 LANSING, Mich. – Michigan taxpayers with past-due tax debts should be aware of an aggressive scam that’s making the rounds through the U.S. Postal Service, according to the Michigan Department of Treasury. In the scheme, taxpayers receive a letter about an overdue tax bill, asking individuals to immediately contact a toll-free number to resolve an outstanding state tax debt. The letter aggressively threatens to seize a taxpayer’s assets ― including property and Social Security benefits ― if the debt is not settled. “This is a tricky scam that has been reported throughout the state,” said Deputy State Treasurer Ann Good, who oversees Treasury’s Financial and Administrative Services programs. “Taxpayers have rights. If you have questions about an outstanding state tax debt, please contact us through a verified number so we can talk about options.” The piece of correspondence appears credible to the taxpayer because it uses specific personal facts that’s pulled directly from publicly available information. The scammer’s letter attempts to lure the taxpayer into a situation where they could make a payment to a criminal. The state Treasury Department corresponds with taxpayers through official letters sent through the U.S. Postal Service, providing several options to resolve an outstanding debt and information outlining taxpayer rights. Taxpayers who receive a letter from a scammer or have questions about their state debts should call Treasury’s Collections Service Center at 517-636-5265. A customer service representative can log the scam, verify outstanding state debts and provide flexible payment options. To learn more about Michigan’s taxes and the collections process, go to www.michigan.gov/taxes or follow the state Treasury Department on Twitter at @MITreasury.
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 Annual HH Collection Day Gets the COVID axe Rescheduled Halloween date cancelled
Originally scheduled for late May, the Household Hazardous Waste Collection Day was postponed due to the COVID-19 situation and rescheduled for October 31st. The Newaygo County Board of Public Works announced they have decided to cancel the collection day for this year citing the inability to effectively comply with required social distancing, the amount of PPE resources that would be necessary and the logistical problem in maintaining a safe exchange of materials. The BPW is looking at a date in Mid May next year for a tentative rescheduling of the popular Newaygo County event. The date will be announced as arrangements are solidified  Aerial treatment planned to combat deadly mosquito-borne disease
in 10 counties From our friends at MDHHS: LANSING, Mich. – In an effort to prevent spread of Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE), the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) has announced plans to conduct aerial mosquito control treatment in certain high-risk areas of Michigan. In order to prevent the loss of life and protect public health, MDHHS has determined a targeted aerial treatment plan is necessary. When there are high rates of animal infections, humans are just as at risk. Treatment areas are selected based on occurrence of cases. Treatment is scheduled for the 10 impacted counties: Barry, Clare, Ionia, Isabella, Jackson, Kent, Mecosta, Montcalm, Newaygo and Oakland. Additional areas may be selected for treatment if new human or animal cases occur outside of the currently identified zones. “We are taking this step in an effort to protect the health and safety of Michiganders in areas of the state where we know mosquitoes are carrying this potentially deadly disease,” said Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, MDHHS chief medical executive and chief deputy for health. “As people are spending more time outdoors because of COVID-19, they also need to be protecting themselves from mosquito bites.” Treatment is scheduled to occur starting the evening of Wednesday, Sept. 16. However, treatment can only take place under certain weather conditions, so the schedule may need to change. Residents are encouraged to visit Michigan.gov/EEE for up-to-date information. The Michigan Department of Agricultural and Rural Development (MDARD) has issued an emergency rule temporarily amending the rule on notification and participation for community pesticide applications for aerial spraying treatment across affected counties. This means mosquito control treatment will be required for those areas that are identified by the aerial treatment plan with exception of federal properties and tribal lands. “As recent history has shown us, EEE can strike fast and it can be deadly to humans and animals,” said MDARD Director Gary McDowell. “MDARD fully supports the work and commitment of MDHHS to protect public health, which is why we have removed an obstacle that might have prevented them from taking action quickly.” Aerial treatment is conducted by specialized aircraft, beginning in the early evening and continuing up until the following dawn. State-certified mosquito control professionals will apply an approved pesticide as an ultra-low volume (ULV) spray. ULV sprayers dispense very fine aerosol droplets that stay suspended in the air and kill adult mosquitoes on contact. This is a method many other states have also used to combat EEE. Aerial treatment is provided by Clarke from St. Charles, Ill., which provides mosquito control to protect public health. Clarke pioneers, develops and delivers environmentally responsible products and services to help prevent vector-borne disease, control nuisance and create healthy water bodies. Treatment will be conducted using Merus 3.0, the same product used in 2019. Merus 3.0 is registered with the US Environmental Protection Agency and MDARD, and is labeled for public health use over residential areas. It contains 5 percent pyrethrins, a botanical insecticide extracted from chrysanthemum flowers. Pyrethrins are commonly used to control mosquitoes, fleas, flies, moths, ants and many other pests, and are approved for use in organic agriculture as well. In general, health risks are not expected during or after spraying. No special precautions are recommended; however, residents and individuals who have known sensitivities to pyrethrins can reduce potential for exposure by staying indoors during treatment. Aerial treatment is not expected to have any impacts on surface water or drinking water. Monitoring in 2019 when more than 557,000 Michigan acres were treated found no increased human, animal or insect adverse effects associated with aerial treatment. Aerial treatment will be conducted in the nighttime hours as this is when mosquitoes are more active. It is also when fish are less likely to be at the surface feeding and honeybees are most likely to be in their hives. However, owners should cover small ornamental fishponds during the night of spraying. While it is not necessary to bring animals indoors during treatment, concerned pet owners can choose to bring animals inside during this time. To reduce the potential for people to be bitten by mosquitoes, MDHHS is continuing to encourage local officials in the affected counties to consider postponing, rescheduling or cancelling outdoor activities occurring at or after dusk, particularly activities involving children. This would include events such as late evening sports practices or games or outdoor music practices. The recommendation is being made out of an abundance of caution to protect the public health and applies until the first hard frost of the year. Although the aerial treatment is considered necessary to reduce human risk, it will not eliminate it. Residents must continue to protect themselves from mosquito bites by:
