Hesperia's Vida Weaver Park gets a new addition
Hesperia, MI [APRIL 15, 2024] - The Village of Hesperia is thrilled to celebrate the groundbreaking for the newest addition to Vida Weaver Park, a state-of-the-art pavilion set to enhance the community's outdoor experience. The new pavilion, sparked by Hesperia Beautification, is made possible through funding from the Oceana County ARPA committee, MEDC Revitalization and Placemaking 2.0 Grant Program via The Right Place’s regional grant award, Community Foundation for Oceana County, Village of Hesperia and other community stakeholders This park enhancement will serve as a focal point for gatherings, events, and leisure activities, fostering a sense of community and belonging on the banks of the White River. The Village of Hesperia is deeply grateful to the funders whose support has made this project a reality. Their commitment to enhancing the quality of life in Hesperia is commendable, and we look forward to the positive impact the pavilion will have on our community. For more information about the groundbreaking ceremony or the Vida Weaver Park Pavilion project, please contact the Village of Hesperia at 231.854.6205 Vida Weaver Park is a beloved community space in Hesperia, known for its access to the White River, picturesque setting and convenient location. The addition of the new pavilion underscores the village’s dedication to providing accessible and inviting outdoor spaces for residents of all ages to enjoy.
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At their annual Heroes Celebration, United Way of the Lakeshore awarded the CBD Store of Michigan the Community Builder Award. Community Builders support United Way of the Lakeshore through workplace campaigns, volunteering, and much more. CBD Store of Michigan in Fremont was recognized for always willing to step up when needed. Beyond collecting items for drives like the Baby Product Drive, Hygen Drive, Food Drives, Toys for Tots and many more, store owner Rod Glupker is always there to volunteer in community projects. Rod has helped build playgrounds in the community, assisted with painting and clean up projects as well as providing help for programs such as Dolly Parton's Imagination Library. Receiving the Community Builder Award recognizes CBD Store of Michigan’s commitment to the community it serves Glupker is a Board Member on the Fremont Area Chamber of Commerce and the United Way of the Lakeshore-Newaygo County, He is als a member of the Downtown Development Authority, the River Country Chamber of Commerce, the Hesperia Chamber of Commerce, and the Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce. “I want to thank United Way of the Lakeshore for this honor,” said Glupker. “I love our community and only want to make it a great place to live and work for all.” Lindsey Mahlich and Mindy Conley are challenging current board members Rachal Gort and Richard Vance in a recall election for the two seats on the Grant Public School Board. We reached out to the candidates asking them to participate in answering a series of questions for the community. Each agreed to participate, however despite numerous attempts to get some type of acknowledgement from Ms Gort since we distributed the questions more than a week ago, we regrettably have not heard from her. Thus, here are the responses from Ms. Conley Ms. Mahlich and Mr. Vance. And please remember to exercise your right to vote on May 7th. -N3 Why are you the best candidate for the school board position? Ms. Mahlich: My greatest strengths are listening, learning, and advocating for those who need it most. I am willing to sit down with all parties to listen and understand their thoughts/ideas before I make a decision that impacts our students and staff. I am willing to advocate for and push our needs at a state and federal level to ensure our voice is heard. I am optimistic even in times of trial. I try to focus on what we can do to achieve our goals rather than what we cannot. Part of my optimism includes the understanding that we will hit tough times and have to have difficult conversations, and it is best to face them head-on and work through them immediately rather than avoid them. Mr Vance: I am an honest candidate for the Grant BOE because of my leadership experiences in business management, private camp programs, non-profit organizations and having a life coach to achieve better as a husband and person. Ms. Conley: I have always worked as part of a team, and more often than not found myself leading that team. I have worked in management roles in a non-profit and currently work for a for-profit company. I have experience in policy development, and have also developed and revised various processes to reduce redundancy and improve employee experiences and project outcomes. I have been a volunteer in my kids’ classrooms, been a Girl Scout co-leader, been a coach, referee, and board/area staff member for AYSO. All of these experiences have taught me how to communicate effectively and work well with others, and I have developed a passion for providing educational and recreational opportunities for the children of this community. I believe I would be a great asset to the board and the school district. What is your own experience with public education? Mr. Vance: My experience in public education is 3-fold: 1.) I was reared in a public school system and performed in multiple sports, president of student council, performed in theatre and was a member of the Honor Society, 2.) One of our children attended a public school, 3.) I have been a H.S. diving coach and I am involved with the Michigan Association of School Boards as part of the By-Laws and Resolution Committee. Ms. Conley: I attended public school K-12 and I also attended the University of Michigan. The school district I grew up in is much bigger than Grant, and was also a very good public school with a lot of options to meet different student needs. I have been surrounded by public school teachers my whole life as well, most notably my mom as a special education teacher and my husband who teaches at Grant High School. I have been surrounded by public school issues for most of my life, even when I have not been a student. Public schools are at the very heart of every community, and we need to support them. Ms. Mahlich: I graduated from Grant High School and attended Michigan State University to study animal science, then Baker College for business. Recently, my son graduated from GHS and is pursuing a career in welding, thanks to his training from the career tech center. I have a daughter who is a freshman and another son and daughter who will start their academic careers as kindergarteners in the fall. Prior to the recall, I attended school board meetings, listening and learning, to help prepare myself for an opportunity on the board. I have attended several free training courses from MASB on topics like the Open Meetings Act and school budgeting. I read and listen to podcasts on issues impacting our school system. I also have met with administrators and the superintendent to share ideas on strategic planning and moving the district forward. What do you see as your primary responsibilities as a board member? Ms. Conley: My primary responsibility will be to work with the other board members in setting policy for our district, and guiding and supporting our superintendent as he works with our district administrators and teachers to deliver a quality education for our students. I also see it as my job to be an advocate for all our students in the district, and to advocate for the district itself and