Consumers Energy crews are preparing for potentially extreme weather, including damaging wind gusts, severe thunderstorms, and heavy rain, that could result in power outages, downed wires and other safety hazards.
Regions in the western and southern parts of the state are expected to be hit hardest by the potential storms, starting late Wednesday night and continuing into the early morning hours on Thursday.

Some preparation tips for potential severe weather include:

• Charge all electronic devices. It’s advised to have an emergency battery or charging station available for use during an outage.
  
•  Have an emergency kit that includes flashlights and extra batteries, water, canned food and blankets. Be prepared with enough medication, baby supplies and pet food if applicable. A battery-operated radio is also a good idea.
• Unplug sensitive electronics like TVs, computers and printers. Turn power strips off.

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​Consumers Energy also urges the public to keep these important storm safety tips in mind:

• Stay at least 25 feet away from downed wires, keep children or pets away, and report the issue by calling 9-1-1 and Consumers Energy at 800-477-5050. Consumers Energy crews are taking extra health and safety precautions because of the COVID-19 situation and asks the public to keep at least six feet of distance from its crews.
• Never use a generator in an attached garage, basement, enclosed patio or near any air intakes. Doing so could cause a generator to produce hazardous levels of carbon monoxide, an odorless, colorless and deadly gas.
• Be alert to crews working along roads. Drivers should slow down or stop and wait for oncoming traffic to clear so they safely can go past workers on roadsides.
• Consumers Energy will trim or remove trees interfering with electric restoration activities. Once safe to do so, clean-up of debris from tree trimming or removal during a storm emergency is the responsibility of individual property owners.

 
Customers can report an outage, check the status of an outage and get useful tips what to do after a storm by visiting www.ConsumersEnergy.com/OutageCenter. Customers can also sign up to get outage alerts and restoration times sent to a phone, email or text message, Text ‘REG' to 232273 or visit www.ConsumersEnergy.com/alerts.   

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Decision driven by health, safety of teams and community, and scientific evidence
 
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., July 28, 2021– With a focus on the health and safety of its team members and the community, along with thorough review of the scientific evidence, Spectrum Health has announced that it will require the COVID-19 vaccine for team members, medical staff, students, volunteers and contractors.
 
“As a mission-driven organization, we are here to improve health, inspire hope and save lives,” said Spectrum Health President & CEO Tina Freese Decker. “We must do all we can to take care of each other and our community. Together, our actions will serve to save lives and shorten the impact of the pandemic – both clear benefits to the public good. We thoroughly reviewed the scientific evidence and interviewed and debated with experts, both internal and external, to understand the facts. After robust conversations and time spent reviewing the science behind the vaccines, we reached our conclusion.”
 
Scientific evidence and clinical results point to the effectiveness of the vaccine:
 

• The COVID-19 vaccine reduces the risk for hospitalization and death by over 95%.
• Currently more than 99% of all deaths from COVID-19 infection are in unvaccinated persons.
• Vaccination substantially reduces the risk of long-haul symptoms from COVID-19 as approximately 20% to 30% of people with mild or asymptomatic COVID-19 will develop at least one long-haul symptom.
• The delta variant has been reported as 225% more transmissible than the original COVID-19 virus from 2019.
• As of July 20, data from CDC indicates that up to 83% of all current COVID-19 cases are due to the delta variant, which is an increase from 50% at the beginning of July. 
• States with low vaccination rates are seeing more young people requiring ICU and ventilator support.

 
“We continue to see the benefits of the vaccine – both among our patients and teams. Almost all people who contract COVID-19 and need hospitalization or die from the virus are unvaccinated,” said Liam Sullivan, DO, Infectious Disease Specialist, Spectrum Health. “The delta variant of COVID-19 is causing significant increases in COVID-19 infections and hospitalizations in areas across the country where vaccination rates are low. We encourage people to be vaccinated, in consultation with their physician’s advice.”
 
