Counties, municipalities benefit from marijuana money
Adult Use Marijuana Payments are once again making their annual March deliveries into the coffers of municipalities across the state. The Michigan Department of Treasury announced this past week that more than $87 million is being distributed among 269 municipalities and counties as a part of the Michigan Regulation and Taxation of Marijuana Act. Over the next few days, 99 cities, 30 villages, 69 townships and 71 counties will receive payments from the Marihuana Regulation Fund. For the state of Michigan's 2023 fiscal year, this means each eligible municipality and county will receive a bit more than $59,000 for every licensed retail store and microbusiness located within its jurisdiction.Last year's payments were just under $52,000 per business. In our county there are four dispensaries including 2 in White Cloud, one in Grant and another in Big Prairie Township. As a result White Cloud will receive just over $118,000 while Grant and Big Prairie will get just over $59,599 each. The county also receives monies from the fund. “Newaygo County will be receiving an estimated $236, 345.40 for FY23 recreational marijuana licensing fees distributed by the State of Michigan, an increase from FY22 in which the County received $155,559,” said Newaygo County Administrator Chris Wren. The increase is related to an additional facility opening in Newaygo County bringing the total to four. “Newaygo County uses the funding to offset the expenses of law enforcement activities. Although Newaygo County does not participate in licensing or approving these facilities, the County will utilize the funds for law enforcement expenses as long as we receive them.” Big Rapids currently has 15 facilities bringing the city just over $886,000 this year, with Mecosta County receiving the same. “These dollars may be spent how our local units deem fit to their needs," State Treasurer Rachael Eubanks said. See all Michigan municipalities benefitting from the fund here
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Presidential Primary Results For County, State
With about 23% of registered voters casting their ballots Newaygo County went to the polls in the first election cycle encompassing 9 days of early voting opportunities prior to Tuesday’s election day. As predicted, both frontrunners in their respective parties managed easy wins over their nearest rivals. On the Republican side former President Donald Trump did better locally than he did statewide, drawing 77% of NC Republicans to closest (and only current) competitor Nikki Haley’s 19%. Statewide Haley did better gathering about 27% to Trump's 68%. On the Democratic side President Joe Biden’s local results matched pretty evenly with the rest of the state. He finished with 82% of the vote here, and 81% statewide His primary opposition was in the uncommitted category where 11% of NC voters and 13% statewide elected to opt out of the selected candidates. By comparison just 2% of Republican voters here and 3% statewide chose uncommitted. 7653 votes were cast on the Republican ballot and 1945 votes went to Democrats. The results: Newaygo County Trump 5890 77% Haley 1439 19% Others 153 2% Uncommitted 171 3% State (95% counted) Trump 755,909 68.2% Haley 294,334 26.8% Others 25,294 2.2% Uncommitted 33,373 3% Newaygo County Biden 1597 82% Others 139 7% Uncommitted 209 11% State (95% counted) Biden 617,728 81.1% Uncommitted 100,960 13.3% Others 43,146 5.7% PUBLIC NOTICE: The next Advisory Council Meeting for the Grant Child and Adolescent Health Center will be held on March 6, 2024 from noon to 1:00 at the Grant School Administration building. This meeting is open to the public. Please call 231-834-1350 if you plan to attend as there will be lunch available. If you would like to attend virtually you can access the meeting at: meet.google.com/VXG-OCBA-BQH or call 1-929-251-5532 code: 560340384# NEWAYGO, Mich. — February 24, 2024 — Adam Mercer, a seasoned law enforcement professional with a diverse background in serving communities, has officially declared his candidacy for the position of Sheriff of Newaygo County. Mercer will be vying for the Republican primary nomination on August 6th, offering a vision of integrity, community engagement, and effective leadership. With a career spanning over two decades, Mercer brings a wealth of experience and a proven track record of service to his candidacy. His commitment to the safety and well-being of Newaygo County residents is evident in his dedication to fostering trust, enhancing communication, and implementing innovative strategies to address the evolving needs of the community. "I am honored to announce my candidacy for Sheriff of Newaygo County," said Mercer. "If elected, I pledge to work tirelessly to build a department that prioritizes the safety and security of all residents while upholding the highest standards of professionalism and integrity." Mercer's vision for the county includes the establishment of a culture grounded in trust and collaboration, aimed at recruiting and retaining highly qualified personnel for both patrol officers and jail staff. Additionally, he intends to strengthen partnerships with city police departments, the State Police, and neighboring county Sheriff's offices to enhance coordination and maximize resources in combating crime and ensuring public safety. A resident of Croton Township, Mercer's roots run deep in Newaygo County. His extensive career in law enforcement began in 2003 with the Newaygo County Sheriff's Department, where he served in various roles, including road deputy, school liaison officer, detective, and sergeant. He has also contributed to numerous successful multi-agency initiatives, including cold-case investigations and drug enforcement task forces. Mercer is a graduate of the Kirtland Community College Police Academy and has pursued additional specialty