Additional information about aerial treatment and other health-related information is available in a Frequently Asked Questions document at Michigan.gov/EEE. You can also call the MDHHS hotline, which will now take calls for general questions about both COVID and EEE, at 1-888-535-6136. The hotline is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.  From our friends at the NC Sheriff’s Department: On September 12, 2020 at approximately 0830 hours the Newaygo County Sheriff’s Office responded to the address of 1471 W 136th St in Ashland Township for a possible felonious assault in progress. Upon arrival the male suspect discharged the firearm and barricaded himself in a bedroom with a handgun. All the other occupants were escorted out of the residence and the The Newaygo County Emergency Response Team was called to the scene. When ERT made entry into the room they found the male suspect deceased. The name of the suspect is being withheld until notification can be made to next of kin. The Newaygo County Sheriff’s Office was assisted by the Michigan State Police Hart Post, DNR, and LIFE EMS.  Additional $300 will be retroactive to beginning of August
The Unemployment Insurance Agency (UIA) has started processing payments for Lost Wages Assistance (LWA) for eligible Michiganders. Due to the large volume of payments to be processed, workers will begin receiving LWA payments over the next week to ten days. LWA is funded by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to provide $300 per week to supplement unemployment benefits for those who are unemployed or partially unemployed due to disruptions caused by COVID-19. To be eligible for LWA, a claimant’s weekly benefit amount must be at least $100 (before deductions). “Initially, eligible claimants will receive LWA for the benefit weeks ending Aug. 1, Aug. 8 and Aug. 15, 2020,” said UIA Director Steve Gray, “An estimated 910,000 claimants will receive these much-needed additional benefits.” Workers do not have to file a separate claim or application for LWA. To qualify, claimants must self-certify whether they are unemployed due to COVID-19. For claimants who have already provided a self-certification on their claim filing application, no further action is needed to qualify. Also, all unemployed workers receiving Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) have already completed this step. Claimants who need to self-certify will receive notification to answer a question in their MiWAM account starting this week. If a claimant has chosen to receive US mail, notification will be mailed. FEMA has recently alerted states that LWA funds will only be available for a total of six weeks. States were initially granted three weeks of LWA benefits and must apply for additional weeks. UIA has applied for all available weeks of benefits which will be payable until the week ending September 5.  Drop ‘em off this Saturday
The Board of Public Works will be holding a tire collection day this Saturday from 8am-noon at the Newaygo County Road Commission 935 One Mile Rd in White Cloud. “We’re taking up to ten tires per household,” said NC Drain Commissioner Dale Twing. “Just car tires though, no tractor or semi tires.” There is no charge but donations toward the recycling program will be accepted enthusiastically. For more information call the Drain Commission offices at 231.689.7213.  From our friends at MDOT: M-82 will be closed over Penoyer Creek (just west of M-37) for bridge work 7 a.m. this Monday September 14th through October 31. Traffic will be detoured onto Evergreen Drive to M-37. The pedestrian walkway will remain open.  Grant recycling site Tuesday morning Seriously? Despite distributing thousands of recycling guides that have been regularly featured in the Hi-Lites, Times Indicator and here in N3 AND a social media presence continually reminding folks of those guidelines… This happens? Look, recycling is expensive. Without a partnership between the county and the Fremont Area Community Foundation the whole program would have died on the vine a few years ago but due to the commitment and collaboration of several entities recycling continues to exist. And believe me it is being used big time. The bins located at the 5 Newaygo County sites get filled and emptied throughout the week. Trucks filled with recyclable material head to the Recycling Center in Kent County every couple of days and the result is tons of material that would normally be headed for the landfills being sorted and sent out to be repurposed. But when this kind of thing happens, when people through malevolence or ignorance use the recycling sites as a dumping ground it hurts the program. With contamination perhaps the biggest way to turn recyclables into trash this behavior drives up the price and eventually puts Newaygo County recycling in peril. Recycling is a good thing. Few would disagree with this (though truthfully these days some would disagree on the sum of 2+2) and few would question the need to make recycling as accessible as possible. But trash tossing at the sites has led to restricted hours at some locales and could lead to the elimination of other sites should this problem persist. And the reality remains that unless costs are contained and/or a sustainable funding source is established the program could very well become a thing of the past. Check out the photos. This is blatant abuse of a system set up to make recycling easier for all of us. Those who are dumping their crap are either misinformed at an epic level or they know the rules and disregard them anyway. Either way they are taking down a program that helps all of us and ignoring their behavior will have people in the not too distant future lamenting the loss of the service. So to those who engaged in this? Shame on you. Not that we believe you would be reading this of course, but maybe someone will read it to you. As for the rest of us? We’re not asking folks to be the recycling police, but maye find a way to help make this kind of behavior akin to passing gas in an elevator. Because it really stinks.  Gyms, pools to reopen; h.s. sports back on the schedule.