our community too. Ms. Mahlich: My primary responsibility as a school board member is to provide governance and leadership within the school district. I will ensure we stay aligned with the strategic plan and challenge the district to always find that higher grade of excellence. I will support strategies that help us attract and retain the best staff to support our students. Mr. Vance: The BOE responsibilities are to provide oversight in planning, policy conformity, financial management, and academic/legal issues as part of the community citizens. What do you see as the strengths of the District? Ms. Mahlich: We have some fantastic staff and administrators who can help us move forward. My children are better people thanks to the mentorship and interactions with GPS staff, coaches, and community members. We can take the strength and knowledge of our community and expand our relationships even more by clearly communicating with the community the district's progress and what we need their help and support with. Mr. Vance: The strengths of the GPS District are as follows: 1. Hard working parents, 2. Good facilities, 3. Teachers that care about students, 4. Students that desire to excel, 5. Businesses that take an interest in the District. Ms. Conley: For a small district, we really have a lot of opportunities and resources available for our students. The Spanish Immersion program is an incredible opportunity for our students to become fluent in another language and to grow up with a wider view of the world. Both my kids went through this program and have really benefited from it. We also have some great options for high school students with the Early College, Dual Enrollment, and Career-Tech Center programs. The student population of my high school was about the size of our entire district, and we didn’t have any of those options when I was in school. We also have some really great options for students to see more of the world than just West Michigan with the optional trips that are offered for 8th-12th grades. What do you see as the biggest challenges? Mr. Vance: The biggest challenges for the District are as follows: 1.) Continue to re-organized and to fully function within the parliamentary procedures, 2.) Review all policies and bring them up to date, 3.) Assist the administration to get a transparent understanding of the financial position of the district Budget. Ms. Conley: I think our biggest challenge is funding. We desperately need to develop more secure sources of long-term funding. Grant funds are helpful, and can provide funds for a variety of programs, but those programs can only go so far when our buildings are in dire need of repair and upgrades. We need to make some big investments in our schools. The school district is the heart of Grant, and we cannot let it flounder. We’re also facing a huge challenge right now in terms of community perception and discord—so much division has happened over the last year and a half, and we need to find a way to come back together for our kids. The opportunities and education we offer them is of the utmost importance, and we need to get back to focusing on that. Ms. Mahlich: Some of the challenges we are facing right now include staff/administration burnout, funding stabilization, and a decline in student enrollment. With an uncertain/polarizing social climate, we all need to focus on keeping unrest out of the schools and on academic achievement and student and staff development. What is your vision for GPS? Ms. Conley: My vision for our district is to provide a quality education and experiences that prepare our students to follow whatever path they choose to take in life. Our students should be able to find a life path they love, whether it is in skilled trades, pursuing a college education, or something else entirely. It is our job to provide them the tools they’ll need to navigate life as an adult and give them the confidence to try new things. Ms. Mahlich: I envision GPS being focused on excellence and helping build the leaders of tomorrow. I want us to be a district where all students are treated equally in a safe, caring environment, but we recognize and celebrate students on their individual achievements. Mr. Vance: My vision for the GPS District is to see a reverse of the 20-year attendance decline that has resulted in almost 1,000 less students. As a result, that is approximately a 10-million-dollar budget cut in today’s state funding. Can you tell about a time you made a decision that turned out to be the wrong way to go and how you handled it? Ms. Mahlich: I have served on a board of education at a local private school. As a board, we wanted to look at and evaluate new math curriculum, so we went to the administrator to start that process. The administrator made a recommendation, and I did not do my due diligence to fully understand how the new curriculum would impact our teachers and their ability to teach. I was slow to acknowledge the issue and address it immediately, which caused a delay in getting the right solution in place for the math curriculum. To ensure this doesn't happen again before making decisions, I always confirm the evaluation process is clearly defined so we can evaluate and pivot if needed. Mr. Vance: Handling personal and business wrong decisions along with conflict resolution go together. I continue to learn that wise counsel come from wise people, not necessarily someone on social media. It is critical to listen to all sides, know what and why the decision is right or wrong, be patient and understanding, and most of all, be forgiving with a soft answer. Ms. Conley: I really try to gather all the pertinent information at the start of a project or situation and consider the long-term outcomes before choosing a path to follow. This has helped me to make big decisions without a detrimental outcome. I definitely have made mistakes, but they haven’t been mistakes with significantly bad results. There have been projects that I’ve started from the wrong approach or where I missed some key information, but once I figured that out, I did what I could to correct it by taking responsibility for the error I made and offering a solution (or multiple solutions) for it. I am definitely a “fix-it” kind of person, so once I recognize a problem I move on to finding a solution rather than dwelling on the mistake. Describe your experience with conflict resolution and consensus building. Mr. Vance: (see previous response) Ms. Conley: I’m a museum exhibit designer, and that doesn’t happen in a vacuum. It’s never just me working on a project—there is input from community/client stakeholders, there is budget and content input from the institution itself, there are differences in opinion on aesthetic design choices, and sometimes there is conflict in topic choice or tone in presenting different sides of a story. As the team leader I am often the one handling those conflicts and trying to mediate a solution between everyone else on the team. I typically work on leading the team through conversations at various stages of the process so that we come to some sort of consensus at each step—this helps reduce the need to backtrack later because we worked together to make sure everyone was in relative agreement at each stage before moving on. We work to identify end goals before we start this process to be sure we’re going in the right direction every step of the way. I am currently working on a project that has been nearly a year in planning already, but new funding sources have opened up that could help get the project completed sooner than expected, so we’re