training throughout his career to stay abreast of emerging trends and best practices in law enforcement. "I am committed to serving the residents of Newaygo County with dedication, integrity, and transparency," Mercer added. "Together, we can build a safer, stronger community for generations to come." Contact: Adam Mercer adammercer4sheriff@gmail.com Prepared by the Committee Adam Mercer for Sheriff. Approved by Adam Mercer. Investment in Downtowns and Facade Grant Programs Bolsters Small Businesses in Newaygo County NEWAYGO COUNTY, MICH (FEB, 22, 2024): Community leaders across Newaygo County are prioritizing downtown development through façade grant programs. The City of White Cloud recently announced a new façade grant program, focusing on their downtown and commercial corridor. The Cities of Newaygo and Fremont are also celebrating success with implementation of facade grant programs aimed at supporting small businesses and revitalizing downtown areas. These initiatives signify a concerted effort to invest in the economic vibrancy and aesthetic appeal of local communities. Recognizing the pivotal role that small businesses play in driving local economies, the City of Fremont initiated a facade grant program designed to assist downtown businesses in enhancing their storefronts in 2006 with initial seed funding from the Fremont Downtown Development District. Through this program, eligible businesses were provided with financial assistance via a 50% match to undertake facade improvements, such as window replacement, exterior painting, and architectural enhancements. The result has been a noticeable transformation of downtown Fremont, attracting more visitors and bolstering the overall attractiveness of the area. Since 2006, over $1.1M has been invested in Fremont’s downtown district, with grant awards of $480,000. Similarly, the City of Newaygo, launched its own facade grant program in 2022 to support small businesses in their tax increment finance authority district. By providing matching funds for facade improvements, the program has empowered local entrepreneurs to invest in their storefronts, contributing to a more vibrant and inviting downtown atmosphere. The positive impact of this initiative has been felt throughout the community, with increased foot traffic and renewed interest from residents and visitors alike. In less than 2 years, Newaygo TIFA’s investment of over $20,000 has leveraged an additional $22,000 in private investment, supporting six projects. Thanks to support from the Fremont Area Community Foundation, the City of White Cloud is implementing a facade grant program aimed at revitalizing its historic downtown area, with applications open now through March 31st, 2024. The City of White Cloud was awarded $20,000 of funding for its facade improvement program. Through this program, the city is offering eligible businesses and commercial property owners a 50% project match, up to $5,000. It is the City’s hope to support at least four projects. Applications for Newaygo’s program are due February 28th, 2024 and May 31st, 2024. Applications for Fremont’s program are accepted on a rolling basis.
The Newaygo County Economic Development Partnership’s Mission is to drive sustainable economic growth in Newaygo County & surrounding areas. By investing in facade improvements, the cities of Newaygo, Fremont, and White Cloud are not only enhancing the visual appeal of their downtown areas but also laying the groundwork for sustainable economic growth and prosperity. For more information about the facade grant programs in Newaygo County, please contact: City of Newaygo Jon Schneider 231.652.1657 jons@newaygocity.org City of Fremont Andy Harrington 231-924-2101 zoning@fremontmi.gov City of White Cloud Andrew Stafford 231-689-1194 Fellow@cityofwhitecloud.org FHC Provider now accepting new patients. WHITE CLOUD, Michigan – Emily Gallaway, DNP, AGNP-C, has recently joined Family Health Care’s clinic at 1035 E. Wilcox in White Cloud. She will provide outpatient primary care services to adult patients. “We are excited to have Emily join our team of providers at our White Cloud clinic,” said Julie Tatko, President and CEO of Family Health Care. “By adding providers, we are able to increase access to high-quality, comprehensive health care services in Newaygo County.” Gallaway earned her Doctor of Nursing Practice degree from Grand Valley State University and received a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Spring Arbor University. She brings more than ten years of nursing experience to Family Health Care, having most recently worked at Corewell Health where she served in multiple settings including emergency medicine, neuroscience, and cardiovascular surgery. “I am thrilled to be part of Family Health Care and provide care to an underserved population who otherwise would be forced to either go without health care or travel great distances to access care,” Gallaway said. “It’s my goal to provide the highest level of quality care and compassion to each of my patients.” Gallaway is accepting new patients. To schedule an appointment, call (231) 689-5943. For additional information, visit www.familyhealthcare.org. Wood components supplier to add 25 jobs invest $8.67 million, add 25k SF facility
