 Governor Whitmer speaks at recent press conference as Dr. Khaldun looks on Despite request for 2 weeks of remote, county schools to continue in person learning, sports. With COVID-19 cases on the rise dramatically in the state Governor Whitmer used her Friday press conference not to issue more restrictive orders, but to make a plea for residents to voluntarily follow recommendations aimed at stopping the current surge. “Policy change alone won’t change the tide,” she stated. “We need everyone to step up and to take personal responsibility here.” The recommendations included opting for dining al fresco or maybe take out in lieu of taking a table inside and suspending in person activities for youth sports for the next two weeks. She also urged high schools to shift to remote learning for 2 weeks to combat the possibility of a surge spurred by spring break travel. Michigan Education Association President Paula Herbart: “When we say that the health and safety of our students must be our priority, that’s not just lip service or a catchy message. As educators, nothing is more important to us – which is why we fully support the governor’s call for in-person high school learning and youth sports to take a two-week break amidst rising COVID-19 cases.” Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, chief medical executive and chief deputy for health: “As a parent and former student-athlete myself, I understand how important athletics are to our children’s physical and mental health. However, parents and athletes need to understand the risk involved with youth sports if they choose to participate. We’ve seen that the younger population has played a significant role in transmission during this most recent spike. I urge youth sports organizers to pause in-person activities for the next couple weeks.” And while some folks might adapt their dining decisions and some youth leagues may ponder postponement, the schools in our county look to be unanimous in staying with in-person learning and continuing with scheduled sports and other activities. Fremont Superintendent Ken Haggart: “The Governor made an announcement this week requesting all high schools return to virtual-only instruction and that all youth sports be paused. We want to assure you that we have carefully considered this request, and that our local circumstances do not yet meet this level of reaction. We will continue to communicate with the local health department, and make decisions that best support our students. With that in mind, we feel it is important to let everyone know that in-person instruction will continue, and our athletic teams will keep playing and competing.” Grant Superintendent Brett Zuver: “With Governor Whitmer's announcement this morning there have been some things we have had to discuss and look at today. There have been discussions with many other area school districts, each one obviously has its own unique needs and circumstances to consider. Here at Grant Public Schools, we will remain open and all sports will remain scheduled as planned.If something changes, such as an order that will impact our requirements, we will re-evaluate if needed.” White Cloud and Newaygo will also continue in person learning and spring sports for now. President & CEO of Spectrum Health Tina Freese Decker also spoke at the press conference expressing concern over the recent surge, “Based on the increase in positivity rates and hospitalizations, we need the help of Michiganders,” said. “We ask you to practice the safety behaviors that we know work and get vaccinated as soon as possible. This will help us slow the spread and hopefully this will be our last surge.”  Spectrum Health's Tina Freese Decker urges safety measures, vaccinations.
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 DHD#10 Adds Johnson & Johnson Waitlist and second dose waitlist to website; 16+ can now schedule online From our friends at DHD#10 April 7, 2021 – As the COVID-19 vaccine supply is improving, District Health Department #10 (DHD#10) continues to adjust and adapt processes to accommodate getting residents in the ten-county jurisdiction vaccinated that want to receive it. Soon, DHD#10 will be receiving additional supply of the Johnson & Johnson (Janssen) one-dose vaccine and will open it up to the general population that prefer to receive this type. A Johnson & Johnson Waitlist has been added to the DHD#10 website so individuals can add themselves and they will be notified when appointments are available. Additionally, DHD#10 has added a Second Dose Waitlist for those individuals who received their first dose elsewhere and are in need of their second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. Please note that DHD#10 cannot guarantee that vaccine supply will be readily available for this group. This waitlist will be utilized for filling DHD#10 clinics when all other waitlists are exhausted or if there are extra doses at the end of clinics, and doses are only available on a first come/first served basis. It is also possible individuals who are contacted may need to travel to a neighboring county to receive their second dose. If you received your first dose from DHD#10 and need to reschedule your second dose, please do not add your name to this waitlist. Please email covid@dhd10.org and ask to be rescheduled or call 888-217-3904 for further assistance. DHD#10 has opened online scheduling to anyone aged 16 and older for the COVID-19 vaccine. Go to www.dhd10.org/schedule. Individuals aged 16 and 17 must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian when receiving their vaccine or will be turned away. For questions, email us at covid@dhd10.org. For more COVID-19 vaccine information, visit us at www.dhd10.org/covid-19-vaccine. To stay informed, sign up for our Public Health Alert at www.dhd10.org/subscribe.   