More than 163 million Americans are fully vaccinated, demonstrating the safety and effectiveness initially identified in the clinical trials against symptomatic infections, hospitalizations and death.
“We agree with the science behind the vaccines, the facts related to the effectiveness of the vaccines and the thorough process the FDA takes in approving vaccines,” said Freese Decker. “We are applying the same logic to the COVID-19 vaccine as we did in requiring the flu and other vaccines. As a health organization that cares about our team members’ health and our communities’ health, we support the science and will act accordingly.”
 
Spectrum Health will require the COVID-19 vaccine within eight weeks of the FDA approving the first vaccine and will consider exemptions as required by law. Spectrum Health may decide to act more quickly if it sees a risk to team member and public health as a result of the delta variant, or subsequent variants, based on data in our local communities.

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Lake use remains safe in all non bloom areas.
 
From our friends at MDHHS:

LANSING, Mich. - If you or your family are living near or visiting Michigan waters in summer or fall months it is important to be aware of the potential for harmful algal blooms (HABs).
HABs form due to a rapid overgrowth or bloom of cyanobacteria, also known as blue-green algae. Cyanobacteria are naturally present in lakes, rivers and ponds. Unfortunately, some cyanobacteria produce toxins, called cyanotoxins, that can be present in cyanobacterial blooms, which at higher levels can be harmful to people and animals.
HABs usually occur in Michigan May through October, most commonly in August and September. The occurrence of cyanobacteria and their toxins has been confirmed in lakes across Michigan in previous years, and elevated toxin levels have been documented in a small percentage of Michigan lakes. During 2020, 61 HABs in 35 Michigan counties were reported to the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE).
"Before going in the water, we recommend Michiganders look for visible algal blooms or scums on any lake, and that people and pets stay out of water in areas that look affected," said Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, chief medical executive and chief deputy for health for Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. "If you may have had contact with or swallowed water with a HAB and feel sick, call your doctor or Poison Control at 800-222-1222. If symptoms are severe, seek emergency medical attention as soon as possible."

What does a HAB look like?
HABs can look like algal scums or mats, spilled paint or pea soup, or colored streaks on the water's surface. Visit the HAB Picture Guide for examples of HABs and other algae and plants.
Blooms may last for days or sometimes weeks. Blooms can change in size, toxicity and location within the same day. They also may disappear on a waterbody, but then form at a later time.

What should people do if they think they have found a HAB?
Consult the HAB Picture Guide for examples of HABs and compare your sighting to other algae and plants found in lakes.
If you suspect you have found a HAB or have any suspicion:

• Do not let people, pets or livestock in the water or near the shore in affected areas.
• Unless the bloom covers a large part of the lake, you can still use any part of the lake that is not affected.
• Always rinse off people and pets after contact with any lake water.
• If there is a posted HAB advisory or closing, follow its instructions.
• Report suspected HABs to EGLE by e-mailing AlgaeBloom@Michigan.gov or calling 800-662-9278. If possible, include pictures of the suspected HAB.

What are the symptoms of HAB exposure?
Breathing in or swallowing water containing HABs and their toxins may cause the following symptoms: runny eyes or nose, asthma-like symptoms, stomach pain, vomiting, diarrhea, weakness, numbness, headaches, dizziness or difficulty breathing. Skin contact can cause rashes, blisters and hives.

Should residents be concerned about threats to animal health?
Animals, especially dogs, can become ill or die after contact with HABs. Signs of illness can include vomiting, diarrhea, staggered walking and convulsions. Preventative measures for dogs include keeping them out of the water wherever surface scums or discolored water are visible, bringing along clean, fresh water for them to drink and rinsing them off after contact with any lake water. If a pet or livestock animal becomes sick after contact with water that may have a HAB, contact a veterinarian right away.