NEWAYGO, MI - Today, the Newaygo County Economic Development Partnership (NCEDP), powered by The Right Place, Inc., in collaboration with the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC), announced that wood components supplier G-M Wood Products (GMWP) will be expanding its facility at 531 Clay Street in Newaygo. The company plans to add 25 new jobs and $8,675,000 million in capital investment. The company, founded in 1987 as a manufacturer of small components around door handles, now manufactures patented door frame components and wood door frames in many sizes. The company currently has 139 employees in Michigan. GMWP is experiencing significant growth and plans to construct a 25,000-square-foot facility adjacent to its existing operations in Newaygo. This will allow the company to bring some manufacturing processes currently being done out of state and overseas in-house, allowing for better product control, decreased production times, and reduced production costs. “G-M Wood Products, being an industry leader in manufacturing millwork and entry door components with facilities in Michigan as well as Georgia, is excited to continue growing our Newaygo, Michigan campus,” said G-M Wood Products Vice President Kevin Karrip. “We are bringing a new technology on site that we previously sourced from out of state and overseas. We firmly believe that the value of automated USA manufacturing will continue to increase over the coming years. Considering the partnership with the state of Michigan, combined with the incredibly hardworking employees of our West Michigan community, we are left with no doubt that Newaygo is the right choice for G-M Wood Products to continue to grow.” GMWP offers training opportunities to upskill its employees and provides opportunities for growth from within. The company plans to work with Michigan Works! to secure local talent. The project will bring immediate advanced manufacturing jobs to the area and position the company for future growth and investment in Michigan. The NCEDP worked closely with the MEDC to ensure the company continued its growth in the region rather than its current operations in Georgia. They assisted by coordinating state and local resources, including helping obtain a 50-percent property tax abatement from the city of Newaygo in support of the project. “We are thrilled to work with the team at G-M Wood Products, providing the resources they need to expand their operations in Michigan,” said Julie Burrell, Senior Economic Development Director of NCEDP and project lead. “They continue to be a great community partner and are a key driver of the continued growth in Newaygo County.” "G-M Wood Products has been a great asset to the community,” said Newaygo City Manager Jon Schneider. “We are excited to support them in their continued efforts to expand their business.” Learn more about the company here: https://gmcompanies.com/ Current Prosecutor one of 4 Governor appointees LANSING,MI -Today, Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced the appointments of Susan Metzger to the Van Buren County Probate Court, Amanda Pollard to Eaton County Probate Court, Ellsworth Stay to the 78th District Court (Newaygo and Lake Counties), and Michael Ekdahl to the 89th District Court (Presque Isle and Cheboygan Counties). “Today, I am proud to appoint Susan, Amanda, Ellsworth, and Michael to Michigan’s bench,” said Governor Whitmer. “Each of these new judges are experienced legal minds who are dedicated to serving their community with humility, compassion, and respect for the rule of law. They each bring a wealth of experience to their service and I am confident they will serve with distinction and inspire confidence in the integrity and professionalism of our courts.” Ellsworth Stay, Jr. is the elected prosecuting attorney for Newaygo County, a position he has held since 2017. He has served the people of Newaygo County in various capacities for over twenty years including as Trial Court Director/Friend of the Court and as Chief Assistant Prosecuting Attorney. He serves on the Board of Directors of the Prosecuting Attorneys Association of Michigan. Ellsworth received his Bachelor of Arts in American Government from the University of Virginia and his Juris Doctor from Indiana University Maurer School of Law. “I am thankful and honored to receive this appointment from Governor Whitmer,” Stay stated. “I look forward to continuing to serve the citizens of the 78th District with dedication and professionalism. I will seek to make decisions that are impartial and just while treating those who come before the court with fairness and respect”. This appointment was made to fill a partial term following the resignation of Judge Kevin Drake. Mr. Stay’s term will commence on April 1, 2024, and expire at twelve o’clock noon on January 1, 2025. Company Cites Electric Grid Upgrades ; More Work on the Way This Year
Consumers Energy announced that nearly 9 in 10 customers who lost power in 2023 were restored in less than 24 hours -- the result of the company’s major upgrades to strengthen Michigan’s electric grid. Michigan’s largest energy provider last year unveiled its Reliability Roadmap – a long-term commitment to improve reliability and restore all customers in less than 24 hours, even after severe storms. Consumers Energy put that plan into action, reducing the length of the average customer outage last year during normal weather to 176 minutes, or under three hours – a 20-minute improvement over the average for the previous five years. “We are trimming trees, using technology and burying more power lines to build a power grid that is reliable in all weather,” said Greg Salisbury, Consumers Energy’s vice president of electric distribution engineering. “We all saw the threat from severe weather, in the form of intense back-to-back storms just last month, where we restored power to most customers in less than 24 hours, which makes us even more determined to make outages as infrequent and as short as possible.” “Michiganders are expecting us to provide energy even more dependably than ever, and our performance last year shows we’re able to follow through on our plan,” said Chris Laird, Consumers Energy’s vice president of electric operations. “We’re going to continue following our Reliability Roadmap to ensure the power stays on for homes and businesses that count on us.” Consumers Energy operates close to 100,000 miles of electric lines and serves nearly 2 million homes and businesses. In the past year, Consumers Energy continued to innovate with new technology and upgrades to its electric system across the entire Lower Peninsula. That work included:
Promise Zone Extends Application Deadline to April 15
The Newaygo County Area Promise Zone Board of Directors has announced an extension of the 2024 scholarship application deadline to April 15. Originally scheduled for March 1, this extension comes in response to recent modifications to the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The decision to extend the deadline was prompted by updates to the FAFSA, launched by Federal Student Aid on December 30, 2023. These changes aim to expand eligibility for student aid while providing a more user-friendly experience. Given these recent changes to the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), which is a prerequisite for eligibility for the Promise Zone scholarship, the Board recognized the importance of granting students and families additional time to familiarize themselves with the updated FAFSA form. Therefore, the decision to extend the scholarship application deadline was made to help accommodate this need. "The recent adjustments to the FAFSA form underscored the importance of ensuring that students and families have ample time to navigate the application process effectively. Our decision to extend the scholarship application deadline reflects our commitment to supporting students as they pursue their educational aspirations,” shared Blake Prewitt, Board Chair, Newaygo County Area Promise Zone. The Newaygo County Area Promise Zone remains dedicated to its mission of empowering students to pursue their post-secondary aspirations without the burden of financial constraints. By easing the financial strains that frequently impede educational pursuits, the Promise Zone is actively helping to change the cultural perception that college is too expensive and out of reach. Through the availability of the Promise Scholarship, many students are now embracing the belief that higher education is attainable and are proactively preparing for their future. Promise Scholar, Jean, recently shared that, “The Promise Scholarship means a lot to me, because it allows me to seek higher education and make my family proud.” In addition to extending the application deadline, the Board of Directors recently approved a significant eligibility criterion change. Beginning with the Class of 2024, Newaygo County high school graduates with a 2.5 unweighted GPA or higher will be eligible for the Promise Scholarship. This adjustment aims to broaden opportunities for determined students to achieve their post-secondary goals. Since its inception in 2017, the Promise Zone has disbursed more than $2.7 million in tuition support, benefiting over 330 motivated Newaygo County students who have chosen to pursue their post-secondary aspirations. The Promise Zone is a forward-looking initiative committed to breaking down financial barriers for local students. By providing tuition assistance and fostering educational opportunities, the Promise Zone empowers students to realize their full potential and contribute meaningfully to their communities. For more information about the Newaygo County Area Promise Zone visit www.promise.zone, email apply@promise.zone or call 231-924-8888. Four young women from White Cloud once again rise to the occasion
Photos by Lil De Laat Story by Ken DeLaat For the second year in a row a team of White Cloud Middle School students have won a national NASA STEM competition known as the TechRise Student Challenge. Brynlee Plouff, Lily Ulmen, Gianna Fessenden, and Addison Boomgaard are the foursome who have not only made the cut for inclusion into the project last year but pulled off a repeat by being accepted for the second straight year. TechRise, in its third year, is a STEM challenge for 6th -- 12th graders that offers students the invaluable opportunity to design and test their own innovative solutions for space exploration and the study of Earth while getting hands-on insight into the payload design and flight test process. This inspires a deeper understanding of space exploration, Earth observation, coding, electronics, and the value of test data. This year’s challenge was to design a science or technology experiment that could be tested on either a NASA-sponsored high-altitude balloon flight or rocket-powered lander. The White Cloud Middle School students’ experiment, titled Rocket Fusion, will be tested on a rocket-powered lander. The students will now work through the remainder of the school year building out their experiments with the support of professional engineers. The four young women from Ms. Sherry Claflin’s science class will once again be working with NASA officials through the rest of the school year to create their project in preparation for a flight test this summer. Last year their model was used to test Co2 levels in the atmosphere while going over land forms.They showed me the project that was sent to NASA to be used on one of their balloons and reported they ended up receiving over 350 pages of data from the project. Brynlee Plouff drew up the schematic of what the project would look like, Lily Ulmen had the idea for the CO2 part, Gianna Fesseden’s task was coming up with why the experiment was important and Addison Boomgard put together how this was going to be done and how the data was to be collected. “We started out with an empty little plastic box and they had to put it together and make it work.,” said Ms. Claflin, “They wired it, soldered it, checked connections and coded it. It took a lot of research because they had to come up with it on their own. “The girls spent the semester meeting weekly with a NASA scientist and engineer. They spent extra time with Tyler Hurt, our NASA engineer last year and the four showed some serious dedication to the process as they needed to give up a lot of extra