reworking our plans to not only hold on to the original end goals, but to incorporate some new focus spots to help meet the funding requirements. Sure, it’s going to extend the timeline, but following the proper processes and putting the work in up front will ultimately have a better long-term result. Ms. Mahlich: Conflict resolution and consensus building have been daily throughout my twenty-plus years in technology. In my current role, in customer experience and quality, I work with customers where my organization has failed to deliver on its commitment or a major issue has transpired. I bring all stakeholders to the table to get them to agree on priorities and build out a success plan, then ensure the success plan is executed and we deliver on our commitments. What change would you like to see in our schools? Ms. Conley: I would really like to see the Spanish Immersion program expand. This was a goal that was set when the program first started, back when my oldest started school in 2012, but is only just now really starting to happen with expanding into 5th grade. I’d like to see it eventually expand into the high school too. I’ve heard a lot about bullying being an issue in our schools over the last few years. I know it’s not a new phenomenon, nor is it one that is easy to address, but I’d like to work on building a future for our district where everyone is accepted and where we can find value in our differences. Ms. Mahlich: Before I get behind any changes, I would love to get ideas from our students on what they want to see changed. Before you make a change, you need to understand the goal/results you are trying to achieve. This logic can be used for simple or advanced issues. For example, I want GPS to be a state leader in reading literacy. What if we asked the administrators to do a brainstorming session with all of the third graders and see what ideas they have to get kids to read more books and make it a fun competition? The class with an idea that gets implemented wins an ice cream party. The idea could be as simple as ensuring we have more copies of a specific type of book. Then, as board members, we can support the administration and staff to make it happen. Change happens with small incremental changes we can control. If we want to know how to improve things, we must understand what students, families, and staff believe will make it better. The process in more complicated scenarios must include evidence. For example, if the administration comes to the board and says the only way to improve reading scores is to purchase this specific curriculum, I would want more details from their professional perspective and the evidence that may exist to back their position. Mr. Vance: (No answer provided) What was your favorite book in high school? Ms. Mahlich: I am an avid reader, thanks to many great ELA teachers laying a solid foundation for me in my years at Grant. In high school, my ag-science teacher at the time mentioned The Jungle by Upton Sinclar during a discussion about meat processing, and I was intrigued. Although I am trying to remember how I found my first copy of the book, the book taught me so much about the realities of the world and the importance of advocating and standing up for what is right. I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to learn some of the brutal history of our food system and industrialization on the backs of immigrants. This book honestly made an impact on my life. Mr. Vance: My favorite books in High School were: My earth science textbook, my special read -Rommel in North Africa and the greatest book ever, The Bible. Ms. Conley: I read a lot of Stephen King books back then, and The Talisman was one of my favorites, though I fell in love with The Gunslinger series in college. I also happened to like reading Shakespeare when that came up in my high school English classes, so much so that I actually chose to take a Shakespeare literature class in college. And finally the ‘Elephant in the Room’ question: There is obviously a lot of division in the community since the health center controversy began. What do you plan on doing going forward to help heal this divide? Mr. Vance: The “elephant in the room” that you are referring to, began prior to my term on the BOE. That elephant got in the room through unnecessary back doors left open. With that said, I will continue to promote Tradition in Curriculum Standards and Community Values, Truth in Student needs and Parental Rights, and Trustworthiness in Financial Matters and Administrative Functions. Ms. Conley: I want to bring the focus of the school board back to education. The health center is a valuable resource for our students and our community, but it shouldn’t be the primary focus of our school board. I want to help bring our community back to having conversations rather than one-sided arguments and ultimatums, so that we can all get back on track. Transparency and open communication are key—I feel the community is very suspicious of the school board right now because it seems like they just keep choosing to close or remove things that they don’t like, rather than putting in the effort to improve them to something we can all be proud about. As a manager I have always made an effort to support my staff and find ways to help them learn and improve. Our school board needs to do the same thing here: instead of pushing people or support services out, we need to find ways to help build them into the best providers for our students. We can do better and we can be better if we just start talking to each other and include more voices in the conversation. Ms. Mahlich: We can and will recover from the turmoil our community has faced. As a board member, I want to understand the ideas and concerns of both the community and the administration on any topic, and I am willing to share why I make any decision. Our district recently faced many issues that could have been minimized with communication and transparency about why decisions are made. N3- Thank you to the candidates who particiated in sharing their thoughts with the communuty. Once again, May 7th is election day for the school board. Choose wisely. By Chadwick Walenga, WCCL Youth Services Photos by Jennifer Balcom On Tuesday, April 16, 2024, the halls of the Michigan State Capitol were abuzz with the annual Library Advocacy Day, bringing together a confluence of librarians, literacy advocates, and legislators. The event served as a pivotal forum for deliberating on critical legislative and funding initiatives that are vital to the progression and sustenance of libraries across the state. Despite the absence of Representative Joseph Fox, the dialogues were enriched by the presence of forward-thinking participants, including Senator Outman. His contributions went beyond mere storytelling; his relationships with libraries throughout his district were a clear indicator of what collaborative efforts between state legislators and local libraries could potentially achieve. Senator Outman’s narratives were not only a recount of past achievements but also a call to action for future collaborative endeavors aimed at enhancing community resources and educational infrastructure. In an innovative twist to conventional advocacy methods, representatives from the White Cloud Community Library presented their key points through a Dr. Seuss-style narrative to the staff of Representative Fox. This creative approach underscored the library's mission in an engaging and memorable manner, blending literary charm with serious advocacy, thereby resonating deeply with the event’s progressive ethos.