At her Wednesday news conference Governor Whitmer stopped short of reopening gyms but stated we would be hearing something ‘soon’. Soon arrived a day later when the Gov signed the order to allow the reopening of gyms and pools in the regions previously closed. She also opened the gates on the high school sports seasons previously on hold while reminding of the restrictions still in place for these activities to proceed. Gyms must require wearing of masks at all times, including times of exercise, configure workout stations or implement protocols to enable six feet of distance between individuals during exercise sessions, reduce class sizes to enable at least six feet of separation between individuals, provide equipment-cleaning products throughout the gym, and more. Spectators for indoor organized sports are limited to the guests of the athletes with each athlete designating up to two guests. For outdoor sports competitions, the organizer of the competitions must either limit the audience to the guests of the participants with each athlete designating up to two guests, or limit total attendance to 100 people or fewer, including all participants like athletes, coaches, and staff. “Throughout this pandemic, we have followed the best science and data available to make decisions that will keep Michiganders safe, and our hard work is paying off, ” said the Governor.”Today we are announcing the reopening of gyms and pools with strict safety measures in place to protect patrons and their families. “I urge everyone who plans to hit the gym after these orders go into effect to take these precautions seriously and do everything in their power to protect themselves and their families. Be smart, and stay safe.” Chief Medical Executive and MDHHS Chief Deputy for Health Dr. Joneigh Khaldun sounded a tone of caution regarding the return to sports competition. “Individuals can now choose whether or not to play organized sports, and if they do choose to play, this order requires strict safety measures to reduce risk. “However, we know of 30 reported outbreaks involving athletic teams and facilities in August. Based on current data, contact sports create a high risk of COVID-19 transmission and MDHHS strongly recommends against participating in them at this time. We are not out of the woods yet. COVID-19 is still a very real threat to our families.” “As we begin to start organized sports back up again, I urge school districts and athletic associations to do everything in their power to protect players, coaches, and staff. That means carefully following the guidelines released today by DHHS,” said Governor Whitmer. “Going forward, we will continue to work with health experts to assess the risk associated with business sectors that remain closed. For the health and safety of our families and frontline workers, it is crucial that we proceed thoughtfully and incrementally so we can measure the effects of today's actions before we take additional steps towards re-engagement." “On behalf of the Michigan Fitness Club Association, we appreciate Governor Whitmer’s announcement regarding the re-opening of gyms and fitness centers,” said Alyssa Tushman, Vice Chair of the Michigan Fitness Club Association. “The health and safety of our members, staff, and the public in general is our top priority. We are well-prepared to ensure a safe, clean environment and we are excited to offer Michiganders the opportunity to resume their exercise routines. We look forward to working with Governor Whitmer and her administration to help build a healthy Michigan.”  From our friends at District Health Department #10
September 03, 2020 – District Health Department #10 (DHD#10) received notification that a Newaygo County resident died due to COVID-19 on Wednesday, August 26. The individual was a male in his 80's who passed away at Mercy Health Mercy Campus Muskegon. “We wish to convey our deepest sympathies to the family who lost their loved one,” said Dr. Jennifer Morse, DHD#10 Medical Director. “We continue to urge the public to be vigilant in preventing the spread of COVID-19 by wearing a proper face covering, social distancing, avoiding touching your face, and washing your hands often.” Please rely on official sources for information. DHD#10 continues to provide the latest information http://www.dhd10.org/coronavirus. Michigan updates are available at www.michigan.gov/coronavirus, and national updates are at www.cdc.gov/coronavirus.  John Buckley Jr. joins new board Gerber Federal Credit Union President/CEO now serving on Spectrum Health West Michigan Board of Directors
FREMONT, Mich. (8/27/2020) – Gerber FCU President/CEO, John P. Buckley, Jr, joins the Spectrum Health West Michigan Board of Directors, chaired by Lynne Ferrell, who will have oversight of the division’s 11 hospitals, post-acute enterprise and physician practices. The new board will be in place by September 1, 2020. The Spectrum Health System Board of Directors remains the governing body at the system level for Spectrum Health West Michigan, Spectrum Health Lakeland and Priority Health. As Spectrum Health takes steps to achieve its vision of personalized health made simple, affordable and exceptional, it is working to optimize its operations. One step in that direction is the health system’s move to bring together its West Michigan-based hospital group and medical group into one division called Spectrum Health West Michigan (SHWM). Spectrum Health Lakeland, Priority Health and SHWM are all aligned under the Spectrum Health System, which is led by President & CEO Tina Freese Decker. SHWM represents the health system’s 13-county region surrounding Grand Rapids. One unified board of directors will govern the division and one executive will lead the combined team. “I am honored to be invited to serve on the inaugural Spectrum Health West Michigan Board,” said Buckley. “With representation by passionate leaders from all over the 13-county service area, I believe SHWM is driven to Improve Health, Inspire Hope, and Save Lives.” John Buckley is the President/CEO of Gerber FCU, a Federal Credit Union located in Fremont, Michigan. John was a commercial lender and community bank president for 22 years before joining Gerber in his current capacity in the fall of 2006. He has a BA in Economics from the University of Notre Dame, and an MBA in Finance