time including giving up lunch time and after school time to put this together. “Then we found out in January that the same team had won again.” The four students have been practicing their teamwork beyond the classroom. Each is involved in a sport or two and have absorbed the power of collaboration. “We learned the importance of teamwork and how to come together and problem solve. If someone struggles then we’re going to all work through it together,” said Addison. We asked if the experience had influenced what they might want to do later in life. Gianna was caught up in the engineering aspect of the project and could see herself pursuing it as a field while Lily thought she might want to look into being part of the Space Force.Brynlee has enjoyed the projects, however she has a yen to someday work with animals and Addison could see herself going into teaching to follow a desire to work with kids. In the meantime the quartet will once again have a lot on their plate as they pursue the end product of their second trip into space. I asked them a bit about their school. “I think it’s cool that we were chosen. We’re just a small town and there might be people who don’t think a lot about White Cloud but we’re the only school in the state to get this,” said Addison. And do you four like this school? “We love it!:” they said in unison. I also asked about their teacher. “We wouldn’t be here right now in this project if not for her,” said Gianna. I also asked for one word to describe their teacher. “Hardworking, helpful, outgoing, amazing.” The four seem destined to achieve whatever goals they have set for themselves. They have learned the power of teamwork, the payoff of perseverance and the magic of mentoring. And gained a good deal of appreciation for the challenge Ms. Claflin has gifted them with. Well done Ms. C. And well done Brynlee, Lily, Gianna and Addison. You certainly inspire hope for the future. Consumers Energy Issuing Request for Proposals This Month for 13 Michigan Hydroelectric Dams
JACKSON, Mich., Feb. 2, 2024 – Consumers Energy announced today it will issue a Request For Proposals (RFP) this month to identify potential buyers for its 13 Michigan hydroelectric dams. This step comes after the energy provider has listened to the communities surrounding the facilities and examined options for the dams’ future that align with customers’ and communities’ interests. “We are grateful for the meaningful input we’ve received over the last two years from communities and others who care deeply about the future of our dams,” said Norm Kapala, Consumers Energy’s vice president of generation operations. “Issuing an RFP for these historic facilities will provide even more opportunities for people to offer ideas to preserve the dams and their reservoirs, while also enabling Consumers Energy to reduce costs for all of our customers.” Consumers Energy has retained the services of Clear Energy Brokerage & Consulting, LLC, a Grand Rapids-based firm, to design and manage the RFP process. The RFP will open Feb. 15, with participants moving through a two-stage evaluation and bidding process that should finish by the end of 2024. Federal operating licenses for the 13 dams, which sit on five rivers, will begin to expire in a decade. Potential options for each dam’s future include renewing operating licenses for 30 more years, transferring ownership, replacement or removal. Entities interested in participating can immediately register their interest and submit initial bids by March 15. For more information and to register, contact Ryan Cook of Clear Energy Brokerage & Consulting LLC at ryan.cook@clearenergybrokerage.com or 616-528-4682. For more information from Consumers Energy, visit ConsumersEnergy.com/hydrofuture. EGLE Grant will cover the project at no cost to residents
The MI Clean Water Plan grants through the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) and support from the federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) aim to help communities upgrade aging infrastructure, ensure healthy drinking water, and protect Michigan’s environment. EGLE DWSRF has announced that the City of White Cloud has received a $4,065,000 Drinking Water State Revolving Fund Grant to cover the cost of replacing water lines in the city. Frequently, in communities developed during the time period in which the City of White Cloud was developed, water service lines were made from lead or galvanized piping. This program will replace lead (and galvanized) water service lines with new copper piping from the main all the way into the homes and businesses. “We are thrilled to be a recipient of this funding.” said White Cloud City Manager April Storms.” This will allow the project to be completed in a relatively short amount of time and will have no effect on water rates to consumers. “The City’s water samples have been tested, resulting in no lead contaminants, however, this Lead and Copper Rule is mandatory statewide for municipalities with water systems.” The Michigan Lead and Copper Rule requires that all lead and galvanized (previously connected to lead) water service lines be replaced within the next 20 years (by January 2040) or at a minimum rate of 5% per year. Water service lines are scheduled to be replaced in White Cloud beginning in Fall of 2024 through Summer of 2025. The City will secure a properly experienced and insured contractor through a bid process to perform this work. “We have done an initial review to determine what water lines require investigation to determine service line material or what lines may need to be replaced,”added Storms. Of the 522 water services in the city, Storms estimates 420 of the lines will need to be investigated and/or replaced as a result of this project. The city will be sending out notification and an agreement for property owners who will be affected by this project. Middle School principal