Additionally, the exhibition of diverse bookmobiles stood out, symbolizing a strategic pivot toward making library services more accessible, especially to underserved communities. These mobile libraries are critical in democratizing access to information and resources. White Cloud Community Library's forthcoming introduction of pop-up libraries this summer, which have been generously sponsored by Houseman's Foods, is anticipated to further diminish the barriers to access, illustrating a proactive approach to community service and engagement. Library Advocacy Day underscored a compelling theme: the transformative power of collective endeavor. Discussions reinforced the notion that libraries are not merely repositories of books but are vital agents of community education, safety, and engagement. The drive and commitment exhibited by the day’s participants, highlighted the indispensable role of libraries in fostering educated, informed, and connected communities. The continued advocacy for adequate funding and supportive legislation is recognized not only as necessary but as essential for the sustained impact and growth of libraries as cornerstones of future community development. Find out what the Michigan High Speed Internet Office says you have vs. what you actually have
The Michigan High Speed Internet Office has released a new map of reported broadband service for the state and is accepting challenges to the data shown on the maps during this brief challenge period. Once challenges are received, service providers will have the opportunity for rebuttal. In the end, the final decisions will be used to prioritize the funding and timing of broadband expansion using Michigan’s Broadband Expansion and Deployment dollars. The Newaygo County Economic Development Partnership is encouraging all Newaygo County residents and businesses to confirm or challenge their access to high-speed internet by visiting merit.edu/challenge by April 23, 2024. Local units of government have also been encouraged to review the area of the map representing their community in order to make direct challenges to the Michigan High Speed Internet Office through a separate link. Dear Newaygo County Residents, It is my pleasure to announce my candidacy for re-election as your Sheriff. It has been an honor serving as your Sheriff for the past two terms, and I am excited about the opportunity to continue the progress we have made together. Over the past years, we have faced many challenges, from increasing demands on our budget to ensuring the safety and security of our community. Despite these challenges, I am proud of what we have achieved together. We have increased our road patrol coverage, expanded our Detective Bureau, and improved our ability to respond to emergencies. However, our work is not done. We still face challenges such as employee turnover, a nationwide trend, and increasing budget demands. If re-elected, I will be committed to addressing these challenges head-on. I will work tirelessly to support our deputies and staff, ensure that we have the resources needed to keep our community safe, and continue to build trust and partnership with you, the residents of Newaygo County. I am incredibly grateful for the support and trust you have placed in me, and I humbly ask for your vote once again. Together, we can continue to make Newaygo County a safe and vibrant place to live, work, and raise a family. Thank you, and I look forward to continuing to serve as your Sheriff. Sincerely, Bob Mendham, Sheriff Newaygo County Notice of Vacancies The Newaygo County RESA is seeking applications for a Special Education Supervisor for the 2024-25 school year. Candidates must have a Master’s degree (minimum), a Michigan Department of Education teaching certificate with endorsements in special education, and the ability to obtain Michigan Department of Education approval as a Special Education Supervisor. Other desired qualifications and position details are available at www.ncresa.org under Employment. This position will remain open until filled. It is the policy of the Newaygo County RESA that no person shall, on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, gender, age, height, weight, marital status or other trait or characteristic protected by federal or state employment discrimination statutes, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subject to discrimination during programs, activities, and employment. PUBLIC NOTICE: The Family Health Care White Cloud Child and Adolescent Health Center Advisory Council will meet on Monday, April 8, 2024, from noon to 1 p.m. at the Child and Adolescent Health Center conference room at 555 E. Wilcox Ave. The meeting is open to the public and lunch will be provided. For more information, please call (231) 689-3268. Officers recognized for length of service, deputies of the year
Photos by Misty Ingersoll Last Wednesday the County Board of Commissioners meeting room was undoubtedly the safest place to be as it was filled with law enforcement and other public safety personnel from around the area who packed the room along with former employees and co-workers. To begin with Sheriff Bob Mendham and Lieutenant John Borgman handed out pins commemorating years of service. Deputies Tyler Selby, Trevor Sherman, Clint Hicks, Rachael Botello, Dave Kalinowski, Heather Kelly, Pat Fetterly, Korey Sitzema, Brian Van Singel, and Zac Cantu have served for 5 years while Dylan Wimmer was recognized for 10 years and Deputy Pat Green topped the group having reached 20 years with the department. Retiring deputy Phil Green received an award for his 25 years. Deputy Jonathon Vanderwall and Sergeant Dustin Runions were named Deputies of the Year. Following the awards from the Sheriff’s Office two of the county’s best were honored by the Board. Central Dispatch Director Phil Smalligan started as a part time dispatcher 22 years ago before quickly being promoted to full time. In 2020 stepped into the leadership role at Central Dispatch providing vision and leadership to the department. Phil Green has served a quarter of a century with the Sheriffs OfficeWhile performing a number of duties in his career Phil is perhaps best known for being the K9 officer partnering with Turbo and Remi the worthy canine collaborators who served many years alongside Green. The former deputy spoke to the crowd as he thanked the many friends, colleagues, and mentors he has encountered in his years of service to the NCSO. In other business the Board approved four to the Newaygo County Mental Health Board, Kathy Broome, Helen Taube and Ken DeLaat were reappointed while Lori Schultz was appointed to fill a vacancy. The Board also approved a three year contract with Republic Services for Household Hazardous Waste events. This year's Household Hazardous Waste Day is Saturday May 18th and will once again be held at the Newaygo County Road Commission. Corewell Health opens new addiction clinics in Ludington and Fremont
