Hit and Run Update, MGH Options and Famous Footwear

It's been almost two months since the hit-and-run death of Robin Rahoi in Big Bay and still, no charges have been filed.

Family and friends of Ms. Rehoi, along with residents of Big Bay, are confused and dismayed by the delay. What's holding things up?

Michigan State Police refuse to say anything publicly about the case but they do, in fact, have a suspect. They're awaiting results of forensic testing to firm up their case. After that, we can expect charges to be filed.

All along, police have known the principals involved in the case. Big Bay residents were able to tell them that both Ms. Rahoi and occupants of the suspect vehicle had attended a party in town that night.

Ms. Rahoi drove home first but her car broke down in the snow. She got out of the vehicle and was attempting to walk home apparently when she was struck by another vehicle also leaving the party.

Whoever hit her left her body in the snow and drove away.

It's horrible. It's distressing. Authorities are just making certain that when they do make an arrest, the case is airtight.
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It'll be two months, maybe three, before officials decide on a new location for Marquette General Hospital.

Thirty original site proposals are being whittled down to a handful.

Among the proposals? A site in Sawyer. That's certainly too far from Marquette. The same, in all likelihood, with the suggested site at the old airport behind TV6.

Marquette Township has offered up a couple of parcels (40 acres are needed for the new hospital) but there are concerns about locating a hospital in the township. Namely, infrastructure--water and sewer lines may not be adequate. And would the new hospital feel comfortable with a mostly volunteer fire department?

Which leads most who've studied the issue to believe that Duke LifePoint will likely keep the new MGH within city limits. The Cliffs Dow property (if it can be cleaned up) and the Roundhouse property are clearly in the running. A site out by the ski hill is another possible location.

And then there are those who are still stubbornly holding out hope that Duke LifePoint, after considering all the alternatives, will say, what the hell, let's just keep MGH in its current location and spend a couple hundred million dollars improving and expanding the facility.
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Westwood Mall, which is facing the discouraging closure of J.C. Penney in the next few months, may have some good news on the horizon. It's hoping to welcome a couple of new stores this year.

Famous Footwear is a definite. Construction is well underway and jobs will soon be available. It should open this spring.

Another store, featuring clothing, is a possibility. Negotiations haven't been completed yet.

Even together, of course, they wouldn't begin to make up for the loss of J.C. Penney, one of the longtime anchors at Westwood.

And then there's the case of Radio Shack which reportedly is going to shutter 500 of its stores nationwide. Could the outlet at Westwood Mall be a candidate? It'd be naïve to think otherwise. But let's hope not.

The fact that one, and maybe two, national chain stores are moving in, is a good sign that marketers still have some faith in a mall that--let's be honest--could certainly benefit from a facelift.

You got news? Email me at briancabell@gmail.com