Kevin Akin named to interim post By Ken De Laat If Friday’s Special Meeting of the Grant School Board is any indication, the rift that has divided the town shows no sign of abetting anytime soon. The set of an upcoming play at the Fine Arts Center provided an eerie backdrop to the ongoing tension both within the board and between the board and a significant part of the community they serve. There are already recall elections coming in May when current Board Members Rachel Gort and Richard Vance will face opposition from Lindsay Mahlich and Mindy Conley. The meeting was called earlier in the week with the agenda to include accepting the resignation and release agreement of outgoing superintendent Brett Zuver and the appointment of an interim superintendent. The friction became apparent early as Board Member Rob Schuitema challenged the agenda with a motion to remove the appointment of the interim supe and replace it with engaging NC RESA, MASB, or MLI to find an interim. His motion received no support and the board voted to go into closed session. Upon return a motion was made and supported to accept the resignation and the release agreement. During discussion Schuitema related his displeasure with the action. “I just want to say that Brett Zuver is a good man, he was a good superintendent and I believe he has been unjustly treated and I feel the resignation was forced on him.” No further discussion was offered and the vote was 6-1 with Schuitema the lone dissenting vote. The next action was a motion and support to name Grant Middle School Principal Kevin Akin to the interim post. Again Schuitema challenged the move stating he had not been given time to digest the information having just heard about it. His motion to wait until there was an opportunity for the full board to interview Akin was not supported and the vote to install him as interim went 6-1 in favor with Schuitema, again, the lone dissenting vote Following some other business matters the meeting went to public comment Kelly Brown began by leveling criticism toward Superintendent Zuver white praising the recent efforts of the board. Following her were seventeen others who approached the podium to deliver comments. There was further support for the board’s actions from a couple of other sources but primarily speakers questioned the timing of announcing the meeting, the possibility of a conflict of interest with Interim Supe Akin’s involvement in Special Ed and the circumstances leading to Zuver’s departure. Most of the comments dealt more with concern over how the board operated in making these decisions rather than the outcome, though there were parents and students who expressed sadness and anger at the loss of Zuver. Tracy Hargreaves had praise for Akin but also questioned the Board’s decision making process. Megan Wirts admonished the Board for pushing out the former supe and called for the board to resign as did a couple of other commenters. Following comment and during board discussion Schuitema stated that the board has targeted people who have questioned them and spoke of the pressure that had been put on Zuver pointing to “the constant stress and strain and pressure from a board that is over- micromanaging and overreaching their authority.”
Schuitema reiterated his issues with not hearing about the meeting in a timely fashion as well as the move to install the interim. “I didn’t know about Kevin (Akin) until I got here tonight. And that has been standard operating procedure of this board. Yes, I have challenged this board and I have challenged our legal counsel and I’ve been stonewalled every single time.I have concerns about the well being of our students and staff. “I feel like every time I turn around we're like one step removed from a major lawsuit on top of what we have because this board seems to go rogue and once again, as it says on our nameplates, ‘it’s all about the kids’. But tell me, what has transpired in the last year and a half that put the kids' well-being first and foremost and personal agendas aside?” After applause and a few random supportive comments from the crowd Schuitema related he had had enough for one night and packed up and left the meeting, stating when asked that he would be back in February. Board President Thorne then commented on 2 items addressed in public comment. He stated the reason for the late notice of the meeting had to do with securing an appropriate location which did not occur until Wednesday. He also addressed the question of who would replace Akin as Middle School principal. “That decision will be Mr. Akin’s to make.” An official letter from the Board regarding the resignation of Superintendent Zuver will be available to the community on Monday. It is to be posted on the school’s website as well as the school’s social media sites. The next scheduled board meeting will be February 12th at 6pm. Fremont Area Community Foundation recently awarded $4 million in its final community grant round of 2023. In both 2023 community grant rounds, the Community Foundation awarded more than $6 million total. Grant support was awarded to a variety of organizations and programs serving Newaygo County residents, including programs centered on economic development, arts and culture, literacy, hunger prevention, and more. Most grants targeted one of the Community Foundation’s three focus areas: community development, education, and poverty reduction. In the area of community development, grants were awarded to the City of White Cloud for a façade improvement program and to the Arts Center for Newaygo County to bring the Grand Rapids Ballet to our county in 2024. Other grants included general operating support for organizations like the Heritage Museum of Newaygo County, Newaygo County Council for the Arts, and Newaygo County Tourism Council. The Newaygo County Regional Educational Service Agency was awarded a $145,000 grant to