from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. He has also earned Certificates from the Graduate School of Banking at the University of Wisconsin – Madison and from the School of Continuing Education at the University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee in Labor Relations Management. John is a 26-year Rotarian, Past President of the Fremont Rotary Club, Past Board Member of the United Way of the Lakeshore, Past Chair of Spectrum Health Gerber Memorial Hospital, Past Chairman of the Michigan Credit Union League, Current Vice Chair of the Newaygo County Economic Development Committee and Current Board Member of the Spectrum Health West Michigan Board of Directors. He has been married to his wife, Colleen, for 30 years. They have two children, a son, Jack, who is a graduate of Butler University and Pepperdine Law School and a daughter, Kathleen, who completed a certificate program at the Nuvo School of Cosmetology.  DHD#10 cites 3 COVID Cases at Little River
September 02, 2020 – District Health Department #10 (DHD#10) was notified that three individuals that tested positive for COVID-19 were on the property of Little River Casino Resort (LRCR) and were potentially contagious during the following dates and times: Friday, 8/28/2020, between 10:00 AM and 6:00 PM; Saturday, 8/29/2020, between 8:00 AM and 4:00 PM; and Tuesday, 9/1/2020, between 6:20 AM and 2:40 PM. If you were at LRCR on the dates listed above, you should self-monitor for symptoms for 14 days from the possible exposure date. Anyone that is self-monitoring as a result should keep away from family, close contacts, and roommates as much as possible. COVID-19 symptoms include fever or chills, cough, fatigue, shortness of breath, muscle aches, sore throat, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and recent loss of taste or smell. Anyone experiencing one or more of these symptoms should immediately quarantine themselves and contact a medical provider. “The LRCR team proactively responded when notified of this exposure. In addition to the already thorough cleaning protocols in our Health and Safety Plan, all areas were meticulously cleaned and sanitized in accordance with CDC guidelines to ensure the safety of our team members, guests, and the community,” stated General Manager Andrew Gentile. “Little River Casino Resort has an excellent working relationship with the District Health Department #10 as well as Little River Band of Ottawa Indians Tribal Health. The collaboration of information and resources ensures compliance with all applicable requirements and guidelines in place to keep our community, team members, and guests safe.” While DHD#10 will release information about public exposure sites when it is determined through investigation that it’s not possible to identify all close contacts, everyone needs to remember that approximately 40% of COVID-19 cases appear to be asymptomatic. Asymptomatic cases are especially difficult because they are not sick and therefore not staying home. Additionally, contagious individuals can spread virus prior to experiencing symptoms. “As we continue to experience community spread of COVID-19, it should be understood that anyone choosing to go out in public, whether to a bar, restaurant, golf course, retail store, family gathering, funeral, or any other public place, could potentially be exposed to COVID-19 at any time, thus you should always be monitoring for symptoms,” stated Kevin Hughes, Health Officer for DHD#10. For more information about COVID-19, go to: www.dhd10.org/coronavirus, www.michigan.gov/coronavirus, or www.cdc.com/coronavirus  Chief Medical Executive Dr. Joneigh Khaldun addresses the media as Governor Gretchen Whitmer looks on Gov hints at impending news on businesses, high school sports By N3 News It turns out widespread speculation about reopening gyms, and the possible opening of the high school volleyball and soccer seasons in our parts proved to be a bit premature. At her press conference today the Gov acknowledged the desire people have for the reopening of these businesses but stated, “COVID is still a real threat all over our state and I am going to treat it like that. Our team is working around the clock to make sure every determination is based on the best available data and science.” But stay tuned. "We'll be making some determinations in the very near future,"she said, adding “I will have more to say on this topic very soon." She also referenced coaches, students and parents indicating the decision may include volleyball, soccer and girls swimming, the sports that have been on hold throughout most of the state. Now the question becomes how soon might soon be?  Gov may be giving the go-ahead tomorrow
It’s been just shy of 6 months since opportunities for working out became a whole lot slimmer. Newaygo Fitness? Tamarac? White Cloud PT Fitness Center? Fremont Community Rec Center? All have had their indoor facilities shuttered since the order came down in Mid March. And while the summer months have made it easier getting a bit of exercise outside, we do, after all, live in this bipeninsular paradise where winter (as well as much of fall and spring) aren’t exactly conducive to outdoor aerobics. But the closures may be ending soon since speculation has been rife that Governor Whitmer will be lifting the ban on fitness clubs as well as bowling alleys and movie theaters during a scheduled press conference tomorrow (Wednesday, September 2) at 2:30pm. Welcome news for those who miss spinning, zumba, yoga, pilates, the weight room and for many, the camaraderie that sometimes comes with hanging around these fitness focused facilities. As for the keglers among us the bowling season (the only season longer than hockey) may not have to be cancelled after all. And for those who prefer a film experience beyond the den or living room indoor theaters could be preparing to put out the popcorn soon. It has indeed been a long haul for these businesses and should the lifting of the ban come to pass it is hoped that folks will return to their former haunts and patronize the places that will once again be offering their services. But check in at the press conference tomorrow at 2:30pm and maybe, just maybe, we’ll be delivered a piece of good news.. And soon be back to pumping that iron.  A late spring tribute to the 2020 Grant seniors who missed their final months. Photo by Alicia Jaimes By N3 News
