 BREAKING NEWS
There is a fire currently being fought at David Allen Racing Motorsports. The blaze began around 5 pm Saturday. Fire Departments from Ferry Township, Hesperia, Holton, Muskegon, Montague and Fremont are all on the scene. More details as we receive them. From David Allen Racing Motorsports As most have seen, we have sustained a devastating fire to the main showroom building at the dealership. We are so thankful that no one was in the building at the time and no one was injured. We are so very thankful of the brave first responders and firefighters from all over west Michigan who battled the fire all night. At this time we are without any type of phone or internet service and have limited access to communication. Please be patient as it will take us several days for us to get organized and back on line with utilities. The lucky thing is that the service building is intact and all vehicles that were in for service are safe. If you have a service vehicle we are still able to finish the work on your vehicles and will be contacting you when we have phones available. Thank you all for your continued support and prayers.
1 Comment
 The Newaygo County Regional Educational Service Agency is seeking applications for up to three GSRP Preschool Teachers. Locations would include Fremont, Grant and White Cloud. Candidates must have a valid Michigan teaching certificate with an early childhood education (ZA or ZS) endorsement or a child development associate credential (CDA) OR a bachelor’s degree in child development or early childhood education with specialization in preschool teaching. Candidates must also complete required training, have a TB test on file, and clear required criminal history checks. The deadline for applying will remain open until these positions are filled. Please go to www.ncresa.org and complete the e-application on the job postings page. For questions, please contact the Human Resources Department at 231-924-8853. It is the policy of the Newaygo County RESA that no person shall, on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, gender, age, height, weight, marital status or other trait or characteristic protected by federal or state employment discrimination statutes, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subject to discrimination during programs, activities, and employment.  The seats begin to fill up for the special meeting
Anger, frustration and sadness fill public comment Story and photos by Ken DeLaat It was a half hour before the scheduled 5pm start on Monday, July 21st, but the hallway leading to the County Commissioners meeting room was already beginning to fill up. Once the doors opened folks began to find their seats and before long it was standing room only. In a special meeting the White Cloud City Council heard from their constituents about the hot button issue. A recent drawdown and the possible loss of the dam that created the historic mill pond. Over 3 dozen citizens rose to speak their mind at the meeting with nearly all supporting the idea of finding some way to save or rebuild the structure that has been part of the town for over a century. The meeting began with a thorough and detailed explanation of the current situation presented by Stacy Hissong, who provides legal representation for the city, joined by Aaron Snell of StreamsideECO and Tom Horak of DEQ. In a PowerPoint presentation Ms. Hissong outlined the issues that have led to the drawdown of Lake White Cloud (nee the Mill Pond) and pointed out the financial liability involved in any attempt to repair and maintain the dam. The public comment was focused on the dam's historical significance, the impact removal would have on the town and questions regarding the process that led to the recent need for a decision to be made. Some pointed fingers asking why something wasn’t done earlier, others doubted the reasoning behind the need for removal, while a few simply seemed to mourn the probable loss of what they grew up with. A local swimming hole and fishing pond where they learned water skills and spent time in their youth. The most poignant feedback came from those who own property that had been waterfront and is now a lengthy patch of mud and muck leading down to the decreased flow of the White River. There are no easy answers here. The projected cost for restoration would likely have to come from the city possibly via special assessments and increase the financial liability to home owners markedly. Even with the elevated costs to property owners the financial obligation would likely not be sufficient to cover the ongoing costs of maintenance for the structure. The City Council and City Manager Storms listened to their community express anger and sorrow about the changes and have been put in the unenviable position of having to make one of those unpopular no-win decisions. None who sat on the dais during the meeting are relishing the idea of voting on this measure and yet it falls to those elected to these positions to make such decisions. And while their hearts may lie with restoration, they are charged with overseeing the financial