The Corewell Health Dependent Drug Stewardship Program continues to address increases in overdose rates across the state of Michigan. There has been a concerning trend related to increases of drug overdose emergency department visits and EMS responses to drug overdoses in the Ludington and Fremont communities. While these increases are demonstrated in other communities as well, partnerships with the emergency departments in Ludington and Gerber have allowed Corewell Health to quickly increase the addiction medicine footprint to address those needs. As a result, Corewell Health will be opening addiction medicine clinics at the Ludington Visiting Specialty site on Wednesday, March 20, 2024, and at the Gerber Visiting Specialty location on Wednesday, March 27, 2024. We caught up with Dr. Colleen Lane, medical director for Corewell Health’s addiction medicine program, posed a few questions. If I understand correctly the clinics will be primarily providing Medication Assisted Treatment. What are the main benefits of MAT? The Addiction Clinic at Corewell Health can treat many different types of substance use disorders. This includes any person who is living with opioid use, alcohol use, stimulant use or a combination of multiple different substances being used at the same time. Our addiction medicine specialists have expertise in managing medications that help treat people who are struggling with symptoms of withdrawal or cravings from certain substances. We know that medications for opioid use disorder saves lives. It helps prevent accidental overdose deaths and helps people improve their overall quality of life. We know that the medications that we use to treat alcohol use disorders can decrease use of alcohol or episodes of binge drinking and help lead to an overall improvement of mental and physical health. There is access for walk-ins to the clinic. Any requirements? Are patients required to be active in a recovery program? Our walk-in clinic is for anyone new to our clinic, or anyone who has been out of care for more than 6 months. It is meant to be low barrier and easy to access. The only requirement is that you are someone wanting to learn about your options for changing your relationship with a substance that is affecting your life, health, or relationships. There is no requirement for you to be in a recovery program if you participate. Will the clinics offer counseling or will this be referred to other programs? We will offer connections to counseling, peer recovery groups and other community resources if that is something that is helpful as a part of a person’s recovery process. However, this is not a requirement to be seen by our medical provider team and discuss medications. Are Substance Use Disorder agencies in Mason County and Newaygo County on board? We have been introducing ourselves and talking to the other substance use disorder agencies in Mason and Newaygo Counties. As we come into the area, we are hoping to add more choices for people who are looking for substance use treatment options. The clinics are looking to be open at all the regionals in addition to downtown. Is this initiative tied into opioid settlement dollars? This is not connected to the opioid settlement dollars. This expansion is something that Corewell Health invested in based on the need in the community. What is the hope attached to this (much needed) strategy? We hope this will make it easier for people to access addiction care closer to home. And to reduce stigma around the treatment of substance use disorders. By expanding access to addiction medicine specialty care we will be saving the lives of our friends, family and neighbors. Here’s the skinny: Corewell Health Addiction Clinic – Ludington 7 Atkinson Drive, Suite 302 Ludington, MI 49431 Corewell Health Addiction Clinic – Fremont 230 W. Oak St. Freemont, MI 49412 Both locations will be open from 8 a.m.- 4 p.m. and will have provider access to see immediate same day walk-ins. If walk-in access is needed on another day during the week, the clinic also offers an urgent referral line (616-391-6120 - press 1) that can be accessed to engage a patient with same day telehealth addiction medicine access. City one of 10 finalists for Consumers Energy Foundation competition
Since 2019 the Consumers Energy Foundation has been giving a boost to our small towns and communities through their Put Your Town On The Map Competition. Last week the Foundation announced the top 10 finalists which will provide $50,000 in grant funding for three projects to help small communities in Michigan grow and thrive. And White Cloud scored an invitation to the final pitch. The finalists are: · Au Gres (Arenac County) for Kinder Platz Park “old fashion” transformation · Bellaire (Antrim County) for a community year-round garden project · Coopersville (Ottawa County) for a community outdoor fitness park · Dimondale (Eaton County) for a village history art mural · Imlay City (Lapeer County) for a public interactive art and audio display · Napoleon (Jackson County) for a heritage trail project · Rogers City (Presque Isle County) for a public art sculpture · Saranac (Ionia County) for a covered community concert pavilion · St. Johns (Clinton County) for community artistic benches · White Cloud (Newaygo County) for downtown planter boxes/benches Andrew Stafford, who has served as a Community Economic Development Association of Michigan Fellow for the city, was credited by White Cloud City Manager April Storms for heading up this project. N3 caught up with him for a few questions. Can you tell us a little bit about the competition? The ‘Put Your Town on the Map’ pitch competition is funded by the Consumers Energy Foundation and is meant to support big ideas in rural communities across Michigan. To enter the competition, communities submit a brief overview of their ideas. From these brief overviews, ten communities are selected to give a full presentation about their project. These presentations will be given at the Small Town & Rural Development Conference on April 29th at 1:00 p.m. in front of a panel of judges. The top three finalists will receive funding for their ideas; with 1st place receiving $25,000, 2nd place receiving $15,000, and 3rd place receiving $10,000. The project is for benches and planters downtown. How was this decision made and what’s the vision for the initiative? The decision to pitch planters with built-in benches was made because of White Cloud recently finishing Michigan State University’s Sustainable Built Environment Initiative. This program allowed MSU graduate students and professors to come into White Cloud and create design recommendations for redoing White Cloud’s downtown streetscape. While a comprehensive final report was given to the city, the planters with built-in benches were identified as an actionable step that could be pursued. The vision for the initiative is to use the project as a kick-off for implementing other design recommendations that were outlined in MSU’s final report. The city seems to be going through a bit of a renaissance with new housing, the facade improvements, the EGLE drinking water grant and the EGLE dam grant. Any more developments on the horizon? Is there a wish list? The city is very excited about several potential developments that are on the horizon. Currently, we are eagerly waiting to hear about a grant opportunity that would support renovations in Smith Park. These