Entrepreneurial pitch competition enters third year, continues to grow GRAND RAPIDS, MICH (APRIL 5, 2021) Newaygo County’s first-of-its-kind entrepreneurial pitching competition, Pitch North, is returning for its third year bigger than ever before.. Entrepreneurs living in Newaygo, Oceana and Lake Counties will once again have the opportunity to pitch their ideas to compete for one of many cash prizes up for grabs.. The competition’s third year boasts bigger prizes, with a total of $10,000 in award funds available to cultivate entrepreneurial growth in these rural communities. The virtual event will take place on June 8th, 2021. Entrepreneurship continues to be critical to the success of rural communities, especially as they begin recovering from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. When people start and grow businesses, they contribute to the economic diversity of their area. These unique local businesses become differentiators for their communities. Recognizing that individuals living in rural areas often have less access to funding and resources to pursue these endeavors The Right Place, Inc. launched Pitch North in 2019 to change that. Pitch submissions for Pitch North 2021 are being accepted at pitchnorth.com now through May 10, 2021 at 11:59 pm. A hand-picked committee will review and score all submissions and select five finalists to present their pitches live at the June 8th event, where cash prizes will be awarded to all five finalists. The public is welcome to attend this free event, which will be held via Zoom. Additional information on how to register is available at pitchnorth.com. Pitch North is hosted by The Right Place, Inc. and made possible through support from The Adama Family Gift Fund, The Fremont Area Community Foundation, Shelby State Bank, Consumers Energy, DTE Energy, River Country Chamber of Commerce, West Shore Community College, Gerber Federal Credit Union and The Lakeshore Fab Lab.  Top Three finishers in Year One.  L-R Rachel Larsen, Lola Lopez, Kristie Best, Kalleigh Klappholz, Morgan Pope Local troop delivers some gratitude
Nothing says thank you like those famous GS cookies. Especially the Caramel deLites and Thin Mints and… But we digress. Newaygo Girl Scout Troop 4581 met with Kristie Best from Life EMS Ambulance recently. To show appreciation for service to our community, the Troop donated cans of nuts and boxes of Girl Scout cookies to Life EMS Ambulance. Nicely done scouts!
Colton Isenhart, Rylee Richards, Lily Ruehmeier take top awards
FREMONT, Mich. (4/1/2021) Gerber Federal Credit Union awarded a total of $2,750 as a result of its Annual Essay Scholarship program. Entrants were asked to explain “Even during the pandemic, the cost of college education has increased while many households have struggled to provide for basic needs. You have been asked to provide three recommendations to your legislators on how to make college more affordable. What are your recommendations?” in 300-500 words. Entries were accepted from Gerber Federal Credit Union members currently attending their senior year of high school and planning to attend an accredited technical school, community college, trade school, four-year accredited college or university, or an apprentice program. Colton Isenhart from Fremont, MI is the First Place winner, he was awarded $1,750 and publication of his essay at www.gerberfcu.com. Rylee Richards from Fremont, MI is the Second Place winner and was awarded $750. Lillian Ruehmeier from Newaygo, MI is the Third Place Winner and was awarded $250. Essays were submitted by email and mail. Our panel of judges included 4 educators from various school districts and a member of management at a local hospital. Judges evaluated the essays on Topical Relevance and Quality of Writing after all identifying information was removed. Mr. Isenhart’s essay can be found on our Pulse section as a Guest Column. https://www.nearnorthnow.com/the-pulse/guest-column-legislators-meet-me-halfway  BALDWIN, Michigan – Don't miss your opportunity to save on your Marketplace insurance through HealthCare.gov. What you need to know The COVID-19 Special Enrollment Period has been extended to August 15, 2021. It was established to ensure uninsured people have the ability to enroll in health care coverage. Beginning April 1, 2021, new subsidies will be provided to reduce the cost of premiums for everyone, including current or newly enrolled beneficiaries. These reductions ARE NOT AUTOMATIC for those currently enrolled. To take advantage of these significant savings, you must log in to your HealthCare.gov account and update your 2021 application. You can do this by selecting "Report a life change." You'll then select the "change to my household's income" option even if there has been no income change. If you do not update your application now, you will receive the tax credits at the end of the year when you file your income tax return. Family Health Care (FHC) has trained staff who are up to date on these new laws and are available to answer your questions or assist you with your enrollment or changes to your