increase access to and support services for post-secondary achievement. The Newaygo Conservation District also received a $75,200 grant for its Nature is Our Educator program. The award included $1,000 from a donor advised fund. The program is a partnership that includes Kropscott Farm Environmental Center and Observatory and five local public school districts. It will provide a coordinated approach to enhance STEAM curriculum and increase proficiency in math and science. Grants in the area of poverty reduction included support for housing services, hunger prevention, transportation, and more. Community Closet Charities was awarded a $14,000 grant that includes a matching grant of up to $4,000. The volunteer-run organization serves thousands of people each year by allowing customers to shop at no cost for clothing and household items. The Community Foundation accepts community grant applications online twice each year. The next deadline is March 1. For more information, visit facommunityfoundation.org/grants. By Coach Stephen Smith Venturing out into subzero temperatures and braving Michigan’s wintry wonderland, the White Cloud Varsity Quiz Bowl contingent contended against top tier opponents at the inaugural Mitten Cup Tournament. The invitational was held on Saturday, January 20, 2024, at Mount Pleasant High School under the direction of the Long Island Quiz Bowl Alliance. The field consisted of 36 teams with a dramatic range of strength, ability, and academic prowess. The reigning Class C-D state champion Indians (5-5) battled all day in preparation for conference, state, and national contests. In the preliminary rounds, the quizessential quartet experienced considerable success against tremendously talented teams. Undergoing an awakening in their first match, the fearsome foursome triumphed over Detroit Catholic Central D, a state powerhouse and national juggernaut program, with a result of 240-185. In the ensuing match, the exuberant ensemble dispatched Roscommon A 215-165. In their only loss of the morning, the contingent faltered 125-460 against Utica Academy for International Studies, an eventual finalist in the grand championship for the tournament. The valiant vanguard quickly rebounded, winning their next contest against Nouvel Catholic 190-85. In the final game of the early bracket, the squad prevailed over Traverse City Central B 200-115, earning a place in the afternoon championship rounds. Facing off against incredibly stiff competition in the championship bracket, the varsity players flexed their abilities defeating East Lansing A 235-195 in an excitingly close contest. Never wavering through adversity, the team continued to total up points against top notch Class A schools in their losses to Grosse Pointe South, Detroit Catholic Central B, Grand Ledge, and Utica Academy. The hardship of defeat will undoubtedly lead to more success in the future at state and national competitions. Nevertheless, White Cloud remained the highest rated Class C-D team in the invitational with a 9th place finish. Looking at the exploits of individual players, the sensational squad was led in scoring by senior Captain Brian Schaefer, who unloaded in a barrage of 365 points. Samuel Viher uncorked 140 points exhibiting yet another quality outing for himself. Wyatt Karnes popped off 110 points and Jarrett Warlick unbottled 90 points, demonstrating a laudable and celebratory team effort. Coach Stephen Smith and the team would like to specifically thank Coach Emeritus Tony McHattie, Assistant Coach Allison McPhall, Assistant Coach Arnie Baker, and Assistant Coach Dallas Dowling. In addition, the team would like to extend their gratitude to all the parents, teachers, staff, administrators, donors, and community members who support the team. Without you, none of the team’s success would be possible. Investigation underway
On Friday, January 12th deputies were dispatched to the 1000 block of S. Walnut Avenue in Everett Township for a shots fired complaint. When deputies arrived, they located a victim on the ground with a gunshot wound to the leg. A preliminary investigation revealed that two males at the residence got into an altercation which led to the shooting. The gunshot victim was a 30-year-old male from Newaygo. He was transported to Butterworth Hospital in Grand Rapids for treatment. A 38-year-old male from White Cloud was taken into custody at the scene and was charged with Felonious Assault and Felony Firearms. He was lodged in the Newaygo County Jail pending an arraignment. Newaygo County Prosecuting Attorney, Worth Stay, announced that Luke Isaac Terpstra, of Grant, was arraigned in the 78th District Court on one count of Explosives – Possession of Bombs with Unlawful Intent, a felony punishable by 15 years and/or $10,000. The charges arose out of an investigation and search of a residence in Grant where bomb and bomb making materials were found. A probable cause conference is set for January 18, 2024, at 9:30 am. A preliminary examination is set for January 25, 2024, at 1:30 pm. Both hearings are scheduled to be held at the 78th District Court in White Cloud, Michigan. A defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty. Anyone with information regarding this ongoing investigation is asked to please contact the Grant Police Department at 231-834-7212. Ice Mountain Environmental Stewardship Fund Awards Grants