Illness in an animal due to exposure to a HAB is reportable to the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD). Cases can be reported by submitting a Reportable Disease Form, located at Michigan.gov/dvmresources under "Reportable Diseases," or by calling 800-292-3939 Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

What can people do to help prevent HABs from occurring?
Michigan residents should learn about nutrient pollution, such as excess nitrogen and phosphorus, to reduce and prevent HABs. Excess nutrients may come from detergents, sewers, fertilizers and malfunctioned septic systems.
Michiganders can decrease nutrients getting into the water by:

• Using phosphate-free detergents.
• Disposing of pet waste properly.
• Applying fertilizer only when necessary and applying the recommended amount according to label instructions. A buffer should be left when applying fertilizer near a lake or stream.
• Promoting the use of natural shoreline (as opposed to hardened shoreline) including growing native vegetation along the water's edge.
• Joining a local organization or like-minded residents to develop or update a watershed management plan (WMP) if one does not already exist or is out-of-date. A WMP identifies pollutants that are causing water quality problems, the sources of those pollutants and recommends actions that can be taken to reduce pollutant inputs into surface waters.  

Contacts for HAB questions

• More information on health effects, causes, and reports on the occurrence of HABs in Michigan lakes can be found at Michigan.gov/habs.
• For more information on HABs and your health, contact MDHHS at 800-648-6942.
• For more information on HABs and pets and livestock, contact MDARD at 800-292-3939.
• For more information on HABs and the environment, contact EGLE at 800-662-9278.

Newaygo County will hold an online auction beginning Monday August 2, 2021 at 1pm  and ending Thursday August 5th at 1pm for parcels foreclosed due to nonpayment of the 2018 Property Taxes.  Potential bidders can get a copy of the auction list for free from the county website. 
https://www.newaygocountymi.gov/departments/county-treasurer/properties-for-auction/
A hard copy is available at the Treasurer’s Office for $7.50 ($1.50/page).  
 
There is a list of FAQ’s regarding the auction on the Treasurer’s webpage as well, under “Properties for Auction”.  Any questions related to the auction process itself, payment terms, etc.. should be directed to BippusUSA at 1-800-686-6416.

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Find licensed companies online at Michigan.gov/MosquitoControlBusiness

LANSING, MI - After an explosion of mosquito populations across the state, many Michiganders are turning to pesticides to combat these annoying pests. The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) is advising the public to avoid falling victim to scams and illegitimate businesses, and to only hire licensed mosquito control companies. A list of companies licensed to control mosquitoes in Michigan can be found at Michigan.gov/MosquitoControlBusiness.

Businesses offering pest control services such as mosquito spraying must be licensed by MDARD, and they must employ applicators who have passed MDARD’s pesticide proficiency examinations. Pest control businesses must also meet minimum experience requirements, carry liability insurance, and may only apply pesticides registered by MDARD.

“Licensed mosquito control companies and their certified applicators have demonstrated they have the knowledge to use pesticides safely and effectively,” said Brian Verhougstraete, MDARD’s Pesticide Section Manager. “Utilizing properly licensed and certified applicators protects public health while these professionals work to keep mosquitoes in check around your home.”

Along with finding licensed firms, MDARD’s website provides consumers with information about what to look for when hiring a mosquito control company. Before making an application, all licensed companies are required to specify an approximate schedule, frequency, and duration of their services.

Consumers should be aware that pest control businesses are legally required to obtain their consent before making a pesticide application and must provide the following information:

• The name of the applicator that performed the service.
• The time and date the application was made.
• A description of the target pest to be controlled.
• A list of pesticides applied, including the common name of the active ingredient(s).
• A list of precautionary warnings or reentry restrictions that appear on the label of the pesticide applied.
• Detailed information about the risks and benefits of pesticides.

“Consumers should do their homework before choosing a mosquito control service, especially when those services are being advertised on social media,” added Verhougstraete.
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Other steps to take to safely reduce mosquito populations include:

• Removing any puddles of water or standing water around your home to reduce breeding sites.
• Keeping grass and shrubs trimmed short, reducing places for flying (adult) mosquitoes to rest.
• Using permethrin to treat clothing and gear (such as boots, pants, socks, and tents) or buy permethrin-treated clothing and gear.