HealthCare.gov account. During this Special Enrollment Period, you may also choose a different health care plan. Before deciding to do so, you should consider how much you have already paid toward your deductible and out-of-pocket maximum. Changing plans may reset these numbers to zero paid. Also, beginning April 1, 2021, tax credits will now be available to anyone earning over 400% of the Federal Poverty Level. It's important to remember you are not allowed to enroll in Marketplace coverage through HealthCare.gov if you qualify for other insurances like Medicaid or Medicare or if your employer offers affordable coverage that meets the Affordable Care Act requirements. Stay Tuned New subsidies will become available in early July for those who have received unemployment benefits anytime during 2021. Family Health Care will provide updates as the implementation of this new policy nears. For assistance or questions, find an office near you by visiting familyhealthcare.org  Family Health Care facility in White Cloud  Rise in COVID admissions, reduces number of people who can visit in hospitals and outpatient care sites Grand Rapids, Mich., March 31, 2021 – As a result of significantly increasing numbers of patients admitted with COVID-19 and the increase in community positivity rate, Spectrum Health is revising its visitor policies. The revision aims to reduce the number of people in its hospitals and outpatient care sites, including Spectrum Health Gerber Memorial and Spectrum Health Ludington Hospital. Effective Wednesday, March 31, adult patients are allowed one adult family member or guest per patient. This must be the same person for the patient’s entire hospital stay. The following exceptions will apply:
The new restrictions apply to the following Spectrum Health hospitals and nearby physician offices and ambulatory care sites:
In addition, in order to prevent the spread of coronavirus, all visitors will be screened and are required to wear a mask that covers their mouth and nose to enter the hospitals and outpatient facilities. Spectrum Health dining rooms continue to be closed to visitors. Hospital food service will be available in the cafeteria through to-go orders. More information about visitor restrictions can be found here. Spectrum Health's COVID-19 resource center can be found here.   March 26, 2021 – District Health Department #10 (DHD#10) reports that the COVID-19 B.1.1.7 variant has now been confirmed in four of the ten counties within the jurisdiction. Currently, there are 5 cases in Kalkaska, 1 in Mecosta, 1 in Missaukee, and 1 in Wexford. The cases were identified through routine active surveillance by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. B.1.1.7. appears to be more contagious, but so far there is no indication that it affects the clinical outcomes or disease severity compared to the SARS-CoV-2 virus that has been circulating across the United States for months. However, a higher rate of transmission could increase the number of people who need to be hospitalized or who die due to COVID-19 should the new variant begin circulating widely in Michigan. To date, the variant was identified in 51 states and jurisdictions in the U.S., with 986 cases in Michigan as of March 25, 2021. Michigan is one of only two states with more than 750 cases of the variant. Florida is the other state, currently with 1,042 cases. “Now is definitely not the time to relax our prevention efforts to stop the spread of COVID-19” said Kevin Hughes, Health Director for DHD#10. “As new cases are climbing and we are all-hands-on-deck to get our residents vaccinated, we urge you to get tested if you have symptoms, and do not wait to hear from us before you isolate if you test positive.” Important precautions to protect against COVID include:
If you have symptoms of COVID-19, have been exposed to COVID-19, or recently have traveled, get tested. You can find testing locations at www.mi.gov/coronavirustest or by calling 211 or the COVID-19 Hotline at 888-535-6136, press 1. For questions, email us at covid@dhd10.org. For more COVID-19 vaccine information, visit us at www.dhd10.org/covid-19-vaccine. To stay informed, sign up for our Public Health Alert at www.dhd10.org/subscribe.  COVID-19 Free Antigen Testing Available to Newaygo County Residents
NC RESA has partnered with MDHHS to offer a pop-up drive through antigen testing site at our Educational Services Center in Fremont. As residents return from spring break travel, many are concerned about the potential surge in COVID cases of those who have not yet been vaccinated. Pop-up testing minimizes some of the risk. This free testing will be held Sunday, April 11 between 12:00 – 6:00pm at 4747 W. 48th Street, Fremont, MI 49412. Pre-registration is preferred, but not required. Please scan the QR code on your mobile device or visit http://honumg.info/NewaygoRESA to begin your pre-registration process.  All Services at DHD#10 offices now open to the public
From our friends at the Health Department: March 23, 2021 – District Health Department #10 announced that all ten offices are now open to the public for all services. Please wear a mask, social distance, and do not enter if you are sick. If you do not have a mask, one will be provided for you. For questions, email us at covid@dhd10.org. For information on COVID-19, visit us at www.dhd10.org/coronavirus. To stay informed, sign up for our Public Health Alert at www.dhd10.org/subscribe All eligible Priority Groups Can now schedule online; 16+ opening Monday