renovations would give more functionality and amenities to Smith Park. Additionally, we are discussing with MDOT adding on-street parking to specific sections of M-37. On-Street parking would significantly help the local businesses that are found on M-37. Finally, we are working on getting new wayfinding signs by the end of the coming summer. These projects will continue to add to the current momentum the city has gained over the last 2 years. You came to the city on a 15-month Fellowship and have been assisting the city for about a year, I believe. When is your term up and what would you like to see happen before you depart? My term will finish in August. Before I leave the City of White Cloud, I would like to see several projects come to fruition. Specifically, I want to see new wayfinding signs in White Cloud and the construction phase of the façade improvement program come to a close. I have put a lot of work into both projects, so I am particularly passionate about seeing these projects come to completion. Well done Andrew and well done White Cloud. The city is the first Newaygo County town to be chosen to deliver a pitch to the generosity of the Consumers Energy Foundation. And with many of us at an advanced age being wildly in favor of benches, one hopes to see our beloved county seat bringing the heater to the competition. Judge Drake honored at BOC meeting
The Newaygo County Board of Commissioners passed a resolution recognizing the Honorable H. Kevin Drake who has served as the 78th District Court Judge for the past 29+ years. Judge Drake is retiring effective March 31.Board Chair Bryan Kolk read the resolution which in part recognized his years spent “adjudicating thousands of cases with insight, integrity and fairness.” The many in attendance to honor the retiring judge delivered a standing ovation whennthe resolution was passed. Current Newaygo County Prosecutor Ellsworth Stay will follow Judge Drake to the bench. His partial term begins April 1 2024 and ends January 1st 2025. In other business the Board heard from candidates for the Mental Health Board and heard a report from Erin Kuhn Executive Director of WMSRDC, the federal and state designated regional planning and development agency for our region. Walleye will be collected starting as early as the week of March 18 and concluding by April 12. The DNR plans to collect approximately 23 million walleye eggs from the Muskegon River this year, which will result in fry (fish that have just hatched) for transfer to rearing ponds and direct fry plants throughout the Lower Peninsula. Photo courtesy Michigan DNR DNR collecting walleye eggs on Muskegon River this spring
Muskegon River anglers should be on the lookout for Michigan Department of Natural Resources personnel collecting walleye eggs below Croton Dam this spring. Collections with electrofishing boats will start as early as the week of March 18 and conclude by April 12. Anglers who wish to avoid the walleye collection activities should fish downstream. The DNR asks anglers to exhibit caution when fishing near the electrofishing boats. For angler safety during the electrofishing work, those wading will be asked to exit the water when boats approach. The DNR plans to collect approximately 23 million walleye eggs from the Muskegon River this year, which will result in fry (fish that have just hatched) for transfer to rearing ponds and direct fry plants throughout the Lower Peninsula. Walleye fry transferred to ponds will be raised to fingerling size (approximately 1.5 to 2.5 inches) and stocked in late spring or early summer in lakes and rivers throughout the state. Lake Michigan and many inland lake walleye populations in the Lower Peninsula depend on the fingerlings produced from Muskegon River eggs. Historically, the number of walleye in the spawning run has been estimated to be between 40,000 and 50,000 fish. The DNR crews will strip milt (sperm) and eggs from approximately 350 adult fish, which will be returned to the river – except for 60, which will be sent to Michigan State University for fish health testing. "This adult population consists of mostly stocked fish," said Ed Pearce, DNR fisheries technician supervisor who coordinates the egg take. "The Muskegon River has the largest run of walleye in the Lake Michigan watershed south of Green Bay, and the walleyes contribute to populations in other areas. For example, based on angler tag returns, walleye from the Muskegon River have been recaptured in Lake Macatawa, Spring Lake, Manistee Lake and Port Sheldon Lake, as well as the Grand, Kalamazoo, Pere Marquette and White rivers." Four or five days of fish collections are planned this spring. The date those collections will begin depends on water temperatures and the presence of ripe fish. This schedule can change daily for many reasons. Electrofish sampling usually begins at Croton Dam each day about 8 a.m. and proceeds downstream to the Pine Street Access Site. If more eggs are needed, additional collections may occur downstream to the Thornapple Street Access Site. The White Cloud Quiz Bowl Team Back Row: Assistant Coach Allison McPhall, Andi Gordon, Samantha Kukal, Annie Feldpausch, Anna Mohr, Jay Fessenden, Charlotte Karnes, Liam Povey, Landon Edwards, Arsyn Balke, Tyler Higgins, Brian Loveless, Mason D’Lamater, Brayden Perdue, Rhoen Wade, and Coach Stephen Smith Front Row: Samuel Viher, Jarrett Warlick, Brian Schaefer, and Wyatt Karnes Not pictured: Kacie Kailing, Zeke Hensley, Trysten Tancock, Leah Vining, and Quin Rose by Coach Stephen Smith Smashing into the CSAA Quiz Bowl season, White Cloud Quiz Bowl demonstrated their academic brilliance in competition, which spanned from late January into early March. White Cloud featured two exceptional varsity teams and fielded three sensational junior varsity squads. Turning in absolutely stunning performances, each contingent displayed poise, determination, and excellence. The White Cloud Varsity A team (9-0) completely dominated their fellow league members with impressive triumphs over Kent City 335-105, Newaygo 335-50, and Reed City 260-75 in the first round of quiz bowl action. Continuing forward in the next event, the Indians engineered victorious feats against Central Montcalm 330-110, Grant 410-65, and Morley-Stanwood 280-95. In the finale, the “quizessential” quartet totally decimated Big Rapids A 405-130, entirely dismantled Chippewa Hills 315-160, and utterly annihilated Lakeview 455-0. In their destructive wake, the energetic ensemble seized the CSAA Conference Championship, with each player receiving All-Conference accolades in additional hardware. Entering the season with an incredible appetite for points, senior captain Brian Schaefer feasted the most with 500 points, averaging 55.5 ppg. Samuel Viher craved a healthy portion of 340 points, averaging 37.7 ppg. Jarrett Warlick scooped up a plate of 195 points, averaging 21.6 ppg. Wyatt Karnes carved up 100 slices of points, averaging 11.1 ppg, while nibbling in on bonuses for good measure as well. The voracious victors totaled 3,125 points as a team, averaging an astounding 347.2 ppg in an incredible display of all-around team performance. The top tier varsity teams