“I’ve always loved the first day of school better than the last day of school. Firsts are best because they are beginnings”- Jenny Han Starts Monday, right? Whether heading back into the familiar buildings, classrooms, hallways and cafeterias or firing up the computer at home Newaygo County students will be starting perhaps the most atypical year of academic achievement one could imagine. N3 is looking to explore this sea change of scholastic systems on a number of levels. We hope to bring contributions from students, teachers, parents, and all others touched by the changes that lie ahead for our schools and the students who populate them. To chronicle what will undoubtedly be an uncommonly unusual undertaking as our schools begin this much anticipated adventure. We began with a look at Newaygo Schools and Superintendent Peg Mathis. https://www.nearnorthnow.com/news/ready-set-school Now we move to Grant where many might have begun the school year last week by catching the Tiger volleyball team play their home opener against Tri County last week or watching the soccer team taking on Northern Michigan Christian. Except not. Because while school is set to open, volleyball and soccer remain on hold for now. “In 17 years as a basketball coach I always told my players to love the battle so here in Grant we’re loving the battle,” said GPS Superintendent Brett Zuver who was kind enough to take time from an uber-busy schedule to answer some of our questions. “We have so many good people here and that has made all the difference in the world” About 500 students have chosen to opt for virtual learning during the first 9 weeks of school. According to Zuver the percentage of students is equally shared among elementary Middle schol and high school. “Having it balanced is a good thing. This way there isn’t a huge difference in the number of students in each building. It makes social distancing easier as well.” N3- How is school going to look at Grant this year? Well we obviously want it to look as traditional as possible. One thing different is we’re going with a shorter school day releasing an hour earlier to help our staff time to give assistance and respond to the needs of our remote learners. N3-How is online learning being handled in elementary? One teacher per grade level dedicated to online or each teacher doing both? Any difference with MS and HS? Each teacher will be responsible for both online and in school. We’re in a unique situation especially with our dual immersion programs. We have right around 40% involved in it so we’re using a platform called Maven. This will be helpful in facing the challenges of connectivity since it’s not solely based on internet signal and students can use cell phones and such. It's more than a Learning Management System, it’s also a way to check in and see how they’re doing every day instead of just pushing out content. We call it an engagement management system. This has meant more work for staff for sure but they’ve been awesome about it. A couple have taken the lead to help others get up to speed.The plan is to have the classroom experience be the same experience for our students working remotely. If I’m in school 3 weeks and get sick and have to stay home I won't be missing anything when I get back it will be the same instruction and I can transfer back in seamlessly Like I said a lot of work but our students are worth it. N3-What are the most significant challenges you see ahead? Absolutely every aspect of school has been touched significantly Not just transportation or food service, everyone. It doesn’t matter your role, every person is going to be a first year educator. Every year you might have a couple of new teachers or teachers just out of college but it's so different for everyone this year even veteran teachers are going to be first year. It will also be very different for students with the new procedures and protocols It’s a huge change for everyone and we keep reminding ourselves it's not just Grant. It's every school in the United States having to make significant changes. N3-Situations such as these often reveal the character of a community. What are the strengths and assets of the district in facing these challenges? We’re happy the parents and students have been able to ask questions and they have been incredibly supportive. Myself and other staff didn’t have answers all summer especially with all the changes. That was the toughest thing but never once did we have anyone get frustrated or lash out. They’ve all been so supportive the entire way and that’s been a huge benefit. We’ve been talking with directors and principals about how maintaining a positive attitude is so crucial to everybody because and being an old coach I know that a team takes on the personality of their leader. If we’re hanging our heads, kicking the dirt and saying how horrible this is, that's how everyone else will react. We need to make sure to find positives in everything. That's one thing we really worked on.There will be challenges to be sure but what a blessing to be able to have our students back in school. We haven’t been able to do this in 6 months and it's so fun to see them again. Yes, we’re doing things differently but we’re doing these things so we can have our students back where they belong. It’s a positive thing for us. We’re excited and can’t wait. My favorite part of the job is seeing the students and feeding off their energy and doing that every day and I have to admit I got a little lonesome since last spring. The last couple weeks has been great with some of our students back practicing again and preparing for seasons that are going to be played. Students have come by to check in and everyone is ready and excited . I think there is some quiet nervousness for sure but we’re going to address it together and do our absolute best to ensure everyones taken care of.That nervousness means you care. If you didn’t have a few butterflies it means you weren’t as invested. Like with coaching, I’m sure we’ll have to make some halftime adjustments. Many thanks Mr. Z. And again, please refer to the school’s website... https://www.grantps.net/COVID-19-Updates ...where you will find a wealth of information about the coming year.  What will be different?