March 19, 2021 – District Health Department #10 (DHD#10) announces that all currently eligible priority groups can now schedule directly online to receive your first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine at www.dhd10.org/schedule. Those currently eligible include adults 50+, healthcare workers, frontline essential workers, and caregivers of individuals with special needs. You can schedule online even if you are currently on a waiting list. If you do not have access to a computer, call 888-217-3904 during regular business hours for scheduling assistance. Starting Monday, March 22, anyone age 16 and older will also be eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine from DHD#10; however, you must be 18 or older to schedule yourself online. You do not have to have a medical condition to be eligible. Individuals aged 16 and 17 must be scheduled by a parent or legal guardian and can only receive the Pfizer vaccine. If you are a parent or legal guardian of a 16- or 17-year-old and you want them to receive the COVID-19 vaccine, please enter their information on the 16-17 waitlist at www.dhd10.org/covid-19-vaccine beginning Monday. One of our schedulers will contact you directly to schedule. Please do not schedule 16- or 17-year-olds online. “Vaccine supply is improving so we decided to open up the eligibility to anyone 16 and over starting Monday”, stated Kevin Hughes, Health Officer for DHD#10. “We will add clinic dates each week, so if there are no dates available when you go to schedule online, keep checking back for more dates to open up and try and schedule again.” DHD#10 reminds everyone to please keep your appointment with us once you are scheduled because a vaccine is reserved specifically for you. If you cancel because you were able to get one somewhere else sooner, that causes issues with vaccine clinics. Also, when you schedule with DHD#10, your second dose is automatically reserved and you will be scheduled for it at your first dose appointment. For questions, email us at covid@dhd10.org. For more COVID-19 vaccine information, visit us at www.dhd10.org/covid-19-vaccine. To stay informed, sign up for our Public Health Alert at www.dhd10.org/subscribe.
Future Proud Michigan Educator Grants Awarded to 44 Applicants including NC RESA
LANSING March 18, 2021 – The Michigan Department of Education (MDE) has selected 44 grantees across the state to develop new opportunities for students in grades 6-12 to explore education professions. NC RESA was pleased to learn they would be one of the recipients of this effort to grow and sustain the educator workforce. To develop an interest among local students for a career in the education field. “Every school district in Newaygo County is challenged to fill vacancies due to few applicants and fewer young people choosing the teaching profession for a career,” stated Dr. Lori Tubbergen Clark, NC RESA Superintendent. “I am very concerned about a significant decline in the number of students in Michigan graduating from educator preparation programs. In the 2003-04 school year, Michigan issued 9,664 new teaching certificates. The number dropped in 2017-18 to 3,819. We will continue to struggle to fill vacancies in Newaygo County where many veteran teachers are exploring retirement. We are attempting to grow our own future teachers with the grant project.” The Future Proud Michigan Explore program is an important element of MDE’s larger Proud Michigan Educator campaign and a companion to existing career and technical education 9-12 cadet teacher programs. “Teachers help to build a better world, and we need to collectively invest in our future proud Michigan educators,” said State Superintendent Dr. Michael Rice. “We need to encourage our young people to consider developing and using their talents as Michigan educators.” Grantees will receive $10,000 in federal Title IIA funding per eligible school building to build implementation teams, provide student engagement activities, and plan for hands-on learning through Explore courses in the 2021-22 or 2022-23 academic years. MDE will provide participating school districts with flexible models for implementation, curricular resources, and free professional development for educators. Grantees proposed several innovative approaches to implementing Explore programming, including: • Virtual and hybrid instruction paired with local teacher mentors • Inclusive and equity-focused programs that intend to bring a more diverse generation of teachers to future classrooms • Programs that will recruit current students into the teaching profession as advocates for their local communities, including urban, rural and indigenous communities • Programs that attract diverse students into roles as secondary science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) educators • Increased opportunities for high school students to earn college credits • Coursework articulated from high school, through a two-year college and into an educator preparation program In partnership with intermediate school districts, community colleges and post secondary educator preparation programs and other community organizations, grantees will plan for building pathways to the profession that are clear, accessible, and well-supported. For more information, please visit bit.ly/FuturePME or email MDE PME@Michigan.gov  An Economic News Update From The Right Place By Julie