well-being of the city, a huge factor in this decision. This is a strong community. A community who showed up in substantial numbers to make their case, though much of what was presented to them pointed to removal as the most viable option. It takes time for rivers to return to normalcy after dam removal. While aquatic life can rebound quickly, decades of built-up sediment behind the dam have turned the river brown and gooey and sediment dispersal can take weeks or months. As more time goes by the river will regain continuity, linking upstream, downstream, and floodplain habitats for nutrient flow and species movement. But for now this is a community saddened and angered by the potential loss of what had been part of this town’s landscape for more than a century. The options
On June 12, Fremont Area Community Foundation’s Board of Trustees voted to elect two new trustees, Marva Zeldenrust and Nate Kooistra. Both were elected to three-year terms and join 12 others serving on the Board. “We are excited to welcome two great new trustees to our Board,” said Shelly Kasprzycki, Community Foundation president and CEO. “Marva and Nate have both served their community in many ways for years, and they bring valuable experience, skills, and perspectives to our organization.” Zeldenrust worked in the banking industry for 27 years and served on our Bridging Generations Fund. She is involved with FFA and an active member of her church. Zeldenrust is also a longtime supporter of the Newaygo County Agricultural Fair and is a township board trustee. “The Community Foundation has a long history of enriching lives in Newaygo County and the surrounding area,” said Zeldenrust. “I’m looking forward to being part of the team and building on the good work that has already been done.” Kooistra is pastor at Reeman Christian Reformed Church, where he was also previously a youth pastor. He has coached youth sports and served on the boards of Fremont Christian School and Wellspring Adult Day Services. Kooistra is also the current chair of our Amazing X Charitable Fund. “I’m looking forward to learning more about all the ways the Community Foundation is partnering locally,” said Kooistra. “It’s fun to see all the different ways that people are working in the community.” In addition to welcoming new trustees, the Board voted to renew the terms of current trustees Charles Chandler, Julie Tatko, Todd DeKryger, and Ken DeLaat. The Executive Committee of the Board was re-elected and includes Bill Alsover as chair, Ken DeLaat as vice chair, Mikhail Salacina as treasurer, Susan Wente as secretary, and Peggy Rossler as trustee at large. The June 12 meeting also included approval of spring community grants, several new fund agreements, financial statements, and committee rosters for the upcoming year.  A portion of Camp Newaygo’s Wetland Trail before it was damaged by a brushfire in 2024. Fremont Area Community Foundation recently announced the results of its spring community grant round, awarding nearly $2.3 million to local nonprofit organizations. Grant support was awarded to a variety of organizations and programs serving Newaygo County, including recycling, art, literacy, operating support, and more. Most grants targeted one of the Community Foundation’s three focus areas: community development, education, and poverty reduction. Camp Newaygo’s wetland trail was awarded a $138,000 grant with an additional $7,000 contributed from a donor advised fund. The trail’s boardwalk and wetland habitat were damaged in a 2024 brushfire. Grant funding will help Camp Newaygo secure permits, equipment, materials, signage, and more needed to rebuild and restore habitat. Michigan Works! West Central received a $9,500 grant along with $500 from a donor advised fund for their pre-apprenticeship career counseling certificate project. The program supports career planning, training, credential acquisition, soft skill development, and more for young adults interested in apprenticeships. Hope 101 received a $43,520 grant to support their meal program and transitional housing work. Hope 101 provides stable housing and self-sufficiency development opportunities to local people experiencing homelessness. Through The Cookery, their newest program, Hope 101 also provides hearty meals on a “pay as you can” basis for families facing food insecurity. The Community Foundation accepts community grant applications online twice each year. The next deadline is September 2. For more information, visit facommunityfoundation.org/grants.  