For more information on MDARD’s Pesticide and Plant Pest Management Division, visit  Michigan.gov/MDARD.

From NCSO:
On July 22, 2021 at approximately 4:45 pm, Deputies from the Newaygo County Sheriff’s Office were dispatched to E 8th St near S Thornapple Ave, Everett Township on a report of a truck vs tree crash.

Upon arrival on scene Deputies found that the driver of the pickup truck was eastbound on E 8th St when the truck crossed over the centerline and struck a tree.
The driver of the pickup truck was identified as a 18-year-old female from White Cloud.  She was pronounced dead at the scene.

The passenger of the pickup truck was identified as a 14-year-old female from Indiana.  She was transported by ambulance to Spectrum Health in Grand Rapids with non-life-threatening injuries. 

The accident remains under investigation by the Newaygo County Sheriff’s Office.
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Deputies were assisted at the scene by the Michigan State Police, White Cloud Police Department, White Cloud and Big Prairie Fire Departments, Newaygo County Central Dispatch and Jerry’s Towing.

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Nearly 100 parcels of state-managed land available via online auctions in August, September

From our friends at DNR:

Lake frontage, trail access, small lots to extend a neighborhood lot – these types of acreage and more are available in the next round of surplus land auctions from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. After careful consideration of properties it manages on behalf of Michigan residents, the DNR has selected 97 that are much better suited for private ownership and is preparing those for sale via online auctions in August and early September.

Land is available mainly in central/northern Lower Michigan and the Upper Peninsula in the following counties: Alcona, Allegan, Benzie, Berrien, Chippewa, Clare, Genesee, Huron, Kalkaska, Kent, Lake, Mackinac, Mason, Mecosta, Menominee, Midland, Newaygo, Roscommon and Saginaw. Several of the largest parcels are in Clare, Lake and Menominee counties.
Fourteen online auctions, featuring available land parcels by county, are scheduled:

• Aug. 2 – Benzie
• Aug. 3 – Chippewa and Mackinac
• Aug. 4 – Menominee
• Aug. 6 – Kalkaska and Roscommon
• Aug. 12 – Alcona
• Aug. 16 – Mason
• Aug. 17 – Clare, Lake and Newaygo
• Aug. 24 – Berrien
• Aug. 25 – Mecosta
• Aug. 26 – Allegan and Kent
• Aug. 27 – Midland
• Aug. 31 – Huron
• Sept. 2 – Saginaw
• Sept. 3 – Genesee

How bidding works
Fourteen online auctions will be offered between Aug. 2 and Sept. 3. Interested bidders may register in advance and get more information about the online auction schedule at Tax-Sale.info/. Those wanting to bid on a property must register before that property’s auction date. Absentee bids can be made online up to 30 days before the auction.
The “interactive” bidding portion of an auction will open at 10 a.m. on that auction date. At that time, bidders will be able to see current high bids for each property. Bidders can continue to place bids on a property until 7 p.m. when bidding closes and the winning bidder is determined.
Visit Michigan.gov/LandForSale for a detailed list that includes minimum bid, acreage and location information on the available properties. Interested bidders also are encouraged to review the DNR Land Sales: Terms and Conditions.

Land parcel details
Properties for sale range in size from under an acre to 120 acres. Many of the surplus properties highlighted in the auction are in Yates Township, Lake County. There are several larger 5- to 15-acre properties available in Yates Township.
In addition to these properties, two structures are being offered: an old DNR field administration equipment building in Caseville (Huron County) and the abandoned Big Rapids Railroad Depot in Mecosta County.
Notable waterfront properties that are accessible include:

• A Berrien County property with frontage on Lake Michigan.
• A Mason County parcel with frontage on Weldon Creek.
• A property in Mecosta County along the Little Muskegon River.

Many of the sale parcels are forested and/or have road frontage but are better suited for private ownership. Much of the land offered in these auctions is isolated from other DNR-managed property, which creates some challenges and inefficiencies. Other parcels are included in the auctions because they offer limited recreation benefits to the public.