Burrell, Business Development Manager, Newaygo County Economic development is sometimes hard to describe, but in a nutshell… We thrive on relationships, we connect businesses to resources, we focus on collaboration, and we are here to ensure our local employers succeed. This column is designed to share the timely information our community needs to continue being a place where people and businesses can prosper. In this edition you’ll notice a simplified approach. Our new CEO, Randy Thelen, presented our strategic plan in a new view recently, and I thought it worked perfectly to organize the items I’ll share with N3 readers. People Many companies continue to struggle with finding new talent, but our partners are here to help. Michigan Works! West Central has hosted several virtual job fairs over the past several months, with the next being a partnership with MDARD to host an Ag/Food Processing specific job fair on March 25. Registration is available through March 22. Additionally, MW!WC can assist employers with writing job descriptions and posting open positions through the Pure Michigan Talent Connect database. Upskilling current staff is easier on your bottom line with The Fremont Area Community Foundation’s Adult Scholarships program, which is open for applications year-round for Newaygo County residents. These scholarships are available for undergrad study, certifications, credentials, and apprenticeship programs. Additionally, the recently announced Michigan Reconnect program pays a portion of the cost of tuition for eligible adults in Newaygo County pursuing an associate degree or skills certificate. It is nearly intern season, and Hello West Michigan is offering a free training focusing on tips for employers to transition from an in-person experience to a virtual internship program. As organizations shift to incorporate new digital processes, this workshop is designed to leave participants feeling confident in beginning an online internship program. Register today for the May 13th session. Looking for more tools in attracting workforce to Newaygo County? Check out this great video put together by the team at The Right Place, highlighting West Michigan. We’ve just launched entrepreneurial programming for 2021, with the Grow North series. Are you interested in starting a business in 2021? Our first session is March 18, and you can still register here. Our second session will focus on making a home based business flourish, and you can register here. Place We all know broadband struggles in Newaygo County, but if your organization has an open wifi connection, you can help! Partnering with Connect Michigan, we are hoping to beef up the Newaygo County WiFi map, by including any organization with a wifi connection open to the public. Enter your business info here. The Newaygo County Tourism Council is gearing up to launch their Spring campaign with the best ways to do Spring in Newaygo County. Interested in getting in front of the 48,000 plus website visitors? Contact them to get your business a front-row seat. Prosperity The Right Place invites you to attend the 18th annual Midwest Supply Chain Management Conference on March 25. Register here. Would your business benefit from a PPP Loan? If you did not apply for or receive a loan in the first round, you are encouraged to contact Northern Initiatives, a community development financial institution who supports Newaygo County. Did you miss the Newaygo County Economic Outlook on Feb 23? Watch the replay here. Is your business interested in exporting to India or Mexico? India has a high demand for US-made products such as automotive, IT, medical equipment and environmental & pollution control. Register now for the April event. Mexico’s virtual trade mission is scheduled for early Summer, with an April 23 deadline to register. Outdoor recreation is trending upward and Michigan is perfectly poised to capitalize on this growth potential! The Michigan Office of Outdoor Recreation Industry is hosting a Supplier Summit on March 23. Attendees will participate in an educational webinar, and have opportunities to network with buyers and suppliers supporting the outdoor rec industry. Register here. March is literacy month, and your United Way of the Lakeshore Newaygo County is raising money for the Dolly Parton Imagination Library Program, with a Beards for Books challenge! Newaygo County’s own Robert Ross has his beard on the line, vowing to shave it off once he reaches $1,875. These funds will provide 900 books for 75 kids in Newaygo County! The FCC recently established the Emergency Broadband Benefit Program, Broadband assistance for low income residents which can offer a one-time discount of up to $100 on a laptop, desktop or tablet and up to $50 per month on broadband services. More info can be found here.   Rescue $$ in Newaygo County