After the drawdown- Photo by Rosemary Straight A new look coming to the White River? Dam discussion meeting scheduled. By Ken DeLaat If you thought the debate over the school nickname was a source of community conflict, another contentious situation has the people of White Cloud decidedly divided. The dam. The century old barrier is facing an uncertain future given the structural issues and repair costs involved. Those on the side of restoring the structure cite the tradition of the mill pond (aka Lake White Cloud) that has been a swimming and fishing site for many generations. On the flip side removal would likely improve water quality in the White as well as assisting with fish habitat and migration. EGLE ordered the City to complete a feasibility study which was done earlier this year. The purpose of the feasibility study was to determine what type of rehabilitation may be necessary. The feasibility study included the completion of a more robust inspection of the Dam than those required in the regular inspections completed since it was rebuilt after the 1986 failure. Costs for removing the dam were estimated at $9.3-$ 12.7 million, whereas repair would be significantly more expensive, with estimates running as high as $ 18.6 million over the next 50 years (with those costs increasing significantly once adjusted for up to 50 years of inflation). City Manager April Storms sent out an email to residents in part stating: “I understand how sensitive and emotional this issue is for many in our community. I want to be clear: I have not given up on the dam, nor do I disregard how deeply this affects people. We inherited a problem not addressed for many years. That said, part of my responsibility as your administrator is to recognize limitations and seek legal and strategic guidance to navigate complex issues on behalf of our city. “I love this community. Sincerely. My hope is that something meaningful and beneficial can still come out of this unfortunate situation. In my opinion, we’re nearing the end of a road where we can either expend significant energy and resources on a battle, we’ve been legally advised we may not win by someone with the expertise and independent qualified opinion; or we can face the difficulty head-on and instead focus our efforts on ensuring that, whatever the outcome, our community gains something of value, perhaps better if we all can come together. Once the community and council receive the full presentation of all available options, funding sources, and potential next steps, the City Council will be positioned to make the most informed decision moving forward—and we will implement those decisions systematically at the City level.” Currently the dam has been undergoing a drawdown that has significantly shrunk the size of the pond much to the chagrin of property owners around the waterfront and others in the community. This action was mandated in compliance with EGLE’s directives and under their direction; it was not a decision made by the City or the City Council. On Monday July 21, at 5pm there will be a special meeting to discuss the future of the White Cloud Dam. The meeting will be held at the Board of Commissioners meeting room at the Administration building on the county campus.  White River - photo by Charles Chandler  Photo by Jennifer Sherburn Work will be done early Saturday morning
HESPERIA, Mich., July 15, 2025 – Consumers Energy will be making upgrades to deliver electricity more reliably in Hesperia, performing substation maintenance in the area. The overnight work will temporarily interrupt electricity to about 3,000 homes and businesses from 2 a.m. Saturday, July 19 until as late as 4 a.m. It’s part of Consumers Energy’s Reliability Roadmap, an effort to reduce the number and length of power outages in Michigan. "We are working to build a more efficient and resilient electric grid for our customers. This substation maintenance work will ensure equipment is in good working order," said Chris Laird, vice president of electric distribution at Consumers Energy. "We appreciate everyone’s patience as we execute this essential work." Postcards have been mailed to affected customers in the area. Consumers Energy often schedules work like this overnight, when many people are asleep, to minimize disruptions to businesses or other activities. If work needs to be rescheduled, the backup date is Saturday, July 26, from 2 a.m. to 4 a.m. Customers should call Consumers Energy at 800-477-5050 if they have questions or concerns.  Sign design by Graphicus Fremont, MI - All Saints Church recently completed the GIS (Geographic Information Systems) Mapping of their Mt. Calvary Cemetery on 64th Street in Fremont. This work was part of a beautification project at the Cemetery which involved new signage, fencing and gates in Phase I as well as upgrading the driveway in Phase II. After much research and review of various proposals, the contract for Phase III mapping was awarded to Wayfinder GIS, LLC of Norton Shores. Holly Moon stated, “Jamie Way was well-qualified with many years of GIS experience. Her work spans all aspects of GIS Mapping with a specialty in mapping cemeteries.” The mapping of the Mt. Calvary grave sites provides all vital information for those buried within the Cemetery, such as dates of birth and death, veterans’ designations, and photos of the individual monument markers. It also shows grave sites purchased in reserve for future use and the names of the purchasers. This is valuable for families and for funeral homes in locating the correct location for a burial or offering options within the Cemetery when a loved one passes. This contributes to the families’ comfort and helps reduce some of their stress at