Separate from the online auctions, the DNR is offering additional properties (listed for sale at their former minimum bid prices) that were not sold in previous auctions. These properties are available for view and immediate purchase only via the BuyNow list.

For more information about the sale of surplus, state-managed public land, contact Michael Michalek, resource specialist in the DNR's Real Estate Section, at 517-331-8387. Auction proceeds will help provide future outdoor recreation opportunities in keeping with the DNR’s mission to conserve, protect and manage the state’s natural and cultural resources for the use and enjoyment of current and future generations.





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Bridgeton Bust part of a busy weekend

During this past  weekend the Sheriff’s Office took 173 calls for service which included 75 traffic stops.
Then at 02:14am Monday morning, Deputy Rachael Botello conducted a traffic stop on Warner Avenue and 108th Street in Bridgeton Township for a minor traffic violation.  During the stop, it was believed that illegal substances may be in the vehicle so a request was placed for Officer Troy Nelson and K9 Bella from the Newaygo Police Department to assist. 
After  Bella indicated an issue with the vehicle, a search was conducted with over 11 grams of Methamphetamine located.  Two individuals from Muskegon were lodged in the Newaygo County Jail for Possession of Methamphetamine with Intent to Deliver.
This is another great example of departments working together to create a safe environment and keeping illegal substances off the streets. 
Here are  some of the calls for service done by members of the Newaygo County Sheriff’s Office:
Crashes – 8
Driving on a Suspended License – 5
Driving without Insurance – 7
Assaults and Batteries – 3
Warrant Arrests – 4
Operating While intoxicated – 3
Trespassing – 7
Resist and Obstruct Police Officer – 1
False Information to Police Officer – 1
Possession of Meth - 3

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4 hour forest search results in arrest 

 From our friends at the NCSO:
 
On July 15, 2021 at approximately 1:50 pm, Deputies from the Newaygo County Sheriff’s Office attempted to stop a black Pontiac Grand Prix for numerous vehicle violations on E 88th St (M-82) near S Beech Ave, Croton Township.
The black Pontiac Grand Prix failed to stop for the Sheriff’s Office.  During the pursuit, the black Pontiac Grand Prix rammed a Sheriff’s Office Patrol truck.  The black Pontiac Grand Prix ended up crashing into the woods on M-82 near S Newcosta Ave.
The  suspect took off running into the woods.  Multiple police K-9 teams assisted with searching the woods. 
After a lengthy 4 hour search of the wood the 36 year old male from Gaylord was taken into custody.  He is currently lodged at the Newaygo County Jail on numerous felony and misdemeanor charges out of the Newaygo County Sheriff’s Office.  The male suspect is also wanted out of MSP Hart, Otsego County Sheriff’s Office,the Straits Area Narcotics Enforcement and Montcalm County Sheriff’s Office. 
The Newaygo County Sheriff’s Office was assisted on scene by the Michigan State Police – Hart Post, Newaygo Police Department, multiple Michigan State Police K-9 teams, Michigan Department of Natural Resources, Newaygo County Central Dispatch and Jerry’s Towing.

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FREMONT, Mich. (7/13/2021) Gerber Federal Credit Union (Gerber FCU) today announced several promotions. Brenda Bice to Branch Manager Newaygo Branch, Brent Deur to Assistant Vice President – Consumer Lending, Carla Burmeister to Senior Mortgage Manager and Patti Scherf to Senior Branch Manager Fremont Main Street Branch.
 
“I am very pleased to announce promotions for Brenda, Brent, Carla and Patti!  Brenda has developed our contact center culture to the point where we serve members with more than 3,800 phone calls answered each month. Brent has been instrumental in developing our indirect lending program and I am looking forward to what he can accomplish with the entire Consumer Lending portfolio. Carla has been the linchpin of our mortgage efforts, generating significant member satisfaction through both salable and portfolio mortgages. Patti built our Newaygo branch up from its humble beginnings to its current strong status. Congratulations to all!  ” said John P. Buckley, Jr., Gerber FCU President/CEO.
 