$200K to the city of Newaygo? Close to $350,000 to Brooks? And our Northern outpost Troy Township nets 28 G’s? These distributions do not include somewhere around $9.5 million the county will receive. Beyond the $1400 per person checks and deposits arriving in Newaygo County homes, this influx of funds to municipalities is part of the American Rescue Plan approved by Congress and signed by President Biden. Like the plan, hate the plan, the plan is in motion and money will be moving. While it is still very unclear what the parameters are when it comes to using the cash and the subsequent reporting and data requirements that will be involved in the process, here is a list of the local municipality amounts that will be distributed: Ashland township Newaygo County $ 273,407 Barton township Newaygo County $ 80,472 Beaver township Newaygo County $ 50,357 Big Prairie township Newaygo County $ 261,163 Bridgeton township Newaygo County $ 213,867 Brooks township Newaygo County $ 349,139 Croton township Newaygo County $ 324,751 Dayton township Newaygo County $ 192,935 Denver township Newaygo County $ 193,922 Ensley township Newaygo County $ 268,371 Everett township Newaygo County $ 183,160 Fremont city Newaygo County $ 402,853 Garfield township Newaygo County $ 255,140 Goodwell township Newaygo County $ 54,405 Grant city Newaygo County $ 87,285 Grant township Newaygo County $ 327,713 Home township Newaygo County $ 22,907 Lilley township Newaygo County $ 80,274 Lincoln township Newaygo County $ 124,707 Merrill township Newaygo County $ 66,352 Monroe township Newaygo County $ 31,893 Newaygo city Newaygo County $ 204,092 Norwich township Newaygo County $ 59,836 Sheridan charter township Newaygo County $ 242,304 Sherman township Newaygo County $ 209,424 Troy township Newaygo County $ 28,239 White Cloud city Newaygo County $ 136,950 Wilcox township Newaygo County $ 110,291 “When somebody says it’s not about the money, it’s about the money.”-H.L. Mencken Ages 16 and Older with Medical Conditions, Disabilities Starting March 22; All residents 16 and up to become eligible on April 5
Lansing, March 12- The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) announced what looks to be a Quantum Leap when it comes to vaccine distribution. The state is expanding vaccination eligibility for Michiganders ages 16 and older with disabilities or medical conditions that put them at high risk of negative COVID-19 outcome beginning Monday, March 22. The state is also announcing that beginning Monday, April 5, all Michiganders age 16 and up who were not previously eligible will be eligible to receive a vaccine. All vaccine providers may begin vaccinating the new priority group of 16-49 with medical conditions or disabilities by Monday, March 22.Based on the anticipated amount of vaccines becoming available to the state and President Biden’s directive that all adults should be eligible by May 1 , Michigan has decided to move forward with allowing all Michiganders who were not previously eligible to begin receiving vaccine on Monday, April 5. The following medical conditions might place an individual at an increased risk for severe illness from the virus that causes COVID-19, and are therefore also eligible for vaccination: asthma (moderate-to-severe); cerebrovascular disease (affects blood vessels and blood supply to the brain); cystic fibrosis; hypertension or high blood pressure; immunocompromised state (weakened immune system) from blood or bone marrow transplant; immune deficiencies; HIV; use of corticosteroids or use of other immune weakening medicines; neurologic conditions, such as dementia; liver disease; overweight (BMI > 25 kg/m2 , but < 30 kg/m2 ); pulmonary fibrosis (having damaged or scarred lung tissues); thalassemia (a type of blood disorder); and Type 1 diabetes mellitus. Those eligible to receive a vaccine should:
It is important to note that, while supplies are increasing, there remains a limited amount of vaccine available, so there may be a waitlist for available appointments. As more vaccine becomes available, the state will continue to move more quickly through the priority groups.  The Total Trek Quest (TTQ) program is ready to go this spring and we’re excited to bring fun, movement, and interactive learning to 3rd-5th grade boys in Newaygo county. TTQ offers boys in 3rd-5th grade a high-energy after-school program that incorporates training for a 5K with a curriculum that focuses on developing positive peer relationships, working toward individual goals, making healthy choices, and resisting peer pressure. TTQ has been offered in Newaygo county since 2018 and is a homegrown Michigan initiative, originating in Ottawa County in 2005. Since the pandemic began, we have worked hard to modify and adapt TTQ so that it still offers our participants connection, activity, movement, and learning while following COVID-19 safety guidelines. We have 2 programming options: an all virtual program, which will consist of two weekly hour-long virtual practices, and a hybrid program, which will have one virtual and one in-person practice each week. The options for in-person practices will be Branstrom Park in Fremont on Wednesdays and Riverfront Park in Newaygo on Thursdays. These in-person practices will be from 4:15 to 5:45 and will be held totally outdoors, following all COVID safety guidelines including wearing masks at all times except while running, maintaining social distancing, and using hand sanitizer several times during practice. Our spring season begins the week of April 12 and ends the week of June 12 with a 5k event. The program also includes a family focused kick off event; we have hosted several online events that have offered families a fun way to interact virtually. More information will be available for both the kickoff event and the 5K in the near future. To register your 3rd-5th grade boy, visit https://www.raceplanner.com/register/index/Spring21N. The registration fee is $45; scholarships are available for all in need. Please contact Colin Moylan at cmoylan@arborcircle.org or 616-278-4788 for any questions or scholarship needs.