in their finishes within the CSAA were as follows: White Cloud (1st), Big Rapids (2nd), Grant (3rd), Reed City (4th), Chippewa Hills (5th), Kent City (6th), Morley Stanwood (7th), Central Montcalm (8th), Lakeview (9th), and Newaygo (10th). Meanwhile, the Varsity B squad (5-4), fought through adversity and nerves in their first night of competition but quickly bounced back in the next, capturing wins against Reed City B 175-95, Central Montcalm 230-115, and Big Rapids B 140-95. In the culminating evening, the team blanked Central Montcalm B 190-(-5) and blasted Reed City B 175-60. The contingent wavered against Big Rapids B 100-215 but achieved a laudable 2nd-place finish in their division with each of the four starters earning All-Conference Honorable Mention awards. Flourishing with the highest individual point total for the team was Captain Annie Feldpausch with 285, averaging 31.6 ppg. Anna Mohr flowered with 200, averaging 22.2 ppg, while Charlotte Karnes blossomed with 110 points and 12.2 ppg. Samantha Kukal bloomed in 50 points. Growing with every competition, Andi Gordon assisted with bonus questions for an enormously efflorescent performance. At the junior varsity level, White Cloud’s performances paralleled the stellar achievements of their varsity leaders. The JV A (4-2) proved their intellectual prowess by knocking out victories against Reed City JV 145-60, Morley-Stanwood JV 150-80, Big Rapids JV A 235-190, and Newaygo JV 295-65. The terrific team faltered against Grant JV A 110-205 and Grant JV B 65-140. White Cloud JV A finished their season with a commendable 2nd-place finish in the JV division. Leading the team in scoring was Co-Captain Tyler Higgins with 190 points, averaging 31.6 ppg. Co-Captain Liam Povey punched out 105 points with 17.6 ppg, and Landon Edwards jabbed in 110 points, averaging 18.3 ppg. Zeke Hensley, Jay Fessenden, and Quin Rose helped out on bonuses. Gaining confidence and experience all season, the never quit, never back down JV B group notched their first victory of the CSAA season in the final event by vanquishing Big Rapids JV B 160-30 and gained invaluable experience in all their other contests as well. Trysten Tancock led his fellow players in scoring with 50 points. Captain Arsyn Balke followed up with 30 points. Kacie Kailing and Rhoen Wade both added 20 points apiece. Cora Sharp recorded her first points as a player with 10, and everyone worked together on the bonus questions. Last but certainly never least, the JV C players placed 1st in the JV Division with a 4-1 record. Over the course of the season, the highly-touted team trounced Morley-Stanwood JV 190-115 in a dramatic come-from-behind victory in the second half. Moreover, the fearless foursome achieved victories against Big Rapids JV B 195-145, which avenged a previous loss in the season, then White Cloud JV B 235-30, and Grant JV B 235-65. Captain Mason D’Lamater ended the season with a whopping 280 points with 56 ppg. Brian Loveless exploded for 100 points with 20 ppg. Annabelle Bird popped up 30 points, and Brayden Perdue burst out 15, with Leah Vining aiding her fellow players on bonuses. Overall, it was an amazing season for White Cloud Quiz Bowl! Coach Stephen Smith and the players would like to thank all the drivers, parents, teachers, staff, donors, and community supporters of our program. Gratitude and appreciation are also extended to Coach Emeritus Tony McHattie as well as to the assistant coaches Allison McPhall, Arnie Baker, and Dallas Dowling. On April 13th, Varsity A will look to win back-to-back state titles at Michigan State University in the NAQT Class C-D State Tournament. BROOKS TOWNSHIP BOARD OF REVIEW MEETING CHANGE OF DATE
Public Notice is hereby given that the Brooks Township Board of Review will hold their hearings March 25, 2024 from 3:00 to 9:00 pm and March 27, 2024 from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm at the Brooks Township Hall, 490 Quarterline Road, Newaygo. This change is due to a printing/mailing error from the Newaygo County Equalization Department, and has been changed to allow for sufficient time for residents to receive their notices. Jennifer Badgero Brooks Township Clerk Posted March 7, 2024 - 3:00 PM This notice is posted in the compliance with PA 267 of 1976 as amended (Open Meetings Act), MCLA 41.72a (2) (3) and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The Brooks Township Board will provide necessary reasonable auxiliary aids and services, such as signers for the hearing impaired and audiotapes of printed materials being considered at the meeting, to the Brooks Township Board. Individuals with disabilities requiring auxiliary aids or services should contact the Brooks Township Board by writing or calling the following: Jennifer Badgero, Clerk, P.O. Box 625, Newaygo, MI. 49337, (231) 652-6763 Madelyn Garbrecht to compete at National Convention
EAST LANSING, Mich. – The 96th Michigan FFA State Convention witnessed the culmination of professionalism and preparedness as finalists competed in the Job Interview Contest. Held on February 28-29, contestants demonstrated their interviewing skills after advancing through district and regional levels. Madelyn Garbrecht from the Newaygo County Career Tech Center FFA Chapter emerged as the winner of the 2024 Michigan FFA Job Interview Contest. Madelyn's poise, confidence and knowledge impressed the judges, earning her the top honors in the contest. The first runner-up position was secured by Madison Andres, also from the Newaygo County Career Tech Center FFA Chapter, while Ryleigh Mauk from the Olivet FFA Chapter claimed the second runner-up spot. In addition to the top competitors, other finalists included: ● Lillian Merill, Charlotte FFA Chapter, Gold ● Lily Makedonsky, Lapeer FFA Chapter, Gold ● Gavin Malek, Ashley FFA Chapter, Silver ● Aubrie Simmons, Whiteford FFA Chapter, Silver ● Rylee McQuarter, Bay Arenac FFA Chapter, Silver ● Savanah Hewitt, Perry FFA Chapter, Silver ● Olivia Lemke, North Ed AM FFA Chapter, Silver ● Kendal Mickey, Saline FFA Chapter, Bronze ● Kaeden Morse, Sanilac FFA Chapter, Bronze William Barnum, 2023-2024 Michigan FFA state president, emphasized the relevance of the Job Interview Contest in preparing FFA members for future career opportunities, stating, "Congratulations to all the finalists for their outstanding performances in the Job Interview Contest. This contest equips FFA members with invaluable skills in resume writing, job application and interview techniques, essential for success in their future careers. Their professionalism and preparedness exemplify the bright future of Michigan's agricultural workforce." The Michigan FFA Job Interview Contest simulates a real-world job interview experience, where participants complete a job application, write a resume, participate in a mock interview and compose a follow-up letter. Contestants are evaluated based on their professionalism, communication skills and knowledge of the job they are applying for. The state winner, Madelyn Garbrecht, will represent Michigan FFA at the 97th National FFA Convention and Expo, scheduled from October 23-26, 2024, in Indianapolis. The Job Interview Contest is proudly sponsored by Michigan Agricultural Commodities (MAC.) MAC is a privately held, for-profit corporation, which buys, sells and stores agricultural commodities throughout the United States and Canada. Today, MAC is Michigan’s largest grain handler with seven elevators, 48 million bushels of storage and around 100 employees. City Receives $250,000 Grant for Community Center Renovation Project