Ms. Bice joined the credit union as the Corporate Office Branch Manager in 2010. She will now be responsible for the leadership and growth of the Newaygo Branch operations including financial, compliance, and sales and service objectives. Bice has participated with United Way, Habitat for Humanity, Relay for Life, Victims Advocacy Program,  Muskegon County Team to Prevent Elder Abuse & Exploitation, Girl Scouts of America and Reeth’s Puffer Schools. She is NMLS licensed.
 
Mr. Deur joined the credit union as the Fremont Main Street Branch Manager in 2005 and was later promoted to Senior Branch Manager. He will lead the Lending department responsible for all Consumer lending as well as the Member Solutions Department.  Deur has volunteered for numerous community associations and charitable organizations such as the Business Applied Technology Advisory Board, Fremont Area Foundation Professional Advisor Board, Fremont Christian School Board, Fremont Little League Board and Junior Achievement. Deur holds the Certified Credit Union Financial Counselor (CCUFC) designation from the Credit Union National Association and is NMLS licensed.
 
Ms. Burmeister joined the credit union in 2017 as the Mortgage Manager. She will continue to lead the Mortgage department responsible for Construction and Mortgage lending. Burmeister has served on the Fremont Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors as the President several times and also as the Treasurer and a Director. She also volunteers with BNI, Business Applied Technologies, the Fremont Business Expo Committee, the Fremont Christmas Committee, Junior Achievement, Leadership in Newaygo County and she is a Host Mentor. Burmeister holds the Certified Credit Union Financial Counselor (CCUFC) designation from the Credit Union National Association and is NMLS licensed.
 
Ms. Scherf joined the credit union as a Part-Time Teller in 2001, she was later promoted to Head Teller and then to Newaygo Branch Manager.  As the Senior Branch Manager, she is responsible for the leadership and growth of the Fremont Main Street Branch operations including financial, compliance, and sales and service objectives.  She has volunteered with Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, and the River Country Chamber of Commerce. Patti holds the Certified Credit Union Financial Counselor (CCUFC) designation from the Credit Union National Association and is NMLS licensed.

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And now a surplus of moths brought to you by those lousy caterpillars

Ok. You’re sitting in your post gypsy-moth-caterpillar-invasion backyard  with much less shade and perhaps noticing the trees beginning to make an effort toward  returning a bit of foliage to your domain. 
And just as the post traumatic frass syndrome has started to subside a bit you begin to notice a definite uptick in the amount of fluttering beings flitting about the yard.
And they’re not butterflies.
No, they are the end product of those bountiful bastards that took advantage of drought conditions to wreak havoc on our landscape.
Well, they’re not going to eat any more leaves this year. Their new focus is on hooking up.
We turned to our friends at MSU Extension for a little info and a bit of guidance as to what might be done prevention-wise to help forestall a repeat performance next year.

Approximately two weeks after cocooning, adult gypsy moths emerge for a short mating cycle. 
The adult female and male moths look very different from each other. The female is larger than the male and is creamy white with black "V" markings on her fore-wings.  Female moths cannot fly; she attracts a mate by emitting a powerful pheromone.  Males are a mottled brown and gray and have large feathery antennae. They are similar in appearance to many native moths. They can be distinguished, however, by their behavior, as they fly in search of females in the late afternoon; not at night.
 Males pick up the scent of the female pheromone with their antennae. The male flies in a zigzag pattern toward the source of the pheromone.  Once he locates the female, he communicates  by dancing over and around her while rapidly beating his wings and then the pair mates. Shortly after mating the female deposits her eggs in a single mass and covers it with the yellowish-tan colored hairs from her own body. The only function of the adult stage of the gypsy moth is to reproduce leaving behind as many as a thousand descendants. 
 Unlike many other moths and butterflies, the adult gypsy moth cannot feed.  The moth has about 2 weeks to find a mate before death; completing their one year life cycle.