a difficult time. It also provides the Cemetery Sexton with the assurance needed to safely perform burials. This GIS Mapping tool is also extremely useful for genealogy purposes as well. With the mobility of our society today, many family members move out of the area but still come back to visit the cemeteries. Most families must travel on the weekends when the Sexton or Church Office are not available. This tool would allow these families to simply access the information free of charge via the All Saints’ website and find the graves of loved ones with ease. This completed project was funded in part by an advised fund created by a former church member and held at The Fremont Area Community Foundation. All Saints leadership is very proud of this project’s completion as it is a valuable asset for their church members and many others in our community. For information on the purchase of grave sites, please contact the All Saints’ business office at 231.924.7705.  L-R Back Row Dana Simon, Jenna Smalligan, Sandi Christoffersen, Megan Barnes, Dean Ford L-R Front Row Rebecca Bunker, Josie Ramos, Rachel Poches, Justin McLaughlin, Jennifer Greene *Not Pictured: Charlie Forbes, Brooke Hren Second Cohort of NC LEAP Graduates Celebrate Completion of Local Leadership Program Newaygo County, MI – [July 2025] – The Newaygo County Economic Development Partnership (NCEDP), is proud to announce the successful completion of the second cohort of the Newaygo County Leadership, Engagement, and Advancement Program (NC LEAP). NC LEAP is a dynamic, cohort-based leadership program designed to cultivate local talent, inspire civic involvement, and prepare emerging leaders for future opportunities in business, government, and community impact. Over the course of six months, participants engaged in interactive sessions covering various leadership development topics such as civility, conflict resolution, emotional awareness and more, all focused through the lens of Newaygo County’s unique assets and challenges. “It was a great professional development experience. I took things I learned from the sessions and implemented them into my work. It was also nice to connect with other professionals, across sectors, working in Newaygo County,” said one 2025 cohort graduate. This year’s program brought together a diverse group of professionals, entrepreneurs, educators, and local leaders who are now equipped to make a lasting impact in their neighborhoods, workplaces, and civic institutions. To learn more about NC LEAP or upcoming leadership initiatives, please contact Julie Burrell at [email protected]  L – R Jenna Smalligan, Fremont Area Community Foundation Rachel Poches, Greenstone Farm Credit Services  L-R Dean Ford, Edward Jones Justin McLaughliln, G-M Wood Products  L-R Josie Ramos, Sportsman’s Bar Sandi Christoffersen, County of Newaygo  PUBLIC NOTICE The Family Health Care – White Cloud School-Based Health Center Advisory Council will meet on Monday, August 4, 2025, from noon to 1 p.m. in the health center’s conference room at 555 E. Wilcox Ave. The meeting is open to the public, and lunch will be provided. For more information, call (231) 689-3268.  Friends of the Fremont Area District Library brought in an animal balloon artist Fremont Area District Library Celebrates 25 Years in Current Building with Over 600 Visitors The Fremont Area District Library held a joyful celebration on Wednesday, June 25, 2025, to commemorate the 25-year anniversary of its current building. Though the building officially opened its doors on February 14, 2000, the library chose to celebrate this special milestone during the summer so more families could join the fun—and they did. The day drew an incredible turnout of 637 visitors. The event featured a variety of activities and attractions for all ages, including a special Elephant & Piggie Meet & Greet, Jams froyo, nostalgic displays of old library toys and the library's history, an engaging scavenger hunt, library trivia, and a time capsule for community members to contribute memories and messages to the future. The Friends of the Library helped make the day even more festive with giveaways in the Friends Gift Shop and by bringing in a balloon animal artist who delighted kids throughout the day. “We were ecstatic with the turnout for our 25-year anniversary event, especially considering the construction happening in town,” said Library Director Jackilyn Roseberry. “It really adds credence to the knowledge that our community loves and supports the library. Thank you to our community for coming out and having so much fun with us, and remember that we are always here to serve you!” The Fremont Area District Library would like to thank all who attended and helped make the event such a meaningful and memorable success. The library remains committed to serving the community with free resources, enriching programs, and welcoming spaces for all. For more information about upcoming events and library services, visit www.fremontlibrary.net or follow the library on Facebook and Instagram.  Elephant & Piggie Meet & Greet |
CategoriesArchives
December 2025
|
RSS Feed