By N3 News Team Well, here we go. After a spring and summer of scholastic uncertainty, school is on tap to begin Monday. And folks are keeping their fingers crossed as we head into a new chapter of “Coping with COVID”. Schools throughout the state are responding in any number of ways with some doing all remote learning, some attempting to bring all students back in the building, some offering hybrid models and the majority, including Newaygo County, offering options for in school or virtual. Caledonia High School began in school instruction last Tuesday. Three days later after 4 students tested positive and a staff member began showing symptoms, they closed the doors and moved to all virtual learning. We contacted NCRESA Superintendent Dr. Lori Tubergen Clark, who reviewed and approved the plans each district submitted as is required. She shared the common themes that each district had in place when it came to guidelines
Dr. Clark also noted each district would likely be a bit different in their approach. As we mentioned in an earlier article, each of our unique districts are presented with their own challenges and their own ways of facing those challenges. At N3 we understand that under the best of circumstances school folks are truly swamped this time of year, to say nothing of all that has been added on to the task of educating our progeny this year. However being media people we, of course, plowed ahead and asked the Supes if they might answer a few queries on the upcoming year. Today and tomorrow we’ll share a couple of those responses as a way of looking at how each district is approaching this quagmire of unknowns that lies ahead. But first off… Each district has a section on their website that addresses many of the concerns parents have and includes ways to get more info. Please access these in lieu of turning to social media for answers. Believe it or not the schools have way more reliable info than can be found on local facebook pages. NEWAYGO- Striving for 'normal' Most expected to kick off the school year with Friday’s Lion football game against Kent City. But that won’t happen until spring. While volleyball and soccer remain up in the air, cross country has been given the go ahead and Coach Mercer (our esteemed Editor) has a group of gridders logging some miles and learning to appreciate the athleticism of the harriers. https://www.fox17online.com/sports/without-a-fall-season-several-newaygo-football-players-join-the-cross-country-team?fbclid=IwAR0dTxoEknmnNUyUBjTMzXDTzEkiEJsMtCyrzNc8MxL5zfXLAGbew_kjNp8 Beyond how high school sports will play out this year, there are numerous other adjustments of course. One is simply the reduced number of students roaming the hallways. Newaygo Superintendent Dr. Peg Mathis reported about ⅔ of their students had chosen in person learning. N3: Can you give a bit of a synopsis on what you believe school will look like this fall? We are trying to make "in-person" school as "normal" as possible given the circumstances. Our start and end times for our school day are staying the same as in the past so families and students can experience that structure. Middle School and High School students have to wear masks consistently and elementary students will wear masks when traveling in hallways. All staff are required to wear masks. We have worked very hard to keep the daily schedules consistent as well. Class changes, lunch periods, specials classes and VOC classes are all staying consistent so the student experience is similar as in the past. While it is not ideal, we are trying to "do school" like in the past with the added layers of concern and safety due to COVID. We do have students who have chosen Newaygo Virtual which is taught by Newaygo teachers. Their daily schedule looks significantly different, of course. N3: How is online learning being handled in the elementary? Will there be one teacher per grade level dedicated to online or each teacher doing both? Any difference with MS and HS? Newaygo Virtual is taught by one teacher at each grade level in grades K-4. For example, if there are 5 sections of 1st grade; 4 will be taught in-person and 1 will be taught by a teacher via Newaygo Virtual. This keeps all of our students in a similar place in terms of curriculum and pacing no matter if they've chosen in-person or virtual. At the secondary levels, each teacher is teaching 4 in-person classes and 1 Newaygo Virtual class. N3: What are the most significant challenges you see ahead? For Students? Parents? Teachers and support staff? Administration and Board? One challenge that affects everything we do is communication. Students and parents can only know and learn things about our plans if they are willing to take time to read. This is true with anything in life. If parents don't stop and read school materials, letters, mailers, websites, and social media sites and educate themselves and if students don't read the material for their academics, no growth occurs and information is missed. I am guilty of this as well. People get busy in their lives and miss communications from family, work, and school. Another significant challenge is compliance. I don't mean this in the "sheeple" kind of way where some think we are just supposed to be "controlled" by people on high who make us wear masks. Perhaps compliance isn't the right word. Just think; if everyone were to social distance, wash their hands, and wear a mask, we could be getting out of this mess sooner rather than later. I realize and understand how the issue of mask-wearing became political. Ultimately, though, the politicization of the virus has hurt our youth and we'll see the effects for years to come. For students, a significant challenge is getting back into "school mode" and getting on track academically. Self-discipline is a huge component of this and for families that have chosen Newaygo Virtual, this will be especially tough. For parents, a challenge is knowing when your student needs help, when to step in and assist, and when to sit back and let your student experience failure. These are very hard things to do as a parent in "normal" times, let alone during COVID. We want our kids to be okay and since nobody has parented during a pandemic before, this creates a whole new set of challenges. For teachers and support staff, a challenge (like for everyone) is the unknown. Teachers want students to achieve. They want students to grow socially and emotionally. When masks and social distancing are thrown in the mix, teachers could experience the feeling of failure because how do you know if you're making a difference? The same is true with support staff. Connecting with other younger humans with masks on is going to be a challenge for all of us. The trick is to have faith in the process, do the best you can, and know that this cannot last forever. For the administration and board, the challenge is that there is absolutely no way to make everyone satisfied and that is sometimes difficult to hear or deal with. The school leaders did not create this pandemic, yet we are expected to handle it flawlessly. Like many others, the board and administration has had sleepless nights for sure over this. N3: Situations such as these often reveal the character of a community. What are the strengths and assets of the district in facing these challenges? I said this in my message to staff. There is no other group of people I'd rather be in this with. We have an amazing staff and community. We are learning to extend grace to each other. This community is very special and that continues to manifest itself in the encouragement I (and others) have received from parents and community members. While there are struggles and frustrations as I mentioned, here at NPS we do feel like we are all in this together. I really hope we can continue to be "all in." Our kids deserve it. Thank you Dr. M. And again, please refer to the school’s website... https://www.newaygo.net/district/return-to-learn/ ...where you will find a wealth of information about the coming year.  From our friends at DHD#10:
August 27 – District Health Department #10 was recently notified by the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) that a horse in Newaygo County has tested positive for Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE). This horse is the third one to test positive for EEE in the state so far this year. EEE is a zoonotic, viral disease, transmitted by mosquitoes to both animals and people. EEE is one of the most dangerous mosquito-borne diseases in the U.S., and the virus is typically seen in late summer to early fall each year in Michigan. While horses are highly affected by the disease, people can also be infected with EEE from the bite of a mosquito carrying the virus. In humans, signs of EEE include the sudden onset of fever, chills, and body and joint aches. EEE infection can develop into severe encephalitis, resulting in headache, disorientation, tremors, seizures, and paralysis. Permanent brain damage, coma, and death may also occur in some cases. To protect your horses and other domestic animals (such as dogs, sheep, and goats), measures could include the following:
To protect yourself and your family, here’s what you should do now:
A sanitarian for DHD#10 is currently performing mosquito trapping in Newaygo and Oceana counties to determine if there are mosquitos found with EEE.  10 parcels in the upcoming auction are one acre or more  Newaygo County Treasurer Holly Moon as well as County Treasurers throughout the State are required by State Statute to hold a foreclosed property auction each year. The purpose is to sell parcels with 2+ years of delinquent property taxes to recover the tax dollars lost from the tax revolving fund and to return the properties to tax producing status in future years. This year we have 10 parcels of one acre or more on the auction. “Typically we hold two in-person auctions at the County Building each year,” stated Treasurer Moon. “This year, however, for the safety of our bidders, we will be holding one on-line auction on October 12-15 beginning and ending at 1 p.m.” The move to an on-line auction is due to the health crisis in Michigan, and the Governor’s Executive Orders prohibiting in-person gatherings of more than 10 people in a building. Treasurer Moon shared that she “understands the concerns our local bidders may have due to limited internet capabilities in the County.” BippusUSA, who handles the Treasurer’s auction process, is prepared to assist all potential bidders with proxy bids to ensure everyone has the opportunity to purchase properties. BippusUSA staff can be reached toll free at 1-800-686-6416. Interested bidders should also refer to the County Treasurer’s website at www.countyofnewaygo.com for the foreclosed property list, the auction terms and conditions, and for a link to register as a bidder. The Newaygo County Treasurer’s Office has hard copies of the property list available for purchase at $7.50 each. All properties offered at auction are sold “as is” “where is.” It is the buyer's responsibility to do their homework as to their desired use of a property, and to execute any eviction process that may be necessary if they purchase. This auction is for the real property only, and the buyer will receive a Quit Claim Deed to the property. There are no liens carrying forward on any of the parcels offered, but the new buyer is responsible for the 2020 summer bill before a deed can be issued. “Foreclosures continue to be a top priority for my Office, and we continue to educate taxpayers struggling with this issue,” stated Holly Moon, County Treasurer. “This year’s foreclosure numbers are the lowest in our history due to a combination of the extensions approved by the Circuit Court Judge, federal stimulus payments, and increased unemployment payments.” The earlier taxpayers reach out to us for help, the more options we can provide for them.” Holly further stated, “It’s my job to collect delinquent taxes. Foreclosure is what is mandated by law when the delinquent taxes are not paid.”  By N3 News Team
Photo by Alexis Mercer Been a year hasn’t it? All jokes and social media memes aside, 2020 turns the corner on the final third of its go-round the sun having already basically emulated the scorched earth policy of the Russian army retreating from Poland in ‘39. We’ve weathered shutdowns and partial shutdowns, the proliferation of zoom meetings, the hoarding of hand sanitizers, endless mask debates, and runs on toilet paper (pun intended). Pro sports are being played but they’re eerily fanless, while concerts and festivals have pretty much disappeared. Big weddings went small. Family reunions took a year off. Graduation parties became immediate family affairs. And social media exploded with vitriolic verbiage accompanying a range of opinions as to the reality of our situation. So now we’ve managed to get by and perhaps for some of us even thrive during this strange and surreal summer. And now it's time for school. Oh man, schools. Across the country schools have opened with many already shifting to all virtual. Some colleges have attempted to open only to spin 180’s the next day and move to online only. It’s a different world to be sure and now we are faced with fitting schools into it. And next week Newaygo County schools take the plunge. Our local school systems each face both similar and unique challenges. These are good people trying to do the jobs they do so well but this time around it has become a tricky maneuver to pull this off. After all, part of the faces who help make the classroom learning experience what it is will be learning from home. For teachers there are ancillary tasks added including those that go beyond the usual duties such as the constant sanitizing required after each shift of classes, balancing in room and virtual instruction, and remaining aware of how their students are reacting emotionally to these sea changes in their world. Staff members from drivers to IT to food service to custodial will each be starting what will seem like a new job with all the adjustments added to their previous tasks. And Superintendents, other administrators, and school boards face huge decisions. Some they will have to make and some that will be made for them while requiring their action. Over the next few weeks we hope to deliver a picture of how our educational systems evolve during these challenging times, and how students, teachers, parents and we as a community evolve with them. We’ll start with a look at our local schools and how they are reacting to this uniquely demanding situation. Stay tuned. N3 Staff  Supplemental benefits to be retroactive to August 1.