Egg masses will persist until next spring when the hatch begins. To lessen impacts next year, it is important to look for, remove and destroy egg masses.

• Look on trees, buildings, outdoor furniture and playsets – anything that’s outside.
• Use a scraper or hard plastic card to scrape egg masses into a container of soapy water.
• Let them soak overnight, then bag and dispose of them.
• Alternatively, egg masses can be placed in a fire and burned.
• Note that just scraping them onto the ground will not kill the eggs, and egg masses will still hatch next spring.
• It’s important to check for and remove egg masses from cars, equipment and anything that has been outdoors before you pack up for your travels.
• Leave firewood at home – it’s a common source for spreading gypsy moth.

To find out more about invasive gypsy moth life stages, identification and management, visit Michigan.gov/Invasives.

 

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Algae Bloom Detected On Hess Lake poses risks for pets, people
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July 8, 2021 – District Health Department #10 (DHD#10) was notified by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) that algae blooms were detected on Hess Lake in Newaygo County. 
 
After learning about what looked like algae blooms on Hess Lake, the United States Geological Survey (USGS) took samples on June 28 which were sent to the MDHHS lab where results came back positive for microcystin, an algal toxin released by some types of algae in lakes or rivers. Algae blooms can form when there are high nutrient levels within bodies of water along with warm temperatures. Additional testing will take place the week of July 12, and MDHHS is notifying homeowners about the initial test results. 
 
“Algae blooms look like a green mat right on top of the water that smells bad and has a gelatinous texture to them,” stated Tom Reichard, Environmental Health Director for DHD#10. “The algal toxins that are released can be harmful to aquatic life, pets, and humans so it is very important to avoid these areas.” 
 
Below are some steps to take when near waterways: 

• Avoid direct contact with waterways that appear to be scummy or have a green shade to them 
• Do not drink untreated surface water 
• Obey posted signage for public health advisories and/or beach closings 
• Limit or avoid eating fish from algae bloom impacted areas 

 
Contact with algae blooms can cause minor illness in humans but can be fatal to pets. Therefore, it is recommended that people keep their pets out of the water that shows any signs of algae blooms. 
 
People and pets can experience the following symptoms after exposure to algae blooms: 

• Rash, hives, or skin blisters at skin contact site 
• Runny eyes and/or nose, sore throat, asthma-like symptoms, or allergic reactions 
• Diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal pain, weakness, tingly fingers, numbness, dizziness, difficulty breathing, or even death resulting from ingesting contaminated water 

 
If you think you have been exposed to algae blooms, take the following precautions: 

• Immediately remove yourself and/or your pet from the area  
• Take a shower and thoroughly rinse off pets with clean, fresh water if they swam in an area with algae blooms to avoid potential toxic ingestion from licking 
• Seek medical treatment for yourself and/or veterinary treatment for your pet as soon as possible if you think you or your pet may have been exposed to or ingested algal toxins

From the Newaygo County Sheriff’s Dept:
 
On July 6th,2021 at approximately 3:30pm, Newaygo County Deputies and the Newaygo County Dive Team were dispatched to the 1400 block of Hess Lake Drive on Hess Lake for a boater that had gone overboard.
After hours of searching, the body of a 69-year-old Charlotte man was recovered by The Newaygo County Dive Team.
The Sheriffs Office was assisted by The Michigan State Police, The Grant Police Department, Michigan DNR, Newaygo Fire Department, Grant Fire Department and Life EMS.

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NC RESA is extremely grateful to David Hewitt for his 27 years of service on NC RESA’s Board of Education. David has  represented and advocated for the entire Newaygo County community, prioritizing the needs and interests of students  at Newaygo County RESA and all schools in Newaygo County. Through his adept skills in governance and policy making,  David has cultivated a culture of support and success within the Agency and throughout the community. 

“David has demonstrated a strong commitment to the shared vision and mission of Newaygo County RESA and has used  them as his guide in making decisions and communicating with others about the Agency's work,” stated Dr. Lori  Tubbergen Clark, NC RESA Superintendent. 