The City of Grant is excited to announce the receipt of a $250,000 grant to fund a significant renovation project aimed at updating and preserving the historic Grant Community Center. The grant, awarded by the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity, will support the much-needed updates to the Community Center, originally constructed in 1921. The project is a comprehensive overhaul of the facility to address maintenance issues and enhance the Community Center to better serve the public for years to come. "This grant is a tremendous boost for our community center, allowing us to address long-standing issues and bring the building into the 21st century while honoring its rich history," said Kasey Jernberg, City Manager. "We're grateful for this opportunity to preserve this important landmark for future generations." Key components of the renovation project include updating electrical and mechanical systems, repairing and refinishing wood flooring, replacing outdated fixtures, drop ceiling replacement, new interior doors and trim work, updating the kitchen, exterior masonry tuck pointing and patching, as well as gutter work and wood fascia repairs. The project will also focus on restoring architectural elements, ensuring the building maintains its historical significance. The project is expected to cost $360,000. The Community Center is a historic landmark and cultural hub, providing a space for events, meetings, and activities that enrich the lives of residents. As the City works through the design phase, it will engage with area stakeholders and experts in various fields to ensure that the revitalized building is a functional and welcoming space. The City of Grant extends its sincere appreciation to the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity for their generous support and investment. The Newaygo County Board of Commissioners recognized Andrea Bliss for her years of service to the county at their recent meeting on February 26th. Citing her 20 year career at the county primarily as a juvenile probation officer with Circuit Court and as Chief Probation Officer ar 78th District Court, Board Chair Bryan Kolk spoke to her loyalty and long term service in expressing the Board’s appreciation. In other business board approved an amended lease agreement with Consumers Energy that will enable the Parks Department to assume ownership of a marina on Hardy Pond to add to the Park system. The land includes additional access to the trail system in the county. Also on the agenda, commissioners appointed Linda Landheer to the Tax Allocation Board and heard a presentation from Register of Deeds Stewart Sanders regarding the addition to his office that will house a large secure safe where the ROD’s official records will be kept. The Board of Commissioners meet next on March 13th at 9:30 am. Counties, municipalities benefit from marijuana money
Adult Use Marijuana Payments are once again making their annual March deliveries into the coffers of municipalities across the state. The Michigan Department of Treasury announced this past week that more than $87 million is being distributed among 269 municipalities and counties as a part of the Michigan Regulation and Taxation of Marijuana Act. Over the next few days, 99 cities, 30 villages, 69 townships and 71 counties will receive payments from the Marihuana Regulation Fund. For the state of Michigan's 2023 fiscal year, this means each eligible municipality and county will receive a bit more than $59,000 for every licensed retail store and microbusiness located within its jurisdiction.Last year's payments were just under $52,000 per business. In our county there are four dispensaries including 2 in White Cloud, one in Grant and another in Big Prairie Township. As a result White Cloud will receive just over $118,000 while Grant and Big Prairie will get just over $59,599 each. The county also receives monies from the fund. “Newaygo County will be receiving an estimated $236, 345.40 for FY23 recreational marijuana licensing fees distributed by the State of Michigan, an increase from FY22 in which the County received $155,559,” said Newaygo County Administrator Chris Wren. The increase is related to an additional facility opening in Newaygo County bringing the total to four. “Newaygo County uses the funding to offset the expenses of law enforcement activities. Although Newaygo County does not participate in licensing or approving these facilities, the County will utilize the funds for law enforcement expenses as long as we receive them.” Big Rapids currently has 15 facilities bringing the city just over $886,000 this year, with Mecosta County receiving the same. “These dollars may be spent how our local units deem fit to their needs," State Treasurer Rachael Eubanks said. See all Michigan municipalities benefitting from the fund here Presidential Primary Results For County, State
With about 23% of registered voters casting their ballots Newaygo County went to the polls in the first election cycle encompassing 9 days of early voting opportunities prior to Tuesday’s election day. As predicted, both frontrunners in their respective parties managed easy wins over their nearest rivals. On the Republican side former President Donald Trump did better locally than he did statewide, drawing 77% of NC Republicans to closest (and only current) competitor Nikki Haley’s 19%. Statewide Haley did better gathering about 27% to Trump's 68%. On the Democratic side President Joe Biden’s local results matched pretty evenly with the rest of the state. He finished with 82% of the vote here, and 81% statewide His primary opposition was in the uncommitted category where 11% of NC voters and 13% statewide elected to opt out of the selected candidates. By comparison just 2% of Republican voters here and 3% statewide chose uncommitted. 7653 votes were cast on the Republican ballot and 1945 votes went to Democrats. The results: Newaygo County Trump 5890 77% Haley 1439 19% Others 153 2% Uncommitted 171 3% State (95% counted) Trump 755,909 68.2% Haley 294,334 26.8% Others 25,294 2.2% Uncommitted 33,373 3% Newaygo County Biden 1597 82% Others 139 7% Uncommitted 209 11% State (95% counted) Biden 617,728 81.1% Uncommitted 100,960 13.3% Others 43,146 5.7% PUBLIC NOTICE: The next Advisory Council Meeting for the Grant Child and Adolescent Health Center will be held on March 6, 2024 from noon to 1:00 at the Grant School Administration building. This meeting is open to the public. Please call 231-834-1350 if you plan to attend as there will be lunch available. If you would like to attend virtually you can access the meeting at: meet.google.com/VXG-OCBA-BQH or call 1-929-251-5532 code: 560340384# |
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April 2024
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