EDITORS NOTE: As of Wednesday afternoon, the Holly Police Department located the suspect. Chief Elena Danishevskaya said the department is currently investigating the matter.

HOLLY, Michigan – In a press release issued today, the Holly Police Department is looking into a suspicious incident that occurred at approximately 4:10 p.m. on Feb. 28 near Lakeside Park.

According to the report, a Holly resident observed an unknown white male driving a white Ford cargo van as he followed an 8-year old female for several blocks in the vicinity of Rosette Street and Lakeside Park.

While the driver attempted to speak with the child, he then pulled up to the witness, asking questions about the young girl. After a brief conversation, the witness reports that the driver quickly sped off in the van.

The driver is described as a heavy set white male in his 40s with dark hair. The van is described as a newer Ford cargo van having a possible license plate of CA25375.

Anyone observing the vehicle is asked to contact the Holly Police Department at (248) 634-8221.

HOLLY, Michigan – While making their usual nighttime patrol near Airport and N. Saginaw St., Holly police officers Stephen Pulling and Anthony Modica happened to see a trail of footprints in the freshly fallen snow leading to several vehicles parked in neighborhood driveways.

While most of the vehicles were locked, the officers discovered one unlocked vehicle with the door ajar. The owner confirmed that the vehicle had been entered, and that several items had been stolen.

Officers followed the footprints to a nearby residence where they arrested a suspect. The suspect later confessed to the crime.

No further larcenies have been reported, however the Holly Police Department is requesting that any residents in the area who may have had their vehicle broken into on the evening of Jan. 26 contact Det. Julie Bemus at (248) 634-8221 so that the incident may be added to the complaint.

Mary Ann Vergith

HOLLY, Michigan – Did you know that over 2.7 million American abused prescription pain killers last year, that painkillers and heroin have the same chemical structure and similar effects to the body, or that physical therapy is the number one treatment for relief of back pain and other chronic pain issues?

On Monday, Jan. 23, the Holly Area Community Coalition will host the second segment of a three part series on prescription drugs and opiate abuse, “Alternatives to Pain Medication.”

Physical therapist, Anar Guru will be giving a presentation on how to alleviate chronic pain without the use of pain medication, while Scott Masi from Brighton Hospital will be making a presentation on the growing epidemic of pain medication abuse, and the process of addiction. Holly Police Chief Elena Danishevskaya will be talking about the most recent drug trend among area youth, the use of synthetic marijuana substances.

HOLLY, Michigan – Holly Area Schools will not be in session today as dangerous, icy back road conditions caused a few of the district’s buses to become stuck.

Because of the late call, teachers and administrators were greeting parents as they dropped students off at HHS this morning, informing them that classes had been canceled for the day, and directing them to return home.

Students that were dropped off prior to the school closing announcement can remain at the high school under supervision until parents or guardians are able to return to the school for pickup, HAS Administrative Assistant Tara Peters said.