CLIO, Michigan -- Turns out, business at the new farmers market in Clio was a bit too good for Sue Siavoshnia.

Each Friday after leaving Silvio's Italian Restaurant, the family business she operates downtown, she'd take large batches of freshly baked bread and cookies to sell at the market, on South Railway Street near Veteran's Park.

"I enjoyed it, absolutely, but for me it was too much work," she said. "It took me three days to get prepped. I did it for about six weeks."

Continue reading "Clio farmers market to celebrate banner season" »

GENESEE COUNTY, Michigan -- Gas prices are continuing their descent and are hovering around $3 a gallon at several Flint area gas stations.

A Marathon station at 10156 N. Saginaw Road, north of Dort Highway in Vienna Township, had gasoline for $2.99 a gallon Wednesday night, according to a posting on MichiganGasPrices.com.

But that didn't last long, as the station as of 5 a.m. has been charging $3.05 a gallon, according to an attendant there who declined to give her name.

Still, $3-a-gallon-gas feels like relief for many drivers. Consumers have been paying above $4 a gallon at the pump on and off for the past several months.

AAA Michigan says the highest recorded average price for a gallon of unleaded in the Flint area reached $4.19 a gallon just last month on Sept. 16.

The current average price for unleaded in the Flint area is $3.28 a gallon, according to AAA Michigan.

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Mt. Morris Twp. -- The 100th anniversary of the Nazarene Church has special meaning to a little church with big aspirations.

For four months back in 2003, Clio Community Nazarene was as close to what many Christians call "the early church" of the New Testament as it ever will be. It was during this time that members of Scott Salo's congregation were meeting in his living room.

Just weeks later, the 31-year-old minister and his fledgling congregation were forced by growing numbers to find a bigger living room.

Continue reading "MT. MORRIS TOWNSHIP, Michigan: Pastor Scott Salo and Clio Community Church of the Nazarene find new home" »

GENESEE COUNTY, Michigan -- It's sort of like trading in your used car for a new one, except this program is for home sweet home.

With home owners struggling to sell their houses in an over-saturated market, some builders are offering a trade instead. Home owners buy a new home built by the construction company, which agrees to buy the old home.

At least three area builders have such programs -- which builders say are helping them make deals in one of the toughest times the U.S. housing market has weathered.

Continue reading "Trading places: Homeowners looking to trade-in programs in tough housing market" »

GENESEE COUNTY, Michigan -- Two Flint men are suspected of spending an evening on a theft spree that ended with a police chase and a crashed van full of two dozen stolen guns and some chainsaws.

State police believe the pair spent more than five hours hopscotching across the northern side of Genesee County breaking into barns, sheds and houses.

Continue reading "Duo arrested in northern Genesee County crime spree" »

Flint Journal feedback: What do you think of the salaries of Genesee County-area school superintendents? Tell us your view in the comments area below.

GENESEE COUNTY, Michigan -- In a climate where teacher pink slips are common and school budgets are being sliced and diced, local superintendents are pulling in big money, with six-figure salaries, healthy raises and perks such as cars, laptops, credit cards and even extra money for perfect attendance.

A Flint Journal review of current employment contracts for the county's 22 public school superintendents shows that salaries top out at more than $200,000.

Many receive 2 percent or 3 percent annual raises -- while some teachers and support staff are being forced to make concessions, according to the Michigan Education Association.

At the top of the list is Genesee Intermediate School District Superintendent Thomas Svitkovich, who pulls in $206,962, plus $40,000 toward a retirement savings program. He also is provided a district-owned vehicle, an $8,000 expense account and annual reimbursement for unused sick days.

"In my case, I have four college degrees, lots of years of experience and lots of expanded responsibility," Svitkovich said.

Continue reading "Superintendent salaries in Genesee County area on the rise while teachers and staff make concessions; GISD Superintendent Thomas Svitkovich earns the most at nearly $207,000" »