 Appointments for COVID Vaccinations Now Open
Baldwin MI, March 11- Family Health Care (FHC) is now able to offer COVID-19 vaccinations to community members and clinic patients age 50 and up, including caregiver family members and guardians age 16 and older of children who have special health care needs (part of Phase 1C Groups B and C). This includes individuals in Phase 1B Group B who live in congregate settings (i.e., homeless shelters, jails, prisons). Vaccinations will continue as supplies are available. Health centers like FHC play an essential part in the national strategy to roll out the COVID-19 vaccine, especially in rural areas. Getting vaccinated not only helps to protect yourself but your family, friends, and neighbors, too. The COVID-19 vaccines have been shown to be safe and effective. Data from clinical trials demonstrate that the known and potential benefits of this vaccine outweigh the known and potential harms of becoming infected with COVID-19. People who have gotten sick from the COVID-19 virus may still benefit from getting vaccinated because they can become infected with the virus more than once. The vaccination is free, and appointments are required. You can make an appointment by calling one of Family Health Care’s following locations:
 Newaygo County Prosecuting Attorney, Worth Stay, announced that David Robert Daniel Saylor, (DOB March 10, 1987) of Newaygo, was arraigned on March 9 on a two count criminal complaint. The charges stem from an investigation into an explosion at Newaygo High School and subsequent search warrant of a residence. The defendant is charged with one count of Explosives- Manufacture/Possession of Molotov Cocktail in violation of MCL 750.211a(2)(a) and one count of Children- Contributing to the Delinquency of a Minor, in violation of MCL 750.145. The defendant is also charged as a Habitual Offender- Second Offense Notice. A probable cause conference is set for March 18, 2021 at 9:00 AM. A preliminary examination is set for March 25, 2021 at 1:30 PM. Both hearings are scheduled to be held at the 78th District Court in White Cloud, Michigan. A defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty. Anyone with information regarding this ongoing investigation is asked to please contact Officer Ryan Dornbos at the Newaygo Police Department, 231-652-1655, ext. 242 or the Michigan State Police, Hart Post at 231-873-2171.  From MSP:
The Investigation continues into an explosive device brought into the Newaygo High School yesterday morning. Additional explosive devices were located last night at a residence and were safely detonated by the Michigan State Police Bomb Squad. LATER: The MSP Bomb Squad has given the all clear for investigators to begin their search of the residence. LATER: The MSP bomb squad returned to a residence at the 2300 block of E. 95th in connection to the investigation of the explosive device at the Newaygo High School yesterday. Additional explosive materials were located at the residence and unstable materials were countered charged for safety. The bomb squad is continuing their protocols to render the scene safe for investigators.   County schools go into lockdown
This morning Newaygo Police Department Officers were dispatched to Newaygo High School for an explosion inside a classroom. Preliminary investigation has determined that a 16-year-old student accidentally detonated a homemade explosive device he brought to the school. The device detonated in the classroom, injuring the 16-year-old and four additional classmates. High School Administration dialed 911 and emergency services arrived on scene. The school was immediately evacuated, and students were transferred to the bus garage. All Newaygo County Schools went into lockdown according to the county emergency operations plan until information was obtained that there were no further threats to students. The 16-year-old was taken to the hospital for moderate-severe injuries while four others were taken to the hospital by their parents for minor injuries. The classroom teacher also sought treatment at the hospital. The investigation continues into what kind of material was involved in the explosion and the circumstances contributing. The Federal Bureau of Investigation and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms are on scene to assist with identifying the explosive materials involved. This incident is being investigated by the Newaygo Police Department and the Michigan State Police Hart Post with full assistance of Newaygo Public School staff. Troopers are currently executing a search warrant at a Newaygo County residence pursuant to the investigation. DHD#10 Plan for COVID-19 Vaccine Clinics March 5, 2021 – As the COVID-19 vaccine supply improves, District Health Department #10 (DHD#10) has expanded eligibility requirements and is planning to schedule more vaccine clinics to accommodate those wanting to receive the vaccine. However, the way each group is scheduled for clinics may vary. At the end of each week, DHD#10 is notified on our vaccine allotment for the coming week and our team gets to work planning for both first dose and second dose vaccine clinics. Our schedulers first reach out to those on the waiting list, starting with healthcare workers and seniors 65+, through phone calls, emails, or text messages to schedule them in each county. If we are unable to reach them, we move to the next priority list to get them scheduled. Going forward, we are also going to be scheduling some of our clinics online where individuals can go to our website and schedule their appointment directly. This will be limited to specific groups only. “One challenge we face is that some of the counties