APRIL 24, 2018 — MIS Cares presented $1,000 scholarships to 13 students from Lenawee and Jackson Counties to further their education. The track’s charity foundation also presented $75,007 in grants to 16 community organizations. 

The scholarships are part of an ongoing initiative to promote learning among students at all educational levels by MIS Cares and Michigan International Speedway. The scholarship was open to any graduating senior in Jackson or Lenawee County who is entering a STEAM-related (science, technology, engineering, art, mathematics) field at a college, university or trade school in the state of Michigan.

APRIL 24, 2018 - The Board of Directors of County National Bank approved the promotion of Erica Johnson from Branch Manager to Branch Officer. Johnson joined CNB in December 2016 as the Branch Manager for the Horton Road Office and has 21 years of banking experience, ranging from Teller to Assistant Banking Center Manager. Her familiarity with the Jackson market and clients will be beneficial to CNB in her role as Branch Manager, the company said.

APRIL 19, 2018 — Michigan International Speedway and Consumers Energy have expanded their relationship in a multi-year agreement to include the entitlement sponsorship of the August Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race. The race on Aug. 12 will be called the Consumers Energy 400.

“Consumers Energy is proud to support a great family tradition for Michiganders who enjoy seeing NASCAR come to Michigan year after year at MIS," said Patti Poppe, President and CEO of Consumers Energy. "We look forward to powering this event and MIS, spurring economic growth for our hometowns."

APRIL 17, 2018 – The Consumers Energy Foundation today announced $500,000 for two major projects near its downtown headquarters, supporting an incubator for chefs to grow their businesses and the relocation and expansion of the Jackson School of the Arts.

“Consumers Energy is doubling down on our commitment to our hometown, and we are excited to support these two efforts that will create opportunities in downtown Jackson,” said Patti Poppe, Consumers Energy’s president and chief executive officer. Poppe announced the grants at the Jackson County Chamber of Commerce’s Economic Luncheon.

“We started more than 130 years ago in Jackson. We are working to create economic and cultural opportunities for all residents in our community, including a vibrant downtown that's an attractive place to live, work and innovate,” Poppe said.

APRIL 17, 2018 - With an enthusiasm for collaboration, Henry Ford Allegiance Plastic Surgery medical director Shoshana Ambani, M.D., is increasing access to specialized surgical care while coordinating with other surgeons—allowing patients needing multiple procedures to have the surgeries at one time. Her areas of clinical interest include breast reconstruction, microvascular reconstruction, facial and body aesthetic surgery, lymphedema surgery and peripheral nerve surgery.

“A lot of what I do involves complementing the work of fellow surgeons, to ensure their patients have the best outcomes and quality of life possible,” said Dr. Ambani.

APRIL 16, 2018 - Each quarter, County National Bank hosts a Jeans for Charity Day. Employees donate money toward a local charity and in return dress more casual while making an impact. This quarter, employees donated to Refurbished Pets of Southern Michigan (RPSM).

For over a decade, the organization has worked with pets and prisoners to affect others positively. Rather than being sent to a shelter, abandoned, surrendered and homeless animals enter into a ‘Companion Program.’ The program allows inmates to train the dogs, with the goal of both being able to re-enter society as productive members.

APRIL 13, 2018 – April is national Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM). In recognition, AWARE, Inc. is leading efforts to raise awareness about this serious issue and provide opportunities for the Jackson community to get involved.

• Individuals and professionals are invited to learn about society’s shifting and changing perspectives on sexual violence at AWARE, Inc.’s 8^th Annual SAAM Volunteer Recognition luncheon on Thursday, April 19. Tickets are $25 per person and the event will be held at the Commonwealth Commerce Center Ballroom.

• Local businesses, corporations and schools (such as South Central Credit Union & Michigan Center Jr./Sr. High School) have agreed to allow their representatives to wear jeans with a purpose on Wednesday, April 25 in recognition of national Denim Day. Denim Day was established in 1997 after an 18-year old woman in Rome, Italy was sexually assaulted by her driving instructor. The driving instructor’s case was overturned and in a statement to the press, a member of the Supreme Court was quoted as stating that “since the victim wore very, very tight jeans, she had to have helped the perpetrator remove them.” For more information about Denim Day, visit www.denimdayinfo.org.

• Area restaurants, including Crazy Cowboy, The Oak Tree, and The Roadhouse who participated last year  will utilize our Embrace Your Voice Campaign coasters throughout the month. 

APRIL 12, 2018 – A competition of student-built and remote-control operated robots is helping spur interest in and pursuit of future high-demand science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) careers at the FIRST® in Michigan robotics state championships, sponsored by Consumers Energy.

APRIL 11, 2018 - The Jackson County Chamber of Commerce announced the 37^th graduating class of the Leadership Jackson program. Leadership Jackson is the professional development program run by the Chamber to support up and coming business and community leaders and give them to the tools to succeed and thrive in their business while helping lead the Jackson community. Throughout the seven-month course, participants learn from community, education, business, and government leaders on topics ranging from Business Communication and Teamwork, to Personal Branding and Nonprofit Governance. Participants are also required to take part in learning opportunities outside of the classroom.The Leadership Jackson Graduation takes place Thursday, April 12 at the Commonwealth Commerce Center, 2^nd Floor Atrium room, from 5:30-7 p.m.

APRIL 3, 2018 — The MIS Charity Dinner presented by Consumers Energy on June 9 will feature a special Q&A session with three NASCAR Hall of Famers. Dale Inman, Rusty Wallace and Leonard Wood will tell their favorite Michigan International Speedway and racing stories during a special evening.

The Charity Dinner presented by Consumers Energy will feature a strolling dinner, dessert and drink stations, live and silent auctions, music, a photo booth and so much more. It will take place during the FireKeepers Casino 400 weekend allowing fans to watch nonstop racing on track with the LTi Printing 250 and a unique racing experience that evening.

Fans will enjoy a night of entertainment in the track’s 50 Years of Racing Exhibit Presented by Consumers Energy in the fan plaza.

“We are excited to add Dale Inman, Rusty Wallace and Leonard Wood to the inaugural MIS Charity Dinner presented by Consumers Energy during our June event weekend,” MIS President Rick Brenner said. “These three Hall of Famers are among the best in the sport and we cannot wait for the fans to hear their stories. The Charity Dinner in the 50 Years of Racing Exhibit is going to be a must see event for the guests in June.”