The Ice Mountain Environmental Stewardship Fund at Fremont Area Community Foundation recently awarded grants to projects dedicated to improving the health of the Muskegon River and its watershed. This year marks the twenty-first consecutive year the IMESF has supported watershed improvement organizations. Five projects received funding in the 2023 grant cycle, with a total of $59,800 awarded. The IMESF was established at Fremont Area Community Foundation in 2002 through the generosity of BlueTriton Brands and is an endowed fund of the Community Foundation, which means it is a permanent, ever-growing resource. More than $800,000 has been awarded to 25 organizations since the inception of the Fund. “We are grateful for the generosity of BlueTriton Brands and are proud to partner in support of so many outstanding organizations and projects working to conserve and protect the Muskegon River watershed,” said Shelly Kasprzycki, President and CEO of Fremont Area Community Foundation. “We are excited to see the great things that will be accomplished by this year’s grant recipients.” Organizations receiving funding in 2023 include the County of Newaygo, Grant Public Schools, Mecosta Conservation District, and Muskegon Conservation District. A grant to the County of Newaygo will support trail and bridge construction costs on Michigan’s Dragon at Hardy Dam. Remaining grant funds will be used for trail feature work and maintenance. The Dragon will be a 47-mile adventure trail for world-class biking, hiking, running, and outdoor recreation. Twenty-nine miles have been completed so far. Said Nick Smith, Newaygo County Parks and Recreation Director, "Newaygo County is excited to continue our Ice Mountain Environmental Stewardship Fund partnership. The county has leveraged these funds over the past years to continue developing and improving the Dragon Trail. This project has drawn over 68,000 trail users to the region in the past 15 months, which generated over $2 million in economic impact for our local businesses and residents. The trail is sustainably designed for visitors to experience the beautiful bluffs, wetlands, ravines, wildlife, trees, and parks around Hardy Pond. By providing a destination trail system highlighting our impressive natural resources, we hope to give visitors and residents a deeper connection and appreciation for the natural environment around them.” Grant Public Schools received a grant for students to plant a rain garden at Ed Henning County Park, which is located just outside of the city of Newaygo and is a popular recreation spot. Through the project, students will increase habitat for pollinators, decrease the amount of stormwater runoff entering the river, and be exposed to environmental careers. Students will also research ways to create eco-protective buffer zones along waterways. This is the second year Grant Public Schools was selected for project funding to help with an ongoing restoration and enhancement project. Said Brett Zuver, Superintendent of Grant Public Schools, “Environmental projects, like the Henning Park Rain Garden, present unique opportunities for young students to learn ways to protect waterways, prevent erosion and pollution from impacting them, and take an active role in the work. The IMESF support is greatly appreciated and necessary for Grant Public Schools to enable students to have this valuable experience.” A grant beneficiary since 2020, Mecosta Conservation District received funding this year to continue its program of hazardous waste collection free of charge for residents of Lake, Osceola, and Mecosta counties; it is the sole hazardous waste disposal option for the area. Residents can safely dispose of pesticides, fertilizers, and other materials that can be toxic to waterways. More than 39,000 pounds of hazardous waste from Mecosta, Osceola, and Lake county residents were collected this year. "Offering a household hazardous waste collection to our residents at no charge has been an important staple in our program to encourage proper disposal that protects the health of our community members and environment, “said Brook Baumann, District Administrator for Mecosta Conservation District. “Properly disposing of household hazardous waste requires licensed contractors and significant financial resources as disposal prices continue to escalate. The Ice Mountain Environmental Stewardship Fund support contributes significantly to offsetting these costs and is a key factor in why this program has been successful for many years." Muskegon Conservation District was awarded grants for two projects. One will fund tree planting for bank stabilization along a stretch of the Muskegon River in the Muskegon Creek Game Area adjacent to Mosquito Creek. The project is being undertaken in concert with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. The second grant will fund an ecology study of wood turtles, with a goal of identifying nesting areas and habitat. Wood turtles are considered a threatened species in Michigan and their presence is a key bioindicator of a healthy watershed. The project is being conducted in partnership with the Michigan Department of Natural Sources Wildlife Division, Michigan Natural Features Inventory, John Ball Zoo, and Grand Valley State University. Said Arlene Anderson-Vincent, Natural Resources Manager for Ice Mountain® 100% Natural Spring Water, and member of the Ice Mountain Environmental Stewardship Fund Advisory Committee, “This year’s Ice Mountain Environmental Stewardship Fund investments represent the diversity of the Muskegon River and the organizations throughout the watershed that work tirelessly to protect, enhance, and improve it. From conservation and preservation to education, this year’s projects will make a difference not only to the watershed’s vitality but also to build a foundation of environmental stewardship in our younger generations.” Grant applications for the Ice Mountain Environmental Stewardship Fund are accepted online each year from June 1 until July 15. Individuals and organizations interested in supporting the health of the watershed are also invited to contribute to the Fund at any time. More information on the Fund, how to donate, and how to apply for a grant can be found at facommunityfoundation.org/icemountain. |
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May 2024
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