Sanilac County News

05/28/2026

Former maintenance chief charged with embezzlement
Duane Paehlig allegedly stole from Sandusky schools

By Eric Levine
810-452-2689
[email protected]

The former maintenance chief at Sandusky Community Schools has been charged with embezzlement, forgery and malicious destruction of property.

Duane Lee Paehlig, who quit his position as head of the maintenance department Oct. 3, 2025, with no prior notice, was arraigned May 28 in 73A District Court.

Paehlig appeared at the hearing remotely from the Sanilac County Jail, where he was incarcerated the same morning.

The 60-year-old Sandusky resident is charged with three felonies: embezzlement -agent or trustee-$20,000 or more but less than $50,000; malicious destruction of a building $1,000-$20,000; and forgery.

Magistrate Lesley Clark set bond at $100,000 cash or surety, and ordered Paehlig to have no contact with staff at Sandusky Community Schools.

Paehlig’s next court dates are June 9 for a probable cause conference and June 16 for a preliminary examination.

The case is being handled by the Huron County Prosecutor’s Office, which was assigned as special prosecutor.

Sanilac County Prosecutor Mark Davidson had requested the appointment of a special prosecutor.

Davidson’s request was due to an apparent conflict of interest.

He is a former president of the Sandusky Board of Education and his assistant prosecutor, Carolyn Stoutenburg, is the current president of the Sandusky board.

Paehlig was represented at the arraignment by public defender Robert Heyboer.

Paehlig quit his job at Sandusky schools Oct. 6, 2025, just weeks prior to law enforcement searches of his residence.

In his letter of resignation, Paehlig stated: “Unfortunately, due to the current work environment, I am unable to continue in this role.”

The criminal investigation was announced last fall in a joint press release by the Sandusky Police Department and Sandusky Community Schools.

“The investigation started when school staff noticed discrepancies with some receipts/invoices,” stated the press release. “The school’s investigation quickly turned into a criminal investigation, and the Sandusky Police Department was notified.”

The investigation prompted two searches at the same residence on Golf View Drive in Sandusky conducted by Sandusky police assisted by Michigan State Police.

The searches took place Oct. 23 and Oct. 29.

“Both searches led to the recovery of property belonging to Sandusky Community Schools,” stated the press release.

05/28/2026

Sanilac CMH Names Eddie Fury from WMIC Sandusky as 2026 Community Partner in Recovery

*Press release courtesy of Sanilac County Community Mental Health

Sanilac County Community Mental Health proudly recognizes Eddie Fury from WMIC Sandusky as the 2025 Community Partner in Recovery.

Since joining Sanilac Broadcasting Company, Eddie has supported Sanilac CMH's mission.

His willingness to host radio interviews with our staff has helped promote and educate the community on how to access Sanilac CMH services, reduce the stigma around mental health, and encourage community members to support one another.

On more than one occasion, Eddie has been willing to share his personal story and history, which has definitely supported and helped spread our message, and I believe that by doing so, he has more than likely saves lives throughout the community.

By simply being himself and sharing his compassion, Sanilac CMH is proud to award this worthy recipient the 2026 Partner in Recovery.

05/28/2026

Woman on beach hit by stray bullet

LEXINGTON TWP. – A Goodrich woman was shot in the leg while walking on a beach.

On May 24 at approximately 10:48 a.m., Sanilac County Central Dispatch received a 9-1-1 call requesting medical assistance for a woman shot while walking on a beach in the 3600 block of South Lakeshore Road, according to a Sanilac County Sheriff’s Office press release.

The initial investigation by sheriff’s deputies indicated the 59-year-old Goodrich woman was walking on the beach with her sister, a 57-year-old from Grand Blanc, and the 57-year-old woman’s 24 year-old daughter also from Grand Blanc.

The women reported hearing a sound consistent with a gunshot.

Immediately afterward, the 59-year-old stated she believed she had been struck and noticed her leg was bleeding.

First aid was administered at the scene, and the victim was transported by Croswell EMS to McLaren Port Huron for treatment of injuries.

Preliminary information suggests the incident may have resulted from someone discharging a firearm in the area or possibly firing a weapon into the air.

Bullets discharged into the air can travel significant distances.

The investigation remains ongoing.

The incident does not appear to be intentional.

Officials do not believe there is an ongoing immediate threat to the public.

The Sanilac County Sheriff’s Office is asking anyone who may have heard gunshots in the area around that time or who may have information related to the incident to contact the Detective Bureau at 810-648-8360.

05/28/2026

Child drowning investigation in Forester Township

On Tuesday, May 26 at approximately 10:41 p.m., Sanilac County Central Dispatch received a 9-1-1 call reporting a missing 4-year-old boy from a campsite at Jellystone Park North Port Huron
in Forester Township.

Deputies from the Sanilac County Sheriff’s Office, along with personnel from Port Sanilac Fire Department and Sanilac EMS, responded to the scene, according to a sheriff’s office press release.

During the search, deputies located the 4-year-old boy in a large pond located within the campground.

CPR was initiated and the child was transported to Aspire Deckerville Hospital, where he was later pronounced deceased.

The sheriff’s office has extended its condolences to the family during this difficult time.

The child’s name was not released.

05/12/2026

A shared love of horses has kept three generations of one Sanilac County family closely connected through the sheriff’s posse, where volunteering together has grown into a tradition rooted just as much in family as in service.

“Being part of this just makes my bond stronger with my dad and daughter. Being part of three generations on the posse is what I want to be known for.”