within our ten-county jurisdiction have exhausted their 65+ waiting lists while other counties still have fairly long lists,” stated Kevin Hughes, Health Officer for DHD#10. “This prompted us to open up the eligibility so that we can fill our vaccine clinics in each county. By doing this, however, it may appear to some that we are scheduling people in the newly eligible groups before those that are on the waiting list.” Hughes stated the priority is to schedule those on the waiting list first. For next week’s first dose clinics, DHD#10 split up the vaccine supply and reserved more than half of the doses for the 65+ waiting list. DHD#10 staff has been reaching out to individuals in this group directly to schedule them and then they will move on to schedule essential workers and caregivers of individuals with special needs. With the remainder of the vaccine supply, DHD#10 opened up an online scheduler for individuals 50+, including 65+ who may still be waiting to be scheduled, to fill clinics. After a day and a half, almost all online slots were full in each county. When scheduling vaccine clinics online, it is important to note that DHD#10 can only schedule one week at a time. Individuals must first select the county where they reside, then select one of the dates that is bolded, and then select a time. There will only be one or two dates in bold to choose from in one week. If there are no bolded dates, that means the clinics are full in that county for the week. Residents can select a date and time from any other county in the jurisdiction to receive their vaccine; however, they must go to that same location to receive their second dose. DHD#10 will continue to post online schedules for the 50+ priority group toward the end of each week at www.dhd10.org/schedule. We will notify you via social media and our Public Health Alerts when new schedules are posted. Please note we cannot open up dates in future weeks until we know how much vaccine supply we will receive. If you are 50+ and want to receive the COVID-19 vaccine, check back each week to try and schedule online or place yourself on or 50-64 or 65+ waiting list at www.dhd10.org/covid-19-vaccine. We understand this process can be overwhelming, complicated, and frustrating. Please know we are doing our best to coordinate this enormous effort to get everyone vaccinated that is prioritized and wants to receive it. We ask for your continued patience as the situation continues to evolve and we adjust our plans or develop new workflows to best accommodate our residents. For questions, email us at covid@dhd10.org. For more COVID-19 vaccine information, visit us at www.dhd10.org/covid-19-vaccine. To stay informed, sign up for our Public Health Alert at www.dhd10.org/subscribe.  Fremont Area Community Foundation announces selection of search firm to find next President and CEO
Fremont Area Community Foundation announced it has retained Kittleman and Associates, a national executive recruiting firm, to lead the search for the Community Foundation’s next president and CEO. Kittleman, a firm focused exclusively on senior executive searches in the nonprofit sector, will work with the existing local search committee to identify the successor to Carla Roberts, who announced last year her plans to retire by the end of 2021. “Our goal is to find a dynamic candidate to lead the Community Foundation into the future while building on the legacy begun by Carla Roberts,” said Joe Roberson, Community Foundation board chair and chair of the search committee. “Kittleman has a long and successful history of recruiting leaders for nonprofit organizations across the country, including for many community foundations right here in Michigan.” In late 2020, the Community Foundation board created a search committee comprised of representatives from across the organization’s four-county service area. This committee evaluated search firms using interview questions in categories such as understanding of the Community Foundation, diversity and culture, personality assessment, and the technical aspects of the nationwide search process. “Kittleman’s scores were significantly higher than the other firms we evaluated,” said Lori Tubbergen Clark, search committee vice chair. “They understand the complexities of our rural community—particularly in relation to our infrastructure and vital nonprofit work—and will build a search process tailored specifically to the needs of Newaygo County. We’re excited to begin our work together.” Cory King, Kittleman president and CEO, also looks forward to the partnership. “We are thrilled to have the opportunity to work with the Community Foundation at this important moment of leadership transition,” said King. “Through our work with foundations in Michigan over the years, we have followed the work of Fremont Area Community Foundation and know the impressive scope of their impact. Given the challenges in all communities right now, we know the need for exceptional foundation leadership has never been greater and we look forward to engaging a thoughtful and creative leader to chart the next era at the Community Foundation.” Kittleman will work in collaboration with the search committee to conduct a comprehensive search for candidates to apply for the position of president and CEO. A small pool will be provided to the Community Foundation Board of Trustees in mid-summer and a finalist is expected to be announced in August 2021. Once a formal position guide and profile have been approved by the board, it will be posted on Kittleman’s website at kittlemansearch.com. |
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April 2021
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