Since his appointment on July 11, 1994, David has contributed thousands of hours preparing for and presiding over  nearly 350 meetings during his tenure and will leave a legacy. David is highly respected not only for his sound decision making and leadership, but because he cares deeply for every student and each staff member. 
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State Representative Scott VanSingel attended David’s last board meeting on  June 28 and presented him with a tribute from the State of Michigan and  signed by Governor Witmer, Lt. Gov. Gilcrest, Representative Van Singel, and  Senator Bumstead recognizing his years of service. “David’s service to  Newaygo County RESA has been a meaningful and long-term contribution to  the Agency and the Newaygo County community,” Dr. Clark emphasized. “Mr.  Hewitt’s 27 years of devoted service to NC RESA and the Newaygo County  school community will be cherished.” 
 

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


ARTPRIZE 2021 VISITORS TO FIND AND AWARD TO ARTISTS NEARLY 500 CASH PRIZES THIS FALL

2021 marks an inflection point for ArtPrize as the artist-visitor interaction evolves and deepens, supported by a new digital platform presented by Delta Dental. This platform will leverage QR code technology to allow visitors to award $200,000 in cash prizes directly to artists.


Grand Rapids (Michigan) June 30, 2021 - ArtPrize, the international art competition and festival, today announced that visitors to the 2021 event will find prizes throughout the event district and award them directly to the artists of their choosing. These include nearly 500 cash prizes totaling $150,000 and a slate of emotional response prizes - all of which, when awarded to an artist, influence their chances of taking home the $50,000 Grand Prize. This deepened artist-visitor interaction will be powered by a new digital platform presented by Delta Dental and developed by Atomic Object, that will live online at artprize.org and that visitors will interact with on their smartphones. ArtPrize is slated to take place in Grand Rapids from September 16-October 3.


“Throughout the event’s history, ArtPrize has used technology to create opportunities for the public to engage with contemporary art on a massive scale. We’ve gone wide, and now we’re looking to make that interaction deeper, more meaningful,” said Craig Searer, ArtPrize executive director. 


“This fall, ArtPrize will shift away from the traditional public vote into a new format that encourages visitors to go beyond simply ‘liking’ an artwork - giving them the opportunity to support artists financially when they award the prizes themselves, and opening up the possibility that more artists than ever before will take home a portion of the cash prizes,” continued Searer.


As visitors to ArtPrize 2021 explore the event, they will find QR codes on each entry label. By scanning these codes with their smartphones, they will find prizes to award to ArtPrize artists.


Each time a visitor scans a prize code, they will have the chance of finding one of nearly 500 cash prizes ranging from $250 to $1,500 each to award to any participating artist they choose. When scans do not turn up a cash prize, visitors will be presented with a slate of emotional response prizes to choose from and send to artists to let them know how their artwork made them feel.


“This fall, artists will at long last get feedback from visitors on a large scale,” said Katie Moore, ArtPrize senior exhibitions manager. “They’ll understand how their entries impact those exploring the event - are they wowed, emotional, encouraged to think in new ways? This new prize system will make it possible for that feedback to reach artists wherever they are, whether they’re able to attend the event in person or not.”


Each interaction between visitor and artist through this new digital platform will have a direct influence on the outcome of the $50,000 Grand Prize, to be awarded to one artist or artist collaborative at the end of the event.


“In 2021, a beta year and testing ground for our new format, we’re attempting something that’s never been done before at ArtPrize - giving artists and visitors the opportunity for deeper engagement, a desire they’ve expressed for years,” said Searer. “As we build this new prize structure and the technology platform that supports it, we’re creating a wealth of opportunities to test new means of engagement for the future. This is just the beginning.”

Artist and venue registration closed earlier this month, and the Connections period - through which artists and venues match up to form the ArtPrize exhibition - will run through July 8, extended to accommodate venues that signed up in June. ArtPrize will kick off in Grand Rapids on September 16, less than three months from now, and run through October 3.