A shared love of horses has kept three generations of one Sanilac County family closely connected through the sheriff’s posse, where volunteering together has grown into a tradition rooted just as much in family as in service. The Minden City family’s connection to the Sanilac County Sheriff’s...

05/06/2026

Cros-Lex voters approve bond proposal

Voters in the Croswell-Lexington School District passed a bond proposal in the May 5 special
election.
The bond will provide $37,100,000 for building and site improvements for capital projects.
The proposal passed in eight of 10 precincts, with a total unofficial vote of 1,304 yes and 1, 132
no, according to a posting on the Sanilac County Clerk’s website.
“We are incredibly grateful to our community for supporting and passing our bond proposal,”
said Colette Moody, Cros-Lex Superintendent of Schools. “This is truly a win for our students,
staff, and families.
“The bond projects focus on keeping our students safe, warm, and dry while addressing aging
systems to preserve our buildings for years to come. Because of the community& #39;s support, we
can now begin these vital facility upgrades and safety improvements.”
Moody added, “Our district has proudly served generations of families, and this investment
ensures we can continue to support the students who walk our halls today - and those who will
in the future. Thank you for your continued partnership and your commitment to the future of
our children and our community.”
By precinct, the results were:
*City of Croswell, 227 yes, 150 no
*Buel Township, 39 yes, 68 no
*Fremont Township, 66 yes, 62 no
*Lexington Township, 435 yes, 366 no
*Sanilac Township, 43 yes, 30 no
*Speaker Township, 0 yes, 0 no
*Washington Township, 21 yes, 20 no
*Worth Township, 378 yes, 321 no
*Burchville Township, 57 yes, 52 no
*Grant/Greenwood Townships, 38 yes, 53 no

04/27/2026

Last week, the Michigan Press Association announced its winners for the 2025 Better Newspaper Contest.

Page designer Marina Leonard took home first place in the Weekly C - Best Page or Pages Design for her layout of the Derek Pfaff story.

Casey Johnson teamed up with Paul Adams, of the Huron County VIEW to earn a second-place finish in the Weekly A - News Enterprise Reporting category for - Unbreakable spirit leads to unlikely second chance - the story of Derek Pfaff, which can be read here: https://sanilaccountynews.com/articles/unbreakable-spirit-leads-to-unlikely-second-chance/

Mike Gallagher received second-place recognition in the Weekly C - Sports Feature category for the story - Big Game Garza - which can be read here: https://sanilaccountynews.com/articles/big-game-garza/

Overall, the VIEW Newspaper Group earned 134 total awards. For the sixth-consecutive year, "Newspaper of the Year" accolades went to the Huron County VIEW in the Weekly Class A circulation category, as well as a "Newspaper of the Year" award for the Oxford Leader in the Weekly Class B circulation category."

View Newspaper Group is Michigan’s largest independently owned newspaper group covering 14 Michigan counties. The company publishes 22 newspapers with print editions reaching more than 350,000 households each week plus an additional 500,000 monthly online readers. For more information visit www.mihomepaper.com

04/22/2026

It’s an end of an era as there will no longer be a Carman Funeral Home serving families in Sanilac County for the first time in more than 100 years.

Owner Ray Carman was a fourth-generation funeral director when he retired and sold the business to Daniel Jansen of Jansen Family Funeral Home in Columbiaville on March 6.

Carman, 73, of Burnside Township said it was time to step away and enjoy life and his grandchildren.

“I’m getting older now, and I want to spend some years in relatively good health in retirement,” he said. “My wife (Lori) said she is going to (winter in) Florida with me or without me, so I thought I should retire.”

Jansen said the sign out front has changed, but families can expect the same compassionate service they’ve become accustomed to.

BROWN CITY — It’s an end of an era as there will no longer be a Carman Funeral Home serving families in Sanilac County for the first time in more than 100 years. Owner Ray Carman was a fourth-generation funeral director when he retired and sold the business to Daniel Jansen of Jansen Family Fune...

04/22/2026

A 35-year-old Sandusky woman has found herself back in jail.

On April 6, felony drug charges were dismissed against Samantha Marie Ferranti, less than a week after she was arrested by the Sanilac County Drug Task Force during a traffic stop involving suspected methamphetamine and crack co***ne.

On April 13, Ferranti was arrested again, but this time by Sandusky police.

During the arrest, Ferranti allegedly bit a Sandusky police officer on the arm, said Chief of Police Steve McKenney.

A 35-year-old Sandusky woman has found herself back in jail. On April 6, felony drug charges were dismissed against Samantha Marie Ferranti, less than a week after she was arrested by the Sanilac County Drug Task Force during a traffic stop involving suspected methamphetamine and crack co***ne. On A...

04/16/2026

The fraud and embezzlement case involving a former employee of Sandusky Community Schools has been assigned to a special prosecutor.

“Last week (April 7) this case was placed, by the Prosecuting Attorney’s Coordinating Council, with the Huron County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office. That office is now serving as the appointed special prosecutor,” said Danny Wimmer, press secretary for the Michigan Attorney General.

The appointment of the special prosecutor was requested by Sanilac County Prosecutor Mark Davidson.

“I think it’s in the best interest of the case,” Davidson told the Sanilac County News.

The fraud and embezzlement case involving a former employee of Sandusky Community Schools has been assigned to a special prosecutor. “Last week (April 7) this case was placed, by the Prosecuting Attorney’s Coordinating Council, with the Huron County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office. That office i...