rate reduction, and his latest home insurance bill reflected the discount.

"The larger companies might be advised on this by the ISO, but there is no law that the policy changes have to be made automatically. Most people aren't aware of this change, so they would never think to check on it," he said. "It is worth asking about." The classification change was effective February 1, 2006.

Calculations for fire insurance premiums vary from insurance company to insurance company.

The Chesaning-Brady Fire Department provides fire protection and safety services to more than 4,000 residents in Chesaning and Brady Townships and the villages of Oakley and Chesaning. The department is staffed by 26 volunteer firefighters.

The department unveiled its new 9,750 square-foot building at 1632 W. Brady Rd. (M-57) during a community open house on Oct. 7.

Big Rock playground update

CHESANING -- The Big Rock Elementary Parent Group sponsored a community

build on Saturday, Oct. 20, to install phase one of new playground

equipment. The group has been working toward this goal for the past six

years and is finally happy to see it come to fruition.

The students of Big Rock Elementary competed in a coin drive the week of

Oct. 1-5. The classroom collecting the most won the right to be the first

group to try out the new addition to the playground.

Kindergarten through fourth grade students, as well as the preschool

programs held at the school, raised a total of $2,320.77 toward phase two, a

mobius climber.

The class with the largest donation was Patrick Williams' with $389.41.

Rounding out the top three were Jan Ambrose's class with $315.24 and Donna

Nohel's class with $282.81.

The school will celebrate the installation of the equipment on Monday, Oct.

22 at 11:30 a.m. with a ribbon-cutting ceremony.