LANSING, Mich. -- Today, the United States Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA) approved the Michigan Unemployment Insurance Agency’s application for funding that would provide an additional $300 per week payment to Michiganders receiving unemployment benefits. “This is good news for the thousands of Michiganders who are still without work as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, but it’s still a short term band aid that falls short of what’s needed,” said Governor Whitmer. The UIA estimates that under the program, about 910,000 Michiganders would receive at least $300 per week in supplemental benefits. The program allows for existing Unemployment Trust Fund payments delivered by Michigan’s Unemployment Insurance Agency to count as 25% matching funds required for participation. Eligible claimants will be paid benefits retroactive to August 1. It is unclear at this time how long funding for the program will last. “This additional $300 a week will provide some much needed support to those who are still struggling to make ends meet during this time of extreme need,” said Steve Gray, Director of the Unemployment Insurance Agency. “Our goal now is to work as quickly as possible to implement this new program to get people the benefits they need.” At this time, claimants do not have to take any action to receive the additional benefit amount provided by the program. The additional benefits will be added automatically for all claimants who are eligible to receive at least $100 in weekly unemployment benefit payments. This includes claimants receiving any type of regular unemployment insurance benefits as well as those receiving Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) benefits.  From our friends at the Newaygo County Sheriff’s Department:
On 08/15/2020 at 1221 hours, Deputies from the Newaygo County Sheriff's Office were dispatched to the area of S Chestnut Ave and E 40th St for a bicyclist that was hit by a vehicle. The unknown suspect vehicle fled the area immediately. The bicyclist sustained serious injuries. Newaygo County Sheriff's Office is requesting public assistance with any information. Anyone with information about the crash is asked to please contact Deputy Higgins at 231-689-7303 or Central Dispatch at 231-689-5288  On August 18, 2020, at approximately 2:05pm, Deputies of the Newaygo County Sheriff's Office were dispatched to N Woodbridge Dr (M-37) north of W 15 Mile Rd, in Lilley Township, on a report of a motorcycle vs passenger car accident. Upon arrival on scene Deputies found that a passenger car was being driven southbound on M-37 attempting to turn into the M-37 Meat Shack when it collided with a motorcycle that was being driven northbound on M-37. The driver of the motorcycle, 38 year old male from Bitely was pronounced dead on scene. The driver of the passenger car, 27 year old male from Grandville was uninjured. The accident remains under investigation by the Newaygo County Sheriff's Office, drugs and speed appear to be factors in the accident. Deputies were assisted on scene by the Michigan State Police, Lilley Township Fire Department, Life EMS, and the Newaygo County Road Commission.  $300 on the way? Payments to be retroactive.
Arizona got the approval. So did Colorado, Iowa, Utah and a few others. Some, like Mississippi, Pennsylvania, and Oregon have been undecided. South Dakota outright declined with their Gov saying they didn’t need it. And many, including Michigan, have not yet responded. Until today. Today, the Michigan Unemployment Insurance Agency (UIA) submitted an application to the United States Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA) for funding that would provide an additional $300 per week payment to Michiganders receiving unemployment benefits. “Right now, there are an unprecedented number of Michiganders who have lost work due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This program will provide some much needed support for families that are struggling to put food on the table or pay their bills, but it’s a short term band aid that falls short of what’s needed,” said Governor Whitmer. “A robust Congressional recovery package that meets the scale of this crisis is what’s needed to help individuals who have lost work as a result of the pandemic get through this unprecedented time.” The UIA estimates that under the program, about 910,000 Michiganders would receive at least $300 per week in supplemental benefits. The program allows for existing Unemployment Trust Fund payments delivered by Michigan’s Unemployment Insurance Agency to count as 25% matching funds required for participation. Eligible claimants will be paid benefits retroactive to August 1. It is unclear at this time how long funding for the program will last. “We look forward to receiving a response from FEMA in order to implement and distribute these additional funds to Michiganders as quickly as possible,” said UIA Director Steve Gray. “Michigan workers are advised to continue their bi-weekly certifications as they normally would and do not need to contact the UIA or make changes to their MiWAM account to receive these additional funds.” |
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